This is a dream, Hythlodaeus thinks in a daze. None of what is happening feels real. He flinches back at the sound, the sight of Hades slamming the fae's head down. He'd thought he knew what Hades had meant by telling him about his past deeds. He'd thought he knew what it was like to watch his friend fight - after all, they've been in a few incidents at this point. But somehow none of that comes even close to what is happening right now, and the way that it weighs on Hythlodaeus's heart.

"Please," he whispers, clutching at his own head. Let this stop, or let him wake up at least. Someone from the crowd with more presence of mind than others reaches out to take Hythlodaeus's arm and try to drag him back - after all, it's dangerous here; who knows what the madman will do next? But Hythlodaeus tries to struggle out of it, unthinking, raising his voice again.

"Hades!"