Extra's Death: I Am the Son of Hades

"I was captured by the Alliance."

"What…?"

"I was searching for information about Soul Weapons, and about the one who sent Velkaria after Earth when Yaleth died here.

"During the search, I got caught in a crossfire between the Forgotten Suns and the Alliance."

Jack leaned forward.

His hand tightened around the mug.

"And then?"

"I survived," Neo said simply. "But the Alliance noticed something was wrong with me. I survived a battlefield where Stage 5 Gods were slaughtered like chickens.

"They figured out I was a Heavenbreaker. Then they tried to extract my Willpower."

Jack's body went cold.

His lips parted, but no words came out.

He could only imagine how much Neo must have endured.

And yet, to his horror, Neo's story didn't stop there.

"When they failed to extract it," Neo continued, "they decided to turn me into a Berserker.

"They sent me to a Site.

"Their plan was to take me back once I had become a Stage 4 Berserker.

"I was there for fifteen thousand years, fighting and surviving.

"In the end, I conquered the Site and came out a Stage 5. The Alliance wasn't prepared for that."

He had a conflicting look in his eyes.

"And I met someone there. Someone who helped me escape."

The mug in Jack's hand cracked.

Beer spilled over his fingers as the glass shattered.

His chest burned.

"Those bastards…. I'm going to kill them."

He pushed himself up from his seat, but before he could take a step, a faint weight pressed onto his shoulders, enough to stop him.

Neo had stopped him.

"Where are you going?" Neo asked.

"Where else? I'm going to fight them."

Neo studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly.

"Thank you for your thoughts. But that's not necessary. The Alliance's strength isn't something we can handle right now."

"That doesn't mean we should just let them walk over us—"

"And I will get my revenge with my own hands."

Jack froze at his friend's words.

The conviction in Neo's voice was like steel.

Slowly, he sat back down.

Neo didn't waste the moment, and explained. "I have multiple breakthroughs to complete. After I finish speaking with all of you and complete them, I'll go after the Alliance."

"I'll come with you," Jack said.

"No—"

"I will either go alone, or with you."

For a while Neo only looked at him. Then he sighed.

"Fine. We'll do it together. Just don't go alone."

It was clear to Neo that Jack wouldn't back down. It was better to go together than to risk losing him.

Neo leaned back slightly, letting the tension ease.

"Anyway, have you met with Nyx?"

"What?"

"Have you ever talked with Nyx since you found out she was a Grim Reaper disciple?"

"…Layla never let me."

"Alright. Let's go now."

Jack blinked, surprised. "What? I'm a living being. I won't be allowed into the Underworld even if you bring me there. The Grim Reapers would—"

"I'm going to kill you. You'll meet Nyx in Underworld that way, and then I'll revive you."

Jack's expression stiffened.

Neo chuckled at the look on his face.

"I'm joking. Don't worry about the Grim Reapers. You're already dead, if you haven't realized.

"You are a Necromancer, after all.

"And if they still complain, I'll bring Nyx into the living world instead of dragging you there. They can't argue with that," Neo said.

Jack breathed out slowly, then gave a small nod.

Neo could indeed create a Death World and summon Nyx there.

That was enough.

"Wait," Jack said suddenly, just as Neo pulled out his Grim Reaper badge.

Neo raised a brow. "What? Are you nervous?"

"Yes," Jack admitted without hesitation. "I don't even know what to say to her."

Neo opened his mouth, then closed it again.

He couldn't really give advice.

His own situation was no less complicated, and he could tell how confused Jack must be feeling.

He let out a quiet sigh.

"Just meet her. You'll know what to say once you see her."

"Alright…"

Neo himself had things he wanted to ask Nyx.

He had to ask her about Zeus, and why he had killed the Gods.

And there was still Barbatos. Neo needed to apologize for what he had done to him in the Voraka Site.

Without another word, Neo pressed the badge.

A portal bloomed open before them, dark and rippling with shadows.

They stepped through together.

The world shifted.

A vast hall stretched before them, ceilings so high they disappeared into darkness.

Cold stone lay underfoot.

Pale light streamed in from nowhere and everywhere at once.

Jack glanced around with wide eyes, but there was no fear in his expression.

Neo noticed that.

For someone who had once been a scaredy cat when he was young, Jack had grown.

Heavy footsteps echoed across the hall.

Then came the low growl.

From the far side, a massive form emerged.

It had three heads, each baring sharp teeth.

Cerberus, the guardian.

"Cerberus." Jack raised a hand and tried a smile. "Hey there."

The beast stopped.

All three heads turned toward them, sniffing the air.

It didn't recognize the Grim Reaper standing there.

But then its gaze landed on Jack.

Its hackles rose. Its muscles tensed. Its presence swelled with fury.

"What the hell did you do to Cerberus? It's like you are his mortal enemy."

"He thinks I made Layla cry. He blames me for it."

"…I'm sorry about that."

Before either of them could say more, Cerberus lunged.

The beast's massive form thundered forward, claws gouging the stone floor.

Neo didn't flinch.

"It's me," he called out. "Don't you recognize me? We met in the Voraka Site, during The One's Shadow Trial."

But Cerberus didn't stop.

Neo raised his voice, and finally added, "It's me, Cerberus. Neo."

The beast froze just before its jaws could close around him.

All three heads tilted in confusion.

A low growl rumbled from its throats, as if asking, You said you weren't the Second Prince when we met before. And now you say you are?

Neo smiled faintly.

He reached into his clothes and pulled out the badge.

A faint glow surrounded it.

The number engraved upon it gleamed.

Eighty-first.

The Grim Reaper badge that belonged to Neo.

"My appearance and soul evolved. But I'm really Neo."

The change was immediate.

Cerberus's growl shifted into a whine, then into excited barking.

The enormous guardian bounded forward, not as a monster now, but as a dog reunited with its owner.

Its three heads crowded around Neo, tails wagging furiously, as if all it wanted was to show joy.

Jack blinked, staring at the ridiculous sight.

"You've got to be kidding me…"

Neo laughed, reaching up to pat one of the massive heads as it tried to nuzzle him. "I missed you too."