Heracles carries Thanatos from the harbor vault through the Underworld passage, while the freed debtor walks beside him beneath a pale custody-sign. Thanatos’s scar remains rigid and dark to his elbow.
They reach Hades’s palace before the summons can mature. Heracles lowers Thanatos before the obsidian throne, while the debtor remains within the ward and keeps their name wholly their own.
Hades
Set him here. No authority beneath Corinth will draw another measure from him while he stands under my roof.
Hades extends one hand toward the scar, but Underworld power recoils from its lawful boundary. The mark does not release Thanatos’s strength, and a cold thread points back toward Corinth.
the living debtor
The scar began when Thanatos severed Zyodai’s fragment. I refused to surrender my name, and the custody answered my refusal without claiming me.
A second sign appears above the debtor’s brow, bright and unforced. It carries their testimony into the palace records, becoming the first lawful evidence against the buried authority.
Hades
Then your burden is self-chosen, Thanatos, but its consequence is not yours alone. I must judge whether challenging this custody preserves order, or teaches it to claim more.
“I vouch for the debtor before Hades, telling him how the debtor refused to abandon me in my weakened state despite knowing full well who I was.”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled +0)
Thanatos
I vouch for the debtor. They knew exactly who I was, saw me weakened, and still refused to abandon me or surrender their name.
Thanatos’s voice carries beneath the obsidian vaults. The second sign above the debtor brightens, recording his testimony beside theirs as lawful witness.
the living debtor
I could not leave him to Zyodai’s servants. Protecting my name did not require abandoning the one who protected it first.
The scar answers the testimony with a sharp cold pull. Another measured portion of Thanatos’s divine strength drains into the palace floor, leaving his arm rigid to the shoulder.
Hades
Your witness is accepted. The debtor’s courage was freely given, and their name remains their own. No custody may count that mercy as payment.
Hades closes his hand over the scar without claiming it. His authority bars the cold thread from drawing further strength while Thanatos remains within the palace.
Hades
I will judge the ancient custody under these terms: protection may be witnessed, but never converted into ownership. The debtor stands free.
“I defer to Hades’ judgment on what to do next.”
Thanatos
I defer to your judgment, Hades. Decide what must be done, so the debtor remains free and the natural order remains intact.
Thanatos lowers his scarred arm beneath the obsidian vaults. The debtor’s sign steadies above them, while Hades’s authority holds the cold thread at bay.
Hades
Then judgment begins with restraint. The custody will be summoned here, but it will not draw upon you or touch the debtor.
Hades turns toward the palace floor and presses his palm to the black stone. A lawful summons travels through the Underworld, carrying witness rather than command.
the living debtor
I will answer truthfully. My name is mine, and my protection of Thanatos was freely given.
Hades
So recorded. The ancient custody must distinguish guardianship from possession before its authority can endure beneath Corinth.
The scar falls silent beneath Hades’s seal. Far below, the buried authority stirs in answer, but no strength leaves Thanatos, and the debtor remains wholly free.
✓ Quest Accepted
Recover Thanatos's strength from the scar
“I await the ancient custody and demand a lawful path to reclaim my strength.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Thanatos
I await the ancient custody. Show me a lawful path to reclaim my strength, without claiming the debtor or violating the natural order.
The summons deepens through Hades’s palace. The buried authority rises into the obsidian vault, not as a body, but as a vast custody-sign formed from ancient light.
the ancient custody
Your demand is lawful, Death’s lieutenant. The strength drawn through the scar may return, but only if its cost is witnessed rather than transferred.
The debtor’s sign brightens, and the scar opens beneath Hades’s seal. A measured current flows back into Thanatos, restoring the strength taken in the cistern and harbor passage.
the ancient custody
The path is this: your sacrifice remains yours, recorded as voluntary service. The debtor’s mercy is testimony, never payment, and their name remains beyond my authority.
The restoration succeeds, but the scar remains as a permanent dark band around Thanatos’s arm. Its pain is gone, while the record of his cost endures.
Hades
So ordered. Strength returns to its rightful bearer, the debtor stands free, and the custody may endure only beneath those boundaries.
Quest Complete
Secure lawful judgment for the ancient custody
Skill Upgrade: Persuasion Great→Superb
Quest Complete
Recover Thanatos's strength from the scar