Greek Pantheon, Mythic World.
After Chaos first created the Mythic World, Gaia, as the Creator God, began to perfect and nurture the entire world. Among these primordial deities, Pontus, one of the first-born Ancient Gods, was revered as one of the Four Creator Gods, representing the sea.
Pontus emerged from the Chaotic Sea. The Chaotic Sea is quite unique; it is a part of the Mythic World and yet also a segment of the Chaotic Sea, similar to how the Astral Realm envelops the Mythic World, forming a barrier that shields it from the erosion of the Chaotic Sea.
To put it simply, the Chaotic Sea and the Chaotic Ocean are essentially segments carved out from a larger whole, becoming a domain unto themselves.
The Astral Realm lies above, and the Chaotic Ocean lies below. Together, these two realms form two hemispheres that completely encase the Mythic World. This configuration is the standard for all Mythic Worlds.
Pontus further created the Black Sea, which acts as another barrier against the Chaotic Ocean, creating layers like nested dolls: the Chaotic Sea, the Chaotic Ocean, the Black Sea, and finally the Sea Realm.
After passing through countless Black Sea puppets, the two gods finally arrived at the Chaotic Ocean.
Hades quietly observed the boundless expanse of the Chaotic Ocean, waiting for Prometheus to act. Searching aimlessly in the Chaotic Ocean without the strength of an Ancient God is a sure path to an unknown death.
Prometheus didn't hesitate and released a vast amount of divine power. Numerous barriers manifested, spreading rapidly in all directions. As the barriers extended, the entire Chaotic Ocean began to churn.
Soon enough, two rhombic crystals radiating chaotic light were drawn out from the depths of the Chaotic Ocean. Hades and Prometheus each quickly seized a crystal, using their powers to secure them.
Hades sealed his crystal instantly with a demonic star, embedding it within his constellation of 108 stars, ensuring it couldn't move an inch.
Prometheus set up more barriers, displaying the thoroughness of his preparations over the past thirty thousand years. It was clear he had anticipated every detail.
Having accomplished their mission, the two gods silently departed from the Chaotic Ocean, returning to the Black Sea. They crossed it at great speed and, using the divine passage, re-entered the Sea Realm.
Unbeknownst to them, as they left, a pair of inky black eyes, encompassing the vastness of the sea, slowly opened in the Black Sea. These eyes observed the departing gods without any action. Soon, everything returned to calm.
Back in the Sea Realm, Prometheus let out a deep breath. Though their actions seemed swift and simple, the inherent dangers were well understood by those familiar with them.
During the process, Prometheus had been observing Hades. He couldn't deny that Hades remained unchanged, solidifying his belief that Hades would be their greatest adversary once the Titanomachy ended.
"Lord Hades!" Prometheus invited with a smile, "Would you like to rest on the island for a while?"
Hades replied, "No need. I have other matters to attend to."
Declining Prometheus's invitation, Hades left directly. Despite obtaining the crystal of the Ancient God's technique, he had already spent thirty thousand years and didn't have time to waste further.
Prometheus watched Hades depart and shook his head, returning to the island with a mind full of thoughts.
"Prometheus." As soon as he returned to the island, Atlas called out to him.
Prometheus smiled warmly, "Atlas, what is it?"
Atlas, looking at his smiling brother, asked helplessly, "Did you succeed?"
Prometheus nodded, "Yes, we perfectly extracted this crystal of the Ancient God's technique. As for the remaining three? There's no hope for those."
Through years of study, Prometheus had realized that only these two crystals could be found and taken. The remaining three, though created by Pontus, were destined for Poseidon by the world's will. Not even Pontus himself could retrieve them.
"It's incredibly dangerous!" Atlas scolded, "Prometheus, that's the Black Sea! If anything went wrong..."
Atlas sighed at his brother. The Black Sea, created by an Ancient God, corrodes any god who enters it. Yet here was Prometheus, safely returned.
Atlas sighed in relief, knowing it was futile to blame Prometheus. The fact that he returned was enough.
"Prometheus!" Atlas shifted topics, "What kind of god is Hades?"
"Terrifying," Prometheus answered seriously, "Compared to the God-King we will serve in the future, Hades is equally formidable. It's no surprise he escaped his destined seal."
Atlas listened quietly. He believed that, compared to his brother, Hades, a mere Major God, could be crushed with a single hand.
A born God-King? Mere words until proven otherwise. In every world, geniuses are countless, but only those who grow can be called strong.
Prometheus knew his brother's thoughts and continued, "Regardless, Hades is a future adversary. But..."
Prometheus paused, his eyes glinting with confidence. To him, it didn't matter who the opponent was.
No matter who!
Prometheus believed that with his guidance, Zeus would overcome all adversaries to become the supreme Third God-King. Opponents would merely serve as stepping stones for the visionary.
With no time to rest, Prometheus resumed his preparations, knowing there was much to do.
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