I looked at Cain as he just threw it right out there. Ever so slowly Hades' posture changed. He was no longer slumped back on his chair, seemingly bored. Now he was sitting up and staring at me as though Cain had just told him I was the Furies.

"Are you sure?" Hades asked slowly, and Cain gave a little nod.

"It's still early, but yes." I defend, wrapping my arms around my stomach.

"So why are you all here, telling me?"

"I wanted you to know, to hear it from us. Brother, I need your help." I'd never heard Cain refer to Hades as a brother, nor show as much emotion as what he just did. The slight waver to his voice seemed to affect Hades as it did me. "You are right. The Furies will come, and I, we need your help."

"Visits from you never lead to anything good," Hades repeated as he took a step towards us, his face unreadable. "Today will be the exception."

The pair hug and the urge to throw myself at the pair of them and join in nearly wins, but instead I let them have their moment as I stay by Kara and Deimos. There are a few, I can't believe it, and nervous laughs; it's almost like they've forgotten we're even there.

"Maybe we should go and you know?" Kara whispers, and I know what she means. Let them have this moment to themselves and go find Hecate.

"Wait, Apollo knows, what happened?" Hades turned to us. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I start, and Hades nods like he understands something I don't.

"Oh, it makes sense now. Do you want to hide her down here? I'll have the guest chambers cleaned and-"

"What? No. I'm not hiding down here."

"Despite everything, he won't hurt her and it's not Apollo I am worried about," Cain told him, yet I missed the part where he also didn't reject the idea of hiding me down here. "If he does have one of his tantrums, and Artemis can not stop him."

Hades nodded along, clearly on the same train of thought as Cain.

"No one will stand with us." Hades didn't look as worried as he sounded. "Ares will demand Kara step down, and you reclaim your throne."

"Let him try." Deimos threatened.

"I shouldn't have agreed to it in the first place. They will come for you, for me, for her and if they know about. Nevermind. There will be chaos, and the Furies haven't even arrived yet."

"What do we do?" Kara asked. "I had the feeling they have all now accepted my place. There have been no disputes for weeks. Everything has settled."

"On the surface. They will come like sharks if they catch the scent of blood in the water." Deimos growled.

"He's right. They will choose a side, look at how quickly they turned on Zeus." Hades added.

"That was different." Kara weakly defended. "Wasn't it?"

"Yes, because Zeus was on the wrong side and they'd be plotting against him for years. You're nothing like him." I told her. "But it doesn't matter. It won't come to that."

"I don't see how it won't." Hades came closer. "I'm sorry, but we knew one day this would be something we'd have to deal with. I'm amazed it hasn't already come out, especially with how you travel between the realms. It will be the perfect path of revenge for Apollo to take, revealing the Fallen One's lives could even improve his status. At some point, they all try to make a claim for the throne."

"No. Look, I know he's hurt, and angry but he wouldn't-"

"Your version of Apollo and the one we know are very different. He's never handled rejection well, nor has he ever had to process something like this." Hades looked at Cain, and I didn't like the look of defeat he already wore. It made me nervous. "The smart move would be to prepare for the worse."

Apart from finding Apollo to try and work things out, what could we do? I had to hope they were right and Artemis would act as the neutral party we needed her to be. Despite what he said, I also didn't want to believe Apollo would go that far. Cain, Hades and Kara started throwing names around on who could be future allies and as if we didn't have enough going on, it sounded as if they were about to start preparing for another civil war.

I close my eyes and think back to only a few hours ago when I woke up and despite everything that had happened the night before, I'd felt like we had a grip on things only now we seemed seconds from letting go.

"Are you well?" Deimos asked softly. "I can sense your worry."

I hadn't even realised he was still there, and looking at the trio I shook my head.

"I didn't come down here for this. Whatever this is. I thought Hades would go help Art and throw a bunch of love and support at Apollo because I can't and-"

"That's not generally how these things work." He looked at them too. "Love and support are not freely given, like respect. It's fought for and earned, and even then guarded. It is a weakness. We were raised by tyrants who wanted us to be worse versions of ourselves while remaining on their leash to do their bidding. Change doesn't happen overnight."

"It can happen though. Look at you."

"Look at all of them," He smiled, briefly, but it was what I needed. "Then again, look at my own brother. You can not change what does not want to be changed. All you can do is what you can do, and maybe that will be enough."

"Nothing ever feels like it is enough."

"That's something only you can work on changing."

"Have you been speaking to Richard? He's been all about turning inward and focusing only on what I can control. It's a lot, and it sounded so easy when he got me onto the idea."

"Change is rarely easy."

He went over to the others and for a second I just stood there. I'm surrounded by these damn Powers, who seem to know it all, yet give everything to me in riddles rather than just telling me what to do and can't actually fix anything for themselves.

We should just give up now.

We're all doomed.

So we may as well make it even more official, and clapping my hands I break up their little royal advisory meeting and make my way into the square.

"Let's pause all this for just a sec. Can we go see Hecate now?" I ask. "Please?"

"Why?" I hear the internal groan as Hades stomped back to his throne and sat down. "What possible reason could you have this time?"

"Kara wants to see her Mum." I shrug. "We knocked Hades, we could have just kept poking and poking to get in, and do it anyway. I even asked nicely."

"You do realise this is the Underworld. My Kingdom. My rules." He narrowed his eyes, and I think it was an attempt to look intimidating. "I'm pretty sure the last time you were there, I said that was the last time. The Underworld does not do visiting hours for fun or because Elise and her friends demand it. No matter who those friends are."

"It's fine, Elise. The last thing I want to do is upset the guy we need to help us." Kara put her hand on my shoulder and instead I went up to Hades. "Elise!"

"It's been a big night, I get why your cranky pants are on, but Hades. It's Kara and Hecate. Show some mercy. After all these years, after what Hecate did and-" Cain turns me around to face him. "We came for two reasons. You can't change my mind."

"I know." My stomach sinks. That wasn't a yeah, Elle, let me handle this, kind of I know.

"What are you plotting?"

"Stay with Hecate, for a few days. Let's see how this all plays out with Apollo and even the Furies." Cain seems super keen to jump on the crazy train.

"You're insane. I'm not staying with Hecate."

"Why not? She's helped you before, it will be one of the safest places to be." Kara joins the argument. "The Fates can not reach you here. You're technically family, she will protect you."

Seeing the pair of them now, side by side, I realise some alliances have already been formed and they hadn't just been discussed in the last ten minutes. Deimos and Cain buddying up, Kara super accepting and supportive of Cain since our return home - our little foursome wasn't quite as four-sided as I thought.

"Wait, you two planned this." I step away from both of them. "You don't want to see her at all." I spin around to Hades. "Are you playing along too?"

Hades looks at me innocently. "No. I really do want to be left alone, safe, in my home without you causing all kinds of trouble I don't want to deal with. Again."

"We care about you, and it got complicated quickly. When Lycaon arrived, we got talking about the Furies and we were right to be worried. They change everything Elise," Kara says firmly.

"You're all fucking with me, aren't you?" I don't even need to fake how hurt I am as I look at Deimos. "Even you, Mr Change, agree with this?"

"Can we all just stop for one second? I have not agreed to any of this." Hades points out.

"Good, and you shouldn't!" I agree.

"A second ago you were demanding I take you to Hecate."

"Because I thought my best friend needed moral support to reconnect with her distant, not the greatest, but possibly redeemable mother!"

"Elise, please. Again, just stop and think about what we are saying and asking of you!" Kara sighed.

I pointed a finger at Cain. "I can not believe you! Why would you think I'd even agree to this?"

"I have not agreed to this!" Hades shouted.

"You did when you offered a guest room barely five minutes ago," Cain suddenly looked tired and I could not give a damn. "And you will agree to it again because you know this makes sense. Especially now!"

Hades' neutral stance wavered as the brothers entered a staring contest and ever so slowly he turned to look at the destroyed throne beside him. I knew I was now on my own, and a hot, burning rage filled my body.

"Fine. I'll allow it." Hades sighed. "She will stay."

Hades clapped his hands and while nothing happened, I shiver ran up my spine that told me it actually had. I just wasn't sure what that might be right now.

"You'll regret that," I told Hades, sounding way calmer than I expected and turning to Cain, I shook my head. "Do not do this. I know it comes from a place of fear, and good intentions, but trapping me down here? You know you are about to fuck up big time."

"I'm sorry. There's too much at risk."

"You will be sorry," I promised. "I thought we were different, but I can see I was wrong."

"Elle," Cain started, as Kara and Deimos looked away. "Please understand. Just a few days, until we know more."

"It's not like I have a choice." Which was confirmed as I tried to get out of here, get home, just go anywhere - and nothing happened. "Take me to Hecate, now, please."

I turned around, ignoring them and Hades looked like he wanted to say a lot more than he did. Instead, he just nodded. We ended up at the familiar entry to Hecate's cottage. Her jungle had grown and so had Ivy, who was stretching towards us before I could even process we'd arrived.

"They love you," Hades says softly. "He loves you."

"This isn't how to show it." I sat on the crumbling brick fence, looking out into the mist. "I thought we were equals. That we'd do it together. They fear us because we're together, that was our advantage and now? Turns out The Fates didn't have to do anything after all."

Hades thinks this over and sits beside me. "I was barely a boy when the Furies existed. Did you know, Cronus created them? He had this idea they could combat the Fates. He wanted to have the ultimate power and for a time, he had it."

"Clearly that worked out well for him."

"Like all children, they hit their rebellion stage," Hades smirked. "Perhaps if they had not been partially insane and their gifts abused by Cronus, it could have been a minor dot in history. Instead, their justice was served across all the lands. No one was safe, not even Cronus. All that saved him was that because they were born of his blood, so long as he lived they could not be killed and they could not kill him. Thankfully that did not apply to all of his children."

"So they were trapped?"

"Yes. I don't remember how, or the battle. I remember the fear, how desperate everyone was. Cronus was not a kind man, or father, and I remember he gathered all of his children, and he hugged us. It was the only time I think he ever showed any kind of affection. I know we were there. At the back. The last resort or final sacrifice."

"What a guy." Hades shrugged, and I thought about what Deimos had said about being raised by tyrants. He wasn't wrong.

"When we went to that mountain, I wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't really care. Cronus is dead now, so they too can be killed. I didn't think they'd be a threat. Deimos is strong, Cain, well. I don't need to say anything. Apollo is decent if he tries. Kara holds an old, strong power." His frown deepened. "It felt wrong the second we got there, and only got worse as they found us. They trapped us in the cave, but I saw them or I thought I did but the figures I chased weren't the Furies."

I thought about how scared he had been when we arrived, and the sense that something was wrong. He'd sealed his kingdom, hidden away and didn't want to be found.

"I have faced enemies with powers stronger than Deimos, been dragged through every realm of hell, and created illusions of my own, many times. Their trickery isn't new. Yet, we all fell at their will. They put us on trial and we were deemed guilty." Hades closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "I've never felt or experienced anything like it. If not for Cain, I'm not sure what the outcome would have been."

"Kara felt the same. Deimos saved her. Cain and I haven't even talked about it, but he was pretty fucked up when he got home." That was an understatement. "So long story short, what you're trying to tell me is that you're all freaked out by what happened and I shouldn't be angry at their little plot to hide me away down here for safety"

I put air quotes around the word safety and Hades almost cracked a smile. "You should be angry. I'd be surprised if you weren't, but try and be kind too. Fear does strange things to even the strongest of us."

"Is that why you've decided to hide down here?" I asked gently, yet I may as well as tease him about it from the look he gave me.

Hades says nothing as he stands and just when I think he's going to leave, he comes back.

"You know I had a family once. I had it all, more than you could ever comprehend or understand until that babe is in your arms. This world may not seem as beautiful as the one above, but it was ours and I never thought that anything could take it away. I was a fool." He turned away but I saw the tears he now struggled to hide. "Stay here. Do not wander. If the old witch turns you into one of her plants or pets, I am not responsible."

He's gone and looking over my shoulder towards the cottage, I'm not sure I'm ready for the riddles and crazy that awaits. I was ready for another nap, and Hecate could wait a little longer as I spotted Ivy who had nearly successfully freed herself from the archway and was well on her way over to where I sat. Turning around completely, I watched her come closer.

"Ivy. Nice to see you. How have things been?"

The plant stilled, a tremor racing down the vine and if I didn't know better, I'd think she was pretty pissed off at seeing me again. I slipped off the wall and sat against it instead, certain I was still out of reach. Not that she could do much in her current state, I decided to be cautious.

"Right, right. I see you've got some new leaves. Grown a little. Good job living out the afterlife as a plant. Oh me? What have I been up to?"

I looked towards the cottage, oddly thankful of this alone time and as Ivy jumped slightly, the archway rattled from the movement.

"Well, where do I begin? I met Medusa. Sounds impossible doesn't it, but you're a plant in Hecate's garden of doomed sacrifices, located at the edge of the Underworld. Honestly, though, I think you'd like her. She's very, don't need a man, like you were, though honestly, I'm starting to see the appeal." I sighed. "Everything is a mess. Again. Still. You know, I really, really liked Logan, and I thought I loved Apollo. It was new and intense and we had this attraction. It hurt when it ended until it didn't. You know? We took some time apart, and I just, it felt over for me. It is over for us. I still care though, and I've hurt him and I hate it."

Ivy stopped moving barely centimetres away from me now. I would almost think she was listening, but following the trail of leaves down, it actually looked like she was at her limits and couldn't get closer. The arch was her prison, and that was as far from her fate as she could get. Her anger still poured off her like cheap perfume and if given the chance, I didn't doubt she'd have some vengeance of her own to dish out.

"Who knew you were such a good listener?" I leaned closer, causing the leaves to all move and point up towards me like tiny little green blades. "This thing with Cain is even more intense. That kiss we first had was like wow, and it just hit me out of nowhere and I was not prepared for it. For any of it and-"

Looking away from the plant, I look at the cottage. Hecate had always been expecting me; waiting at the door or calling us in. I appreciated the alone time, and if she was getting a kick out of eavesdropping on my little breakdown with Ivy, good on her only I didn't think that was the case at all.

Where was she?

"Hold that thought, Ivy." I try to get a feel for Hecate, but if I didn't know better I'd say she wasn't home. "Hecate?"

The magnetic energy that seemed to give this place life was missing and going down the path towards the front door, the plants only seemed to release a feeling of fear which was so different to Ivy's anger. They huddled together like scared children, quivering as I passed. Usually, they were relaxed and open, going with the flow or fighting for Hecate's touch and attention.

I hesitated in front of the door, tempted to call Hades back and as I reached for the rusty doorknob that looked like it might just fall off if I touched it, the door slowly creaked open. I'd watched enough horror movies to know going inside would be a bad idea, especially when the usual zoo of pets didn't try to rush out the door. Good thing spooky houses in the Underworld weren't anything new and I took a step inside.

Damp, stale air with a hint of something rotten hit me as I took a step inside. My stomach sank before it flipped and I covered my mouth; I was not going to throw up in Hecate's home. The first display of pot plants in the entry are brown, wilted or shrivelled up into nothing. Each step I take makes the floor creak and the usual sense of life and light in this dark part of the land is gone. Paint still hangs off the wooden slats of the walls, yet without the lush greenery along the shelves and floor, it looks as though it's been abandoned for years, and not just in need of a little repair.

No plants reach out to touch me now, there's nothing I shouldn't look at in the jars near the kitchen, and checking the bedroom, then the bathroom, I'm only met with dust, mould, decaying animal carcasses and more dead plants. Hecate is not here, and I don't think she has been for some time. The sensation of trespassing as I walk around her home only grows, and as I finish in the living room for some kind of clue as to what is going on, a gust of wind floods the hallway. Leaves swirl across the floor, sounding like a hundred little paws scratching across the wood and the tinkle of glass - like a teacup being put down on its plate has me going back into the kitchen.

Set up on the little table, Hecate's tea set is now laid out. It hadn't been there earlier; it was the first thing I looked for. I picked up the teapot which was cold and empty, a thick layer of dust covered it. Completely normal, only as I put it down, there's a note folded in the cup I had used at each of my visits. Carefully I opened it up, half expecting something to jump out and I let out a breath as nothing happened.

___________

My dearest E,

It would appear the wrong creature has been caged. Fear not, for just as my time here has come to an end, you too will have your freedom returned. It is his that needs to end, and even that shall not last. By the time you finish reading this, you will have what you need waiting for you outside, with more to follow.

There are whispers, rumours and signs all around if you know where to look. Feel into your power, your instincts and do what must be done. The Fallen One was destined to fall. Just as you rise and rise again, my little Phoenix, so will he. Redemption can be achieved if he is seen to save the Queen, but you will also have your part to play. Seek the light and reignite the sun. To survive this, you all need to burn as one.

Should you succeed, and I wish you well, you will find me where the wild women run.

H.

___________

"Great more riddles." Even without her being here I was left trying to make sense of her words. "The wrong creature has been caged."

I looked at the dead cat by the kitchen window. "I'm guessing that's me, here and now so should I go find out what's outside?"

I'm not even out of the cottage when Cain appears on the pathway. He looks as though he's been gone for a year, and the guilt is clear all over his face.

Your freedom returned. His needs to end.

Well, shit. This wasn't going to go well.

"Elle, I'm sorry. I know I fucked up." He stops just out of reach as I stay in the doorway. "We panicked. I panicked. Together, right?"

I shivered and I knew what just happened this time; I was free.

"You came back?" I wish I wasn't surprised by this.

"I had to go the long way to get in, again. I'm sorry. As soon as we left, I realised what I'd done and came straight here." Cain looks guiltier than Alfie does when he breaks into the storage room and drinks all the cola. "Am I too late?"

"For what?"

"Forgiveness?"

A tiny flicker of my own guilt flared to life, and his apology was ironic considering what I now knew I had to do. "Forgiven, but not forgotten."

Cain nodded, seeming to accept that answer, yet he looked behind me and into the cottage. "Do you think I could meet her?"

"Hecate?" I look over my shoulder into the abandoned house. "That's kind of what I need to see Hades about. She's gone."

"What?" His eyes widened and he went past me, apparently now brave enough to enter the house. "Where is she?"

"I don't know." I followed him back in, and he looked around in awe at the living room. "We really need to see Hades."

"No need," Hades growled, coming in behind me holding a piece of paper. Guess I wasn't the only one who got a letter. "I received a parting gift, she's gone."

"Oh, what does yours say?" I ask, a little too excitedly.

He stopped, raising an eyebrow in my direction as he looked just about ready to burn the place to the ground. "It was a remittance notice for the deal we made, complete with one new soul to replace hers."

"Elise got a note too," Cain points out, and the pair of them turned to me as Hades now channelled his anger my way.

"You got a note?" Hades' jaw ticked, the paper in his hand turning to ash that fell amongst the leaves and dust on the floor. "I guess this is better than blaming you for her disappearance and whatever trouble could you have possibly conjured up within an hour of being here."

"Well with that attitude, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I was surprised to find her gone too," I looked around thoughtfully. "How did you not know she wasn't here?"

"She's always had wards in place around this property. She said it was to keep out any wandering souls and to guide her sacrifices to her, but now I think it was just to keep me unaware of everything she was up to here."

"You just realise that now?" I shake my head. "Wow."

"What was in your note?" Cain pushed Hades back, forcing some space between us as he looked like he might actually explode.

"You're not going to like it." Hades rolled his eyes, flopping down onto the sofa that groaned under the sudden assault of his weight. "Just, let me read it to the end. No interruptions."

Somehow they did and there wasn't even any shouting or cursing or tantrums on any level as I finished. The silence scared me more than any kind of outburst ever could.

"So, you must be the one I hide down here?" Hades finally spoke, his earlier anger still simmering just under the surface. "Not her."

Cain stood by the window, staring out into the darkness. He doesn't respond, and going over to him, he still doesn't. Not even as I put my hand on his arm.

"It's not all bad. There was that part about redemption?" I slide my hand down to take his hand, and reluctantly he relaxes ever so slightly so I can link my hand in his. "I even said this morning about you playing dead. I just thought we could pretend you've been here this whole time and then Hermes could let you out with some kind of logical explanation because I figured he probably come up with the most believable story."

"How exactly do you reignite the sun?" He was so quiet, if I hadn't been this close I wouldn't have heard him at all.

"I-I don't know?"

Cain turned to Hades as he let go of my hand, folding his arms across his chest and I literally felt the cold shoulder being thrown my way.

"What are the witches' words worth?" He asked, and Hades shrugged.

"We would be fools to ignore them."

"Do it," Cain ordered, his expression blank as Hades clicked his fingers. "You're free, I am caged. Go burn as one."

I wave my finger between them. "No. No sulking. Whatever this is, stops now."

"I'm not sulking." Hades pouted.

"Want me to find a mirror so you can see how ridiculous you look? You are the definition of sulking right now." I turn to Cain. "Don't even get me started on you."

"He does look like he's sulking," Hades mumbled.

"Can we have a minute?" I ask him.

"Fine. You know where to find me."

I wait for him to disappear and as he does, Cain suddenly walks by me, heading out into the garden. Following after him, I'm too distracted to notice who is now on the path and nearly trip on Ivy. I stumble, regain my balance and don't even apologise for purposefully stomping on her vine as I go.

"Fucking dark fae, bitch." I mumble, quickly carrying on. "Cain, stop."

Thankfully he does and catching up, I grab his arm to drag him beyond the fenceline and away from any other plants who might decide to take up Ivy's fight for her now she has issues of her own to deal with.

"I'm not doing this." I decide.

"Doing what?" He asks cautiously.

"This." I circle around his face. "If you're so caught up with what Hecate had to say, you better be ready to fucking rise when you need to otherwise it's not the path of redemption you'll find yourself on. You can be all sulking and brooding later because clearly, I am going to go and see Apollo and what do you think is actually going to happen when I do?"

"You read her words. What do you think?" The cold edge to his words made me want to slap him.

"Who knows. Turning up with his favourite movie and apology pizza? Maybe I'll buy him a goddam unicorn that poops sunshine and lollipops. Something to cheer him up!" I watched him closely and saw the exact second he realised how badly he had just screwed up. Again. Today was not his day. "Tell me, what do you think she meant Cain?"

"Elise-" He stopped, pulling himself together with a deep breath as he rubbed his forehead. "You have never given me any reason to doubt you. Your past has not seemed relevant, he has never been a threat. You have your friends, your life, and don't expect you to stop or give up any of it, for me. Him included. Though after this morning, and then your message, I don't know what came over me."

"Green isn't your colour," I agree, and as he opens his arms I go to him. It felt like years since we'd been together. "Good thing I love you."

He holds me tight, kissing the top of my head. "How do I rise, little phoenix?"

I lean back into his arms to look up at him as I shrug.

"I don't know, but I know you will work it out when the time is right." I snuggle back in for a second longer, greedy for the comfort and peace he gives me. "You have to. Kara's life is going to depend on it. I guess all of our lives do."

 "No pressure then." He sighed, finally letting me go. "Be safe and good luck."

I had a feeling I was going to need it.

____________________________________________

Anyone else feeling exhausted after all of that or just me?