Hades slowly opened his eyes, their calm and indifferent gaze revealing no emotional fluctuations. Wisps of divine energy emanated from his form, signifying that while Hades had returned to his godly state, the process of self-recovery was ongoing.
Naturally, this return didn't require Hades to remain present at all times. Instead, it was the gradual absorption of his own divine power that could not be rushed—a fundamental aspect of his transformation.
"Husband!" came the voices of Persephone and Yan Mo, who arrived in the Pure Land of Bliss. They smiled at Hades, proud of his achievements.
He had indeed broken through to the level of a Primordial god, and this transformation had significantly enhanced the entire underworld. The realm had evolved from the original world tree, experiencing its first promotion by absorbing hell, then a second by integrating the underworld, and a third through further absorption. Each of these steps had propelled Hades to a higher divine hierarchy.
Now, as Hades continued the process of devouring the underworlds and hells controlled by different Hades across various worlds, he was ushering in a fourth significant improvement. While much of this power came from smaller realms, the shared essence from these absorbptions was invaluable.
"Hmmm…" Hades murmured, his voice steady and detached. "What has transpired recently?"
"Lord," Persephone replied, "Zeus has been defeated! Typhon has overwhelmed him and has now created a family of titans and countless monsters, laying waste to land and heaven alike. The attack on Olympus has begun anew, and Zeus is at his weakest."
"Not surprising," Hades remarked calmly. "Typhon's divine power surpasses Zeus's. Although Zeus wields the power of the main star, he has never truly unleashed its full potential. That power belongs to Bell alone, and no matter who wields it, they cannot fully realize its strength."
Hades understood the essence of the main star, but he was not interested in it. If Bell had not been born, he might have sought to grasp that power, but its acquisition was meaningless since it did not belong to him. The main star could only be wielded by its destined god king, as long as the great world existed. Even if the world collapsed, that power would remain with Bell.
Thus, Hades remained unfazed by the situation. Zeus's reliance on the main star would only weaken him further, making it easier for Typhon to strike.
"Indeed…" Yan Mo exhaled a plume of green smoke, exuding an air of nobility and allure. "This overconfidence only adds to the intrigue. It seems Zeus is consumed by madness. Olympus teeters on the edge of collapse."
"Zeus is an arrogant god-king," Hades said with a calm demeanor. "His downfall is a slow march toward death, and his arrogance has led him to this fate. He has reached his limit."
Hades's predictions were clear. As he ascended to the Primordial god level, his perspective shifted, allowing him to see the threads of fate unravel. Zeus's destiny was sealed. With the former god-kings, Uranus and Cronus, gone, and Bell now born, the stage was set for a new generation of gods.
The question lingered: among Bell, Athena, and Poseidon, who would ultimately prevail? Bell was destined to be the fourth god-king, the master of the sun and the main star, supported by Prometheus. Athena, as the goddess of the earth, would continue to grow stronger over time, even reaching the level of a Primordial god. Poseidon, having absorbed the power of the Evil God, faced an uncertain future.
For Hades, these developments were simply the backdrop to his own ascendance. He had surpassed everything that once bound him, as Erebus and Nyx had foretold. This transcendence was not mere rhetoric; it was a profound transformation.
As a result, Hades had severed his ties to fate. He could choose to leave this great world at any moment, stepping into realms unknown, like those of Japanese mythology, leaving all in darkness.
In essence, Hades had changed. Although remnants of fate clung to him, they were all but dissolved. The underworld now thrummed with vitality, a paradox of life and death, a realm full of energy and promise.
This shift in Hades was palpable, reflecting the profound changes he had undergone. It was a new era for the underworld, one that resonated deeply with all who dwelled within it.