Hades' Helmet! Sea Emperor Trident! Thunderbolt!
These three artifacts seemed to echo the myths of old. Despite the passage of time and countless changes, the one-eyed Titan brothers crafted these legendary items, a testament to fate's influence.
Poseidon opened his hand, feeling the weight of the Trident of the Sea Emperor as it fell into his grasp. The blue trident, adorned with crimson silk, pulsed with divine energy, making him feel as if he commanded the very seas.
Zeus caught the Thunderbolt floating before him. Instantly, he was enveloped in a storm of lightning, the bright arcs flashing from his eyes. In that moment, he embodied the true essence of invincibility.
In contrast to Poseidon and Zeus, Hades remained calm. The nine-pointed star on his forehead glowed brilliantly as he absorbed the power of the Helmet of Pluto, savoring its divine energy.
Hades understood that, in comparison, the invisibility cloth felt trivial. The power of the Helmet could conceal everything; his breath, divine power, even his very existence. With it, he could remain undetectable, an unseen force in the cosmos.
"Hades! Poseidon! Zeus!" Lei spoke gravely. "These artifacts are perfectly suited for you. There's no need for doubt! Next, our brothers will forge the necessary artifact for Hades, then the fortress for Poseidon. After that, we shall take our leave."
Zeus nodded. "Of course, that's no problem!"
Having obtained the desired artifact and the casting crystal from the one-eyed Titan brothers, he was ready to cultivate a god of craftsmanship in the future.
Poseidon added calmly, "I'll wait for you in the Heart of the Ocean."
Hades replied indifferently, "Once everything is prepared, we'll face the Titan War."
Both Poseidon and Zeus agreed. Once they had mastered their artifacts and completed their preparations, the Titan War would truly commence.
With a thought, Hades opened the gate to the Underworld, leading the three brothers into the realm of the dead. The artifact casting needed to occur away from the Heart of the Ocean.
Upon entering the Underworld, Lei looked around and asked, "Hades, what kind of artifact do you wish us to forge?"
Hades extended his hand, revealing three pieces of divine iron, Underworld, Darkness, and Night. "With these as the core, I wish to create a divine weapon suited for me. As for what exactly it will be, that's up to you to decide."
"Underworld? Darkness? Night?" The one-eyed Titan brothers were taken aback by the divine iron before them, examining it with great care.
As the world's most skilled forgers, they knew well the rarity of such materials. Acquiring divine iron like this was no small feat. It was forged from the essence of the Primordial Gods, its strength rivaled that of legendary artifacts, imbued with primal divine power.
The challenge excited them. As craftsmen, the opportunity to work with such precious materials was exhilarating.
"That's right! This divine iron is perfect for your needs," Lei exclaimed. "We will need at least thirty thousand years; no, fifty thousand years, to craft an artifact worthy of you. We can't guarantee how suitable it will be, but it will surpass your Helmet of Pluto."
"Um." Hades nodded, laying down additional materials as he awaited the process in Yellow Spring Biliangban.
The three brothers eagerly ignited the cosmic furnace, flames of the universe dancing as they began their work. They tossed in countless precious materials, treating them as if they were ordinary.
Had Hades not possessed the Magic Star and the abundant resources from the chaotic vortex, such an expenditure would have been unbearable. The consumption was immense.
The Helmet of Pluto had already consumed about 20% of Hades' materials. For the artifact they were about to forge from the divine iron? Who could say how much it would require? Hades had put aside 50% of his materials, but whether it would be enough was uncertain.
As he focused on his next steps, the dark stones in the Magic Star absorbed divine power over the years. With his invocation, the stones, glowing dimly, began to melt under his divine energy.
The World Tree, the Demon Star, and a wealth of divine power melded with the melting stones, causing the Underworld to radiate with brilliance. This light enveloped the Stone of Darkness; unlike the artifacts being forged, this was a manifestation of Hades' own essence; its creation driven by potential.
And thus, seventy thousand years swiftly passed. With a roar, Lei called, "Hades, sprinkle your divine blood!"
Hades cut his wrist again, letting his divine blood cascade into the cosmic melting pot and onto the dark garment that formed before him.
In an instant, brilliant rays shot skyward from the melting pot, the darkness swirling with divine light, permeating the Underworld.
The Helmet of Pluto, the artifact they crafted, and the newly formed Garment of Darkness fused into a singular, harmonious whole, illuminated by radiant brilliance.