How to Complete The Gift of Song Prophecy in Hades

Mastering the Strings: How to Complete “The Gift of Song” Prophecy in Hades

Deftly weaving Greek mythology with fast-paced rogue-like action, Hades offers plenty of ways to test your reflexes. But for completionists and story-lovers aiming for a true 100% run, one specific Minor Prophecy stands out as a true test of endurance and patience: The Gift of Song.

Listed on the Fated List of Minor Prophecies in Zagreus’ bedroom, the quest description reads:

“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.”

If you are tired of Zagreus producing agonizingly out-of-tune twangs that even Cerberus would wince at, here is your complete, step-by-step guide to unlocking, grinding, and completing “The Gift of Song.”

Step 1: Unlocking the Prophecy

Before you can fulfill the prophecy, you have to set the wheels in motion. If it hasn’t appeared on your Fated List yet, make sure you have checked off the following prerequisites:

1. Unlock the Fated List: Purchase the Fated List of Minor Prophecies work order from the House Contractor.
2. Purchase the Lyre: Visit the House Contractor and buy the Lyre decoration for Zagreus’ bedroom (under the Bedchambers category).
3. Befriend Orpheus: Give Nectar to Orpheus and progress your relationship. Eventually—after he starts singing again or after you tell him the tale of slaying the Bone Hydra—Orpheus will casually suggest that Zagreus try his hand at playing music.
4. Check Your Desk: Once Orpheus gives you this nudge, “The Gift of Song” will officially populate on your Fated List.

Step 2: The Long Grind (Plucking the Strings)

If you expect Zagreus to sit down and instantly shred like a mythological rock star, prepare for a rude awakening. At the start, interacting with the lyre results in a hilariously awful, discordant mess.

To complete the prophecy, you must interact with the lyre a total of roughly 210 times. However, there is a major catch that catches many players off guard:

Important Rule: You cannot just spam the interaction button 210 times in a row during a single visit. Zagreus’ skill level and dialogue only update incrementally.

Establishing the Routine

To make steady progress without losing your mind, turn it into a post-run ritual:

• Play after every run: Every single time you return home to the House of Hades—whether your escape attempt ended in glorious victory or a brutal death—walk over to your bedchamber and strum the lyre once or twice.
• Talk to Orpheus: Periodically check in with Orpheus in the lounge. As your interaction count climbs across multiple escape attempts, Orpheus will offer new dialogue lines acknowledging that your terrible noise is slowly starting to sound like actual rhythm.
• Keep the loop going: If Zagreus stops commenting on his progress or repeats dialogue, make sure you speak to Orpheus to unlock the next threshold, then return to strumming the instrument.

Step 3: Collecting Your Reward

You will know you are finally at the finish line when Zagreus sits down, plucks the strings, and effortlessly produces a genuinely pleasant, melancholic melody instead of a screeching disaster. Zagreus will voice his surprise and satisfaction with his newfound musical talent.