Happy New Year! And on the occasion of the New Year, we have three chapters today.
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"Great Hades, Lord of the Underworld, has spread His dominion across the stars!""When you die, you shall enter the realm of the Underworld!""Those who lived in peace and virtue shall ascend to Heaven and serve as the messengers of the divine.""Those who lived in greed and sin shall cast themselves into the River Sanzu, and only after their sins are washed away may they enter the Underworld!"
The voices of Hades' missionaries echoed across Xandar.
They walked openly among the people, spreading the doctrine of the Underworld.By Lord Hades' decree, and with Aaron's approval, they were granted the right to traverse the galaxy through the spatial gates that connected every branch of Hell.
These emissaries were personally appointed by the Three Judges of the Underworld — Minos, Rhadamanthys, and Aeacus.Each acted as an extension of divine will, carrying the name of Hades across worlds.
Even the weakest among them had mastered the Fifth Sense,while the strongest — the Twelve Cardinals — stood at the pinnacle of the Sixth Sense, radiating divine authority.
Their leader, Pope William IV, had nearly reached the Seventh Sense,a power so rare that, even on Earth, it rivaled that of a Demigod Father.
"Missionary William… what you said, is it true?"
The question came from a frail, dirt-stained girl —a child without race or home, her body marked by wounds and neglect.
William's expression softened. "Of course it's true, child."
He was no ordinary preacher.Having studied under Minos, William had personally witnessed the Statue of Lord Hades within the Eighth Circle of Hell —a vision granted only to the holiest among the Underworld's clergy.
Even among the Pope's hierarchy, only the Twelve Archbishops and the Pope himself had ever seen that sacred image.
"Come closer," William said gently, motioning her forward.
The girl hesitated, looking fearfully at the bystanders, then stepped toward him.
William placed a hand upon her head.
A soft, warm light flowed from his palm, washing over her body.The pain in her wounds vanished; her trembling eased.
Then, from within his cloak, William produced a piece of black bread —dense, dark, and faintly steaming.
"Here," he said, smiling faintly. "Take this."
Gasps rose from the onlookers.
Food.
In Xandar's slums, the nobility hoarded every grain.To the poor, bread was more precious than gold.
William's voice grew cold.
"Greed — the root of all sin.""Those consumed by it shall fall into Hell."
The crowd fell silent under the chilling weight of his words.
Then, William placed a small stone idol in the child's hands.The statue was carved in the likeness of a cloaked figure, its eyes faintly glowing red.
"My child," he said softly, "if you are ever in danger, hold this statue and call upon the name of my god."
The little girl blinked up at him, clutching the idol tightly."Uncle… what is the name of your great god?"
William turned, kneeling before her.
"Hades," he said."King of the Underworld, the God of the End of All Things."
Then, with a faint smile, the missionary's form shimmered —and vanished.
No one would ever know that a priest of Hades had once walked among Xandar's poorest,leaving behind bread, warmth, and a spark of faith.
Later, in a quiet tavern on the outskirts of the city, William entered and bowed respectfully.
"Lady Pandora," he said, "the task is complete."
At a table in the corner sat a woman of breathtaking beauty, swirling a glass of golden liquor.
Her name — Pandora.
Reborn countless times throughout history, she had always existed as the human "sister" of Hades,a being both sacred and accursed — bound to the cycle of the Underworld's will.
"Well done," Pandora murmured, raising her glass and taking a sip.
The burn of the drink made her eyes water, and she nearly coughed.Suppressing the heat with her Small Universe, she chuckled softly.The cosmos of the Underworld was cold by nature — warmth was an unfamiliar sensation.
She set the glass down and, with a flick of her wrist, sent it tumbling behind her.
Clang! Clang!
The sound she expected never came. Instead, the crash was muffled —as though the cup had hit something soft.
When she turned, two figures stood there — one a man with a mischievous grin,the other, a small raccoon wearing a jetpack and a scowl.
"You two," Pandora said coolly, her violet eyes narrowing,"why have you been staring at me?"
Before William could speak, the man raised his hands innocently.
"Whoa, easy there," he said. "Name's Star-Lord — or Quill, if you prefer.This little guy's Rocket. You folks… uh, from Earth, maybe?"
Pandora didn't answer. Her gaze was sharp as ice, her silence oppressive.
The air grew heavy.
Quill chuckled awkwardly — then froze as a wave of invisible divine pressure hit him.
Rocket's fur bristled instantly. "Hey! What the hell, lady?!"
To William's surprise, a faint pulse of unknown energy rippled from Quill's body —neutralizing the aura that Pandora had released.
Pandora's eyes widened slightly.This man's energy… it wasn't divine, but it carried the same resonance as cosmic origin power.
William stepped forward. "This is Lady Pandora, the Lord's chosen vessel. I am her attendant, William."
Rocket snorted. "Yeah, well, your boss has a weird definition of hospitality."
Pandora ignored him. She extended her hand —and in a blink, Rocket was yanked off the ground, floating helplessly toward her.
"Well now," Pandora purred, cradling him like a toy."What a cute little creature."
"Put me down, lady! I bite!" Rocket barked, thrashing.
But Pandora merely smiled.In this incarnation, pampered by Aaron and Minos' protection,she lived far more comfortably than any Pandora before her —and her obsession with adorable things had only grown.
"Miss Pandora," William said cautiously,"these people are… unusual. To nullify your power—only one other has done so in the Underworld itself."
Pandora's eyes returned to Quill.The playful warmth faded, replaced by divine curiosity.
"You," she said slowly, "carry the spark of another god."
Quill blinked, confused. "...Excuse me?"
A whisper escaped Pandora's lips, her expression unreadable.
"Star-Lord Quill… your mother is of Earth… but your father…"
Her eyes darkened, the Book of the Dead opening silently within her divine sight.
"How strange," she murmured."Your father's name does not appear in the Book of Life or Death."
She stared at him for a long moment, realization flickering behind her gaze.
"You are… an anomaly between gods."
(End of Chapter)
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