CHAPTER 167: YOU ARE WEAK

Hades sat at the edge of his bed, his shoulders hunched, fingers steepled under his chin, his mind far away. The demon inside him had been unusually quiet all day, but the silence was unsettling.

Grim entered, bowing low without wasting time on pleasantries. "Your Highness, we may have a serious problem."

Hades barely shifted his gaze. "Has he escaped?"

"Not yet, but soon. Somehow, he has grown stronger, he’s still growing stronger. The whispers that were meant to torture and break him no longer affect him. It’s as if he’s... gained control over them."

Hades’ eyes darkened. "How long do they think it will take before he finally breaks free?"

"Perhaps weeks. Maybe less." Grim’s jaw tightened. "And when he does, he plans to release more demons into this realm. His goal is chaos and revenge. He’s determined to find the one who betrayed him."

"Betrayed him?" Hades narrowed his eyes, his confusion evident. "Who betrayed him, and what does any of that have to do with this realm?"

"Unfortunately, I don’t have those answers, Your Highness. No one in the underworld knows who the betrayer is or how it happened."

"Very well," Hades said, his tone sharp but distant. "Return and keep your ears open for any further information. I want to know the moment something changes."

"Yes, my lord." Grim bowed low, but hesitated before straightening. His eyes flickered with curiosity.

Hades noticed the hesitation. "What is it?"

"I just wanted to ask about Lilith... She is no longer in the palace?"

"No, she isn’t." The prince’s voice softened slightly, the dull ache in his chest returning. "She’s back in Eryndor, staying with her mother for a while."

Grim nodded, though his gaze briefly lingered on the prince’s expression. "I see. Very well, Your Highness. I will take my leave."

With another respectful bow, Grim turned and exited the chamber.

The moment the door clicked shut, Hades’ hands clenched into fists, his nails biting into his palms. The dull ache he had been ignoring suddenly ignited into sharp pain that shot through his chest, spreading violently to his limbs. He groaned, doubling over as the demon inside him stirred, its claws dragging against his ribs, its voice a venomous whisper curling around his thoughts.

Oh my, my. Asmodeus will break free soon. I cannot wait to see the world burn. Oh, how I love the smell of fire and blood. The blood of the people you will not be able to protect.

"Shut up," Hades hissed under his breath, gripping the edge of the bed until the wood groaned beneath his strength.

The demon’s laughter echoed in his skull. Hades stumbled to his feet, clutching his head as the pain became unbearable, sinking into his bones like nails and iron.

You are weak, Hades. You have grown soft, how degrading. I could rip through your skin and wear you like a cloak. I will, soon. You are mine forever. You can never escape who you are, Hades.

His knees buckled, sending him crashing to the floor. His body convulsed violently, his breathing sharp and shallow. His vision blurred as black veins pulsed along his neck and wrists, the demon’s power threatening to consume him from within.

Do you really think you can stop me? Stop Asmodeus from killing those worthless beings? You fool, you were always too proud and arrogant for your own good.

Hades clenched his teeth, his pulse thundering in his ears. He slammed his fist against the marble floor, over and over, using the sharp sting of physical pain to anchor himself, to fight against the surge of the demon’s influence.

Fuck you, demon. I will send you back to where you belong. I will defeat you.

The words rolled off his tongue like a mantra, again and again, until the demon’s laughter gradually faded, retreating into silence, for now.

Sweat drenched his hair, his breath ragged as he slowly pushed himself off the cold floor, leaning against the bedpost for support. His legs trembled under his weight, his chest aching with every breath.

He glanced down at his hands, finding them bloodied from repeatedly striking the floor. He sighed, dragging his weary body toward the bathroom. As he washed his hands under the cold water, the cuts healed instantly, his powers stitching his skin back together.

He splashed water onto his face, letting it drip down his jaw as he steadied his breathing. Walking back into his chamber, he came to stand in front of the mirror, staring into his hollow reflection. His eyes looked void of life, the black veins creeping across his neck and now spreading faintly onto his cheeks.

Running his fingers through his hair, he noticed how long and unruly it had become, the strands falling into his face, obscuring his vision.

The door creaked open.

Lucian stepped into the room, pausing when his gaze fell on Hades front of the mirror, water dripping from his chin. His eyes briefly scanned the wet floor and the bloodied cracks in the marble.

"You look like you’ve just seen a ghost," Lucian remarked as he stepped into the room.

"I wish that was the problem," Hades muttered, dragging a hand down his face in frustration.

Lucian approached, his boots soft against the marble floor as he came to stand behind his nephew. "Was it the demon again?"

Hades nodded, his expression grim. "It is."

Lucian’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Hades let out a bitter chuckle, his gaze still fixed on his reflection in the mirror. "I think I need a haircut. Don’t you think so, Uncle?"

Lucian blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in topic. "A haircut?"

"Yes," Hades replied, straightening his posture and pulling his slightly wet and disheveled hair back. "I want it shorter."

Lucian crossed his arms, studying him. "That’s... interesting. You’ve never had short hair."

"I think it’s time for a change." Hades turned, walking over to the small armoire in the corner of the room where the grooming supplies were kept. "I can’t do it myself. I’ll need your help."

Lucian arched a brow, amused. "I must warn you, I am not skilled in cutting hair, Your Highness."

Hades pulled out a pair of silver scissors and handed them to Lucian, who accepted them with mild hesitation. "I trust you not to make me a laughingstock. Give it your best, Uncle. I refuse to believe there’s anything you can’t do."

Lucian chuckled, a broad smile stretching across his lips. "You flatter me too much, Your Highness. There are plenty of things I cannot do, and cutting hair is certainly one of them but I will try to make sense of it. Just don’t kill me if it doesn’t turn out the way you imagine."

"I have no expectations, dear Uncle," Hades replied, easing into the chair in front of the mirror. "Now, get to work. I’m beginning to feel quite hungry."