The shadow of Chaos had vanished, leaving behind only the small, childlike image of Gaia at the Earth's Core.
"Father..."
"You..."
"No."
Gaia's voice trailed off. She shook her head, as though lost in thought, and murmured softly, "In truth, Father, even you know it—you are afraid. Or rather, all Absolute Gods are afraid."
"When something truly beyond comprehension emerges within the Chaos Sea, even Absolute Gods like you feel fear, don't you?"
Her words lingered in the still air, unanswered.
No one was qualified to respond. Without reaching the level of an Ancient God, one had no right to engage with such profound questions.
Thus, Gaia's musings were more for herself, though she knew full well her voice would reach her father.
"Well!"
"None of this really concerns me anymore."
Gaia stretched her translucent limbs, observing her semi-transparent form. With a resigned smile, she said, "Starting over sounds nice, but it's still such a hassle!"
"Never mind."
"Let's take it slow."
Her attitude was relaxed, as though she no longer cared about the complications of the past. Whether it was her younger appearance, a renewed state of mind, or the opportunity to start anew, Gaia seemed lighter than before.
The Earth's Core was sealed, its isolation ensuring no deity could trespass easily. Even Hades would face immense pressure if he attempted to enter. As the nexus of the terrestrial realm, the Core was a sacred, formidable space.
"Now then..." Gaia mused, her gaze narrowing as she pondered her next steps.
Rebuilding her divine body and ascending to the rank of Ancient God was no longer a challenge but a matter of time. Gaia had cast off her burdens, her injuries, and the constraints of her past life. What she had lost in power, she had gained in freedom.
With her path now unencumbered, Gaia embraced her new journey.
"First, I'll rebuild my divine body—this time with more care," she muttered thoughtfully.
---
Chaos Sea
Amid the swirling currents of the Chaos Sea, the shadow of Chaos materialized, gazing down at the Greek Pantheon's Mythical World.
"Fear, is it?" Chaos murmured to itself, its deep voice carrying a hint of introspection.
Even as an Absolute God, Chaos acknowledged the truth: there was fear.
The Absolute Gods, though the pinnacle of existence, had found themselves unsettled. The once-calm Chaos Sea had begun to shift in unprecedented ways, its changes beyond even their comprehension.
This growing turbulence threatened their sense of control, forcing them to confront the unknown.
"Fear of the unknown," Chaos whispered. "It's inevitable."
---
The Heart of the Ocean
The Heart of the Ocean, the Sea Realm's core, had long been hidden by Poseidon after the Titanomachy and the subsequent meetings of the God-Kings. Unveiling it now marked a momentous occasion.
From the Underworld, Hades' chariot descended, finally halting at the Heart of the Ocean.
Hades dismounted with Pandora at his side, taking in the sight of the familiar place. His gaze carried a glimmer of reflection.
"The Heart of the Ocean," he murmured, the words steeped in memory.
Suddenly, a voice broke the silence—a voice both youthful and commanding.
"Hades."
Turning, Hades saw a man and a woman approaching: Cronus, the Titan King, and Rhea, the Titan Queen.
"Father."
"Mother."
Hades spoke calmly, "Congratulations, Father, on escaping your seal. And congratulations to you, Mother, for reclaiming what matters most to you."
"Hades..." Rhea sighed softly, shaking her head with a hint of guilt. "I must apologize. As your mother, I have been far from adequate."
Rhea knew her shortcomings. Among the deities of the Greek Pantheon, there were few truly "good" parents. Only Nyx and Metis stood out as exceptions, while Rhea herself fell short in comparison.
Hades, however, shook his head. With rare seriousness, he replied, "No, Mother, you are mistaken. As a mother, you owe us nothing—not to me, nor to my sisters and brothers."
"Mother, you gave us life, and that alone is enough. Without you, we would not even exist. For that, we are eternally grateful. That is all that matters."
Hades' calm, earnest words carried a sincerity that left Rhea silent, her emotions unresolved.
"Sigh..." Rhea's response was a helpless sigh, her regret lingering unspoken.
Meanwhile, Cronus observed his son with a mixture of intrigue and amusement. "Hades, you are different from me," he remarked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"We are all different, Father," Hades replied evenly.
While his tone was neutral, Hades was fully aware of his standing. The once-invincible Titan King now stood as a shadow of his former self. If they were to fight now, Hades estimated the odds at 70-30 in his favor.
And that was being generous.
If it came to a life-and-death battle, the odds might shift to 90-10.
Though Cronus had grown stronger after his release, the gap between them remained insurmountable. Hades, with the World Tree of the Underworld at his core, had nearly reached the level of Gaia herself. Cronus, by contrast, had yet to fully transcend his limitations.
"You're confident," Cronus noted, shaking his head with a rueful chuckle. "More so than I ever was. But unlike me, you lack arrogance."
Then, as if to test Hades' composure, Cronus added, "The collapse of humanity's order—wasn't that your doing?"
Pandora stiffened in shock. How could Cronus know?
More importantly, how could the Titan King, only recently freed from his seal, be aware of such a profound secret?
Hades' gaze remained steady, unreadable.
Pandora's thoughts raced. Was Cronus' knowledge mere conjecture, or had the Titan King uncovered something far more dangerous?
------------------
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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