Hera emerged from the ocean, her movements deliberate and her expression resolute. As she raised Marmyadose, the blade hummed with the dark power of the underworld, resonating with the energy of Cerberus that had been forged into it. The blade's power was undeniable, serving as a potent gateway to the realm of the dead. With a swift, precise slash through the air, a portal to the underworld tore open, revealing the dark path ahead. Hera stepped through without hesitation, her resolve unshaken.
Unlike mortals or even other gods, Hera did not need to traverse the entirety of the underworld's treacherous pathways to reach her destination. The portal had delivered her directly to Tartarus, the dark, foreboding plain where the most dangerous and ancient beings were imprisoned. As she took in the bleak landscape, recognition dawned—this was where Zeus had confined his greatest threats, but today, it was where she would find an unlikely ally.
"You're trespassing," came a voice, cold and detached, cutting through the silence like a blade. Hera instantly recognized the presence—familiar, yet far weaker than that of Nyx, the primordial goddess of night.
"Thanatos," Hera addressed him calmly, her voice carrying a tone of respect. Before her stood the personification of death, his form a shadowy figure with eyes that seemed to draw in all light.
"My mother has granted you her blessing. This must mean she has entrusted you with a task, goddess Hera," Thanatos said, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Correct. Will you join me in my endeavor?" Hera asked, meeting his void-like gaze with her own steely resolve.
"What are your goals?" Thanatos inquired, his tone measured and indifferent.
"A complete reform of the divine order," Hera replied, her voice strong. "Zeus's reign must end, but that is only a means to an end. My ultimate goal is to correct the mistakes of this era and usher in a new one, where balance is restored."
Thanatos considered her words carefully. "I seek the balance of life and death. Hades is not fit to be the ruler of the underworld. He is too emotional and yet detached from mortal life. To him, death is the final end for a soul, which is simply not true. Death is meant to be a renewal, a rebirth of the soul," Thanatos explained, his voice as steady as ever.
"Hades' actions have indeed caused an imbalance in the cycles of life and death," Hera agreed, recognizing the depth of Thanatos' plight.
"Correct," Thanatos confirmed. "Assist me in restoring this balance, and I will follow you as the new queen."
A smile touched Hera's lips. "While I would love to do so immediately, I fear that I won't be able to right this wrong at this moment. Hades holds considerable sway in the underworld and controls many of the souls here," she explained. "However, I've realized that to dismantle Zeus's reign, we must first weaken his influence among mortals. If we can shift their belief away from him and toward another god, his power—and that of the other Olympians, including Hades—will wane. It will be a slow process, but if mortal belief shifts to you, your influence in the underworld will rise."
Thanatos remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I understand," he finally said, nodding. "I will acknowledge you as the new queen of the gods, and in return, you will make me the lord of the underworld. Is that correct?"
"Yes. I can even swear on the River Styx if you wish," Hera offered, her voice unwavering.
"No need. You carry my mother's blessing, which means I can place some of my faith in you. Now, tell me—where do you need to go?" Thanatos asked, his tone shifting slightly, showing a hint of trust.
"Do you know where Hades stores the sundial fragment?" Hera inquired, her eyes narrowing with determination.
"He keeps it on him at all times," Thanatos informed her.
"I understand. I'll have to face him head-on, then," Hera said, her voice firm.
"You will die," Thanatos warned, his tone as detached as ever.
Hera smiled, her resolve shining through. "Death is a part of life, is it not?" she responded, her voice calm and resolute.
Thanatos observed her for a moment longer. "I suppose so. Be careful, Hera. I am placing my hopes in the future you described," he said before opening a portal in the dark space.
Hera nodded in thanks and stepped through. On the other side, she found herself standing before the imposing doors of Hades' castle. The dark structure loomed ominously, a fortress of despair. With a calm stride, her confidence unwavering, Hera approached and pushed open the doors.
As she entered, she was immediately assaulted by the pained wails of tormented souls, their cries echoing through the cold, dark halls. The air was thick with the oppressive energy of death, the very essence of despair that clung to the walls like a living thing. In the distance, the cruel, psychotic laughter of the damned added to the eerie atmosphere.
"The other Olympians are coming. I will ensure you have enough time to face Hades and take his fragment. However, I cannot kill them. I hope you understand," Thanatos' voice echoed in her mind.
"Time is the only thing I can request of you," Hera replied, her tone gentle yet firm. The death god's presence faded as the portal closed behind her, leaving her alone in the oppressive silence.
Hera continued her advance through the dark halls of the underworld, her steps echoing off the cold stone floors. Finally, she reached the throne room, where Hades sat upon his dark throne, his expression unreadable as he watched her approach.
.oOo. The Gates of the Underworld .oOo.
Meanwhile, Hermes appeared in front of the massive gates of the underworld. His golden winged shoes shimmered with a faint glow as he hovered just above the ground. The normally confident messenger god now wore a look of apprehension. With a deep sigh, he moved to open the gates, dread gnawing at his thoughts.
"I hope Hades isn't in a bad mood today," Hermes muttered to himself. "I already get in trouble with him for my regular visits, but having to tell him that a vengeful goddess is coming after him… this won't go over well."
As Hermes reached out to touch the gates, his senses suddenly flared, screaming danger. Instinctively, he kicked off the ground, leaping back just in time. A shadowy scythe manifested from the gates, slicing through the air where Hermes had just been standing. A figure cloaked in black robes stepped through the gates as though they were nothing more than an illusion.
Hermes' eyes widened in panic as he recognized the ancient god before him. "Thanatos," he muttered under his breath. The presence of the god of death filled him with unease. Hermes ruffled his hair, trying to maintain his composure. "Is there a reason you're attacking me?" the messenger god asked, his voice tense.
Thanatos remained silent, his presence alone causing the younger god's anxiety to spike.
"Look, Thanatos, I have a message that I must deliver to Hades," Hermes explained, trying to sound reasonable.
"I cannot allow you to enter," Thanatos responded, his voice as cold and detached as ever.
Hermes stared at the god of death, his mind racing. After a moment, understanding dawned on him. "You've sided with Hera," he stated, his voice filled with realization.
Thanatos remained silent, his expression unchanging. Cursing under his breath, Hermes realized his mission had failed. With Thanatos blocking the gates, there was no way to reach Hades. And with Thanatos as one of the major rulers of the underworld, detouring to another entrance would be futile.
The messenger god turned and shot off into the distance, his speed warping space around him. He needed to inform the other Olympians of this turn of events, and fast. One thought filled his mind as he sped away:
"This is bad."
.oOo. Hades' Castle .oOo.
Back in the underworld, Hades sat on his dark throne, his face calm and inscrutable as he watched Hera approach. The oppressive aura of the underworld seemed to intensify with each step she took.
"Hera," Hades greeted her, his gravelly voice resembling the grinding of stones. "It's rare for you to come and visit."
"Hades, I am in need of the sundial fragment you possess," Hera stated directly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Hades smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes. "No," he replied simply, his voice dripping with arrogance.
Hera's expression hardened. "Very well then. You only have yourself to blame for the coming events," she warned, her voice cold and foreboding.
Hades laughed, a harsh, mocking sound that echoed through the throne room. "As if a weakling like you could threaten me," he sneered, clearly underestimating her.
Hera's aura flared, the air around her crackling with energy. "Your reign is nearing its end, Hades. Enjoy that laugh—it will be one of your last," she declared, her voice filled with unwavering resolve.
The confrontation had begun, and the underworld itself seemed to tremble in anticipation of the battle that was about to unfold.
.oOo. End of chapter .oOo.