They'd split up, despite Hades's grumbling about how Hythlodaeus can manage to get into trouble in a closed empty room, not to mention a cave, but the argument that they might be able to find the crystal quicker eventually held some weight. Hythlodaeus has wandered off to a side cave, the light of his familiar's fire reflecting warm orange on the walls, but it feels like it hasn't been three minutes before he suddenly hears his name. Smiling to himself, he retraces his steps, poking his head back into the main cavern - to see his friend seemingly frozen in place.
"Hades?"
Hythlodaeus frowns slightly, a little worried, and strides towards the other man, who suddenly backs away from empty air before him - a fact that makes Hythlodaeus no less anxious. He gestures to his familiar which takes off his shoulder instantly, seemingly growing a little bigger as it hovers over the two of them protectively, and then Hythlodaeus reaches for Hades's shoulder--
--only to be dragged into the illusion. He startles, only some back part of his mind noting the change in the scenery as his attention is solely focused on the face he hasn't seen in some time - and even though the features are the same, there is a coldness, otherness to it that strikes fear in Hythlodaeus.
"Hades?.."
He repeats the name, disbelieving, uncertain of what's going on - he can feel his friend's shoulder under his hand, the warmth of the body he's wearing now, yet there's no denying that the man standing before them is the one Hythlodaeus had first met so many, many centuries ago.
But once his mind manages to refocus on the present, the sheer sense of wrongness becomes more and more prominent. The sight of the bodies around the cave finally seeps into his consciousness, the uncaring, lifeless look in the Architect's eyes is all the more menacing, and with a sinking feeling Hythlodaeus realizes that the energy gathering in the staff is likely aimed at the Hades he's come to know now. But for better or for worse, he's always been stubborn in his way...
"No."
He steps in front of his friend, as though to shield him, extends a hand towards the man in the mask in a stopping gesture. In truth, his heart is beating madly with unfamiliar fear - never, never before has he been afraid of Hades, and he's barely managing to keep himself from thinking about the bodies lining the floor and the walls, for if he does he knows he won't be able to move anymore, and yet... Though he's turned down the position, Hythlodaeus is still chief of the bureau, second to the Architect, and protecting their people is still his duty. And Hades is still one of them, no matter what, even if it's himself Hythlodaeus might need to protect him from.
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"Hades?"
Hythlodaeus frowns slightly, a little worried, and strides towards the other man, who suddenly backs away from empty air before him - a fact that makes Hythlodaeus no less anxious. He gestures to his familiar which takes off his shoulder instantly, seemingly growing a little bigger as it hovers over the two of them protectively, and then Hythlodaeus reaches for Hades's shoulder--
--only to be dragged into the illusion. He startles, only some back part of his mind noting the change in the scenery as his attention is solely focused on the face he hasn't seen in some time - and even though the features are the same, there is a coldness, otherness to it that strikes fear in Hythlodaeus.
"Hades?.."
He repeats the name, disbelieving, uncertain of what's going on - he can feel his friend's shoulder under his hand, the warmth of the body he's wearing now, yet there's no denying that the man standing before them is the one Hythlodaeus had first met so many, many centuries ago.
But once his mind manages to refocus on the present, the sheer sense of wrongness becomes more and more prominent. The sight of the bodies around the cave finally seeps into his consciousness, the uncaring, lifeless look in the Architect's eyes is all the more menacing, and with a sinking feeling Hythlodaeus realizes that the energy gathering in the staff is likely aimed at the Hades he's come to know now. But for better or for worse, he's always been stubborn in his way...
"No."
He steps in front of his friend, as though to shield him, extends a hand towards the man in the mask in a stopping gesture. In truth, his heart is beating madly with unfamiliar fear - never, never before has he been afraid of Hades, and he's barely managing to keep himself from thinking about the bodies lining the floor and the walls, for if he does he knows he won't be able to move anymore, and yet... Though he's turned down the position, Hythlodaeus is still chief of the bureau, second to the Architect, and protecting their people is still his duty. And Hades is still one of them, no matter what, even if it's himself Hythlodaeus might need to protect him from.