Extra's Death: I Am the Son of Hades

Every time Amelia thought back, his shadow was there.

And then he returned.

How many times had he destroyed Earth when he came back?

How many people had died in his wake, not because of mistakes or accidents, but brutally, needlessly?

Amelia hated that.

And worse, she hated how she felt.

Hatred was one thing, but there was something worse inside her.

Jealousy.

It burned more than she wanted to admit.

She had trained until her palms bled and her body collapsed.

She had sacrificed sleep, sanity, and countless years to claw her way up.

But in the end, it changed nothing.

Neo was still stronger.

No matter what she did, he pulled further ahead.

When they clashed, he had defeated her without effort.

Give up. No matter how much you try, you can't protect anything yourself.

In the end, you'll depend on others to save you.

The ugly jealousy she had buried deep inside rose to the surface.

It mixed with fear, the fear of losing everyone because of him again.

That was why she had shouted without listening to his reasons, why she had protested so violently when he tried to set foot on Earth again.

Her hands trembled now as she stared at them.

She looked at her fingers as if they belonged to a monster.

"How ugly I've become," she whispered.

She hated Neo Hargraves.

But if there was one person she hated just as much, it was Amelia herself.

…

Neo POV

Neo leaned against the balcony, looking at the endless clouds stretching beneath them.

The air was quiet, until Jack finally broke it.

"So what are we going to do now?"

"Let's go meet Amelia."

"No."

The answer came faster than lightning.

"Are you crazy? Why are you trying to meet her? That's like pouring oil on fire."

"I need to talk to her," Neo said simply.

Jack's eyes narrowed.

When Neo didn't budge, a sigh escaped Jack's lips and he looked away.

"Neo, listen. I know you had reasons for not coming back. I get that. But Amelia… she's not going to listen. She's not the same Amelia you remember."

Neo turned his head slightly, waiting for explanation.

"They call her the Tyrant's Child now. Her reputation is rotten. People on her continent whisper that it was inevitable that a tyrant's child would become a tyrant."

"…That's all the more reason to meet her."

Jack frowned.

"If her personality twisted because of me," Neo said, "then I need to be the one to face her. To help her if I can."

Jack rubbed his temples. "You really don't know when to back off, do you?"

Neo ignored the complaint. "Where is Amelia living now?"

Jack let out another long sigh. "Eastern Continent. But you can't just warp there like you were moving through the Underworld."

"Because of the Blood Sea?"

"Yeah. The Blood Sea's energy distorts space. If you try to jump continents directly, you'll get caught in it and end up God knows where. So we fly up first, preferably reach space. Once we're outside the blood sea's range, then we can move between continents."

Neo nodded.

He placed a hand on Jack's shoulder and took a single step.

The ground vanished, and they appeared in space, stars stretching endlessly in every direction.

Earth floated beneath them.

"Which continent?" Neo asked.

Jack pointed. "That one."

Neo stepped again, space folding beneath his feet as though it were solid ground.

In an instant, they were above the Eastern Continent.

Another step, and they stood on its soil.

Neo closed his eyes briefly, expanding his senses just for a heartbeat.

The entire continent unfolded before him.

Countless lives, countless movements.

Then he pulled it back.

This was a living world. He had no right to pry into every mind.

With his current level, he could read thoughts, predict actions, even glimpse futures if he wanted.

But that would be no different from trampling their dignity.

He opened his eyes again.

One more step brought them before the palace.

Neo froze.

The palace looked exactly like Elizabeth's.

Every curve of its walls, every arch of its gates, mirrored what he remembered from the Mermaid Country.

Jack noticed his expression. "What is it?"

"Do you know what happened to the Mermaid Country?" Neo asked quietly.

"Officially?" Jack shrugged. "It was destroyed by monsters from the Blood Sea. That place spits out horrors now and then."

"Officially," Neo repeated. "So what's the real reason?"

Jack hesitated. Then he lowered his voice. "I think it was Amelia. She destroyed it herself."

Neo didn't answer.

His gaze lingered on the palace walls with unreadable emotion.

They approached the gates.

Two guards stood at attention. Their armor glinted faintly.

Both of them stiffened as soon as they felt Neo and Jack's presence.

Power pressed against them like a crushing wave.

"We have come to meet the Queen," Neo said.

The guards exchanged a quick glance.

One of them straightened.

"Greetings, travelers. Please wait for a moment. We'll inform the Queen. Until we receive her permission, please rest in the guest chamber."

At the same time, Neo easily picked up the faint signal the guard had sent out.

It rippled invisibly through the palace like a hidden warning.

In seconds, subtle movements echoed through the surroundings.

Dozens of guards shifted into position, hidden in the shadows.

Their weapons and auras were ready like a taut bow.

If even a hint of danger appeared, they would strike without hesitation to protect their queen.

Neo noticed them all. Jack noticed too. Neither said anything.

As they were led inside, Neo glanced sideways at Jack.

"You said Amelia was a tyrant. But these guards… they're ready to give their lives for her without hesitation."

Jack's lips twisted into a complicated smile.

"Opinion about her is divided. The public doesn't like her. They fear her, and hate her. But the ones who've worked under her… they admire her. Even if they fear her cruelty, they can't deny what she's done for them."

Neo nodded slowly. "I see."