Kei felt his entire body stiffen as he entered the great hall. Hades, his father, sat at the end of an excessively long dining table made of the same marble as the floor. The god’s eyes bypassed Hade though, something more significant held his attention. Niall’s soul, shackled and bound, serving his father as if he were a dog. His eyes flickered to his father as the god began speaking. He attempted to keep his composure; he knew Hades was all about deal making, he could bargain the boy’s soul free. He ignored his father’s question and chose to instead push his own agenda.
“I’m here to strike a deal with you.” He didn’t miss, however; how Niall reacted when Hades spoke his true name. It pained him that the boy had not immediately recognized him, but he knew it was understandable. His true form resembled nothing of Keisuke save for the eyes, but he had always been told he possessed his father’s eyes so they were not a give away to his identity. He longed horridly for Niall, he had no idea how long Niall had experienced being a slave to Hades down here, but all of Kei’s wounds were still fresh. Niall’s death still at the forefront of his every waking thought. So when Hades grabbed the boy by the chin to advert his gaze, Keisuke couldn’t control himself as he snapped.
It had been so long since he had been in his godly form that the speed he had used to close the distance between himself and Hades had surprised Kei. His father hadn’t even finished his sentence and Keisuke caught the tail end of it. “-long to me now, Niall.” It sent unbridled rage through his veins, and without any hesitation Kei slammed Hades’ head down into the marble table. There was a sickening bomb that echoed throughout the castle, the entire table split down the middle and broke in half, but Kei knew that the violent attack hadn’t even scathed Hades. Still, he didn’t let himself waver as he lifted his hand away from the god’s head.
“You put one more god damn finger on that boy and I will tear you apart and feed you too that hound you fucking wannabe Olympian.” His voice was stiff and cold, merciless, as he stared down at his father. He wondered if the god would be proud of him, Hades had constantly belittled him for being too soft and a push over, maybe he was finally acting as the son the god had always wanted. He raised his eyes slowly to look at Niall, and when he met the boy’s one eye he felt his expression soften. Even though his soul was bound and shackled to Hades, at least he was safe from worse fates of the underworld.
“Niall…” He whispered the boy’s name with the utmost tenderness and affection. The god reached out to the boy, wanting to trace his fingers along Niall’s cheek, and Eos remained perched on his shoulder. She had been taking in their surroundings the entire time since entering the underworld, probably in an attempt to comprehend where they were. It was probably every overwhelming for the young phoenix.