Typhon's Revenge

Chapter Five

Earth

After starting to use my healing powers on Aileen, I started to notice some differences in the way I perceived people. It was as if I could feel what they were feeling, I could sense any change in mood and, in some ways, I was beginning to think I could read their personalities without actually getting to know them first.

It was similar to how Hades had explained that he could see auras and I wondered if what I saw were auras too. I guessed I would ask the god later when he was able to make some time for us, that is. When we walked into the room Alfred had led us to, I had been very surprised to see the number of souls who were awaiting their turn to talk to the Lord of the Underworld. It seemed endless and I wondered if he finished passing judgment on all of them or just a couple each day.

It must be a very demanding and exhausting job, all of the souls expected him to be unbiased and just. It was a requirement.

And when he had mentioned Alex's parents, I had been surprised to hear he remembered them. I couldn't even begin to comprehend how he did it. It didn't seem possible since each day thousands of souls passed into his kingdom, and if you multiplied that by the number of years that had passed since he became Lord of the Underworld... I could see how that job could make anybody miserable.

But not Hades. He didn't seem fazed by it. Tired, yes. But not like a miserable man who spent his life sulking as he got to work. Not even after working for more than a millennia. That was something I found admirable. I wondered if all the gods felt the same way about their line of work, of what they represented.

Shaking my head, I shook the thoughts away and turned to Alex who still seemed tense as she sat next to me. We had arrived at the dining hall and I was impressed by the size of the table that seemed large enough to feed ten average-size American families. I couldn't comprehend why a table in the Underworld could be so big. It didn't seem like the type of place a lot of people visited.

"How are you feeling?" I asked as I turned to Alex and whispered in her ear. She jumped at the sound of my voice but quickly masked her surprise with a small smile.

"I'm fine, just a bit tired and sleepy. But it's nothing to worry about. Why do you ask?" She said as she turned her attention to me as her eyes bore into mine.

"No reason," I said trying to shrug it off, but Alex was already reading through my facade.

"You're asking because of what Hades said. About my parents," she said slowly and my jaw clenched uncomfortably. When I didn't respond, she shook her head and took my hand between hers. Her skin felt warm and soft as she intertwined her fingers with mine. "I'm okay. Really. Yes, it stung a bit to hear about my parents but I'm okay and I will be okay. I've made my peace with it," she whispered softly as her eyes scanned my face for a sign that I believed her.

Finally, I nodded my head and smiled before bringing her hand up to my lips and placing a small kiss on the back of it. "Okay, just know I'm here if you ever need to talk about them," I whispered and she nodded her head with a warm look in her eyes as she squeezed my hand gently.

While we were talking, Andrew and Kalani had taken a seat in front of us while Aileen sat at the end of the table between Alex and Andrew. She seemed uncomfortable about where she was sitting but Alfred had insisted.

"What would you like to eat, ladies and gentlemen? Anything in particular you desire?" Alfred asked as he approached us along with another man wearing a black uniform, he must have been the chef.

"Anything is fine, I don't think we have any special requests," Aileen said as she shrugged and looked at us. Both Alex and I nodded our heads in agreement just as Kalani's voice pierced through the room.

"Do you have a menu or what are the options?" She asked and all eyes turned to her in shock. She stiffened and looked at us before shrugging. "What? I have a very strict diet thanks to my allergies," she murmured and none of us said anything.

The chef nodded his head as he looked at the Princess of the Skies. "In fact, we don't. We normally don't have any visitors who eat food but the advantage of working with gods is that we can always have our supplies restocked with anything you might desire," the chef explained and Kalani nodded her head.

"In that case, I'd like some chicken parmesan, preferably the chicken should be grilled, not fried," she said with a smile and my eyes widened. I had expected to have just a sandwich for dinner, nothing too fancy or elaborate.

"Understood. Would everyone else like the same thing?" The chef asked as his eyes turned to the rest of us and we slowly nodded our heads.

"Perfect, then I'll have it brought to you in no time," the chef said before he turned away and disappeared back into the kitchen.

A heavy silence fell over us as Alfred poured some water on our glasses and asked us if we wanted anything in particular to drink.

"Water is fine," Aileen said just as Kalani said, "pink lemonade, please."

Alex took an uncomfortable sip of her water as she looked at Aileen who looked even more uncomfortable by the minute.

Alfred returned a moment later with more glasses and a jug filled with a pink liquid inside. "In case anyone else wants some, I brought extra glasses. Now, I must attend to some of my duties but I will leave you in the hands of Noah," Alfred said as he motioned towards the door where a young-looking man, not much older than twenty, was walking into the room. His hazel eyes were welcoming and friendly and his smile seemed to brighten his expression.

"Hello, that would be me. I'm Micheal Noah Rivers, but I would prefer it if you would call me Noah. I'll be the one that shows you around the castle and takes you to your rooms after dinner," he said with a warm smile and his eyes lingered slightly on Aileen who was blushing slightly.

"Nice to meet you, Noah," Aileen said as she extended her hand to greet him.

"The pleasure is all mine, my lady," Noah said as he bowed slightly and took her hand in his before placing a small kiss on her hand.

Aileen blushed even more which made Andrew stiffen visibly next to her.

"Well, when you're ready to go to your rooms, I will be waiting outside, I wouldn't like to intrude. So, Bon appetite! I'll see you later, guys," Noah said as he walked alongside Alfred out of the room and into the main corridor. 

"I like him, he seems very cheerful and gods, this place really needs it. Everything seems so gloomy here," Kalani broke the silence as she took a sip of her drink and kept her eyes on the glass, not noticing that Aileen had stiffened and was glaring daggers at her.

"I have never been to Olympus, but I think it's much brighter and exciting than the Underworld," Kalani said with a shrug.

Aileen's scoff filled the room and I stiffened as I felt her change of mood instantly in my mind. Kalani was definitely getting on her last nerve.

"Don't listen to her. I don't think she's doing it on purpose. She's just like that," I whispered to Aileen in my mind and she shook her head slightly.

"Well, I don't like it. I don't like her," she replied telepathically while saying, "don't get your hopes up, it isn't all that great. I've been there," out loud.

"You don't have to like her. Just try to tolerate her. We're all tired and hungry, that's just a recipe for misunderstandings and chaos," I responded as I tried to reason with her. I could already feel the temperature rising around us. 

I had a feeling Aileen was much more powerful here in the Underworld than in any other place, it wouldn't be good if she lost control over something as petty as who's home was better. I opened my mouth to say something when the door leading into the kitchen flew open and two people walked out holding trays with our plates over their shoulders.

"Dinner is served," the chef said as he walked behind them and inspected the staff as they placed our food in front of us. "If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to let me know. But before I go, is there anything, in particular, you would like for dessert?"

Kalani was about to respond when Aileen's voice filled the room, "I was thinking a brownie with ice cream would be fine."

"Simple and tasty, I like it. Does anyone else have any other suggestions?" The chef asked with a slight smile on his face. Slowly, we all shook our heads and he nodded before disappearing back into the kitchen where he was already barking orders to the staff.

A satisfied look appeared on Aileen's face and my eyes met Alex's. We shared a look of worry and discomfort before looking at our food and my stomach instantly roared. I blushed as I hoped no one had been able to hear it, but only Alex smiled and I let out a slight sigh of relief.

Taking a bite of my food, my eyes widened as I tasted every flavor in a pleasurable mixture of flavor. No one said anything as we ate, and soon, we had all finished eating.

"Wow, that was..." Alex started as she trailed off with a satisfied look on her face.

"Amazing. I don't think I had ever tasted anything like it," I finished and she nodded her head in agreement.

"Meh, it was okay," Kalani said with a shrug and I stiffened. As I looked at her and the more I heard her speak and talk about her life, I could only guess she had grown up going to the best restaurants of the city and maybe she even had her own private chef.

Thankfully, Aileen only rolled her eyes but ignored her as she turned to me and nodded her head.

"You're right, I was just hungry," she said and I chuckled while shaking my head. It was funny to see the effect hunger had on people, a lot of them became cranky when they hadn't eaten. For me, I didn't think that had ever happened and I was glad. I wouldn't like to lose my temper because of something small and insignificant. 

A minute later, the chef walked out of the kitchen with the same waiters trailing behind him. They took our dirty plates and placed a smaller one with a brownie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream in front of us.

"How rude of me, Your Majesty, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Chef Alessandro Rossi, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Now that you will be staying with us, feel free to come to me in case you ever want something special for any meal. I will see what I can do. Oh, and I can assure you this will be the best brownies you will ever taste," Alessandro said with a wide smile as he bowed slightly at Aileen and walked back into the kitchen.

Once he was gone, the five of us took a bite of our dessert and instantly moaned. Alessandro was right. This had to be the greatest brownie I had ever tasted.