Poseidon wasn't necessarily "unstable." However, his outward demeanor often reflected the influence of the power of the Evil God, giving him a strange and unsettling presence.
In a way, one might describe him as... eccentric.
Yes, eccentric was a fitting term. At times, Poseidon behaved in ways that were hard to understand, leaving those around him perplexed.
"Hades."
"Poseidon."
Athena's calm voice interrupted the moment. She spoke softly yet clearly, "Are you both prepared for the changes coming to the Sea of Chaos?"
"Prepared...?"
"Well!"
"Who can really say?"
Poseidon's lips curled into an eerie smile, his response laced with nonchalance.
For Poseidon, the idea of preparation was irrelevant. His circumstances were straightforward: once he stepped out of the mythical world, he would inevitably face the combined forces of gods and Evil Gods alike.
There was no escaping this reality.
Poseidon's very existence was a disruption.
Gods and Evil Gods, who could occasionally be allies and often enemies, shared one common concern: Poseidon. His unique existence was a threat to the established order.
If left unchecked, Poseidon's growth and increasing influence could destabilize everything. A being that combined divine and evil powers, growing stronger and more prominent?
Unacceptable.
For both gods and Evil Gods, Poseidon's survival posed a direct challenge to their authority and balance of power. They would not tolerate him becoming more powerful.
Thus, for Poseidon, overthinking his situation was pointless. His only objective was survival. Whatever happened in the Sea of Chaos, his sole task was to ensure he stayed alive.
Beyond that?
It didn't matter.
Poseidon had poured immense effort and resources into reaching his current position. Even if given a second chance, he wouldn't retreat.
To him, this path was the only one available. Turning back was not an option. No god, given the opportunity to tread a path to becoming an Ancient God, would ever consider abandoning it.
For Hades, this was equally true. His choice to develop his divine kingdom had been the right one, leading him to the precipice of Ancient Godhood.
Had Hades pursued the path of mastering laws or accumulating faith, he would still be a mere God-King, with no hope of transcending. Those paths were deceptively clear but impossibly challenging.
The reality for gods was harsh. Opportunities for transcendence were rare and fleeting. Success required not only preparation but also the ability to seize the moment and press forward.
This was the essence of divinity.
Gods sought miracles—ways to transcend their fates and limitations. But when a miracle presented itself, one had to grasp it fully, regardless of the cost.
"Preparation," Hades said, his tone calm, "is meaningless. Whatever happens in the Sea of Chaos remains unknown. Any preparation now is nothing more than a fool's errand."
"Meaningless?"
Athena fell silent, contemplating his words.
Indeed, the paths of gods were rarely navigated successfully through preparation alone.
Her own path as the Earth Mother God was a testament to that. She had struggled and fought to awaken her divinity, but in the end, it was her mother, Metis, who made her success possible. Without Metis, failure would have been inevitable.
This understanding resonated deeply with her. Preparations could only take one so far. The unknown was an intrinsic part of divinity. Success depended on continuing forward despite the uncertainty.
The future was always unknowable, even for gods.
Especially for gods.
As their power grew, so too did the magnitude of the unknowns they faced. Each new challenge became harder to predict or prepare for.
This was why even the Absolute Gods feared the changes in the Sea of Chaos.
The very nature of the Sea defied comprehension. Even the Absolute Gods couldn't fully grasp what was happening, let alone prepare for it.
Hades gazed at Athena with his usual calm demeanor. "It's undeniable. A new era is upon us. What it brings, none of us can predict. But we now hold our destinies in our hands, unlike in the past."
"In the past," he continued, "our fates were dictated by the mythical world itself. Now, we have the power to face the future on our own terms. That alone is the greatest change."
"Let us wait and see."
His words, though few, carried immense weight.
"..."
Poseidon and Athena fell into deep thought.
Yes.
What was the point of endless speculation?
In the past, they had been mere puppets of the mythical world. No matter how hard they worked or how much they prepared, they had been bound by unchangeable destinies.
But today was different.
Each of them had worked tirelessly to break free from those constraints.
They had succeeded.
The freedom to face an uncertain future—this was no small feat.
For Poseidon and Athena, this was more than enough.
"The truth in that is undeniable," Athena said, standing slowly with her Earth Staff in hand. "It's time for me to take my leave."
After Athena left, Hades also rose. "Poseidon, I must be going as well."
"Do as you like," Poseidon replied casually, waving his hand as if unconcerned.
Once Hades and Athena had departed, Poseidon swirled the wine in his glass, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"What will happen next?" he mused aloud. "What will the future bring?"
"Hehehe~~~"
"Things are about to get interesting."
"The mythical world? The gods? Well, well..."
Poseidon's laughter grew louder, reverberating through the Heart of the Ocean.
Perhaps his laughter was an expression of liberation—a reflection of his defiance against the immense pressure he faced.
For Poseidon, the burdens were immense.
Unlike other gods who merely needed to prepare for the Sea of Chaos or the coming new era, Poseidon had to contend with far greater challenges.
He carried the weight of being hunted—by gods, Evil Gods, and perhaps even Absolute Gods and Outer Gods.
This was the price of his uniqueness.
Still, Poseidon remained undeterred. For now, he would prepare for the coming era, knowing full well that the greatest challenges lay ahead.
A fascinating new era was on the horizon, and the gods were abuzz with anticipation of what was to come.
------------------
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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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