I make my way back to the throne room, my heart racing with anticipation and nerves. What could Levi, or rather Zeus, want with me? I steel myself for the meeting as I remember the lore - they are brothers, but their relationship has always been fraught.
Taking a deep breath, I push open the heavy doors and enter the throne room. My eyes immediately lock onto Zeus sitting on my throne, his long hair cascading down his broad shoulders. It's jarring to see him in virtual reality, but he still exudes the same arrogant energy that always bothered me about Levi.
Squaring my shoulders, I approach him with forced calmness. But inside, I'm boiling with anger at seeing him sit on MY throne like he owns the place.
"Zeus," I greet him, struggling to keep my voice steady. "What brings you here today?"
"I came to see who was reincarnated as Hades, and I don't remember a Phoenix back at school." He says with ignorance.
I can feel a vein in my head starting to pulse.
"Perhaps if you actually went to class more often you would know," I retort, trying to keep my frustration in check. "And as for me being Hades, what does it matter to you?"
Zeus smirks, a flash of lightning illuminating the room. "Oh, it doesn't matter to me at all. Just curious, I suppose."
I narrow my eyes, not buying his nonchalant act.
"What do you want, Zeus?" I ask pointedly, crossing my arms over my chest.
He leans back on the throne, a glint in his eyes. "I have a proposition for you, Phoenix. One that I think will benefit us both."
I raise an eyebrow, my interest piqued despite my reservations about the God before me. "And what might that be?"
Zeus flashes his signature smirk once again. "You see, I have a little problem that needs solving, and I believe you're the perfect person to help me out."
I narrow my eyes, feeling a sense of foreboding creeping up my spine. "What kind of problem?"
He leans forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I need you to help me find Lilith."
My heart starts to race as I think about my main mission: to bring Lilith by my side. Why does Zeus want her? My nerves are on edge, but I try to remain composed.
"Why do you need Lilith and how will this benefit me?" I ask, attempting to conceal my anxiety.
"This isn't just a game, Phoenix. We are living in this world. And if we want to escape and return to the real world, we have to embody it," he says sternly and matter-of-factly.
"It seems you just woke up, so you may not know much about what's going on in this game. You are Hades now and no longer Phoenix." Zeus says.
"I know this, Zeus. But I still fail to see how finding Lilith will help us escape this virtual reality," I reply, my voice steady.
Zeus tilts his head, his eyes narrow. "I need her power. With Lilith on our side, we can rule this game. And when we finally break free, we'll emerge as Gods in the real world."
I feel a pang of anger in my chest. He wants to use Lilith for his own gain.
"And what do I get out of this?" I ask, already knowing the answer.
"You get to be a part of the most powerful alliance in this game. You'll be a God amongst players," Zeus says with a grin.
I take a deep breath, weighing my options. Lilith is my main objective, but I can't let Zeus use her like a tool, there must be a reason why I have to bring her to my side. Zeus isn't tell me everything.
"I'll need some time to think about it," I say finally.
Zeus leans back in the throne, his eyes watching me closely. "Take all the time you need. But remember, Phoenix, time is ticking in this game. The longer we wait, the harder it will be to find Lilith."
With that, he stands up from the throne and disappears in a flash of lightning, leaving me alone in the throne room.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. If I join forces with Zeus, I could have the power to find Lilith faster. But at what cost? I can't let him use her for his own selfish gain.
For the time being, my best course of action is to observe and gather information. I have to become stronger if I want to stand a chance against Lilith who, whoever she may be, must possess incredible power.
As I exit the throne room, I'm lost in thought. I need to uncover more about Lilith and why Zeus is so desperate for her capture. He's definitely hiding something from me. Consulting my map, I see several question marks scattered across various locations. It's clear that I'll need to explore these areas and level up if I hope to survive any potential battles. It seems that I still have a long way to go before I can truly thrive as a side character.
I make my way out of the palace and into the bustling streets of the underworld. The NPCs rush past me, their expressions empty and lifeless. Everything here is so different from the real world. It's as if I've been transported to a different dimension altogether. But I have to remind myself that this is all just a game. A game where I have to fight to survive.
As I walk down the street, I overhear two players talking about a rumored dungeon located in the outskirts of the city. Apparently, it's filled with powerful monsters and rare loot. This could be my chance to level up and become stronger.
Without hesitation, I make my way towards the outskirts of the city. The journey is long and dangerous, but I keep my guard up and stay alert. The looming trees and darkened sky give me an eerie feeling, but I push forward.
After trekking through a winding path, I finally reach the entrance of the dungeon. The towering structure before me is made of dark, rough stone and reinforced with thick iron bars. A massive gate blocks the entrance, guarded by two fierce-looking dragon statues.
As I approach, my attention is drawn to a huddled group of players nearby. They seem to be discussing their strategy for tackling the dungeon. I can't help but wonder how many other players are in this game and if they too have been reincarnated as powerful Gods.
But I can tell the players in front of me are a mix of low-level Gods and beasts. I wanted to take on the dungeon alone to claim all the loot for myself, but I know they won't go down without a fight if I suggest it.
Clearing my throat, I announce my presence to the group. They turn to look at me, eyeing me warily. One player, who appears to be half-human and half-horse, speaks up. "Who are you?"
I reply with a cool tone, trying not to show any vulnerability. "I am Hades."
The group falls silent and turns back to each other. "Let's find another dungeon," one says with a resigned tone. The others nod in agreement and they walk away without another glance at me.
I'm surprised at how easily they backed down. Perhaps being one of the most powerful Gods holds more weight in this world than I thought. I turn back towards the entrance of the dungeon and draw my sword.
There's no time to waste, it's time to level up. With determination, I push open the gates and step inside. But as soon as I enter, a blast of scorching heat hits me.
Great, looks like there's a dragon waiting for me inside. Let the adventure begin.