The Seraphic System
Chapter: 39
Pa/ t reon details at the bottom of the chapter if you're interested I'll keep posting regardless.
(The Underworld)
I looked at the inconspicuous-looking DOA recording studio that was a secret entryway to the underworld or more specifically Hades Domain in contemplation.
The travel here had been uneventful. Perhaps fate had some sympathy for the fact I was about to deal with the God Of the Dead in his own domain. Then again, it's not like much could happen to me since I was flying.
I was currently sitting here wondering how to go about confronting Hades. Pretty sure he would immediately sense me even if I wore my mask because it was his domain. Which he had ultimate control of.
Subtlety wasn't the answer in this case. I would still go in with my mask since it would help hide me from any of his minions or any other residents like Thanatos himself.
I didn't think it would completely help me hide from any God directly looking for me but it should help conceal myself. So Hades would have to confront me or allow me to approach him.
I suppose going for the direct approach couldn't hurt unless he takes it as an insult. I felt that giving him the least time I could to prepare for my sudden arrival was probably more advantageous for me.
If he took offence I could easily escape with the pearls or worst case the pearls somehow didn't work and I hid out in my sub-dimension. I was sure his curiosity would win over though.
Especially since I had a mixture of facts and blackmail to fall back on. I opened up the plain-looking backpack and grinned triumphantly.
This stupid quest was nearly finished.
'Appraisal'
Divine Lightning Sheath (Backpack)
Appearance Description: A seemingly ordinary, weathered leather backpack with faded stitching and a tarnished bronze buckle. The backpack appears well-used, with scratches and scuffs
Abilities:
1. Concealment: The backpack serves as a magical sheath for Zeus's divine lightning bolt, disguising it as a simple object. This concealment ability is so powerful that it can fool even the most perceptive beings, masking the true nature of the lightning bolt from both mortals and gods alike.
2. Dimensional Storage: The backpack has an enchanted space within that can expand to hold items far larger than its physical dimensions suggest. This space is particularly suited to house Zeus's lightning bolt, keeping it hidden and secure until the rightful wielder calls upon it.
3. Summon and Recall: The backpack is enchanted with the ability to summon the lightning bolt back to it from any distance. Once activated, the lightning bolt can instantly return to its sheath, regardless of where it was last used or located. This ensures that the weapon is never lost and always within the user's reach, ready to be unleashed in battle.
A bright ethereal chain came out from my body and into the backpack, draining the energy that made the Divine Lightning Sheath take the appearance of a normal backpack.
Sure enough, I felt a powerful energy drain from it which I took the chance to observe. Was this divine energy? It felt potent and very powerful. More powerful than my mana.
Out of curiosity, I made that energy flow into my body, wondering what would happen. It didn't do much, simply moving to a part of my body and staying there.
Any attempts to make it move or manipulate it were unsuccessful. That was to be expected. Being able to absorb and manipulate any energy would have been overpowered but divinity was always going to be a tall order.
Sure enough, after having the small amount of divine energy powering its transformation taken away it transformed into the bolt's sheath. I examined its appearance.
Instead of leather it was made out of metal and seemed to shine almost unnaturally. Which shouldn't be surprising since Zeus was known for being prideful.
Now, how did I summon the bolt back with it?
I could have waited until later, but I figured it was safer to keep it in my inventory. Leaving it out there, in the hands of who knows who didn't seem like a smart move, especially since it's the key to the generous quest rewards I better be getting.
Stretching out my arm, I mentally willed the bolt back to its sheath. Trying to aim my will onto the sheath which my empathy skill helped with. It sounded weird but emotions could be directed towards objects or beings.
I didn't expect such a simple act to work on a divine weapon, but I figured I should try it before resorting to anything more complicated. So imagine my surprise as lightning rumbled in the distance.
My surroundings were illuminated by the sudden arrival of a massive lightning bolt and as it pierced the air towards the sheath, my hair stood on edge for the familiar feeling of lightning.
It brought back brief flashes of memories when I fought Namara and the regretful ending of that battle. Spirals of smaller lightning bolts followed and shot off in chaotic streaks.
A few seconds later and the bolt was still travelling at insane speeds, it shot towards me and entered the sheath, the force blowing me back. The force stopped after a few moments and the bolt was successfully contained within the sheath.
The sound had been deafening and I heard car alarms go off in the distance.
I looked down at it. The divine weapon of Zeus, the very divine weapon that had kicked off this entire frustrating divine quest and the source of endless annoyances.
That definitely drew some attention. Let's hope my mask of concealment keeps me covered from any unwanted trouble.
The bolt looked like a javelin made of pure energy with bolts seemingly shifting around it, as if its form was unstable. I could sense its power and my chakra eyes confirmed a truly massive amount of divine energy within it.
This was a powerful weapon. Much more powerful than the Tempest Chakrams which gave me limited access to lightning control.
A constant low hum emanated from the divine weapon.
I quickly appraised it before storing it in my inventory.
As much as I wanted to play around with it and inspect it, I didn't doubt having it out would give off a massive presence which would alert everything around me to its presence.
[Zeus's Master Bolt]
Appearance Description: A massive, celestial javelin of pure energy, approximately five feet in length, radiating a blinding blue-white light. The surface is composed of swirling, condensed lightning, constantly shifting and sparking with tendrils of electricity that arc off into the air. The core of the bolt is semi-transparent, revealing a churning storm of raw, divine power.
Abilities:
Absolute Destruction: Upon being thrown, the Master Bolt travels with incredible speed, leaving a trail of blinding light and deafening thunder. It obliterates anything in its path, delivering a cataclysmic burst of lightning on impact that can annihilate even the most formidable foes and obstacles.
Stormcaller: The bolt is a conduit for Zeus's dominion over the sky and storms. When unleashed, it can summon and control powerful storms, directing lightning strikes, fierce winds, and torrential rain with perfect precision.
Lightning dominion: This Bolt has received the divine blessing from Zeus. Giving anyone who wields it the ability to use the residue of the lightning gods' power, temporary lighting manipulation.
Lightning Amplification: This Bolt steeped into the core essence of divine lighting and patterned as the original lightning bolt can boost any ability relating to the lighting or storms.
Soul Bound: Only those bound to the Bolt can use it to its full capacity and the Bolt can only bond one time. This bond disappears only if you kill the bonded user. If anyone not bonded to the weapon attempts to wield the Bolt it will be ten times weaker.
I quickly stored it in my inventory. This was a seriously powerful weapon. Reading the actual abilities of the Bolt really pushed the fact that I was holding a divine weapon belonging to the king of Gods.
To think I was a normal human just a year ago.
I shook my head. I was definitely going to try to play around with the Bolt before I gave it back to Zeus.
I opened the door to the DOA studio and was greeted by a large room. The first thing I noticed was a long counter stretched across one side, manned by an unhealthy pale, hollow-eyed receptionist who barely glanced up at my arrival.
The walls were filled with faded posters of long-forgotten musicians and famous artists. A set of rusty elevator doors was at the far end, a strange sombre aura leaking out of them.
I assumed by the strange energy leaking out of them that they were the gate that led straight down into the underworld. Which was why I walked directly towards it, finding myself ignored by the bored human at the desk.
Slowly and cautiously, I pressed the elevator button. I probably looked odd, dressed the way I was with a mask to conceal my aura, but it was necessary.
A moment later, the elevator dinged and opened to reveal a typical interior, the only difference being a single button marked for the seventeenth floor. I stepped inside and pressed it.
As the elevator began its descent, I couldn't help but find it almost amusing when some bland, mundane music started playing in the background, a strange contrast to the tension of going down to the literal underworld again.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding. I was immediately met with the eerie sight of a long line of transparent figures, all waiting in silent anticipation.
As I leaned to the side to get a better look, I caught sight of a man lounging beside a weathered boat, his expression bored. Behind him stretched an endless expanse of water, its surface was like normal water but under it was a dark, unfathomable abyss.
The sight was jarring.
An enormous room filled with perhaps thousands of ghosts expanding out into a large river. It was just something that didn't abide by human architecture which I wasn't used to.
'Appraisal.'
{Name: Charon}
{Title: The ferryman, Greek God of boundaries and territories }
{Race: God}
{Current Power level: 9,000}
{Power level: 11,400}
Finally, A God who wouldn't instantly kick my ass like Hercules. Even if he was a minor God I would accept the win.
So, this was the Ferryman?
He was a tall, thin man with slicked-back, greasy black hair. He wore a fancy Italian suit and dark sunglasses, giving him a look more akin to a high-end banker than the traditional image of the grim ferryman of the Underworld.
He also seemed bored out of his mind, sending a disdainful glance to any of the ghosts who tried to plead with him to pass.
My eyes travelled to the open river. There was nothing stopping me from just flying over and directly towards Hades. The problem was I didn't know where he was.
That's why I planned to bribe the Ferryman for information. If Percy could bribe him for passage, then getting some information out of him would be much easier.
I didn't want to give Hades too much time to think about my presence, so I quickly made my way toward him.
Charon's lazy eyes flicked up in mild surprise as they met my masked face. I knew how this must look—a mysteriously dressed up masked stranger whose aura couldn't be sensed.
I didn't doubt that I would be questioned on why I wanted to know where Hades castle was. I was prepared for the questions that would follow, rehearsing my answers as I moved closer.
"Well, what do we have here? Quite the little stealthy trick you've got going on there." Charon's lazy voice spoke.
"Greetings Ferryman." I greeted him neutrally. Somewhat acting aloof and uncharacteristic with my wording.
He dipped his head lightly. A light smirk on his face as he looked over me curiously.
"Masked stranger. To what do I owe this unusual pleasure?" He questioned amusedly.
I reached into my pocket, fingers curling around the cool metal of the drachma. Twenty large golden coins. I had taken from Percy which had been given by the camp for his quest.
"Just here to talk, maybe do a bit of business. I heard you are rather underpaid after all. That fancy suit isn't going to last forever." I casually started.
His smirk grew, but it didn't reach his eyes. "And what sort of business brings you to me? I just work as a Ferryman."
"Yeah sure, a Ferryman who brings souls over to the underworld," I replied.
He nodded.
"Indeed, which means my business is only with deadmen or gods. Which you are neither of. Well, you could be a God but a God does not hide his presence even if your trick is quite impressive." He responded, lazily leaning against the oar with one hand stuffed casually in his pocket.
I drew twenty large golden coins from my pocket and held them out in my open palm. They barely fit due to their size, the drachma glinting under the dim lighting of the Underworld, catching the Ferryman's eye.
I noticed the way his gaze lingered on them, his fingers twitching ever so slightly.
"I am not taking you across. Even if the bribe is tempting you have not shown yourself to at the very least be a part of my pantheon, stranger. If I let any outside influence in, I wouldn't be a very good Ferryman would I?" He said without any hesitation.
"It's a good thing that I wasn't going to ask for that then, isn't it?" I replied easily.
"Continue." He said, his tone much firmer.
"I need information," I continued, my tone steady, casual. "Nothing damaging or even able to come back to bite you in the ass. Specifically, the location of your lord's castle. I have a… pressing matter to discuss with the Lord of the Dead."
Charon's eyes narrowed behind his sunglasses, his posture stiffening and demeanour becoming much more threatening.
He may have been acting lax and uncaring but he was still a God.
I wasn't particularly threatened. I knew that God could tell truths from lies and I planned to abuse that to my advantage. Sometimes telling the truth is the best option.
It wasn't like he wouldn't find out or that it was some secret considering I would be telling Hades.
"And why should I betray my Lord's trust for a handful of coins? You think twenty drachma will buy you a map to his doorstep?" He asked.
I let a slow, deliberate smile spread across my lips, knowing he couldn't see it but hoping he could sense it.
"Considering it will benefit your Lord very much and get you what is a generous payment I considered you would be on board," I replied in a relaxed manner.
He relaxed a bit as he presumably registered the truth in that statement.
"I'm going to need more than that to consider telling you," Charon said.
"I know who stole your Lord's helm and I know of a plot that is in the midst of trying to separate and weaken your pantheon through war. Of course, there's more but I don't feel like telling you." I informed him bluntly.
His gaze flicked between my masked face and the coins, weighing his options. I could practically see the gears turning in his mind.
"Twenty drachma for a little bit of information? Fine. But don't think this buys you anything more than that. Even with your admittedly good reasoning, I won't be helping you across. There are ways of deceiving a God and while I feel you aren't doing this, I won't be an accomplice if you are lying." He said with finality.
Charon pocketed the drachma, his expression returning to that of mild disinterest.
"Hades' castle lies beyond the Fields of Asphodel, past the Phlegethon. Follow the river of fire until it curves into the darkness. You'll find it there, nestled between the shadows of the Erebos Mountains. He already knows you're here. You'll have to find your own way to him." He said with a smirk.
"Ah, it's a good thing I have wings then," I replied smugly.
My wings burst out of my back and all of the Ghost around us flinched back. Charon's eyes widened but he couldn't say more as I exploded in a burst of speed, my wings carrying me through the air.
Realistically that went pretty well. Sneaking into a God's Domain wasn't a realistic option. Not even other beings much more powerful and skilled than me could.
I tore through the sky, my light shining from the dreary darkness of the underworld like a shooting star. It took me a while but I finally found the river of fire.
I hadn't fully understood all the terms Charon had used, but it wasn't hard to piece things together. Towering mountains, shrouded in a thick fog, seemed to stretch endlessly upward as if trying to pierce the heavens themselves.
I assumed these were the Erebos Mountains. I sped through the air at an insane pace, searching for Hades' castle. Charon's directions had been vague, but I didn't dare push my luck by asking for a more detailed explanation.
Finally, I found it. Hades Palace.
The first clue was the overwhelming presence in the air.
My chakra eyes, which had been activated in case of an ambush from anywhere and passively monitoring the surprising amount of different energies in the Hades domain quickly found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of divine energy radiating from the towering castle ahead.
Powerful. Extremely powerful. I felt a shiver go down my spine. Suddenly I felt a lot more wary. I had met stronger beings like Dionysus but they had all been hiding their aura.
Seeing it unrestrained and not just in numbers truly set in the level of power I was dealing with, but with this realisation, I felt an overwhelming amount of Greed. I wanted this. This was the level of power I wanted to reach and surpass.
I felt my already strong desire for power burn even brighter.
Hades castle itself was massive. A massive towering structure, its walls were a non-reflective pitch black. Which seemed to partially absorb light. While part of it hung off a cliff, defying gravity. It hung over a massive field filled with strange black flowers and a beautiful garden with fruits which were unnaturally eye-catching and appetizing.
I came to a stop in the air, slowly flying down to the castle's entrance. The large grand doors that had spiralling golden patterns depicting various different scenarios of Death intertwined with various expensive-looking jewels and diamonds opened up by themselves.
Well, that was a good sign, right? He hadn't outright attacked me. I had his attention which would hopefully allow me to explain myself before he got pissy and decided to sneeze me out of existence.
I seriously better be getting something good for this quest and Percy is going to spend the rest of his life paying me back for this. I had viable escape plans at least, at the first sign of hostility I was out.
I didn't plan on dying today or ever in fact.
Now it was time to convince the God Of the Dead to give back Percy's mother and let me leave his domain alive.
I started moving into the castle's entrance.
-{Hades}-
Hades lounged on his throne lazily. His arm rested against his cheek as he felt the little angel move closer to his castle. He was currently in his throne room waiting for the angel who had dared trespass so brazenly into his domain.
His skin was as pale as bone, contrasting sharply with his dark, flowing robes that seemed to absorb all light. He had black hair that was slicked back, and his eyes burnt like smouldering coals.
His throne room was lit by many torches that had the smouldering blue fire alight in them, which gave the throne room an ominous blue glow.
"Seems like the little angel found his way." His deep voice spoke to himself.
The only reason the angel had come this far was because he was intrigued. Had he not wanted the angel to fly into his domain he would have simply erected one of the hundreds of barriers he had.
That mask the angel wore was also an interesting artefact. Something Hades had deemed made to completely suppress the angel's aura. This was why his subjects of security ghosts, furies, Cerberus, and gus many reapers stationed around his domain hadn't intercepted him already.
It was impressive. Considering they were currently in wartime preparation. Of course, he had been spotted but Hades had decided to command the few reapers that did spot him flying through his domain so brazenly to stand down.
Hades had to admit the angel's boldness in breaching his realm had been what had made him pause and not outright obliterate the angel for an act that no one would dare do.
Especially with the inhabitants of his underworld domain on high alert after the theft of Zeus' weapon, Hades found himself in no better position, considering his helm had also been stolen.
His fist clenched, causing the enchantments protecting his throne to flare with light. He had already dispatched his minions to search for the thief, particularly keeping an eye on Poseidon's son, whom Zeus suspected was the culprit.
Hades usually didn't care to heed Zeus' concerns, but even he had to admit that the timing and circumstances were suspicious.
He felt the angel touch down outside his castle and he relaxed.
Charon had told Hades that the angel knew where his castle was, so he wasn't too surprised that he found his way to him so quickly. With a flex of divine power, he opened the two gates in front of the angel to allow him in.
It was time to see what this angel wanted and if he was worth keeping alive for his brazen insult against Hades.
-{Cao Cao}-
Cao twirled his spear as he slowly paced around. His team was behind him. The surroundings were destroyed and signs of a large battle were evident due to the many destroyed buildings.
Smoke wafted into the air as a few of the surrounding cars were set completely alight.
Cao Cao nodded with a smirk.
"You did well, I'll give you that. You've got a lot of strength for someone so young, but I guess that's a common occurrence for supernatural beings getting strength handed to them." Cao Cao said casually.
Black monsters with ink-like skin and red glaring baleful eyes surrounded them. Its body is covered in dark, obsidian-like scales that absorb light, making it appear as a shadowy figure against any backdrop.
The scales are jagged and sharp, resembling shards of volcanic glass, and they emit a faint, eerie glow from the cracks between them, as if molten lava flows underneath its strange skin.
The creature's head is a grotesque fusion of a dragon and a deep-sea fish, with elongated jaws lined with multiple rows of needle-like teeth.
These monsters had been created with the Annihilation Maker by Leonardo. All the monsters had similar characteristics. Making for quite an intimidating scene as they surrounded the group.
Cao Cao paid them no heed.
"Nothing to say?" Cao Cao asked amusedly.
Percy growled. "Sorry, I was just trying to figure out if your haircut was supposed to scare me or if it was an accident."
Cao Cao's lips twitched as he looked at the two bound Demigods. Annabeth was bound to a wall next to him, blood leaking from multiple parts of her body due to the extensive amounts of cuts that littered her body. Along with that were bruises which showed the extensive beating she had just received.
For once she didn't chide Percy. Glaring at the human sacred gear wielders furiously and desperately trying to think of a way out of this.
"Oh look at that fighting spirit. It's a shame that didn't give you the strength to beat us. I wonder if you'll keep that up." Cao Cao said as he kneeled rubbing Percy's head.
Siegfried and the descendant of Heracles returned with a bloody and beaten Medusa.
"You fucking bastard," Percy growled. Trying to break out of his bindings.
"Oh don't blame me. Siegfried insisted on taking her for some extra questioning." Cao Cao laughed. "Did you find the location of the boy?"
Siegfried sneered, kicking the already-broken body of Medusa down.
"She wouldn't talk." He replied, crossing his arms.
Cao Cao clicked his tongue dramatically.
"That's a shame, perhaps-what was your name again? Oh right, Perhaps Percy here would enlighten us. Where is the Angel?" Cao Cao questioned, narrowing his eyes.
Percy stayed silent.
Cao Cao sighed, grabbing his spear and smacking Annabeth with the other side of it. The blow was hard enough to make her spit out blood.
Percy's eyes glowed and he attempted to get out of his restraints once more to the point he looked like a rabid beast.
Cao Cao shook his head.
"Don't worry. I am sure you'll tell us eventually. We will even go meet him together, how does that sound?" Cao Cao taunted.
"I'll kill you." Percy threatened dangerously.
"That's the spirit." Cao Cao patted him mockingly on the back and turned back to Georg.
"Take us within the pocket dimension, I don't want anyone disturbing us while we convince our friends here to give us what we want."
A mist covered the spot they all stood in and dissipated a moment later, leaving a chilling silence over the ruined surroundings.
-END-
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