Chapter 13 Summary: As Time Goes By
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Lyra is surrounded by the Titans in Tartarus. A red, glittering crystalline gash appears in the air and swallows her, transporting her backward in time. She recognizes the scene: she has been taken to Hera's observatory just after her defeat in the Crucible. She watches her past self confront a cold, rejecting Hades. Past Lyra feels used and heartbroken, accusing Hades of manipulating her. The Daemones then carry her away as Hades shouts. After past Lyra is gone, the present-day Lyra approaches Hades, demanding to know why he was so cruel. Hades shocks her by claiming she herself told him to do those things during a previous time‑travel visit. Before she can process this, he kisses her passionately, and she responds with equal fervor. The kiss dissolves her doubts momentarily, but the red light reappears, pulling her back to the present moment in Tartarus.
Key Events
- Lyra is taken by a red crystalline time‑travel portal from Tartarus to a past memory.
- She relives the painful encounter where Hades coldly rejects her after her loss in the Crucible.
- Past Lyra accuses Hades of using her and feels utterly discarded.
- After past Lyra is taken away, present Lyra confronts the past Hades.
- Hades reveals that Lyra (from a future timeline) commanded him to be cruel.
- A fierce, emotionally charged kiss occurs between them.
- The time portal yanks Lyra back to the Titans before she can get answers.
Character Development
- Lyra: Her old wounds are reopened, and she questions whether Hades ever truly cared for her or only saw her as a means to free Persephone. The kiss reignites her passion but deepens her confusion.
- Hades: We see a version of him that is both cruel and later tormented. His claim that Lyra ordered his cruelty suggests a fragile trust and a willingness to obey her even when it destroys him.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Time Travel and Causality: The crimson crystal acts as a literal tear in time. Lyra’s past and present collide, forcing her to witness her own history and learn that her future actions may have shaped Hades’ behavior.
- Emotional Manipulation vs. Genuine Love: The chapter questions whether Hades’ rejection was calculated or compelled. The passionate kiss seems to confirm real feelings, yet the context remains murky.
- Memory and Pain: Lyra is forced to relive a traumatic memory, which re‑ignites her doubts and insecurities about love and worth.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 13 introduces a key time‑travel mechanic that will likely have major consequences for the plot. It deepens the emotional rift between Lyra and Hades while also offering a glimpse into Hades’ own suffering. The revelation that Lyra may have orchestrated her own heartbreak adds layers of complexity to their relationship and raises new questions about fate and free will.
Study Questions
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Why does Lyra confront the past Hades rather than simply observing her own memory?
Answer: She is driven by unresolved pain and the need to understand why he was cruel. The time‑travel opportunity gives her a chance to demand answers directly. -
What does Hades’ claim that “you told me to” imply about the nature of their relationship?
Answer: It suggests that Lyra, from a future timeline, instructed Hades to treat her coldly—possibly to preserve a necessary condition (like her curse) or to influence the outcome of the Crucible. This creates a paradox and challenges Lyra’s sense of agency. -
How does the kiss affect Lyra’s doubts about Hades’ intentions?
Answer: The kiss momentarily silences her fears because Hades’ passion feels too genuine to be faked. Yet the interruption of the time portal leaves her without resolution, and the doubts remain.