Chapter Text
The god of the underworld was many things. He was powerful.
He was strong.
Mysterious.
Brooding…
…and he was not someone you wanted to keep waiting…
…unless you yourself could stand on an equal footing to him. Which is exactly why the Slenderman decided to pull such a disrespectful move over the god.
Hades stood, loitering outside one of the many offices in his building in the underrealm.
“Aidoneus…” the overlord mused, his tendrils whipping. “Why, a pleasure to see you in my domain…”
Hades folded his arms. His dark hair reached his shoulders; it greyed with the weight of their contract.
“Daemon… I hope your brothers are well…” he nodded in acknowledgement. “Now… what in the name of Tartarus is this… meeting you called about?”
The slender man chuckled. Wasn't it obvious?
Clearly, not to the god of the dead…
“Oh, why, nothing too serious…” he promised. “Simply… a mutually beneficial deal for us both…”
He held out his palm.
“...a bargain…”
And the other.
“...a favour…” he offered. “A promise.”
Hades scoffed, throwing his head back.
“Oh, please… I am the god of the most powerful legions to ever exist… anyone that has ever existed finds themselves in loyalty to me.”
That, they did…
“...so why would I of all beings need to make a deal with a-?”
“Your armies are vast,” came the monster's reply. “Yes, by the rings of the realm, I know… however, when it comes to souls, you know not how to deal…”
His hand rested upon his chest.
“...whereas such things are my speciality… and not just of the dead…”
Hades knew what he was implying… the beast owned more mortal and undead souls alike than he knew could be counted by a single man. A crop in the millions lay, waiting in the underworld for his command…
“...I shall extend partially the rights of my proxies to you,” he explained. “...for an increase in my undead legions.”
His clawed hand outstretched to the god.
“Have we a deal?”
Hades’ eyes narrowed.
“...what else is there to this deal?” He asked, brows raising.
Slender chuckled.
“Ah, the catch… Yes, we shall definitely have to discuss it further…” he agreed, ushering the god into his office.
And there they stayed for hours…
…days…
…weeks…
…until they finally settled upon an agreement. One that left both satisfied - and with minimal damage to the beast's office.
“...the hand of my son…” Hades whispered, as if regretting the decision immediately.
“...bound legally to one of my proxies through vows,” he agreed. “And in exchange, you may summon any mortal soul not bound to my household that I own… for your own bidding…”
“...and your undead crop increases by seventeen percent…”
Slender hummed, content with his hefty sum from the deal.
"And in exchange, you'll keep your... brothers out of my tendrils?" The beast asked, drumming his clawed fingers against the desk.
Hades chuckled. Oh, easier things had been vowed upon the river styx...
"I shall uphold my end of the deal to the height of my abilities," he assured.
Slender nodded. With a claw, he pricked his palm, causing the apendage to ooze his black blood.
Hades summoned a small stygian iron blade and dragged it across his own hand, golden ichor dribbling across his pale skin.
"There we have it..." Hades whispered, his palm meeting the monster's.
"So it shall be..." Slender agreed, his grip tightening against the god.
And in a single handshake, a deal was struck. A promise made between two souls, whose names were used as pawns in the games of gods.