"Gaia is giving birth to the last Titan."
"Hades, you'd better be careful."
Erebus spoke plainly, without hesitation. Unlike before, both Erebus and Nyx no longer concealed their thoughts from Hades, except for a few secrets that remained unspoken. Hades had grown strong enough, having embraced his ultimate power, and was now on the right path.
"The last Titan God..." Hades murmured thoughtfully. "I understand."
Typhon! The being known as the ancestor of all monsters, the father of demons, and the last Titan God. He would embody the accumulated resentment of Gaia, marking the birth of an immensely powerful Titan. While he may not surpass Cronus, he would be formidable, indeed.
Cronus and Typhon were undoubtedly the two most powerful Titan Gods. However, the Titan War had only just ended, and Gaia was already conceiving her last Titan. This new being, born of the union between Gaia and Tartarus, would transcend all limitations of life and death.
As Hades had indicated, the defeat of Cronus did not signal the end of the Titan War; rather, it marked a troubling new phase.
"Hades," Nyx cautioned, "this last Titan God will be strong. A Titan created by Gaia should never be underestimated, especially with the blood of Tartarus in its veins."
Hades nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. But I want to know why you are helping me."
This was a question he had never asked before, but it felt necessary now. Erebus and Nyx had consistently assisted him, from rescuing him from the Titan Temple to providing him with gifts that had propelled his journey. Without their guidance, he doubted he would have come this far.
"Hehehe" Nyx chuckled softly. "Since you asked, it's only fair to share. Every Primordial god has their own responsibilities and choices. They align themselves with a god who can lead them beyond their confines. The supreme Primordial God may have been born into this world, but that same being restricts all others."
Erebus raised a hand as if trying to grasp something intangible. After a moment, he let it fall, saying, "Primordial Gods may seem powerful, but they too are trapped. Bound by their duties, they cannot advance. In this situation, we had to choose a god who could guide us to freedom."
"Hades, you are our chosen god who can break these chains."
Erebus and Nyx laid bare their intentions, no longer holding back.
"I see," Hades replied. "It's time for me to return to the underworld."
"Good."
"You may be disappointed by your choice."
"We believe we will not be."
With that, Hades returned to the underworld. Erebus and Nyx exchanged knowing smiles before the darkness enveloped them once more. Back in the pure land of bliss, Hades took his seat on the throne, lost in thought.
"God. Authority."
"In this world, everything feels like a vast cage. The stronger you become, the more you perceive your own limitations. You find yourself ensnared, like a puppet dancing to the whims of fate."
"It's tragic."
Hades mused, his tone calm yet heavy with meaning. It was as if he spoke of something beyond mere words. A cultivator battles against the heavens, the earth, and humankind. For a god, the struggle is against destiny itself—a fight to break free from the bonds of the world and its predestined fate. Otherwise, one remains merely a puppet controlled by the cosmos.
Until the end of time, even with all efforts made, if bound by the world's designs, the outcome remains unchanged. The same is true for every Primordial God. Though they may not die, they exist in a state of perpetual constraint. Thus, each Primordial God chooses a deity to support, hoping for a chance to transcend their limitations.
Erebus and Nyx chose Hades.
It was akin to the Three Kingdoms at the end of the Han Dynasty: families chose their champions. The Primordial Gods were those families, and each of the potential God Kings—Hades, Poseidon, Zeus—became their chosen heirs, capable of rising to power.
Gaia had chosen Cronus; otherwise, her fierce devotion would seem inexplicable. Hades learned from Erebus that Poseidon was favored by Uria, the goddess of mountains, and Eros, the god of love. As for Hades? Tartarus and Pontus showed little interest. It was evident that Tartarus had little desire to engage in these matters, leaving Erebus and Nyx free to assist Hades.
Just as Uria and Eros supported Poseidon, so too did Erebus and Nyx align with Hades. Meanwhile, Uranus had chosen Zeus, dissatisfied with his own son Cronus.
In this grand narrative, Zeus found himself in the weakest position, often overshadowed. Yet, he had no choice; the situation dictated the terms of his existence.
The world binds the gods, compelling them to follow predetermined paths. In turn, the gods rebel against their fates, seeking their own ways.
And so, step by step, they had all arrived at this moment.