They do. Hythlodaeus finds himself blinking away nascent tears at the despair and desperation in Hades's voice... but more than that he can feel a warmth spreading through him. His friend does need him, and there are things Hythlodaeus can give to one of the most important people in his life. And even though it still would have been nice to be more capable with manipulation of aether, he is not useless. After all, didn't he realize long ago that what he wanted was to support Hades and Azem, to be the catalyst that lets them shine the brightest?

Hythlodaeus sighs internally. In truth, he knows that his fears are mostly foolish and unfounded, but in his darkest hours the doubts do come through. But he doesn't have to let them win; he is no longer a child struggling to find himself.

He gazes down at their joined arms, a soft smile finally appearing on his face... and then starts to hum, quietly at first. It's a simple song, a lullaby that would be one of the first songs a child would know, and one that he would occasionally jokingly sing to both Hades and Azem when he felt they were in need of getting some rest instead of continuing to work.

As Hythlodaeus's voice slowly grows bolder, the shade of the maze seems to realize there is nothing it can do anymore to throw him off. The figure of young Hades fades away into the shadows with one final whisper.

"Pray that you won't meet with disappointment."