(Greek Mythology) The Abyss of the Underworld
Chapter Two
When the time of creation finally arrived, even Tartarus, with his aloof nature, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief; he had truly had enough of Chaos's perverse pleasures. However, before creation, there was another matter. Remember, there were five Gatans; that meant the other four were now due for birth.
First to be born was Gaia, the goddess of the earth. She wore a pure white robe, her expression carrying an innate arrogance, yet retaining the gentle majesty of a mother earth. Her beauty was striking; she was a typical blonde, blue-eyed Greek beauty.
Then came Erebus, the god of darkness. His face was heroic, with sculpted, deep features. His shoulder-length hair flowed freely, carrying a hint of untamed spirit, and the color of his eyes was as flamboyant as burning flames.
Next is Nyx, the goddess of night. Her long black hair and eyes perfectly suited her divine role, elegantly smoothing the wrinkles on her robes. Every movement exuded the unique mystery and allure of the night.
Finally, there is Eros, the ancient god of love. This youngest of the first gods had a radiant smile, with golden hair as bright as the sun and vibrant green eyes brimming with life.
It must be said that all gods possess pleasing faces, and Gatan is a prime example. Gaia is mature and beautiful, Erebus is heroic and unrestrained, Nyx is elegant and alluring, and Eros is sunny and handsome—all worthy of admiration.
Tartars looked at his younger siblings, and they, in turn, looked at Tartarus, the eldest brother.
Tartarus's appearance was undeniably stunning. His long hair was pure black, his skin pale to the point of being translucent, like solidified ice and snow. The pure black and white created an ultimate beauty. His blood-red eyes were devoid of joy or sorrow, carrying a cold indifference to all things. Upon closer inspection, one would find nothing within them, merely a simple reflection of what was seen, sending a chill down one's spine. His figure was hidden in the darkness, but even darkness could not conceal his unparalleled elegance, only adding to his mystery, for he himself was darkness. His movements were elegant and natural, yet his temperament was detached, cold, and almost desolate, distancing him from others, existing in the world as if he were an isolated being.
However, seeing the four gods' astonishment followed by a sense of their entire worldview crumbling and not yet successfully reconstructed, one would understand that there is such a thing as the unexpected.
As for Tartarus, one could only gaze speechlessly at the sky—no, at the chaos, for there was no sky yet.
The reason was simple, and it infuriated Tartarus: all the other Gatian gods appeared as adults, while he alone looked like a boy. What was going on? Even if he was incredibly handsome, even surpassing them in looks, it didn't change the fact that he, the eldest brother, looked younger than his younger siblings—or rather, he was the only one who looked young.
Another crucial point was that Greek gods were generally handsome, strong, sculpted figures, and the goddesses were all tall and beautiful. But him? His exquisite features combined with his slender figure made him look nothing like a man. How could he look more delicate than the goddesses? Was it a joke?
Could this be the real reason why Tartarus remained in the Underworld in Greek mythology? A strange sense of melancholy crept in.
This was simply a cruel joke. Tartarus was helpless, deeply feeling the malice of the world.
"So it's not the eldest brother, but the eldest sister!" Eros, the most cheerful of them all, spoke first, inwardly wondering why his eldest sister looked even younger than him.
"..." Tartarus decided to remain silent, but inwardly he held a grudge against Eros, a lesson that would later haunt Eros's life. He would make Eros understand the meaning of "loose lips sink ships."
"No, Tartarus is your eldest brother, just a little rather handsome," Chaos added casually, seemingly eager to stir up trouble.
"Just a little rather handsome" (emphasis added). The four gods fell silent. This would certainly be seen in a comic book. A face full of black lines. Their worldview had been shattered so early in their existence; it was truly difficult for them.
"Father, it's time to create the world," Tartarus changed the subject. Was this reaction necessary? It wasn't his fault he looked like that.
Chaos knew he couldn't tease Tartarus any longer, and with time running out, he cooperated and began creating the world.
The immense power proclaimed Chaos's identity as a creator god and commanded the birth of a world. The abyss formed at its deepest point, and above, the earth slowly emerged. Darkness enveloped the world, and night descended. Love and desire filled the world, spurring the proliferation of life. The five Gatan gods, representing the five fundamental elements, formed the foundation of the world, perfecting this newly born world.
Never having experienced it can never truly understand the awe-inspiring grandeur and beauty of a world's birth. But this was also a challenge for a creator god. No matter how unreliable Chaos might seem, his achievements as a creator god were undeniable.
Having exhausted too much power in creating the world, Chaos forced himself to explain everything before falling into slumber.
Before succumbing to slumber, Chaos glanced at Tartarus one last time, his eyes filled with complex and profound emotions.
My child, with your greatest power and noblest status, and because… even the laws of nature cannot dictate your existence, this is the limit I can give you.
The long sigh gradually faded into the silence, unheard by anyone.