Faced with the increasingly apparent rifts and undercurrents among the rebels, Zeus felt unprecedented pressure.
Poseidon's unruliness, the potential threat posed by Hera's maneuvering, and the private conversations about Hades's 'more kingly demeanor' were like invisible ropes, choking him.
His thinking, accustomed to using power and charm to solve problems directly, seemed somewhat strained in the face of complex political games.
Under anxiety, Zeus's instinctive style of action took over once more.
Since internal integration was difficult, he would attract more powerful external forces!
And the 'weapon' he handled best and was most proud of—besides the thunderbolt—was his irresistible charm and handsome appearance.
He turned his attention to the ancient goddesses who had not yet made a clear statement but possessed great power and influence.
If he could win their hearts and support, it would not only greatly strengthen his own power but also severely dampen the arrogance of those secretly doubting him, especially... the shadow lurking in the Underworld!
However, this time, his 'beauty hunt' repeatedly failed, as if fate were against him.
He first targeted the goddess of memory, Mnemosyne.
This ancient goddess carried the memory of the world; if he could win her over, he would undoubtedly gain unparalleled support.
Zeus carefully planned an 'accidental encounter,' appearing in the most perfect pose as Mnemosyne strolled, his words full of thirst and praise for knowledge and wisdom, his eyes flowing with a tenderness potent enough to intoxicate most goddesses.
However, just as he tried to get closer, uttering the sweet words that had felled countless nymphs and goddesses, a faint, almost pitying flicker appeared in Mnemosyne's eyes, deep as an ancient well.
It was not that Zeus lacked charm, but that at this moment, within her vast memory, an extremely ancient, almost forgotten memory fragment shimmered, touched by an invisible fingertip—it was the primordial divine power, the force of Eros.
This image strangely contrasted with Zeus's impatient pursuit before her, causing her to instinctively feel... fear.
"Young Zeus," Mnemosyne's voice was calm and unwavering, carrying an aloofness born of ages.
"Your thunder may illuminate the path ahead, but the abyss of memory needs eternal silence, not noisy enthusiasm."
She raised her hand slightly, and the memory orbs revolving around her seemed to obey, gently but firmly pushing Zeus away from her, as if silently refusing him entry into this sanctuary belonging to the past.
Zeus's skillful words of love seemed so pale and... impulsive before the goddess carrying eternal memory.
Frustration made Zeus even more irritable, and he turned his attention to Themis, the goddess of justice and law.
This goddess, holding scales and blindfolded, symbolized absolute justice and order, and her support would grant the rebels unparalleled legitimacy.
Zeus changed his strategy, trying to impress her with the grand ideal of 'restoring order to the universe' and 'ending the tyranny of Cronus.'
His impassioned speech described a new era of justice and law that would undoubtedly come under his leadership.
At first, Themis seemed moved, and the scales tilted slightly.
But just as Zeus thought he had succeeded and tried to go further, even wanting to use his charismatic body language to enhance his 'persuasion,' the situation reversed.
Themis's face turned towards him, her voice undeniably cold: "Zeus, the cornerstone of law lies in its own justice and necessity, not in the promise and charm of any god. Your ideals are worth listening to, but trying to stain the solemnity of law with frivolity is blasphemy against 'order' itself. Leave my temple, and do not return until you truly understand that 'rules' are more important than 'power'."
The two defeats, especially Themis's merciless expulsion, were like a loud slap to Zeus's pride.
He could not understand why his invincible methods were failing one after another.
He blamed the stubbornness and incomprehension of these ancient goddesses, but the anxiety and anger in his heart burned like a wildfire.
And all of this was witnessed by Hades, who sat on the obsidian throne in the depths of the Underworld, through his mirror.
His face was calm as water, but a cold sneer flickered in the depths of his eyes.
At this moment, Metis, the Queen of the Underworld, who stood quietly beside him, slowly stepped forward.
Instead of looking at the irritated and angry figure of Zeus in the mirror, she focused entirely on Hades.
In her eyes, there was no longer the former vigilance or anxiety, but a deep, viscous, almost substantial darkness.
This darkness came from Nyx's 'gift' within her, and also from the possessiveness in her heart that had been repeatedly confirmed and strengthened.
She extended her cold fingers and gently traced the back of Hades's hand resting on the throne's armrest, her movements soft but with a sense of entanglement that could not be refused.
"You see, my Hades," her voice was like a whisper from the deepest part of the Styx, with a pulsing tenderness.
"They are all struggling, all full of ugliness because of their desires and ambitions. Zeus tried to bind power with his superficial means, not knowing that the true bond has already been ordained."
She leaned slightly towards Hades's ear, her breath cold, with a faint fragrance of flowers from beyond. "Only here, only the Underworld, is the eternal destination. Only I can truly understand your path, support your authority, and share with you this silence that transcends the cycle of life and death."
Her fingers tightened slightly, as if wanting to imprint her existence onto Hades's divine body. "We will always be together, forever... No matter how noisy Olympus gets, no matter how much time passes, no matter how many people overestimate themselves, envy your power, or covet your... existence."
Her voice grew lower and lower, the last words almost turning into silent vows, but with a paranoid, eerie firmness.
"Anyone who tries to destroy this 'eternity,' no matter who they are," she raised her eyes to look at Hera's figure, which happened to flicker in the mirror, or any being that might pose a 'threat' to Hades, a cold killing intent flickering in her eyes.
"They will all return to eternal silence. This is the gift of the goddess Nyx... This power is also my duty as your queen."
Hades neither pushed her away nor responded to her dark vow.
He simply sat quietly, allowing her cold touch and paranoid words to envelop him.
The silence of Hades seemed to grow deeper and more suffocating because of Metis's words.
The twin gods, Thanatos and Hypnos, did their best to diminish their presence, pretending they had heard nothing.