With a cold snort, Zeus stood up and departed indifferently, his eyes filled with a chill. He couldn't bear the thought of remaining in this space, where he felt like nothing more than a clown. As he left, six of the god kings had exited the banquet, leaving only Hades and Athena.
A heavy silence enveloped the room in the wake of Zeus's departure. Hades and Athena exchanged quiet glances, the tranquility between them almost unsettling.
Hades regarded Athena with his usual calmness, his demeanor almost devoid of emotion. This was typical for him, embodying the role of an unflappable king. He sat quietly, his presence commanding yet indifferent.
"Hades," Athena finally spoke, her tone soft yet serious. "I wish to form an alliance with you."
After a moment of contemplation, Hades replied evenly, "What's the reason?"
Athena hesitated, her mind racing. Hades had allied with Poseidon out of mutual need, yet her request for an alliance felt more complex. She understood the significance of the gods' dynamics, particularly in light of Zeus's unpredictable behavior. Regardless of his folly, Zeus's power as a god king was undeniable, evoking fear among even the most formidable.
Seeing the conflict in Athena's eyes, Hades remained calm, sensing she possessed something of great value. The question was, what treasure could she offer?
After a brief pause, Athena bit her lip and said earnestly, "I can provide the core of the earth. In exchange, I ask for your assistance in eliminating Cronus."
"Deal," Hades replied without hesitation. This alliance, while transactional in nature, was still significant. The cores of heaven, earth, sea, and underworld were crucial for the World Tree's potential to give rise to new realms.
Hades contemplated the treasures he sought: the waters of the underworld, the heart of the ocean, the clouds of the sky, and the core of the earth. Absorbing these four would yield unimaginable power. Yet, even knowing their existence, locating them had proven increasingly elusive.
Now, with three of the four cores nearly in his grasp, the last piece—Zeus's clouds—was within reach.
Having finalized their agreement, Athena rose to leave. She recognized that while the waters of Hades and the heart of the ocean were beneficial, they did not compare to the potential enhancement the clouds and core would bring. Her offering of the core symbolized her commitment to defeating Cronus.
As Athena departed, Hades stood, preparing to follow suit. The dynamics of the god kings weighed heavily on his mind.
"Uranus, Cronus, Poseidon, Zeus, Bell, Athena..."
Seven god kings, yet only one would emerge victorious.
"Just wait and see," Hades mused, a subtle determination in his voice.
For Hades, this conflict was different from the others. While Poseidon walked the path of an Evil God, Hades was aware of the stakes at play. Unlike the other gods, he viewed this divine struggle as a game, a test of wits and strategy.
But for the rest, the stakes were life and death. Each god king was acutely aware that failure meant facing dire consequences, potentially losing their lives.
The battle of the gods was predetermined; only three would emerge victorious—a balance dictated by the very fabric of the cosmos.
As Hades exited, he felt assured. He aimed to be one of those three.