"A real fight."
"I accept."
Without hesitation, Hades accepted Koios's invitation and then contemplated: "Zeus has indeed acted quickly to rescue Poseidon and the others, but since he hasn't found me, I suppose it's best to let it be for now."
With that thought, Hades dismissed the idea of contacting Zeus and continued on his way, as he still had other matters to address.
However, what Hades didn't know was that Zeus truly wasn't searching for him. How could he? It was almost a joke; Hades had the cloak of invisibility, and his aura was completely undetectable. Moreover, Hades resided deep within the Chaos Starry Sky, on the edge of the crystal wall system.
Trying to find him? That would be akin to searching for a needle in a haystack.
And as Hades ventured forth, he was heading to a location where a treasure of immense significance awaited him. Acquiring it would enable many of his future plans, making his desire for strength a tangible reality.
The Far West on Earth!
This land was once created by Chaos for Gaia when she was newly born.
As a God of Chaos, Chaos possessed little emotion, being rather indifferent. Yet, upon the birth of his daughter Gaia, he had other intentions and created an orchard for her.
Within this orchard grew a fruit tree, the tree of golden apples!
Indeed.
In mythology, at the wedding of Zeus and Hera, the gift Gaia presented was this very tree of golden apples, bestowed upon her by her father. And did the golden apples truly possess power?
Even Gaia herself was uncertain.
Due to the merging of two consciousnesses, Hades was among the very few who understood the true capabilities of the golden apple, which was the core reason he valued it so highly.
With the golden apple, he could potentially seize control of the main court of the underworld, possibly obtaining ultimate power from Tartarus.
The Land of the Far West!
Here it was; a lush orchard, breathtakingly beautiful, where Hades suddenly appeared.
However, as soon as Hades materialized, the serene orchard transformed into something ominous.
"Roar!"
"Aw!"
"Woo!"
The roars of monsters, the cries of beasts, and the savage growls of divine creatures echoed around him.
Suddenly, countless divine beasts, monsters, and demonic creatures emerged from all directions, encircling Hades with their predatory gazes, eager to devour him.
Hades swept his gaze across them and calmly raised his hand. In an instant, the bright flames of the underworld engulfed them entirely, leaving no trace behind.
Yet in the next moment, something unexpected happened. The creatures consumed by the flames of the underworld reformed, as if time had been rewound. They were reborn and resurrected, but this time they retreated slightly, refraining from attack.
Hades spoke calmly, "Mother God, I know you're here."
"Hades."
Indeed, as Hades acknowledged her, a figure emerged from the orchard. With long purple hair and clad in a flowing white gown, it was Rhea.
One of the twelve primary gods of the Titans, Rhea was the goddess of time.
As the Queen of the Titans, Rhea wielded formidable divine power. Among the twelve main gods of the Titans, she stood at the forefront.
Most importantly, Rhea possessed the power of time. By manipulating the flow of time, she could track Hades's movements.
Of course, if the invisibility cloak were combined with the Helm of Darkness, even her method would prove ineffective.
Rhea stepped forward, observing Hades with a complex expression. "Hades, as your mother, I shouldn't do this. But as His Majesty's wife, I cannot allow anyone to threaten him."
Hades nodded. "Mother God, I understand that in your eyes, your love for Father God outweighs our lives."
With a hint of sadness, Rhea replied softly, "That's true."
Though she appeared resolute, Rhea was a mother first and foremost. Together with Cronus, she had borne six children: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus.
If not for her maternal instincts, Rhea might have hesitated even under the influence of fate. But this betrayal of Cronus was simply unacceptable to her. Even if Cronus himself didn't care, Rhea felt that any betrayal against him was still a betrayal of her own.
Hades said calmly, "Mother God, you are merely controlled by fate. Being bound by the fate and curse of Uranus isn't a betrayal of Father God."
Rhea gradually composed herself. With a smile, she remarked, "Hades, compared to that child Zeus, you seem much more... human."
"Human touch..."
Muttering those words, Hades shook his head with a smile. "Mother God, please don't describe me like that."
In that moment, Hades and Rhea truly resembled a mother and son discussing familial matters.