And away she goes!

She’s still giving Than and Zag alone time, but she is aware of the window Zagreus usually uses to escape. She can go send part of herself to hang out there with Skelly, while the rest of her continues to do her job.

"Hey there!" says Skelly. "Heard ya been makin' a name for yourself 'round these parts!"

“Hey! I have, rather literally in one case. Thanatos figured out that I am in fact a goddess of something.”

"Good on him, that boy's always had a good head on his shoulders. Say, don't suppose you've changed your mind on the subject of beatin' up yours truly?"

… She snorts.

“Yes, all right. So I can be ready if I ever want to blast Theseus again.”

"That's the spirit! Let's get this party started!"

It’s surprisingly fun, to attempt to blast Skelly to smithereens with various flavors of god power. She’s much more of a squishy spellcaster than Zagreus’s up close and personal brand of destruction, but she is very creative with fire, radiation, gravity and space warping, and a few more esoteric powers that even she doesn’t fully understand. But it’s pretty good at breaking things! Whee!

But she is indeed correct that Zagreus will soon be there.

"Well hello, there. Having fun?"

“Yep! And I am officially permitted by your father to accompany you on your adventures out of here, provided I do no direct helping whatsoever. So, it’ll just be my charming company.”

"Funny how he never set any such restrictions on Thanatos. Old man knows he needs him."

    Skelly reforms into his upright position and lifts a skeletal hand in a wave. "Hey, boyo! She's packin' a mean punch, here, shame she can't help ya."

"Can't win them all, can we, Skelly?"

"He'd be fine without me. But now he's got a conversation partner!"

She floats over, pats Skelly on his head, then turns to starscape and goes to hang out in Zagreus's shoulder skulls. Hello, shoulder skulls, it's been a while!

And then over the balcony railing and downnnnnnnnnnnnnnn to Tartarus.

...where a small snow mound awaits. "That's new," he murmurs as he approaches it. "In the name of Hades, I accept this message!"

"I understand, young Zagreus, that you would seek to leave that bitter darkness for this bitter cold? Quite honestly I fail to see why. But I'll aid your plight, why not? For I can offer plenty of assistance, and you soon shall grow fond of it, I think."

"...ah. Grandmother."

“Best not to say that too loudly, Zag. … but yes. It’s kind of sweet that she’s helping you.”

"Perhaps she heard of my killing Hades? Except, no, if the Olympians knew of my success they certainly wouldn't still be helping. Let's see, what is she... oh, these look interesting." He is always particularly fond of boons that improve his magic, since he trusts himself when it comes to physical combat, so he will try this one here.

"Very well. Good luck in your travels. I will be looking forward to your success, should it ever happen."

And her presence's gone.

"Thank you, Grandmother, you somehow made that sound extremely creepy, didn't you." He rolls his shoulders then turns his head slightly to the left. "Ready, then?"