A few months had passed since that ominous prophecy.
"AAAAAAA!!!"
Hecate screamed in labor pain. Physicians and maids assisted in the delivery.
Hades stood outside the room, leaning against the wall. His jaw was locked, hands clenching with each of her screams.
Aggron knelt before him. "Greetings, my Lord." He stole a glance at the door, his lips parting slightly as he hesitated to speak in such a situation.
Hades's eyes shifted to him. "Speak."
"Lord Hermes… requests an audience."
Hades's brows furrowed, an invisible pressure exerting itself on the room.
Aggron clenched his fist and said, enduring the pressure, "He is in… a very dire situation… He wishes to discuss something important."
Before Hades could respond, Rhea interrupted. "Hades, you should go."
Hades looked toward the voice. Rhea, Hestia, and Asterius were approaching.
"But—"
"We will take care of her. You go and attend to the important matter," Rhea insisted, leaving no room for argument.
He hesitated but yielded to his mother's stubbornness. He left with Aggron toward the guest room where Hermes waited.
As they walked, Hades asked, "What is the security status?"
"Excellent, my Lord. General Julie is guarding the giant chasm; Lady Amazel and the Dukes have taken charge of internal security; deities and spirits are guarding their own areas."
He nodded and ordered, "Hmm… you should return to your post."
"As per your order, my Lord."
---
Hades entered the guest room. Physicians were applying medicine and bandages to Hermes' wounds. They all stopped their work as Hades entered and bowed. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Argh!"
Hermes groaned in pain. He also stood and bowed. "Greetings… Your Majesty."
Hades nodded and took a seat opposite him. He glanced at the physicians and servants.
They all understood the implicit command and quickly left the room. The door closed.
He asked, "What happened, Hermes? You are here in this state."
"Olympus has been… occupied by Typhoon and the giants. Our attacks… inflict little damage. Lord Zeus has also been trapped in an unknown cave."
Hermes knelt and begged, "Please, Lord Hades… save Olympus. Save the world."
"I refuse."
He blinked twice, disbelief furrowing his brow as he muttered, "No… that can't be."
"I have always tried to improve my relations with you all. But—" Hades leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "You were planning to take over my own realm."
Hermes stood rooted to the spot, shock draining the color from his face. He knows.
He stammered, "Lord Hades… I will not deny the truth. But… if Typhoon legally becomes the celestial king, it will throw not only the upper world into chaos, but also the Underworl—"
Suddenly, a cold, sharp blade touched his neck. "I am truly impressed by your bravery. Trying to threaten me. In my own domain."
"I merely state the facts, my Lord." Hermes met his sharp gaze.
Hades smiled and waved his hand. A black cloak and a map manifested in his hand. "This is Iapetus's cloak of invisibility and a map to where Zeus and his tendons are being kept."
His eyes fixed on the cloak and map, a small smile forming—fragile yet full of hope. He knelt deeply. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will never forget your generosity."
"Leave before I change my m—" Suddenly, he stopped mid-sentence and glared at an empty corner. Then he stepped into his own shadow and disappeared from the room.
---
BOOOM!!!
A sphere of acidic water clashed with orbs of light. A huge explosion erupted, spreading a field of steam.
Suddenly, a light orb pierced through the steam and crashed into the Styx river.
Styx barely dodged, but the shockwave from the explosion struck her. She hit the wall with great force.
Her peplos was torn in several places. Golden ichor dripped from the corner of her mouth. Her head swam, but she endured.
She groaned in pain and looked ahead—the entire shore was shrouded in fog. Shipwrecks and debris floated on the water. The seriously injured and unconscious forms of Apate, Charon, and a few soldiers drifted among them.
She waved her trembling hand; waves carried them to a safe spot. Then she looked straight at the light gleaming in the fog.
She gulped and stood up, supporting herself against the wall. She raised her hand. The Styx river responded to her call. The waves grew larger and more corrosive.
Water took the shape of swirling giant lances, all pointed toward the light source.
The fog slowly dissipated, revealing three giants. A black-skinned giant stood to the right—Noctyr; a white-skinned giant stood to the left—Vareth; and in the center, a golden-skinned giant—Aurethar. Their bodies were covered in monster hides, serving as both clothing and armor.
Who could have thought that in just a few seconds, they would defeat the stationed forces and deities.
Aurethar extended his hand. Light particles swirled in his palm, forming a giant orb. "Farewell, River Goddess."
The giant light orb hurtled forward. Hundreds of corrosive water lances shot toward it, but they all vaporized upon contact.
Styx shut her eyes tightly and gritted her teeth.
Several seconds passed, but the expected destruction and pain never reached her. She peeked out, and her eyes opened with new hope at the familiar shadow.
"Your… Majesty."
Hades glanced at her, then looked at the seriously injured Apate and the others. His hand tightened around Helkarion. "Good work, Styx. Leave this place with the others. Immediately."
No words followed. Styx changed her form into water and submerged into the river. Waves rose and carried them away.
Hades glared at the giants. Noctyr and Aurethar both extended their hands, forming new orbs. Vareth stepped forward and shouted, "We have all been desperately waiting for you, Hades—"
Demonic flame shot into his face, burning him instantly.
"Brother!!" Aurethar and Noctyr shouted, about to dispel their spells. Vareth raised his hand and stopped them.
"You are not worthy to speak my name with your filthy mouth." Hades spread his wings wide as metallic spikes merged from the ground.
Vareth smiled. "Arrogant… huh." He raised both hands. A strange, yet familiar energy gathered around them. "Let's see if you can remain arrogant after this—Nullification Field."
He slammed both hands onto the ground. The earth shook, and waves of energy spread in all directions.
The metallic spikes that had been rising suddenly stopped.