After the goddess Nyx had several times brushed past his domain, Hades (Orphos), who was studying forging, suddenly sensed a strange divine power.
This divine power was not hostile, but rather a curious inquiry, gently touching the edge of the new lava lake, passing by the metal prototypes initially transformed by the [Forging] divine power, and finally stopping not far in front of Hades, condensing and taking shape.
The visitor was a goddess in a blue gauze skirt, thin as a cicada's wing. Her eyes were like the deepest ocean, shimmering with wisdom. Her long hair was like a flowing stream, and her body was filled with a watery vapor and an intelligent aura that understood the essence of things.
She was the goddess of hydrology and wisdom—Metis, one of the Oceanids, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, renowned for her unparalleled wisdom and powers related to waters.
Metis looked at Hades with curiosity, and at the fiery, creative scene around him, which was completely different from that of a 'plant god'.
Her gaze lingered for a moment, especially on the runic dagger that had just been forged, and a flicker of surprise appeared in her eyes.
"An interesting scene," Metis's voice was like a pure spring in a mountain stream, fresh and reverberating—"a god of lush vegetation surrounded by the heat of lava and the sharpness of metal. Orphos, or... should I call you by another name? The divinity intertwined within you is far more complex than 'plant'."
Her straightforward words sent a slight chill through Hades. Metis was renowned for her intelligence, and it was not surprising that she saw clues. But her tone was more curious than hostile.
Hades maintained the calm of 'Orphos' and nodded slightly: "Metis, one as wise as you should know that divinity is not static. Plants and trees wither, and the earth also has its fiery core. I am responsible for the plant cycle, touching upon some mysteries deep within the earth; this too is a principle of nature."
Metis shook her head slightly, a clear smile appearing at the corners of her mouth, a smile that made her beautiful face even more clever: "Do not deceive me with such rhetoric. I am not very interested in quarrels and intrigues, but I am always interested in 'wisdom' itself, especially the 'wisdom' that transcends common sense and breaks conventions."
She pointed to the short dagger and the lava lake that had not yet completely cooled: "This is not simple natural evolution. I sensed '[Knowledge]', '[Summary]', and '[Innovation]'. This is by no means something a new god, especially one who seems only to work with plants and trees, could easily grasp the essence of. You are defining what 'forging' is, are you not?"
Hades looked at her silently, his heart rapidly weighing the situation. Metis's wisdom lived up to her name; she had seen through to the core almost at a glance. In front of her, simple disguise meant little, and might even arouse greater suspicion.
Moreover, Metis in the future... was Zeus's first wife and the mother of Athena. She herself represented an extremely important intellectual force.
"Your insight is admirable, Goddess Metis." Hades finally spoke, his tone becoming calmer, no longer the entirely gentle 'Orphos', but carrying a slight hint of the condensation inherent to Hades himself.
"As you can see, I have an inquisitive heart towards the world's laws and the ways matter transforms. 'Forging' is merely one result of this inquiry."
"Inquisitive..." Metis repeated, the light of wisdom in her eyes even brighter. "That is interesting. Most gods simply passively accept power, use it. To take the initiative in 'defining', 'summarizing', and 'creating' like you do—very few do this. We... perhaps we are of the same kind."
She took a few steps forward, ignoring the heat that had not completely dissipated underfoot, and looked at Hades with sparkling eyes: "Water is formless, yet it can penetrate solid rock; Wisdom is silent, yet it can shatter barriers. Your 'lava' and 'forging' are full of power and creative passion, while my 'wisdom' leans more towards insight and strategy. Perhaps we could communicate? I am very interested in how you integrated decentralized powers to form this 'forging' system."
Hades's heart stirred. Metis's initiative to befriend him was undoubtedly an unexpected joy. Her wisdom was a power that even Zeus would fear in the future, and if he could establish a good relationship with her, it would greatly help in dealing with both the immediate crisis and long-term plans.
"It is an honor to communicate with a goddess of wisdom like you." Hades nodded, and with a wave of his hand, used his divine power to condense a stone seat, inviting Metis to sit.
"As you say, power requires knowledge and wisdom to guide it. I also have many questions about the composition of the world and the operation of its laws, and perhaps I may seek your advice."
Metis sat down happily, her blue skirt flowing like water waves.
She began to explore with Hades—from the interrelationship between water erosion and the formation of the earth, to the transformation of matter in different states and the interaction... of divinity with the world's laws.
Hades could often offer unique insights through his newly acquired [Knowledge] and [Summary] divinities, and his insights from another world; Metis, in turn, provided subtle supplements and inspiration with her profound wisdom of the world and deep understanding of the nature of law.
Their exchange was not a simple question and answer, but rather a collision and fusion of two different systems of wisdom. The heat of lava and the cold of flowing water, the passion of creation and the calm of insight, were strangely intertwined in this newly formed land.
During the conversation, Metis occasionally mentioned the movements on Olympus, with a faint detachment and a discerning look in her voice.
She seemed not entirely in agreement with Cronus's rule, and was wary of the God-King's growing greed and suspicion.
"...If power loses the restraint of wisdom, it will eventually go mad." Metis said with a meaningful tone, her gaze gliding across the sky as if she could see the majestic sacred mountain.
Hades heard her words, but did not rush to reveal his true identity and intentions; he simply echoed: "As you say. Whether divine power or authority, it needs appropriate wisdom to control it, otherwise it becomes a source of disaster."
Metis looked at him intently, did not continue the topic, but instead delved again into the complex problem of creating divine runes.
This unexpected meeting lasted a long time. When Metis finally stood up to leave, her gaze towards Hades already held clear value and a slight hint of recognition from a fellow 'sage'.
"A pleasant exchange, Orphos—or whatever name you prefer." She smiled and said, her eyes shining with wisdom. "I hope to have the opportunity to discuss the mysteries of the world with you again in the future. Remember, though water is soft, it can also converge, forming canyons and penetrating mountains."
This was a kind reminder and a hidden promise. She implied that the power of wisdom might seem invisible, but it had great potential, and she might be willing to become a force capable of 'converging' when needed.
"Thank you for your guidance, Goddess Metis." Hades replied solemnly. "The river of knowledge must merge to be wider, and I look forward to meeting you again."
Metis transformed into a transparent stream, merged with the distant ley lines, and disappeared.
Hades stood alone, recalling his conversation with Metis. This meeting not only gave him a new understanding of his own power, but more importantly, he had initially established a connection with a goddess of wisdom with immense potential.
"Metis..." he whispered the name. Her appearance was like a faint lamp lit in the foggy future. Though the road ahead was still difficult, at least he was no longer a completely solitary traveler.
He was under Gaia's protection, possessed new mighty divine power, and now had the potential support of a wise ally.
Moreover, as an outstanding representative of the Oceanids, were Metis's actions a sign from the ocean god Oceanus himself?
The Oceanus system... with its vast numbers and two Titans at its head, would become a force Hades needed to win over in the future.