WELCOME TO THE UNDERWORLD
1305 Words
UNDERWORLD ARC
Chapter 7: Welcome to the Underworld
Darkness.
An endless, suffocating darkness stretched as far as the eye could see.
The moment Hades and Persephone crossed the colossal Gate of the Underworld, the warm breeze of the mortal world disappeared completely, replaced by scorching heat and the heavy scent of sulfur.
Persephone stopped in her tracks.
"...This..."
Her emerald eyes widened.
Before them lay a realm unlike anything she had ever imagined.
The earth was black, cracked, and barren, incapable of nurturing even the smallest blade of grass. Rivers of molten crimson lava twisted through the landscape like serpents, dividing the land into countless fragments.
Towering cliffs pierced the horizon while an enormous volcanic mountain dominated the center of the realm, endlessly spewing fire and ash into the dark sky.
No sun.
No moon.
No stars.
Only a blood-red glow from flowing magma illuminated the endless wasteland.
Far below the volcanic mountain, where even the light of lava could not reach, echoed the distant screams of sinners condemned to eternal punishment alongside monstrous high-ranking demons imprisoned in the deepest abyss.
It was a place that embodied despair itself.
Persephone instinctively grabbed the edge of Hades' cloak.
"...It's horrible."
Hades silently observed the scenery.
His expression remained as carefree as ever.
A small grin slowly appeared on his face.
"So..."
He shoved both hands into his pockets.
"This is the Underworld."
Unlike Persephone, there wasn't an ounce of fear in his voice.
Only curiosity.
He looked around like a traveler admiring a foreign kingdom.
After a few moments, he glanced sideways.
"You can still turn back, pretty girl."
His tone was as sarcastic as ever.
"No one would blame you."
Persephone tightened her fists.
She shook her head firmly.
"No."
"I'm staying."
Hades sighed dramatically.
"Stubborn."
"I learned from the best."
"..."
"...Was that supposed to be me?"
She smiled.
"It was."
Before Hades could answer—
BOOOOOOM!!
The entire ground shook violently.
The rivers of lava surged wildly.
Massive cracks spread beneath their feet.
Persephone gasped.
"W-What's happening?!"
A deafening growl echoed across the realm.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!
Three pairs of blazing crimson eyes slowly opened within the darkness.
Heavy footsteps followed.
Each step shook the earth.
Then the beast emerged.
Cerberus.
The legendary guardian of the Underworld.
Its three enormous heads snarled in unison, each mouth lined with countless razor-sharp fangs dripping with molten saliva.
Its claws carved trenches into the ground with every movement.
Its thick muscular tail smashed a nearby boulder into dust with a single swing.
The overwhelming pressure made even the surrounding demonkins flee.
Persephone's breathing became uneven.
"I-Is that..."
"The legendary Cerberus...?"
Hades' eyes sparkled.
"Oh..."
His grin widened.
"Now we're talking."
Without waiting another second—
He dashed forward.
"Hahaha!"
"Come here, you oversized mutt!"
He leaped high into the air, drawing back his fist.
"I wanna see how tough this new body really is!"
One of Cerberus' heads calmly watched him approach.
Then—
WHAM!!
A gigantic paw slammed into Hades before his punch could land.
The impact blasted him through an entire stone cliff.
BOOOOOOM!!
Rock exploded everywhere.
A massive crater formed where Hades finally stopped.
Silence.
Persephone's face turned pale.
"L-Lord Hades!"
Dust slowly cleared.
Hades stood up.
He dusted off his shoulder.
"...Huh."
He looked at his body.
Not a scratch.
He stretched his neck.
Crack.
Crack.
Then...
He laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"That was amazing!"
He clenched both fists.
"My old body would've been aching after that."
He rolled his shoulders.
"But now..."
He looked directly at Cerberus.
"I barely felt it."
He began walking forward again.
"Alright, beast dog..."
"It's time to tame—"
"...What?"
Hades froze.
His confident expression disappeared instantly.
"W-What just..."
"...happened?"
Cerberus...
...was wagging its tail.
Persephone stood in front of one of its heads, gently stroking its fur.
The terrifying beast had lowered all three heads obediently.
She smiled warmly.
"Not everything requires brute force."
Hades blinked.
"...Explain."
She giggled.
"He's hungry."
She held up a large chunk of roasted meat.
"I simply fed him."
Cerberus happily devoured it.
"The poor thing has probably been guarding this gate for ages without anyone showing it affection."
She gently scratched beneath one of its jaws.
"He isn't evil."
"Just lonely."
Hades stared blankly.
"..."
"...You're telling me..."
"The legendary guardian of the Underworld..."
"...just wanted dinner?"
Persephone nodded innocently.
"Pretty much."
Hades slowly rubbed his forehead.
"I was mentally preparing for the fight of my life..."
Persephone picked up another piece of meat.
"Come."
"You feed him too."
Hades awkwardly took the meat.
Cerberus looked at him expectantly.
"...Seriously?"
He tossed it over.
Crunch.
All three heads immediately wagged their tails.
Then...
The gigantic beast slowly lowered itself before Hades.
Kneeling.
Submitting.
Persephone smiled.
"I think he likes you."
Hades folded his arms.
"Hmph."
"Of course he does."
He cleared his throat.
"Cerberus."
The beast looked up.
"Guard this gate."
"No one enters."
"No one leaves."
Cerberus barked proudly.
ROOOF!
The three-headed beast immediately returned to its post.
Hades watched it leave before looking at Persephone.
"...Pretty girl."
She looked up.
"...No."
He smiled slightly.
"Persephone."
She froze.
For the first time...
He had called her by her real name.
Her eyes lit up.
"Y-Yes?"
"...Good work."
A warm smile spread across her face.
"Thank you..."
"My Lord."
Before either of them could say another word—
Slow clapping echoed through the wasteland.
"Well..."
"Dat was interesting."
Dozens of horned figures emerged from every direction.
Demonkins.
The inhabitants of the Upper Underworld.
They surrounded Hades and Persephone from all sides.
The crowd suddenly parted.
Four figures descended from the sky.
The first possessed majestic black wings, curved horns, and piercing crimson eyes.
Lucifer.
Behind him floated his three generals.
Azazel.
Samael.
Beelzebub.
Lucifer spread his arms.
"Welcome..."
"Son o' Time Tyrant Cronus."
"What bring ye here?"
"Ye lost?"
Hades answered without hesitation.
"Yep."
Lucifer blinked.
"...Eh?"
"I came for a little Underworld reconstruction."
He casually scratched his cheek.
"If you don't mind."
He smiled.
"Actually..."
"Even if you mind..."
"I'm doing it anyway."
Silence.
Then Lucifer burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"Ye wanna rebuild me kingdom?"
He pointed toward the heavens.
"Nah..."
"Me already planning take over da human world."
He grinned wickedly.
"As bonus..."
"Maybe me take Olympus too."
He turned away.
"But..."
He looked back over his shoulder.
"Ye welcome to try."
"Welcome to da Underworld."
With a flap of his wings, Lucifer flew away.
Azazel and Samael followed.
Beelzebub lingered for only a second.
He stared at Hades with unreadable eyes.
Then silently left as well.
Soon, the gathered demonkins dispersed.
The wasteland became quiet once again.
Then...
Hades' smile vanished.
His instincts screamed.
His eyes sharpened.
"Persephone."
His voice became serious.
"Get down."
Before she could react—
Hades grabbed her waist and leaped backward.
A colossal object crashed into the exact spot where they had been standing.
BOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
The impact shattered the earth for hundreds of meters.
Lava erupted into the air.
The shockwave flattened nearby cliffs.
Dust engulfed the battlefield.
From within the crater...
A towering figure slowly stood.
One massive wing.
Two curved horns.
A gigantic lance resting upon his shoulder.
Dark green eyes burned with hatred.
Amon...
The Punisher.
High above, Lucifer and his generals watched from a distant cliff.
Lucifer grinned.
"Heh..."
"Dis gonna be fun."
Hades slowly stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
He glanced back at Persephone.
"Find somewhere safe."
She nodded nervously.
"W-What about you?"
A mischievous grin spread across Hades' face.
"You remember what you said earlier?"
"Not everything needs brute force."
He pointed at Amon.
"...This one does."
Persephone sighed despite herself.
"Please don't overdo it."
"No promises."
Hades rolled his shoulders and walked toward the fallen angel.
Amon lowered his lance.
The air itself trembled.
The battle for the Underworld...
Was about to begin.
End of Chapter 7
- Writer
