This chapter took a while to think about. I was thinking of adding the bit on what Sadie and Nico are up to, but it would not tie in nicely to this. What happened to Anubis, you've wondered? What's he up to? Well, the beginning of the answers are here. To be honest, he doesn't quite know everything himself either...

CHAPTER FOUR

In the House of Hades

ANUBIS

For some reason, the first thing that I registered was the darkness. Coupled with the sinking feeling in his stomach and the impending nausea, I wondered why I had taken the trouble of doing this now… when it was perhaps easier to accomplish in my mortal form.

But the answer came as soon as the question, though not one I wished to say out loud.

I felt the pull of gravity lessening, like a person in free fall nearing the ground. Adrenalin coursed through my veins as the underground cavern walls appeared in my sights; the velocity did not reduce.

But if I expected the fall to be painful, I was mistaken. My soft 'oh' echoed in the halls of Hades palace, shock evident… but surprise etched on all of my features, no doubt.

"Welcome," said the cold voice beside me, "To the House of Hades."

"Much obliged," I murmured.

My gaze was unable to linger on any one place for long. The arches, the pillars- so synonymous with Greek architecture- stood out. And while I would not go as far to say that it was better than the Egyptian pyramids… or even the sphinxes… a very small part could not help but feel amazed.

"More spectacular than the Seventh House?" Hades inquired, and I shot him a quick glance.

"How is it…?"

"That I know? There is much your elders do not tell you… Anubis." I heard the edge of humor in his voice. But I said nothing and simply waited.

But it seemed Hades sensed my speculation, and my curiosity, and he did not continue… choosing instead to pick up his pace and enter the great hall.

I noticed that he now wore a black cloak around his neck and it billowed around his ankles.

"Isn't here supposed to be warm?" I asked, easily keeping up, despite my mortal body.

"The Fields of Punishment are," he replied as though I had committed a grave insult. "Overpopulated that it is, and Zeus doesn't even seem to care…"

I chose to say nothing else as we made our way into the throne room. It was easy… There was a lot to notice, though I kept my hand on my blade consistently.

The God of the Greek Underworld did not get his reputation by being a generous host.

In a couple of minutes I found myself kneeling at the foot of his throne. I supposed the bones were supposed to make me feel intimidated but I weighed human hearts… Little would faze me.

Well… except the God himself. Terror seemed to roll off him in sheets.

"So, my young God," he began, "What can I do for you this fine-" he consulted his watch, "-this fine morning?"

"I come requesting information… Lord Hades. Egyptians scorn such aspects of magic but I was hoping that you would be of greater assistance."

"It's almost treason to speak the way you have," the elder God said softly, "But I shall speak of this encounter with no one. After all, you Egyptians have little… if anything… to do with us. Ever since…"

"Ever since what?"

"The answers you seek are not straightforward… and they require a lot more than sheer bravery," he continued, ignoring my question.

"I know… and I'm ready."

"Then you are unlike many heroes that way," slight admiration crept into his tone, but it was quickly gone, "What would you be willing to sacrifice to get what you desire?"

"Anything."

"Even the girl Sadie Kane…?" he drifted off in thought and I was struck with a paralyzing fear. I had left her… in New Orleans… Where creatures of the darkness roamed freely… Worst. Date. Ever.

"No… not her," I replied.

His eyes snapped back onto me. "After all, this is what all this is about, isn't it boy?" Hades said, regarding me coldly once again. "You wishing to denounce your immortality. To give up your prestigious post. Turn your back on everything you know, and have ever known."

"I love her," I said, lifting my head a bit higher as I said it. "Without her, immortal life is worthless. I wish to stand by her side… be with her when the pitfalls come… celebrate on the crests of life… I wish for love rather than life."

"You will die one day," he pointed out shrewdly.

"But I will have lived… and not just survived."

He broke his gaze off of mine.

"I will help you," he said softly, "Because I have known what torture that brings. The rules will not apply to you as you are not a Greek God… But being Egyptian makes it more difficult."

"What has happened between our people?" I asked.

Hades shook his head. "I cannot tell you. But maybe your quest will yield some answers, no?"

"I…"

"First you need to go to Australia. There's a place… Kalkajaka, the aborigines call it… You must enter, and find the treasure that mortals have been searching for millennia."

Part of me ran cold. "But they say…" I broke off, "Are the rumours true then?"

"You have heard of the legend?" He sounded genuinely surprised. "Then you know the reason…"

I shook my head. "Lapides mortis… is a bedtime tale I've heard. Nothing more, and nothing less."

"Exactly what they want you to believe don't you think?"

I didn't want to disbelieve Osirius… and most of didn't want to think that the Gods would keep things from me. I was a God too, after all. Why…?

But there were missing linkages- Egyptian to Greek to Roman. Osirius… to Hades… to Pluto. Different, but similar in their purpose.

"Are you changing your mind?" Hades asked, eyes boring into mine.

I knew it should concern only Sadie and I but my mind couldn't help but wander. What if it spelt total ruin?

I had no idea what I was getting into but I had started this. And I was going to see it to the end.

It was the choice that changed everything.

"No, my Lord. I was merely wondering when I could start."