No one's POV:
-

"The Loners prefer the company of their own little community and aren't fond of anyone else getting close to their territories, or at least wherever they settle since they are nomadic. They don't prefer to fight, but if the slightest indicator from the intruders' side is shown that they are hostile, it will be too late to regret challenging those sirens. It's that time where their place of preferance to be are the Pillars of Hercules, despite they easily get nervous from the passing of the ships through them. Most sailors manage to pass unscathed because they choose to mind their business and keep a low profile, or even better for them, they're ignorant of their presence. However your goal isn't to pass through the strait of Gibraltar..." Hades paused and looked at Geno. "... You do know what has to be accomplished, right?"

"Uh huh." Geno nodded. "... Yes, it does happen that deep below the Strait there lives the race of the Sea Demons, where they basically have adjusted to see well in the dark of the depths. I must confront their leader to give me a stone of Truth. Which is... somethin' I have no idea about what it is and if it's even important to aknowledge."

"Lapis Lazuli." Reaper and Hades said at the same time casually, as if it was common knowledge. Geno looked at them alternatively surprised.

"Your knowledge symbolisms about stones and gems stays sharp. Good." Hades commented as he stared at Reaper quickly before turning to look at Geno. "... Just in case it comes off as important, remember that in the depths you are looking from the leader of the Sea Demons a Lapis stone."

"Got it." Geno nodded. "... Thing is, if I ever wanna get to the point of going to the depths and find that stone, I must also know how am I not gonna get attacked by the Loners. How do we get 'em to be calm and let me dive without fighting?"

"As you are with Reaper's crew, your chances of making the Loners feel at ease will start off as low. Obviously because they dislike pirates more than any other kind or race."

"Ya don't saaay." Reaper said lowly and sarcastically.

"You and your men might be strong, Reaper, but you will put them at great risk if you're simply going to choose bloodshed. Even so, the chances for peace and quiet can be increased. In order for the Loners not to attack and believe that you, Geno, have come for a specific purpose, is if you manage to complete what they consider as their sacred trial. And that is by doing the one thing all sirens love: singing."

The 2 small skeletons and Alejandro stared at each other in faint distrust and confusion for a few seconds. But then Geno shook head left and right. He turned to look at Hades.

"... If you told me that thing before I even got to this journey, I'd think I hear nonsense. But with what I've witnessed, to hear that we gotta face sirens with singing doesn't sound as nonsensical. Just gotta hear the way with which it will be done. Tell us... Please." He said more quietly at the end as he looked away. He heard the Wraith exhaling lowly yet sharply from his nose. Faint laughter?

"Ανοιχτόμυαλος ο εραστής σου." He commented causing Reaper to lower the hood to hide his face, much to Geno's confusion.

"ΓΙΑ ΌΝΟΜΑ ΤΩΝ ΆΣΤΡΩΝ!" The necromancer yelled.

"Uuuh, are you okay?" Geno asked bewildered.

"He'll be fine." Hades said. "The idea to sing to the Loners might sound foolish on the first seconds for somebody, but it is something that can be chosen, against just going ahead and fight. It is something that deep down the Loners will prefer instead of having to fight, even though they can still beat you up well." He cleared his throat. "Singing• every siren's most sacred value. They honor its power and appreciate whoever shows respect for it. It gives them strength and helps them get the biggest part of control in a situation. By going to the Loners and sing, will not make you look like fools, but in a way help you communicate better your intentions and let them know that you come in peace. Even though pirates, if you show that you can sing, for them it means you have some short of dignity. However..." The moment that was said, Geno and Reaper who had turned to stare at each other in surprise, caused them to look at Hades once more, ready to hear where was the restriction.

"Oh boy..."

"... You will not just sing any song that will come first to your head. And it won't be just one song that will immediately make you fall into the good graces of the Loners. You must sing 3 songs, each with different purpose and way they will he executed."

"I see." Geno nodded as he focused more. "Tell us what must be done. What will the first song be about?"

"It will be a warning for the Loners that you're coming to their territory. On the first song, don't even think about the fact you're sailing towards threat. Teach your crew, Reaper, to sing as if it's a typical celebration after a succesful raid. Or anything worthy of celebrating. Include as many as you can, if possible everyone to sing and participate."

"Is it important about when the first song must be sung?"

"Preferably calculate to be a minute or 2 away from the Pillars. If you enter and then start singing, the Loners will be terribly distressed and possibly attack you before you can even say 4 lyrics. Starting the song a little further away from the Pillars will allow the wind to carry your singing towards them and be alerted of your arrival on time. But important, when you are further between the Pillars and the song is over, stop the ship. Drop anchor. Again, your goal isn't to pass through, but let Geno dive deep below the area without disturbances. If you were to sing and just pass by, the Loners will think you're just randoms who have business elsewhere and will stay hidden. If you stop, they will recognize that you are trying to start their trial and give you a chance of some short to express yourselves. Pay heed, they might even go as far as approach very close to the ship, even get onto it, seek to find any short of indicator that you have hostile intentions. None of you must hold weapons. But after the first song is over and once the Loners realise that you truly want to complete the trial, they will wait for you to proceed with the second song. Do I make myself clear so far?"

The 2 small skeletons looked down thoughtful for a few seconds.

"... Yes Sir." They said at the same time.

"Good, because the Loners will start feeling picky about who they want to hear singing next. After your crew is done with the first song, Reaper, for the second one they will want to hear a different kind of voice. In order for you to proceed with the trial without aggravating the sirens, you must have for the next song the voices of at least 2 women."

"And where do we even get to find 2 women who not only will agree to sing in front of a crowd full of dangerous aquatic creatures but even tolerate stay with us???" Reaper did the fair question.

"Well, Echo will be the one of them." Geno said hesitantly, causing Reaper to look at him with raised brow. "Y'know, the one me and Alter went to find in Lisbon. She's my other guardian." In the necromancer's expression appeared realisation. "She had said she would follow me on my journey... one way or another... But maybe that's when she will be needed the most, to participate on the second song in front of the Loners..." The small siren then looked down thoughtful.

"That leaves us finding one more woman to help. Any reason in particular as to why the presence of women is important to the trial?" Reaper asked.

"Having 2 of them follow you on the journey will hold back the sirens from attacking, as they will be given a bigger sense of safety. That despite pirates, if women seem so comfortable around you and sing not because you force them, will cause the Loners to think that maybe you are not as violent brutes as they first thought. And generally they see them as more gentle and preferable than men."

"Hm... Still, even if Geno has a woman as one of his guardians, how do we get a second one? I can't just go around the lands and search around for another who will willingly follow us, we will waste time."

"And I think, hopefully, we won't have to search at all." Geno spoke up again, hesitantly. The Wraith and necromancer turned to look at him. "I remember... that Echo had told me she will bring somebody with her. If that somebody happens to be another woman, then... I guess we will be able execute the second song needed for the trial."

"She contacted you? When and how? Back at Lisbon?" Reaper asked raising brow.

"Through a dream, she told me all that." Geno replied.

"And if she can do that, how come she didn't give you further any other useful answers and instead you came here looking for trouble?" Hades asked then.

"We can't contact each other anymore. Last time the right hand of the mermaid queen breached the dream and tried to kill me. Again."

"Unfortunate." The Wraith commented, with not the slightest of sadness or compassion. "Well then, pray that indeed she brings another woman with her who will cooperate and be willing to follow on the journey. But before I start telling you what will the 3rd song be about, one more detail you must take care of: even if you let women sing the second song and show you're willing to complete the trial without violence, at the same time you must show the Loners reasons about why they shouldn't mess with you, if, for any reason, they do not get 'convinced' that you do the trial well enough, or that it's not enough for them to see women amongst men."

"And somehow still not give them the impression that we're going to be aggressive?" Geno asked bewildered.

"If I understand correctly, we gotta show them somethin' during the second song that will give them the silent message not to attempt and attack us and we won't do anythin' in return." Reaper said raising brow.

"As if silently asking them if it will be worth it from their side to attack. Will work better if you manage to include and demonstrate on the second song with the one thing all sirens and mermaids are afraid of."

It had been told so many times during the journey, the answer slipped easily out of the 2 little skeletons' mouths. Alejandro's too.

"Fire!" They said at the same time.

"Which comes to show about why of all guardians you have young Geno, you have by your side the one handling the flames."

"Makes sense, but Al ain't a woman. He can't participate on the second song."

"Who said that he can't? He just won't sing and simply demonstrate his powers, proving also to the Loners that the one he's defending is truly the firstborn prince of the Loyals. And that he knows how to control his flames well and eficiently."

"I see." Geno nodded. "If that's all we need to know, that leaves us to the third and final song. What will it be required?"

"Once the women are done singing, the Loners will need to see and feel that the ones doing the trial have gone through some deep sorrow, that just like them, they've lost something. Or someone. They want to see if they can relate to your pain. It is then where they must stop seeing you as violent pirates who have no emotions and will ask to hear voices that know and feel deep Grief."

"Easy." Reaper said. "Almost all of my men have lost faces dear to them, or miss their homelands."

Hades seemed ready to say something. But then, much to the concern and confusion of the 2 smol skeletons, he smiled wickedly for a fleeing second before clearing his throat.

"... So tell me. You remember what songs you and your men must sing and in what way?"

"A song to warn the Loners of our arrival, a song that must be sung by women and another sung by grievers. Got it." Reaper said quickly. Hades turned to look at Geno.

"As for you, Geno, you will not participate with the others at practicing your singing..." Before Geno could ask why, the Wraith continued. "... Aside that the trial is meant to be completed by common mortals, your concerns lay elsewhere. Considering the trial is completed succesfully, what happens next is far more important to you. Don't expect that when you go dive to the deep you will simply talk things out with the leader of the Damned and get your stone."

"I know. I will have to fight." Geno said.

"And if you know, are you ready for combat underwater?" Hades asked raising brow.

"... No." The smol admitted awkwardly. The Wraith huffed.

"... Bravo for your honesty, shame on you for your abjection."

"Hey! I have nobody who can teach me fighting underwater!" Geno protested.

"About how you are going to solve that issue and how fast you'll be prepared, is beyond me. Pray for a miracle if it helps." Hades shrugged his shoulders.

"Hooraaay..." Geno did with no enthusiasm. "... Well. Anythin' else that might be helpful and you know?" Geno asked quietly. There Hades' expression darkened even more.

"... Even if everything goes well with the trial the Loners will put you through, brace yourselves, because you will have unpleasant visits right after. By the mermaids."

"Wait a minute!" Geno yelped. "Now how do ya know that? Seriously, are you perhaps predicting the future all this time?!"

"No..." Hades closed eyesockets. "But I have gained understanding for the past actions and words spoken." He reopened his eyesockets and nailed them at Geno. "You've heard the Prophecy dedicated to you. Right?" Geno nodded, still confused and surprised. "And what do you remember from it?"

"The... basics?" The smol said hesitantly. The Wraith huffed.

"I suppose I can't blame you for not remembering fluently the whole prophecy. You heard it just once, while whenever I please, I get to hear it."

"How?!"

"It took just a few mermaids' essences to get a hold of the Prophecy..." Hades pulled out once more the chain with the attached vials that were containing monster essences, rattling them between his fingers. "... One part of it mentions your visit to the Pillars of Hercules..."

"And what does it say exactly?" Geno asked. Hades closed eyesockets.

The place where sirens and mermaids still call from the ancient times
far underneath the Pillars of Hercules what you must seek it hides
In the darkest of depths what the Loyals are calling, the Sea Demons
One of the four Siren generations, who live where many can see not
Search for them and find them, convince them you're the one
who Fate says the mermaids will fall and cease by his hand
Then you'll be granted what you need, the Pendant to restore
and a step closer you will be for your journey to be done
On that specific place, the day you arrive, a great gathering will occur
five generations of the sea will at once meet in the battle that will befall

The 2 small skeletons stared at each other with perked up eyesockets.

"5 generations?!"

"Think, Geno. It's not that absurd. Siren history. What happened after the 3 Wars against the mermaids?" The small siren thought for a few seconds.

"... The sirens that fought against the mermaids to protect their Kingdom ended up as the ones called Loyals. Other sirens that got afraid of the mermaids and wanted to come back were not accepted by the Loyals and they splitted into 3 other races. So aside the Loyals, there are the Bold sirens, the Damned and the Loners. That makes 4." Geno concluded, all while counting with his fingers. "Considering it mentions 'five generations of the sea', that includes the mermaids as the 5th one. Do I get it right?" He asked.

"Precisely." Hades nodded.

"Holyyy..." Geno gulped. "Imagine the chaos that will befall then if we have to participate in such fight."

"Whatever happens and no matter who turns against who, rest assured, if the mermaids arrive to the Pillars, it will only mean trouble. And trust me, they will be more unhinged and ruthless than ever..." The 2 small skeletons looked at each other concerned. "... The curse has corrupted them further. Their thirst for blood and terror has increased. What you faced the first time while trying to approach the Tearful Cave will seem like a tea party in front of the encounter at the Strait. Skills will only get you so far and won't be enough against their violence. Your fire power will not do the trick to scare them away. They will tear each and every single one of you to pieces..."

"Oh come on..." Geno thought.

"... But even against such aggressive foes, you can still gain the upper hand." No one spoke, they simply waited for Hades to elaborate. "The mermaids have lost their ability to coordinate through the music and follow it. They can't gain strength anymore from it, because they act without specific tactic or pace, just out of instinct. The power of music can beat the instinct, but only by souls ready and willing to follow it, become part of it. Even both. That is more possible when they are willing to follow whoever leads the music..." The Wraith's gaze became even more intensive as he stared at the 2 small skeletons. "... In which case, you 2 must lead if you want to be victorious."

Geno and Reaper looked at each other surprised.

"Us?!"

"Don't act like you haven't worked together before."

The 2 small skeletons proceeded to open their mouths at the same time ready to object. But just then the realisation hit them. Yes indeed, 2 more times. They turned to look at each other. Back at the first attempt to enter the Tearful Cave, which ended up with the pirate ship fighting to survive a storm.

If it wasn't for Geno to be one of the last few who had managed to keep standing, they would all be dead. Except then it was out of his control that he had started singing. He hadn't realised then why out of the blue he had started doing that, except that it helped him somewhat feel better and clear his head a little.

All while trying to handle the helm. Then, Reaper joined in too to help. Despite exhausted and dizzy, together they had gotten the ship out of the storm without being destroyed, just a little damaged, but nothing serious. Against the huge aggressive waves...

And then the Portuguese. Geno went ahead first to act while singing. And Reaper had come once more to help him. But that time, it wasn't just them who had gotten courageous from the music, the rest of the crew Reapers suddenly wanted to face off the fleet too.

They were much less, even after Geno had gotten rid of 5 out of 10 caravels, yet they had managed to take them down as if they were going on a casual walk. Yes, Hades was not saying nonsense. In fact he had pretty much reminded the reasons as to why in those 2 past events Geno had succeed and survive against the danger.

"I... I see..." Geno admitted hesitantly as he stared at Hades. "... But will it truly work again with the mermaids?"

"It will certainly if you struck full coordination. To ensure your victory against them is why Reaper must be more active when the mermaids come. If it was a wonder before about why of all people or monsters you Geno, had to end up with him, your cooperation will determine if whatever happens at the Strait of Gibraltar will be good for you and the pirates, or lead to complete failure and a few more essences ending up here. In case you haven't realised, the whole world will sooner or later learn of what will happen there. The wind will carry first the news, then whatever sirens and mermaids that leave on or near land will learn and they will pass it to the landlubbers, who's attention you've already gotten. All eyes are on you..." Hades focused on Geno, almost as if glaring.

"All eyes on me? *gulp* Well crap."

"... Even with half siren nature, your voice still has power to affect your surroundings, intentionally and not. It can inspire courage to your allies or fear to your enemies, it can increase the courage and confidence. But those powers will grow tenfold with Reaper doing his part."

"If my singing has worked before by itself to do wonders, what is it he must do that will strengthen us even more?" Geno asked. Instead of answering to that however, Hades then turned to stare Alejandro, staying silent for a few seconds.

"Assistant."

"Yes Mister Hades!" The puppy yipped as he stood up and approached Hades, who placed a hand on his back and pat it.

"... Have you greet properly Reaper? Something tells me you didn't. Why don't you go and shake hands with him?" He asked.

Something in the expressions of both Reaper and Alejandro showed that they knew where this was going. Geno just stared curious and confused at what was intended to happen. Alejandro walked towards Reaper and streched a paw out. Slowly Reaper stood up, exhaled quietly from his nose and his bare hand held the puppy's.

And then the real magic happened.

Geno's eyesocket slowly widened up as Alejandro started changing. Starting from his hand that was holding Reaper's and slowly through his whole body, he started changing in colors. He didn't seem transparent anymore, nor a plain and sickening pale white.

His fur became clean and a more pure type of white. His tail that seemed scorched and plucked became more fluffy. His nose and tips of his ears turned black. As for the empty voids in the place of his eyes, sclera appeared.

And 2 eyes in the color of clear saphire were nailed at Reaper. Big and perked up eyes, clean, with curiosity, energy and... true life! Reaper was staring down at the puppy with faint surprise in his eyesockets. Or rather a look of complete recognition.

"... Ever since you appeared to our rescue, I didn't catch your name." He said slowly.

"... Alejandro Marvin Fabián, nice to meet you." The little boy said after many seconds of silence. The necromancer inhaled deeply and quietly as he seemed to get somewhat emotional.

"... Reaper..." He said quietly as he nodded. "... Andrés... is your father... Right?"

"Yeah... Papi didn't tell you anything about me... I know about you only that he took care of you and your little brother before I was born. And that now he still serves you but you're both pirates. You weren't around by the time I lived. He didn't tell me why. But I prevented to meet your brother, you know. Grim. He was nice... Was papi nice to you?"

Reaper didn't reply to that question as he slowly and gently pulled the puppy closer to his embrace. He shut his eyesockets tightly as he exhaled from his nose.

"Ανάθεμα σε-. Why didn't you say anythin' Andrés? Those few years back, that's why you looked..." He said quietly. Alejandro hugged back. Geno looked away and down sad. Many seconds later Reaper held the little boy by the shoulders, staring down to him. "... Aside the fur color, I see him in you. But happier and more inoccent. He didn't give you the same kind of suffering he met once I hope." Alejandro shook head left and right.

"He didn't." He looked at himself and his arms. "... It feels great to feel like my alive self..." He looked behind him at Hades' direction, then, lowering his head, he gently removed Reaper's hands off his shoulders. In just a few seconds Alejandro returned on being a transparent essence. "... But I've already pass that phase." He walked towards Hades and sat down next to him. "... I fell heavily ill. It slowly killed me. Papi did his best to help..."

In that moment Geno remembered another of his great questions.

"Sir Hades..." He called. The Wraith looked at him. The small siren hesitated for a moment before nailing his look more stably at the taller. "... Throughout the years of you keepin' me company... you knew what was wrong with me. You figured out. Right?" He asked. Hades didn't say anything, just lightly tilted his head forward. "... If it killed Alejandro, why not me too?"

Reaper's eyesockets widened up as he slowly turned to look at Geno.

"Hold on a sec..." He started looking alternatively at the half-siren and the puppy. "... You... are ill? You felt strange, but not ill to me all this time." He focused his look at Geno then. "So that was the little boy ya were tellin' me about when you were sick."

"Well... Alejandro found me first. Last time I ended up here..." And Geno narrated his encounter with the puppy. Alejandro added the way the illness ate him up slowly.

Reaper was listening with wide open eyesockets, not talking. He had even started giving very concerned looks at Geno, especially to where his melted eyesocket was, once he heard about the moment the puppy had started melting and falling apart.

But after the short narration he seemed to have the exact same question Geno had done first. How was he still alive when carrying the very same thing that killed Alejandro? 2 pairs of eyesockets fell on Hades, expecting for an explanation.

fun fact, the answer had been kinda given long ago and only the very sharp eyes and memories can remember. if you can't remember, it's not like you don't have good memory, it's that i've preached you with so much lore, it will be reasonable if you don't remember. you are not obligated to do so anyways.

"... It's true that you 2 had the same condition, when both alive." He started as he stared at Alejandro and Geno. "... But what caused the one of you to die and the other to survive, lies on the condition of your health." He looked at Alejandro. "Boy. As long as you stayed to the living, have you ever felt sick? What do you remember?"

Alejandro thought.

"... Only once I had a tiny fever. I... don't remember any other time getting sick. In fact I felt incredible! Until the illness..."

"And have you ever had cuts or bruises?"

"Sometimes when I would play with my sissy outside, we would scrape ourselves by tripping or bumping. But papi was quick to take care of us."

"ANDRÉS HAD A DAUGHTER TOO?!" Reaper's face was basically screaming as he stared at Geno, who looked at him awkwardly and sad as he nodded.

"A twin." He pronounced silently. Hearing Alejandro's answer, Hades huffed.

"Of course..." He said. His look then turned at Geno. "How often would you get sick, Geno?" He asked. Geno looked down and hugged his knees.

"... I can barely remember days where I didn't feel sick, weak and unable to move. Due to me being sickly." He said quietly. Alejandro lowered his ears sad.

"Oh poor you." Hades said emotionlessy with no compassion and if the look of a necromancer was actually deadly too, with the way Reaper turned to glare at his dad, it would do something. "And then the Lady came to worsen your state. Right?" The Wraith asked, not giving a flying fu-.

The Wraith asked, not affected at all by the way Reaper was glaring at him.

Geno hugged himself as he looked down and away. He nodded.

"OuR lAdY hAs A sOfT sPoT fOr ChIlDrEn LiKe YoU." Alejandro mumbled sarcastically as he looked away and in that moment, with the way his face was so serious, the 3 skeletons honestly couldn't help but be reminded of how his dad was more often. "The nerve those essences had to tell me this, yet that mean Lady tried to kill my friend in such nasty way years back." He continued as he stared at Geno, a low cute growl escorting his words. "And then a while back, by sending her slaves to kill you 2!"

"Hold down your anger Alejandro." Hades said. Alejandro inhaled and exhaled deeply, relaxing.

"Well? How come I'm still alive despite being constantly sick and suffering yet Alejandro, who was so healthy, died?" Geno asked.

"That's the irony." Hades started, gaining the full focus and attention of the 2 small skeletons. Alejandro was simply staring up to Hades with no emotion. He had already hear the explanation. "What hit you both is not quite an illness, despite it's commonly named as one by many. And it works completely differently that most." The confusion and wonder on Geno and Reaper's face was obvious as they kept listening. "You Geno, didn't survive so far because of Fate and Destiny, I said it before. Nor because of sheer luck. What kept you alive all this time is also the very reason that doesn't let you stay for long around the afterlife, hasn't made even the slightest of flu kill you yet and causes your injuries, except from the big one across your chest, or when fire is included, to close and heal by themselves completely without much need for actual aid. It's also the very reason that allows you for 7 years now to still walk around with barely any soul left, even in pain. And that is because this condition has been feeding off all those things, all this time. All of your damage and your sickly nature, result of your parents' natures and races, are what feed and keep at bay that condition."

Geno could only stare at Hades, blinking about every few seconds. His hand uncosciously touched the one edge of his slash. Just the moment he was about to lower head, he snapped it again so he was looking at the Wraith's direction.

"... So that condition keeps me alive... because I was never healthy?"

"Each and every single day, from an infant until your first 14 years of existence it was feeding whenever you were getting sick or getting any injury. And on the next 7 years until today it hasn't just been feeding, but feαsτιng on your everlasting scars and almost complete lack of soul. You suffered. You still do. Sure it also caused your eyesocket to melt because at some point it became a lot more overwhelming than your health. But it is what not only keeps you going, this condition of yours also repays you by filling you with tremendous power, which when awakened, the host is filled with the feeling of defiance. Of rules, of laws, restrictions others put or of the body itself... even death itself perhaps..." Something in the way those last few words were said sounded so cryptic from Hades, it caused the 2 small skeletons to stare at each other in wonder. "... Your already special nature becomes much stronger than the normal. The moment it takes over, its host does incredible and impossible things. And considering you, Geno, don't happen to be a common mortal, it is why you're still alive and your few incredible feats of strength, bravery and confidence, especially the one where you humiliate the living out of the Portuguese, have already reached the common mortals on many lands. They know your name. Many admire, yet many also are terrified of you."

"But... what kind of illn- condition is that already that not only it kills me, but protects me from other harm and gives me so much power???" Geno asked, who at this point didn't know if he was amazed, terrified or concerned.

"The sirens and mermaids call it the scarlet illness, because for a monster, such condition is in most cases hurtful and deadly. It's not really a rare condition, but very few monsters manage to live with it and for long..."

~

The memory came in Geno's skull for a second time.

Yes. The first time was before he took action against the Portuguese.

5 years old.

He was eavedropping on his parents.

They were worried about him.

His dad was blaming himself for his eldest son's suffering.

He was concerned with how he was falling ill often.

That this wasn't living.

No matter what him and CQ were trying to do, nothing ever seemed able to improve Geno's state.

But mom knew.

She had explained to him what was going on with their eldest boy.

What was keeping him alive.

Scarlet illness is how she had called it.

How it worked and at what times it would awaken.

~

This deep in thought Geno was, remembering and comprehending the information, all looks turned on him.

"... Geno?" Reaper asked quietly, slightly worried. Geno closed eyesocket, inhaled quietly and deeply, turned head so his face was towards the ceiling and opened his eyesocket. Then he slowly turned to look again at Hades. He seemed... calm.

"... Maybe I need some more time to let this sink in completely... At least I can stop asking myself again and again the question about why I'm still alive. About what's goin' on with my body." He said quietly. His look turned at Alejandro. "... So... It was a cycle all along. I would get sick, the 'illness' was fighting off my sickness. That crazy Lady slayed a big part of my soul which in combination with fire has left me permanently scarred and bleeding, yet ever since I was born I am on a constant state of trying to be kept alive. It's a messed up balance of pain. Everyday of my life I would live, I was at risk to die. And without the illness, that would have actually happened years ago."

"Exactly." Hades nodded. "If you weren't sickly and your scars weren't reopening because of your damaged health and soul, the illness inside your body, but mainly your soul, would have overwhelmed you and eventually killed you. Its first goal isn't to take over the host. In fact it awaits to feed off any kind of other diseases or injuries. And when it does that, it's not destructive. Quite the opposite in fact, it helps to heal. It's almost as all it wants is to heal. And when it doesn't get to do that, then it becomes destructive." The Wraith placed a hand on the puppy's shoulder. "Alejandro was born healthy and rarely ever got sick. No weak immune system and if he got hurt his injuries were immediately being taken care of. But because of that he couldn't handle the illness and that's what caused him to die. Because it had barely anything to feed on that was any kind of damage, or life-threatening. While born like that, at the same time he was carrying inside his soul a ticking bomb that was silently waiting to explode if it wasn't given any reason to act and help the host."

"Yet if he wasn't born with that 'bomb' in his body he would just keep livin'???" Geno interrupted. "Does that also mean that in reality his dad was killin' him by takin' care of him?! Is that what I'm understanding?!" He observed as he threw his hands in the air. He stared at Alejandro who was looking down thoughtful.

"That's another really ironic thing about this situation." Hades looked at Alejandro. "Children are product of their parents. They are shaped in whatever way they're being treated and if we're talking about destructive and abusive behaviors, they're very difficult not to pass on the next generations. Andrés could have fallen on being exactly how his parents treated him. He could be the tyrant of his own children. Cause them all physical and emotional damage he had met through his childhood. Yet unironically, because he chose to be a good parent who genuinely cared and made sure to show it, costed Alejandro. If he was beaten up on a daily basis, the illness would at least feed off the injuries. It wouldn't burst and get out of hand, at least it would be kept at bay. Aside what I believe and know about discipline and treatment of children, Andrés didn't do anything wrong. I know my wife would have completely approved. He was just horribly unlucky when it came to him trying to make his family."

"If that ain't unfair, then I don't know what is!" Geno yelped.

"Many times life doesn't play fair, does it now?"

"Much rather that I met love and care even for so little time than live a long life of abuse and suffering." Alejandro said quietly as he kept looking down, not particularly sad, but with a definitely heavy mood.

"Whatever it is that makes you feel happier boy." Hades commented indifferent.

Heavy silence befell for many seconds, each on their own thoughts.

"... Alejandro?" Geno asked hesitantly, breaking the silence then. The puppy turned to look at him. No emotion seemed to be on his face. "... What happened with your sister?" He asked. Alejandro lowered his ears.

"Izzy fell in here after some time too. She didn't tell me what caused it, but I didn't sense the illness in her body. I remember though we were so happy to see each other, after a while we decided to start playing hide and seek... When it was my turn to seek I never found her..."

"And he still thinks for certain that the essences sent by the Lady kidnapped young Izabella." Hades spoke. "Yet so far we haven't seen any that imitates her. So until that happens, it's not certain if the poor child is a pawn at the hands of that woman. For all I know she could have ressurected. At least his mother is still around. She doesn't seem to be of any interest to the Lady and she makes sure to run off when any of those essences are near." His hand was placed on top of Alejandro's head. "... But this boy is hunted down for the same reason we mentioned before as to why the Lady wants all of your soul, Geno." Uncosciously the small half-siren placed a hand above his chest.

"Because of the power this illness gives me."

"Even though just an essence and with no soul anymore, Alejandro has still on him some of the power the Lady seeks, to make her army capable of entering and exiting the afterlife easily, be unable to get easily hurt. It's the reason as to why her essences are nor transparent, nor stable and solid, but melting, given the ability to merge and combine power and size." Hades focused his gaze more on Geno. "No matter what, never let her take the last bit of your soul. You and Reaper have already witnessed what she has done with the essences she has and the biggest part of your soul, imagine what she will accomplish with a full soul that withstands such amount of power. Survive, Geno." Geno was almost taken aback by the taller's seriousness. But just a few seconds later he returned the serious gaze and nodded.

"That's what I've been doing and will keep doing so. I die when I say I die." He said, causing Hades to... close eyesockets and exhale quietly from his nose. "What?" He asked.

"... Nevermind." The Wraith said, but his serious face had a spec of longing(?).

"Before we all get too emotional, any other name with which that... illness or whatever it is Geno has, is more known?" Reaper asked as he stared intensively at Hades. He apparently seemed way too interested to know that information.

Hades stared back at Reaper, only to slowly start smiling much to the 2 small skeletons' concern. Yet he didn't say anything, just moved his mouth to pronounce words. Geno didn't understand and whatever it was Reaper 'heard', his eyesockets slightly daggered. He seemed annoyed...

"Mister Hades..." Alejandro spoke then. "This is nice and useful that you shared such information here. It certainly has helped Geno understand himself better. But please, do proceed on explaining how will him and Mister Reaper fight against the mermaids. They must be prepared for such threat, I don't want something happen to them." The 3 skeletons one by one turned to look at him silently.

"... About time we got back on track then." Hades spoke then and turned to look at Geno. "Before this long conversation started, do you remember what happened? What did I ask Alejandro to do?"

"You told him to shake hands with Reaper, then... we saw his alive self?"

"And that's just one characteristic of the few that happen when under the conditions of the monster afterlife." Hades turned to look at Reaper, who was just staring at him with a cold expression. "... Ever since I remember you, your powers have been working a lot more differently when in here..." He waved his hand to show around the space of the monster afterlife. "You've been telling me how you see colors and life in the essences but I couldn't see it right away. When creating your own dome of darkness, it reminded nothing of the unwelcoming and overwhelming cold others before you had with their own. Described as more mild, relieving even." Geno looked at Reaper with perked up eyesocket.

"That's indeed how it felt when he was-..." He barely managed to keep a poker face. "... takin' care of me-. SHUT UP!" He yelled silently at his soul to stop giggling. As if his sudden agitation had hit Hades in the face, the Wraith turned to look at the smol white and red skeleton. With how he stared at him, it caused Alejandro and Reaper to turn their looks on the siren too. Who tried to act like nothing was going on. "What?!"

"... When a necromancer creates a dome, it's more than just cover, or a tactical move in battle..." Hades spoke as if nothing happened. "... With each new generation of us born to the living, a dome possesses properties from the other nature we're born with. So far the deadly one has stayed as the dominant. Still the other nature shows itself in its own way."

"Sooo, while the dome of darkness is a necromantic move it has a few characteristics from the other nature with which a new necromancer is born?" Geno asked. Hades just nodded. "From what you briefly mentioned, under your dome of darkness we're both protected from the eyes while time also freezes. Right? Since your mom possessed Time magic? So this means also that no matter how much time we spend in here, it will be like we haven't spend a single second once the dome dissapears?"

"That's one characteristic of it. Yes." Hades replied. Geno then looked at Reaper.

"What exactly is it Reaper's dome does that will be so needed when we fight off the mermaids?"

"When Reaper summons a dome in the living, he does more than just creating a shield or cover. With the way his nature is, he literally brings a part of monster afterlife to the living. And in this land, music and singing offers power to the ones who follow along with them. Even the mere essences of the common mortal monsters can feel power if they follow it. But the ones who really enjoy power in here are the likes of me and Reaper. When we follow the music and sing, we become stronger, in the same manner sirens gain more confidence and power. A necromancer or Wraith singing in the afterlife is equally dangerous as a siren singing to the living, lesson which the first fathers of necromancy learned from the latter and is indeed succesful. It is what makes the lengths of our power extend, our magic to flourish and affect our enemies more efficiently."

"Like what you did with the huge... whatever it was blob, right? You marched at it singin' to make sure you would overpower it?" Geno observed.

"Correct."

"So if I understand correctly... If me and Reaper get to make the whole crew sing while we are under his dome of darkness and combat the mermaids instead of just scream at each other, we will become stronger and definitely win?"

"You will gain power indeed, but way more if you and Reaper lead. Under your dome..." Hades looked at Reaper. "... With your singing and music that will inspire courage to you and your allies." He nailed eyesockets at Geno.

"Yes! Like last time we were together Geno! Short of!" Alejandro suddenly yipped excitedly. "Remember when I sung for you to listen?! I lead both the music and song by letting myself free off my burdens and allowed my memories to be free too! Do the same with Reaper when you fight the mermaids and you all will kick their-!"

"Menja't la llengua si vols dir alguna cosa inadequada." Hades said suddenly.

"Eeei! Kick their behinds I was going to say!" Alejandro complained. The Wraith didn't reply anything in return, but stood up and looked around.

"Perhaps my little assistant has a point. But sometimes words aren't enough. To understand something, sometimes you have to experience it. In what way? Through practice." He suddenly waved his hands elegantly and the dome of darkness dissapeared. The 2 small skeletons looked around concerned.

"Is it safe now to stop hidin'?" Geno asked.

"I sense no threat nearby." Hades stated. "As I said, if you want to understand how does the power of music works and feels in the afterlife and how will it essentially help the other pirates, you need to practice." He nailed eyesockets at Geno. "Step forward. We will practice via combat."

Geno almost took a step back.

Combat?

He looked better at Hades.

Did he really want to go through this with him as his opponent? Because yes maybe friend of his dad years ago and kind of his protector, but what guaranteed he wouldn't go all full Wraith force?

It was also the way Reaper had streched a protective arm as he took a step forward, while glaring at Hades.

"... Don't." He just said coldly while turning head to look at Geno.

"It's not your decision here Reaper." Hades said. "Your little angel has his own voice to state his decision and mind to think. He can always decline by himself. Fear not, I do not intend to kill him myself. What we will do here is practice, I won't go full force." He shrugged his shoulders. "Besides if he doesn't want to, he will save me the trouble of keep talking and sharing information. Its tiring talking for so long, just like how it will be so if I was to start answering him other certain questions of his..." He looked at Geno with a mysterious look. "... about certain ones he hasn't heard of in a looong while, perhaps."

Wait a second...

Did he imply...

"Are you implying..." Geno asked quietly. Could it be-?!

"Maybe, if you show me your power and skills, I will deem you worthy of knowing the answers to questions from the past. Especially of ones that started 7 years ago."

!

Geno looked at the Wraith's direction surprised, eyesocket perked up, his posture betraying his uncertaincy if he wanted to move or stay in place. Reaper turned around to face the half-siren. He pulled him gently a little further away.

"I don't trust him with you." He said while giving quick looks at Hades' direction. But Hades had already won Geno's attention, who was looking intensively at him. Slowly he looked at Reaper.

"I obviously dunno what happened between you and him that makes you despise him..." He said quietly. "... But I gotta do it. Both to understand better the way with which we'll win the mermaids and... for myself."

"He's ρrobαblγ τoγιn' ωιτh γα." Reaper said lowly.

"Your dad has helped tremendously so far. He has helped me in the past so many times. He does constantly seem shady, but I don't think he'd wanna do somethin' unfunny right now, after all that he told us." A few seconds later Geno started walking towards Hades. But as he passed by Reaper, he felt his hand gripping him gently by the arm. He froze, waiting if the necormancer wanted to say something.

"... Even so, I still don't trust him..." The very next moment Geno felt his arm free off the other's grip. He looked at Reaper confused and surprised, who was staring back calmly and sternly. "... But I will trust that you can and will manage to stand against him. You've showed incredible skill in the past..." He nodded lightly. "... Do it again."

Only many seconds later Geno found complete composure and nodded back at Reaper. He walked towards Hades, looking up to him with the most chill face he could muster.

"Stop." Hades commanded calmly. Now him and the little skeleton were 10 steps away from each other. "Since we are already under the conditions of the afterlife, it will be easy for me to lead the music. Now about which one of us is going to lead the song and ultimately gain the upper hand, τhατ's αnoτher sτorγ." Geno shivered lightly by the threat in the taller's voice. "No need to be concerned. I won't transform to my giant form. I'm supposed to teach here, not consume you. But don't expect me to go any more easy on you." He said, his voice becoming darker. The small siren clenched his fists.

"Let's dance then, shall we?" He asked as he took a better posture for battle. Hades hummed with a faint suspicion of a smile about to appear.

8580 words. ooof

i'm leaving writting for a week, as from the monday that will come until tuesday i will have exams i must give and i need even more focus on them than this story (even though i don't wanna, yes i ain't that good of a dedicated student TnT).
it will take a week before i start picking up my pieces to start writing again (and if i don't just give up from keeping myself away from it).

the only spoiler given for what will happen to the next chapter is letting you listen to and learn better the song on which geno's *ss is gonna get kicke-.

I MEAN!

in which he's going to be practicing at with his future father-in-la-.

WE'RE NOT THERE YET!

but we will b-.

NEIN!

anyways, the song is "All eyes on you" by 'Smash into pieces'.

goodbye. *pat*