Pandora opened the magic box, and humanity perished. Zeus sealed Prometheus atop the sacred mountain Caucasus. It seemed as if everything was set in stone, with no chance of change. Yet Prometheus was already prepared for everything.
"Hehehe"
Though Prometheus was bound by the lightning on Mount Caucasus, even as the vulture picked at his internal organs, he remained indifferent. A faint laugh escaped him as he called out, "Zeus! Zeus!"
Everything was ready; all the plans laid out by Prometheus had come to fruition. The preparations for the fourth-generation god-king to overthrow the third-generation god-king were complete.
Now, it was time to observe. However, the only unforeseen element was Pandora's birth.
Her perfection was so striking that Prometheus realized it posed a significant issue.
"But!"
"It's Enough!"
Prometheus lifted his head, gazing at the sky as if he could see Zeus reveling atop Mount Olympus. A sarcastic smile appeared on his lips, filled with disdain and indifference.
Everything unfolded like a revision of the world, continuing along its original trajectory. In an instant, all humans from the golden age were extinguished, and the underworld became overcrowded as countless souls poured in, creating an overwhelming influx.
"Roar!"
"Ah!"
"I'm so wronged!"
"I don't want to die!"
"Help!"
On the Yellow Spring's banks, countless souls wailed in agony.
Their heart-wrenching screams echoed, but the underworld's messengers merely cracked their whips, forcing them into submission.
This was the underworld, where numerous fighters maintained order amidst the chaos.
The sheer volume of souls arriving all at once was unexpected.
The underworld fell into a state of congestion, which was understandable; however, it was still overwhelming. Hades had dispatched 80% of the bull-headed and horse-faced creatures, along with the majority of the black-and-white ghosts and five kings, to manage the situation quickly.
"Hmm"
Elegantly stepping through the throng of souls, Pandora wore a mature, steady, and graceful smile.
She moved forward, observing her surroundings, her smile unwavering despite the chaos around her. The ghost fighters and souls appeared oblivious to her presence.
"Master Pandora!"
Kris, clad in a dark robe, knelt respectfully on one knee. "Lord Hades is waiting for you!"
"Good."
Pandora smiled and followed Kris deeper into the underworld. Along the way, they traversed the Eight Great Hells, crossed the Wall of Sighs, and even passed through the Demon Palace of Stars.
"Lord Hades!"
"Master Pandora has arrived!"
Kris bowed her head with deep respect. Hades glanced at Kris, noting her growth, and remarked, "Kris, you have developed well."
"Thank you, Lord Hades, for your compliment!"
Kris quickly lowered her head again, knowing such praise was invaluable. For the underworld warriors, earning Lord Hades' approval was paramount; nothing else mattered.
"Um."
Hades nodded slightly. "You may go."
"Yes!"
Kris stepped back, and Pandora took a step forward, kneeling like a medieval knight. "Pandora greets Lord Hades!"
"Pandora."
"The concubine is here!"
Stepping gracefully toward Hades, Pandora maintained her elegant smile, her eyes fixated on the God King before her. From the moment of her creation, Pandora's destiny had been sealed. She was not a witch of destruction and misfortune.
On the contrary, these events were merely part of Pandora's journey. Her true fate was to be a member of the underworld, eternally serving this god king. Her eyes shimmered with a soft, blurred light. She was full of dreams.
Moreover, it seemed she yearned to draw closer to this god king—though as a subordinate, she understood her limits.
A radiant light shone from the nine-pointed star on Hades' forehead, illuminating Pandora. The energy around her surged visibly. The laws of doom, destruction, and devastation enveloped her. She was undergoing a transformation.
Was it the transformation into a goddess? Perhaps! Yet it was not the kind of deity that would astound the world, but rather a demon, representing the power of annihilation. Pandora absorbed this divine power, and in a moment, her strength reached that of a first-rate god.
Typically, she wouldn't possess such power; as a stronger mortal, she needed to break through to divinity on her own. However, what Zeus created for Pandora was so perfect that she could ascend directly to the status of a first-class god.
This was the core of Prometheus' dissatisfaction. The destruction of the world didn't matter! His imprisonment held no weight! These were all within his calculations, yet this single point was unacceptable. Zeus had directly bolstered the underworld's strength. What was he thinking? Wasn't this strengthening the enemy? This was what upset Prometheus most.
Alas!
In the end, Prometheus could only endure this displeasure. There was nothing he could do to stop it, so he silently watched as Pandora transformed. Dressed in a flowing black gown, her long black hair cascading down, her jewel-like black eyes, delicate purple lips, and elegant black high heels painted the picture of an ideal woman.
Pandora controlled her voice, softening it as she said, "Lord Hades!"
"Um."
Hades extended a hand, and a seemingly frivolous yet luxurious garment of the underworld floated before Pandora. Though she had never donned such attire, she embraced it, merging it into her very being.
Hades, unfazed, produced two artifacts, stating indifferently, "The Trident of Pluto grants you authority to punish any soul in the underworld, and the underworld bracelet allows you to traverse the underworld freely, including leaving it."
"Thank you, Lord Hades!"
Pandora accepted the Trident of Pluto, carefully donning the underworld bracelet. An irresistible love enveloped her, impossible to conceal.