Poseidon said, "Hades, our deal is straightforward: help me seal these five."
"Understood." Hades nodded, raising his hand to summon a strange magic star.
"Click click" The star emitted a strange laughter as dark purple chains formed from it.
The five sea gods roared in protest, but their efforts to break free were futile. Their divine power paled in comparison to Hades', and with their minds clouded by madness, they were little more than instinct-driven beasts.
Hades recognized the sheer power emanating from the sea gods. Even in their current state, their strength was formidable, capable of resisting the binding magic.
"Next," Hades instructed, his demeanor calm.
Poseidon stepped forward, his hands raised. Waves of azure divine energy flowed from him, transforming into chains that penetrated the hearts of the five sea gods.
"Roar!" they cried, but their struggles were in vain. Despite their wild attempts, the magic star's seal held firm. With each passing moment, the chains absorbed their divine essence.
The Friendliness of the Sea, the Wonders of the Sea, the Wrath of the Sea, the Dangers of the Sea, and the Power of the Sea; these five gods had dedicated their lives to protecting the ocean's powers from the moment of their birth. They had been intended for a true sea emperor, yet neither Uranus nor Cronus fit that role. The real sea emperor was Poseidon.
However, Pontos their primordial father, harbored disdain for the gods, and the seals within his children would drive them to madness. Poseidon had sought Hades' assistance, offering a tenth of his ultimate power in exchange for sealing the sea gods.
Time was of the essence; each moment spent could lead to the gods' demise as they fought against their chaotic powers. Thus, Poseidon needed to act swiftly.
Gradually, the struggling sea gods began to calm. Their divine powers faded from the might of Titan Main God to a more subdued state. With time, they could regain their former glory, but for now, they were in a fragile state.
Poseidon retracted the blue chains, a look of determination on his face. "Enough."
Hades collected the magic star with an air of satisfaction.
The five sea gods opened their eyes, confusion evident. Upon recognizing Poseidon, they knelt in respect. "Greetings, Lord Poseidon!"
He nodded solemnly. "Take care of yourselves."
"Thank you, Lord Poseidon!"
With the transaction complete, Hades turned to leave, feeling detached from the aftermath.
"Wait, Hades," Poseidon called. "Zeus has sent an invitation. In thirty thousand years, the starting battle of the Titans will be held at the heart of the ocean."
"I understand." Hades acknowledged him coolly before departing, leaving Poseidon lost in thought.
On the other side, upon returning to the Underworld, Hades found Hypnos waiting. The god of sleep knelt before him, saying, "Master Hades! Zeus has communicated that the Titan War will commence in thirty thousand years."
"Understood," Hades replied, his voice steady.
"Farewell," Hypnos said, bowing before retreating.
Hades remained silent, gazing into the distance. A sense of calm enveloped him, but he was aware that a storm was brewing.
The Titan Wars, after years of waiting, the time for action was finally near. Yet, he felt the weight of anticipation. Though he and his brothers, Poseidon and Zeus, had ascended to the Titan Main God level, the leap to God King seemed insurmountable.
"Thirty thousand years," he murmured to himself. "Can I push further?"
Even Hades wrestled with uncertainty. If he continued to progress at a measured pace, reaching the God King level would be nearly impossible, unless he could truly grasp the essence of ultimate power.
He focused, recalling the seeds of ultimate power that had fused within him. However, he knew that merely having those seeds was insufficient to achieve enlightenment.
He closed his eyes, contemplating the paths before him. Each route to greater power was fraught with difficulty:
Obtain complete seeds of ultimate power: This would allow him to imprint his own laws and, with practice, elevate himself to God King.
Cultivate his own laws: This path was daunting, requiring millennia of relentless dedication.
Gather faith: Drawing upon the pure souls of countless beings could provide the energy needed to ascend.
Expand his realm: Elevating the entire Underworld could propel him toward God King.
"Each path holds its own trials," Hades whispered. "Yet, if I succeed, I will transcend to the level of a God King."
With resolve, he contemplated the daunting journey ahead. Though the odds were slim, the promise of ultimate power beckoned him.