Hades 2 Explains What Happens To Zagreus At The End Of Each Run

Summary

• In the original Hades, whenever Zagreus reached the surface to see his mother, he'd quickly find himself ill and taken by the Styx.
• It's barely discussed, but Persephone suggests that it has something to do with The Fates.
• Hades 2 goes into a bit more detail about why Zagreus died whenever he reached the surface and finally explains it.

Hades 2 goes into further detail about why Zagreus always died when he reached the surface in the original game, as it's something that Melinoe struggles with as well.

In the original Hades, Zagreus' whole quest revolved around battling his way through the Underworld and taking on his father, Hades, in order to reach the surface and find his mother, Persephone. There was a problem, though, as whenever he reached the surface and had the chance to talk to his mother, he'd quickly find himself taken by Styx and end up back where he started.

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When you run into Persephone for the first time, she'll explain that the reason Zagreus can't stay too long on the surface world is because of The Fates, who she says are cruel and have bound him to the Underworld just like they did his father. It's not explained much more than that, but it's something that does end up playing into Hades 2.

Minor spoilers for the mid-game section of Hades 2's Early Access follow.

"The Fates are cruel Zagreus. You're bound to that place... same as your father".

The Same Fate Befalls Melinoe In Hades 2

Although Melinoe's quest in Hades 2 is far different from what Zagreus was up to in the original game, it does still eventually involve her going to the surface, as is teased when you first explore the Crossroads and find a path leading up. Although there's not all that much to do in the surface world just yet (with a major update teased for later this year), you do still have to go up there later in the game.

When you do, though, you'll quickly find out that Melinoe suffers in the exact same way that Zagreus did whenever he was away from the Underworld, suggesting that the whole Hades bloodline has the same problem as one another (except for Persephone, I guess). It's explained by Hecate that this is because of a curse that's been put on Hades and his family, confirming the reasoning that was hinted at in the first game.

After learning about the curse, you might wonder how you're even supposed to get through Hades 2's surface sections, but one of the main objectives after that point is to cast a spell that significantly lessens the curse, allowing you to stay there longer. Here's hoping it also means that Zagreus can get out and see the sun wherever he is.

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