AFTERMATH
1489 Words
ARC ONE: BIRTH OF THE KING
Chapter 6: Aftermath
The battle was over.
What had once been the proud marketplace of Mount Othrys now lay in ruins. Buildings had crumbled into heaps of stone, fires still burned among the wreckage, and the air remained thick with smoke.
The name of Prince Hades spread throughout the Titan Kingdom like wildfire.
The prince who had stood toe-to-toe with a Fallen Angel.
The prince whose power had shaken the heavens.
Yet...
The hero of the battle lay unconscious.
---
Hestia's Residence
Unlike the imposing palace of Cronus, Hestia's home was peaceful and welcoming. Warm fireplaces burned gently despite the summer weather, filling every room with comfort.
Hades rested on a large bed, his body covered in bandages.
His breathing was steady.
But he had yet to awaken.
Beside him sat Hestia, gently changing the cloth on his forehead.
"You really overdid it this time..."
she whispered with a small smile.
The bedroom door opened.
Queen Rhea entered first, followed by Demeter.
Behind them came Atlas and the royal court wizard, Azeris.
Finally...
King Cronus stepped inside.
The room instantly became silent.
Azeris walked toward the unconscious prince.
He examined Hades carefully before placing two fingers against his forehead.
Golden magical circles appeared around his hand.
After several moments...
He nodded.
"He'll recover."
Hestia sighed in relief.
"What happened to him?"
Cronus asked quietly.
Azeris turned toward the King.
"Prince Hades released far more divine energy than his body could endure."
"He possesses extraordinary power..."
"...but his body has yet to mature enough to wield it."
Atlas folded his arms.
"I trained him to strengthen both his body and mind."
"That's the only reason he survived releasing that much power."
"Had it been anyone else..."
"They would've died."
The room fell silent.
Demeter suddenly noticed something.
"...His hair."
Everyone looked.
The snow-white hair remained unchanged.
"It didn't return to black."
Azeris stroked his beard.
"It appears his awakening permanently altered his appearance."
"The transformation may have ended..."
"...but its mark has remained."
Demeter smirked.
"So now he'll spend the rest of his life looking cooler than me."
Hestia giggled.
"You actually care about that?"
"I absolutely do."
The tension in the room eased for the first time.
Then...
A sleepy voice broke the silence.
"...Can someone stop arguing..."
"...I'm trying to sleep."
Everyone turned.
Hades slowly opened one eye.
A grin spread across Hestia's face.
"You're awake!"
Before he could even sit up—
Demeter flicked his forehead.
"Idiot."
"Ow!"
"What kind of prince nearly kills himself on his first real battle?"
"The adventurous kind?"
She sighed.
"I should've left you buried in that crater."
"You would've missed me."
"...Unfortunately."
The room erupted in soft laughter.
Even Rhea smiled.
Only Cronus remained expressionless.
---
Later that evening...
Cronus stood outside beneath the crimson sky.
Atlas and Azeris joined him.
"The demon uprising continues to spread throughout the Underworld," Azeris reported.
"The local rulers have either disappeared or been killed."
"The realm is descending into chaos."
Atlas frowned.
"If left unchecked..."
"The demons may spill into the surface realms."
Cronus remained silent.
Before he could respond—
The door behind them opened.
Hades stepped outside, still wrapped in bandages.
"I'll go."
The three men turned toward him.
"I'll investigate the Underworld."
"I'll restore order."
Atlas stared.
"You just woke up."
"I know."
"And you still wish to go?"
Hades smiled.
"I've always wanted to see the Underworld."
"Besides..."
He looked toward the distant horizon.
"If innocent people are suffering..."
"I can't pretend I didn't hear about it."
For a brief moment...
Cronus lowered his head.
Hidden beneath his calm expression...
His heart raced.
The Underworld...
A realm filled with endless dangers.
A place even powerful kings avoided.
If Hades went there...
Perhaps...
The prophecy would never come to pass.
He looked back at his son.
"...Very well."
"You have my permission."
Rhea immediately objected.
"Cronus!"
"He's still recovering!"
Demeter crossed her arms.
"This is madness."
Hestia nodded.
"He needs more time."
But Hades simply smiled.
"I'll be fine."
"I promise."
---
The following morning...
The dining hall echoed with cheerful conversation.
Hades was devouring plate after plate of food.
"This is amazing!"
Demeter sighed.
"You nearly died yesterday."
"And today you're eating enough for an army."
"I need fuel."
"You need self-control."
Suddenly...
The front door opened.
Demeter entered alongside a young woman carrying several bags.
She appeared to be around Hades' age.
Long emerald hair flowed down her back.
Gentle pink eyes reflected kindness.
She wore simple white clothing decorated with flowers.
"This..."
Demeter said.
"...is Persephone."
The young woman bowed politely.
"It's an honor to meet you, Prince Hades."
Hades blinked.
Then looked at Demeter.
"...Why is she here?"
"She's going with you."
His smile disappeared.
"...Excuse me?"
"The Underworld is enormous."
"You'll need someone reliable."
"I don't need a babysitter."
Persephone covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Demeter folded her arms.
"You need one."
"I absolutely don't."
"You got yourself half-killed yesterday."
"...That was one time."
"Exactly."
Hestia smiled warmly.
"I think it'll be nice having someone with you."
Hades looked around the room.
One against three.
He sighed dramatically.
"I've been outvoted."
Persephone smiled.
"I'll do my best not to slow you down."
Hades scratched the back of his head.
"...Welcome aboard, then."
---
Later that day...
Atlas called Hades outside.
"I have something for you."
From a large wooden chest, Atlas carefully lifted a magnificent weapon.
A black two-pronged spear.
Its shaft was forged from celestial steel, while crimson runes glowed faintly along its length.
"The Bident."
Atlas handed it to Hades.
"It has belonged to our family for generations."
"It suits your fighting style."
Hades accepted the weapon.
The instant his hand touched it...
The runes illuminated.
The Bident resonated with his divine energy.
"It chose you."
Atlas smiled.
"But remember..."
"A weapon alone doesn't make a king."
"You must discover your own path."
"Your own divine art."
"The day you master your power..."
"No one will be able to stand before you."
Hades stared thoughtfully at the weapon.
For once...
His usual smile faded.
"I understand."
Atlas nodded proudly.
Then Hades suddenly looked up.
"Oh."
"I almost forgot."
Atlas blinked.
"What?"
"Does the Underworld have amusement parks?"
Atlas stared.
"...Seriously?"
Hades laughed.
"I'm kidding."
"...Mostly."
Atlas couldn't help smiling.
"Just come back alive."
"I will."
"I promise."
---
The next morning...
The massive Nether Gates stood open.
An endless darkness stretched beyond them.
Waiting.
Rhea.
Hestia.
Demeter.
Atlas.
Azeris.
And Persephone all stood before the entrance.
Hades finally arrived.
Everyone stared.
Instead of royal armor...
He wore loose black trousers, a white shirt, and a long black coat lined with silver spikes.
His white hair was tied neatly into a ponytail.
A lollipop rested casually between his lips.
He looked less like a prince heading into dangerous territory...
And more like someone going on vacation.
Demeter sighed.
"Only you would dress like that."
Hades shrugged.
"If I'm going somewhere dangerous..."
"I might as well look good."
Even Rhea laughed.
The heavy atmosphere disappeared.
Hestia suddenly hugged him tightly.
"...Please come back safely."
"I will."
Demeter looked away.
"...Don't take too long."
Hades smiled.
"I'll be back before you start missing me."
"I'll never miss you."
"Liar."
She clicked her tongue.
"Just go already, brat."
Atlas placed a hand on Hades' shoulder.
"Remember everything I've taught you."
"I will."
Hades nodded.
He and Persephone stepped toward the Nether Gates.
Just before entering...
He turned around.
"...Where's Father?"
Rhea sighed.
"I don't know."
"He's been... distant lately."
Hades looked at the empty space where Cronus should have been.
Something felt strange.
But he simply smiled.
"I'll see everyone soon."
With that...
He and Persephone disappeared into the darkness.
The Nether Gates slowly closed behind them.
---
Far away...
From the highest tower of the Palace of Time...
Cronus watched in silence.
Once the gates had completely shut...
He laughed.
A quiet laugh.
Then louder.
And louder.
Until it echoed across the empty chamber.
"At last..."
"The greatest obstacle..."
"...has removed himself."
His crimson eyes glowed with madness.
"Now..."
"The rest of the pieces can finally fall into place."
His laughter continued long into the night.
---
Deep within the Underworld...
Darkness stretched endlessly in every direction.
The air was cold.
Heavy.
Silent.
Hades looked around curiously.
"So..."
"This is the Underworld."
Before Persephone could answer—
RRRROOOOOAAARRRRR!!
A monstrous roar shook the entire realm.
The ground trembled violently.
Out of the darkness emerged an enormous beast with three snarling heads, each with glowing crimson eyes and rows of razor-sharp fangs.
The legendary guardian of the Underworld...
Cerberus.
The beast's thunderous growl echoed through the abyss as it fixed all six eyes upon the newcomers.
Hades slowly removed the lollipop from his mouth.
He smiled.
"...Well."
"I guess this adventure starts now."
End of Chapter 6
End of Arc One: Birth of the King
Next Arc: The Underworld Arc
- Writer
