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

Supergiant Games’ Hades is celebrated for its blistering combat, incredible voice acting, and deeply woven narrative. Yet, tucked away between relentless escape attempts and chatting up Olympian gods, players find themselves engaging in one of the most delightfully agonizing side-hustles in the underworld: learning to play the lyre.

Among the Fated List of Minor Prophecies, “The Gift of Song” stands out. It is a test of patience, a running gag, and a deeply satisfying atmospheric payoff rolled into one. If you have ever wanted to transform Zagreus from a tone-deaf plucker into a musician worthy of the court of the dead, here is everything you need to know to complete the prophecy.

What is “The Gift of Song”?

Officially logged via the Fated List of Minor Prophecies, the prophecy 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.”

Fulfilling this prophecy yields 2x Ambrosia, a rare and precious resource used to deepen bonds with characters and unlock elite keepsakes. More importantly, it stops Zagreus from torturing everyone in the House of Hades with utterly grating, discordant plinks.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the Prophecy

Step 1: Lay the Groundwork

Before you can become a virtuoso, you need the proper equipment and a blessing from the House musician:

• Buy the Lyre: Head to the House Contractor and purchase the Lyre for your bedroom (it costs 1 Diamond).
• Befriend Orpheus: Give Nectar to Orpheus and check in on him regularly. Eventually, after progressing his storyline—such as hearing him sing again or telling him about defeating the Bone Hydra—he will offer Zagreus a few words of advice regarding music.
• Unlock the Fated List: Ensure you have acquired the Fated List of Minor Prophecies from the House Contractor so the quest registers in your log.

Step 2: The Long Road of Practice

At the start, whenever Zagreus strums the lyre, it sounds genuinely awful. Notes clash, strings twang sharply, and Zagreus will mutter self-deprecating remarks about how terrible he sounds.

To fulfill the prophecy, you must practice—a lot.

• The Interaction Requirement: You need to interact with the lyre at least 210 times.
• The Run Limitation: You cannot just stand in your room and spam the interact button 210 times in a row. Zagreus will only make progress and trigger new dialogue once per run (specifically, after returning to the House of Hades from a death or a successful escape).

Pro-Tip for Fast-Tracking: Build a ritual. Every single time you return to the House of Hades, make your very first stop your bedroom. Strum the lyre once, listen to Zagreus’s brief comment, and then proceed with your usual gift-giving, weapon-swapping, and run-launching. Over the course of your natural progression through the game, those interactions will effortlessly stack up.

Step 3: Reap the Rewards

Once you cross the invisible threshold of roughly 210 interactions, Zagreus’s dialogue will shift. Instead of complaining about his lack of talent, he will proudly note that he is finally starting to sound decent.

Head back to the Fated List to claim your 2 Ambrosia. Even better, you can continue to strum the lyre post-prophecy and actually enjoy smooth, melodic music rather than cacophonous noise.

Why “The Gift of Song” Matters

In a game defined by the frantic rush of combat, “The Gift of Song” acts as a brilliant pacing mechanic. It mirrors Zagreus’s broader journey: steady, repetitive effort leading to hidden mastery. It transforms the bedroom from a simple loading area into a living space that evolves alongside your escape attempts.