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Unlocking the Prophecy
The Underworld is a place filled with endless battles, blood, and darkness, but Supergiant Games ensures that it also holds room for art and melody. Among the many side activities written on the Fated List of Minor Prophecies is “The Gift of Song.” Fulfilling this specific prophecy tasks Prince Zagreus with an unusual goal: learning how to perform music halfway decently under the guidance of the legendary court musician, Orpheus. Completing this quest rewards the player with two valuable Ambrosias, which are essential for deepening bonds with the various residents of the House of Hades.
Before embarking on your musical journey, the prophecy must first be formally unlocked. This process requires a bit of foundational relationship-building. You must ensure that Orpheus has been released from his solitary confinement in Tartarus and has returned to his spot in the main hall of the House of Hades. Once he is present, you need to offer him at least one bottle of Nectar to build rapport. Following this gesture, continue speaking with him after each escape attempt. Zagreus will share stories of his adventures, including the details of slaying the Bone Hydra. Eventually, inspired by these tall tales and encouraged to break his silent vow, Orpheus will suggest that Zagreus try his hand at music, which officially adds “The Gift of Song” to the Fated List.
Procuring the Splendid Lyre
Once Orpheus plants the seed of musical ambition, Zagreus needs an actual instrument to practice on. To secure one, head over to the House Contractor standing near the throne of Hades. Under the Bedchambers tab, a new work order titled “Lyre: Splendid” will become available for purchase. Acquiring this instrument requires a single Diamond. Diamonds are rare resources typically earned by defeating the Bone Hydra in Asphodel for the first time with any given weapon, or by trading with the Wretched Broker.
After finalizing the purchase, the lyre will permanently appear at the foot of the bed inside Zagreus’ personal chambers. This physical addition serves as your interactive station for the remainder of the quest. Whenever Zagreus returns to his room between his various attempts to escape the Underworld, the instrument will be waiting for him to pluck its strings.
The Long Road of Practice
The core mechanic of “The Gift of Song” mirrors the reality of mastering any real-world instrument: repetition and dedication. To complete the prophecy, Zagreus must interact with the lyre a total of 210 times. When you first approach the instrument, the initial strums will sound harsh, dissonant, and completely uncoordinated. Zagreus will make self-deprecating remarks about his clear lack of natural talent, and the audio feedback will reinforce his clumsy technique.
Fortunately, the game tracks every single button press. While it is entirely possible to stand by the bed and mash the interact button 210 times in a single sitting to accumulate the raw total, the progression of the narrative aspect of the quest is gated by specific checkpoints. These critical increments occur roughly at 10, 60, 110, and 210 strums. As these milestones are reached, the sound of the lyre will noticeably transform. The messy noise will gradually shift into short melodic phrases, and eventually, clean, beautiful cords.
Consulting the Master
Simply hitting the required number of strums is not enough to cross the finish line. Because the dialogue queue in the House of Hades can easily become crowded with main story progression, relationship arcs, and general commentary, players must actively manage their interactions with Orpheus. To successfully trigger the evolution of Zagreus’ musical skills, you must regularly speak to the court musician after passing a practice checkpoint.
After an intense practice session, go out to the main hall and speak with Orpheus when he is not actively singing. He will provide constructive feedback, offering tips on proper posture, finger plucking technique, and how to manage the off-hand. After receiving a lesson, you must complete at least one run through the Underworld—whether you successfully escape or meet an early demise—before the next piece of instructional dialogue can trigger. This rhythmic loop of practicing, chatting with the master, and descending into the dungeons ensures that your progress advances smoothly without getting stuck behind other narrative blocks.
Achieving Musical Mastery
Once the final tier of 210 interactions is reached, and the consecutive rounds of dialogue have been cleared, Zagreus will confidently pluck a flawless, intricate melody. He will finally confess that he has genuinely gotten the hang of the instrument, finding true joy in the creative process. Even Lord Hades himself will occasionally pipe up, dryly acknowledging his son’s newfound talent and commenting that the house now effectively has a second court musician.
To officially close out the prophecy, find Orpheus one last time to receive his ultimate praise. The legendary artist will warmly commend your dedication, noting that the prince might someday even surpass his own legendary abilities. With the master’s blessing secured, walk back into the bedchambers and interact with the Fated List of Minor Prophecies desk. Selecting the completed entry will instantly claim the two bottles of Ambrosia, bringing a triumphant and harmonious conclusion to one of the most charming storylines in the game.
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