Haze’s First Mission

"Cousin! You're my cousin?!" Haze shouted.

Elena nodded with a smile.

Haze's mind was reeling from all the new information, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Elena was his cousin, he just kissed his cousin but Hades wanted them for an 'urgent' meeting in the early hours of the morning and they had to go immediately.

He glared at Elena. "You have a lot of explaining to do", He then turned and went with the servant, Elena jogged to catch up with him.

"You seem angry cousin", She purred smoothly.

"Of course I'm angry, I just kissed my cousin!", Haze snapped before he could control himself.

The servant's eyes widened and he quickly acted like he didn't hear them, he raised his head high and walked like he was in a soundless vacuum.

"Was it so bad?", Elena sighed dramatically. "I for one enjoyed it, I'd say you did too, judging by certain reactions", Her eyes flicked his crotch where it seemed someone stuffed a sock.

The servant make a choking sound and coughed.

Elena paid him no attention, her eyes were still on Haze.

"You're weird", Haze said in anger. "You're weird and you're a pervert".

"We're here", The servant said in a strangler voice, he pointed to the large door that led to Hades' palace.

Haze realized with a start that they were at the palace, he nodded at the servant and pushed the door open.

The servant gave a deep bow and fled down the hallway.

Poor guy, Haze thought. He was probably scared for his life the entire walk.

"He thought we might kill him to keep it a secret, what a dunce", Elena said beside him.

Haze gritted his teeth and wordlessly stepped into the palace.

Large was an understatement for Hades' palace. It was a monstrous entity with four walls that seemed to stretch to the heavens, It was a refuge moulded by Hades, shaped by his restless mind, toned by her relentless fervour.

A sharp scent of spices welcomed them as they stepped in, embosoming them in opulent fumes that caressed Haze's eyelids. Hades lounged on his throne, almost unaware of any presence in the court.

"Hm...hm", Haze coughed to alert Hades.

Hades turned his head lazily to look at them, he gave them a cursory glance and yawned.

"I see you got my message", He said.

"Clearly", Elena replied.

"Elena, sweetheart, it's been a while", Hades said with a smile.

"Yes indeed", Elena cooed, she gave Hades a knowing look.

Haze pretended not to notice any of that. "You wanted to tell us something urgently", He told Hades.

"Yes", Hades said and sat upright. "I need you two to help me with something", He drummed his fingers on the armrest.

"See, I've been robbed".

"Robbed!?", Haze could not believe his ears. "How can the ruler of the underworld get robbed?"

"It happens far more commonly than you think", Elena said with a shrug.

"You can steal from a god?", Haze asked in amazement.

"Yeah, it's actually what happens the most over here", Elena explained. "Stealing things and people".

Haze listened in amazement, he would not imagaine a world in which the powerful was not safe from robberies.

"How did you get robbed anyway?", Elena asked Hades.

Hades' lips curled in a smile and he rubbed the back of his neck abashed. "I had a visitor over, she took it while I rested".

Haze's blinked confused by the half story he just heard. He thought about it hard and it suddenly dawned on him.

"You disgusting pig!", Elena yelled.

"Now, now, no need to blame the victim", Hades raised his hands.

"Who stole it and what did they steal?", Haze asked.

"Good, you're asking the important questions", Hades said. "My signet ring is missing and the queen of witches stole it".

"The queen of witches?", Haze asked at the same time that Elena yelled. "The queen of witches!".

Elena screwed up her face. "Oh you're more disgusting than I thought".

Hades chuckled nervously.

"Am I missing something?", Haze asked. "Who is this queen of witches?"

"She is exactly what her name implies, she rules the witches", Hades explained.

"The queen of all the witches in the world?", Haze asked.

"gods no!", Hades exclaimed. "Imagine how strong such a person would be", He shuddered. "She rules the witches in -d".

"Hmm, I see, So we're supposed to go get your ring back for you".

"Yes", Hades said.

"And potentially punish her", Haze replied.

"I like how you think", Hades smirked. "But no, she's much too dangerous and too powerful. You're to try to steal it without any confrontation, however if she tries to prevent you, use any force necessary".

"This is a suicide mission!", Elena protested. You can't send him to the lion's den.

"Hey how come it's dangerous for me and not for you?", Haze whined.

"You're new to this", She smirked.

"Yes but I'm immortal", He said.

"Yes, I guess", Elena conceded.

"You leave this evening, go and rest… and prepare", Hades said with a wave of his finger, Haze knew they were dismissed and started to leave.

"Stay for a moment, Haze", Hades commanded. I need to have a word.

Haze stayed back while Elena sauntered out the palace.

"Where's Gatti?", Haze asked before Hades could say anything.

Hades' eyes burned with an emotion Haze couldn't interpret. "He's on an important mission for me".

"Two important missions in a day, must be a beehive over here", Haze remarked.

Hades' shrugged.

"No matter what, don't lose your sword", He said. "It is a very very important weapon and it has my blessing, so it will keep safe".

Haze nodded and Hades continued.

"You're immortal right now but I'm sure you've learnt now that it's not the foolproof you think it is".

Haze nodded once more and Hades sighed, he slid a ring off his finger.

"This is an immortality ring, true immortality", He paused to let the words sink in.

"If you get subdued while wearing it, it will bring you back to full consciousness".

He tossed it to Haze who caught.

"Thank you", Haze said and slipped it on, the metal felt cool to the touch and fit his finger snugly, which surprised Haze a little seeing as Hades' fingers were monstrous compared to his.

"Don't lose the ring, or the sword", Hades warned again.

"I won't", Haze promised.

Hades brought out necklace from his pockets and tossed it to Haze.

"That is a summoning chain, anytime you need to talk to me, just rub on it and call my name".

Haze slipped it on and nodded with a smile.

"Don't overuse it though, I'm a busy man".

"Sure", Haze looked at the sprawled out god and the piles of unattended papers on the table beside him. Very busy.

Hades smiled. "You can go now, goodluck son".

"Goodluck, son?", Haze couldn't believe it.

It was the first time he had ever been called that and he couldn't stop the feeling of warmth that spread across his chest.

"Thanks dad", He replied.

"Don't call me that", Hades replied, his smiled disappeared.

"Sorry". Haze said, Hades said nothing and waved him off.

Haze left the palace admiring his new gifts.