Far West!
This region was a unique and significant place in the world, as Gaia had originally emerged from the Far West, marking the beginning of creation. Over time, this land seemed to fade from history, yet it remained shrouded in countless mysteries.
As Hades journeyed deeper beyond the orchard of the golden apple trees, he soon beheld a ray of light, the intertwined essence of heaven and earth. He crossed into the realm known as the End of the Sky, a space entirely constructed of clouds, where no other scenery could be discerned.
The End of the Sky.
Once the domain of Uranus, the primordial god of the sky and the first god-king, this was where he stored his vast treasures. Hades surveyed the surroundings, which appeared empty at first glance, but his divine sense detected countless barriers obscuring the treasures.
To unveil the secrets of the End of the Sky, Hades would need to dismantle these intricate enchantments.
He paused, maintaining a calm demeanor as he awaited the arrival of another.
As expected, a figure soon appeared, a man with golden hair clad in a pure white robe: Zeus. Upon spotting Hades, Zeus's expression shifted, his smile freezing as he processed his brother's presence.
Hades remained silent, his calm composure stark against Zeus's sudden tension. The two brothers shared a moment of silence, neither willing to break the ice.
Finally, Zeus laughed, attempting to ease the atmosphere. "Hades, long time no see! I didn't expect to find you here at the End of the Sky."
Hades replied flatly, "I'm here for the treasure house of Uranus."
Zeus felt a wave of discomfort. This directness left little room for negotiation. For the gods, familial bonds often felt more like a facade; true loyalty lay elsewhere. With the stakes so high, the air grew tense once more.
Zeus's smile faded, replaced by a steely gaze. "Hades, I don't know how you learned of Uranus's treasure, but some things do not belong to you."
Despite their cooperative dynamic, Zeus wouldn't back down at the treasure house. The growth of his own strength was on the line, and retreating here would be out of the question.
"For the gods, nothing truly belongs to anyone," Hades replied, his voice steady.
Zeus chuckled coldly. "Then let's see how powerful you are, Hades!"
With that, a storm of thunder erupted from Zeus, arcs of lightning surging toward Hades without hesitation. If reconciliation was off the table, they would settle it through combat, and victory would grant one of them claim to the treasures.
However, neither Hades nor Zeus intended to kill each other; their true target was Cronus, their father. This rivalry was merely a means to an end.
Hades faced the oncoming lightning with composure. As the strikes descended, they corroded and dissipated upon contact with his power of death, which permeated everything, even the divine.
Hades's laws were intricate and diverse. Though primarily associated with death and darkness, he also held dominion over sleep, dreams, aging, malice, and the seven deadly sins. Among the three god-kings, Hades's understanding of these laws was the most complex, giving him a unique advantage.
"Die!" Zeus commanded, flames erupting from his hand, intent on overwhelming Hades.
In response, Hades's expression remained impassive. He opened his hand, channeling his laws into a vortex-like core of death and darkness.
Just then, a voice interrupted the tension. "That's enough!"
A figure emerged behind Zeus, a flash of divine power sweeping away the flames. Recognizing the newcomer, Hades relaxed the energy in his hands. After all, with Cronus still standing, it would be unwise to escalate the conflict further.