Odin sighed, hanging upside down from the tree with a spear embedded in him. His child form dangled helplessly as memories flooded back. This wasn't the first time he'd faced this trial. It was a recreation of the day he'd learned to read the runes, a momentous occasion in his life, but also the day he met his best friend, Hades.
He winced as the familiar pain from the spear coursed through his small frame. "This again… Of course, it has to be this day." He looked down at the ground, or rather, up from his current perspective. "I was just a 6-year-old kid back then... and that's when I first met Hades."
Suddenly, a voice echoed around him, deep and taunting. "Are you sure he's not more than just a friend?"
Odin's eyes widened slightly as the voice's implication sank in. "Oh, great," he muttered sarcastically. "Now the trial's going for this kind of angle. Of all the things it could throw at me..."
The voice laughed softly, its tone teasing. "You've always been so focused on your destiny, haven't you? But maybe... you've been ignoring something right in front of you all along."
Odin rolled his eyes, clearly not in the mood for cryptic taunts. "Look, if this is supposed to mess with my head, you're doing a pretty bad job. Hades and I? We're best friends. That's it."
The voice continued, its tone playful. "And yet, when you're in trouble, whose name do you always call? Who's the one person you trust above everyone else?"
Odin bit his lip. The truth was, Hades had been there for him through thick and thin, their bond closer than any other he had. But that didn't mean there was anything more to it than friendship. Right?
"That's just because I trust him," Odin argued, his childlike voice rising in frustration. "He's been there for me since we were kids. What's wrong with that?"
The voice chuckled darkly. "Nothing at all. But maybe... just maybe, there's a part of you that feels more. A connection deeper than even you realize."
Odin sighed, his head pounding from the mix of the trial's illusion and the ridiculous conversation it was forcing on him. "If you're going to torment me, at least do it in a way that makes sense. Hades and I are just—"
The voice cut him off, laughing lightly. "Just? Is that really how you see it?"
Before Odin could respond, the world around him shimmered. The tree disappeared, and he found himself standing—still in his child form—in a vast, snowy landscape. Hades, also a child, stood in the distance, his back turned.
Odin frowned, recognizing this moment. It was the first time they had ever trained together, learning to read the runes and practice their powers. The memory was vivid, yet something felt off.
"Hades!" Odin called, his voice carrying across the snow.
Hades turned slowly, his expression calm but unreadable. "Odin," he said softly. "Why do you always hide behind that carefree attitude?"
Odin blinked, caught off guard. This wasn't how the memory was supposed to go. "What? I don't—"
"You always push your emotions down," Hades interrupted, his voice steady and almost too calm for the child he appeared to be. "You pretend like nothing can bother you, but I've seen it. You're scared, aren't you? Not of me. Not of Cronus. But of how much you care."
Odin took a step back, the snow crunching under his small boots. "This... this isn't real. You're not real."
The illusion Hades smiled softly, almost sadly. "Maybe not. But the feelings you've buried are. You're afraid to admit them. Afraid to admit that maybe... you need someone more than you think."
Odin shook his head, the trial clearly messing with his mind now. "Enough. This isn't about me. This is about learning the runes, about becoming stronger! Hades is my friend, my best friend."
"And what if he wasn't just that?" the voice asked again, swirling in the cold wind. "What if he could be something more? You've relied on him for so long, but have you ever wondered why?"
Odin's hands clenched into fists. "Because he's always been there. Because... I trust him."
The snowstorm grew stronger, the voice whispering in the wind. "Maybe it's more than that. Maybe it's time to stop lying to yourself."
Odin's eyes narrowed. "Whatever this is, it ends now."
Summoning his strength, Odin broke free from the illusion. The snowstorm faded, the child versions of himself and Hades disappearing as the real Odin, now back in his adult form, stood tall once again. He gripped the spear still embedded in him and yanked it out with a grunt of pain, but his expression remained firm.
"Whatever that trial was trying to prove," Odin muttered, "it failed. I know where I stand with Hades."
But as he looked around the now empty space, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in the back of his mind. The trial may have ended, but its questions lingered.
He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "Great. Now I'm going to be thinking about this for the rest of the trip."
Odin then spoke in voice. "Also I have girlfriend gods damm it, I am Not Gay"
"I never said you are into guy's"
Odin just blinked his one eyes. "I played my self didn't I"
"Ha so you do like Guys and Girls"
Odin felt like he had a blood vessel blow. "Onces I get out of here I am burning this temple to the ground".
"Ok wow chill I was joiking this time"
Odin felt his frustration boil over, swinging back and forth between embarrassment and anger. "Oh really? Because this whole trial feels like a twisted joke."
The voice continued, its tone teasing yet lighthearted. "You're not handling this well, are you? But admit it, you're kind of having fun with all this self-reflection. It's good for you!"
"Fun?!" Odin shouted, his voice echoing in the emptiness of the temple. "This is torture! I'm stuck in a tree with a spear through me, and now I'm having an existential crisis about my feelings!"
"Exactly! Growth hurts, All-Father. Embrace the pain and find clarity." The voice chuckled. "Besides, you got a little taste of the truth. You wouldn't be so worked up if there wasn't something to uncover."
Odin pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the impending headache. "Okay, fine! So maybe I have a few feelings for Hades, but what of it? He's my best friend. It doesn't mean anything beyond that!"
"Is that so? Because it sounded a little different when you were shouting about trusting him. Just sayin'."
Odin groaned. "You're really not helping here."
"Hey, I'm just trying to keep things interesting! No more denying your feelings, buddy. But you do you." The voice paused, then added, "Just remember to communicate with him. Or else you might lose something special."
"Ugh!" Odin shouted, trying to block out the voice's persistent nudging. "Why is this so complicated? Why can't I just have a normal trial without it turning into a therapy session?"
"Because you're the All-Father, not some mere mortal! You're meant for greatness, and sometimes that greatness comes with… complications." The voice chuckled again, this time in genuine amusement. "And you really think you can just burn this temple to the ground? I'm afraid it doesn't work that way, my friend."
Odin grumbled, frustration bubbling in his chest. "Fine. I'll play your game, but I swear, if I find out you're just messing with me for entertainment…"
"Then what? You'll throw another tantrum? It's all in good fun, Odin. You can't take yourself too seriously. Now, are you ready to face your next challenge, or do you want to keep having your little mental breakdown?"
With a resigned sigh, Odin dropped his head back against the tree, staring at the ceiling of the temple. "Alright, what's next?"
Suddenly, the temple shook, and a portal opened in front of him, swirling with vibrant colors. "Time to move on! Embrace your destiny, All-Father!"
He rolled his eye. "Of course, because that's what all great heroes do—jump headfirst into the unknown without a clue of what's waiting."
"Exactly! Welcome to being a god. Now go show the world what you're made of!"
With a deep breath, Odin took a step toward the portal, determination replacing the earlier frustration. As he crossed the threshold, he muttered, "I swear, if I survive this trial, I'll make sure to have a serious talk with Hades about all this."
And as he disappeared into the swirling vortex, the voice called after him, "You better! And don't forget to have fun while you're at it!"
---
Meanwhile, in the jungle, Hades was still dealing with the aftermath of his own trial. He had just knocked down the Cronus illusion with a powerful attack and stood tall, surveying the destruction.
Poseidon, still catching his breath after using lightning to take down the monstrous wolf, glanced over at Hades, an amused grin on his face. "Did you just punch your father in the face? Wow, you really do have some guts."
Hades smirked, wiping his brow. "I've faced worse. Besides, I'm just getting started. We still have to deal with this trial nonsense, and now we have to figure out what to do about Skadi."
Skadi crossed her arms, her tsundere nature evident as she rolled her eyes. "It's not my fault you guys ended up here! And stop acting like you're all tough! You just punched an illusion. It's not like you fought the real thing!"
"Right, because I'm sure you'd have done any better," Hades shot back, the smirk never leaving his face. "But if you want to test your skills, be my guest. I'm sure we can find something more challenging than a fake Cronus."
Skadi glared at him, her cheeks turning a shade of red. "Tch! Like I need your permission! I'll show you just how strong I am!"
Tezcatlipoca, watching the bickering unfold, chuckled to himself. "Welcome to the party, Skadi. It seems you fit right in."
"Shut up!" Skadi snapped, flustered. "I don't need your commentary!"
With the stage set for more chaos, the group prepared for whatever came next, a mix of trials, personal revelations, and the comedic antics that only a gathering of gods could conjure. Hades, Skadi, Poseidon, and the rest braced themselves, knowing the true adventure was only just beginning.
Hades looked at Poseidon. "So what was your trial"
Poseidon looked at his younger brother. "It had something to do with Skadi... I don't want to thank about it"
Hades just looked at him. "Ok, I wonder what other are doing".
Meanwhile in temple, Zeus was in his own trial, his arm and legs were holded by chains made out of water, he was standing on water, as he looked up to see the sky
"Face it Zeus you never wanted to change your domain with Poseidon you never wanted to be the Ocean God did you".
Zeus just scoped. "Fuck of I like this better"
"Oh really, then what about your younger brother Hades, you are jealous of him aren't you, while you spent years in your father Stomich he was free, your mother chose him to be saved and not only that as the youngest he is stronger when it should be you"
Zues Southed. "Shut up"
"Really why should, you no king of the gods, you no proper older brother, Hades freed you from your father Stomich, what will happen when you and your siblings win against Cronus, who will become the king of the gods, Hades who else, you were ment to be a god of the sky, and now your god of the sea"
Zeus was fully in the water, as he drowned, as he spoke. "SHUT UP, The Futher is the futher and if Hades becomes the king of the gods them it will happen"
As Zeus struggled against the chains, the voice continued to taunt him, echoing in the vast emptiness of the watery chamber. "You think you can drown me out? You think ignoring your feelings will make them disappear?"
Gasping for air, Zeus glared up at the ethereal visage above him, fury flashing in his eyes. "You're just a figment of my imagination! You don't know anything about me!"
The voice smirked, its tone dripping with condescension. "Oh, but I do. I know that you've spent your life in your father's shadow, always desperate to prove you're worthy of being called a god. And yet, here you are, stuck in the depths, drowning in your own insecurities."
With a grunt, Zeus summoned what strength he had left, his lightning flickering to life as he fought against the chains. "I am the king of the gods! I control the skies and the storms. Hades may have freed me, but that doesn't make him my superior!"
The voice laughed, a haunting sound that reverberated through the water. "And yet, it seems that Hades has outshone you in every way that matters. He freed you, he's powerful, and he's the one who truly knows what it means to be a god. You're just clinging to a title while he's actually earning respect."
Zeus's anger surged, and he let out a roar of defiance. "I will not be defined by Hades or anyone else! I will prove to everyone, especially to my brothers, that I deserve to be their king!"
"Prove it then," the voice challenged, the water swirling violently around Zeus. "Face your jealousy. Embrace the fact that you are not just the god of the sea. You're afraid of what Hades can become, and that fear has turned to resentment."
With a desperate gasp, Zeus felt the chains constrict tighter, the coldness of the water surrounding him pressing in on all sides. "I don't fear him!" he shouted, even as the water rose to his neck. "I only want what's best for our family!"
"Do you? Or do you want to hold onto your future throne at any cost?" The voice shifted, becoming more sinister. "You're so focused on your title that you're neglecting what it means to be a brother. Maybe it's time to recognize that power isn't the only thing that defines a god."
Suddenly, the water began to swirl violently, pulling Zeus down into the depths as he fought against the current. "I won't let this happen!" he yelled, water moved around him, illuminating the water around him. "I am the god of Ocean! I am Zeus!"
As the energy crackled and surged, the chains began to weaken, the water splashing around him as he focused all his power on breaking free. With one final push, he summoned a bolt of lightning that erupted from his hands, shattering the chains and sending a shockwave through the chamber.
He broke through the surface, gasping for air as he pulled himself out of the water, feeling the warmth of the sun above him. But the voice continued to echo in his mind, a constant reminder of his insecurities. "You may have escaped this trial, but the true battle lies within you, Zeus."
---
Back in the jungle, Hades watched Poseidon with curiosity, his brother's demeanor reflecting the weight of their family dynamics. "So, it was about Skadi, huh? What happened there?"
Poseidon crossed his arms, visibly uncomfortable. "Let's just say I learned that my reputation as the Sky God isn't as solid as I thought. Skadi didn't hold back with her opinions."
Hades raised an eyebrow, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Oh? Did she call you out for being too much of a sea god and not enough of a god?"
Poseidon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Something like that. I'm still working through it. She has a way of cutting through the bullshit."
Hades chuckled. "Welcome to the club. You're finally realizing that we're all more than our titles, aren't you?"
Poseidon looked at Hades, a hint of vulnerability in his expression. "Maybe. But I just don't want to be overshadowed by anyone, especially not you or Skadi."
Hades patted him on the back, trying to reassure him. "You're not overshadowed by anyone. You're still Poseidon, the god of the seas. Just find your own path, and don't worry about what others think."
Just then, Skadi burst into the conversation, her tsundere nature flaring. "Tch! Enough with the brotherly bonding! You both need to focus! We have trials to conquer, not sit around having heart-to-hearts!"
Hades laughed, enjoying the contrast of her attitude. "You're right, Skadi. Let's get back to it. No time for feelings when there are trials to face!"
Poseidon rolled his eyes, a reluctant smile breaking through. "Yeah, I guess we should start figuring out what's next."
As the trio regrouped, they prepared themselves for whatever challenge awaited them, their past burdens weighing heavily but also serving as motivation to prove themselves not just to their families, but to each other as well. The adventures had only just begun, and the trials would push them to their limits and beyond.
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones