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There was someone else trying to escape the Underworld.
Zagreus only learned of this unprecedented and unexpected situation because Charon had no items for him to purchase when he ran into him in Tartarus.
“Eh, mate,” Zagreus said, staring at the empty room, “where’s all your inventory?”
Charon groaned, "Hrrr hroooh hnnh."
“Someone else bought them? That can happen? I was not aware that was a possibility,” Zagreus said. "This is a first. It is very surprising yet inconvenient for me. I have yet to hear from any of the Gods of Olympus. Have you heard anything about this? Do they no longer wish to help me?"
More groaning. "Hoohh hmmm."
It was news to Zagreus, that others besides Theseus and himself, could receive boons from the Gods of Olympus-that'd they'd even want to give boons to someone else. He figured one of the shades was trying to escape, a newcomer to the Underworld and maybe even a hero from the surface. He imagined someone legendary enough to have captured the favor of Olympus. It was possible. It wasn't impossible, at least. One thing was certain, Zagreus found it quite intriguing. He decided he wanted to meet them, maybe give them a few pointers so they could be successful. Although surely they would not need it if they felt comfortable enough using Charon's merchandise to fight their way out. Zagreus was excited to run into them.
“What can you tell me of this newcomer?”
Charon groaned in response.
“That is surprising to hear. Father is aware of this other mysterious swordsman causing mayhem and getting their hands on his treasure?”
"Hrrngh hrrm hhshaaah."
“Thank you for sharing, mate. Say, you wouldn’t happen to have some more merchandise like in your other realm or hidden in your robes or something, would you? I could definitely use some help. I have not been favored by my relatives this time around.”
Silence.
Okay, well, that was enough of an answer for him.
“I see. I shall continue forward, I suppose,” Zagreus said.
In the very next room, Zagreus encountered Alecto. He took a heavy beating but still came out victorious. Gravely injured but still standing, (take that, Father!) he made his way up towards Asphodel. He found, to his abject horror, that both Charon’s Well and the healing fountain had been used up.
Zagreus pressed forward for surely the mysterious swordsman was nearby.
And how right he was.
There! Breaking all the vases in the first level of Asphodel was a swordsman dressed in garbs of light blue and tan, swinging rapidly and collecting all the Obols that fell that to the ground. Toned arms, thick powerful legs, a straight jaw., hair looking so soft that Zagreus wanted to run his fingers through it...Zagreus nodded appreciatively at the sight. The swordsman looked at Zagreus with a piercing gaze, one that made Zagreus' chest tighten. As if sizing him up, the swordsman observed Zagreus and after a brief moment, he tilted his head and then turned back around to continue smashing the vases into tiny little pieces.
“Hello,” Zagreus said, not sure what to make of the attractive stranger. “Are you buy chance looking for Obols? I know the vases may have some in them but there are better ways to earn them.”
Unfortunately, just as Zagreus said that, a ridiculous amount of coins fell out of the vases. It wasn’t just the handful he’d normally find, but an entire trove’s worth-nay, at least twice that amount. It was amazing; Zagreus had never had such luck. He usually had more luck getting them from the wretches.
“I've never had something like that happen to me. Care sharing your secret to the riches?" Zagreus asked because he was genuinely curious. But then the swordsman swung his sword again in such a way that Zagreus got the complete view of his body. "Or maybe secrets of another kind?"
The swordsman was Link, as he introduced himself (and Zagreus had never thought someone's voice could be swoon-worthy but here he was discovering that it could be). Link explained he was on a rush to escape the Underworld for he had a princess to rescue and a world to save. Apparently, getting coins and gemstones (or rupees as Link called them) was his thing. Link too received blessing from gods to aid him on his adventures and he too had prophecies about him. (Zagreus tried hard not to be excited at their bare similarities.) Link sounded very heroic; his story was a riveting tale Orpheus would be proud to make a song out of. Before he could suggest the idea and before Zagreus could learn any more of this enticing man, Link gave his goodbyes and took the only barge available as he left.
“Wait, wait. I’m trying to escape too!” Zagreus yelled.
Zagreus was left stranded and despite trying to make his way through the fiery river, he still failed his attempt.
When Zagreus next attempted his escape, he noticed much sooner that Link was still making his way through the Underground. This time, Zagreus caught up with Link in Charon's chamber right before encountering one of the Furies.
Link rushed to the corner where there was an entire group of vases and again started smashing them. Zagreus stared, only for a few seconds, before realizing he too needed more Obols if he intended to get any boons as once again he had received very few of them in Tartarus. (Surely his relatives were not angry at him..? No, of course not, they had no reason to be.)
Zagreus went to the other corner and started smashing the vases there. It was all for naught for he found nothing and Link purchased all the items appearing only slightly contrite about it.
“Wait, mate. You are leaving in a hurry. Surely you're not the type to be done and then run.”
As Link explained it, he needed to get out as soon as possible. Something about how he'd already abandoned his duty for one hundred years and he felt bad about making his world wait for his help even longer. Zagreus had many follow up questions but Link didn’t stay to make conversation.
(He couldn't lie, even to himself. Zagreus was disappointed he hadn't been able to spend more time with Link.)
Zagreus resolved himself to ignore that feeling of disappointment and press forward. Unfortunately, he ended up losing to Tisiphone in the next chamber. She sent him back to the House without fanfare and without apology.
The following attempt, Zagreus met Link in Sisyphus’ room.
“Prince Zed,” Sisyphus said, “Bouldy and I would like you to meet our new friend. An adventurer from the surface.”
And yes, there was Link, still looking as alluring as the first time Zagreus had seen him, standing in front of Sisyphus.
Zagreus approached them. He gave them his best smile, the one Thanatos had once mentioned was 'pleasing to see'. (Than would like Link Zagreus thought, when Link gave him a small but coquettish smile-yes, it was flirty and Zagreus would not be convinced of otherwise.)
“We meet again, Link. Tell me, is Hermes jealous of the speed in which you move? I hope you're not that fast at everything you do,” Zagreus said with a wink.
(Why yes, he did quite enjoy seeing Link's jaw drop.)
“Our new friend was explaining that moving fast was quite normal form him.” Sisyphus said. “Why, he was even giving me suggestions on how to move Bouldy up the hill-and there he goes again.”
Zagreus turned, “What, oh, he’s breaking vases. Wait!”
Link was once again swinging his sword around.
“Well, this is embarrassing, Prince Zed.” Sisyphus said. “I’ve given our friend all the Obols available to us at this time. I still have other things to give you though.”
Unfortunate but Zagreus could do nothing about it. "Since Link is taking all the obols for himself and buying out all of Charon's merchandise, we just might have to travel together through the Underworld. A sacrifice I willingly make, mind you."
"That's a great idea. Do you hear that, Boudly? Prince Zed has found himself a new friend." Sisyphus said with a smile, as if that had been the best idea ever.
Link nodded. Speaking of pleasing smiles, Zagreus was captivated by the one Link gave him. It made something in him flutter. It made heat rush to both the top of his head to the pit of his stomach and even lower than that. It made Zagreus want to drag Link back to his room and drop to his knees—(Later, he'd blame Link's deep grunts and moans for dying shortly after their team-up but in the moment, he enjoyed hearing them. He enjoyed them very, very much. He'd die as many times as needed just to keep hearing Link make those sounds. Megaera would have liked those throaty noises too, he believed.)
A few more attempts after teaming up with Link, Zagreus encountered him again in Elysium.
“Mate, still stuck down here? Or do you just want to be with me that much?” Zagreus said in greeting.
Link nodded and gave him a pouch.
“What’s this?” Zagreus asked, taking the item. It looked well made, sturdy and unique. He liked it. Especially because it came from Link, although being honest, Zagreus would take anything from him.
A token of appreciation and a gift of friendship, Link explained, because he liked Zagreus!
“Well, if we are giving gifts, take this,” Zagreus said, giving Link a bottle of ambrosia. He didn't have that many to spare but that didn't matter. Giving one to a new friend would be no hardship at all for him. And if said friend ever wanted to become something more, well, Zagreus definitely wouldn't say no to that.