Unknown Past

With a vice-like grip, the warrior's hands closed around the delicate necks of the two women, his intent clear: to extinguish their lives. His jagged claws slowly pierced the tender flesh of the demoness, while Hel, struggling for breath, felt her airway constricting. Paralyzed by fear, Lilith dared not even flinch, fully aware that the barbarian could effortlessly tear her throat apart. Both women found themselves in an exquisitely perilous situation, their lives hanging by a mere thread. The sight of the warrior sent waves of disgust and nausea coursing through them. Steam billowed from his flared nostrils and gaping mouth as he breathed heavily, desperately trying to draw in as much air as possible. Saliva mixed with dark blood drooled from his lips. It was evident that the Olympian had lost his grip on reality, consumed by nonexistent memories. In his distorted perception, everyone around him was an enemy, and his instincts screamed of imminent danger. And in that very moment, one of his most dangerous instincts took complete control—the instinct to strike first, to eliminate the unknown and safeguard oneself. All animals act on such primal urges when fear and confusion overwhelm them, and Haemon is no exception.

But just as the black tentacles surged forward, poised to pierce the women's vulnerable bodies, they were abruptly halted by the sudden arrival of Asmodeus. The Lord of the Fallen swiftly erected a protective barrier, shielding the women from harm. With a wave of his hand, he summoned countless spikes that impaled the Olympian's body, rendering him immobile. Freed from the steel grip of the warrior, the women gasped for air, their lungs grateful for the reprieve. Rising from their knees, they wiped their bloodied necks, their hands trembling with a mix of relief and adrenaline. Lilith, her voice hoarse, confronted their savior, her words laced with accusation, "Were you spying on me, you degenerate!?"

"You're welcome, as always! And no, I wasn't spying on you. I was simply sent to find you. The boss has some business with you," the fallen one replied, his smile awkward and strained. Pointing his thumb at the fallen Olympian, he smirked and asked, "What did you do to anger this poor guy? But you don't have to answer!" The man's unsettling smile hinted at his understanding of their predicament. It seemed he had already deduced the gravity of the situation. The two women either failed to grasp his words or chose to ignore them. "Well, since the Lord himself is demanding me, I better go," Lilith said, forcing a false smile as she began to compose herself. Bidding farewell to Hel, she added, "Until we meet again, sister!" The mother of demons gracefully bowed in a gesture of courtesy, then transformed into a swarm of crimson bats, vanishing from sight. "Honestly, Lady Hel, I believe you should seek a better partner. Things are unlikely to work out with him. But it's not my place to lecture you," Asmodeus said, his pleasant smile lingering as he waved goodbye and departed the room.

The queen had been on the verge of rushing to her husband's side, desperate to ensure his well-being. However, a sudden change of heart overtook her, and she shook her head decisively. For the sake of her own safety and that of their child, she concluded it would be wiser to leave him to his own devices, allowing his troubled mind to continue its torment in solitude.

Haemon's Subconsciousness

A blinding ray of sunlight pierced through the warrior's squinted eyes, causing him discomfort. "Are you alright, my love?" A familiar, caring voice reached his ears, tinged with a hint of concern. Instantly, a sense of unease washed over the Olympian, prompting him to widen his eyes in disbelief. "Mara!?" his voice quivered, unable to comprehend what lay before him. Sitting across from him was his beloved, as if untouched by the tragedy that had befallen them. Her face radiated an extraordinary smile, brimming with kindness and compassion. Her eyes, pools of love, gazed upon him, and in that moment, she appeared as an angel in human form. The warrior's heart, once blackened by despair, pounded with a fervor he had never known, ready to burst from the overwhelming happiness that engulfed him. "Are you alright, my dear?" Her soft voice resonated again, shattering his defenses and unleashing his emotions. Swiftly rising from his seat, he sprinted towards her, enfolding her in a tight embrace. Genuine tears streamed down his face, but they were not the usual crimson tears of sorrow and pain; no, they were something far more beautiful. They were tears of indescribable joy and disbelief, reserved for those with true souls.

At that moment, the barbarian's tears transformed him into a small child who had just found his long-lost mother. The fierce warrior dissolved into a vulnerable and fragile being, his true essence unveiled. Deep within his dark soul, he was nothing more than a yearning child, desperate for love and understanding.

*******   

"My dear," the woman whispered softly, her hand gently patting her lover's muscular shoulder. The warrior immediately released the girl from his bear-like embrace, concern etched on his face as he began to examine her, making sure she was unharmed. His mind swirled with questions and torments, aching to pour out his emotions and show his beloved how much he had missed her. But the words got stuck in his throat like a bloody lump, his whole face drenched in tears as if doused with water, and his hands slick with sweat as if forged in a blazing furnace.

Observing his anguish, the girl smiled warmly, reaching out her hand to tenderly kiss the warrior's trembling lips. "You'd better take your place at the table! Otherwise, Mommy will get angry," she said, wiping away his tears with gentle care. Then, pointing behind him, she directed him to the chair.

Nervously clutching his lover's hand, the warrior raised an eyebrow and asked, "Mom? Does that mean Nyx is here too?" His voice turned dark, anger flickering in his eyes. His fists clenched, ready to leave this place, taking Mara with him. But before he could take two steps, he was halted. "Yes, just like all the other family members! It's your birthday today, silly," she explained. Concern clouded her eyes as she touched his hand. "Are you really okay? You're starting to scare me, Haemon!" Confusion tinged her voice, genuine fear creeping into her expression. Witnessing her distress, the warrior forced a pained smile, rubbing his eyes. He calmly made his way to his seat, assuring her, "It's nothing, everything is fine. It was just a really bad day!"

"Oh, really!? I'm sorry I didn't notice earlier. Father advised against it, but it would be strange not to celebrate your birthday," the girl's words carried a tinge of sadness as if she bore guilt like a burden. She quickly averted her gaze from the warrior. "Lately, you've been doing so much for us, so I decided..."

"You're whispering behind my back again!" Nyx exclaimed, her voice filled with delight, as she appeared with a tray brimming with delectable food. Setting the tray on the table, the statuesque woman furrowed her brow and playfully scolded Mara. "I left you in charge of decorating the table, and what do I find upon my return? Just a couple of salads and a few jugs of wine?" With one hand on her hip and the other pointing at the table, Nyx shook her head in mock disappointment. 

"I'm sorry, Mother, I just..." the girl began to justify herself, but the queen swiftly cut her off, indicating she didn't want to hear any excuses. "Daughter, you should spend less time daydreaming and more time living in reality. Now, quickly, get to work, you little rascal!" Nyx lovingly pinched the girl's cheeks, and she winced slightly from the playful pain. Lowering her head in embarrassment, she immediately set about adorning the table.

"And you, young man!" The mother sternly addressed her seated son, pointing at him with an outstretched finger. "Why do you sit there with such a gloomy face on such a festive day? Come on, smile, so I can see my boy in all his glory!" Nyx gestured with her hands, indicating the width of the smile she expected.

"It's not fitting to speak to the king of the underworld in such a tone," a playful male voice chuckled from behind the barbarian. With a hearty laugh, someone grabbed Haemon by the shoulder and pulled him close. As the warrior lifted his head, he found himself face to face with his biological father, Hades. Hades smiled joyfully at his son, then affectionately ruffled his hair, much like a proud father would. 

"Look at the mess you've gotten yourself into, you old fool!" The queen scolded, her brow furrowed in mock anger. Approaching her son with her husband, she lightly slapped Hades' hand for ruining the birthday boy's hairstyle. "I managed to convince him to tidy up a bit, and you spoiled it with your antics!"

"Oh, come on. A little chaos never hurts. And you should relax a bit, dear, because stress is causing wrinkles on your lovely face," Hades said, teasingly pointing at his wife's face with his finger. Nyx immediately turned her back to them and pulled out a mirror, examining herself with confusion. Hades smirked and quietly approached his worried wife from behind. 

Nyx touched her face, trying to find any wrinkles. "Where exactly did you see... AH!" The queen let out a surprised scream as her spouse unexpectedly kissed her cheek. "Right here!" Hades exclaimed with delight, skillfully dodging his wife's playful slap. Then, he grabbed her hand and pulled her closer, lovingly declaring, "My queen is the most beautiful in the world, and she has no wrinkles and never will!" Hades leaned in, about to kiss her beloved's luscious lips, but she playfully pushed him aside with laughter. "Calm your ardor, my lion, for we will have plenty of time later," she said with a mischievous smile.

"I see the celebration has started without us!" Unexpectedly, the warrior brothers emerged from the forest's bushes, beginning with Charon and ending with Zagreus. Hypnos, his eyes welling up with tears, ran towards his brother like a child spotting a puppy, embracing him tightly. "I can't believe how much you've grown!" Hypnos clung to Haemon, his voice filled with a mix of happiness and sorrow. Haemon stood there, utterly stunned, unsure of what to say or do. His mind struggled to discern whether this was a dream or reality.

"Release him, brother! You know our esteemed lord isn't fond of such tender displays," Thanatos smirked, gently pulling the weeping Hypnos away. "Apologies, I tend to get emotional in these moments." Hypnos' face grew even redder with tears, prompting the compassionate Charon to offer him a handkerchief. "Shall we gather at the table and continue our family conversations there?" Zagreus impatiently suggested, gesturing towards the empty seats at the royal table. "Yes, please, let's sit down quickly!" Nyx exclaimed, ushering her children to their places. "And you, Mara, join us as well. Matters can wait, my dear," Hades called out to the girl, who had been tirelessly bringing various dishes to the table. "Of course, Father," Mara happily replied, offering a slight bow before taking a seat next to Zagreus.

*******  

As everyone settled into their seats, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. The large and amiable family, known for their warmth and camaraderie, eagerly looked towards Haemon, their eyes brimming with expectation, hoping to hear a heartfelt toast. However, Haemon seemed oblivious to their silent plea, his attention fixated on the array of food before him, his eyes filled with bewilderment.

Questions raced through Haemon's mind, each one more bewildering than the last. What was happening? Why was he here? Weren't these people supposed to be dead? And to his astonishment, he realized that most of them were his enemies, those who had stood against him in the past. How was it possible for them to be alive and gathered here now? The confusion overwhelmed him, his thoughts spiraling into a chaotic frenzy.

"No, no, no," he muttered in disbelief, clutching his head with trembling hands. With a tormented scream, he crumpled to the ground, as if trying to escape the maddening onslaught of visions assaulting his mind. In that moment, a torrent of disparate images crashed upon him, blurring the line between reality and delusion.

Before him, he witnessed unimaginable scenes unfolding. Hades and Nyx, the rulers of the underworld, stood by his side, offering him solace and care. Both of his parents, who he had believed to be distant and cold, showered him with genuine love and sympathy. They played together, imparting invaluable lessons on how to be a wise and just ruler. Even his brothers, whom he had always suspected of harboring jealous intentions, were revealed to be his unwavering allies, supporting him throughout his life.

The kaleidoscope of these bewildering visions whirled in Haemon's mind, eroding his grasp on reality. The fabric of his identity unraveled, leaving him lost in a labyrinth of uncertainty. Which of these two contrasting lives had he truly lived? Was he Haemon, the loving son and devoted brother, or was he merely a deranged monster tormenting his own soul with madness?

Desperation consumed him, and he bellowed his inner turmoil, his voice echoing through the room. Repeatedly, he struck the ground with his fists, as if hoping to shake loose the answers hidden within.