Hades's eyes open to an unfamiliar ceiling. Ornate candelabras and a grand chandelier glow softly, their flames casting dancing shadows across a vaulted, gothic ceiling. 'Where am I?'
He tries to move his body, but his limbs refuse to obey. A deep, pervasive weakness anchors him to the bed. He attempts to summon his divine energy, but only a faint, thin trickle answers his call. 'I can't even use my power properly.' He glances sideways, taking in the room: towering arched windows with frosted glass, dark wood, and intricate carvings. 'From the infrastructure, this seems to be my bedroom.'
He tries to speak, but his lips can only part slightly. No sound emerges.
Creeeak.
The heavy door swings open. "Good morning, dear. Oh! You're awake!" Hecate enters, carrying a steaming bowl. A warm smile lights up her face. He looks at her and feels a wave of relief and affection. 'She has also ascended to the God King level.'
She sits beside him, holding the bowl. "I made a medicinal soup for you. This will help you recover fully." 'What a lovely and caring wife, I got. I love you Hectate.' Hades look at her with teary eyes. She brings a spoonful to his lips. "Say Aaaa!"
Hades opens his mouth a little, but a primal instinct screams in his mind: 'Wait, why is every fiber of my being telling me to flee?'
It's too late. The spoon enters his mouth.
He savors the taste. 'Umm… sweet… sour… bitter… aaahhhh!!! Hot! Water!' A complex, acrid wave of heat floods his senses. He breaks out in a cold sweat, his body trembling against his will. He tries to scream, but only a weak, guttural sound escapes.
Hecate beams, her smile radiant and utterly oblivious. To Hades, trapped in his helpless body, it is the terrifyingly cheerful grin of a torturer who believes wholeheartedly in her methods.
Suddenly, she pauses. A flicker of his distress, faint but sharp, brushes against her consciousness through their soul bond. "What? Is it not good?" She tastes a spoonful herself. "Hmm… a little bitter. Maybe I added too much of the medicinal root. But it's still okay! Don't be a child, Hades. You need to finish it."
Undeterred, she continues the forceful feeding. Hades's internal screams are a silent litany. 'You witch! I will get you for this!'
---
After a few days, Hades's strength returns fully. He takes a deep breath, his voice now restored to its full, commanding depth. "Sebastian!"
His call echoes through the palace. Moments later, the steward enters and bows. "You called for me, Lord Hades?"
"Yes. Take this." Hades hands him a scroll. "Summon everyone to the throne room. And one more thing," he adds, lowering his voice. "From this moment, Queen Hecate is restricted from the royal kitchens. Ensure she does not hear of this decree by any means necessary."
Sebastian bows again, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "It shall be done, my lord."
Alone again, Hades surveys the room's dark, dramatic decoration. "Hmm… my wife has a very peculiar taste in decor. But thankfully, not in food."
---
In the grand throne room, the descendants of primordials, Julie, Druvak, the river gods, Minthe, and nine representatives from each clan stand assembled.
Creeeak.
The great doors open. Hades walks in, his presence filling the hall. Everyone drops to one knee in unison. "Greetings, Lord Hades!"
His gaze, now restored to its penetrating intensity, sweeps over them. "Rise," he commands, his voice quiet yet echoing with authority.
As they stand, he speaks again. "The nine clan leaders, step forward."
They do so and kneel before the dais.
"I have selected you for your leadership and skill. Thus, I bestow upon you the title and duties of Duke for your respective clans."
"We are grateful, my lord."
Hades and continue "Soon central land will be land with full of divine duties. And also after evolution, you all are having difficulties in living here. So I decide, from now seven clans take resident on favourable land. Devil and Angel clan will take resident on arcane sky." His gaze fall on them "From now, all decision and schemes are made by you all. So take care of these responsibilites."
"We will live up to your expectations," they chorus before stepping back.
"Druvak."
The Druvak steps forward and kneels. "Yes, my lord."
"You will continue to be instructor of the military, but from this day, you are also the Warden of Tartarus. Train five hundred elite soldiers capable of guarding its gates."
"As you wish, my lord."
"Now, hear your divine duties," Hades proclaims, and begins to assign the roles that will define the underworld's order. "Thanatos, you shall be the Main Soul Reaper. Your assistants will be Geras, for those taken by age or sickness; Keres, for those slain by violence or accident; and Moros, for those who choose their own end."
He continues, his voice the law of the land. "Hypnos and the Oneroi shall govern sleep and dreams from the Dreamland. Apate will guide wandering souls from the mortal world to the River Styx. Charon, you will ferry them from the Styx to the central land. The final judgment will be rendered by myself and Queen Hecate."
His gaze falls on the next group. "The punishers of the wicked shall be Oizys, Momos, Eris, Nemesis, and Phlegethon. Lithe and Eridanos you will be in charge of the Reincarnation Well. Minthe, Elpis, and Eleos, you will manage Elysium. Acheron and Cocytus, you will oversee Asphodel."
With their roles assigned, the assembled gods and spirits depart, leaving only Julie.
"Julie, is your legion ready?" Hades asks.
"Yes, my lord. They await your command."
"Good. The war between the Titans and the gods is inevitable, and the Underworld will be drawn into its vortex. Be prepared. The call to arms will come at any moment."
"Yes, my lord." Julie bows deeply and takes her leave.
Finally alone, Hades stretches his arms, a satisfying pop echoing in the quiet hall. The ghost of his exhaustion still lingers, but the time for rest is over. "All the pieces are in place."