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]

Asterius, the bull. I didn't expect him to be exactly Elysium material based on what I know.

[Ah. Well. That is a fair point. Alucard shrugs a bit.]

My father would have known more, but it wasn't something quite educated into me by either him or my godfather. Most of it I had to research myself, but even then it was scarcely limited. That lyre was part of my father's collection; I had to dig it out myself.

[reuniter]

They're quite good friends now, apparently. Less so when they were alive, but Theseus was the one who had Asterius brought to Elysium, I'm told.

[Wait, hang on.]

Your godfather?

[reposing]

Theseus did that? Truly? Hm. To be quite honest, based on what I know about him, I didn't expect that manner of kindness.

[Ah. Right.]

Yes. An old friend of my father's. A hard worker, and someone I did not see often, but when I did he was very kind to me. I took to calling him "uncle" in most cases.

[reuniter]

I suppose it just goes to show that even a sundial that's stuck at 7:48 is still right twice a day...or so I'm told.

[WHAT THE FUCK IS A DAY]

Really? Wouldn't it be a coincidence if it were someone I knew — put like that, he sounds a bit like Achilles, actually. Though he's less a friend of my father's and more a shade in his employ, but respected, certainly. I was lucky to have him, growing up.

[reposing]

That is an awfully specific time of day. Or night.

[DO Y'ALL NEED A CLOCK]

Achilles? Quite the celebrity in your life. I presumed he of all individuals would find himself in Elysium, but you say he works for your lord father?

[He supposes he should eventually tell Zagreus who he means specifically, but for right now he's gonna keep being vague. Honestly, he isn't sure how much Death would want Zagreus to know.]

[reuniter]

We don't really have either down here, as I'm sure you can imagine. Day or night, that is. ...Or time, really. I'm sure it does pass, it's just...

[He waves his hand nebulously.]

Sort of there, I suppose? Life on the surface must be so strange by comparison. The whole world turning light or dark around you, and not because of anything you did but just because that's how it is? It must really be something! I saw the sun once, coming up over the ocean. I think I looked at it too long, it made my eyes hurt.

[It's actually hard to tell if he's this talkative about the surface because he's genuinely excited about it — which he is — or because he's avoiding answering the question about Achilles, which he...also is.]

...Achilles signed a contract with my father. He stands guard in our House...and trained me, I don't know why. Father wanted it, I suppose. Something to try to get some worth out of me, maybe.

[He shrugs.]

And he got something for it, in return. Elysium...wasn't what he wanted.

[reposing]

[It's a bit endearing to see how talkative Zagreus is, at least for the short amount of time Alucard has interacted with him so far. If he is being as honest as he speaks, anyway.]

Let me understand. You're escaping to the surface, you've seen the surface, but you're down here trying to escape again anyway. Is there a reason you return to the Underworld just to do it all again?

[As far as Achilles goes... that's an interesting matter on its own.]

I would say that perhaps he was too restless? But I can't imagine being your father's guard is anymore thrilling than warrior paradise. I suppose there would be a deeper reason.

[reuniter]

Ah. Well. My first time up, I discovered the hard way that one tied to the Underworld, such as myself, can't survive long on the surface. Sooner or later the Styx calls me home, and I wind up back at the House. Back where I started.

[Inside the Colosseum now, Zagreus pokes around a bit before finding a back passage that leads up into the stands, and motions Alucard to follow him.]

I suppose you could say he wanted Elysium for someone else. He traded his spot away. Gave it up so someone else of his choosing could fill it. I'm surprised my father honored it, he's not usually so kind to shades. But — on the other hand, it's Achilles, so...

[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.