Trickster Wukong

Deep black hair with strands of gold hidden within, held up stylishly at the back of the head, making the bright green eyes stand out as they sparkled.

Rich and porcelain-like skin, radiant to the extent that almost made one believe it was carved from the personification of beauty itself.

A beautiful, flowing gown adorned with floral motifs and rich deep greens and earth tones, pairing well with the eyes as if to symbolise life and fertility.

But the further down it went, the darker the dress became until it was a deep black, contrary to the bright fashion above as if to signify two meanings.

Finally, a gold crown of intricately woven leaves and flowers coiled around her head, bringing out the similarly coloured gold strands within her dark head of hair.

This was the sequence at which Illian noticed the female standing before him as his mind started to clear.

"Illian Hale." Persephone broke the silence, her cherry lips moving as it snapped Illian out of his trance.

"You know who I am?" He asked, rising to his feet and rubbing the sweat off his chin.

He knew she knew who he was. After all, who wouldn't after everything he'd done? 

Despite this, she answered, exactly knowing what he meant.

"Yes, my mother spoke of you." She revealed.

"What did she say?" He asked.

Though he knew what she would say, he needed everything that would happen from now to be perfect. 

"She told me you were here to help me escape. If I'm being honest, I didn't expect you to even make it out of Tartarus."

"But you've exceeded any expectation I've had of you." She peered at Illian.

Despite saying this, she was still having trouble believing a human child could do everything he did.

'But I guess what I just saw there proves he is more than he seems.'

She thought, remembering how Illian was able to withstand the bloodlust of Cerberus.

A bloodlust that even bothered some gods.

'After all, Cerberus is the embodiment of Fear, Death and the Unknown.'

"And?" 

Illian asked, feeling a tinge of confusion. 

With how Demeter described her daughter, he was half expecting Persephone to leap into his arms.

"And I'm sorry, but you've come here for nothing. I'm not leaving." 

Persephone slowly turned, not before catching Illian's straight face void of any emotion.

"I understand that you might be confused. I love my mother, but she can be overprotective, to an extent that it makes it unhealthy for her."

"She even blames herself despite not knowing how Hades' came to know I existed."

"Even I still don't know how he knew where to find me and the perfect time to kidnap me."

"I've become content with my destiny and accept myself as Hades' beloved."

"It was her who told you about Kronos, wasn't it?" She asked, taking a glance at the boy's Golden eyes.

"Even if I wanted to leave, you have no way of dispelling this curse."

"I commend you for everything you've done, but I am bound to the Underworld and Hades…"

"I don't care."

Persephone paused as her eyes slightly widened due to surprise, looking back at the boy still standing with a stoic expression.

"I came all this way for a promise that I made to your mother and I've come too far to go back now." 

"Whatever happens today, I will dispel the curse put on you and free you from Hades. What you want to do after that is up to you." 

Illian raised a single finger as Persephone continued to stare.

"I just need one thing from you."

This almost snapped Persephone out of her trance as she nodded.

"Yes, my mother mentioned it. Though, I'm confused, neither of those things are useful to you." 

"Not in the conventional sense." He answered vaguely, a pause erupting as the two looked at each other.

"I guess that's why you're here. But unfortunately, those items you're looking for would be in the treasury."

Illian heard this, widening his eyes as he darted his eyes between Persephone and the large doors behind them.

Sighing he raised his staff.

"What are you doing?" Persephone narrowed her eyes, watching Illian raise his staff, knowing what it could do.

Illian paused as he stared at her.

"You're nothing like your mother made you out to be. I was expecting more of a damsel in distress character." 

Illian chuckled, placing Ruyi vertically on the ground.

"I'm going down to the throne room. I need you to bring me the items."

Persephone furrowed her eyebrow, but Illian continued before she could interfere.

"When you do, place it atop the staff."

Grabbing Grimnar, Illian took one last glance at her hesitant demeanour.

"Why go so far?" She let out, catching Illian's attention.

Pausing, Illian answered shortly after.

"Because Demeter reminds me of someone who means a lot to me too."

"Someone I haven't seen in a long time. Her desperation is almost…relatable." 

Illian smiled as he gave a thumbs up.

"I made a promise not only to your mother but to myself too."

"I won't let what happened to me repeat with Demeter because…it's the greatest pain one can experience." 

Persephone slowly regained her composure, at least, on the outside. 

Her thoughts rapidly flashed within her mind…no, that wasn't right.

Instead, she had one thought while looking at the boy.

It was the same feeling she felt off her mother when speaking of the boy.

'Hope…'

"Expa-"

"Not there." 

Illian paused as Persephone spoke, pointing behind her.

"Directly under where you're standing will send you back to the first few floors."

"The Throne Room is directly beneath the private chambers." Persephone pointed to the large twin doors.

"Despite having constant trades with Poseidon and Zeus even, he's too paranoid to give his treasure anything but the best security."

"One thing he and his brothers share is their love for artefacts, and it's because of this he knows they'd stoop low enough and steal if they had the chance."

These words rang in Illian's mind as he unconsciously stepped away from where Persephone spoke of, following her as she led the way to the chambers.

"I know you're awake. Get up before I leave you with the dog." 

Illian turned back, squinting his eyes at the green-skinned man with a single brown rag around his waist, lying on the ground.

It wasn't long until Grimnar moved, groaning as he sulked, mumbling in annoyance.

"...Perfectly happy with my Gremlins…stupid crazy human kidnapping me…kill them all." 

He mumbled, some sentences louder than the others as he scowled at Illian.

As they followed Persephone, Illian walked past Cerberus, pausing as he turned to look back at the dog, seeing all three heads were glaring at him.

He met its gaze, the two staring at each other for seconds.

'How disappointing…' 

Illian thought, turning as he stood beside Persephone, watching her wave her hand as the twin doors began to swing open.

-CREAK!!!!

The doors scraped against the ground, moving outward as a small gust escaped from within, brushing past the three.

What appeared before them was a dimly lit room, expansive with high ceilings that gave an airy and free feeling.

With obsidian walls with a purple hue, the same patterns from the hallway adorned on them, Illian looked around.

He could see a small seating area with plush black leather sofas on one side and a sturdy, dark wood desk situated on the other, cluttered with scrolls, quills, and inkpots.

But this wasn't what caught Illian's attention, nor was it the dark, plush rug that would cover the stone floor, woven with patterns that seemed to shift and change, almost like the shadows of the souls that inhabit the Underworld.

No, rather it was the dozen glass cases lined against the wall before him, items locked in that seemed appealing to the eye.

One was a golden helmet with red fur-lined straight down its cranium, fashioned like a mohawk.

Another was a tall glass case holding a see-through suit, the outline of the clothing being the only visible thing.

In addition to the blue chest plate built from what seemed to be scales rather than normal metal and the impressive shield, Grimnar and Illian's eyes shimmered as they walked closer.

"What's this?" Grimnar asked, staring at the suit.

"It's a suit that adjusts to the wearer's size and body. It also adorns any design they think of." 

Persephone explained, soon ignoring him as he gawked at each of the antiques.

"I guess these items weren't good enough to earn a case in the treasury." 

Illian joked, placing his staff vertically on the ground.

"You're smarter than you look," Persephone replied, turned back, preparing to leave.

"Just so you know, I will not help you with anything else you have planned."

"I'll help you with this much for my mother, but you're on your own after that."

Illian said nothing as he watched her walk away, the doors closing as she disappeared.

'Oh, Persephone…'

The moment the doors closed, Illian's stoic and stern expression changed.

'Little do you know you're already playing straight into my hands.'

Illian's face contorted due to his grin being so wide, baring his sharp teeth as his eyes curled like crescent moons.

"I was wrong. You aren't crazy, you're just a sociopath." Grimnar commented, seeing Illian's grin.

"For you to use their love for each other to get what you want. You never intended to even help Demeter, did you?" Grimnar shook his head as he sighed.

Illian shrugged, pulling back his staff and walking toward the glass cases.

"What can I say, I'm not a hero."

"I almost believed you out there. You're quite the liar." Grimnar scoffed.

"The best lies are the true ones. My grandpa taught me that."

"Though most of what I said was bullshit, I do wish I could see him again." 

Illian stared into blank air as if he were picturing an image.

"Oh, boo hoo. Seriously, how do you expect to survive outside the Underworld if you've made everyone your enemy?"

"I don't. Ideally, I won't be here." 

Illian was expecting to finish his quest inside the Underworld. Therefore, the consequences of his actions didn't affect him since he'd be back on Earth before anything unfortunate.

"Now, we don't have much time. Kronos won't last long. But before we leave…" 

Illian stared at the items in the glass cases with greedy eyes as he grinned.