ALL NOVEL Chapter 19: Chapter 19: A Visit to the Underworld
The festivities of Zeus's grand party had finally come to an end. One by one, the guests departed Olympus, returning to their respective domains. The siblings, weary yet exhilarated, began their journey back to the Riddle estate.
However, Alex felt a pull, a nagging sensation he couldn't ignore. It was as if the very fabric of his soul was urging him elsewhere. As his siblings stepped through the enchanted portal leading back to Earth, Alex hesitated.
"You're not coming?" Bella asked, her brows furrowed.
"I need to take care of something," Alex said, his tone firm yet evasive. "I'll catch up with you soon."
Without waiting for a response, Alex turned away, his wand emitting a faint glow as he summoned a portal to the Underworld.
Entering Hades's Domain
The journey to his father's realm was both eerie and awe-inspiring. The air grew heavier with each step, the landscape shifting from dark stone cliffs to rivers of molten fire. The River Styx shimmered ominously in the distance, its surface reflecting countless lost souls.
As Alex approached the gates, Cerberus growled low, each of its three heads watching him intently. Alex raised his hand, allowing a faint pulse of his magic to wash over the beast. Recognizing him as the son of Hades, the monstrous guardian stepped aside.
Inside, the halls of the Underworld were both grand and oppressive. Shadows danced along the walls, and the air carried a faint chill that seeped into his bones. At the heart of the realm lay Tartarus, the prison of the damned.
Meeting Kratos
It didn't take Alex long to locate the cell he sought. Deep within Tartarus, behind bars forged from enchanted adamantine, sat Kratos—the legendary Ghost of Sparta.
Even in chains, Kratos's presence was overwhelming. His muscular frame was marked by countless scars, and his piercing gaze seemed to burn through the darkness. He looked up as Alex approached, his expression a mix of curiosity and disdain.
"So," Kratos rumbled, his voice like thunder. "You're the son of Hades."
Alex stepped closer, unflinching. "And you're the Ghost of Sparta. Slayer of gods."
Kratos let out a dry laugh, the sound echoing through the cavernous space. "You speak as if it's something to be proud of."
Alex studied the man before him, sensing the weight of his words. "I came to understand why my father keeps someone like you here. What could you have done to earn his wrath?"
Kratos leaned back against the wall of his cell, his chains clinking faintly. "I defied the gods. Killed them, one by one. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades... none were spared. Your father likely keeps me here as a reminder of his own mortality."
Alex tilted his head. "And do you regret it?"
The question seemed to catch Kratos off guard. He was silent for a moment before answering, his tone heavy with conviction. "Regret? No. But the cost… the loss of my family, my humanity… those are burdens I carry every day."
A Shared Understanding
Alex sat cross-legged outside the cell, his wand resting on his knee. "I've seen the cost of power too. It's never clean. Never easy."
Kratos studied the young man before him, his intense gaze softening slightly. "You've fought your own battles, haven't you?"
Alex nodded. "And I suspect there are many more to come. But I've learned that power isn't about dominance or destruction—it's about protecting what matters."
The ghost of Sparta smirked faintly. "Wise words for one so young. But you'll find the gods don't see it that way. They crave power for power's sake."
"Then maybe it's time someone changed that," Alex said, his voice firm.
Kratos chuckled darkly. "You'll need more than words to stand against the gods."
Alex leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Maybe. But I've got something they don't—a reason to fight. A reason to win."
A Warning and a Gift
As their conversation continued, Kratos shared fragments of his life—his rise as a warrior, his fall as a servant of the gods, and his ultimate rebellion against Olympus. Though bound by chains, his spirit remained unbroken.
Before Alex rose to leave, Kratos called out to him. "Boy. If you're ever to face the gods, you'll need more than your father's power."
From the shadows of his cell, Kratos retrieved a small, ornate box. He slid it toward the bars, where Alex picked it up cautiously.
"What is this?" Alex asked, examining the intricate carvings on the box.
"A fragment of the Blade of Olympus," Kratos said. "It's a reminder that even the mightiest gods can fall. Use it wisely."
Alex nodded, tucking the box into his robes. "Thank you."
As he turned to leave, Kratos's voice echoed one last time. "Beware, son of Hades. The gods may fear you, but they'll never stop testing you. And when the time comes, you'll have to decide—will you fight like them, or rise above them?"
Alex glanced back, a faint smile on his lips. "I guess we'll find out."
With that, he vanished into the shadows, leaving the Ghost of Sparta alone in his cell, his laughter fading into the darkness.
(Author's note he killed the gods of different timeline)