#son of hades kin

[citizenoftmrrwlnd]

self care for : nico di angelo (percy jackson series) with soft things and scented items requested by @r4wrnico

x | x | x x | - | x x | x | x

[katerinaaqu]

Fun facts (Names in Mythology):

Heracles's real name is not "Heracles" but Alkaios (Alceaeus=>Ἀλκαῖος) or Alkides. He received the name "Heracles" ("Glory of Hera") when he went to the Delphi Sanctuary to receive a prophecy on how to cleanse himself from the murder of his children with Megara after Hera made him lose his sanity

Minotaur had a name in birth Asterion or Asterius which means "star-like" and it is believed that is because his body was full of small spots that resemble stars (thus many ancient depictions have him spotted)

Cerberus, the dog of Hades has many etymological roots but one of them seems to come from a term which means "spot" or "spotted". Yes the hellhound could possibly be called "Spot" XD

There is a general opinion that Odysseus would be originally named Polyaretos (Πολυάρητος) aka "Much Prayed for" but that seems to be a mistranslation of the passage where Euryclea tells Autolycus to name Odysseus because he is "much prayed for". But the phrase goas "πολυάρητος εστιν" aka "he is much prayed for". The passage doesn't directly imply that the name was considered but rather how difficult it was for Odysseus to be conceived. So it is more of an interpretation of the passage rather than a fact.

Neoptolemous, according to some sources, was named Pyrrhus (Fire-like) at birth which according to some interpretations was for Diadeima to pay respects to Achilles as well as his disguise as a woman because according to some sources Achilles takes the pseudonym "Pyrrha" while in disguise. The name "Neoptolemous" is a nickname he is known for, meaning "New Soldier" or "New Warrior" indicating how his arrival was basically to replace Achilles

Both the most trecherous slaves in Odysseus's court Melantho and Melanthius share the same name. Both Melantho and Melanthius comes from greek "melas" (μέλας) which means "dark" or "black" and the word "anthos" (άνθος) which is for "flower" or "bloom" Both of them have the name "dark flower" and both are the most clear example of betrayal in Odysseus's court by both being named "dark flower" or "black bloom".

Calypso is a name by general interpretation that means either "καλή οπή" aka "beautiful to see" or from the verb "καλύβω/καλύπτω" which means "to conceal". So indicating both her beauty but also her obsession to conceal or cover Odysseus in her isle.

Anticlea and Euryclea have the opposite meanings of names as well as opposite roles. "Anticlea" comes from "anti" (αντί) which means "opposite" or "against" and the word "kleos" (κλέος) which means "glory". "Euryclea" comes from the term "eurys" (ευρύς) which means "wide" and "kleos" aka "glory". Anticlea who is a queen has a name that means "Without Glory" and Euryclea, a slave has a name that means "Full of Glory". Anticlea died a non-glorious sad death while Euryclea got her own eseence of glory by waiting for and helping her master.

Pyndaros and some later sources in later legends says that Achilles was originally named Lygiron aka "the whining one" or "the crying one".

Antigone literally means "Against one's parents" or "Against one's kin". Indicating how she will go against Kreon and bury her brother

Aias the Telamon's son aka Ajax the Greater was named after the exclamation "Αι αι αι!" which is someone moaning in pain, indicating the painful tragedy of his life.

Both Ajax and Achilles seem to have given the explanation in post-homeric times that their names are somehow linked to crying and moaning in pain, indicating how both of them will experience pain.

Patroclus means "glory of his father", which is ironic given how originally Patroclus hishonors his father by accidentally killing his playmate but he receives honors post-mortem for he is given offerings along with Achilles and Antilochus in the tomb guarded by Nestor.

[deadbaguette]

The many names of Zagreus that I can remember:

Short one

Hades junior

Little hades

Little sprout

Lad

Prince (Z)

Boyo

Stranger

Son of Hades

Trash god

Red blood

Murderzer

I’m not gonna name all of the stuff Theseus calls us, but blackguard is one I remember

Dearest/Darling

Zag man

Hhhrrrhggghhh

Nephew

Noble cousin

Coz

My kin

[supercap2319]

James Hook, his eyes gleaming with a wicked light, takes a swig of rum. "Well, well. Look whit we hae 'ere, fellas. A pretty boy." Morgie and Hades surrounded Princeton Rose.

Princeton eyed the three vks. "Back off."

Hades' eyes flash with dark amusement at Princeton's boldness. "Or what, little prince? You'll summon your fairy godmother to save you from a little attention?" He steps closer, his leather jacket creaking, and Morgie follows suit, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, what's wrong, little prince? Scared of us?" His eyes flashed like a serpent's.

"I'm not scared of you three. I wanna know what Uliana's planning to do to Bridget as revenge for the flamingo cupcakes. Tell me." Princeton demanded.

Morgie lets out a low whistle, impressed by Princeton's bravery, while Hook's expression darkens, his hook glinting in the light. "You think you're clever, don't you, prince? But Uliana's plans are none of your concern."

"It was an accident. Bridget warned Uliana not to eat the feathers on the cupcakes. You can't punish her for that."

Hades smirks, his eyes raking over Princeton's form in a slow, possessive sweep. "Accidents have consequences, little prince. And if Uliana wants to make an example of Bridget, that's her prerogative." The three young villains got closer to Aurora's son. He didn't bat an eye. "I'm not gonna let you hurt an innocent girl. She doesn't deserve to be punished for being nice."

Morgie chuckles, eyes glinting with amusement as he leans in close, speaking low in Princeton's ear. "Oh, Princeton. So naive. But that's what makes you so charming."

"Whit dae ye say, fellas? We teach him a lesson?" Hook smirks menacingly. Hades' hand shoots out, grabbing Princeton by the throat, lifting him off his feet as he sneers into the prince's face. "A lesson, you say? Indeed, we shall teach this foolish prince a lesson he won't soon forget."

Princeton struggles against hades. Mal's dad was—is a real jerk. He knows he can't beat a god, so this is gonna suck for him. He kicks Hades in the stomach, causing the God of the Underworld to let him go and hunch over. Morgie's eyes flash with annoyance as he steps forward, his hands crackling with dark energy. "You shouldn't have done that, Princeton." He hisses, raising his hand to cast a spell.

Princeton gets up quickly and runs away from the three vks. Hook's laughter echoes through the hall as he watches Princeton flee. "Th' wee prince thinks he kin outrun us?" He turns to Hades and Morgie with a wicked grin. "Let's give em a chase, boys. It's been a dull afternoon."

They run after Princeton.

[wee-chlo]

Had this image of the way Mel and Zag meet is Chronos taking out his frustration on Zag and leaving him in Hades' chamber.

And he freezes time so that Zag can't heal and is just in constant pain from the torture.

So when Mel shows up, he's got Cerberus curled up around him protectively and Hades is in this weird place of "if I pretend I don't care, Chronos might stop targeting my son" and "Zagreus thinking I don't care is maybe the worst thing I can think of right now???"

At first, Cerberus doesn't let Mel approach but Hades reassures him and then is like "Zagreus, open your eyes. It's your sister."

And Mel has seen that painting a thousand times, a million times, stared at it until she was sure every inch was burned into her memory, but somehow the fact that she and Zagreus have the same eyes, just mirrored, became something she no longer saw. That irrevocable, clear sign that they're blood, they're kin, he's her brother, glazed with pain and exhaustion but then sharp and clear with shock and relief and he reaches a hand out and she takes it thinking its a formal grip, but then he yanks her down to the floor and wraps his arms around her and just. Holds her.

When was the last time Melinoë was held? When she was a child? When she began to grit her teeth and blink away the tears after a nightmare instead of running to Hecate in the night? When Selene words of comfort and gentle reassurance began to be coupled with a hand to her cheek or hair? When Odysseus began to bow and say "Goddess" with as much respect as affection?

Cerberus chuffs in her ear and a head the size of a table in the taverna bumps onto her side as another settles against Zagreus' back, a broad nose pressing against her arm as her brother's hand rubs circles into her back.

And its so baffling, so odd that her, in the depths of her father's usurped domain, rooms away from where she's fought and fled and killed, that this is the safest she's felt.

(Later, in the Crossroads, memories will return: Zagreus carrying her to a man with pale hair and a soft smile; the head of a gorgon waving rattles by her with snake hair as a warm giggle; a woman with a bat wing and a shade with golden hair standing over her as the most beautiful voice drifts over her, music more beautiful than that of the sirens by leaps and bounds)

(She wasn't in her father's house for long, but when she was, she was loved.)

Zagreus gives her a boon. She almost doesn't want to take it, he's so weak, but he grips her hand and insists. Its life, it's blood, its the power to keep going against impossible odds. She feels reinvigorated. She feels furious.

"If I kill him," she says quietly, as Cerberus encloses Zagreus again in the comfort of three broad, blood-red heads. "Will this stop?" They both know who she's talking about.

"Perhaps," Hades says reluctantly. "His power is what keeps your brother from healing. If he must focus on himself..."

"I'll kill him."

She does.

The next time she comes through that room, Zagreus is standing. Still visibly tired and injured, but grinning and talking now.

"You're awake! Zagreus, I'm-"

"Melinoë!" Zagreus wraps her in a hug again and she's sure this must be what her mother's arms feel like too. "I'd know you anywhere!"

He stays with their father. Sometimes she comes in and he's beaten, bloody and nearly broken. Sometimes he's up and laughing.

He gives her advice, tells her stories, makes her laugh. Offers boons when he can.

He loves her, and she loves him.

[gotstabbedbyapen]

I’m honour of Zeus absolutely destroying Athena in god games and ares worriedly going “is she dead?” do you have any HCs of how the second gen siblings react when each of them get hurt cause they definitely have the vibe of “only we’re allowed to beat the crap out of you”

Okie dokie pookie :3

But just a heads up first. I am not a fan of Zeus attacking Athena - the VA performance and animatic was thrilling, but it felt too OOC even for Epic!Zeus. So I'm gonna go with my mental rewrite here (which you can now read in words 😗)

Also I can't write too many HCs today, so we'll only stick to the 2nd gen Olympians reacting to Athena facing Zeus 😅

Everyone were shocked at when Zeus threw a giant lightning bolt at Athena, but Ares was the most mortified. Sure, he had fought Athena before and even faced her earlier in the game, but he'd never thought of actually hurting her.

Ares had defied his uncles for his kin before - Poseidon when his son attacked Alcippe and Hades when he abducted Persephone. And now, seeing Athena - his other sister - unfairly struck down, rage soon boiled in him.

Meanwhile, Apollo was clenching his fists to the point of almost drawing ichor. Apollo was no less horrified than Ares. He was Zeus' other favorite child, his right hand, and he had tasted his father's (although not fatal) lightning for his misdeeds before.

But seeing another of his sibling taking such heavy retribution from their father wasn't something Apollo had expected nor wanted. He would never wish upon anyone to take Zeus' lightning bolt to the face.

Artemis... The brave and bold Artemis did not dare to look when Zeus threw the bolt. She looked away, shutting her eyes and blocking her ears to save herself from the scene. She tried not to cry out, but her shaking form and whimpering betrayed her terror.

She had always ben Zeus' darling daughter and had assumed Athena is one as well. Zeus' attack on her shook her to her core, and she tried to lie to herself that was not true.

The other 2nd gen Olympians were ready to jump out of their seats and run to defend Athena if Zeus were to decide to strike her down again, daring to defy their father if he were to forbade intervention.

But as the smoke dispersed, to everyone's utter shock, Athena was revealed to be unharmed (it was a false bolt). The Olympians then shagged down their seats, they had never felt such relief before.

[tavmylove]

Hades II spoilers and thoughts about Ares.

Okay so I just got this dialogue from Athena.

So I dove into the games text files and searched up whenever he was mentioned to see what the other Gods have said about him. No one knows where he is.

A - "My half-brother Ares must be having the time of his life, wherever he resides. He relishes a good protracted war… why would he work with us to put an end to it?"

M - "Do you suspect betrayal? If Ares isn't here, and the war rages… perhaps he's stoking the conflict on the other side."

A - "The thought has certainly occurred to me, except… our enemy is no more interested in a war that lasts forever than we are. Whereas Ares wants only for the war to perpetuate, not for a victor to emerge."

M - "You know who else wants that is Eris. She's mentioned Ares before. You don't suppose they're working together?"

"You've yet to meet a certain son of mine, the notorious god of war? I would have expected Ares to be positively overjoyed by all that's been unfolding as of late! Such a time for him to disappear. He and I are overdue for a little chat." - Zeus

"They come to me sometimes and ask, where's Ares? Like I'm supposed to know just 'cause we got a brotherly connection? It's bloody war! Must be he's out there having a great time!" - Hephaestus

"Among all of Lord Zeus' kin, you've still yet to encounter Ares, hm? The god of war has been quite busy, what with everything of late. There are those who question his motives, but not I. I long simply to find out where he is." - Aphrodite

Then there's Eris.

"Sure they are. And they're too proud to ask for help. Just don't go ruining it for Ares when you're up there picking Moss. He's on a real hot streak lately!"

She sounds like she's actually seen him. She's Strife and she's made it clear that she is thriving in this current war. Wouldn't it make sense that they're working together if Ares in fact does want to prolong it?

The theme of the game has very much been "the gods are not always good." Especially the conversations between M and Arachne, Prometheus, and Eris. I feel like this most recent update has cast eyes on this aspect.

So what if our final big bad isn't Chronos at all. What if it's Ares?

[manzanamarim]

Been replaying Hades obsessively (as you do) and I love how almost every character addresses Zagreus differently? it's so small but it adds to their charm

Long-ish post and some small spoilers for characters and relationships!

Meg and Than call you both Zagreus and Zag. your partners!

Hades calls you Boy (derogatory) and only later does he call you by name occasionally

Nyx calls you child or my child. She is mother of many

Achilles calls you lad, in a gentle way, your mentor

Dusa calls you Prince, and later as she gets more comfortable also calls you by name

Cerberus... none of his heads posses the gift and curse of speech.

Skelly goes BOYO! I love him

Hypnos I noticed never calls you by anything, usually just goes "you"

Persephone calls you my son, as well as Zagreus of course

Charon calls you hhhrrrgggghhhhhhh...

Sysiphus calls you Prince Z. very casual, he's your buddy!

Alecto calls you redblood (derogatory), or uh. trash god. very sweet of her

Tis goes murrdererrrrrrrrr (and zagreus!)

Chaos says O Son of Hades. I love how they speak

Orpheus calls you friend or my friend, in that melancholic way of his

Eurydice calls you Your Royal Majesty and such, all very playful though!

Patroclus calls you stranger, keeping his distance even though really you aren't a stranger anymore

Theseus calls you all sorts of things of course. Deamon, fiend, blackguard, etc. very extra

Asterius calls you short one. ouch but fair I guess

Zeus calls you nephew,

while Poseidon also calls you Little Hades which is cute ngl

Athena calls you Noble Cousin, very fancy

Ares calls you my kin, he is very into all this fighting huh

Aphrodite calls you little godling (<3)

Dyonisus calls you man, and sometimes Zag, he's chill like that

Artemis calls you "you" mostly, sometimes by your name. she is more introverted and awkward

Hermes calls you Coz. No time to say the full word

Demeter calls you little sprout. very cute actually

And I think that's all, hopefully! if I missed anyone I'll add em later but do you see what I mean? I bet you could hear all of these in their respective voices too, they all have so much personality

[lost-celestial]

Giustiniani Hestia, Mercury Brings Psyche up to Olympus, Statue of Hades

May Lady Hestia give the Departed a seat before the flame; may Lady Psyche watch over them as Lord Hermes guides them; and may King Hades kindly accept them into the realm of the Dead.

Butterfly divider by @/huramuna

Petition Hestia, Psyche, Hermes, and Hades

Petition Hestia, the One Rich in Blessings. May Lady Hestia light the way for the Departed.

O' divine One, Lady Hestia; Kind, daughter of lovely-haired Rhea; Goddess of the Home herself.

Lady Hestia, who was the first Olympian devoured by the King of the Titans and the last to be spit out, who refused Lord Apollon and King Poseidon and swore by King Zeus' head to remain an eternal virgin, who now guides the sacrificial flame and receives a share of every offering; please hear my words.

You, who presides over the Home; You, who reigns over the hearth and the flames. Over communal feasts and family meals, domestic bliss, and family blessings. You, who manifests in every corner of a home, in the familiar smell of a beloved house, in the coziness of a fluffy blanket on a cold night, in the flame of every fire.

Please hear me, o' divine One.

Kindly welcome the Departed with your warm flames. Please give them a moment of rest on their long journey to the gateway of Hades and a seat before the fire. And when the time comes, may I also sit in front of your lovely hearth.

May you become the hope in the dark for the Departed.

Petition Psyche, the Winged One. May Lady Psyche watch over us during our time of transformation and struggle.

O' divine Winged One, Lady Psyche; Lovely-haired, beloved Mortal Princess, loved by Love himself. Lady Psyche, who unrelentingly sorted seeds under Lady Aphrodite's command, who gathered the golden fleece from the rams of the Sun, who collected water from the River Styx and traveled to the depths of Hades, twice in the name of Love; please hear my words.

You, who personifies our Soul and Spirit; You, who manifests in the gentle flutter of the passing butterflies, in the feeling of loneliness that comes from being the odd one in a room, in the triumph of succeeding after failing, in the days spent laying in bed to the days where one feel on top of the world.

Please hear me, O' divine Winged One.

Watch over those who came before me and walk alongside you in the form of butterflies; watch over those who will eventually go and walk the same path; and watch over me as I am in this moment.

May you watch as we make the most of this one Mortal life.

Petition Hermes, the Immortal Guide. May Lord Hermes guide us into the unknown.

O' divine Immortal Guide, Lord Hermes; Winged boots-wearing, beloved Son of Maia, Messenger of the Deathless Gods.

Lord Hermes, who escaped his cradle and stole Lord Apollon's cattle, whose silver tongue marked him as a thief with the wit and charm to persuade even the King of the Gods Zeus himself, who now guides the Shades to the gateways of Hades and traverses through the realm of the Living and the Dead; please hear my words.

You, who acts as the herald of the Gods; You, who reigns over travelers, thieves, herds, and flocks. Over persuasive words, language, and communication. You, who manifests in the random coins found in the corner of one's room while they clean, in green streetlights all the way home, in the swell of pride of a well-received speech, in the safe returns of a loved one.

Please hear me, O' divine Immortal Guide.

Guide those who walk this Earth in the form of butterflies to their rightful resting places—to the sides of their loved ones and those who honor them, to Hades so they may rest eternally. Guide their loved ones through the perils that await us all, and guide me, too.

May you lead us through the unknown.

Petition Hades, the Unseen Host of Many May King Hades kindly receive the spirits of the Departed.

O' divine Unseen One, Lord Hades; The receiver of all, brother of King Zeus and King Poseidon; King of the Underworld himself.

King Hades, who was devoured by the King of Titans, who was the first son swallowed and the last son to be spit out, who received the realm of the Underworld from a draw of lots, who now supervises the dead and ensures they are judged fairly by Minos, Aeacus, and Radamanthus; please hear my words.

You, who acts as King of the Underworld; You, who reigns over funeral rites and the Souls of the departed. Over the hidden resources of the World, the fertile soils, and the changing seasons alongside the Queen of the Underworld, Lady Persephone. You, who manifests in the newly fallen autumn leaves, in the warning barks of dogs, in the unwavering darkness of the night, and in the shadows that lurk in one's peripheral vision.

Please hear me, o' divine Unseen One.

Receive the Souls and Spirits of the departed and take them into your domain. Celebrate their arrival as they leave the upper world behind and join you in the form of butterflies and Shades. Please receive my offerings and host a celebration in the name of Death.

And may you join them in a joyous celebration, too.

[cult-of-the-eye]

👀

Fandom mix up

Which avatars do you think the pjo characters would be? Which gods would the tma characters be the children/kin of?

JSHSHAJJANANAKAKAK HERE WE GO

Eye, web, lonely, dark, extinction, buried, slaughter, flesh, spiral, hunt, stranger, end, vast, corruption

Percy Jackson

His whole thing is excess loyalty right? And then you got dark Percy from house of Hades (hoh) and everything so we've definitely got a lot to go on

Hmm this one's a bit difficult cause he doesn't fit neatly into any of them I think

My first thought was the vast cause of the ocean and like by the end of hoo, he is so powerful that its almost unfathomable like the ocean and the vast, to the point where even he only just understands the extent of his power, like what happened in hoh

The excess loyalty could fit into that as well cause loyalty is something he hedges all his bets on, it's the one sort of indefinitely huge thing that rules his way of looking at things - like the ocean

But I'm not sure, if anyone has any better ideas please say so

Annabeth Chase

Girl's hubristic

I guess my first thought would be the web cause obviously she's strategic, she makes plans, she manipulates

But she is terrified of spiders so that wouldn't quite work

I'm not sure where hubris would fit in

I guess it could be the eye, cause with it you're desperate to gain all the knowledge, witness and understand EVERYTHING and therefore would be threatened if that ever failed - if you didnt know everything or if someone didn't believe in your all-knowingness

Which is also a huge part of her character - being underestimated because of the way she looks and speaks and how she both uses that to her advantage and hates the way it happens

I think that works quite well and I think unfortunately she'd be a fantastic Archivist

Grover

Is wonderful and I love him but I guess he'd be the extinction

Listen his whole thing about getting demigods safely to camp? How he's there when they think their world is about to end? When their world literally ends if he doesn't get them there safely? How he has to go through this over and over again, experiencing mini extinction level events every single year

And then you've got the whole pan thinks humans are destroying the world thing and how maybe he'd destroy humans to keep the world safe (I can't really remember that storyline and may have just imagined it so I'm not sure where it would fit exactly lol)

Jason

Jason's the stranger I think

He doesn't know who he is when he's first introduced, he has to spend a couple books remembering who he is and then he struggles with his identity as a son of Jupiter, praetor, leader etc

I think he's been forced to play a role that wasn't him and the essence of the stranger is just that - being forced to reckon with someone who you might've recognised once but certainly don't anymore

Piper

She is immediately web

Her whole thing is manipulation with her charmspeak, forcing people to do her bidding

A huge part of the web is loss of free will and that's exactly her thing - creating a situation in which a person has no choice but to act the way she wants them to

Nico

Boy oh boy

I want to say the end but now I think about it maybe the lonely

He had his sister ripped away from him, the only other person who's experienced the same insane things that he has, he's always seen himself as the lone wolf, different from the rest, the only gay one, the unrequited crush on Percy and how he admitted it to someone who didn't understand, the fact that he was trapped in the underworld alone for so long in that vase or whatever

I feel like at some point he accepted his life of solitude and the fact that no one would miss him or even try to understand or choose him first which definitely encapsulates the lonely

Reyna

The hunt I guess

She's constantly hunting for something more - like validation as the praetor, from Jason, revenge from her tragic backstory, she's constantly striving to be better and work harder

plus she actually joins the hunters of Artemis so that works itself out

Hazel

Im gonna say maybe the corruption

Cause her whole deal with hecate and her getting to grips with the daughter of death god is giving there is something deeply intrinsically wrong with me but I will embrace it and feed it and join the wondrous thrumming in my veins kinda vibes, like finding a family and comfort in the wrongness and both feeding it and feeding off of it

Frank

Gonna be honest with you, can't really remember his character

In my defence I read these books years ago

Oh wait he's the son of Ares who has the wood that he needs to keep safe cause if it burns down then he dies right

Ok well that's giving the end - once that flame touches the wood he's gone, he's living in fear of the one event that will end him, the end that could slowly creep up on him or be a sudden death

Leo

Hot stuff

Oh yeah this has got to be the desolation/extinction right

With his whole burning down his mum's factory and then going from orphanage to orphanage or something

Like I feel like he's constantly ending things just so he can be the one to leave first so he doesn't get abandoned, he's got his barrier up and he's never pulling it down

I'm not sure about this one actually maybe I just thought FIRE and therefore desolation

Anyway you guys can fight me in the tags or whatever I'm tired and want to sleep

[the-prince-of-hades]

hey there the name's nico

son of hades, ghost king, whatever you wanna call me

partially a kin blog, partially an ask blog so feel free to send stuff in.

i'm also luke castellan (yes, i deeply regret my actions) and grover underwood so uh. take that however. yes you can send asks to them too if you're interested in that.

pfp & header found on pinterest.

ghostking.txt - nico stuff

satyr.txt - grover stuff

castellan.txt - luke stuff

[somepsychopomp]

babey Zag AU snippet

“Papa!” 

So loud and cheerful was that little voice that Hades found himself glancing up once more, to his frustration. He found his young son in the middle of the Great Hall, just in front of Hades’ throne, making his way with determination not toward himself, but toward Achilles. 

(A story in which Zagreus grows up under the impression that Achilles, not Hades, is his father. This is a fic I'm working on, but the first chapter is below 👇🏻 pls excuse any current typos lol) 

Life had been so much easier before the boy arrived. Or, Hades thought, life would be quieter without him. The crying, the babbling, the other incessant sounds he made whenever awake were already so grating. His shrill cries when upset were the worst, as they tended to echo down long halls or against the ceiling of Hades’ Great Hall.  

He had already entrusted the care of Zagreus entirely to Nyx, who had both an affinity for the boy and much experience raising her own children. Hades, meanwhile, always had more work to do. 

The Great Hall before him was flooded with pestering, disquieted shades all seeking audience with their king. Hades could not remember when he last rested, and had no desire to seek out sleep any time soon. 

As he denied another request, Nyx’s lofty voice came floating down the corridor to the left of his throne. 

“Yes, you wish to see your Papa, little one?”

He huffed under his breath. She knew how he felt about having the baby in the Great Hall. 

And Papa. What foolishness. Only mortals used such sentimental terms for their kin. Hades was King first, and Father second. 

Nyx appeared in the corner of his view. Hades spared her a glance. She had the boy in her arms, though he was squirming about. His little legs flailed, his head angled toward the floor. 

“Very well, my Prince,” Nyx said. She set the boy down. His bare glowing feet touched the floor, both of his hands in her own. Then he held on with only one hand. And then Prince Zagreus was moving about of his own free will. 

“The boy is already walking?” he asked. 

Nyx looked to him and nodded. “Indeed. He has taken a liking to using his own two feet.”

“Papa!” Zagreus cried, wobbling across the length of the Hall. 

Hades wrinkled his nose. Bah, he was already getting distracted. He returned to the parchmentwork splayed before him, shuffling through the various scrolls and documents. 

“Papa! Papa!" 

Persistent, that thing was. 

“Papa!” 

So loud and cheerful was that little voice that Hades found himself glancing up once more, to his frustration. He found young his son in the middle of the Great Hall, just in front of Hades’ throne, making his way with determination not toward himself, but toward Achilles. 

Achilles. 

The mere shade tasked to stand guard over his House, who will one day train the boy in the art of war. Achilles Pelides, who spent most of his mortal life slaying as many men as he could. 

Achilles, who was clearly not at his post. If Hades had to hazard a guess, it would seem that Achilles was on break and merely making his way toward the lounge when the boy interrupted him. Hades was of course aware that Nyx liked to enlist the shade’s help to keep watch over Zagreus. He didn’t care what Achilles did in his spare time, so long as it did not interfere with his obligations to the House. 

As it was, Achilles paused and swept aside his chlamys to expose the hand not responsible for bearing his spear. Zagreus squealed with delight, the sound awfully similar to metal grinding against metal. He began making a nuisance of himself, standing on plump legs as he held onto Achilles' robes. The shade bent down.

And the supposedly great Achilles smiled almost shyly as he allowed Zagreus to cling to him. He ran his hand over the boy’s hair.

“Hello, my Prince,” he said.

Hades cast his gaze toward Nyx, who was also watching the scene from a distance. It must have been his imagination, for Nyx seemed to have the barest smile upon her face.

"Now, lad." Achilles said, "I do believe you've mistaken me for another."

In an entirely too fluid of a gesture, he scooped Zagreus up with one arm and cradled the boy against his chest. Zagreus was smiling brightly, one of his tiny hands reaching for a lock of blond hair. Achilles did not so much as flinch as his hair was pulled on by a troublesome hand. In fact, he seemed not at all interested in discipling the boy at all. 

"Zagreus, who is that?" Achilles asked, turning so that the boy could see his father upon his throne.

Hades returned his attention to his work. This distraction was entirely beneath him.

"Zagreus," Achilles said, somewhat louder, when he received no response, "Who is that? Is that your father?”

No response. Not after a moment, not after several. Not after Hades already began dismissing more shades. 

"Come now," Achilles said, voice becoming hushed all of a sudden. Perhaps he said more, perhaps he did not. 

"No!" a voice cried. 

Hades grumbled under his breath. The boy was being his petulant self again. He indulged in one more glance toward Zagreus, who was now burying his face in Achilles' cloak.

"Papa..." he said, voice muffled. Achilles sighed. He gave the small boy in his arm a little jostle before realizing that he had attracted the attention of his master.

Achilles cleared his throat, "Apologies, my lord."

Hades gave no response, only returned to his work. He heard Achilles' footsteps fade.

"Give him time," he heard Nyx say. 

"I'm still rather worried," Achilles answered. Then, after a beat, "Yes, yes. We're going. You want to walk?"

From the corner of his eye, Hades watched as Achilles set the boy down. Zagreus kept a hand on Achilles' robes as he walked alongside the shade in the direction of the lounge. 

Hades huffed. So much indulgence could ruin a child. Just look at Zeus, who grew up on heaps of Mother's attention.

When Achilles became not just a shade but the boy's tutor, teaching him the many ways pain could tame the body, he will grow out of that stubborn affection.

[jeannahas]

To be American - Is to be Fragmented

I have lamented - often, and too long, the fact that I have no culture, no home to call my own.

I was raised in lands that were taken, among crimson cliffs, orange craigs, tracing carvings that predated my ancestors by generations, their meanings long lost to the cruel sands of time and desert winds. I was raised on stories of gods of foreign lands - tales of Thor, and Mjyonlir, mixing and twining with those of Zeus, Hades, Amateseru, Kokopeli, and Coyote.

I was raised fearing the Skinwalker, and was taught how a Skinwalker is vastly different from a Werewolf, and was taught Asian Ki-Gong medicine, and listening closely as the Navajo told us of their fears, showed and shared with us their dances, as friends.

I miss those days. The drum, the singing - the mesmerising spread of hoops during the eagle dance - if that's what it was called.

I saw the terror in the eyes of my first crush - a Navajo girl, as she explained that her family was moving away because they saw the shadow that laughed in the flames as their house burned to the ground, and I legitimately beleived them, felt sorry for them. I learned from them always to erase whatever you drew in the dirt, and I still do to this day.

I had an ancestor die in the Alamo, he knew Daniel Boone. Texas rangers, mountain men, the members of the LDS church who settled massive tracks of the west, who mixed and mingled with the native tribes, often in friendship, while others warred. I was told when I was younger, that there was Native american blood in me, but that what it was- from where it came - has been lost. Who even told me this>? I certainly can't remember, and don't have any proof. What tribe? What family? Where do I call home? What legends are truly mine to posess, to pass on? The Shoshoe? Ute? Paiute? One of the many tribes from Northern California?

I don't know. Do I really descend from any of them?

We learned in 2017 that my direct family line, that of my Father, hailed from clan McLeod, from Scotland, and through them, the vikings, who claimed descendance from norse gods - but are these legends mine? Are the legends of the Tuatha d'Danan now mine as well? The legends of Scottish heroes, of Scathach, who dwelt upon the Isle of Skye? The great feats of clan-cheifs proof of my line's draw to combat and war? Could I lay claim to and learn Gaelic, and not be rejected by those who still speak it as their birthright, and could I bear the seal of Clan McLeod? I can - I have a pin that marks us as descendants of the family, and we know exactly which of our ancestors branched off, changed his last name - but it still feels strange, after so long not having any connection.

My first ancestors on this land came on later voyages of the mayflower, we learned. They were here for the Revolutionary war, 1812, they were here for the civil war. We came through the younger brother- he fought for the Union, and in stories called the family slave brother, and helped to free him.

His actually older brother fought for the south - he died.

My grandfather, while in northern california, was gifted an Eagle feather. How? From Whome? Why? Am I crazy? Did this not actually happen?

I don't know.

I am an American - I was born in Ohio. I grew up at the base of and within the Rockies, and it is the tales of the miners and settlers that describe the arrival of my kin. I was raised in southern Utah, brought up on native American legends and taboos, among Hoodos, Petroglyphs, and remnants of the Ancient Pueblo, called the Anasazi still in my youth, and my mother had an entire library dedicated to the stories, the songs, the myths and taboos of many different Tribes, and I still recall the legends about the staining of the stones, of the White buffalo, and I held a healthy respect for the legends of Coyote the Trickster, of the fact that the people of this land credited him as the one who cursed those who became Bryce Canyon. Are these legends mine? Are these songs mine to tell? Can I tell people the fact that seeing the patterns of native american pottery actually puts me at ease, makes me feel at home, in ways that other things... don't? That I yearned to enter the cities of the Pueblo left behind at Mesa Verde, that they called to me, and I could not enter, could only speculate at the lives once lived there?

I don't know.

Native tribes probbably wouldn't accept me among them. I cannot claim one as my ancestors. I can't even declare with certainty I have any Native American Ancestors.

I grew up learning martial arts, a Korean Style called Tang Soo Do, passed down from my father, who learned it at great expense. I learned to love the sword, to learn many fragments of the Korean Language, and always seek to know more, and have adopted many aspects of martial arts culture. I bow reflexively in respect to others, be it a small nod of the head, or an accidental full bow in times of exhaustion. I have accidentally bowed while crossign the threshold of my home, or while entering a gymnasium, or while entering my bedroom. I shake hands with my left arm tucked under my right elbow- a habit engrained through years of shaking the hands of other martial artists in greeting, and I accept things offered to me with both hands - a custom I have learned is prevelant in Asia.

I cry when I watch the end of elemental - they have the Big Bow- what do we have here in America? In India, they have ways to show maximum respect to their fathers, to their elders, to show their gratitude, great gestures to save for those of Import. What do I have? I yearn to show this level of respect for my own parents, to share with them a gesture that is filled with such meaning, and I am left feeling that I have NOTHING save to invite them to the events which are of greatest significance. Do I make something, a masterwork weapon to gift to my father, to echo the many training weapons he made and gave to me? What could possibly convey this?

Our culture has nothing. We have to borrow from others around us.

I learned that there are Ties within our style to Shotokon, in Japan, to Shaolin Boxing, in China, and to a dozen other styles around the world. Are any of these tales and stories mine to tell? Can I truly claim legacy with the Hwa'Rang'Dan? Can I claim sincerely descendance through training, through legacy of instructor and teacher, back to the Silla Dynasty in 57 BC? My martial arts legacy is 3 steps away from Chuck Norris, and 3 steps away from Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin - does that matter?

I don't know - some will tell me yes - many will tell me no.

Lastly. I came to live in another country, to learn the legacy of Artigas, of San Martin and Belgrano - of their fight against the Spanyards, and I learned of the battle of Tucumán, and felt great pride for the fact that the Gouchos fought like demons. I came to speak Spanish, Castellano specifically, and to take to the language so well I had to take a couple months to learn english again when I returned, and months more to remember what a "Watermellon" was called. I began to feel most comfortable with an Aguayo sash around my waist, a knife tucked in the wraps, and my favorite way to keep warm in winter mornings to this day is to Don my Poncho in the colors of Salta, and remember the cable cars, the climb down the hill, the sights and crisp mornings that always greeted me, the briliant golden light of the main Plaza of Salta or Monteros during the day, or the sight of the night sky as I looked at a moon that seemed to Wax and Wane in reverse.

I am not from there- but still, to this day - Castellano leaps to my lips, and the Chacarerra brings me comfort. I'm sad I lost my hat - I actually thought I looked good in that one.

And I miss Gaseosa Secco.

oh forgotten gods of all my ancestors - Secco is fantastic, and if you are in Santiago del Estero for some reason - you need to try some.

I think, one of the defining traits of life as an american... is the hollowness. We do not really have a food to call our own. We do not really have legends beyond our founding, save those our ancestors brought with them, and shared to their kids. Many are immigrants- they have the stories of their homelands, and they claim them as theirs. People say that our legacy as Americans is that we posess all legacies- but that's not really the case. Cultures do not readily share, do not readily welcome outsiders, and we are not really part and pacel of any culture, not really. There is a void there that used to be filled with patriotism, but as despotism, fascism, curruption, and inumerable other ills cause our nation to crumble from within, as corporations dictate the whims of law, and cause those of use who are simply trying to live life to flail, to flounder, to scream and rage futily against a system too megalithic for us even to understand....

We are left with nothing.

Maybe that Is why we hold to our guns - the only stories we have left are of the revolution - stories of hunters who drove off an empire. Perhaps this is why we are so violent- for stories of violence are the only stories we can truly call our own.

I want to claim the stories of my clansmen - for I feel this claim the most direct.

But... I was not raised on those legends.

I was raised playing with my brothers, pretending Loki, Hermes, and Coyote were names for one crazy individual - I was raised reading about all these other cultures, with their names and customs, and dreaming I might see a white buffalo someday, or that I might track and kill an Elk the traditional way - I almost hunted one with a Katana directly drawn from the sheath - that action might describe this clash of cultures best. An american descended from the English, the Scottish, and who knows what else, wearing a krorean do-bohk and nearly hunting one of the most American Animals possible with a Japanese weapon, and then cursing in Spanish when I missed.

I am so deeply American it almost hurts. In the continental sense, not in the national sense. We were on this continent before the USA, and we come from and have been to countries all over these two continents.

I meet people daily from Israel, and wonder if the Geneology that ties me back to the Tribe of Ephraim lets me claim kinship with them, who come from the Tribe of Judah. I meet people from Ethiopia, and am in awe at the beauty of their language. I meet people from spain, Cambodia, the Philipenes, California, Wyoming, New York City, Mexico, China, Vietnamn, and Ukraine - and all of them are equally foreign, equally similar to myself. I teach them, and we all have legends to share - stories to pass around. I have heard legends from other cultures, and in turn have taught them the tale of Achiles.

As was said by Hugh Laurie - "America is too big to [even] know itself."

My soul wails, for it does not have a people, and I search for them constantly. I search for friends, I try to live in whatever culture remains to us- but what is that? Is it the DnD which many of us have fled to as our means of telling stories, of gathering around the fire? Is it the dying breed of the cowboy, who used to be common when I was growing up, herding their sheep and horses, fighting mountain lions in my lifetime, and hunting deer with bows and arrows? Is it our culture that we learn to make things that originally hailed from so many other cultures? Is it the Martial Arts family that I have truly come to love and cherish in a way similar- although not as critical or tight- as the ties I feel to my blood-kin?

My father hand-makes recurve bows, and fletches his own arrows, and taught us to do the same- We learn to make and repair swords, and each have affinities for swords of different legacies. Weapons hailing from different countries. We learned how to bind books, like the europeans did, and like the Maya did once upon a time, before the Conquista, and practiced writing on rice and slats of wood, inspired by the Chinese and Japanese.

I want to scream, I want to cry out and unify the threads of my identity -

But.... around what?

what can I claim to be?

I don't Know.

[supercap2319]

"My name’s Bridget, and I have to bribe people with treats to be my friend because I’m such a loner." Uliana raises the pitch of her voice to mimic Bridget's. She and her crew of Morgie, Hades, Maleficent, and James Hook laugh at the mockery of Bridget and her stupid flamingo cupcakes.

"Hey! The Code of Conduct prohibits theft and bullying!" Chloe called out, pushing forward to the front of the confrontation of the two groups, but Hook gets in her way. "Easy, lass. I dunno whaur ye come fae, bit 'ere we don’t fight 'til efter school. Meet me then."

Chloe scoffs. "You wouldn’t stand a chance."

Before James can say something else, someone calls out his name. "Leave her alone, James." Everyone turns to see Elson, son of former Queen of Arendelle, Elsa, push his way through the crowd of people drapped in a light blue cloak.

"Ah. If it isnae mah favorite ice prince." Hook smirks.

"What are you doing here, Elson? Coming to tell us all to conceal and don't feel?" Uliana asked.

"I don't want to fight with you, Uliana. Just give Bridget back the cupcakes, and we'll all go our separate ways."

"I don't speak ice, little prince. Leave. This isn't your concern."

"Kin ah hook em?" Hook asked, eyeing Elson with a delight.

Elson raised a hand and frozen the tip of James' hook. Elson gave him a mock look of surprise. "Oops."

"Ooh. Ye'r gonnae pay fur that one, duckling."

[peachblossom-odyssey]

You are my favorite Hades writer, I have reread your Hades fics SO MUCH!!! I was so excited when Hades 2 early access was announced, not only because I wanted to play it, but because there was a chance you might write a new Hades fic.

And then you did, multiple times!!! And I love and reread them a bunch!!!

I wasn't that familiar with the "protective siblings" "possessive partners" tropes, but now I'm HOOKED (and I'm blaming you! /joke).

I even read fics you've written for fandoms I'm not apart of, or media I haven't seen, purely because I wanted to read more of your writing!

How you portray possessiveness is so interesting, and in a refreshing way? Like, I wasn't the biggest fan of possessiveness in fanfics because it was usually one sided, and it always ventured into the possessive one being unfairly controlling. But I really love how you portray possessiveness because it's mutual! Or, even if it's mutual, I never got the "icky" feeling I sometimes get when reading other fics??

Anyways, I love how you write Ares, Hypnos, Hermes, basically every and each character, lol. I really, really enjoyed your fic called "A Question of Give and Take". I loved how you included Apollo! It's not really shown in game, but Apollo and Hermes were actually really close in myth.

I also really liked that you included the Dreamlands from Lovecraft! I'm not too familiar with Lovecraft, but I do know a lot about the Dreamlands, so it was so interesting/cool seeing it pop up!

ANYWAY. I'll stop rambling and actually *ask* you a question:

In some of your fics you mention that Hermes has mortal blood, this confused me because in myth Hermes doesn't have any mortal blood?

He's the son of Zeus and Maia. Maia was a Pleiades, and a nymph. She is the daughter of Atlas and Pleione. Atlas is a Titan, and the son of Lapetus (A titan, a son of Uranus and Gaia), and Asia (a Oceanid). Pleione is an Oceanid nymph, and the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys.

From my knowledge, Hermes doesn't have a mortal ancestor in the original myth? But, I could be wrong, and some authors might state that Maia was a moral. Or maybe this was changed in the game?

From my knowledge, the only Olympian with mortal blood is Dionysus, whose mother was mortal (Semele).

Or maybe it's just a headcanon you have! Greek mythology is flexible! Even the ancient Greeks changed things up! It's just something I noticed, and was momentarily confused about!

Anyway, sorry for how long this ask is! I just have a lot of Thoughts about your amazing writing!!

Aaaaah this made my entire day! I’m so happy you like my writing and I’m so happy I could make the possessiveness trope good for you ❤️. As for the Hermes thing, I always thought Maia was a mortal woman, I read that she was when I was a kid and then never came across anything to contradict that, at least not that I remember. If I am wrong, then whoops, but I still like the idea that he has mortal blood because to me it would add meaning to him and Dionysus being closer and more understanding of mortals than their fullblooded god kin. Thank you so much for the ask, it really did make my day!

[campsupernova]

Hello , is Azrael a demon? I saw it mentioned yesterday that he is a fallen angel looking to meet more of my kin 👁👁

- Demon son of Hades

i’m normally not this honest, but it was a good question ~ i’m not technically a demon. but in spirit, though? Well, that’s another question entirely… well met, demonkind 😈

-Azazel

[[ Editors Note: Azazel is just a demigod. Half mortal half god] ]