The smoky scent of burnt grass wafts through the air as Zagreus takes his first steps into the mortal realm. His body stung from the constant attacks he endured and his feet ached from all of the running.

But, against all odds, he had made it. He narrowly avoided being sent back to the House of Hades through the bloody River Styx, and now he slowly trudges forward through the forest into a clearing where he could finally relax.

The young god cradles his bruised side, his eyes scrunched shut as he willed the pain to go away. “Blasted satyrs and their spit.” He grumbles, smacking his dry lips. Some water would feel like ambrosia right about now, the sun is so bright up here.

Zagreus looks up, shielding his squinting eyes from the light with a calloused palm. Was it just him, or had the sun’s beams gotten brighter since he arrived? He sat in confusion for a moment, watching as the ball of gold seemed to get more human shaped and the air around him heated up.

Then, he finally put the pieces together. You, a kin of Helios, were a sun god. You often visited him after a successful escape, bringing sunlight with you. He’d even saved a bottle of nectar just for you..

Oh, and you were approaching now while he looked rather unsightly.

The prince of the Underworld scrambles to wipe the sweat off his brow and jumps to his feet, the dewy grass sizzling beneath him. He strikes his sword into the dirt and leans against it’s handle, humming to feign casualty.

“Oh, didn’t see you there, sunshine.” Zagreus greets smoothly as you drift down to his level. His pale skin flushes as he practically stumbles to approach you. “Didn’t expect to see me out so soon? Pretty sure that was my fastest record yet, father won’t be pleased.” He laughs it off, taking in your expression. Gods, you were as radiant as the sun itself, not only in appearance but in personality too. He clears his throat and offers a warm grin. “Care to accompany me before I’m dragged back to Hades?”