"Hahahaha!!!" Rumble!
Thunderous laughter echoed in the Olympus throne room. Thunder burst in the clouds as if resonating with Zeus's mirth.
He wiped a tiny droplet of tear from the corner of his eye. "Hermes, you have truly pleased me by bringing such wonderful news."
Hermes gave a slight bow. "My pleasure, my Lord." He paused deliberately and asked hesitantly, "But shouldn't we be careful about this prophecy? As such prophecies often twist upon themselves—"
Zeus interrupted, "Why should we? The dethroning of Hades means the crumbling of the main pillar of the Underworld faction." Then he ordered, "Ares, prepare the army. We will claim the Underworld when Hades falls."
Ares stood from his seat and bowed. "As you wish, my Lord."
As he was about to leave with Kratos, Athena raised her voice. "Wait." She stood from her seat and turned to Zeus. "Father, do not be hasty. Uncle Hades has near-omniscient vision; within a few seconds, he would discover the army."
"I fear he may make a shadow move that could cost us greatly."
Zeus stroked his beard and murmured, "Hmm… You are right. Such things have happened in the past. Iapetus cursed our entire army with mortality." He took a sip of nectar. "If our army gathers in one place, it becomes much easier to hit."
Poseidon stated, "Do not forget about his apocalypse form." He leaned back in his seat as if he had no interest in the matter.
Zeus glanced at him and gritted his teeth. Then he assigned a new order. "Ares, keep preparing the army, but on a small scale and in secret." He gulped down the entire contents of his chalice and slammed it on the armrest. "We will wait and watch how this prophecy unfolds."
---
Hecate was in her room; a lady servant was combing her long, silky black hair. Suddenly, Rhea, Hestia, and Astraeus stormed into her bedroom. "Hecate, are you okay?"
She turned around and looked at their worried faces. She gestured for the servants to leave.
The servants bowed and left immediately. The door closed. Then she asked, "What brings all three of you here?"
Astraeus came near her and asked, "Are you unaware of that ominous prophecy?"
Hecate slightly raised her eyebrows as she understood the reason for their worry. She looked at each of them and answered, "I am totally aware. And you all do not have to worry about anything."
"As long as my husband is with me, even the primordials would not dare to pluck a single strand of my hair." Her eyes met theirs without flinching, her easy smile radiating quiet pride.
Rhea stated, "I thought the same—in the past." Her face fell, and sadness was visible in her eyes as those dark memories resurfaced. "But in the end, what the prophecy stated came to pass."
She gently caressed Hecate's cheek. "We do not want such things to happen to you."
Hecate gently held her hand and smiled. "I appreciate your concern. But I believe in my husband. The Underworld believes in its king. Why do you not believe in your son?"
Sigh—
Both Rhea and Astraeus released a long sigh and exchanged a look. Hestia loftily said from behind, "See, what did I tell you? She will never agree." Then she walked out. "Come on, old folks. Let her take some rest."
Her statement struck a nerve. Rhea and Astraeus forced a smile. "Okay, dear, take care of yourself."
"Urgent work has come up that requires our attention. Please excuse us." Rhea slightly lifted the hem of her peplos.
Then both of them left the room. The door closed.
"GET BACK HERE AT ONCE!"
"I WILL KNOCK SOME SENSE INTO THAT FEATHERED HEAD OF YOURS!"
Loud shouting came from the corridor.
Hecate joined her hands and prayed, "Lord Chaos, may you give sister Hestia the strength to endure." Then she stared at the garden through the window. "Hades…"
---
Under the shade of the Life Jewel tree, Cronus and Hades exchanged glasses of whiskey.
"Cheers!"
Their glasses clinked in celebration, a little whiskey spilling. Then both drank it in one gulp. The whiskey flowed down their throats, leaving a burning sensation.
Hades scrunched his eyes and nose as bitterness overrode his taste buds.
"Son, lick this."
Cronus offered him a piece of lemon slice. Hades took it and dipped it in rock salt. As he licked it, the strong combination of sour and salty flavors dominated his tongue.
"The whiskey of the Ashen Eye is really strong in taste."
Cronus finished another drink and slammed the glass on the grassy field. He wiped his mouth. "It's much better than bland nectar."
Then he leaned against the trunk and gazed at the long-lasting green field. He asked, "Son, have you ever thought about that prophecy?"
Hades handed him a newly prepared drink and answered, "A lot."
He sat opposite him and stared at his own reflection in the whiskey. "When that ominous prophecy arose, I was extremely nervous, as if everything was slipping away from me. Hecate. The Underworld. Family."
He met Cronus's gaze and continued, "A strange darkness narrowed my vision. Just as it was about to swallow me whole, Hecate pulled me out." His lips curved slightly upward. "When I looked at her, all my negative thoughts vanished and gave me a new purpose in life—to protect her at any cost."
Cronus nodded and said, "The world is like a river. If it keeps running, it remains pure. But if it stops, it rots. To avoid that, it makes its own new path. That is how the world works."
"If your rule lets the world grow, you are safe. When its growth halts, it does everything to bring about a new rule that accelerates its growth."
He gulped down the whiskey and stood up. "Do not cling to the crown. Forge heirs who can survive its weight." He left with those words, leaving Hades alone with his thoughts.