Thirty thousand years might seem brief, but for Hades, it was ample time to master his ultimate power. He understood that any power not perfectly grasped could lead to disaster in battle. As he opened his eyes and stepped forward, he disappeared, marking the start of the final confrontation.
At that moment, the war of the Three Realms had drawn to a close. The Titan pantheon was either vanquished or had surrendered, resulting in a devastating loss—only one out of ten gods remained. The conflict had spanned 100,000 years, leaving the remaining Olympian gods weakened. Hades sensed the state of the world; it was clear that humanity was rising, ushering in an era where they would eventually become the world's masters.
Atop Mount Olympus, Hades reentered the temple, where Poseidon and Zeus awaited him. The temple now housed more gods than it had thirty thousand years prior. Hades observed Cerberus teaching the three Underworld warriors and decided against interrupting.
"Hades!" Zeus greeted, his tone serious. "It's time to conclude this final battle against our supreme Father God, Cronus."
Despite their calm exteriors, Hades and Poseidon were acutely aware of Cronus's terrifying power. Cronus had once defeated Uranus, the primordial sky god, in a brutal confrontation, solidifying his reputation as invincible.
"The ascent of Mount Otris will be fraught with challenges," Zeus explained. "We cannot simply walk to the top."
Prometheus interjected, suggesting that the three gods choose their paths to the summit, each fraught with obstacles. His insight was respected; he was known as the God of Wisdom and Prophecy.
Hades, unexpectedly, proposed that the first to reach the summit would be better positioned to become the God King. His assertion surprised everyone, as such ambition was more typically associated with Zeus.
"Agreed," Poseidon replied, his demeanor calm yet ambitious.
Prometheus then suggested drawing lots to determine their paths. The gods accepted, and soon they were off to Mount Otris, leaving Prometheus with a contemplative smile.
He mused that Hades was the strongest among them and hoped to encourage Zeus to adapt and change. When asked about Hades's potential interest in the throne, Prometheus simply noted that without sufficient strength, even a godly position would be meaningless.