In Hades, Zagreus' mission to escape the Underworld is bound to take lots and lots of tries. Along the way, he'll encounter characters that players familiar with Greek mythology with recognize. These include Sisyphus, Achilles, Patroclus, Orpheus and Eurydice, all of whom are famous characters whose myths, in some way, involve mortals trying to defy death.

However, rather than merely retelling these old tales, Hades allows players to give these characters some closure by having Zagreus befriend them and completing certain side quests.

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Sisyphus

According to myth, Sisyphus was punished for informing Asopus, father of Aegina, where his daughter was taken after she was kidnapped by Zeus. Zeus orders Thanatos, God of Death, to chain him in Tartarus (hence where he's found in the game), but Sisyphus tricks Thanatos into showing him how the chains work and binding Thanatos instead. For a time, no one was able to die until Ares freed Thanatos.

Later, when it was time for him to die, Sisyphus told his wife, Merope, to throw his body into the public square, where it found its way to the River Styx. Upon reaching the Underworld, Sisyphus tells Persephone that his wife disrespected him by not giving him a proper burial and asks to return to earth to punish her. Persephone allows it, but Sisyphus refuses to return to the Underworld until Hermes drags him back by force. For the crime of twice daring to trick the gods, Sisyphus is punished with his legendary task: pushing a boulder up a hill until it rolls back down, forcing him to start over for all eternity.

In Hades, Sisyphus can be found in Tartarus, the first section of the game along with his companion, Bouldy. Like other NPCs, Sisyphus has a favor to complete, which, understandably, involves getting his sentence lightened. After purchasing the Knave-King's Sentence from the House Contractor, Zagreus tells Sisyphus that he's free to go. However, Sisyphus decides to stay where he is alongside Bouldy, though he's grateful that the Furies will no longer show up to torture him. This decision to stay where he is, finding happiness despite his situation, shows that Sisyphus has grown from the arrogant man whose hubris led to his downfall.

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Achilles and Patroclus

Achilles Patroclus Elysium from Hades game

As Zagreus' mentor and friend, Achilles plays a major role in Hades. He is the one who wrote the Codex entries for Zagreus as a way to help guide him through the Underworld. Despite his warmth towards his friend, Achilles is clearly distraught over his separation from his lifelong companion, Patroclus.

Achilles and Patroclus, according to the Iliad, were warriors who grew up together. Achilles was nearly invulnerable, having been dipped in the River Styx as a baby. However, since his mother held him by one of his heels, this became a weak spot for him. During the Trojan War, Patroclus led the Myrmidons into battle while impersonating Achilles. Though he is successful in pushing the Trojans back, Patroclus is killed by Hector.

The death of Patroclus sends Achilles into a murderous rage as he searches for Hector. As Achilles' Codex entry states, he "sent many others to [the Underworld], where now at last we are all peers." In the game, upon reaching the Underworld, Achilles entered a pact with Hades to train Zagreus. By getting to know Achilles and Patroclus (who is found in Elysium), Zagreus can give their story a happy ending. Just as with Sisyphus, spending some diamonds with the House Contractor will alter the conditions of Achilles' pact, allowing him to finally reunite with Patroclus.

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Orpheus and Eurydice

The tale of Orpheus and Eurydice is one of the best known and consistently retold tragic love stories of all time. Following Eurydice's sudden death, the legendary musician Orpheus journeys to the Underworld to bring his wife back. His song is beautiful enough to persuade Hades and Persephone to let the couple go on one condition: Orpheus must walk ahead of Eurydice without turning back until they reach the surface. Unfortunately, in a moment of doubt, Orpheus turns around, sending Eurydice back to the Underworld for good.

Hades allows players to finally give the star-crossed lovers closure. Orpheus, now the court musician of the Underworld, begins the game in solitary confinement as a punishment for refusing to sing. Even after Zagreus gets his sentence revoked, Orpheus will still say that he lacks inspiration after losing his muse. The two remain separated by an official order. After getting to know him, Orpheus will cite Zagreus' determination as a reason to sing again, though Eurydice remains a sore spot for him.

As for Eurydice, Zagreus can encounter her in Asphodel, where she spends her time singing and cooking. At first, Eurydice doesn't want to hear about her former husband. However, after getting to know them both Eurydice will give Zagreus sheet music to "Good Riddance," a song she wrote expressing her feeling of freedom in the afterlife. Giving Orpheus the sheet music and purchasing the Singer's Gamble from the House Contractor will allow him to leave the House of Hades to be with Eurydice. On subsequent visits, Zagreus will find the two catching up after so long apart, singing "Good Riddance" as a duet.

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