《The God of Underworld》


 Hades

    He jerked himself awake, breathing heavily as a soul splitting headache assaulted him.


    He grasped his head tightly, almost screaming from the pain he is currently feeling.


    And then, it hit him.


    Memories.


    Knowledge.


    Experience.


    The identity and life that wasn''t his flooded his mind as if he was the one who lived through it.


    He almost forgot his own identity due to the massive amount of information that poured into his mind.


    He is Eren Forger, an average university student.


    Yet he is also Hades, eldest son of the Titan Cronus and Rhea, the King of Underworld, the Lord of Spirit, and the God of the Dead.


    Two lives.


    One from the modern era, and the other from a myth almost no one believed to be real.


    Yet he is here, in this body, in this period. As Hades.


    "...fuck."


    From his memories, he and his siblings are currently hiding in Mount Dikte after they successfully escaped from Cronus with the help of Zeus.


    He doesn''t know much time they have left, but it probably won''t be too long before Cronus found this place and start the war.


    His siblings, specifically Zeus and Poseidon, were gathering allies. His sisters, Hera, Hestia, and Demeter, has been doing all the internal affairs and logistics.


    He, however, remained recluse and distant. Barely communicating with his siblings and almost always on his own.


    "But that''s fine...it''s better this way."


    At least with this, he can train silently to prepare for the worst. He can''t rely on his knowledge about mythology alone, who knows what changes had happened, and who knows if what was written on mythology is true or not.


    He sat up, crossed legs and started to look through the memories and knowledge he had received.


    At this moment, Hades wasn''t as strong as in the myths. He has yet to take the crown of being the King of Underworld. He wasn''t the Lord of Spirits yet. And most importantly, he has yet to receive his Divine Weapon, the helmet.


    Truthfully, he finds that weapon quite lackluster compared to Zeus'' Thunderbolt and Poseidon''s Trident.


    He feels like those two brothers of his are always conspiring to keep him at the bottom of power.


    But that''s besides the point.


    Currently, Hades only has authority over shadow, darkness, curses, and spirits.


    It may sound a lot, but in his "prime", Hades also has authority over the dead, the underworld, funeral rites, necromancy, wealth, mining, agriculture, dreams, and earthly fertility.


    But those were all for the future.


    "Shadow...spirits..." Hades muttered, thinking of a certain aura farming character with power over shadows.


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    Thinking of trying it, Hades used his power as the shadows writhed and deformed, turning into a figure akin to a medieval knight.


    However, it remained motionless. It only moved when Hades personally used his power to make it move.


    "But if I use this..." Hades opened his palm, using his dominion over spirits to pull an unknown, wandering soul from the afterlife. "...so this is a soul."


    A small blue flame flickered on his palm, with a gentle flick, the flame went inside the shadow knight.


    Moments later, blue flames burned from the "eyes" of the knight as it immediately stood straight.


    Hades observed the shadow knight, watching as the ethereal blue flames within its form flickered with an eerie light. It was stable, obedient, and followed his silent command like a marionette bound to its master.


    "Interesting..." he muttered, his gaze shifting to his open palm. He had tested his dominion over shadows and spirits, but he needed something more. Something to enhance his combat capabilities.


    He raised his other hand, focusing his divine essence. The darkness around him responded, writhing and converging into his palm. The black mass condensed, taking form¡ªlong, slender, deadly. A spear.


    But a mere shadow construct wasn''t enough. He needed to refine it, to make it as sharp and unyielding as divine steel. Reaching deep into his inherited knowledge, he infused the spear with divine energy, solidifying it.


    The weight was perfect. The balance¡ªflawless.


    Memories from his past life resurfaced. He had practiced Kali, the Filipino martial art specializing in blades, sticks, and spears. The techniques, the muscle memory¡ªit all returned as if he had never left his past life behind.


    He spun the spear in his hand, feeling its flow, its potential. Then, without hesitation, he lunged forward.


    A swift thrust¡ªprecise.


    A sweeping strike¡ªcontrolled.


    A spinning counter¡ªunstoppable.


    The shadow knight moved toward him, acting as an opponent. With a flick of his wrist, Hades maneuvered the spear with the same efficiency he once wielded a rattan stick.


    Each movement was sharp, refined¡ªlethal.


    A downward strike shattered the knight''s form into writhing shadows. It was weak, incomplete, but a step in the right direction.


    Hades exhaled, gripping the spear tighter.


    He wasn''t as strong as he would be in myth, but that didn''t matter.


    Power wasn''t just given. It was taken.


    He would forge his own path, shape his own legend.


    And when the war against Cronus comes, he would be ready.


    Hades took a deep breath. The first shadow knight had fallen too easily. It wasn''t enough of a challenge. He needed more.


    Raising his hand, he called forth the darkness once more. The shadows slithered and twisted around him, taking shape. One, two, three¡ªno, several knights emerged from the abyss, their forms flickering like dying embers before stabilizing into solid silhouettes.


    With another wave of his hand, he pulled forth lost souls from the afterlife, binding them to the shadows. The moment the blue flames ignited within their hollow eyes, the knights came to life.


    This time, they did not stand idly.


    They attacked.


    The first lunged at him with a crude shadow-forged sword, its speed surprising. Hades barely had time to raise his spear, parrying the strike.


    The force behind the blow rattled his bones, but he gritted his teeth and pivoted, redirecting the knight''s momentum before countering with a thrust.


    The spear pierced through the knight''s chest, dispersing its form momentarily before it reformed a few feet away.


    The second knight closed in from behind. Hades spun, using the motion to bring his spear up in a sweeping arc. The tip grazed the knight''s helm, sending it staggering, but before he could follow up, the third and fourth knights struck together.


    One slashed at his side, the other thrusting directly at his torso.


    Hades reacted on instinct, twisting his body and angling his spear to deflect both attacks. But he wasn''t fast enough¡ªhe felt the sting of a blade cutting into his shoulder.


    Not deep, but enough to make him hiss in pain.


    They were improving. Or perhaps, he was simply not good enough yet.


    "Again," he growled, tightening his stance.


    He charged, spear thrusting forward like a viper''s fang. A knight dodged, but he twisted his grip, using the shaft to bash it across the head.


    Another came from the side¡ªHades sidestepped, driving the butt of his spear into its torso before following up with a downward stab.


    The shadows dissipated, but they would return with his command.


    He moved fluidly, recalling the lessons from his past life. Kali was all about adaptability, precision, and control. He wasn''t just swinging a weapon¡ªhe was directing it with intent.


    A knight attempted a downward slash. Hades raised his spear horizontally, catching the blade before twisting and pushing it aside.


    In the same motion, he spun the spear in his hands and delivered a quick jab to its exposed flank, dispersing it.


    Three remained.


    Sweat dripped down his brow, but his movements were smoother now. He could feel the improvement, the slight increase in efficiency.


    The remaining knights advanced cautiously.


    He smirked.


    He lowered his stance, spear poised like a coiled serpent.


    "Come."


    With that, they attacked.

 Siblings

    Six months later.


    Island of Crete, Mount Dikte.


    The Olympian siblings are resting under the shade of a tree grown by Demeter, discussing about their plans and any events that happened recently.


    "Prometheus have already sworn an oath that he would aid us in the war, that is one less Titan to worry about." Said Zeus, a mighty being who stood at 7ft in height, with a bulging muscular body that would put body builders to shame. He has a shoulder length blond hair, with sky blue eyes and chiseled face.


    "Unfortunately, Oceanus have decided to remain neutral in this war." Said Poseidon, similar to Zeus, he''s a mighty figure that stood at 7ft in height, with a more defined and muscular body than Zeus. He has a short, messy blue hair and striking emerald green eyes.


    "Most female Titans also chose to remain neutral." Said Hera, a regal woman whose divine beauty could eclipse the sun and moon. She has a long silver hair tied by golden wreath, with deep emotionless and calculative golden eyes.


    Demeter.... Demeter didn''t join in on the conversation. She was merely sitting on the corner, gently caressing a flower she had planted.


    Demeter is a very beautiful and mature woman with long wavy golden honey colored hair and orange eyes. She is also very well endowed, with her Greek chiton emphasizing her great figure.


    "...Hades haven''t come out of his dwelling for six months, I''m getting worried." Said Hestia, staring at the cave that Hades used as a residence.


    Hestia is a beautiful young girl with long black hair and deep blue eyes. She''s quite short and petite, but is very well endowed, her figure not losing to Demeter at all.


    Zeus snorted, "Leave him be. As long as he doesn''t drag us down."


    He was annoyed with this brother of his who keeps to himself and does his own thing without even asking for his opinion.


    In Zeus'' mind, as the one who saved them, shouldn''t they consider him as their leader? Hades acting on his own just violates his sense of authority and leadership.


    "He''s a coward. All he does is hide in his cave!" Poseidon growled in anger, clenching his fist.


    "I''m sure he has his reasons," Hestia smiled, trying to calm her brothers.


    Hera''s cold eyes stared at Hades'' cave. Her face look thoughtful for a moment before she stood up, gaining the attention of her siblings.


    "I''ll go see him." She declared, startling her siblings. "We need all the help we can get if we want to win the war against the Titans."


    Zeus stood up, trying to stop her. "You don''t have to bother with him, we don''t need that coward''s help. I alone am enough!"


    Hera gazed at him coldly, "Move. Arrogance won''t help us win. If you alone is enough, then there would be no point in finding help."


    "Uh..." Zeus has no response. In the end, he can only step aside and let Hera walk towards Hades'' cave.


    Poseidon clicked his tongue, feeling distaste at possibly meeting that cowardly brother of his.


    The siblings watched as Hera neared the cave and stood at the entrance.


    Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the cave, her golden eyes narrowing as the light from outside faded into darkness.


    Immediately, a chill ran down her spine.


    The deeper she walked, the colder it became. The air was thick, heavy with an unnatural dread that sent shivers through even her divine form. Shadows twisted and shifted unnaturally along the walls, whispering in voices too faint to understand.


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    She pressed forward, ignoring the eerie sensation clawing at her instincts. Hades had always been strange, but it seems like he became even stranger.


    Finally, after a long time of walking, she saw him.


    At the center of the cavern, amidst shattered stone and scorched earth, was Hades.


    His once short silver hair, the same color as hers, was now an unkempt mess, damp with sweat and clinging to his forehead.


    His chiton was tattered, revealing a body hardened by relentless training¡ªscarred, bruised, yet unmistakably stronger than before.


    He was panting, one knee on the ground, his left arm limp at his side. In his right hand, he clutched a black spear, its tip embedded in the cavern floor, barely keeping him upright.


    The ground around him was carved with deep gashes, and traces of lingering dark energy flickered like dying embers.


    She took a step closer. "Hades."


    His breathing hitched at the sound of her voice. Slowly, he lifted his head, his piercing steel-gray eyes locking onto hers.


    For a moment, Hera saw something that made her chest tighten.


    Exhaustion. Struggle.


    But beneath it all¡ªpower.


    Raw, untamed power simmering just beneath the surface, restrained only by sheer will.


    She had seen the might of Zeus and the force of Poseidon, but none of them can compare to this dreadful power radiating from Hades.


    Like an ant about to be crushed by a tsunami.


    That''s what it feels to be stared at by Hades.


    But then, that feeling vanished as Hades exhaled sharply, forcing himself to stand despite the clear strain on his body. He leaned against his spear, his grip tightening.


    "Hera¡­" His voice was hoarse, rough as if he hadn''t spoken in days. "What do you want?"


    Hera took in his state, the wreckage around him, and the oppressive aura lingering in the air. She crossed her arms. "Hestia is getting worried. You haven''t left your abode for six months."


    Hades scoffed weakly, "I''m training."


    Hera''s gaze swept over the cavern once more. The state made it look not just a training ground, but a battlefield entirely. It feels like a war has been fought here.


    "You need to rest," she stated.


    Hades snorted, though it sounded more like a dry rasp. "Not yet. I''m not that fragile"


    Silence stretched between them, broken only by the distant echoes of dripping water.


    Hera studied him carefully. Six months ago, Hades was overshadowed by both Zeus and Poseidon. Although his strength is far superior to her and her sisters, it is still below that of their brothers.


    But now...


    She exhaled, stepping closer, her expression unreadable. "Zeus and Poseidon think you''re a coward."


    Hades didn''t react. He simply turned away, pulling his spear from the ground. "Let them."


    Hera frowned. "Don''t you want to prove them wrong? Where is your pride and dignity as a god?"


    That made Hades pause. He looked over his shoulder, his eyes colder than before. "Pride and dignity is meaningless before power."


    Hera''s lips pressed together. "Is that so... Then you''re a fool."


    Hades blinked, caught off guard. "...What?"


    She took a step forward, "Gods rule not just through raw power but through the recognition of our supremacy. Our pride reinforces our status, ensuring that we are acknowledged as divine beings worthy of worship, respect, and obedience. A god who lacks pride is weak."


    Hades turned fully to face her, gripping his spear. "That is such a useless emotion. I don''t need to glorify myself for self satisfaction. Power is absolute, any humiliation will be erased by superior strength. You can feed that useless pride to the dogs."


    Hera narrowed her eyes, "For gods, pride and dignity are not mere emotions; they are fundamental aspects of our power, identity, and function within the cosmos. Without them, our influence weakens, our worship diminishes, and our divine authority crumbles. A god who loses pride risks losing everything¡ªincluding their place in the heavens. That''s why, you must not let anyone trample over your pride and dignity. Crush those who do so."


    Hades stared at her in shock and confusion. "...are you saying I should go and crush our brothers?"


    "No," she shook her head, "Just show them your superiority. After all, those who are inferior must follow those who are superior. That''s the natural order of the world. I followed Zeus simply because he is superior. But you are better than him, Hades."


    Yes, just like how Uranos ruled the cosmos. Followed by Cronus after him. They were all superior than their siblings so they naturally ruled the cosmos as the others can only bow their heads.


    Hades didn''t answer. He just stared at her, unreadable.


    Hera stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You''re stronger than before. I can see that. You are a better fit to be the leader than Zeus."


    "I have no interest in ruling the heavens or anything like that." He clenched his fists, "I want power. Power so great I could beat anyone."


    Hera tilted her head slightly, surprised by his answer.


    For a long moment, they simply stood there, the weight of unspoken words settling between them.


    Then, Hades sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "I''ll come out and greet mother and Hestia from time to time. But I''ll stay here and train."


    "Very well." Hera nodded.


    A long silence stretched between them. Then, slowly, Hades straightened his posture, rolling his stiff shoulder.


    "¡­So?" He asked. "Do you need anything else?"


    "Nothing." She turned around to climb back up to the surface, but paused before looking over her shoulder. "Clean yourself up first. You look like a corpse."


    Hades let out an annoyed grunt as Hera stepped out, leaving Hades alone once more.


    For a while, he remained still, staring at the cavern wall.


    Then, with a deep breath, he tightened his grip on his spear.


    And hundreds of shadow knights emerged from the darkness.

 Chaos and Rhea

    Although he promised to visit from time to time, it took Hades another month before he decided to come out of his cave.


    He got so engrossed in training and feeling himself get stronger that he completely forgot about the outside world.


    In fact, if he didn''t find fighting with the shadow knights useless as he can no longer get stronger through them, he would''ve chosen to train some more.


    Truthfully, he can no longer get stronger from fighting the shadow knights since Hera visited him, no matter how hard he tries.


    However, his training wasn''t without gains, as he managed to take a glimpse of ¡¸¡¡¡¹ , well he can''t quite say its name, so Hades simply referred to it as Chaos.


    From his brief contact, he learned that Chaos is a metaphysical location that acts as the "force" that exists at the top of all theories in the infinite dimensions, as well as the source of all events and phenomena in the universe.


    Chaos exists outside of time, it stores and archives information of all possibilities and events, past, present, and future, of the world.


    He managed to reach that place by his sheer will and thirst for power.


    Yes, his thirst for power was so great even his own limits were broken.


    Pain was irrelevant. Weakness was nothing more than a temporary state¡ªone he refused to accept.


    Every failure, every loss, every moment of agony only fueled the fire within him. He was not content with what he had. He did not seek power for the sake of some grand ambition¡ªhe just needed it, like a drowning man craving for air.


    To be strong was not a desire. It was an absolute necessity.


    There was no hesitation in his mind, no second thoughts. If the world denied him strength, he would rip it from the hands of the world itself.


    If fate tried to shackle him, he would shatter destiny and forge his own path.


    He would crawl through the abyss, bleed upon the battlefield, and suffer through torment if it meant grasping the power he sought.


    And even if he stood alone against the infinite, he would face it with nothing but his will¡ªunyielding, unbreakable, unstoppable.


    Because he was not meant to kneel.


    He was meant to conquer.


    Just like that, that metaphysical force that seems to restrict him shattered and he soon found himself in chaos.


    There was no sky, no ground¡ªonly an endless, shifting void that twisted in impossible ways. Colors that had no names bled into each other, forming and dissolving in patterns that defied sanity.


    Space was not space.


    Time was not time.


    Existence trembled, flickering between creation and oblivion.


    And then, he saw them.


    Colossal entities of nightmarish proportions drifted through the abyss, their sheer scale beyond even divine comprehension.


    Some had forms that flickered between flesh, shadow, and cosmic fire. Others were nothing but writhing masses of tendrils, each the size of galaxies, curling and unraveling like an eternal heartbeat.


    One creature turned.


    It had no face¡ªonly an abyss where a face should be, an ever-consuming void that devoured the light of dying stars. Within that void, countless eyes blinked in and out of existence, staring yet unseeing.


    Another behemoth loomed in the distance, its very presence warping space around it.


    Its gargantuan limbs¡ªif they could even be called limbs¡ªextended across realities, twisting dimensions like threads in a loom.


    Its voice was not a sound, but a concept¡ªan overwhelming pressure that crushed the mind with meaning beyond understanding.


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    And yet, despite their unfathomable might, they did not acknowledge him. To them, he was less than a speck of dust drifting through the currents of Chaos, insignificant and unworthy of notice.


    Even now, those things were still on his mind.


    "Hades?"


    Hades snapped out of his thought hearing a gentle female voice called out to him.


    It was his mother, Rhea the Titaness of Motherhood. A beautiful woman that exudes this aura of gentleness and motherly love.


    She has long silky black hair tied in braids, wearing a white chiton that emphasized her great figure.


    Her eyes were mostly closed, and have this ever present smile on her face.


    Hades have never seen her open her eyes once.


    "Just thinking, mother." He said, continuing his walk with his mother whom he barely spent any time with.


    Rhea''s smile remained soft, patient, as she walked beside her son. She had always been a quiet presence, a figure of warmth in a world filled with cruelty and ambition.


    Hades had spent so long buried in training that he had almost forgotten what it felt like to simply exist without the weight of survival pressing down on him.


    They strolled through the mountain paths, the warm breeze carrying the scent of fresh earth and flowers. This was Demeter''s work¡ªlife blooming even in the hidden corners of the world.


    "You''ve changed," Rhea said after a moment, her voice as calm as the flowing river beside them.


    Hades glanced at her. "Have I?"


    She let out a soft chuckle. "You don''t hide from your siblings anymore. Before, you avoided them because you like to be alone. Now, you avoid them for a different reason."


    He remained silent.


    "Your aura¡­ it''s heavier now," she continued. "More refined. More dangerous."


    Hades exhaled, looking toward the horizon. "That''s a good thing, isn''t it?"


    Rhea stopped walking, turning to him fully. Her hands, warm and gentle, reached out to cup his face.


    "For the war? Perhaps. But for you? I''m not so sure." She tilted her head, as if searching for something behind his eyes. "Are you happy, my son?"


    Hades froze.


    Happy?


    The question was so simple, so painfully simple, that he had no answer. Had he ever thought about happiness? Since he arrived here, since he knew of what awaits him, his entire existence had been defined by survival, by preparing for the inevitable.


    The war was coming.


    His survival was all that mattered.


    Not to mention those creatures of horror he had seen, the various wars that will happen in the future thanks to his siblings was also lingering on his mind.


    He couldn''t rest peacefully knowing that one day, he might find his strength lacking and cannot resist whatever is to come.


    But as he looked into Rhea''s still-closed eyes, he knew that wasn''t the answer she wanted.


    So he gave her the only truth he could.


    "I don''t know," he admitted.


    Rhea sighed, brushing a stray strand of silver hair from his face, her touch lingering for just a moment longer before she let go.


    "You remind me of your father," she said softly, and Hades stiffened.


    He despised that comparison.


    "He was powerful," Rhea continued, as if sensing his tension. "But he was always looking over his shoulder, always preparing for an enemy, always afraid of losing what he had. He ruled everything but found no joy in any of it."


    Hades clenched his fists. "I''m not him."


    Rhea smiled again, but this time there was something sad in it.


    "Yes. Yes you aren''t." she whispered. "And I hope you don''t end up like him."


    They continued their walk in silence for a while, the rustling leaves and distant chirping of birds filling the space between them.


    The sun was beginning to set, casting golden hues across the mountains of Crete.


    Hades stole a glance at his mother. Despite everything, despite being the wife of a tyrant, despite being forced to give up her children to save them, despite knowing that war was on the horizon¡ªshe still carried that same gentle smile.


    How?


    "¡­You don''t resent him?" he finally asked.


    Rhea didn''t answer immediately. Instead, she stopped by a small stream, kneeling to let the cool water run over her fingers. "Your father?"


    Hades nodded. "After everything he''s done. To you. To us."


    Rhea exhaled softly, her expression unreadable. "Resentment¡­ is a chain, Hades. A heavy one."


    Hades frowned. "So you forgive him?" His voice came out sharper than he intended.


    Rhea shook her head. "No. But I refuse to let him define me. Or my happiness."


    She gazed at the flowing water, as if watching memories ripple beneath its surface. "Holding on to anger, to pain¡ªit makes you strong in the moment. But if you let it root too deep, it will consume you."


    Hades scoffed. "Strength is what we need right now."


    Rhea finally turned her head toward him, her eyes still closed but her presence felt.


    "And after the war?" she asked. "When you have all the power you seek, when you''ve conquered your enemies¡ªwhat then?"


    Hades opened his mouth, then shut it.


    He had no answer.


    "I raised you as a child, you know," Rhea continued, standing up. "Before he took you away. Before he...swallowed you and your siblings."


    Hades remained silent.


    "You were quiet. Observant. But you weren''t cold." She turned to face him fully, tilting her head slightly. "What happened to that boy?"


    He inhaled sharply. "He realized the world wasn''t kind."


    Rhea smiled, but this time it wasn''t a warm one. It was knowing. Sad.


    "You think strength is the answer to everything," she said.


    "It is."


    She shook her head. "No, my son. Strength is only a tool. The question is¡ªwhat will you use it for?"


    Hades tensed, his mind flashing back to the horrors he had seen in Chaos, the eldritch titans that paid him no mind, the sheer insignificance he had felt in their presence.


    And then to that memory where he was struggled as he was being swallowed by his own father.


    You ask what would he use his strength for?


    His fists clenched. The answer was simple.


    "To make sure I never feel powerless again," he finally said.


    Rhea sighed, walking past him. As she did, she gently touched his arm.


    "I hope, one day, you find another answer."


    And with that, she left him standing there¡ªalone with his thoughts, staring into the setting sun.


    He remained still for a few moments, before clicking his tongue.


    "Sorry mother, but my answer will never change."