To Hades, his mother owed him nothing.
There was no denying that his birth had led to his own sealing, but that no longer mattered. After his father's fall, his mother had spent countless years providing immeasurable support to him and the Underworld.
In fact, Hades felt indebted to her instead.
Thus, when his mother needed assistance, it was no burden to him. This wasn't an act of blind altruism—it was simply his nature. Despite his cold demeanor, Hades valued familial bonds deeply, and this had always guided his actions.
Over time, Hades had come to understand the inherent shortcomings of gods. From the moment of their creation, gods were born with immense power but lacked something essential: emotional completeness. This void often hindered their ability to ascend to even greater heights.
Unlike humans, who started from nothing but had unlimited potential, gods began with immense power yet were bound by their predetermined flaws. For a god to advance, they had to fill this void.
This was the crux of their existence.
For Hades, the process of reclaiming what was missing—his emotions and connections—was key to his growth. Despite his stoic demeanor, this effort had become central to his being.
Humanity's potential was limitless. A single epiphany could spark extraordinary miracles, unleashing power beyond comprehension. That boundless potential was why humans were the focal point of every mythological world.
Meanwhile, gods—despite their immense power—lacked humanity's unique ability to break through their own limits.
Hades understood this dichotomy well. He knew that while he could see a few steps ahead, the distant future remained a mystery. The only way forward was to proceed carefully, step by step.
Now, the focus was on fostering his growth and reclaiming his missing humanity. That, he believed, would determine the future.
"Mother," Hades addressed Rhea calmly. "The Heroic Age will end in less than 100,000 years. When that time comes, the Mythological World will descend into chaos. That moment will be your best opportunity to leave the Underworld."
"Thank you, Hades," Rhea replied with a gentle smile. Her expression was filled with pride and affection for her son.
As Rhea turned and left, Persephone and Hestia watched with bittersweet feelings.
Persephone sighed, shaking her head. "Mother intends to leave. I don't know what to say about it. For her, Father is her priority."
Hestia, on the other hand, seemed more at ease. "There's nothing to say. This is Mother's choice, and it brings her happiness. Who are we to stop her?"
Despite their strong bond, both women had long known that Rhea's ultimate loyalty lay with Cronus. When the Titan King returned, their family dynamic would inevitably shift.
Hestia spoke with a bright smile. "In the end, this is the best outcome for everyone. There's no need to dwell on it."
"Big Sister," Persephone asked, looking at her curiously, "are you really okay with this?"
Hestia nodded. "Of course. Mother's departure doesn't bother me. I'm more worried about our brother."
Hestia knew Hades had been striving to restore his emotional completeness. That journey, she believed, was far more critical.
Hades reassured her with his usual calm. "Sister, there's no need to worry about me. I've anticipated this from the moment Mother stayed in the Underworld. I've always known she wouldn't remain here forever."
"Alright, alright!" Hestia exclaimed, abruptly changing the subject. "Enough about that! Let's talk about something else! Brother, what do you think about having the four elemental Underworld Warriors train under the four Elemental Demon Gods? Their origins align perfectly."
"After all," she continued, "look at Mu. That child has grown so quickly under Hypnos's guidance."
Though her transition was awkward, her suggestion held merit.
"Mu has indeed made remarkable progress," Persephone agreed. "Among all the Underworld Warriors, his growth is second only to Charon's."
Charon had already reached the rank of God-King, while Mu, mentored personally by Hypnos, had risen to the pinnacle of Titan-level strength. Mu was now focused on breaking through to the God-King realm, a testament to Hypnos's dedicated teaching.
For Hades, assigning the four new warriors to the Elemental Demon Gods—Baal, Behemoth, Astaroth, and Asmodeus—seemed logical. Their elemental alignments were too perfectly matched to ignore.
Persephone concurred. "This arrangement could significantly accelerate their growth."
Hades nodded and spoke decisively. "Grom, Wendini, Salamanda, and Sylph—effective immediately, you are assigned to Baal, Behemoth, Astaroth, and Asmodeus respectively. Serve them well."
His command echoed in the minds of all eight individuals.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The four warriors bowed respectfully upon receiving their assignments, their loyalty unwavering.
Sylph, however, tilted his head in confusion. "Lord Asmodeus? Why him?"
Like the others, Sylph had received the knowledge he needed upon becoming an Underworld Warrior. But he was still puzzled by Hades's decision. Was it simply because he was the Wind Spirit?
Similarly, Salamanda felt equally uncertain. In contrast, Grom and Wendini, with their more analytical minds, quickly pieced together the reasoning behind the arrangement.
Despite their questions, all four warriors prepared to meet their new mentors. They understood the significance of this assignment—these Demon Gods were not just superiors but would likely become their teachers and guides.
For the Elemental Demon Gods, the trust implicit in Hades's decision was monumental. Their pride swelled at the thought of being entrusted with these perfect warriors.
This wasn't just a duty—it was an honor.
"His Majesty's trust..." Baal muttered, his voice heavy with emotion. "I will not let it go to waste."
The four Demon Gods prepared to meet their new charges, determined to guide them to greatness. For both the warriors and their mentors, this marked the beginning of a profound and transformative journey.
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