A Zoologist’s Guide to Surviving Magical Creatures

I never imagined myself gambling for my soul—or anyone else's, for that matter.

Yet there I was, in a smoky underworld lounge, preparing to play cards with demigods and others while debating the moral implications of betting away my essence.

Typical Tuesday, right?

********

The lounge had that oppressive air you'd expect in a place where the stakes weren't just life and death, but something deeper.

Slot machines hummed hypnotically in the distance, their eerie lights flickering like trapped fireflies.

Glasses clinked softly, but there was no laughter—just murmured voices and the occasional frustrated grunt of a lost bet.

Dr. Philippe leaned forward, his sharp features caught in the dim, flickering glow of a lava lamp centerpiece. It painted him in harsh oranges and shadows, making him look more spectral than ever.

His usually pristine lab coat was unbuttoned, and there was an uncharacteristic tension in his movements.

"We didn't come here for the ambiance, Carl," he said grimly.

"Well, that's a relief," I replied, my attempt at humor falling flat. "Because I was starting to think I needed to up my poker face."

"No jokes right now," Eldrin snapped, though his eyes darted nervously toward the blackjack tables.

"Care to explain, then?" I gestured around, taking in the gaudy excess of the place. "Why are you sitting in Hades' casino?"

Dr. Philippe looked about ten years older than usual, his perpetually irritated expression softened by something I hadn't seen before: worry. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table, his fingers steepled.

"Eldrin and I have been tracking something dangerous. Hades' gambling dens aren't just casinos—they're traps."

"Traps?" I echoed, leaning back instinctively. "For who?"

"For everyone," Eldrin answered, his dark eyes narrowing. His tone was lighter than Philippe's, but there was a distinct edge to it, like he was trying to mask his unease.

Dr. Philippe exhaled sharply. "We're investigating something far bigger than we anticipated. It started as rumors—creatures and Mythica residents vanishing after coming here. Then we found out why. Hades has been luring them in, offering something tempting in exchange for winning."

"Creatures and residents of Mythica, all lured by one irresistible promise, win the high-stakes games, and Hades will grant you a wish."

Agnos, lounging on a battered velvet sofa, let out a dry laugh. "Classic Hades. Always the showman."

Dr. Philippe shot him a withering glare before turning back to me. "The problem is, most of them don't win. They lose their essence instead—piece by piece."

"Wait," I said, trying to process. "When you say 'essence,' you mean… like their soul?"

"Not just the soul," Eldrin corrected. "Their identity. Their will. Everything that makes them who they are. Without it, they're empty husks, driven by base instincts. Like Wraiths."

The memory hit me like a sucker punch. Those twisted creatures that had attacked us in the alleyway—their hollow eyes, their frantic, feral movements.

I shivered.

"So… they're creating more of those things?"

"Worse," Eldrin said. "They're creating chaos. If enough people lose their essence, the balance of Mythica will break. Entire regions will fall into madness."

"That's not all," Agnos interjected, sitting up for the first time. His golden eyes gleamed with an intensity that made my skin crawl. "I suspect my fragment is the culprit."

There it was again—that cursed word. I'd heard enough about these fragments to know they never brought anything good.

"What?" I blinked, confused. "Your… fragment?"

Agnos sighed like a teacher explaining something obvious to a particularly slow student. "The fragment of temptation, Carl. It amplifies desire, makes it irresistible. If it's here, every gamble, every bet, feeds its power. And the more power it gains, the more it corrupts."

"Corrupts who?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Hades," Agnos said simply.

I stared at him. "Hades is a god. You're saying he's… possessed?"

"Not possessed," Agnos corrected. "Manipulated. The fragment doesn't control him outright—it twists his will, magnifies his flaws. If it's not contained, it won't just destroy Hades. It'll consume everything."

"But you said no one can touch the fragment. How come Hades can?" I asked, my voice rising slightly above the murmur of the casino.

Agnos's expression darkened. "Hades didn't," he said, his tone grim. "The fragment's aura is manipulating him, consuming him."

"So," I said slowly, "if we don't stop it, Hades goes full villain, and this whole place spirals into chaos?"

"Not just this place," Eldrin said. "If the fragment isn't contained, it'll spread its influence. Mythica could fall apart, one desperate gambler at a time."

I looked at each of them in turn, their faces a mix of exhaustion and determination.

"So, what do we do?" I asked, my voice cracking slightly. "How do we stop this?"

Eldrin and Philippe exchanged a look. It wasn't a comforting one.

"We need to get into Domos Haidou," Eldrin said finally. "That's where the fragment is. But…" He hesitated.

"But what?"

"You can't just walk in," Philippe said. "Only high-rollers are invited. To qualify, you have to win three high-stakes games."

"And let me guess," I said, sinking into my chair. "That's why you two were playing?"

Philippe nodded. "We were trying to get in. But it's not easy."

"So to investigate the problem, you two decided to gamble." I leaned back, the weight of the situation settling over me. "And now you want me to join the fun?"

"You've been lucky so far," Agnos said, smirking. "Who knows? Maybe you've got a gambler's soul."

"And you two?" I pointed at Philippe and Eldrin. "Not one of you managed to win?"

They exchanged a sheepish glance before nodding.

Agnos grinned lazily. "Good thing we've got Carl here. Lucky streak and all."

I shot him a look. "I've never gambled in my life."

"Exactly," Agnos said, his grin widening. "Beginner's luck."

"This is insane," I muttered, gripping the edge of the table. My palms were clammy, betraying my nerves.

"Insane? No, Carl. This is what we call an adventure," Agnos quipped, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "Besides, you might be a hidden card shark. Who knows? Maybe the gambling gods are on your side tonight."

"Doubtful," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "Last time I played a card game, it was Go Fish with my cousins, and I lost. Badly."

"Encouraging," Eldrin said dryly, folding his arms. His golden eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and concern. "But we're out of options. If you don't win, we don't get in."

Dr. Philippe, always the pragmatist, adjusted his glasses. "Carl, remember, this isn't about luck. It's about reading your opponent. Observe their behavior, predict their moves. And, uh, try not to lose your soul in the process."

Great. No pressure.