Hades's eyes opened to an unfamiliar ceiling. Ornate candelabras and a grand chandelier glowed softly, their flames casting dancing shadows across a vaulted, gothic ceiling. Where am I?
He tried to move his body, but his limbs refused to obey. A deep, pervasive weakness anchored him to the bed. He attempted to summon his divine energy, but only a faint, thin trickle answered his call. I can't even use my power properly. He glanced 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 tried to speak, but his lips could only part slightly. No sound emerged.
Creak.
The heavy door swung open. "Good morning, dear. Oh! You're awake!" Hecate entered, carrying a steaming bowl. A warm smile lit up her face. He looked at her and felt a wave of relief and affection. She has also ascended to the God King level.
She sat 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 have. I love you, Hecate. Hades looked at her with teary eyes. She brought a spoonful to his lips. "Say Aaaa!"
Hades opened his mouth a little, but a primal instinct screamed in his mind: Wait, why is every fiber of my being telling me to flee?
It was too late. The spoon entered his mouth.
He savored the taste. Hmm… sweet… sour… bitter… aaahhhh!!! Hot! Water! A complex, acrid wave of heat flooded his senses. He broke out in a cold sweat, his body trembling against his will. He tried to scream, but only a weak, guttural sound escaped.
Hecate beamed, her smile radiant and utterly oblivious. To Hades, trapped in his helpless body, it was the terrifyingly cheerful grin of a torturer who believed wholeheartedly in her methods.
Suddenly, she paused. A flicker of his distress, faint but sharp, brushed against her consciousness through their soul bond. "What? Is it not good?" She tasted 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 continued the forceful feeding. Hades's internal screams were a silent litany. You witch! I will get you for this!
---
After a few days, Hades's strength returned fully. He took a deep breath, his voice now restored to its full, commanding depth. "Sebastian!"
His call echoed through the palace. Moments later, the steward entered and bowed. "You called for me, Lord Hades?"
"Yes. Take this." Hades handed him a scroll. "Summon everyone to the throne room. And one more thing," he added, 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 bowed again, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "It shall be done, my lord."
Alone again, Hades surveyed 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 stood assembled.
Creak.
The great doors opened. Hades walked in, his presence filling the hall. Everyone dropped to one knee in unison. "Greetings, Lord Hades!"
His gaze, now restored to its penetrating intensity, swept over them. "Rise," he commanded, his voice quiet yet echoing with authority.
As they stood, he spoke again. "The nine clan leaders, step forward."
They did so and knelt 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 continued. "Soon, the central land will be a land full of divine duties. And also after evolution, you all have had difficulties living here. Therefore, I decree that from now on, the seven clans will take residence on the favorable lands. The Devil and Angel clans will take residence in the Arcane Sky." His gaze fell on them. "From now on, all decisions and schemes are made by you all. So take care of these responsibilities."
"We will live up to your expectations," they chorused before stepping back.
"Druvak."
Druvak stepped forward and knelt. "Yes, my lord."
"You will continue to be an 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 proclaimed, and began to assign the roles that would 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 continued, 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 Queen Hecate and me."
His gaze fell on the next group. "The punishers of the wicked shall be Oizys, Momos, Eris, Nemesis, and Phlegethon. Lethe and Eridanos, you will be in charge of the Reincarnation Well. Minthe, Elpis, Euphrosyne, and Eleos, you will manage Elysium. Acheron and Cocytus, you will oversee Asphodel."
With their roles assigned, the assembled gods and spirits departed, leaving only Julie.
"Julie, is your legion ready?" Hades asked.
"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 bowed deeply and took her leave.
Finally alone, Hades stretched his arms, a satisfying pop echoing in the quiet hall. The ghost of his exhaustion still lingered, but the time for rest was over. "All the pieces are in place."