Hades sat on his throne, the cold basalt firm beneath him. His eyes scanned the fourteen figures kneeling on the floor of the great hall. They were a strange group, each one radiating a different kind of power.
"You may rise," he said. His voice was calm but carried easily through the silent room.
They stood. A man with large, shadowy wings stepped forward. He had a serious, steady presence.
"Lord Hades," the man said. "We are the descendants of Nyx and Erebus. We wish to serve you and your kingdom."
Hades quietly used his power to sense their intentions. 'Interesting. No lies, only a strong and sincere desire to pledge. But the question is… why?'
"Why?" Hades asked. "You are powerful beings. Why swear loyalty to me?"
The man answered without hesitation. "Our powers are tied to the Underworld. Death, sleep, deception—they all belong here. This realm is our home. Now that you rule it with purpose, it is only right that we serve its king. Our destinies are linked to this land."
Hades considered this. 'It's a simple, practical reason, and it makes sense.' He could feel the truth in their connection to his domain. 'Hmm… they are all tied to my Underworld divinities. So, there is no chance of betrayal. And Lady Nyx stated it. I don't see any problem.'
"I accept your service," he stated. "But you all haven't introduced yourselves."
The winged man bowed his head slightly. "My apologies, my lord. I am Thanatos. I represent death."
His twin brother stepped up, looking calm and a bit sleepy. "I am Hypnos, the embodiment of sleep."
One by one, the others stated their names and natures:
A tired-looking man named Charon, the guide for souls.
A sly youth named Apate, the spirit of deceit.
A bright-eyed girl named Elpis, who was hope.
Her twin, Euphrosyne, was the spirit of joy and compassion.
An old man named Geras, who represented aging.
A woman with intense energy named Eris, the bringer of strife.
A young man with soft blue wings named Morpheus, the shaper of dreams.
A severe woman with snake-like scales named Nemesis, the force of vengeance.
A rugged figure named Keres, who brought violent death.
A gloomy man named Morus, the harbinger of doom.
And two brothers: Oizys, who embodied suffering, and Momos, the spirit of satire.
Hades listened carefully. 'This is no accident. Lady Nyx has sent me the essential pieces needed to run this realm.'
"I am building a cycle of reincarnation," Hades said to them. "Each of you will have a role in it. Does anyone have any suggestions or questions?"
Everyone looked at each other and murmured among themselves. Suddenly, Charon stepped forward and all the murmurs stopped. Everyone was only looking at him. "My Lord, I have a suggestion."
"Speak," Hades' voice echoed in the hall.
"The five rivers of the Underworld have their own gods. They left long ago when the Dukes made this place unstable. If you can bring them back, their power would make the cycle of souls flow much smoother," Charon expressed his thoughts.
'It's a good idea,' Hades thought. He smiled and said, "A wise suggestion, Charon. I will see to it." He addressed the whole group. "You all may leave. Familiarize yourselves with the palace. Your duties will begin soon."
As they left, Julie entered the hall and knelt.
"Julie," Hades said. "Go to the forge. Retrieve the new weapons and armour. Test them thoroughly. You have three years to train a legion of one thousand elite soldiers."
"As you wish, my lord," Julie said, standing and leaving the hall. Hades leaned back against the throne and exhaled deeply from tiredness.
'Titans are watching the borders,' Hades thought, his eyes glowing faintly with purple light. 'Thanks to Lady Nyx and Lord Erebus, they haven't dared to enter. And the monster I released in the sky is keeping my father busy. But my brothers have stepped into the ranks of the god king. A confrontation is coming. I need more time to prepare.'
Once alone, Hades stood up. He raised his hands, and the shadows in the room gathered into a swirling black orb between his palms. He clapped his hands together, crushing the orb.
'Shadow Veil of Secrecy.'
A wave of dark energy pulsed outward. The spell was designed to cloud the minds of those who might investigate him, making them forgetful and less curious.
Hades sat back down, breathing heavily. The spell took a lot out of him, but it was necessary. 'This should make us less of a target for a while,' he thought.
---
At the Villa of Iapetus
A giant eagle, its wings ragged with exhaustion, crashed into the courtyard. The Titan rider rolled clear, the body of his companion slung over his shoulder. He sprinted past the manicured gardens toward the opulent villa.
"Hold!" a guard barked, spear barring the way. "State your business!"
"I am an informer for Lord Iapetus! I carry urgent news!" the Titan gasped, not breaking his stride.
The guards exchanged a look and nodded, swinging the massive mahogany doors open. The informer rushed through the lavish halls until he reached the inner sanctum, guarded by two immobile, statue-like soldiers.
"I must see Lord Iapetus! It is critical!" he pleaded.
One guard turned and knocked three times on the golden door.
A voice boomed from within. "Enter!"
The informer bowed and hurried inside. The room was opulent, filled with the scent of perfume and wine. In a large bed lay Iapetus, Titan of Mortality, a muscular man with a black beard, surrounded by nymphs and mortals. His sharp eyes locked onto the informer.
"Speak," Iapetus commanded, his voice heavy with authority.
The informer gulped, sweat beading on his forehead. He laid the crumbling spy on the floor. "My Lord, this agent was surveilling the Underworld. He sent an emergency signal. I found him… like this. I believe the rumours of activity there are true."
Iapetus rose, donned a simple chiton, and approached the body. He examined the blackened limbs and vacant eyes. Sending a pulse of his divine energy into the spy, he recoiled as a wisp of black vapour clung to his hand. 'Corrupted by a primordial darkness… only the heart of the Underworld holds such power. But why would a spy venture there?'
"Bring me a mind-reader. Now!" Iapetus shouted.
Soon, a strange creature—a half-human, half-fish being with a single eye and glowing antennae—entered and knelt. Iapetus pointed at the spy. "Show me his memories of the last three days."
The creature placed its claws on the spy's head. Its antennae glowed green, and after half an hour, it raised a palm, projecting a large, liquid-filled bubble that began to play the spy's final memories.
Iapetus watched intently. 'The disappearance of the Dukes… the unnatural stability of the realm… and the direct involvement of Nyx and Erebus! Something significant is happening.'
"Prepare my chariot!" Iapetus roared. He opened his palm, and a red flame consumed the spy's body, turning it to ash. "He was beyond saving." The informer trembled, fearing he might be next, but Iapetus simply tossed him a small artefact. "Leave." The man scrambled away.
Iapetus marched to the courtyard where a golden chariot drawn by hippocampi stood ready. He grabbed the reins.
Chaaak!
But as the chariot lifted into the sky, a strange fog clouded his mind. 'Wait… where am I going? Why did I… what was I doing?' He shook his head, confused. He pulled on the reins, turning the chariot back to his villa.
Landing, he approached the guards. "Where was I going? Do you know why I left?"
The guards looked at each other, bewildered. "My Lord, you ordered your chariot but gave no destination."
Iapetus frowned, stroking his beard as he returned to his chambers. "Strange… I gave the order. I know I did. But for the life of me, I cannot remember why."