Oh, death! We spend too much of our lives trying to run from it, fight against it, and ignore its undeniable inevitability. But in the end, no one can escape the cold, icy embrace of the grave.
Unless, of course, you find a workaround.
Ever wonder how demigods and monsters are able to return from the dead time and time again? Why a villain who battled Jason or Hercules in ancient times is still alive and kicking in the modern age, possibly even managing a frozen yogurt shop?
Some beings simply need to wait a few decades after their destruction to re-form, but for less powerful creatures and half-bloods, the quickest, easiest, and only way to score an extra life is to take a stroll through the famous Doors of Death.
For those who have read the Heroes of Olympus series, you already know that returning from oblivion isn’t as simple as knowing the difference between “push” and “pull.” As with any cheat code that mucks with the natural cycle of life, passing through the Doors of Death comes at a heavy cost and can result in a whole host of unforeseen consequences.
Want to know if a resurrection could be right for you? Or do you simply want to avoid the hassle of drafting a last will and testament? Here’s everything you need to know but were too scared to ask about the Doors of Death.
Stand Clear of Opening Doors
Let us start by explaining what the Doors of Death are, exactly. Most days, you can find them deep, deep in the depths of the Underworld. Two massive, black Stygian Iron doors. Imagine the elevator doors to Olympus . . . but with a goth paint job.
Wait! Don’t mark the location on your map just yet! Thanks to the power of Thanatos, the god of peaceful death, the Doors of Death can be transported anywhere on the planet with the snap of his fingers.
As the guardian of the Doors of Death, Thanatos bears the enormous responsibility of ensuring that no soul wanders back into the land of the living. At least not without a signed permission slip from a higher authority.
Revolving Guardians
Worried that you wouldn’t be able to slip past Thanatos’s every watchful eye unnoticed? Have no fear. Quite recently, Thanatos was temporarily relieved of his duties.
Some have referred to Gaea’s displacement of Thanatos as a “hostile takeover.” To others, it was a “victory for liberty and deregulation.” Regardless, under her new management, several famous and highly influential figures stepped out of Tartarus to strut their stuff in the mortal realm once more.
Like Narcissus, the self-obsessed demigod. King Midas and his bloodthirsty son, Lityerses. And let’s not forget Medea, the evil princess of Clochis, and her adorable dragons. Essentially, all the people you really didn’t want to come to your barbecue but they somehow arrived anyway. Needless to say, these resurrected souls caused a whole heap of trouble for several heroic demigods.
The Eternal Return
This is because Gaea chained the Doors of Death to Tartarus, guaranteeing that only the worst of the worst would walk through. All the while, the wicked sorceress Pasiphaë and her giant buddy Clytius were tasked with guarding the entrance to the Doors of Death in the mortal realm.
The Heroes of Olympus had their work cut out for them returning all these formerly deceased baddies to their true resting place. But not every fallen soul was caught. The Roman demigod Gwen found a way to return to our world through the Doors of Death even after becoming a Centurion shish kebab (which is a cute way of saying that she had an unfortunate encounter with a spear). As far as we know, she’s still alive and thriving to this day.
Because Gwen escaped the Underworld shortly after she met her end, her soul was able to return to her original body (sans grievous injuries, naturally). But for those who have been worm food for weeks, months, centuries, etc., the Doors of Death can provide a brand-new body—a body from when you were at the absolute height of your power.
Just be sure to use it wisely. Don’t spend all day with it hunched over a desk. Bring earplugs to concerts. And don’t hesitate to say, “I don’t think this is such a good idea,” when your friend claims they’re finally ready to be a full-time tattoo artist.
Don’t Let the Doors Hit You on the Way Out
Magical moving doors that can bring you back to life and give you a whole new body? We understand if the concept is a bit difficult to wrap your head around. We know you can think of plenty of aspects of demigod life that defy the natural laws of science, but the very notion of returning from the dead can be a tough pill for some to swallow.
Perhaps think of it this way: the Doors of Death are an on-and-off switch for immortality. When they’re closed, we’re all vulnerable to falling pianos and expired shrimp cocktails. But when they’re open, everyone and everything is granted the gift of endless life. Great news for primordial entities who adore endless growth, such as Gaea. Bad news for those of us who will have to share a three-bedroom apartment with 30,000 other people.
Something to consider should you ever find yourself on the other side of the Doors of Death: Is the mortal world one you actually want to return to? Also worth remembering: There’s already a super long line of monsters waiting for the moment when the Doors will once again be opened by an outside force. Are you really ready to spend possibly thousands of years making small talk with the Hyperborean Cyclops waiting in front of you? Once you’ve heard the story of how he mistook his ax for a goat for the 500th time, it starts to get a little old.
So, what can we learn from all of this? Clearly, not everyone is meant to have a second chance at life. And often, those who do receive the gift of resurrection don’t stay above ground for long before the so-called “forces of good” shut the doors once more.
We do have a message for those who are lucky enough to return through the Doors of Death: Make the most of this next life. Learn from the mistakes of your first time around and try your best to move forward with as few regrets as possible (and, if it’s not too much to ask, leave the poor young demigods alone). Because you never know when some higher force will decide that your time is up once again.
And hey, if you discover that life up here these days is actually way more chaotic and unpredictable than whatever is going on down in Tartarus, who could blame you for turning right back around to live in Hades’s domain? Tell Typhon we said hi!