Myth is, in fact, a story that continues indefinitely and repeats endlessly until someone steps out of this narrative or is forced to die within it, after which everything begins anew. This creates an infinite loop of storytelling.
Underworld!
Three thousand years have passed since the banquet of the god kings. Hades, who truly became the king of the Underworld, does not seem to have changed in any significant way. However, he still has some things to learn to adapt.
"Your Majesty!"
Hypnos and Thanatos, the twin gods, respectfully knelt on one knee. Their titles reflected the change; Hades was no longer just the king of the Underworld but now the real king.
Such a title required adjustment. While Hades might not care about the formality, others certainly do. Disregarding it would be too disrespectful.
"Hmm"
Slowly opening his eyes, Hades sat upon a wider throne than before. The magnificent kingdom appeared different from the silence of the Underworld, yet it perfectly accentuated that silence, creating a strange but harmonious fusion.
Hypnos spoke respectfully, "Your Majesty, the war among the gods has ceased."
"Has the war ceased..." Hades replied softly. "Tell me the reason."
"Yes!" Thanatos reported respectfully. "Lady Yan Mo negotiated with Amaterasu and decided to cease hostilities for a period of 100,000 years. The reasons remain unclear."
Hades responded calmly, "I see."
"Yes!"
"I will take my leave!" The twin gods retreated respectfully. Hades' self-proclamation had also evolved, reflecting the essence of that sentiment. Even if he didn't care, others must.
"Husband!"
Persephone emerged from the temple. The Underworld was now on a steady course, so she had less work to manage and was living in the Pure Land of Bliss. Her title remained unchanged, a testament to the deep connection between Hades, Persephone, and Yan Mo. However, in the external world, Persephone needed to adjust her address to uphold the dignity of the king, which was no trivial matter.
"Hello, husband!"
"Elder sister!"
As the gates of the Underworld opened, Yan Mo appeared with a smile, holding a cigarette stick and greeting them playfully. Persephone smiled and said, "Sister, you've worked hard. The war of the gods has indeed come to a halt."
"Huh" Yan Mo smiled and said amusingly, "In my opinion, a truce is the best outcome. After all, our husband is only one step away from greatness. Once he crosses that threshold, he could absorb the entire mythical world."
The simplicity of such thoughts belied the complex realities of the situation. After a full 100,000 years of conflict, the continuous battles had left both sides exhausted. The unexpected truce had left many gods bewildered. For most deities, especially those of Gao Tianyuan, returning to their realm would not be problematic, especially with two artifacts of faith in their possession.
As for those who had descended into Hell, they too would return, as Hell had its own artifacts of faith.
However, the gods that fed on flesh found themselves in a precarious position. They had thrived amidst the chaos, but with the cessation of hostilities, they now faced a significant challenge as both sides began to unite against them. These flesh-absorbing demon gods represented the biggest threat.
"Hmm" Persephone stated indifferently, "In my opinion, these demon gods who consume flesh are unworthy of being called gods. They have abandoned the fundamental dignity of divinity; they are simply shameless."
Persephone spoke with disdain. She had been to the grand world of Japanese mythology, where the power of faith ruled. However, with the decline of that power, the landscape of divinity had shifted.
While some gods still pursued strength, many had succumbed to madness, disregarding their potential for growth. This fundamental issue plagued these deformed gods, creating a considerable problem.
"Huh"
A wisp of green smoke escaped as Yan Mo agreed, "Just as my sister said, I have no interest in dealing with those inferior beings. It is far better to focus on the gods who matter, for the future of mythology will belong to the Underworld."
"Exactly!" Persephone raised her head proudly. She held absolute confidence that the Underworld would eventually dominate the great world of mythology. After all, her husband was Hades.
Listening quietly to Persephone and Yan Mo, Hades remained silent, contemplating the passage of time and the circumstances ahead. One hundred thousand years had passed, and he wondered when the final Titan would be born. That moment would coincide with the weakening of Tartarus.
"One hundred thousand years," he mused. "It is about to begin."
"Husband!" both women looked at him expectantly. Hades continued calmly, "After one hundred thousand years of silence, when the time comes, everything will begin anew. No matter which side, a peaceful story is no longer suitable. After all, whether gods or humans, what is needed is a grand heroic epic."
Persephone and Yan Mo pondered deeply. Though they grasped some of the implications, they knew that this final peace marked the calm before the storm—a true beginning was on the horizon!