"Fear, yes, but unfortunately, I don't possess that emotion."
Hades remained calm. While the abilities of these fear demons were formidable, anyone harboring even a hint of fear; gods, humans, or otherwise, would eventually be consumed by them. However, Hades was free from such fear, not just due to his strength, but because his rationality, as Pluto, suppressed all sensibility, making fear the last emotion to arise.
As the flames of the underworld intensified, they spread across Hell, consuming more of the fear-driven demons. Yet, as he progressed deeper, Hades felt a growing silence.
He paused, whispering, "My divine power is nearly extinguished, reduced to only 30%. Hell is an inhospitable realm for any life to endure for long."
In a short span, his once-mighty power had dwindled significantly, the vibrant flames of the underworld returning after feasting on countless demons. If this continued, even those flames would eventually die out.
"Enchantment. Curse. Corrosion."
Contemplating the essence of Hell, Hades searched for answers but found none. He pressed onward, determined to reach the depths and claim the Invisibility Cloth.
Hell was a profoundly mysterious place, perhaps even more enigmatic than the Titan Temple. What resided in its depths? What was the source of the power that suppressed divine energies? No one knew. Except for the exiles trapped here, few had ventured into Hell's depths.
This place was shrouded in mystery. Ordinary beings could not survive here long, much like the seven-headed wild dog that had attacked him, driven to desperation it sought to consume Hades to prolong its own existence.
In Hell, life turned to chaos; beings would kill each other or succumb to fear, transforming into fear demons. These devils had once been Titans, humans, or mythical beasts.
Each step Hades took felt heavy, each movement a struggle. Time passed, and he pondered less about quickly retrieving the Invisibility Cloth and more about the dwindling power he had left. How far had he traveled? He no longer knew, but his power had plummeted to around 10%.
Finally, he stopped, whispering softly, "So, this is Hell a purgatorial realm where life is devoured, absorbed into the very fabric of existence, becoming the offspring of this fear-driven entity. Hell is not a mere world but a life form in the process of conception."
Through careful observation, Hades discerned the truth: Hell was a living entity that absorbed lives over time. The so-called fear demons were merely its agents, enforcing the laws of a life consuming itself.
Hades had grasped much in a short time, yet his power waned perilously close to exhaustion.
The suffocating fear surrounding him loomed large, and as his divine energy faded, the endless fear threatened to consume him entirely.
"My power cannot hold on much longer."
Hades felt his remaining energy slip away, standing on the brink of oblivion, yet maintaining his composure.
"Click, click."
"Isn't it wonderful to just succumb? To die in fear? To fall completely into its embrace? Fear is the most potent force! Don't you want to experience it?"
A strange voice echoed, wrapping around Hades like a shroud. If he succumbed to its allure, he would be lost to fear, becoming part of its essence.
Silently, he remained, his once-universal gaze growing dim, gradually fading into a haze of confusion.
"Click, click."
"Yes! Yes!"
"Don't resist; continue deeper. We will meet soon, and I will absorb you entirely. You will become my most loyal child of fear."
"Don't fear."
"Just step forward, one step at a time! I will be waiting for you, my dearest child."
This voice beckoned the dazed Hades to venture deeper into Hell's abyss.