[Third Person’s PoV]

Lucian placed a hand over his chest and cast a curse upon himself—a curse of imperceptibility—making him nearly impossible to detect or acknowledge.

‘A curse can be both an inconvenience and an advantage when used correctly,’ he thought, relying on his knowledge of curses to see if he could digest his potion faster.

Despite his efforts, he still didn’t feel the potion digesting in his system. He shook his head in frustration before taking a step forward—and vanished into a wisp of darkness.

He reappeared across the street and entered the Empire State Building undetected. Moving swiftly, he reached the elevator, his gaze locking onto the keyhole once inside. Darkness seeped from his fingertips as they pressed against the opening, molding into the shape of a key. With a subtle twist, the mechanism clicked, and the locked buttons were revealed. Without hesitation, he pressed the button for the highest floor and leaned back against the elevator wall, arms crossed over his chest, legs casually apart.

He looked imposing, especially in his bloodstained suit of armor. His fingers drummed lightly against his bicep as he watched the numbers ascend. The only part of his face visible was a single glowing red eye, peering through the shadows.

Realizing there was no need for concealment anymore, Lucian undid the curse. Even with his magic, deceiving a god’s senses at close range was nearly impossible.

The elevator doors slid open.

Lucian stepped forward without hesitation, his mind devoid of unnecessary thoughts. He walked with calm confidence, his crimson cape billowing behind him.

He ignored the startled gazes of the spirits and daemons inhabiting Olympus; their opinions meant nothing to him.

However, what did surprise him was the familiar figure ascending the steps ahead of him toward the council chamber.

The figure paused, then turned.

It was Hades.

And he looked anything but pleased.

Veins bulged along his forehead and arms, his presence exuding an unapproachable, fearsome aura. His back hunched slightly, hands in his pockets, before he leaned back and muttered in confusion,

“Lucian?”

“Father?”

Hades’ sharp gaze swept over him, taking in the blood covering his armor. His expression darkened.

“Why are you covered in blood?”

Lucian shrugged. “A few daemons got in my way. What slowed you down? Shouldn’t you already be inside?”

Hades let out a sigh. “You fail to grasp just how much time has passed between the events that occurred—not to mention, I don’t have the same freedom to teleport here as naturally as you do.”

Lucian raised an eyebrow. Hades shook his head, exasperated.

“Lucian, go back. I’ll handle this. There was no need for you to come. You’re only going to make things worse.”

“Yeah, no.” Lucian scoffed. “I don’t care. I want to see if Nico and Bianca are alright. And don’t bother trying to convince me otherwise—you know how stubborn I am.”

Hades pinched the bridge of his nose. “First off, of course they’re alright. Hermes would be a fool to allow anything to happen to them—or to treat them roughly. He knows full well what awaits him in my kingdom if he does. And as much of an idiot as my brother appears to be, he is no fool.”

Lucian eyed him skeptically at that last part, and even Hades himself looked unsure before shaking his head.

“Fine. Come along.”

As they ascended the final steps, Hermes stood at the chamber entrance.

The Messenger God glanced at Hades apologetically but ignored Lucian entirely.

“You know I can’t disobey Father’s orders,” Hermes said.

Hades’ expression remained impassive. “Save your excuses for someone who cares to hear them. I am not that person. Announce our presence, or I’ll do it myself.”

Hermes stiffened. Then, clearing his throat, he proclaimed loudly,

“Now entering: Hades, God of the Dead, Lord of the Underworld!”

The golden doors opened, and Hermes continued,

“Accompanying him—Lucian Blackheart of the House of Hades, Prince of the Underworld!”

Hades waved a hand, and a green flame engulfed Lucian, burning away the blood and gore from his armor, leaving it pristine. Lucian blinked in mild surprise at he got called by his official title but took it in stride.

As the last flickers of green flame died out, he strode forward, his polished black armor gleaming—an image of a knight stepping into battle.

Inside, Hermes ascended to his throne, the small wings on his feet making soft fluttering noises.

Lucian’s eyes scanned the room.

Bianca trembled with fear.

Nico, though unable to feel fear, still looked deeply concerned. Their distress was palpable.

But the moment they saw Hades and Lucian enter, their faces lit up with relief.

“Lucian! Dad!!”

Lucian barely spared Zeus a glance. Normally, he’d at least offer the bare minimum of respect, reluctantly, but right now?

He simply didn’t care.

Crossing the room, he crouched to Bianca and Nico’s level.

“Are you two alright? You’re not hurt, are you?”

Bianca quickly shook her head. “No, we’re okay…”

Nico frowned. “What happens now?”

Lucian exhaled, his red eye gleaming as he slowly looked up at the eleven gods seated before him.

One was missing.

Hera looked at Lucian with disdain. “You grow more arrogant by the second, boy. When one enters this hall, they show respect to their superiors. Just because you are accompanied by your father does not excuse you from this custom.”

Lucian raised his head, his single visible red eye glowing ominously beneath his helm. “You want my respect? Then earn it.”

A collective gasp filled the room. The sheer audacity of his words left even the gods stunned.

“Hades, control your bastard—” Zeus began arrogantly, but Hades snorted in amusement.

“It is you who needs to learn control, brother,” Hades said with an air of disdain. “Do not mistake my lack of action for my inability to do so.”

Zeus stood abruptly, lightning crackling around his clenched fist. “Is that a threat?”

“Yes, it is,” Hades answered without hesitation, his voice sharp as a blade. “You’ve played with fire for so long that you’ve forgotten its danger.”

His glare darkened. “Even gods have limits. And I have reached mine with how many times I’ve been summoned before the Winter Solstice, only to look at your insufferable face.”

“I think that’s enough—” Poseidon interjected, rising from his throne.

But Hades and Zeus turned their fury on him at the same time.

“You stay out of this. It does not concern you.”

Poseidon froze, his mouth opening slightly before he awkwardly settled back onto his throne. Aphrodite chuckled behind her hand, enjoying the spectacle.

Zeus’s scowl deepened. “Perhaps if you raised your bastards properly, I wouldn’t have to call you out of your dark hole, Hades.” His voice boomed with authority. “That one”—he motioned toward Lucian—”is constantly causing trouble, showing blatant disrespect. And now I see he gets it from his father.”

His grip on his bolt tightened. “I will not have your unruly brats running unchecked. If I tolerate such disrespect, others will think it acceptable. Allowing such insolence is a show of weakness—and weakness invites rebellion.” His thunderous eyes crackled as he leaned forward. “We cannot afford rebellion. You, of all people, should know what’s at stake.”

Hades scoffed, shaking his head. “Spare me your self-righteousness. Don’t think I don’t see how that mind of yours works, brother. You’re still in denial. The only way you’ll ever accept the truth is if he appears before you himself.”

His expression twisted into something almost deranged. “Don’t you dare use him in your schemes. This isn’t about him. This is about you and me. You despise me so much that you took Maria from me.” His voice dropped into a growl. “And I will not let you take the last memento I have of her.”

Suddenly, Nico and Bianca flinched, clutching their heads in pain.

Memories flooded their minds. The roar of thunder. The crackle of lightning. The echo of their father’s desperate cries. The warm smile of a woman—one last, fleeting moment before it was all ripped away.

The vision lasted only a second before fading, leaving them gasping.

“W-what was that?” Nico asked through gritted teeth, his eyes wet with unshed tears.

Bianca swallowed hard, her own eyes shimmering. “You… saw it too, didn’t you?”

Lucian’s gaze softened. He said nothing, simply pulling them into his arms, shielding them from everything around them.

Artemis, watching from her throne, felt a rare pang of understanding. Of all those present, she could relate to Lucian the most. As the older sister of Apollo, she understood that fierce, desperate desire to protect their sibling from the world. Which caused her heart to throb at the scene in front of her of Lucian embracing them.

Aphrodite watched from her Throne in amusement, ‘Wow I am loving every second of this… Should I dip my hands into this? Bring them closer? The chaos that would ensued would be the most fun to watch’

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