"Please tell me I'm not dreaming again," Ace says to himself as he sits in pitch darkness. Scratching his head, he mutters, "God, what did I do to deserve this?"

A blinding light suddenly shines across from him, accompanied by the sound of children playing and laughing.

"Well, let's see what horror show I have to watch this time," he says, walking towards the light.

As he passes through the light with his eyes closed, a ball hits him on the head, making him stumble to the ground.

Ouch, that shouldn't have hurt, let alone knock me down.

"Hey, ■■■, are you alright?" a little girl asks.

His eyes still adjusting to the bright sunny afternoon.

"I'm fine," he replies.

"Is he okay?" A boy asks.

"Yeah, he's fine," Answers the girl.

As Ace's eyes finally focus, he looks at his hands and body.

No wonder it hurts. My body shrunk to a younger version of me.

"Come on, let's go," the girl says, extending her hand.

As Ace takes her hand getting up.

I can't see her face. It's all blurry. He notes.

Back on his feet, the girl starts to drag him toward the playground, and for a brief moment, a smile forms on his face.

Maybe it's not going to be a horror show this time.

In an instant, the scenery changes, and he's now facing a duplex. "Huh," he utters in confusion. "I spoke too soon," he says, wiping his face with his hands only to feel blood. "Ouch," he says, finally noticing the pain from the injuries on his head, back, and knee.

When did I get atttacked. He wonders.

"■■■, I told you this would happen if you practiced parkour in that area," a woman says.

Her face is also blurry.

"I keep telling you, the buildings there are not stable anymore. Are you even listening to me?" she asks sternly while cleaning his wounds.

"Yes, I am," he replies.

She's nagging me almost like Persephone would.

The woman continues talking. "■■■," she says.

I can't make out that first word. Same thing with the girl earlier.

"You need to be more careful. You know we can't keep spending on medical kits," her voice trails off until it becomes inaudible. Then suddenly, she stops moving.

"What's going on?" Ace says, standing up and looking around, only to meet the big yellow eyes of an owl. "Argh!" he yells falling to the ground.

Caught off guard, he quickly gets up, regaining his composure.

The owl hoots while slowly turning its head upside down. "Okay. Owls can turn their heads 180 degrees to the left or right, but definitely not 90 degrees downward," he says, taking a step back from the disturbing sight.

The owl's hooting grows louder and louder, forcing Ace to cover his ears. "What is wrong with that bird?" he grunts. Then it stops, and he hears it say the word "fire."

"What?" Ace says, confused.

The owl points behind Ace with its wing. "Fire," it repeats.

As he turns around, he is met with a blazing fire tearing down the duplex. He hears the screams of people burning inside. He sees the blurry-faced woman who had treated him earlier and instinctively begins to run towards her.

"Hey someone help" he screams.

Unfortunately for Ace, no matter how fast he runs towards the building, it keeps moving backward like some twisted game. "Stop moving!" he yells angrily, but to no avail.

“Come out joker. Joker" he screams with an an outstretched arm in desperation.

Then suddenly, he sees the owl from earlier a few feet away.

"You," he says.

But the owl simply shakes its head in disagreement before pointing to him. “You” it says.

"Me? What do you mean—" he's cut short, completely dumbfounded as someone pulls him back and out of the scene.

Panting heavily, Ace quickly touches himself. "I'm not small anymore," he says, breathless. Now sitting on top a building. “Woah. Okay” he says in shock. Quickly moving away from the edge.

He turns around to see a tall masked figure standing before him. "You, what's going on here?" Ace asks, panic in his voice.

The masked figure ignores his question and rushes towards him. "Wait, wait!" Ace protests, stumbling backward just before the masked figure goes to punch him from his left. Ace reacts by putting his arm up to block, but it is just a feint.

"Too slow," the masked figure mocks.

Then—a sweet right hook—lands on his face. Ace spins backwards before gaining his footing right on the edge of the building.

I need to move

With blurry vision he jumps over a sweeping kick from his opponent who follows up with a side kick hitting Ace mid air. Sending him over the edge.

His eyes wide open staring at the masked figure while his mouth opens to curse or scream. but no sound came out.

As he falls to his demise the scenery rapidly switches until he crashes onto the floor from his bed, sweat beads rolling down his face and shirtless chest. "I'm awake," he says, feeling his face. "I'm awake," he repeats, his face in his palms.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The door to his room suddenly opens, revealing Persephone with a first aid kit. "Hehe, was I being too loud?" Ace asks awkwardly.

She looks at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Right, sorry about that," he says, massaging the side of his head.

She sighs. "I'm used to it at this point. Let's get you patched up," she says.

Shortly afterward, Persephone begins Ace's treatment. Ace winces as Persephone tends to the wounds on his back. "Could you be a little gentler?" he asks, wincing in pain.

"Don't be a baby; you've been in worse shape," she says, slapping his lower back. Ace, flaring his chest out with wide eyes and gritted teeth he shrieks in pain. "Love doesn't live in this house anymore," he sulks.

"Don't talk like that. Although, if I didn't know all these injuries were from a nightmare, I would have thought you got into a fight," she says while wrapping bandages around him.

"Well, I did get punched, I think," he says.

"You think?" Persephone questions.

"I mean, he punched me, then kicked me over edge of the building." He replies

"So, it wasn't a fight. You got beat up in your own dream," she says, giggling.

Ace shakes his head. "Who's side are you on."

“Sorry,” she says, still laughing.

Persephone sighs, packing up the medical kit. "You've been having nightmares ever since we found you and brought you here. I thought they would stop once you got used to the place."

Ace chuckles. "I Live in the underworld with the king and queen of said underworld. Not exactly the best place to adopt and raise a child. Don't you think?"

Persephone looks hurt as she says, "We've made it better and safer, I think."

"Yeah, and our family pet is a three-headed dog with a snake for a tail," Ace adds sarcastically.

Persephone tries to defend herself. "We trained him well. Plus, he's never bitten you before."

"He would have done it the first time he found me if it weren’t for Hades. I could have been missing an arm," Ace says. energetically pointing to his arm.

"But he didn't," Persephone sulks.

Ace laughs. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding.”

Persephone rolls her eyes. "You're just rude. Anyway, Elizabeth should be here soon."

Just then, a swirling sound fills the room as a portal opens, and Elizabeth steps through. "Hallo," she says, waving her arms.

"Excuse you, how many times have I told you to use the front door?" Persephone asks.

Elizabeth avoids eye contact, looking elsewhere as she answers, "Uh, about 1,191 times. 1,192 if you want to count now as well," she says.

Persephone sighs, kneading her forehead. "What am I going to do with this thick-headed woman?"

Ace watches as the two women bicker with each other.

Hmm. I guess they've known each other for a longer time than I thought.

"Calm down, Persephone. Today shouldn't be about me; it should be about—" She stops herself as she stares at Ace, wrapped in bandages, with a surprised expression.

"Hello," Ace says, awkwardly waving his hand.

She looks back at Persephone. "Who messed him up like this?" she asks.

"He had a nightmare. And got into a fight with someone or something in his dream," Persephone replies.

With raised eyebrows, Elizabeth stares at the floor trying to process what she just heard. She looks at Ace once again. "Really?" she asks.

"Yup." "Yes," Ace and Persephone respond in unison.

"Well, fuck me—" "Ahem, language," Persephone interrupts Elizabeth.

"He'll grow up. But when you told me he was having nightmares, I didn't think it would be this bad," Elizabeth says. "Well, let me heal you up properly, at least."

By simply twirling her finger, airy red particles circle around Ace, followed by a soft red glow before it all disappears. "Done," Elizabeth says.

Ace removes the bandages from his body, revealing that the wounds he had earlier are all gone.

"Wow. I feel great," he says, checking over his body.

"You have a lot of scars for someone your age," Elizabeth comments.

"Tell me about it," he says. "How come you can't do this?" he asks Persephone.

"Healing someone else is a lot more complicated than healing yourself," Persephone replies.

"But will I be able to do that someday? And the portal thing? I want to learn that too," Ace asks, his excitement evident.

“Absolutely not”.

"One day.”

Elizabeth and Persephone reply in unison. Before quickly turning to face each other.

"Don't fill his head with dreams, Persephone," Elizabeth says.

"Rude," Ace mutters to himself.

"It's called encouragement," Persephone retorts.

Elizabeth sits down on Ace's bed. "He hasn't even awakened his ability yet," she says, pointing at him.

"I don't see your point," Persephone responds.

Elizabeth just sighs.

"But I have a nexus weapon, and I'm really good with it" Ace interrupts.

After a brief moment of silence Elizabeth asks. “Did you spar with Hercules”

“Yes”

“Who won”

“draw” Ace replies with a smug look on his face.

Elizabeth rubs her temples for a moment before looking at him more carefully. “He was probably going easy on you.” she says

“That's his problem” Ace replies.

Elizabeth laughs“And now I like you even more." she says, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Ability or no ability, I think you'll be fine. You're just a late bloomer. Now go get ready; we'll be leaving soon."

"Aye aye, captain," Ace replies, beaming with confidence as he gets his bags ready.

As Elizabeth watches him, lost in her thoughts, Persephone bumps her, bringing her back to reality. "What's the matter? Does he remind you of someone?" Persephone asks.

Rubbing her chin, Elizabeth replies softly, "Not really, maybe Daniel or Clarrise, they were both late bloomers too."

"And now he's freely manipulating gravity and she has god knows how many nexus weapons in her arsenal" Persephone adds. "What do you—" "Thank you, Persephone," Elizabeth cuts her off.

"What for?" Persephone looks confused.

"Thank you for taking care of him. Despite the situation you were in. And I'm sorry for dumping him on you when you were still grieving—"

"Ugh, please," Persephone rolls her eyes. "Save your compliments and guilt for another time." she says, looking away.

Elizabeth's sits on a chair in the room. "But I'm serious. I do.”

"Not today, Liz. Today is about Ace, not him, and I want to keep it that way," Persephone says, her voice shaky.

"I'm sorry, then," Elizabeth replies, handing Persephone a handkerchief.

"I'll accept your apology when I see him again, in one piece," Persephone says, taking the handkerchief and hiding her face.

Meanwhile Ace stands in the bathroom sink brushing his teeth.

Those have been getting more intense.

He rinses his mouth and stares at his reflection feeling his jaw.

And that guy has become more annoying. This is the first time he's attacked me.

Face down at the sink clutching it's side.

I haven't even left yet and I'm already making them worry.

He looks back at the mirror with a heavy sigh. “I just have to be strong.” He says drawing a smiley face on the mirror.

Plus they've been taking care of me for so long now. I can't keep causing them trouble.

He grabs his towel and heads out of the bathroom and walks out of the bathroom in his shorts and vest drying his tapered hair.

Let me check if he's around. He wonders as he makes his way towards a large door frame. Pushing it open he looks around to find no one in a the spacious room with a throne fitted in its center.

“Surprise surprise he's not around” he sulks. Leaving the room and heading towards an open area layered with training mats and dummies.

Walking up towards a table Ace sighs. If it was training he'd always be on time.

“Wait where is it. Where's my journal” he says moving and flipping through books.

I swear I left it here. He scratches his head before opening up a pile of boxes.

“Did that old man take it again” he says with furrowed brows.

“I'm not that old you know” Hades says appearing as a pitch black figure from the floor.

“old is old. Also is my journal with you, ” asks Ace.

Hades replies. “not anymore. its in your luggage”

“What did you do this time”

“I just went through it.”

Ace narrows his gaze towards him. “Suspicious” he says.

Hades rises from the ground still cloaked in darkness and sits besides Ace “you're going home, there isn't much in this house that holds memories of you.” He says.

“You're thinking too much. This is my home.” ace says

“it's the only home you've known.” Hades replies. Pulling out two juice boxes.

“And your point is?” Ace asks. Taking a box

“When you find your real family, don’t let this place hold you back from being with them," Hades says.

“If I find them. And that wouldn't change much. I'll always come back here.”

“Are you sure you? You don't mind me throwing you around in practice.” Hades says.

“That I'm never going to miss” Ace says getting up.

Hades gives a light chuckle as he gets up as well. “Trust me. Rather me than Elizabeth throwing you around”.

Dragging his palm across his face “Great I'm doomed either way” ace says.

Hades pulls in ace for a shoulder hug raising. “Goodbye and Good luck ace. ” he says quickly turning to take his leave.

“Wait are you going somewhere” Ace turns around to ask.

“I have a meeting with Zeus and the others” Hades replies.

“Is it that serious.” Ace asks.

“Most likely. The council of gods are having a meeting soon. Zeus will most likely attend.” Hades replies.

Ace shakes his head a bit“Good luck to you too I guess” he replies.

Hades gives a slight nod before vanishing into the darkness.

Ace starts to make his way back to his room.

That actually caught me off guard. But what did he with my journal. That old man has been too weird today.

Eventually back in his room. "I'm ready," Ace announces to the room.

"Okay then," Elizabeth says, extending her arm as a portal forms in front of it. "Let's go," she says, stepping into the portal with Ace.

Just as the portal is about to close, Ace turns around and runs to hug Persephone, catching her off guard. He quickly skips back to Elizabeth's side, wearing a giant smile. "I'll make sure to call you guys when I can and probably visit as well. Goodbye."

Persephone waves back, her smile barely hiding the tears she's holding back.

"My first portal experience. I wonder how it feels inside," Ace thinks to himself.

Just as the portal is about to close, Elizabeth shouts, "Hades, your wife's about to cry. You better give her a shoulder to cry on, or else I will!"

"What are you doing?" Persephone says, shocked and panicked. Elizabeth just winks at her before the portal closes.

“I swear that Elizabeth.” Persephone manages to say through cracked voice. Suddenly, Hades envelops her in his dark form, holding her close."

“He's going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay this time, ” he says.

With teary eyes she buries her face into his chest. Silent sobs filling the Serene room.