Chapter 198: Blazing Red Eyes
Years later...
Sniffling, young Hades took slow and cautious steps toward Azazel, who stood motionless at the balcony with his back turned to the boy. The man was dressed in all black, just like Hades, both of them mourning the loss of the woman they loved most.
"Father," Hades whispered, his voice trembling, "it’s getting late. And it’ll start raining soon." Thunder rumbled in the distance, and a light drizzle began to fall from the clouds above. Still, Azazel remained unmoving and silent.
Hades took another hesitant step forward and reached out, gently tugging on the back of his father’s coat.
Azazel turned around so suddenly that Hades flinched in fright.
His father’s eyes were bloodshot, blazing with barely contained fury. His nostrils flared, and his jaw was clenched so tightly that Hades feared he might shatter his own teeth.
"What do you want?" Azazel asked coldly, his voice devoid of warmth, cutting through the air.
Hades shrank beneath the weight of his father’s gaze, his small hands trembling at his sides. He swallowed hard and shifted from one foot to the other.
"It’s going to rain soon... I...I wanted you to come inside. Let’s... let’s have dinner together," he stammered, struggling to find his words.
Azazel let out a bitter, dark chuckle. The sound sent a chill down Hades’ spine.
"Dinner?" he scoffed. "You have an appetite after Celeste isn’t even cold in her grave? I can’t believe she let herself die... for you."
"I... I just want to spend time with you," Hades murmured.
Azazel’s eyes narrowed, his voice sharp. "Do I fucking look like I want to spend time with you?" he snapped. "I don’t even want to look at you. Not now. Not ever. I gave up everything to be with her and she left me with you."
He took a step forward, towering over the boy. "I didn’t even want you in the first place, for fuck’s sake."
The words hit Hades like a blow. His lips quivered, and tears began to fill his eyes, his chin trembling.
"Why... why do you hate me so much?" he whispered, lowering his gaze to the floor. "Why do you say such cruel things to me? We’re family. We’re supposed to be kind to each other... That’s what Mother always said."
Azazel’s expression twisted in anguish and rage. "Celeste was too kind and look where it got her. Dead!" he shouted, voice cracking. "Fucking dead! And I’ll never see her again. And it’s all your fault."
He leaned in closer, voice dropping to a whisper. "When you close your eyes at night and open them in the morning... I want you to remember, every second of your life, that your mother died because of you."
He straightened and turned away, his words hanging heavy in the air.
Azazel straightened his posture. "I.."
"Your Majesty."
Azazel turned to see Lucian standing by the doorway, his fists clenched tightly at his sides, eyes flickering between Hades and the King.
"What do you want?" Azazel asked coldly.
"Dinner has been served. We await your arrival in the dining room," Lucian replied, his throat tight as he spoke.
Without sparing either of them a second glance, Azazel turned and walked out, disappearing into the shadows of the hallway.
Lucian quickly rushed to Hades, who was now crying, his small shoulders trembling with each sob.
"Your Highness, are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Lucian asked, his eyes scanning Hades’ body for any sign of injury.
Hades shook his head slowly. "He doesn’t want me. He hates me," he cried, voice cracking from pain.
Lucian pulled him into a tight hug, gently rubbing his back. "Forget about him, Hades. You don’t need him. Think of your mother, think of her love and how much she adored you."
Hades continued to cry in Lucian’s arms for a few more minutes before slowly pulling away, his face streaked with tears.
"Please, don’t cry anymore," Lucian said softly, wiping the tears from his cheeks. "Your mother wouldn’t want to see you like this." He reached for Hades’ hand. "Come with me. I want to show you something."
Still sniffling, Hades allowed himself to be led. Together, they walked out of the castle, stepping into the gentle drizzle. They made their way toward the lake, where a tall tree stood proudly near the edge.
"It’s gotten bigger," Hades said, looking up at it.
"Yes, it surely has," Lucian replied, running his hand along the rough bark of the trunk. "And it’ll grow even bigger than this."
A soft gust of wind swept past them, and the tree’s petals drifted gently through the air, falling around them.
"Do you feel that?" Lucian asked, watching Hades carefully.
Hades blinked. "The wind?"
"Yes and a calming feeling."
"I guess I do feel calm," he whispered, lifting his hand as a single petal landed softly on his palm.
"Do you know what I think? My theory?" Lucian said, stepping back beside Hades.
"What do you think, Uncle?" Hades looked up at him.
"Well," Lucian began, "I believe your mother’s spirit is tied to this tree, and she’s the one creating this calmness we’re feeling now. You might not fully understand what I’m saying, but whenever you’re feeling down, just come here. You’ll feel better."
Hades frowned slightly. "How is that possible?"
"That," Lucian admitted, "I can’t entirely explain. But I believe it is possible. It’s worked for me."
"Hmmm... that’s debatable, if you ask me," Hades muttered.
Lucian laughed, ruffling the boy’s hair. "I almost forgot how funny you are."
Hades smiled. "That’s also debatable, Uncle."
Lucian chuckled again. "Of course it is."
~~~
Despite the desperate efforts of the servants to extinguish the flames, it was all in vain. The fire raged on mercilessly until nothing remained of the tree but charred and crumbling branches.
Hades swallowed hard, tears welling in his eyes as his hands began to tremble. A sudden, piercing pain shot through his skull, forcing a groan from his lips. He clutched his head, staggering backward as the agony intensified, his eyes squeezed shut.
Weak... Weak... Weak...
You are weak. A fool.
Even your own father betrayed you.
He destroyed everything.
And everything you love will be reduced to ash, just like this tree.
The voice echoed cruelly in his mind.
Hades collapsed to his knees, gasping as he held his head, trying to shut it out. Black veins bulged violently across his skin, crawling up his skin. He coughed, thick black blood spilling from his mouth and ears, staining his skin and coat.
One hand gripped his chest as his breathing grew shallow, sweat drenching his body. His entire frame trembled under the weight of the darkness surging within him.
And then everything stopped.
A long, deafening silence fell over the scene.
Hades drew in a deep breath before opening his eyes. They blazed red as he stared down at the ground beneath him.