The mythology of each hidden aspect, explained

Like its predecessor, Hades 2 he doesn't limit himself to Greek mythology when taking inspiration for his weapon designs. Like Zagreus' Infernal Arms, each of Melinoë's Nocturnal Arms has a “hidden aspect” to unlock, each referring to a powerful mythological figure from outside the Greek canon.

Players may recognize the names of some hidden aspects, while others may be unknown to them. While some of the names sound familiar, players may not know the stories behind them. Since the characters in the game are from Greek myth, they don't know much about the characters the hidden aspects are named for, leading curious players to seek out this knowledge themselves. It's the perfect opportunity to learn more about mythologies from around the world and across history.

Descura, Witch's Staff: Aspect of Anubis

Egyptian guide to the afterlife

Anubis will be a familiar name for players who are close to Egyptian mythology. The jackal-headed god presides over funeral rites and the souls of the dead and protects the tombs from those who would defile them. In the myth of Osiris, which tells the story of the murder of the god-king by his brother Set, Anubis assisted Isis in embalming Osiris. Afterwards, Anubis was gifted with Osiris' organs and protected Osiris' body from Set's attempts to destroy it, making him the patron of embalming and guardian of the dead.

Anubis is also responsible for weighing the heart, one of the most important steps in judging a person after death. The heart of the deceased soul is burdened with the white feathers of Ma'at, the goddess of truth, order and morality. Those who pass the test are allowed to enter the afterlife, while those who don't are consumed by Ammit, the “eater of the dead”.

IN Hades 2the awakening phrase for this aspect is spoken by Circe: “I see you guarding the graves of mortals who have fallen into darkness. This reflects Anubis' role as guardian of the dead and tombs. Circe also mentions a dream in which a jackal-headed figure appeared to her, referring to how Anubis is often depicted in Egyptian art.

Lim & Oros, The Sister Blades: Aspects of the Morrigan

Irish goddess of war and fate

The Morrigan is one of the most prominent figures in Celtic mythology, most often associated with predicting war, death and battle. Often in the form of a crow, he inspires courage in his warriors, strikes fear into the hearts of their enemies, and rules the outcome of battles.

The Morrigan is the wife of the Dagda, a major deity in Irish myth, and appears in several stories of Cú Chulainn, one of the most important heroes of Irish mythology. Cú Chulainn rejects her by refusing her love and her help in battle, which prevents him from fighting. Yet he is still capable of hurting her in all the forms he takes. Later, the Morrigan prophesies Cú Chulainn's death and washes away his bloody armor as a sign that he is doomed to die in battle.

The phrase to awaken this aspect is given by Artemis: “I see your triple shadow with Phantom Queen. This title is often associated with the Morrigan in mythology, and she is often seen as a goddess with three aspects. Artemis notes that she shares this sense of threeness with Hecate and wonders if they could be one and the same.

Ygnium, Umbral Flames: Aspect of Supay

Andean underworld deity

Supay is found in several South American mythological traditions, but is most associated with the Inca people and other Andean cultures. He holds domain over the souls of the dead, the afterlife, and the cycle of life and death. Like Anubis or Charon, Supay is a psychopomp who leads souls from the land of the living to the land of the dead.

Supay rules Ukhu Pacha, an underworld-like realm. However, Ukhu Pacha is not only associated with death, but with new life. Death and birth are a cycle and Supay is the overseer of that cycle. As the realm is located underground, Supay is also associated with enterprises such as mining and agriculture, with its influence reaching into everyday life. Often a terrifying figure with the ability to give and take life, he commands the spirits and demons that call Ukhu Pacha home.

The phrase of this awakening aspect as spoken by Moros is: “I see your souls glitter like metal underground. It refers to both the souls of the dead over whom Supay rules and the materials of the earth over which he has dominion.

Zorephet, The Moonstone Axe: Aspect of Nergal

Mesopotamian god of death

Nergal is another who deity Hades 2 the players may not have heard. In the Mesopotamian civilization, which is among the oldest in recorded history, he and his wife Ereshkigal were one of the rulers of the underworld. He is associated with war and disease and is the god of death that results from such disasters.

Nergal usually has a more violent nature and is a source of disorder and strife. One myth describes how he became dissatisfied with his peaceful state and sought to start wars and sow violent chaos in an attempt to regain the respect of mortals. He began a reign of terror and attempted to destroy the cosmic order before his god Ishum stopped his rampage. Nergal is a deity who inspires fear but also great respect due to the power he wields.

Zorephet's awakening phrase is “spoken” by Charon, whom Melinoë somehow understands: “I see you are piling up the broken corpses of your enemies. It suits Nergal's nature as a bringer of death and destruction.

Revaal, The Argent Skull: Aspect of Hel

Goddess of the Nordic underworld

In Norse mythology, the name “Hel” refers both to the realm of the underworld itself and to the goddess who presides over it. In Norse lore, there are several lands of the dead, but Hel is the most common place where the dead end up. Despite the associations we have with the word today, Norse Hel was a pretty mundane place. Souls were not punished or rewarded, but rather continued in a similar vein as in life.

Hel herself was a fierce, sinister figure. She is often depicted with a body that is half alive, with the face of a beautiful woman, and half dead, with the face of a decomposing corpse. Like the concept of death itself, it is not inherently cruel or kind, but simply inevitable, ruling over the dead with stolid indifference.

Medea is the one who says the phrase of this awakening aspect: “I see you gathering countless dead in cold and dark regions. She notes that this sentence came to her from a dream about another underworld with a wild queen. This resonates with the goddess Hel, as does the description of the dark realm.

Xinth, Black Coat: Aspect of Shiva

Hindu god of destruction

Shiva is a major deity in Hinduism and one of the religion's most important and widely worshiped gods. Along with Brahma and Vishnu, he is part of a trinity that represents the powers of creation (Brahma), preservation (Vishnu) and destruction (Shiva).

Although he is known by the moniker “The Destroyer”, there is much more to Shiva. The tradition of Shaivism, one of the four main sects of the Hindu religion, regards him as the supreme being, the creator and creation, the beginning and the end. Despite his terrifying title, he is also the originator of the practice of yoga and the patron saint of meditation. It is associated with art and medicine as well as killing demons.

An aspect of Shiva's vigilante phrase comes from Selene: “I see you bring bliss and destruction in your outstretched arms. It refers to both the benevolent and terrifying features of Shiva, as well as how he is often depicted with four arms.