Chapter Text
The House of Hades was an unusual place for a child to grow up. Not an unpleasant one, as there was plenty to keep a young princess occupied. Her father made sure of that—only the best for the princess of the Underworld.
And today, she was leaving it all behind.
“Today’s the day.” Kay struck back at her mentor with all her might, sending him flying backwards. Though he was a demigod himself, even the fallen hero Vicious had to admit Kay was strong for her age. He’d been training Kay in the ways of combat since she was old enough to hold a sword, and he never went easy on her because she was the boss’s daughter. If anything, he was tougher on her because of it. The underworld could be a scary place, and it was his job to make sure she was ready for anything.
Vicious was tall and lean, with a brilliant red running through his dark hair. He wore a tattered black cape over his shoulders, and the bottom half of a soldier’s uniform. His exposed abs sported a large, intricate red and black tattoo he got back in his mortal days— one he never cared to explain. He never talked about his past at all, in fact, no matter how much she asked. Apparently he’d been some sort of legend in the mortal realm, but it was clear it wasn’t something he liked to think about. His weapon of choice was a pair of twin railguns unlike any Kay had ever seen (though today, he was sparring with a wooden training spear). Kay’s dad never let them use real weapons, much to her annoyance. He’d always been overprotective like that.
“You finally breakin’ out of here?” Vicious was back on his feet before she could blink, quick to parry her attack. “You sure you’re ready?”
“I have to be.” A sidestep, thrust forward, twist and disarm, just like he’d taught her. “I have to know the truth, no matter what it takes. And I’ve waited long enough already.”
“Makes sense.” He tried for one last desperate grab, but what Kay lacked in strength, she made up for in speed. He put his hands in the air as she sidestepped him, and he was met with a sword to the face. “Why’s your dad gonna keep me around without you to teach, anyway?”
“I’ll tell him to give you a new job. A better one!” She dropped her blade, grinning as she offered a hand to help him to his feet. “Maybe he’ll release you from your contract.”
“Ha. No way, kid, sorry. But if a poor sinner like me can’t escape hell, I sure hope you can.” He rose to his feet with a stretch, patting her on the shoulder as he bent down to pick up the wooden spear. “You can do this—remember what I taught you, and don’t show any of those bastards any mercy, huh?” He offered his hand for a handshake, which she bypassed, going straight for a hug.
“I’ll make you proud, Vicious.”
“I know ya will. Now c’mon, get outta here, huh? Before your dad finds out and kills me. I don’t need to die again today.” He ruffled her hair, scooting her toward the door.
“Dad will get over it,” Kay assured him.
“He ain’t the type of guy to get over stuff like this, you know.” Vicious put the training spear down on the rack, picking up his railguns and holstering them to his belt. “If he knew I was encouraging this, my ass would be grass, and you know it.”
“He’ll understand eventually,” Kay frowned, ears drooping. “He has to. But I’ll leave now, I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
“Don’t worry about me, kid. Work on gettin’ yourself outta here.” Kay nodded, but paused in the doorway as she heard him call out again. “Hey, Kay?”
“Yeah?”
“Fuck ‘em up, all right?” She grinned, giving him a thumbs-up.
“You got it!”
-
“Hey, Alezae, are you awake? Today’s the day!” Kay clambered onto the lounge chair in the main hall. “I wanted to say goodbye. I’m going to the surface!” The tall figure wasn’t reclined on the lounge, but instead floating slightly above it. Her long brown hair was tied in a ponytail, exposing her pointed ears and gaudy earrings. They’re ones Kay had given them, she noticed—colorful fuzzy worms she’d made for their birthday.
Their name was Alezae, and they were sleep incarnate , a god who worked for Kay’s father. Her job was to greet and direct souls who entered the house, and to make lists—of souls, of causes of death, and anything else the boss saw fit. On top of that, their unofficial duties included helping every member of the house get a good amount of rest. A lot of Kay’s earliest memories involve Alezae helping her sleep on nights she was sick… and she suspects Jim would never quit work long enough to rest at all without Alezae’s intervention.
“Have you told your dad yet?” Alezae cracked one eye open from her afternoon nap, yawning. “Or are you going to leave without telling him?”
“I couldn’t do that to him,” Kay shook her head. “I’m gonna say goodbye, and I’ll come back to visit, but you know I have to go see my other dad.”
“Right. Gotcha,” they yawned, adjusting to float in a sitting position. “Not gonna lie to you, princess, it’s rough out there. Do you have a plan for making the trip?”
“Not really,” Kay frowned. “I’ve never been past the courtyard without Dad, so I’m not sure what to expect. Do you know, Alezae?”
“Sure,” she nodded, turning to a fresh page in her notebook. They started drawing, leaning over so Kay could see. “The Underworld past the house is divided into three main sections. Tartarus, which begins right outside of the door to the house. That’s mostly stone and twisting passageways filled with spike traps—it’s where the lowest of the low are sent to get tortured and stuff for all eternity.”
“Makes you wonder what we’re doing here at its doorstep,” Kay frowned.
“Oh, come on now. The house isn’t so bad,” Alezae nudged her with their arm. “None of us are getting tortured in here.” When Kay said nothing, she continued. “Next up is Asphodel—that’s kind of a medium place. It’s where people who led, well, unremarkable lives tend to end up. Where most people end up, actually.”
“Then why did you draw it on fire…?” Kay pointed to the drawing, where several of the shades appeared to be ablaze.
“Oh, right, that.” Alezae scratched the back of her head with a yawn. “It used to be pretty OK, but the lava river overflowed a while back. Your dad was really stressed about it, but I think he’s overworked to begin with. He’s working on fixing it, but it’ll take time. Watch your feet, princess—I know they’re on fire and all, but I don’t know how well they’ll fare against lava.”
“Lava… got it.” Jeez, she didn’t know there was so much dangerous stuff in her father’s realm. Still, she’d made up her mind, there was no turning back now. “What’s next?”
“Last but not least…” they added a third area to their drawing, including flowers and a waterfall to its border. “Is Elysium. The Elysian Fields are where the greatest of the mortals go when they die. It’s essentially a paradise.”
“Oh! So, once I get through Asphodel, it should be easy to reach the surface!” Her eyes lit up, but Alezae shook her head.
“Wish it were that easy. But the underworld’s greatest warriors live up there, and they’re always fighting amongst themselves for glory and all that. And they all take orders from your dad—I’m sure he’ll have them all set to bring you back here if you get caught.”
“Then I won’t get caught,” Kay decided.
“You know I’m rooting for you, but you will have to pass through the coliseum—rumor has it the champions there are no joke. And after that is the temple of Styx, and then you’re home free!”
“The temple… I’ve been there with Daddy,” Kay said. “But he used magic to take us there… I can’t do magic like he can.”
“No one can, princess. Your dad is the only one who can get up there so fast. Any chance you could get his help?”
“No,” Kay sulked. “There’s no way he’s gonna help me.”
“Have you asked him?”
“Not really.” Her ears drooped again, and she pulled her legs up on the recliner to hug her knees. “I tried bringing up my other dad to him, but he got all weird about it. He told me we shouldn’t talk about him.”
“Well… that makes sense, you know. If they loved each other and something happened, it might be a sore subject.”
“Doesn’t mean I shouldn’t get to know.” Kay huffed, leaning forward to stare at the shining marble floor. Velvet must have been through here recently, she thinks. “I should go see the others. If I wanna leave tonight, I need to say goodbye to everyone. Is Doctor Two in?”
“Don’t think so, princess. I think they’re out doing who knows what. Frankly, I don’t ask, and they don’t tell me. I’ll let you know the minute they get back, though, is that cool?”
“That’s cool,” Kay nodded.
“Well, if I don’t see you before…” Alezae ripped the page from her notebook, scribbling something on top before handing it to Kay. “It’s not a perfect map, but maybe it’ll help. And that way you won’t forget me, huh?”
“I could never forget you!” With one hand holding the folded up note, Kay threw her arms around Alezae, nearly pulling her down from her position floating above the bench.
“That’s good to hear. Better get a move on though, your dad’ll be back at his desk any minute now. Don’t wanna have your plans spoiled too early, huh?"
“Right.” Kay stuck the map in her pocket with a nod. “Thanks for everything, Alezae. If I don’t see you before I go, I’ll be back to visit! Promise!”
“See you later, Kay!” Before Kay had even left the hall, Alezae had fallen asleep with her notebook in one hand. Hopefully if someone came in through the Styx, they would wake up enough to notice, but Kay wasn’t going to get her hopes up. For now, though, she had places to go and people to see. Next stop, the library. If anyone knows about the surface, it’s her teacher.