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When Hermes learned there was a new soul to guide to the Underworld, he didn’t think it would be his own son. He arrived at the site to see his boy, utterly broken. He seemed weak, tired, as if whatever he had just done drained all the energy out of him.
Luke looked up at his dad with a weary sigh. “Taking me home?”
“Yeah… What happened, buddy?”
The boy tilted his head. His dad was acting like they’d been even remotely close. “You don’t wanna know.”
“I think I do. Who killed my son?”
“I did.” His voice was quiet, just barely above a whisper.
Hermes placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Tell me what happened. Please…”
“Let’s walk and talk,” Luke insisted. He didn’t want to explain this. He really didn’t. But he had to.
Hermes nodded, leading him towards the Underworld. As they walked, Luke explained everything. It felt like a weight was lifted off his shoulders in that moment.
“I know what I did was wrong. I’m sorry for all of it. I’m sorry for hating you. I’m sorry for the hurt I caused you, the gods, the demigods, all of it. But it’s all over now.”
The god looked down on his son with tears in his eyes. “I really wish I’d gotten to know you better. But we knew this would happen, your mother and I. I just didn’t think it would be this soon.”
Luke sighed and glanced away. “It’s sad how it took me dying for you to care.”
“I’ve always cared, Luke. I’ve never once stopped caring. I should’ve been better at showing that.”
The boy walked a little further ahead.
“You’re gonna get lost that way, you know. You’re supposed to follow the guide, not the other way around.” Hermes chuckled slightly.
Luke sighed and came to a halt, waiting for his dad to catch up before walking by his side. “What’s gonna happen to me, anyways?”
“I don’t know. I guess that’ll be judged when you get there. But you died a valiant death. I’ll put in a good word with Hades for you, at least convince him to put you in Asphodel.”
“Okay. Thanks, Dad.”
The rest of the trip was spent in silence. At long last, they arrived at the Underworld. Hermes and Luke looked at each other for a brief moment before hugging each other goodbye.
The god went on his way, but his heart seemed almost too heavy for his winged shoes to carry him.