Hades

**Hades** is a large spiritual owl-like figure Stella meets upon delivering her first, fifth, and ninth spirit to the Everdoor.

They reside in Stella's psyche, and can be seen unfurling his wings before disappearing as you make your way up the stardust platforms. When they show themself (usually once the image of a memory has been pieced back together, and Stella has climbed to the highest platform), they appear with their back towards you, slowly turning around with shadowy eyes. They speak in short cryptic sentences.

The third time you meet them, they give you an Obol. At this point, you will receive a quest for the Last Voyage of Stella and Daffodil, indicating her journey's end. The quest appears in the Request section of the Captain's Log, just like any other Request, with the only description: *My time has come*.
However, you are free to choose when Stella and Daffodil should leave. Upon making this choice, you will receive the notification: 'From this point onwards, there is no turning back.' and you will be asked to confirm your decision. After selecting 'Yes', viewing the ending and selecting "Continue" in the main menu, you will continue off from right before Stella and Daffodil enters the Everdoor.
*"Time and again, you call me by my name. Whisper echos of my essence, to those too afraid to hear it" - Hades*
Per his namesake, Hades embodies death, and at the same time also embodies Stella's psyche. His appearance as an owl symbolizes wisdom and justice, as how Stella perceives death to be.
They question Stella's motives with her own words, challenging if she had been helping others pass on for their sake, or her own. They ask her to reflect on what she's learned from others, and what the memories mean to her.

## Memories

In Stella's psyche, Hades gradually reveals Stella's memories to her.

1/9
Lily recounts these memories later on, during her Quests.

## Hades Encounters

**First Encounter:** "We finally meet, face to face. For such a long time I have been watching you, Stella. Close, yet far. You've kept your distance, but you knew I was there, hidden in every shadow, skulking in every silence. Since the very beginning, I have been a part of you. Even as my existence was but a foreign thought. And as your loved ones surrounded you with care and affection, I waited, silently. Your joy, your pride, your happiness. Moments of laughter, of bliss, of friendship. Gone. I know it feels just like yesterday, but the hourglass has turned, and at last, you have found me. Go now, for I have not yet fully awoken. Resume your duties. Carry on your graceful dance. We'll meet again. Soon, Spiritfarer."

**Second Encounter:** " And so you return, Spiritfarer. Humbled by your confusion, your disarray, your fear. Time and again, you call me by my name. Whisper echoes of my essence, to those too afraid to hear it. As you stand before me, hesitation floods your heart. You seek to tame, but you only serve. And now you truly see me. See what I inflict upon those you love. All these paths you've crossed, these souls you've embraced. Their lives, intertwined with yours. Their faces etched upon your memory. You've opened your heart to the suffering of others, and, in return, their spark warms your heart and shapes your fate. Every spirit a reminder. Every spirit a goodbye. What do they teach you? Their struggles, their drama? Their memories, your memories? Are they saying their farewells, or are you saying yours? But you are not yet ready, Stella, and these souls still need you. Carry on your task, Spiritfarer. Soon your time will come, and we will meet again. For the last time."

**Third and final Encounter:** "As foretold, here we are again, Spiritfarer. For the last time. Feeble and helpless, a faint murmur drifting in silence. Whispered words, a simple question: Why did you choose this life, Stella? Why did you spend it ushering others through their final moments? Was your vocation an affectionate duty born of compassion? Or a display of selfishness, of everlasting uncertainty? Did you do it for them? Or for yourself? To know me, and grow accustomed to my presence? To conquer me? Am I less daunting to you now? Or am I still a ghastly shadow, a deafening absence? Remember: When your body failed, you knew. You'd seen it a thousand times. You knew I would come. You fought valiantly, yet suffered all the same. I was deep within your heart, as I had always been. In your final moments, you accept my call. You slowly draw your last breath. And here we are. You know this is the end. But you're not alone. Embraced by the love of your mother, and now, your sister. She is here, holding your hand. Go now. You are not alone."

## Trivia

* Hades is internally named the "Mist Guardian". This is the reason why the final region is surrounded by mist; to symbolize how close death is for Stella.
	+ They control all mist in the world of *Spiritfarer*.
	+ The purple mist that appears in the Events Jellyfish, Dragons and Fireflies is Hades in their most fearful form.
	+ The purple mist is also seen on lighthouse bulbs, which would pierce through the mist itself if not for their doing.