The bitter tension radiating from Hades, his terse tone and cruel words make Hythlodaeus's stomach drop. He does not, cannot comprehend the things his friend is talking about - so distant is the mortal world to him with its violence and ever-present death. Yet even if his mind and heart refuse to accept it, imagination paints its scenes of cruelty before him - of Hades killing others, of bodies piled up in burning cities, of conflict and suffering...

It's a lot to take in, a lot to think about, all the more difficult because of being unable to distance himself from the situation emotionally. Hythlodaeus exhales deeply, stays silent for a time, hands curling into fists uncertainly. What is he meant to do here?

But despite Hades's protestations, Hythlodaeus refuses to see his friend as someone willing to watch all such things dispassionately. If he had changed that much, Hythlodaeus would have noticed. Wouldn't he?..

In contrast to the other man, he raises his head to look up at the sky, finally finding his voice. His words are quiet but firm - if Hades means to be stubborn in his defeatism, Hythlodaeus has more than enough stubborness to go in the opposite direction. Ever they would balance each other...

"I have not faded away yet. I have not perished yet. It may be different in your time, but here and now, I am alive."

Putting it into words like that makes something twist in his chest. Hythlodaeus sucks in a deep breath, turns abruptly to grab Hades by the shoulders, his grip almost painful.

"So don't you dare."