I must have been in the shower for at least half an hour, scrubbing my skin until it stinged and washing my hair vigorously. I don't know why I feel dirty. I mean, I haven't been dead long enough to be buried, in Hercules...... After doing his thing, someone (I suspect one of the invisible servants) cleaned me up. Either that or the process of resurrecting me washed me clean.

After all, I had to be covered in blood, and the thought made me shudder. That's why I felt the urgent need for a shower. This is purely psychological.

As I wash—and wash, and wash—my hands keep coming back to what is on my neck. I'm sure it's some kind of necklace, but I don't know what it's made of. And, disturbingly, I couldn't find the clasp that held it in place.

When I finished my shower, there was a fluffy white towel on the counter. I didn't hear the door open, and I thought it was from an invisible servant. I open one and use it to wipe the condensation off the mirror on the counter so I can take a good look at myself, and finally - look at what is on my neck.

As I wiped away the condensation, my eyes became clearly visible in the mirror and I stopped to look at them. It's still gray, it's still big, it's still ...... I. Something inside me unravels and relaxes. No matter what happens, I'm still me.

When I wiped it, the thing on my neck finally came out, and I leaned over to take a closer look. It is indeed a choker, about an inch wide, made of a shiny gold material that shinishes like metal, but soft, supple, and fits perfectly. So much so that it moved with my neck, and my fingers couldn't move between it and my skin at all. But it was so comfortable that I could barely feel it was there.

It has a flattened oval stone in front of it...... A piece of obsidian surrounded by gold. The astrological symbol of Pluto seems to float in the stone, shimmering golden like the trim of the stone.

The choker appears to be a smooth, intact strap that cannot be removed. I remember part of my conversation with Hades.

"And what am I?"

"Mine."

Well, so it seems. I've seen Minerva wearing something similar and I've seen similar collars on other Avatars (both male and female) I've met. I think it's some kind of fashion statement or office badge, but it's clearly more than that. Hades once said – call it a collar – that it lets me know what he thinks when I need it. Does this mean that it has influenced or will influence my thinking in some way? Maybe subconsciously prompting me to behave the right way and how to do my job?

I sighed. Don't worry about it now. Time will tell.

When I returned to my new bedroom after drying, several more bookcases appeared on the wall. Obviously, it's still being decorated and arranged, but at least the people who do it seem to know my taste. I love books and wonder if I can take my collection from my old room in my mother's palace.

There are still a few things on the bed that I didn't have before. a black silk robe-like dress with some sort of matching undergarment stacked next to it, lying on a bed with a sword, belt, and golden Corinthian helmet; Several matching pieces of armor were displayed on a shelf on the side of the bed, along with a pair of low-heeled knee-high leather boots. Finally, a round golden Trojan shield, about three feet in diameter, with a stylized compass rose printed on the front, rests against the bed.

I stared at the assembled equipment for a long time before noticing that the hoplite-style cuirass had the symbol of Pluto on the left chest, as did the buckle of the belt and the center of the shield. Well, this is my uniform.

"Thalia ......"

I looked around and was startled. It was my mother's voice, but where did it come from? It sounds clear, but it's a little faint and soft.

"Helmet, my little owl. Wear a helmet. ”

Yes, that's definitely her. No one has ever called me that.

I picked up the helmet, rolled over in my hand, and looked at it. The inside of the panel glowed with a faint blue-white light, and the mother's voice came from inside, dry and funny. "Helmet on your head, dear."

I put it on with a smile.

Once I put it on – it fits perfectly and is more comfortable than any helmet I've ever worn – the diffused blue-white glow takes center stage, creating a kind of head-up display. It flowed in both directions and disappeared before I could see clearly.

"There," my mother's voice rang in my ears. "I knew you'd eventually figure it out."

"Is that you, Mom?" I asked hopefully.

"I'm sorry, my little owl, just a very clever recording," her voice said. "I would like to leave you a message and some information about the gift I have prepared for you. You should find a sword and shield with a helmet, right? ”

"Yes, Mom."

"Good. Hephaestus manufactures them to my specifications, so you'll find them of the highest quality. In addition to providing you with as much information as possible about what you see, the helmet will also monitor the integrity of the helmet. “

"This ...... That's pretty impressive. I am in awe of the complexity and power of these gifts. However, I am now an Avatar...... I guess I need to be properly prepared for this work.

"Hephaestus was an impressive craftsman," said his mother's voice, "and he was helped by some very creative people. The shield is about the same...... It's durable, lightweight, and folds into a bracelet, so you'll never have to do without it. It's aerodynamically reasonable, so you can use it as a throwing weapon, but be careful – it won't come back to you. ”

"What about the sword?" I asked curiously.

"Hard and sharp enough to cut through solid stone. But it's not just a sword," she said, sounding pleased. "Its name is Cerberus. The only thing I'm going to tell you about it is that there's more to it than meets the eye...... I'll let you figure out the rest yourself. If I told you all the secrets of my gift, wouldn't that be right? ”

I laughed. "Of course not, Mom."

"You're a good girl," she said. "Hades promised to provide you with the right armor, so make sure he did." I could almost see her hesitation and hear it clearly in her voice. "I'm doing this for a reason, my little owl. I hope you will understand one day and don't hate me for what I did. ”

"Mom? What do you mean? There was no response. Mother? ”

Nothing.

Well, she said it was just a clever recording. Apparently I've reached the limits of what it's capable of.

Instead of removing the helmet, I ran my fingers over the sides where the ears were and noticed a small flat button on the right side. I pressed it, and I grinned when—accompanied by a slight crackling of static electricity—the fragments disappeared in some sort of discharge, while other fragments folded back from my face.

The end result was a blonde headband that started above my ears and went around the back of my head.

"Cool!"

To satisfy my curiosity, I reached out and touched the back of my right ear. Part of the headband stuck there—probably by magic—and snuggled up behind my ear in a comfortable, apparently custom fit. Hephaestus was indeed a master of his craft. I felt for the little flat button, but didn't press it. It can wait.

At least until I get dressed. I postponed checking swords, shields, and armor in favor of clothes. It is sleeveless, with a high neck and back, but no zippers. I mistook the fabric for silk. It looks like silk and feels a bit like silk...... But it has an almost metallic sheen, which I have never seen on any fabric before.

Oddly enough, I pulled the collar and it stretched incredibly wide. Wide enough for me to step into. I was able to effortlessly slide it up over my hips and chest and leave enough room for my arms to easily pass through the arm hole. When it was on my shoulder, it compressed around me and became a perfect fit.

Maybe a little too fit, I thought as I looked at myself in a full-length mirror standing in the corner. It almost looks like it's painted. But it provides better and more comfortable support than any bra and panty suit I've ever worn. I need to check my office to see if there are more of these every day. I wish there were.

Next, I put on a robe-style dress. It complements the bodysuit and is made from the same fabric with a sleeveless high neck, although its skirt only falls mid-thigh, a little shorter than I'm used to. I guess it doesn't really matter, thanks to what I wear underneath, but I mentally took note to ask who was in charge of my wardrobe and if they had a version of leotards and shorts. Or better yet, tights or leotards.

Then I sat down and put my foot in my boot. They are soft, supple leather that ties up above my knees. Like everything else, they are the perfect custom fit.

The cuirass continued. It's buckled under my left arm, which is a bit awkward...... However, armor is usually put on with the help of others. I slid in and buckled the bracer on my right arm, but I couldn't find the bracer on my left arm. Obviously, it was bare for the sake of my shield, and it makes sense. Finally, I had shin guards tied to my boots that covered my calves.

I don't have thighs, which is common in traditional hoplite armor. I had to ask this. If the armor was more than ceremonial, I would feel more comfortable with more coverage.

After seeing my body armor, I picked up my shield and examined it curiously. It had a pair of straps on the back that were designed to fit over my left forearm, so I put it on. The strap automatically adjusts, and I quickly found another recessed button not far from where my hand was inside. When I pressed it, the shield split into wedge-shaped sections that rotated counterclockwise, and they gathered up and slid down into a disc about half an inch thick and two inches in diameter, which was attached to the wristband.

Hephaestus is truly remarkable. I can't wait to see what this sword does with.

Cerberus, as Mom said, takes its name from the three-headed dog that once guarded the entrance to Tartarus. I think it's appropriate, because in a way I'll fill the same position, in a way. Hades' attack dog.

Now, now, I gently reproach myself, I don't stop there.

I buckled my belt and turned to look at myself in the mirror. I have to admit that I look dramatic and cool. The black and gold color scheme really worked for me.

After spinning around admiring my reflection, I finally picked up the Cerberus.

It was a beautiful sword, shaped almost like a Roman Spata, but a little too long. It has a three-foot-long leaf-shaped red blade with a bronze tip (I'm sure it's not actually bronze); The guard is a semi-domed oval made of smooth obsidian with its flat side touching the blade and then elegantly bending to a longer length than a normal two-handed hold. The grip itself is also slightly ovate, ridged for finger placement, and set with a mixed ribbon of ivory, gold, and ruby, ending in another piece of obsidian as a saddle.

I turned the blade cautiously, trying to feel it. It's much lighter than it looks and it's very balanced. I can handle it effortlessly with one or two hands as needed.

Cerberus, huh? My mother's message says, "There's so much more to it than meets the eye," which is close to the tagline of a cartoon I loved when I was younger, and its recent incarnation. I examined the sword more closely, my fingers carefully running over the hilt and shield. My helmet changed shape, my shield changed. Why not my sword?

When I found the trick to it, its first transformation almost surprised me and gave it up. As I watched, the blade shortened to a foot long, and the hilt stretched out, getting longer and longer, until a spear was placed in my hand, which turned out to be a sword. The sword body is six feet long, and when I tested it, it was still as light and perfectly balanced as a sword.

"Wow......" I effortlessly turned the spear around, spun it over my head, and stabbed forward. It's a terrific weapon in every sense of the word, and as far as I can guess, it still has secrets to reveal to me.

This really should wait, though. I've kept Hades waiting longer than I should. I folded Cerberus back into my sword, put it away, and turned to leave my bedroom......

…… Staggered two steps past the doorway. Hades stood near the brazier in the center of the room, looking around idlely. He turned to me, looked at me, and nodded. "I see you've found your uniform. It's perfect for you. ”

"Thank you," I said, bowing slightly. "I stopped to take a shower, and my mother left me a message in the helmet, explaining the armor and sword. Sorry to keep you waiting. ”

He waved his hand disdainfully. "Everything was good. I had Arachne knit skirts and leotards. The fabric is reserved for you and several other Avatars, soft as silk and tough as steel. Of course, it won't prevent chafing, but it will protect you from most deadly weapons, including teeth and claws. ”

"Thank you," I said, and seriously. Then I smiled and made a joke. "I'll probably talk to her and see if she can make me an underwear with shorts or leggings."

He thought about it for a moment, glanced at me, and made a contemplative sound. "Yes, and the question about getting protective plates for your thighs, Hephaestus please. This is an oversight, but it can be remedied in time. Now, your new assistant is waiting for you across the hall, and there's still a lot of work to be done. ”

He didn't say a word, turned around and left. He actually had to lower his head slightly as he walked through the doorway into the hall. However, it is reassuring to know that our thinking is consistent in terms of actual armor design.

All right. There is no time like this. I'm here to do a job and I'm going to do the best I can.