Hades emerged from the depths of extreme darkness, contemplating Nyx's final warning. Some truths, once spoken, could invite unwanted attention or mark one as different.
"Hehehe"
As Hades departed, Nyx smiled gently, her emotions palpable. "Erebus, our choice was indeed the right one. Hades is destined to surpass all constraints—he has already outgrown the likes of Cronus!"
Hades' rapid ascension was remarkable. From his beginnings, sealed away, to standing before the Primordial gods now, his growth had been nothing short of extraordinary—unmatched by any other god.
"Yes!" Erebus agreed, his voice filled with admiration. "If we hadn't witnessed it ourselves, who would have believed Hades could rise so swiftly? We just need to wait; the time for change will come soon enough."
The two gods exchanged knowing smiles before their phantoms began to fade, leaving only the eternal darkness behind. The motivations of the Primordial gods remained a mystery, yet it was clear that each had their own aspirations.
Time passed, and the years flew by.
After a hundred thousand years of silence, the world began to stir once more. A multitude of gods were making their way to the holy mountain of Olympus, eager to participate in the god king's banquet—a gathering that would reshape their status and herald a new era.
"Husband!"
Persephone, adorned in a flowing black dress and clutching the scepter of the Queen of the Underworld, stood poised, her dark purple hair billowing gently in the breeze. Despite her lack of makeup, she radiated a natural beauty, exuding intelligence and capability.
"Time is up."
Hades rose with calm indifference. Much had transpired over the last hundred thousand years—not only the emergence of new gods under Zeus but also humanity's advancements and the ongoing conflicts among the deities in the mythical realms.
"Husband! It's time to start."
"Hoo"
A wisp of blue smoke wafted forth as Yan Mo appeared, elegantly dressed in a twelve-layered kimono, her long black hair intricately styled. She emanated a potent aura, a mix of danger and allure, surpassing even Persephone's dignified presence. The underworld had evolved, merging with the essence of the World Tree, resulting in significant transformations.
While the past hundred thousand years seemed peaceful, change simmered beneath the surface, like the calm before a storm. The god king banquet would serve as the last moment of tranquility before chaos erupted, shifting the world into an entirely new state.
"Let's go."
"Good."
With that, Hades, followed by Persephone and Yan Mo, made their way to Yellow Spring entrance, where the twin gods awaited them. Notably, the war among the deities in the mythical realm had entered a temporary truce. Even gods could not wage war incessantly; the toll was too great.
During this brief ceasefire, the twin gods returned to the underworld, with Hemera overseeing the overall command. The ten kings of hell, though not entirely fused with the underworld, had formed a connection, enhancing their strength significantly. Each of the ten kings had ascended to the level of the Titan main gods, bolstering the underworld's power.
Counting down, the emergence of the seventy-second pillar demon god was imminent, promising yet another surge in strength for the underworld.
"Lord Hades!"
"Master Persephone!"
"Master Concubine Ming!"
The twin gods bowed respectfully. "The chariot is ready."
"Let's go."
"Yes!"
With the twin gods leading the way, six death horses roared to life, lifting the chariot into the sky as they departed Yellow Spring Biliangsaka. The chariot had been remodeled into a magnificent carriage, suitable for the three gods—Hades, Persephone, and Yan Mo.
The twin gods exchanged glances, pride evident in their expressions. The underworld had always stood tall, no matter the occasion. So what if it was the god king's banquet? With two god kings among them, they embodied the pride of the underworld!
The world was vast, yet for the gods, traversing this distance seemed trivial. As they approached the towering holy mountain of Olympus, Hades' chariot soared directly to the summit, drawing the attention of many gods below.
Poseidon, seated in his own ornate chariot, sensed Hades' presence and murmured, "In a hundred thousand years, you have grown even more formidable. As expected, it's you, Hades."
Despite Poseidon's own confidence, he couldn't ignore the palpable strength emanating from Hades. In his heart, Hades had become the true rival he had to reckon with.