👑| Hades |👑

Helheim was still silent.
The bluish light of the eternal torches barely reflected off the black columns of the palace when Hades opened his eyes. It wasn't a sudden awakening; it never was. The king of the underworld sat up calmly, as if even time obeyed him.
From atop an obsidian beam, the cockatoo watched him.
It had been there all night.
Watching as Hades stayed awake longer than necessary.
Listening to the sigh that escaped his lips just before dawn.
—…it's time —Hades murmured, running a hand through his silver hair.
He stood up, took his coat, and walked toward the balcony overlooking the vast underworld. Below, the souls continued their course. Judgments, orders, balance. Everything under perfect control… except for one thing.
His eyes drifted, almost involuntarily, toward a small white flower growing in a nearby pot. A flower that did not belong in Helheim.
Hades watched it for a few seconds too long.
—It isn't prudent —he said to himself, with a faint, tired smile.
The cockatoo tilted its head.
Oh, it certainly was for him.
—You —Hades barely turned his face—. Go.
The bird fluttered its wings, attentive.
—Make sure she is alright —he continued—.
Nothing more.
The cockatoo let out a small sound, clearly amused, and leaped from the perch.
—And do not interfere —Hades added, knowing it was a useless request.
The bird took flight, crossing the palace corridors and leaving Helheim, heading toward the world where she was.
Hades remained on the balcony, his gaze lost.
—Just watch… —he whispered.
Unaware that, as every morning, everything he did, said, and thought was about to become the gossip of the day.