Chapter Text
There was a stench in the tunnels as Seph traversed them, followed closely by Hades. Were it not for his enchantment she feared she would have lost herself, even now she could feel something trying to claw at her very aether. An uneasy feeling that filled her with fear.
How unusual… She can feel Hades hand on her shoulder for a moment stopping her in her tracks. “You should pay attention.” he scolds with a soft voice.
“..I was a little distracted.. I can still feel.. I don’t know how to voice what I can feel… I am…” she sighs leaving the words hanging. She can see him smile faintly in an attempt to reassure her.
“I know how you feel, little flower.” he gives her shoulder a light squeeze. “But it is important that you keep your focus now. Don’t let down your guard now, Seph.” he reiterated seriously to her, causing her to nod.
“I won’t, Hades.” she turns around again feeling Hades give her shoulder a soft stroke before they press on. The foul stench of toxins only got worse and Seph could do nothing but assume that they came closer to the root of this corruption.
She suddenly hears some quiet voices holding out her arm to keep Hades from advancing as she tilts her head to listen. The voices were only muffled but from what they talked about... plans...it's working… the information served well…. they did send out Azem… not alone.
Her eyes narrowed behind her black mask as she, given what little they had found out from their investigations she knew this would likely end in a fight. She quietly pulled the rapier and focused, knowing Hades would very well get the message to ready himself.
This is why I trained with the mortal, so I may still wield some of my aether.. even though it is weaker right now with this damned corruption. Unlike Hades I can not draw on the underworld. Combining two forms of aether in range and melee. I can do this…
She takes slow steps through the tunnels Hades follows closely behind her as rounds the corner carefully glancing into the large cavern. She could see quite a few spiderwebs but there were none to be seen beside three figures discussing things in the middle. By their height they were Amaurotine, she wondered if their souls would be muddled like the others but asking Hades would probably result in them being found.
Glancing to the ceiling she can see that the cave itself would not withstand much magic, they would have to be careful lest they wish to be buried beneath the rubble.
The cave was larger than the previous tunnel, filled with stalagmites and strange crystals that emit little to no light. There seemed to be a larger lightsource further in the back. Her eyes wander back to the figures standing and conversing quietly.
Now closer she could clearly listen to their conversation.
~”What about Azem and Emet-Selch..?” the larger figure with a female voice admonished.
~”Hmpf, at any rate this is good we know they might turn up. I find it more troublesome that it is the offspring of Zagreus.” the male next to her replied.
Seph frowns at these words: How do they know he is with me… he didn’t publically leave for exactly this reason… She glanced back to Hades who seemed equally intrigued by the uttered words. He gestures to them pointing to something behind them. He sees something… some form of aether. She nods before returning her attention back to the group.
~”Ah… the little girl was all grown up then? I remember it like yesterday, such a vibrant colour…” she murmurs.
~”Aletheia… was it not your responsibility?” the other woman replied. “Having lost Zagreus to Amaurot….” she spat. “And now his accursed offspring is out to find us with Emet-Selch who seems to be close to her… the accursed boy.” hate drips from her voice.
~”Indeed t’was my responsibility, but what was I to do? The old Azem was lurking around them.. refusing them would have gotten their attention. Lest I need to remind you that this brought us a wonderful ally to? You would do well to know your place…” her voice had turned low if not even threatening.
~”You know well what they say of him, I am not concerned with the girl, she is but a leaf in the wind.” she scoffs. “Shall she turn up and I will make sure she turns to ash.”
~”Interesting, you would think you can take her and Emet-Selch. As far as we know they’re not just close. ” Aletheia voiced.
The other woman looked at her even from here Seph could discern anger. ~”Glower all you will, girl. Just do your job. We’ve gathered enough aether from here I shall bring the crystals back, pack up and see you get lost…” Aletheia voiced.
Just then Seph made her first move, she would not let the woman escape. She was resolved to get more answers. This… I know she is the one who set up my mother.. the one who brought all this suffering to my life.
Persephone dashed out of the tunnel shooting a spell towards the group. There is no talking to the maniacs. They’re not of sound mind. They can not be saved...not the ones so lost. Hades' words ring clear in her head. We need to get what information we can.. capturing one who is nearly dead would be enough.
A spell of light-magic hurls towards the trio in an attempt to blind them; she knew Hades would be behind her and keep an eye on her. She was proved right when a spell had hurled towards her and an aetheric shield blocked it completely.
The smoke obstructs her vision for a moment before she jumps closer driving the rapier towards the man only to be met with a shield of his own. She can feel the aether before she sees it taking a jump back.
Hades hand steadied her as his own raises and with a snap he sends a ball of purple aether their way.
Again it only hits a shield this time procured by Aletheia. "There she is… there they are…" she breathes. "All grown up, the little Persephone. And look at that, Emet-Selch himself."
"Address her as Azem. You do not deserve to say her name!" Hades spat towards the woman.
Seph raises her weapon again. "I have a lot of questions.. And you will answer them." she says calmly.
Aletheia merely smiles. "I think not… I have no inclination to answer anything.. You see I am awfully busy as well… I shall leave you with my colleagues. I have matters to attend to.." she says calmly. "Now there you go… maybe you can get rid of them now…" she tells the woman then smiles as she turns to leave.
Seph feels anger rising, she dashes forward but a spell from the side throws her off. She is crushed into a nearby wall hitting her head, for a moment her vision blacks out.
But she can feel the rising aether and see the woman come closer. She looks around for a moment spotting Hades staring her way with anger and worry before the other man takes his attention.
I have to deal with her… myself… my head is killing me. She gets up firing spell after spell her way to no avail as the woman deflects them all. "And this is what they choose as their next Azem? Pathetic." she pulls out a small knife smirking.
Persephone dashes forward the rapier Hades had made her holding up against the knife as they put their strength against one another. Seph kicks her in the gut causing the woman to stumble back, summoning forth her magic she gets hit this time falling to the floor with a scream and then remains silent. Who fights with a knife in such a fight… Seph had no time to see how Hades was doing but she was sure he would make easy work of things.
Seph steps to her leaning down as she takes off the mask of the woman. She didn't recognize her, not that it mattered. She looks up seeing Hades secure the binds on the man before strolling over to her.
This is when she felt the knife in her stomach twisting and turning as her knees gave in, all she can see is her smile as she lurks over stabbing her again until she is thrown off.
The sound of breaking bones rings in her ears until she can feel Hades before she can see his worried expression. Her vision swims.
Hades picks her up, setting her head on his shoulder as his fingers wander along the wound healing it. "Persephone… you.. I told you to be careful!"
She wants to answer him but everything simply turns dull. Her eyelids grew heavy as her fingers grip into his robes. "Mn..hs..mh..hd..he...a...d..my…..head…" she groans.
The warmth of his magic washes over her wound, but the ill feeling did not leave her, she could not open her eyes anymore as she gasped for air.
Hades growled, his aether prickling with his anger. “Please don’t leave me, my love….” It's all that she can hear and feel before she faints….