Hades is all about Prince Zagreus' journey and struggle to escape the Underworld. Along the way, however, he can forge bonds with several of Hades' denizens — several of whom may be familiar to fans of Greek mythology.
One character particularly close to Zagreus is Achilles, his mentor and his tutor in the art of battle. Yet, at the beginning of the game, Zag doesn't know much about Achilles' time in the mortal realm. This only begins to change when the prince of Hades stumbles upon a fallen warrior in Elysium. With a few persuasive words and clever actions, the son of Hades can reunite two long-lost souls.
Meet Patroclus
In Elysium, players may run across a door with the same symbol as the ones that lead to Sisyphus in Tartarus and Eurydice in Asphodel. Behind this door, they will find a downtrodden man staring into the river Lethe and waxing melancholic.
This man does not even introduce himself — Zagreus only learns his name when he appears in the Codex. Upon asking Achilles about Patroclus, he is evasive at first, but eventually reveals that the two were very close during their lives. Zag is never content with half-answers, but he'll have to build trust with both men to learn the full story.
Build Zag's Relationships With Patroclus & Achilles
Before the option to reunite them becomes available, Zagreus must deepen his friendship with both men. Upon giving them Nectar, Patroclus and Achilles will eventually their story. Over the course of several conversations, Zagreus will learned what transpired: Patroclus was killed in war, which sent Achilles into a rage that eventually ended in his own death. Upon arriving in the afterlife, Achilles found that Patroclus was not in Elysium, and so gave up his own place so that his love could reside there instead.
Always the stubborn one, Zagreus grows determined to find a way to reunite the two, and manages to convince each man that the other still cares for them. After Zagreus has given 6 Nectar to each character and learned both sides of the tale, Patroclus eventually tells Zagreus to deliver a message to Achilles, telling him to risk it all.
Locate The Contract
Deliver Patroclus' message to Achilles in the House of Hades. Despite its brevity, Achilles seems to understand at once, and tells Zagreus to move ahead with his plan to alter the contract that divides them. This will add the prophecy Divided By Death to the Fated List of Minor Prophecies. (Note that in order for this conversation to occur and the prophecy to appear, Zagreus must first aid either Sisyphus, or Orpheus and Eurydice, by voiding their contracts.)
Once the prophecy has been foretold, speak to Nyx. Zagreus will ask her where he can find the contract that separates Achilles and Patroclus, and she will provide its location. Head over to the administrative chamber, interact with the glowing spot, and the Hero's Sacrifice Work Order will appear in the House Contractor's list.
Purchase The Work Order
To release Achilles from his contract, Zagreus will need to pay the house contractor 5 diamonds. He can earn these diamonds in a number of ways:
- Earning bounties by slaying the Bone Hydra in Asphodel
- Completing certain Minor Prophecies
- Can be purchased from the Wretched Broker for 10 Nectar
Once the work order is purchased, Zagreus may occasionally run across Achilles spending time with Patroclus in Elysium. Additionally, the player unlocks the higher levels of each character's affinity gauge, allow Zagreus to gift them Ambrosia and further deepen their bond.