Gyges fell to the ground, slipping into an eternal sleep, while Hypnos remained untouched, his white divine robe flowing gracefully in the breeze. His calm demeanor radiated elegance, embodying an undeniable authority.
A hundred-armed titan? Yes, they could barely contend with the Titan Main God. As sons of Gaia, such strength was expected. Yet, Hypnos, born of Erebus and Nyx, possessed skills and mastery of the laws that far surpassed Gyges.
"Snort!"
Zeus felt like a fool, his embarrassment palpable.
"I've lost!"
But he was not one to shy away from defeat. With a dismissive flick of his wrist, he tossed an orb to Hades, turned on his heel, and led Metis back into the Temple of Thunder, taking Gyges with him.
"Lord Hades!" Hypnos said respectfully. "I've never let you down."
Hades offered a slight nod in acknowledgment.
After a moment of thought, Hypnos added, "Defeating Zeus will strike a significant blow to his pride."
"Failure is not always a bad thing," Hades replied coolly.
Hypnos pondered this. Indeed, failure could lead to growth. Zeus's arrogance, once humbled, might push him to address his weaknesses, potentially transforming the defeat into a catalyst for improvement.
"Master Hades, if Zeus recovers, he will remain a formidable enemy. Poseidon and Zeus are both born as god-kings, like you. Despite not having defeated the Titan gods, caution is still warranted," Hypnos cautioned.
Hades responded nonchalantly, "Opponents are essential for progress."
"Indeed," Hypnos understood that Hades was well aware of the implications.
Meanwhile, Hades toyed with the Orb of Life, considering its potential. With a focused intent, he infused the orb with divine power, merging it seamlessly with the life essence it contained.
A radiant mandala flower materialized in Hades's palm, glowing with vitality. With a flicker of divine thought, he vanished from sight.
Hypnos, alongside Chubb, returned to the Underworld, while Hades arrived at the Omen Star, where Quinn was meditating. Startled, Quinn opened his eyes and knelt, saying, "See you, Lord Hades!"
"This artifact is for you," Hades declared, extending the mandala flower.
"Thank you, Lord Hades!" Quinn replied, carefully accepting the precious gift.
The Life Mandala Flower was no ordinary artifact. Crafted from the Orb of Life, it brimmed with boundless vitality. It grew only in places steeped in blood and bore incredible devouring properties, amplified through Hades's divine infusion.
After Hades departed, Quinn studied the artifact, realizing its significance. The Life Mandala Flower was akin to the divine gifts bestowed upon other warriors; Hades had crafted unique artifacts for each of his underworld fighters. Chubb received the Four Headless War Horses of Apocalypse, while Quinn now held this powerful flower.
As time passed, the artifacts forged by Hades would seamlessly align with the magic star, evolving alongside it. Although the chance of them reaching the level of a true divine treasure was slim, the mere possibility was invaluable.
In the Temple of Thunder, Zeus absorbed Metis's serious words. "You've grown too confident. The war has yet to begin, and already you've faced defeat. This is your failure! I warned you; you cannot match Hades."
Zeus huffed, his expression gradually settling into a contemplative calm. He was a wise god, relying not just on strength but also intellect. He recognized that his rapid rise had bred arrogance, a perilous trait for a ruler.
"I understand," he said, exhaling deeply. "Metis, I admit I've let my pride blind me. If I continue this way, I'll endanger everything."
Seeing Zeus regain his composure, Metis smiled. "That's a start. We may have lost Uranus's treasure house, but we still hold others. Your loss isn't the end; as long as you recover, everything can be salvaged."
Zeus, the sky god and emperor, possessed knowledge that even Hades lacked. He knew that Uranus had divided his treasures into five parts. The largest was in the End of the Sky, holding 40% of the total wealth, while Cronus had taken another 30%. The final 30% was scattered among three smaller treasure houses, hidden in various locations known only to Zeus.
"And..." Metis added, her smile widening, "I want to introduce you to a powerful Titan God, one whose wisdom even Cronus fears."
"Um?!" Zeus's eyes widened in disbelief. Could a wise god truly instill fear in the invincible father god? Metis's expression conveyed her intent to help Zeus ascend to the pinnacle of divinity, driven by her love for him.