Zeus stroked his , his pierg blue-purple eyes narrowing in mock seriousness. “Normally, I wouldn’t let someone weasel their way into ging a deal like this,” he said, his booming voice tinged with amusement. “But... you did expose Hades for breaking the rules I put in pce. So, why not?”
With a dramatic flourish, Zeus jured a gleaming gold medal. The embossed desigured a swirling cloud ed in a crag lightning bolt. He tossed it to Helios, who caught it with surprising ease, though his exhaustion was evident.
“All you o do is call my name while holding that, and a ride to Olympus will whisk you straight to Hephaestus’ Fe,” Zeus expined, his grin widening. Then, with a wink and a thunderous ugh, he disappeared in a fsh of lightning, leaving the air charged and crag.
Helios fell bato the scorched ground with a groan, the adrenaline finally leaving his body. “I think I’m officially out of fuel,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sephiroth, his expression unreadable, gnced down at Helios. “We should leave before that petty god of the Underworld sends his minions to finish the job.”
Helios nodded weakly. “You’re n,” he admitted. Summoning the st reserves of his magic, he raised his hand and cast a weak Cura on them both. A faint green glow enveloped them both, closing their wounds just enough to allow movement.
The healing spell left Helios visibly drained, but he forced himself to his feet. “The rest will have to wait until we’re somewhere safe,” he said, his voice strained.
Their journey back to Thebes was slow and arduous, their battered bodies protesting every step. The sun began its dest, painting the sky in hues e and pink. The once-oppressive curse of the Underworld had lifted, allowing them to feel the world’s natural energy again, though their strength returned only in small is.
Sephiroth walked ahead, his posture rigid but purposeful, while Helios trailed behind, his steps sluggish. “Hey, Seph,” Helios called, breaking the silence. “You ever think maybe we should—oh, I don’t know—take a vacation after all this? I for sure need one.”
Sephiroth didn’t respond, though the faiwitch at the er of his mouth hi his disapproval of the niame.
By the time they reached the inn, dusk had settled over Thebes. The familiar sight of the cozy, modest building brought a wave of relief. Helios stumbled slightly as they entered, catg himself on the doorframe.
They climbed the stairs to their shared room, the wooden boards creakih their feet. As they entered, Skuld’s worried face greeted them. She stood from where she had been sitting near Cloud’s bed, her expression a mix of and frustration.
“What happeo you two?” she demanded, crossing her arms.
Helios waved her off with a weak smile. “We, uh… went a little crazy in a fight,” he said, his tone light despite the exhaustion in his eyes.
Skuld narrowed her eyes, but the sight of their burned and bloodied forms softened her scolding. “You both look like you barely made it out alive,” she muttered, stepping aside to let them pass.
“Pretty accurate,” Helios admitted, colpsing onto the bed.
Sephiroth sat down oher bed, his movements deliberate but strained. Helios raised a hand zily. “Skuld, do me a favor?”
She blinked, her deepening. “What?”
“Keep an eye on Cloud for us. We just o rest for a bit,” Helios said, his voice trailing off as his eyes closed.
Despite their injuries being healed during the jourhe sheer physical and magical toll left both men drained. Helios fell asleep almost immediately, his breathing deep and steady. Sephiroth leaned back against the wall, his pierg gaze flig to Skuld briefly before he closed his eyes as well.
Skuld sighed, returo her room, and turned her attention to Cloud, who remained asleep but looked more at ease than he had before. She pulled a chair closer to his bed, keeping her watchful vigil as the sounds of the bustling city outside gradually faded into the quiet of the night.
The dim light of the room was muted by the drawn curtains, the quiet hum of Thebes in the distance creating a strange calm. Sephiroth’s eyes snapped open, their eerie glow cutting through the darkness. He had felt it—an unfamiliar presence lurking nearby.
“Whoever’s there,” he said coldly, his voice slig through the silence, “show yourself.”
A puff of bck smoke erupted in the ter of the room, the st of sulfur a filling the air. As the smoke cleared, Hades emerged, his fming blue hair casting a flickering light over the walls.
“Easy there, tall, dark, and gloomy,” Hades said, holding his hands up in mock surrender as Sephiroth’s hand instinctively moved toward the hilt of Masamune. “I’m not here for a fight. Rex, will ya?”
Sephiroth didn’t draw his bde, but his sharp gaze remained locked on the god. “Then what do you want?”
Hades grinned, a toothy smile that spoke of schemes yet to be revealed. “Oh, you know, just a little chat. A proposal, if you will. Oh and don’t worry, no one hear us not the twerp or the girl iher room so feel fortable.”
Sephiroth’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t speak, allowing Hades to tinue.
“First off,” Hades began, pag casually, “let me just say I’m ly thrilled about you and the twerp running off like that. That little stunt? Super uncool. But…” He paused, gesturing animatedly, “I gotta admit, the crowd loved it. All the drama, the tension, the explosions? Top-tier eai.”
Sephiroth remained silent, his pierg gaze watg the god’s every movement.
“So,” Hades said, stopping and turning to face him, “I’m here to make you an offer. A formal invitation, if you will, to return to the Underdrome.”
Sephiroth tilted his head slightly, skepticism flickering across his face. “Why would I want to do that?”
“Gd you asked!” Hades said, snapping his fingers and juring a small burst of fmes. “Look, I get it. The twerp? He’s got his little quest, his noble goals. Yada yada. But you?” Hades poi Sephiroth, his grin widening. “You’re different. You enjoy the fight. The thrill, the challenge. And this world? Oh, baby, it’s all about battle. Gdiators, tours, the works.”
Hades leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a spiratorial tone. “Let’s face it, tall, dark, and terrifying—you’re not the ‘sit around and wait for something to happen’ type. You crave a, and the Underdrome? It’s the perfect stage for someone like you.”
Sephiroth studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “And why would you wahere? What do you gain from this?”
Hades shrugged, feigning nonce. “Hey, I’m a businessman. I know a good iment when I see one. You’re a crowd-pleaser, pal. People love watg you fight. Y in the numbers, I get the glory. It’s a win-win.”
The room fell silent for a beat before Hades reached into the air, juring a small bck object—a medal, simir to the one Zeus had given Helios, but darker and twisted, with jagged edges and a faint, ominous glow.
“Here’s the deal,” Hades said, tossing the medal to Sephiroth, who caught it with one hand. “No matter where you are, you say my name while holding that, and bam! Instant ride back to this world.”
Sephiroth gnced down at the medal, its cold surface glinting faintly in the low light.
“Think it over,” Hades said, his tone smooth but dripping with hidden motives. “I’m not asking for an answer now. Just keep it in your back pocket—or wherever you put those ridiculously long sleeves—and remember the offer. Anytime you’re bored, anytime you’re looking for a real challenge, you know who to call.”
Hades turo leave, but paused, his griurning. “O thing: tell the twerp I said hi. And tell him thanks for the chaos—it really brought the pce to life. But if he ever steps foot in the Underworld again he’ll regret it.”
Before Sephiroth could respond, Hades disappeared in another puff of bck smoke, leaving behind the faint st of brimstone.
Sephiroth stared at the medal in his hand, his mind w through the implications. His grip tightened slightly, his lips curving into a faint smirk as he pced the medal into the folds of his coat.
“Hades,” he muttered to himself, his voice low and thoughtful.
He leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes once more, but his mind remained sharp, sidering the god’s offer and what it might mean for his future.
