Every Hidden Aspect's Mythology, Explained

Like its predecessor, Hades 2 do not limit themselves to Greek mythology when drawing inspiration for their weapon designs. Like Zagreus' Infernal Arms, each of Melinoë's nocturnal arms has a “hidden aspect” she can unlock, each referencing a powerful mythological figure originating outside the Greek canon.

Players may recognize the names of some hidden aspects, while others may be unknown to them. While some names may 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 figures the hidden aspects are named after, leading curious players to search for that knowledge themselves. It's the perfect opportunity to learn more about mythologies from around the world and across history.

Descura, The Witch's Staff: Aspect of Anubis

The Egyptian Guide to the Afterlife

Anubis will be a familiar name to players who have an affinity for Egyptian mythology. The jackal-headed god presides over funeral rites and the souls of the dead, protecting graves from those who would defile them. In the myth of Osiris, which tells the story of the god-king's murder by his brother Set, Anubis assisted Isis in the embalming of Osiris. Afterwards, Anubis obtained Osiris's 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 the Weighing of the Heart, one of the most important steps in one's judgment after death. The heart of a departed soul is weighed against the white feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth, order and morality. Those who pass the test are allowed to enter the afterlife, while those who do not are consumed by Ammit, the “devourer of the dead”.

IN Hades 2the waking phrase for this aspect is spoken by Circe: “I see you guarding the graves of mortals who have passed into the black beyond.” This reflects Anubis' role as guardian of the dead and the graves. 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: Aspect of the Morrigan

The Irish goddess of war and fate

The Morrigan is one of the most prominent figures in Celtic mythology, most often associated with predictions of war, death and battle. Often taking the form of a crow, she inspires bravery in her warriors, strikes terror into the hearts of their enemies, and presides over the outcome of battles.

The Morrigan is the wife of the Dagda, the chief deity in Irish myth, and appears in several stories of Cú Chulainn, one of the most prominent heroes of Irish mythology. Cú Chulainn abhors her by rejecting her love and her help in battle, something she hinders him in battle for. Yet he can still hurt her in all the forms she takes. Later, the Morrigan prophesies Cú Chulainn's death and washes his bloody armor as a sign that he is doomed to die in battle.

This aspect's waking phrase is given by Artemis: “I see your triple shadow with the Phantom Queen.” This title is one often associated with the Morrigan in mythology, and she is often seen as a goddess with three aspects. Artemis points out that she shares this sense of trinity with Hecate and wonders if they might be one and the same.

Ygnium, The Umbral Flames: Aspect of Supay

An Andean god of the underworld

Supay is found in several South American mythological traditions, but is most associated with the Incas 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, leading souls from the land of the living to the land of the dead.

Supay rules over Ukhu Pacha, a realm similar to the underworld. But Ukhu Pacha is associated not only with death, but with new life. Death and birth is a cycle, and Supay is the overseer of that cycle. Because the kingdom is underground, Supay is also associated with ventures such as mining and agriculture, and his influence reaches into everyday life. He is often a terrifying figure, with the power to both give life and take it away, commanding the spirits and demons that call Ukhu Pacha home.

This aspect's waking phrase, spoken by Moros, is: “I see your spirits glimmer like the metal underground.” It refers both to the souls of the dead whom Supay rules, and the material of the earth over which he has dominion.

Zorephet, The Moonstone Ax: Aspect of Nergal

The Mesopotamian god of death

Nergal is another deity who Hades 2 players may not have heard of. In the Mesopotamian civilization, which is among the oldest in recorded history, he was one of the rulers of the underworld, along with his wife, Ereshkigal. He is associated with war and disease, and is the god of death resulting 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 tranquility and strove to start war and sow violent chaos in an attempt to regain the respect of mortals. He began a reign of terror and sought to destroy the cosmic order before his present god, Ishum, put an end to his rampages. Nergal is a deity who inspires fear, but also great respect due to the power he wields.

Zorephet's waking phrase is “spoken” by Charon, which Melinoë can somehow understand: “I see you hoarding the crushed corpses of your enemies.” It fits Nergal's nature as a bringer of death and destruction.

Revaal, The Argent Skull: Aspect of Hel

The Nordic goddess of the underworld

In Norse mythology, the name “Hel” refers to both the realm of the underworld and the goddess who presides over it. There are several lands of the dead in the Norse tradition, but Hel is the most common place for the dead to end up. Despite the associations we have with the word today, the Nordic Hel was a fairly everyday place. Souls were not punished or rewarded, but rather continued much as they did in life.

Hel herself was a fierce, foreboding 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 decaying corpse. Like the concept of death itself, she is not inherently cruel or kind, but simply an inevitability, ruling over the dead with impassive indifference.

Medea is the one who speaks this aspect's waking phrase: “I see you gathering countless dead in cold and dark domains.” She points out that this phrase came to her from a dream about another underworld, with a fierce queen. This resonates with the goddess Hel, as does the description of the dreary realm.

Xinth, The Black Coat: Aspect of Shiva

The Hindu god of destruction

Shiva is a major deity in Hinduism and one of the religion's most important and revered deities. Along with Brahma and Vishnu, he is part of the trinity representing the powers of creation (Brahma), preservation (Vishnu) and destruction (Shiva).

Although he is known by the epithet “The Destroyer”, there is much more to Shiva than that. The Shavaism tradition, one of the four major sects of Hindu religion, regards him as the supreme being, the creator and creation, the beginning and the end. Despite his intimidating title, he is also the originator of the practice of yoga and a patron of meditation. He is associated with art and medicine as much as he is with killing demons.

The aspect of Shiva's waking phrase comes from Selene: “I see you bring happiness and destruction in your outstretched arms.” It references both Shiva's benevolent and terrifying qualities, as well as how he is often depicted with four arms.