Honestly? This place feels more like home than anywhere else in his journey had. Windowless walls and a sense of danger around every corner, even the figures that tower over him authoritatively... it's familiar, and he's prepared for what's to come.

But when they do not, in fact, get ready to fight him, and instead scan him and speak to him with a moderate amount of respect, Zagreus tilts his head in confusion and slowly lowers Stygius from its ready position.

"... sure, I'll bite. But just to be clear, I'm not in trouble, and my friends aren't in danger?"

It's less a question of fact and more a request. If he complies with whatever they are searching for, then surely no harm will come to the others, right?