The Gift of Song: Music, Myth, and Mastery in Supergiant’s Hades

In Supergiant Games’ critically acclaimed rogue-like masterpiece Hades, the Underworld is a realm defined by relentless combat, bureaucratic nightmares, and familial dysfunction. Yet, hidden amidst the blood, sweat, and escape attempts lies a quiet, resonant corner of the House of Hades dedicated entirely to art.

Among the many Fated List prophecies that Zagreus can fulfill, “The Gift of Song” stands out as one of the most charming, endearing, and uniquely rewarding side quests in the game. It transforms the Prince of the Underworld from a brooding warrior into someone who—with enough grueling, comical practice—can finally strum a tune “halfway decently”.

The Prophecy and Its Master

The prophecy itself reads like a gentle tease from fate:

“The son of the god of the dead shall someday learn to perform music halfway decently through the teachings of a solemn master of the art.”

The “solemn master” in question is none of than Orpheus, the legendary musician trapped in the House of Hades after his tragic attempt to rescue Eurydice from the dead. Early in the game, Orpheus is a broken figure, mute and melancholic, mourning his lost love behind a desk. However, as Zagreus helps mend the rift between Orpheus and Eurydice—reuniting the tragic lovers through a series of dialogue milestones and Nectar gifts—Orpheus returns to his musical craft.

Once Orpheus suggests that Zagreus try his hand at playing music, the Prince of the Underworld takes it upon himself to master the Lyre sitting in his bedchambers.

The Grind of the Lyre: From Discord to Melody

If you want to complete “The Gift of Song,” you cannot simply read a scroll or buy an upgrade from the House Contractor. You have to earn it the hard way: through sheer, repetitive perseverance.

In Zagreus’s bedroom sits a magnificent, albeit frustratingly out-of-tune, Lyre. Interacting with it triggers a painful, discordant twang that prompts Zagreus to cringe and remark on how terrible he sounds. To fulfill the prophecy, players must interact with the Lyre over and over again across multiple escape attempts.

The progression is famously gradual:

1. The Early Tries: Zagreus produces ear-splitting screeches that draw mild amusement or horror from anyone visiting his room.
2. The Checkpoints: Progress happens in tiers. Players generally need to hit milestone interaction counts (roughly 10, 60, 110, and finally clearing the threshold at 210+ total interactions).
3. The Dialogue Gate: Crucially, players can’t just spam the interaction button in a single sitting using macros. After reaching certain thresholds of proficiency, Zagreus must go out on a run, die (or escape), return to the House, and speak with Orpheus to unlock the next tier of practice.

When you finally cross the finish line after over 200 interactions, Zagreus sits down at the instrument and effortlessly plays a smooth, genuinely beautiful melody. Surprised by his own sudden competence, he realizes he has finally learned how to play. Returning to Orpheus triggers a final congratulatory dialogue, and the prophecy is fulfilled.

The Reward: A Harmonious Payoff

For turning the Prince of the Underworld from an absolute musical disaster into a competent bard, the Fated List rewards the player with 2 Ambrosia. In the economy of Hades, Ambrosia is an invaluable late-game resource used to deepen relationships with Olympian gods and companion characters, making the reward well worth the time spent plucking strings between runs.

Why “The Gift of Song” Matters

While most prophecies in Hades reward you for slaying specific bosses or utilizing certain weapon aspects, “The Gift of Song” rewards patience and routine. It mirrors the broader narrative theme of the game: growth through repetition. Just as Zagreus dies and learns with every escape attempt, his clumsy finger-plucking slowly morphs into genuine artistry.

In a game saturated with the sounds of clashing steel, roaring bosses, and flowing rivers of lava, taking a moment to stop by the bedroom, listen to a harsh twang, and slowly watch it transform into music encapsulates the heart of Hades. It reminds players that even in a realm designed for eternal punishment, there is always room to learn something entirely new.