Hades

[WolfofWords]

The game starts with Zagreus, son of Hades who is desperately trying to fight through Hades (the place) to escape. He has just found out that his biological mother is somewhere out there. He is done living under the tyranny and abuse of his father and wants out. After fighting through a few levels of Tartarus, he eventually falters and is slain by something or other. Zagreus comes to in a giant pool of blood which he wades his way out of. He is reborn and he has been returned to the house of Hades. It is here that you will be returned whenever you die while playing the game. It is a hub that contains the receiving hall for the dead where they are judged and sent to their eternal reward. It also contains Agreus’ bedroom and armory where he can regroup before another run at escaping.



That cycle is the crux of the game. Agreus sneaks out of his room and tries to escape. During a run, Agreus fights through as many levels as he can toward freedom. The run always starts with Zagreus jumping out of a window behind his bedroom. He lands in Tartarus, a harsh place where souls who have sinned and/or committed crimes are sent and imprisoned. This is an early area allowing Zagreus to slowly build his power. It is the easiest place in the game. The River Styx ends in Tartarus (actually in the pool that Zagreus emerges from each time he dies).

The second area he arrives at is Asphodel. It was once called the Asphodel Meadows where souls that were unremarkable in life were sent. It has since been flooded by the river Phlegethon turning it into small islands separated by boiling hot lava. Here, the terrain is very dangerous, making it hard to fight in closer quarters. It slowly teaches Zagreus how to fight with more precision. Of course, the lava can also hurt enemies so learning how to use the environment can be very beneficial. This area's exit is guarded by the Lernean Bone Hydra who Zagreus eventually nicknames Lernie.

The third area is Elysium. This is where the glorious dead go when they die. Note that the dead in Elysium are often not sinless but they are the most beloved of the Gods. This is where heroes and kings go when they die (as long as they don’t piss off the Gods). The area is beautiful with stone statues representing heroes past and everything is overgrown with greenery. The river Lethe drifts through this section and its waters help the dead forget their pain.

The fourth area is the Temple of Styx. This is the gateway between the land of the living and the dead. It was once a temple operated by humans but they were probably scared off by Cerberus long ago. Instead, the labyrinthine building is full of rats and satyrs. The infestation is bad and Zagreus must manage them to get through the Temple. As the name suggests, this is very near the headwaters of the River Styx which flows all the way back to the House of Hades.

The final area is Greece. If Zagreus makes it through all four areas of Hades, he can emerge in the human world. Greece is very pretty but it is also experiencing a rather harsh winter. Not much is seen of it but once can assume that it is much like our Ancient Greece.

The other part of the cycle of the game is socialization. Zagreus feels like he is alone in his escape attempts but nothing could be farther from the truth. Each time he dies (and somewhat during the run) he has the ability to talk to other characters. If he can gain their favor, they may make things a little easier for Zagreus during subsequent escape attempts. They usually provide trinkets and/or boons that help Zagreus temporarily power up. So let’s meet the characters, starting with the Household of Hades.



Nyx

The Chthonic Goddess of the Night and co-ruler of Hades. She is a primordial God who was there at the very beginning of things. Due to her domain being night and darkness, many people rightfully fear her. However, she has always acted very maternal toward Zagreus as a sort of foster mother. While Hades treated his son with disdain, Nyx always supported him. In fact, it was Nyx who carefully arranged certain aspects of Zagreus’ repeated escape attempts. She gives him counsel and also the Mirror of Night which allows him to collect darkness to be used to permanently increase his skills and abilities. She manages the household with a cold, detached demeanor even with her own numerous children.

Hypnos

The youngest of Nyx’s children seen in the game. He is tasked with keeping the line of souls waiting to be judged by Hades moving and recording how each person died. However, Hypnos is rather lazy and spacy and is often found asleep on the job. He is nice enough but is way over his head and definitely not really suited for hard work. When Zagreus dies and is reborn, he often jovially remark on how Zagreus died. Despite his good humor, he does not get along with the rest of his family or Hades because of his laziness.

Thanatos

One of Nyx’s children and an older twin brother to Hypnos. He is the personification of death and is sent out into the human world to bring back those who have died. He is an expert combatant and wields his scythe with such precision that those he kills feel no pain. It is just that quick. He has a prickly demeanor that comes off as terse or harsh but is a softy under the surface. He is a workaholic, endlessly toiling at retrieving the dead. Thanatos is a beautiful man and it is an open secret that he has feelings for Zagreus, one of the few people to worm their way past his defenses. He is one of two characters that Zagreus can start a romantic relationship with. Randomly, Thanatos can appear during an escape run. He appears out of thin air and challenges Zagreus to see who can kill the most enemies. This is his way of helping Zagreus escape.

Charon

Brother to Thanatos and Hypnos and son of Nyx. He is the boatman who ferries souls on the River Styx to the House of Hades. He speaks no words but communicates his feelings through groans and grunts. He is mysterious and many other characters can only guess at his motivations and thoughts. He can only be met during an escape run in chambers where he has come ashore. His boat can be seen as he stands on the shore, holding his oar like a scepter. He independently has decided to help Zagreus by selling him boons and items that he has collected for Obols. It is possible to try and steal Obols from him but he will retaliate by pulling Zagreus into Erebus (a secret area) to engage him in combat. Charon is very formidable at combat.

Megaera

One of the three Fury Sisters. As with her sisters, she is tasked with punishing the dead in Tartarus and with preventing the dead from trying to escape Tartarus. She is one of three possible bosses that Zagreus must defeat to escape Tartarus. She is the most reasonable of her sisters and treats her duties as just a job. However, she has a special hatred for oath-breakers. She and Zagreus used to date and after socializing with her a bit, she comes to collect her stuff from Zagreus’ bedroom. It is possible for Zagreus to rekindle their romance. If he establishes a romance or friendship with Meg, she will still try and prevent him from escaping. Trying to kill each other is just business. It is actually possible to enter a throuple with both Megaera and Thanatos.

Alecto

One of the three Fury Sisters. She is also tasked with punishing the dead in Tartarus and preventing escape. She is also one of three possible bosses Zagreus needs to defeat to get out of Tartarus. Her specialty is punishing those who allowed their passions to cause them to commit heinous acts. She is very passionate about her job and gains sadistic delight in making Zagreus bleed, nicknaming him “Red Blood” since that is a rarity in Hades. Unlike Megaera, she is not allowed into the House of Hades due to her antisocial behavior. Therefore, she can not be socialized with outside of trash talk before combat.

Tisiphone

The third Fury Sister. She is also tasked with punishing the dead in Tartarus and preventing escape. She is also one of three possible bosses Zagreus needs to defeat to get out of Tartarus. Her specialty is punishing murderers. Her job has definitely caused her to snap and she is no longer capable of coherent speech outside of the words “murder” and “murderer”. However, she does learn to say “Zagreus” if he kills her enough times. Unlike Megaera, she is not allowed into the House of Hades due to her antisocial behavior. Therefore, she can not be socialized with outside of trash talk before combat.

Dusa

As her name and appearance may have indicated, Dusa is a gorgon. In the world of the game, gorgons are able to hide their bodies and allow their heads to levitate around. She is the household’s Chief Custodian and tirelessly works to keep up with the cleaning and repair of the House of Hades. She is ceaselessly chipper and if she has a fault, it is that she works way too hard. She is very shy and often levitates up into the rafters if Zagreus is able to try to talk to her. Over time, she manages to learn to slow down and also forms a genuine friendship with both Zagreus and Megaera. She is Zagreus’ biggest fan and cheerleader.

Skelly

A “bloodless” who Zagreus encounters in the training area attached to his bedroom. Skelly is a sarcastic yet friendly guy. He is tasked with being Zagreus’ training dummy. He does not seem to be hurt too much by it and when he dies, he just resurrects again. Surprisingly, it is revealed that he is not on the payroll of the House of Hades and nobody knows who hired him. He knows a lot about the weapons that Zagreus can unlock.

[WolfofWords]

Along an escape run, Zagreus can happen upon globes that grant him brief communication with a god. That god gives him the choice of one of three boons (out of a possible 14). You get a little dialogue from the gods and also have the opportunity to pay tribute to them, gaining their favor. Zagreus can also receive boons that blend the powers of two gods. Occasionally, a room will be designated as a Trial of the Gods. Two gods’ boons are available and Zagreus must choose which god to go with. The other god will be angry at being slighted and will use their powers to attack Zagreus while he fights some enemies. After all of the enemies are gone, the vengeful god will cool down and offer their boon and forgiveness.

Zeus

The de facto leader of the Gods of Olympus, Zeus got a lot of the glory from battles that he did not fight alone. When all of the great beasts and Titans were defeated, Zeus and his brothers Poseidon and Hades divided up existence. Zeus gained dominion over the land and the air. He can be arrogant and selfish but is able to back a lot of it up with power and cares a lot about protecting his family. Unfortunately, he also cares too much about protecting himself. Zeus feels somewhat guilty for his part in the past and wants people to get along but does not want to sacrifice his dignity to achieve peace. His boons to Zagreus grant the power of lightning to his abilities. A hit from a weapon imbued with electricity also hits any other close enemies.


Poseidon

The more laid-back of the three brothers. When lots were drawn on the dominion of the Earth, he gained ownership and responsibility for the sea and all bodies of water (lakes, rivers, etc.). He fought alongside his brothers as a team to defeat the Titans and their other spawn. Poseidon tries to be the “cool uncle” to Zagreus. He has a tendency to run his mouth without much tact. He is not exactly comfortable being in second place. His boons to Zagreus grant the power of the waves to his abilities. A hit from a weapon or ability imbued with the waves pushes away enemies. His abilities also grant an increased rate of treasure collection.


Demeter

The Goddess of Agriculture and the cycle of life and death, Demeter is a very severe woman who seeks vengeance. She still mourns for her daughter Persephone who descended into Hades and never returned. Because of this, she has largely turned away from agriculture and is in the process of freezing the world in a long winter. Indeed, should Zagreus escape, he finds the land half-frozen around the entrance to the underworld. She seems to be helping Zagreus to spite Hades who she blames for the demise of her daughter. Her boons to Zagreus grant the power of ice. Enemies affected by these abilities are chilled and lose movement speed. She also helps with boosting Zagreus’ health.

Athena

The Goddess of Wisdom and Battle Strategy. She is the first of the Olympic Gods to be contacted by Nyx to help Zagreus escape Hades. She seems to genuinely pity Zagreus being stuck in Hades and wants to get him out. She is more emotionally detached than the other gods and tends to not share as much. Still, she immediately alerted her kin to help Zagreus and believes in the cause. Her boons to Zagreus grant the power of shields. Most of her abilities are defensive and allow Zagreus to deflect or block attacks. She also is able to grant Zagreus instances of “death defiance” allowing him to avoid death and instead gain health.


Ares

The God of War. Surprisingly, Ares is the most polite and tactful of the Olympic Gods that Zagreus encounters. He has a loyal and soldier-like demeanor that hides an intense bloodlust. He encourages Zagreus to fight his way through Hades and rewards him for killing many enemies. Ares is kind of an outcast among the Olympic Gods because of his reputation and not really his demeanor. He is also the only one on his end of the family who appreciates and is interested in the Chthonic Gods. He actually starts a correspondence with Nyx late in the game. His boons to Zagreus grant the power of blades. Most of his attacks and abilities cause the status effect Doom which delivers a second delayed hit. He also allows Zagreus to control a spinning blade.


Aphrodite

The Goddess of Love and Beauty. She is a relentless flirt and seductress who talks with a soft purr in her voice. She is very loyal to anybody who is loyal to her but is jealous and venomous to those who might betray her. Achilles wisely says that Aphrodite is the god he fears the most as her domain has the most potential to cause damage. She does not get along too well with other Olympians, especially Athena since her playfulness clashes with Athena’s seriousness. She is also perpetually naked which causes some to be miffed. Her boons to Zagreus grant the power of affection. Many of the attacks with her abilities cause the status effect weakness which makes enemies more susceptible to damage. She also has abilities that heal Zagreus, protect him from harm, and allow him to turn an enemy to his side with Charm.


Hermes

The messenger of the gods and God of Merchants and Pranksters. He is a motor mouth who is constantly prattling on and also making plenty of jokes. He actually has the most to do with Hades out of all of the Gods of Olympus. Hermes is one of the gods who delivers the souls of the dead to Hades but he does not linger as much as Thanatos or Charon. Because of his domain of merchants, he takes a further interest in Charon. He goads Zagreus into trying to steal from Charon as a prank and then bets Zagreus cannot survive fighting Charon twice. He is very friendly with Zagreus, wanting a real friendship with him. He even gives Zagreus the option to tell him to shut up. His boons to Zagreus grant the power of speed. His abilities allow Zagreus to move faster, dodge more, and dash away from danger more easily.

Dionysus

The God of Wine, Revelry, and Madness. Predictably, Dionysus is the party boy of the gods and is also the most laid-back of the gods. Everything is cool as long as you do not commit a party foul or otherwise harsh his buzz. Of course, he is quick to forget any slight against him. He is the youngest of the gods but probably the most influential based on his powers. Dionysus is often disregarded by the rest of the gods because of his lifestyle. His boons to Zagreus grant the power of alcohol. Most of his abilities inflict the status effect Hangover on enemies. This power inflicts damage over time to enemies as they stumble in a haze of booze. He also grants Zagreus the ability to gain more benefits from drinking from fountains and can cause confusion among enemies.

Artemis

The Goddess of the Hunt. Artemis is definitely the introvert of the Olympic Gods in that she gets easily flustered and shy when spoken to. At one point, Aphrodite teases her about being shy, thinking that it is because she has a crush on Zagreus but this is not so. She just prefers to spend most of her time alone and on the hunt and all of that alone time has her rusty socially. At first, she is rather quiet and direct but she warms to Zagreus over time and does the thing my anxiety does and she suddenly starts talking too much. She finds Zagreus easy to talk to as he is a good listener. When she does hang out with others, it is usually her nymph friend Kallisto who is her best and only friend outside of Zagreus. She prefers to hang out with the nymphs instead of the gods. Her boons to Zagreus grant him the power of Critical. Her abilities up the chances that attacks will inflict critical damage and also increase damage in general. She also gives Zagreus long-ranged homing attacks.

Chaos

The embodiment of the primordial void from which the world emerged. They are older than Nyx and the Titans which makes them much older than the other gods. They are not an Olympic God nor are they really a Chthonic God although they tend to gravitate toward the latter. The only way to speak with Chaos is to visit them in their eponymous realm by passing through Chaos Gates. Each of these Chaos Gates requires Zagreus to sacrifice health. In fact, sacrifice is a theme with Chaos because, unlike the other gods during a run, they do not offer instant boons. Zagreus must first make a sacrifice that lasts several rooms in order to receive the boon. Chaos is curious yet aloof. They are also imperious, telling Zagreus that he is to speak only when prompted to. Chaos and Nyx have drifted apart as parent and daughter and one of Zagreus’ optional missions is to reunite the two.

[WolfofWords]

The Gods are not the only ones to aid Zagreus when he is out on a run. There are several heroes and noted people of myth who appear both in the House of Hades and out in the various sections. While some dwell in the House of Hades, I chose to present them here because they come in pairs. They are names recognizable to anybody who has read even a little bit of Greek mythology.


Sisyphus and Bouldy

We know Sisyphus today largely from when we describe a task as Sisyphean which means that it is insurmountable. Sisyphus was a king who angered the Gods by cheating death and was sentenced to eternal punishment in Tartarus. His sentence was to roll a boulder up a steep hill but when it reaches the top, the boulder would get away from him and roll back down. This maddening punishment was because Sisyphus had thought himself smarter than the Gods. Zagreus met Sisyphus during one of his many escape attempts from Tartarus. The two of them kept meeting and became friends. Sisyphus is constantly tortured by the Furies which he has in common with Zagreus.

The long isolation may have gone to his head as he refers to the boulder as Bouldy and has long conversations with it. Sisyphus aids Zagreus by offering him energy, food, or money as he passes through. He also can lend Zagreus the power of Bouldy to crush enemies elsewhere in Hades. Zagreus can work to commute Sisyphus’ sentence. When that happens, Sisyphus decides to stay in Tartarus and live with Bouldy now that he does not have to go up the hill anymore.


Orpheus and Eurydice

One of the most famous Greek myths, this one has been adapted a lot over the years but most recently in the Broadway musical Hadestown. Orpheus was a musician who fell in love with the beautiful Eurydice. The two were married and were deeply in love. Unfortunately, Eurydice died and, like all mortals, was cast into Hades. She ended up in Asphodel. Orpheus could not live without his love and muse and so he descended into Hades to get her back. Hades told him that he could take Eurydice back out with him if he could refrain from looking back at her as they left. Orpheus failed and doomed both of them to remain in Hades. Hades hired Orpheus to be his court musician but Orpheus did not have much heart for it without his wife.

Communicating with Orpheus in the House of Hades and Eurydice in her home in Asphodel changes things. Zagreus can slowly open up communications between the two lovers, reconnecting them. In doing so, he reveals that Eurydice is not just a pretty face. She is Orpheus’ partner, writing some of their shared songs and she is very wise. Much of the great music of the game comes from the two of them singing. Zagreus is able to give Orpheus permission to leave his post in the House of Hades to visit Eurydice. Sometimes you can come upon them together in Eurydice’s house having a jam session. Eurydice is also a great cook and provides Zagreus with empowering cooking as he passes through which supercharge his abilities.


Achilles and Patroclus

Achilles is a well-known fighter in the Trojan War. When he was little, his mother dipped him in the River Styx when he was an infant, hoping that the water would make him invulnerable. She succeeded but Achilles was still vulnerable on his heel because that is where his mother held him. He grew up to be a great warrior and leader of the Myrmidon tribe. While he fought in the Trojan War, he was slain by Paris. Achilles was chosen as a guard in the House of Hades. His job was to specifically protect Hades’ chambers and he stood duty-bound in the hallway in service to the God of the Underworld. When Zagreus came along, Achilles was chosen as his tutor and taught him everything he knew about combat. Achilles is openly in Zagreus’ corner even if it endangers his position.

Zagreus first meets Patroclus idling alone in Elysium and at first, he refuses to give his name. Eventually, Zagreus is able to pry more of the story from the two warriors. Achilles and Patroclus were both warriors and they were also lovers. The two men were closer than any two men could get. Patroclus fell in battle right in front of Achilles and the death drove Achilles into a frenzy. It was during this homicidal fury that Achilles killed many of the enemy but also why he was able to be caught off guard and killed. Zagreus is able to get the two tough guys to get over themselves and reconnect, at first using Zagreus as a courier. Eventually, Zagreus is able to get permission for Achilles to take some time off to spend time in Elysium with Patroclus. The two can be found alone in Elysium, grateful for Zagreus’ help. In return, Achilles helps Zagreus get into Hades’ bedchamber which gives him the emotional knowledge to save the day. Patroclus will offer enhanced versions of Charon’s wares that will give Zagreus a boost near the end of Elysium.


Asterius and Theseus

The story of Theseus is also a big one in Greek mythology. Theseus was a renowned hero and a King of Athens. His most famous tale was when he was sacrificed by his father and the King of Minos. The King of Minos was taking revenge for the death of his son while abroad in Athens. Long story short, Theseus was sent into the labyrinth where the legendary Minotaur had spent his life so far fighting people. Theseus was able to slay the Minotaur thanks to his fighting prowess and was able to escape thanks to the help of Princess Ariadne. He lived to tell the tale and became King of Athens. Then he died and ended up in Hades and who did he meet there? Asterius, the Minotaur.

Asterius and Theseus were able to get past the history of their first encounter and they became friends. They became champions in an arena in Elysium and helped to both entertain the shades there and also keep anybody from escaping any further. Neither of the two is there to help Zagreus as a point of pride. They work together to try and fight and kill Zagreus as soon as they see him. They are the final boss of Elysium. Asterius relentlessly charges after Zagreus and swipes at him with his huge axe. Theseus stays at a distance and throws a spear while guarding with a shield. Zagreus must pay attention to both of them to survive. When he gets low on life, Theseus is also able to channel the power of the Olympic Gods just like Zagreus can. Asterius can be fought alone as a mini-boss where he seems less arrogant and more willing to chat with Zagreus.

[WolfofWords]

Of course, the real heart of the game is the story of the Hades family. The father Hades, the mother Persephone, and the son Zagreus. The dynamic between the three drives much of the plot of the game and a lot of the most touching and rewarding moments. Zagreus’ journey to find his mother is the central driving action of the first part of the game. What follows, really breaks down the family dynamic and the politics of the Gods. Those politics feel very familiar to anybody who has known a large extended family that bears grudges. The following comes out in bits and pieces throughout numerous escape attempts. Each run rewards the player with a little bit more of the story.


Zagreus and Hades

Zagreus grew up under his father’s care but Hades was always distant and abusive. He constantly pushed Zagreus to take on responsibilities in the House of Hades but Zagreus constantly failed to meet his expectations. Zagreus in turn resented his father for never actually showing any affection or real encouragement. Nyx was unable to intervene as she was subservient to Hades. Hades continued to belittle Zagreus and the resentment and frustration between them grew into smoldering hate. It was no small wonder that Zagreus decided to try to escape when he learned the truth about his mother. Both the father and son were too proud to admit to any blame for the swift deterioration of their relationship.

As we know, Zagreus makes several attempts to escape Hades, fighting his way toward the surface. The first time that Zagreus gets past the Temple of Styx and sets foot on Grecian soil, he is astonished to find his father overlooking a river. Hades has come to do what his employees could not. He has come to fight and kill his own son to make him return home. Each time that Zagreus reaches the surface, his father is there to meet him. This forces them to speak to each other even if those discussions are brief. Zagreus eventually is able to kill his own father, sending him back home instead.

Zagreus and Persephone

After killing Hades, Zagreus runs along the path and is astonished to find his mother Persephone living not far away. She has fashioned herself a little hut and grown a beautiful garden. Her magic keeps her mother’s ice and snow away from her land. It is a tiny paradise. Zagreus is overjoyed to meet his mother but she is confused. Persephone saw Zagreus die as a newborn. It was part of the reason that she left the underworld for the surface. Before they can sort things out, Zagreus’ body starts to break down. Persephone states that he must be physically tied to the underworld much like Hades is. Zagreus falls down and dies on the spot.

Zagreus continues to fight his way to the surface, talking to his mother for a few moments each time. He is able to convince her that he is who he says he is. She is upset that Hades never told her that their son lived. He let her leave. Zagreus promises his mother that he will discover the reasons why this happened and find some way to reunite with Persephone for good. Persephone loves her son but fears that her sons’ efforts will alert the Olympians of her presence on Earth. She claims that this is dangerous.


Persephone and Hades

After the long battle with the Titans, the three brothers decided to divide up the world amongst themselves. Zeus took the land and the sky. Poseidon took the seas and the waters. It was decided that Hades would take control of the land of the dead. Once he became lord of the underworld, Hades found that he could no longer leave it. Zeus felt guilty about leaving his brother with the shortest straw and decided to try and make it up to him. Zeus knew that Hades had an interest in Persephone, the daughter of Demeter. Zeus decided to kidnap Persephone from Olympus and gift her to Hades as a consolation prize. Persephone actually went along willingly as she wanted to be anywhere but Olympus with her oppressive mother. However, even if Persephone had not been willing, Zeus still would have kidnapped her by force.

This caused a rift between Hades and Zeus which led to a rift between Olympus and Hades in general. Hades was upset at his brother for treating Persephone like an object, a prize to be awarded. She was much more than that to Hades than that. Besides that, it put Hades in a very difficult position. Demeter believed that her daughter had been taken by mortals something she is taking out on them by creating an eternal winter. If Hades tried to return Persephone, Demeter would still be furious and would try and get her revenge on him instead. On top of that, Persephone did not want to return to Olympus anyway. This left the two of them cut off from Olympus but they had each other and they fell deeply in love. Still, they knew that the truth might set off a war and they kept things secret. Also, Hades eventually is able to admit that he actually likes being king of the underworld. He is really good at it and it allows him to indulge in his introverted tendencies.

Eventually, they had a son together but Zagreus died shortly after birth. Inconsolable, Persephone decided to leave the underworld and her husband behind and abdicated her role as Queen of the Underworld. She returned to the surface but would not return to Olympus as to not cause the war between the Gods that she and Hades feared. She became content in tending her gardens.

The Investigation

Zagreus continues to pester his father with questions about his mother and what happened. He also questions Nyx about the events. Eventually, he is able to reveal that the Fates (relatives of Nyx) restarted Zagreus’ life. This was part of an attempt by Nyx to finally end the conflict between Olympus and Hades. However, Nyx was forbidden from contacting Persephone about her son’s resurrection. Instead, Nyx decided to aid Zagreus’ attempts to escape in order to clue Persephone into the continued existence of her son. However, she was playing a dangerous game by reaching out to the gods of Olympus to aid Zagreus. If they knew about Persephone, it could have been disastrous. Instead, she convinced them that Zagreus wanted to escape to join Olympus which they believed.

Zagreus is able to relay all of this to his mother who is astonished. However, she still feels like Zagreus’ visits are altogether too dangerous. She also feels guilty about watching her son suffer and die during each visit. She tells him not to come back. Zagreus was never really one to obey a parental order so he defies his mothers’ request. He continues to try and visit her. He also keeps working on his father, trying to get him to admit that he still loves Persephone. His persistence is able to rekindle the good memories in his parents. He finds incontrovertible proof of their love and forces them to admit to it.

Finally, Zagreus makes it to the surface and his father is a beaten man. Hades decides to let him pass this time, refusing to fight him. He admits that his son deserves to be with his mother even if it is only for a few moments. Hades lets his son go in a heartbreaking act of compassion, guilt, and love.

Zagreus arrives to meet with his mother and she has also had a change of heart. Watching her son be so determined to be with her has convinced her to return to the underworld. Zagreus asks if she is sure and she confirms that it is time for them to go home. It is the only hope of them ever having a life together which she wants more than anything. She happily summons Charon and mother and son float down the River Styx to the House of Hades.

The House of Hades Reunited

The palace is abuzz with the news that the Queen has returned. Everybody is overjoyed, including Hades himself even if his reaction comes off as grumpy and subdued. It turns out that Hades was never good at expressing himself and has trouble showing his love. Persephone had accepted this long ago because she knew his true feelings. She admonished Hades for his treatment of Zagreus in her absence. She forces him to treat Zagreus more kindly and with the respect he is owed. Persephone and Hades renew their love for each other but know that they will one day have to deal with the Olympus problem.

Hades realizes that he had been pushing Zagreus into all sorts of administrative positions that Zagreus was neither suited for nor excited about. This was one of Hades’ mistakes that led to the estrangement between father and son. Hades acknowledges that there is one thing that Zagreus has shown that he excels at which is escaping Hades. He officially appoints Zagreus as a security inspector of Hades. He will continue to try and escape in order to expose flaws in Hades’ security. Zagreus eagerly takes on his new position. The three decide that they will keep the cover story intact for the Olympians who will continue to aid Zagreus in his escape attempts.



Epilogue: The End of the War

As Zagreus continues to attempt to escape, Persephone starts to put together a plan to end the conflict between the two houses. In service of this plan, she has her son intensify his friendships with the Olympians. She wants them to really take a shine to Zagreus. Once this is accomplished, she has Hades write up an invitation to the Gods of Olympus for a party. Zagreus delivers the invitations one by one. The invitations are kept vague as to what occasion there is for a party.

As the Gods gather in the House of Hades for the party, Persephone is revealed to them. Everybody but Zeus is surprised that Hades has had Persephone this whole time. However, they do not mention anything about the kidnapping. They claim that Persephone willingly eloped with Hades, something that was at least partially true. They reveal that Zageus is their son and that Zagreus wished to know his extended family better (also not a complete lie). They at first refused but acquiesced seeing his determination.

Everybody was stunned until Zeus himself began to laugh, probably partially from the relief that the two had not implicated him or embarrassed him. He welcomed them back into the family. As Zeus declared it, it was so. The festivities truly began and the Gods all drank and partied the night away. After the Olympians departed, Zagreus felt guilty about lying to them. He remembered how hurt he and Persephone had been when they were lied to and then discovered the truth. Persephone slyly claims that the Gods probably know that their story was not the whole truth. They wanted to reunite the family and might have accepted any story to do so. Everybody wanted to move on with no hard feelings and that is what they got.

Persephone also admits that she lied to her mother Demeter in order to maintain boundaries between them. She told her mother that eating pomegranate seeds grown in Hades tied her to the underworld for most of the year. That way she would not have to visit her mother too often or for too long. In truth, she had introduced pomegranates to the underworld in the first place. Another white lie that families tell each other.

Thus the family is finally reunited and everybody was much happier for it. Zagreus had his mother back (and Nyx as a bonus mom), Persephone had her son back, and Hades was reunited with his love. The underworld also seems to work better with the Queen back to help with some of the administrative matters and to temper her husband’s temper. Things are finally as they should be.

At least, until Hades II comes out. We shall see what stories that game brings with it.

P. S. You can pet Cerberus. Only the head on the far right will accept pets. Only members of the House of Hades may pet the dog.