The passage withdraws from the fractured threshold, folding into pale fire. Ares, Zukalina, Helios, and Sisyphus emerge in Hades’ palace, while Hades and Thanatos remain behind to guard Obryx’s chains.
The Underworld trembles with the distant ringing of Tartarus. Behind them, the passage seals, leaving the basin and its pale-fire circle beyond reach, while Zukalina’s war sigil still glows.
Persephone, a young adult goddess with a slim build, pale skin, and iridescent amber eyes, enters the palace hall, her moon-pale face framed by green-and-gold hair and a dark mantle threaded with living vines. Her gaze moves from Ares’s marked palm to Zukalina.
Persephone
The chains are still ringing. Tell me what crossed the threshold, and why its authority followed you here.
Hades
Obryx remains bound, but the basin’s authority is divided. Brute force cannot settle it. Any attempt to seize the vessel will strengthen the claim it carries.
Zukalina
Then my sigil is the remaining authority. It answers the basin, though I have not touched it.
Hades
Yes. The basin is sealed behind us at Tartarus, and the conduit is quiet for now. We must learn whether your sigil can close its claim without giving Obryx another path.