hadesvania

[reposing]

[Only Zagreus would know how many times he's made his escape attempt.

As for Alucard, he is on his first attempt to break into the Underworld.

The entrance was not actually complicated to find. His father's collection of books made it easy to determine where to go, and the cold does not especially have any effect on him. He marches forward, through the entryway, finding himself in a familiar place of gears turning.]

Hm. Could it be this is where you drew inspiration? It wouldn't be surprising...

[And so it is, two princes bound to run into each other, coming from opposite directions.]

Comments

[reposing]

And yet, you're still determined to make it up there. Despite all that.

[Handy. Alucard glances around curiously before he quietly moves to follow after Zagreus.]

Mm. A name that is still well known, even in my country. Still, that is... quite selfless of Achilles, to give away his place for another. I can see why you admire him so with that kind of nature.

[Softly, he adds:] There wasn't much in my godfather's control, but where he could... he tried. And there are a great many things outside of our control. Your reaching the surface being but one of those things.

[Yet, they go on.]

[reuniter]

My mother is up there. So yes, I'm going. Whatever it takes.

[Just as Alucard, now, is down here, heading for Asphodel and all its barren, flaming expanse. Whatever it takes.]

It's almost a pity, isn't it? You'd have a much easier time finding mine, and I'm better suited to finding yours. And yet here we are.

[reposing]

Or the Fates are having a go at us. I'd believe that.

[There's an annoyed huff from Alucard for a moment before he considers. Zagreus can't stay on the surface, as he belongs in the Underworld. Alucard doesn't entirely belong here either, even if it's not exactly unwelcome either, but he doubts he could stay for long.]

...When I inevitably go back up above. [As he has no delusions of otherwise.] If I were to per chance run into your mother. Is there a message I can give? On your behalf.

[reuniter]

They do have a tendency of doing that, the Fates. You get used to it after a while, sort of.

[As they talk, Zagreus leads them through the winding passages of the Colosseum; soon, they're drawing near to the exit on the other side, and the green-hued daylight waiting beyond the doors.

But at the mention of Persephone, he grows a touch more solemn.]

...Tell her I'm coming back. I won't stop until I make it back to her.

[reposing]

[It's just a fraction, but certainly a difference in his demeanor as opposed to how almost jovial and chatty he is. But Alucard understands, in his own way.]

If I find her, I will tell her.

[He says "if", with the full intent of seeking her out. Because he does respect what Zagreus is doing, seeking out a lost parent, despite all circumstances thrown his way.

Better that he has luck with one parent at least than neither at all. Better that, than to lose them to flame.]

[reuniter]

...Thank you. But let's see if we can't find yours first.

[As they make it out into the open air, Zagreus beckons a sort of pulling motion in the air with his hand, summoning his sword back into his grip — clearly, they're coming to a point where he's anticipating some resistance from the masses.]

I truly don't know if the denizens here will attack someone headed downward. They're supposed to stop escapees, and this is the reverse of that. But it's also Elysium, and all these shades do is fight eternally for their exalted glory, so.

[He shrugs, heading for the gates.]

Best to be prepared. Though if you'd like to bat on through, I'll catch up to you.

[reposing]

It is the nature of warrior heaven, I suppose. Not "bake pies and live peacefully" heaven.

[Alucard shakes his head.]

It'll be quicker with the both of us, and I did not come unarmed.

[reuniter]

Shall we make it a competition, then? See who can clear more?

[Than isn't the jealous type, luckily, so surely he won't mind if he and Alucard borrow a little game that they usually play amongst themselves.

He pushes open the gates, stepping into the next room, and watches as the familiar sight of shades reconstituting starts to come into view.]

Let's go!

[reposing]

Like to have fun with this sort of thing, do you? Well, you need to keep your own count, I'm not tracking it for you.

[Well. He supposes it's not really a place of life and death for Zagreus or the shades, really. Alucard likely needs to be more careful than anyone, but he isn't overly concerned.

This isn't entirely unfamiliar to him, anyway.

Truthfully, for however effective Alucard is alone, he knows he works that much better in company when in a fight. And this, too, is a bit nostalgic for him. It feels like it's been ages since he's last had someone to cooperate with.

Drawing his sword, he springs into action, easily keeping up with Zagreus as the shades form themselves. He rushes forward, twirling and slicing at a Longsword. Though, curiously, it doesn't seem to be entirely destroyed when a wisp is left behind.]

Hm. Is that normal?

[reuniter]

Oh — careful, don't let it get back to its weapon!

[He's not one to killsteal in the middle of a friendly competition, but seeing the leftover wisp, he quickly grasps a bloodstone and hurls a cast in the direction of the shade; it shapes itself into a bolt of green light that quickly seeks its foe and ruptures it.]

Sorry, mate. That's the thing about the Exalted. Eternal fighting really does mean eternal, you see?

[reposing]

I see your point.

[There's a pause, then he points at Zagreus.]

That one doesn't count. Don't count it.

[And off Alucard goes, phasing to his next target. This time, he's attacking barehanded, his supernatural strength allowing him to rip a shield free from a Greatshield before striking it with its own weapon. His sword, meanwhile, is doing work on his behalf, twirling elegantly in the air to slice away at another shade.]

[reuniter]

Hold on — what sort of weapon is that!

[It's not like his Infernal Arms, even though they seem to have a life of their own at times, shivering and shuddering when brought close to the taste of Titan's blood. And it's not like Varatha, merely returning on its own. No, this sword fights for itself, inexplicably, and Zagreus actually misses out on a few stabs and slices he otherwise should've landed easily, because he's so busy preoccupied with watching.]

Does it have a name? Where did it come from?!

[reposing]

What? Oh-- this? It's-- well, it's a magical sword, can't you tell? It's mine.

[Does it have a name. What does he look like, a Belmont, going around and naming weapons like they're his children? Perish the thought!]

It was gifted to me when I was very young. Isn't yours magical in some capacity?

[reuniter]

Of course I can tell it's magical, it's moving on its own. Stygius doesn't move on its own.

[It does, however, do a pretty radical ground pound, which he just so happens to do while Alucard is still watching, because he can't let his topside partner be responsible for all the cool moves in this fight.]

Does fairly well for itself when channeling blessings from my relatives, though. Who gave yours to you?

[reposing]

That's Stygius, the very same that Poseidon once wielded? A bit more full of skulls than I expected.

[Alucard is a bit impressed, which is expressed by him determined to not look impressed. He holds out his hand, summoning his blade back to him, and he continues to fight, count, and talk all at the same time.]

My godfather. He told me that he worked with another entity to give it to me. It contains a familiar I made a pact with, so it comes to my beck and call when I need it.

[reuniter]

But you did expect some skulls, evidently!

[It's so charming that this mysterious Alucard guy actually recognizes an Infernal Arm when he's presented with one. But that just brings Zagreus to another looming question...]

All right, that's it. When I win this, I want to know the name of this mysteriously knowledgeable godfather of yours! He really seems to have his fingers in every pie, doesn't he? Like I said, it's mysterious!

[reposing]

With you, certainly. With the God of the Sea, less. Shouldn't it be covered in coral and seashells or something?

[Ugh, clearly, he's spoken too much. Alucard sighs as he gives a powerful backhand to another wretch.]

You're not going to win, and you certainly don't need to be bothered with that bit of information.

[reuniter]

It's still an Infernal Arm, not an oceanic one. Aspects don't change its nature, just some of its flavor.

[More green light erupts from his hand, winding across the battlefield and seeking out another set of foes to strike. As the shades erupt back into their ghastly forms, Zagreus is ready and waiting with a swing to cut them down.]

Is it a secret, then? Or are you just shy about it?

[reposing]

Well now, look who's suddenly an empowered weapons expert.

[The cast is interesting, as if Zagreus is trying to show off a bit more. Maybe he is.]

I'm not shy, you're just nosy as hell.

[reuniter]

"Who's your godfather" is hardly a nosy question! I told you who my father was, didn't I?

[A wave of pink butterflies start to flutter across the field; making a face, Zagreus abandons the exalted for a moment and makes a beeline for it, eyes intent.]

And Achilles, and my relatives, and my friends, and my dog, and the Elysian champions — frankly, you're behind and need to catch up, as far as I'm concerned!

[reposing]

What am I even supposed to say to someone who didn't react to the name "Dracula"? The son of Hades, no less?

[While Zagreus pays heed to the ball of butterflies, Alucard keeps his focus on the exalted. Ducking out of the way of an arrow, he charges for the strongbow.]

[reuniter]

Just because I don't know much about the surface doesn't mean I don't know much about the Underworld! Quite the opposite, actually!

[Fucking butterflies. He's darting and pivoting and landing some clean and solid hits, but the ball is a sturdy thing, and the threat of butterflies is still swarming in the air as he tries to dispatch it.]

[reposing]

Right, so not a single surface name is something you know until you encounter it down here? Is that how it works?

[Though Alucard does pause in his slaying of shades, he watches Zagreus work to deal with the butterfly ball. It really does seem like a pain in the ass to deal with compared to the exalted, which is already something irritating to deal with.

Turning around, he dashes across the field, launching off of a phoenix statue to come from above to dive down and stab into it.]

[reuniter]

Hold on — no, don't you dare, this one's mine!

[It is far, far too late to complain, however. Alucard is already there, weighing in with a hit of his own, and on impact the butterfly ball breaks in half.]

...You're sure you've not got a few blessings from Hermes on you, mate? I don't think I've ever seen somebody so fast.

[reposing]

So sorry, you just seemed to be struggling a bit with that one.

[He throws out his sword, letting it twirl away to attack another shade on its own.]

I'm quite certain. I'm not completely human, Zagreus. Nor am I divine. That is enough to give me an edge in battle.