Chapter Text
‘Extrapolate a bit’. Chronos said the prince said such to him. ‘Your prison is just as much a cage to the beasts within as you. Since when can a Warden not leave their walls?’ He wasn’t wrong. He hadn’t left since Typhon’s first imprisonment. His boy now bound once more by witches and his power.
A hold that wouldn’t break any time soon. Doubly now that Time watched them too.
Tartarus was back in proper order. He was mended. His Furies were efficient on their own. Kampe held his higher prisoners with ease. He could…surely…step out for a moment. He wasn’t the god of prisons, simply it’s keeper. A job. Jobs could change. Right?
The Warden cautiously made his way out the depths. Meeting the Boatman where Styx met Phlegathon. His obols felt heavy in hand. So many riches but he never spent them past necessity. What did the Surface look like now? What had changed? Was Helios just as bright? Selene just as serene? He didn’t know but found himself wanting.
“Charon.” He handed the gold over. That Boatman taking it looking too amused for his liking. He chuckled, fog falling from his lips. “I wish to see the Surface.”
‘Hhhhnnng gaaahhh.’
“Yes, I know it’s been some time.” He boarded, the journey felt…underwhelming. No booming voice of Hades demanding to know where he was going. His father’s presence was silent, no urges to return to his place. No Furies impeded him. No beasts he placed to fight him. Just a ride. All this time it was a ride away. Charon stopped at the Temple. He stepped out onto the floor, Cerberus waiting patiently.
“Hello, boy.” He scratched his grandson lovingly. “I’m stepping out for a bit.” The three headed beast moved aside. One last pet to the flanks of the powerful dog, her stepped into the light. It was…
Beautiful.
Helios’ light stung his eyes. Nothing like his flames in the depths. He waited for the unsettling feeling to worm into his veins that came last time. Nothing. No discomfort. Yet. Perhaps it would settle in later. His armored feet trekked through Demeter’s snow. Then unto Queen Persephone’s soft grass.
He paused in her garden. The prince mentioned it a few times over drinks. So many bright colors and soft smells. Nothing like the echoes of stone, lava, and blood in his prison. He smelled a purple one. It was strange but pleasant. Perhaps he could find some outside of the Queen’s garden to take back with him. Zagreus did well caring for this place.
His feet carried him further. He shifted his form into something closer to mortals as he grew closer to their cities. So small. Full of life. Very different. They smiled. Laughed. Argued. Cried. They were very different when not chained up. Hm. Moving through the city he caught a man stealing. As he fled, Tartarus caught him easily.
“They’ll kill me!” The mortal pled, pulling at his wrist in the god’s grasp. “I just need to feed my family. We have no money! Please!”. He wasn’t lying. Tartarus considered for a moment. Death was not deserving of someone trying to survive. The punishment didn’t suit the crime.
“Return the goods, then return to me.” He ordered. Even as a ‘mortal’, he was imposing enough. The mortal cowered but did as he was told. He was trembling worse than shades delivering bad news to Hades. “You say you stole to feed your family.”
“Y-Yes.” The man stammered out. “I cannot get work. My wife is with child and we desperately need coin. As of a week ago, we are broke. My fields are barren. The artisans will not hire me. I am desperate sir.” All true. Tartarus leaned in, scanning over the mortal. He had no curse from Demeter. Likely his land was simply poor then.
“I shall aid you,” The man perked up, but Tartarus held up his hand, silencing him, “but my aid comes with a price. One I will know if you pay or not.” The mortal nodded desperately. “You will cease this thievery. You will repay what you stole. In turn, I give a gift.” He wasn’t skilled at blessings but this out to be simple. He put a brief bit of power in an obol. Flipped the green tinged coin to the man. He caught it, barely. “If you do as I say, remain on the path of good, good will come to you. Drop the coin in largest vase you own. Each morning you do good, you will awake to it full. If you stray, you will awake to empty.”
“If I stray,” He hesitated, “is it gone forever?”
“No.” That would be ridiculous. Gods made mistakes, mortals were no more infallible than them. “You shall have the entirety of your life to repay your debts. When we meet again in the afterlife, your deeds will be weighed. If you find yourself upon my shores,” his eyes flashed green, “you will find me most unpleasant.”
“Hades…” He gasped. Fell to the ground, bowing nearly in half. “I accept, O great Unseen One and thank you for you generosity.” Well, no, but Tartarus had never cared much for credit. He turned, leaving the mortal to his devices. He would either change his ways or end up under Meg’s whip. The choice was his.
It felt…nice to change things up. Not condemn someone but give a chance. An opportunity. So many souls he delt with were directed by the gods. ‘I want this punishment’ or ‘I want you to do this’. Only Hades let him be. Let him do his job. But this felt like more.
Felt fulfilling.
More fulfilling then doing what the Olympian’s pleased. Then babysitting misbehaving gods and perceived slights. Then petty squabbles and the worst humanity had to offer. Then the beasts damned of crafted from his offspring. It was the closest he felt too…
He shook his head. No. She hadn’t spoken with him in centuries. She wouldn’t break her silence now. Tartarus carried on, unsure where his feet were taking him. They kept moving and so did he. Through cities, towns, villages. Past seas with prying eyes. He spied one lady in the waves watching him intently. Ducking under the waves each time he noticed her. Strange.
Any mortal he stopped to redirect would end up calling him Hades and worshipping. It was all very strange. He felt nothing for it. Perhaps the Olympians did but it was empty. All he could feel was their thanks. No power as he heard others spin whispered words of.
Eventually his feet stopped in a temple dedicated to the Olympians. Inside were shrines to other gods. In fact, he found a small one to his lady. An older woman already by her altar. A navy peplos with little flair. He waited for her to finish. Be impolite to rush one of his lady’s few worshippers.
“How long do you plan to linger Sheol?” He froze at the nickname. Only…only she called him that. His lady, in a mortal guise, turned to him. A wry smile on the wrinkled old woman’s face. She concealed herself so well, he couldn’t tell. “Come in, my first enforcer.”
“Lady Themis.” He bowed respectfully, entering before the ancient titaness. Her blind eyes watched him with a fondness he hadn’t seen in so painfully long. “Where have you been?”
“Wondering.” She hummed, a hand trailing on her altar. “Wandering.” He waited for her word, patiently. He always did. “Zeus and the other Olympians cared for me no longer. I was asked to leave in place of his laws.”
“And you did.”
“I did.” She smiled knowingly. Unlike the gods there was nothing to sway her. “They prefer their version of justice against mine. I will acquiesce the power to them in this life. Let them savor their selfish misdeeds and violent actions. For you and I both know,” Her pearly gaze struck his, “divine punishment is all that awaits them for all the laws and decrees they’ve torn through.”
“You gave up.” He couldn’t believe that. He couldn’t.
“Did I now?” She tilted her head so, like she always did when he didn’t understand when he was young. “Or did I simply step aside? My law did not vanish. It still stands. They willfully ignore it. Act in spite of it. Yet, somehow, even mortals are wise enough to follow, even unknowingly. I am ready to be called upon any time, dear Sheol. I await my call, as I am certain you do.”
“What is a Warden to do?” He meant it as a joke, but it felt flat. All this time, all these years, the long, long silence and she was just waiting. She shook her head.
“Your job is a Warden. Tell me, what is you domain?”
“Imprisonment.” He replied flatly. She laughed at him. “Judgement. Execution.”
“Divine Punishment.” She tacked on. “For Divine Law must have Divine Consequences. You are the end of one’s poor choices. They are not fully yours until violating one of our laws or upon Styx’s shores. My decree gave you unstoppable power. The gods fear us both for it. Why do you think they never once called upon me when Chronos returned? When your son broke free?”
“Because it was a punishment earned.” A bitter truth he dared not speak to another deity. “Not all, but in proportion.” The innocent gods and titans had no part in this feud. The mortals slaughtered in the crossfire. The land torn asunder by the violence.
“They could have called me any time. Set the record straight. Stop it all and yet,” She smiled, “they didn’t want to face true consequences. Once again they barter, scheme, buy time, and work to a result they find favorable. Though I must admit,” she hid her smile behind her hand, “Hades’ children did do well solving this issue.”
“They are remarkable young gods. I pray they stay their courses.”
“As do I.” Silence fell between them. “Stop waiting for a decree that will not come, Sheol.” That hurt. Cutting deep. “The Olympians will not call upon me again. Only mortals whom I steer in a better way, a better tomorrow. As I intend to keep doing, as you have done during your exploration above.” He felt his cheeks flush. Of course she knew about that.
“Why can I remain up here so long?” He took a seat by her. “It used to hurt aside from your assistance.” She laughed at him like the mortal mothers did to their children.
“Because we have changed.” Themis said it so simply. “There is much more of us to go around to the mortals than the other gods believe. There will always be laws and there will always be consequences for breaking them. Mortals embrace us stronger than our kin without even realizing. We are fundamental to the order and peace they so desperately seek. Are you not stronger?”
“I am.” He hadn’t realized it but since his dip in Styx he felt more alive than he had in ages. Rebuilding was easy and breathing. Krisis felt lighter than it had in years. “I suppose I grew without realizing it.”
“A teacher is always pleased to watch their student come to their own conclusions. But sometimes, when we lead too much, we must step away and let you walk on your own.”
“I see.” He had found his own. He never considered widening his domain. Nor it spreading to the surface. “I saw mortals have prisons up here. Are they copying me?” She laughed sharply, nearly doubling over. “I am serious. Themis, tell me. I am serious.” She only laughed harder.
“Perhaps you have more walking still to do.” She wiped away a tear. “No, think of it closer as inspired, Sheol.” Him? Inspiring mortals? Didn’t they fear his name? They certainly feared Hades. “Should you take a break again, I shall be here.” He watched Helios settle down and Selene took flight.
“I shall see you again.” He stood. “And I still have much to ask.”
“I shall remain.” She promised. He nodded, taking his leave. Simply returning directly to his depths. He had much to consider. Much to ‘extrapolate’. He began his trek back toward home. His mind changed. A burden lightened. So much he had failed to realize. So much he now knew. So much to know still.
He hadn’t felt so much passion, such curiosity since before Themis took her leave. The prince was right about much. A smile played on his lips.
Extrapolate indeed.