Hades

Elle stared up at the moon for what seemed like forever. She curled up, pulling her legs in tight to her chest. She didn't want to come back to this home, beautiful memories were made here but they were just too painful. Surprised though no assassins had come tonight, the thunder and lightning are tied to Zeus, he should've been able to track Elle because of it. The thought caused Elle to contemplate for a while before standing up and walking back inside. She has no time to sit around and wait for her assailants to arrive, she had to prepare the house and the courses outside for William's training. She had to turn him into a mercenary almost overnight. She wouldn't be able to protect the both of them by herself, but if Will wasnt dead weight they might stand a chance.

She swept the meditation temple outside, making sure to get away any fallen leaves and dirt. There came a rustle from the nearby grove. Elle narrowed her eyes and spun the broom around into an offensive position. Her eyes traced the greenery, despite it being so dark, she could make out even the slightest changes in atmosphere. The rustling became more intense as something approached her, with a swift turn Elle looked at a brush and prepared her footing. A small white bunny hopped out and looked at Elle with baby eyes. It's nose crinkled before hopping back off into the darkness. Elle let out a sigh before dropping her arms back to her side. Was she scared of a bunny? Pathetic.

"I didn't know a hare could get a rise out of you, time surely has changed you, Estelle" a deep, harrowing voice came from behind her. Trails of black smoke laced with little lightning flashes crept it's way across the shrines floor.

Elle knew the voice and knew it well.

"Something smells of hypocrisy, oh if it isn't Lord Hades, why have you crawled out of your hole?" Her tongue was sharp.

"Your words pain me" Hades placed a hand on her shoulder and caressed her cheek with his other hand. Elle shooed him off.

"Why are you here" Elle harshly asked.

"I can't just come by to say hello to my favorite rebel?" Hades was being coy, and Elle knew it.

"We both know you arnt here to exchange pleasantries."

"Well in order to do that you'd have to say something sweet to me, and I'd have better luck getting Narcissis to put down a mirror, but I digress. There is a reason why I'm here." Hades shifted infront of Elle, he dawned tinged black robes that dragged across the floor. His hair was black as the nightime that enveloped the two of them but his eyes were an ashy gray. His face was worn with time, each wrinkle measured a different century.

"Can't you just tell me already?" Elle was not a very patient girl, and she sure as hell wasn't going to try to be patient with Hades.

"Sheesh, so rude to your guests. There was a gala in Olympus the past day and you were quite the topic of conversation." Hades conjured a seat of smoke and plopped himself down in it.

"Still? I figured some new gossip was sure to occupy their minds by now" Elle rested her arm on the tip her broom handle, then rested her head on her arm.

"Oh believe me it has, but since you showed back up on their radar, you, my impulsive friend, have drawn a lot of unwanted attention."

"Hades did you plan on giving me some new information orrrr?"

"Just shut up and listen, I know it's hard for you, but bare with me here. They announced a hunt, and you have the largest bounty on your head. "

"There's an award for my head? Zeus really willing to pay for me, eh?"

"Not quite the way you're thinking. The man who turns you in gets your divinity."

Elle's eyes opened in disbelief.

"My divinity was rebuked." Elle stated.

"You think Zeus got rid of it? It's been flying around Olympus in the form of a dove. Whoever brings you to Zeus gets to obtain it." Hades crossed his legs.

"Who is coming after me this time" Elle's grip tightened on her broom.

"Who isn't?"

"Hades" Elle wanted a straight answer.

"Ares... Artemis.. Athena ... Posidon.. All the hard hitters. Including some band of men Zeus insisted on ascending personally. Not sure why Zeus made them such a priority, but they are after you aswell. Almost the whole cosmos practically wants you dead."

Elle tried not to let her concern show, but Hades could see it in her eyes.

"Not you?" Elle asked.

"No not me, I have far bigger end game goals in mind. Now, why have you shown back up on the grid? What did you do?" Hades asked, actually curious as to the answer.

"I did what I do best, I made a bad situation worse and made some more enemies that want me dead." Elle shrugged.

"I see you havnt lost your touch." Hades chuckled lightly.

"Now why are you really here, Hades? I'm sure you're not giving me information out of the goodness of your heart."

"Though you're right I'm shocked you think that way-"

"If you were me, would you think any other way?"

Hades got quiet for a second, proving Elle's point.

"I've come with a proposition."

"What do you want."

"I'll share any useful information I get my hands on IF you raise hell on Olympus and dethrone Zeus. Get me Zeus' soul. I want it floating in the river Styx for the rest of eternity."

"What if I don't succeed?" Elle quietly asked, she wasn't considering taking the deal but she was curious.

"I get your soul instead" Hades added with a smirk.

There it was, that's the reason he was here.

"You'll expect me to wage war on the home of the Gods alone? I don't even have my full power. How do you expect me to even do that? Have you completely gone insane?"

"Be quiet or you'll wake your little human in there." Hades raised his eyes to the home behind him. Elle lowered her voice.

"And I have him with me, even if I train him he's just a human"

"Maybe I could even get your divinity back to you.." Hades clasped his hands together.

"Bullshit." Elle stated blankly.

"Do you doubt me?"

"Incredibly. Zeus wouldn't even let you near my divinity, Expecially now that it's a prize in some contest. I'm even surprised he let you in for that party." Elle saw so many obstacles in the road ahead of her. Her life was getting even more difficult by the minute, why did it all come to a head now? Why now of all times, when she had the fiercest handicap, William.

"I will make no such deal untill I get proof you can restore my power. Begone." Elle's eyes glowed.

"Oh look, the birds ruffling it's feathers to appear larger. I'll be waiting for your answer. You know where to find me." Hades stood up from his chair then faded into the shadows.

Ugh the nerve of that guy, how dare he give me an ultimatum

Elle stomped back into the house, though she did take care not to be too loud for fear she'd wake up Will. She made her way to his room and quietly slid open the door, her eyes fell onto his limp body on his bed. Blankets half on, half off, dried drool on the pillow his head so awkwardly rested on. Not to mention he was snoring like an a*****e. The whole sight brought a very light smile to Elle's face before she closed the door.

Returning to her room she slipped out of her nightclothes just as the sun began to rise. She put on a white kimono that was traced with silver accents and sash. The white and silver really accented her baby blue hair. She threw it up into a messy bun as she left her room to wake up Will. When she opened the door she was surprised to see him no longer in his bed. She raised her eyes to the balcony door and saw it opened a large crack, pushing it open she saw Will sitting down on the edge of the pier, watching the sunrise.

"Goodmorning" Elle said as she came up behind him.

"Morning" Will didn't look up to her, and stretched out his legs.

"Sit" Will patted the spot next to him.

Elle obeyed and sat on her legs next to him. They both watched the sunrise in silence. It's soft Rays of orange and red crept their way across the sky, illuminating the water below them. The cherry blossoms lit up, displaying their pale pink hue.

"How do cherry blossoms bloom in winter?" Will asked

"This land is sacred, take it for what it's worth" Elle always enjoyed sunrises and sunsets, she'd seen them countless times, but they were always so beautiful. She found it intriguing how only humans measured time. How only humans had a fear of wasting it, of it running out. But Elle could watch as many sunrises as she wished, she had to fears, and in that way, she was blessed with a curse.

"When do we start?" Will questioned eagerly.

"We already have" Elle said with a playful smile which caught Will off guard.

"What do you mean?"

"You have to learn to be relaxed, breath evenly and still and let your senses take over. Right now, watching the sunrise you were completely calm. As if it was just a normal day. That's how you always have to be, in a constant stand of calm so your senses can become hyper aware of changes."

Will chuckled in disbelief.

"That shockingly makes sense."

"Well of course it does? Why wouldn't it?"

"Put yourself in my shoes for a sec, right now nothing makes sense aside from what you just told me."

Elle looked disgruntled.

"Do you need me to explain again?" She wondered.

"No I heard you, but my mind is going to take some adjusting." Will leaned back on his palms.

"I understand, but we don't have the time to let you adjust." Elle stood up.

"I figured as much." Will stood up with her, putting his hands behind his neck.

"Now, follow me" Elle motioned back inside.