It was two days later and I was in the overworld relaxing enjoying the crisp air of this untamed land that would one day be Greece. Enjoying the calm freedom I had before the war would start, as I walked through the land, the sensation became short-lived as a sickly stench reached my nose—an unnatural, acrid scent carried on the wind.
That smell was familiar, it had to be sulfide. I was going to ignore it was it not for the vast amount of death that I sensed following it. I followed the path where it was coming from and found this large cave where I sensed about several hundred mortals inside, more than half of them were at death's door. They must not realize the danger that they are all in.
A heaviness pressed against my chest as I stepped closer, stopping just outside the cave entrance. I called out for anyone.
"Is anyone alive in there?"
A tense silence followed before I heard shuffling footsteps. An old man, his shoulders bent with age and hardship, emerged cautiously, flanked by two younger men holding crude spears. They were Neanderthals, looked like modern humans and yet were taller and more wild in nature. Pity that Zeus would wipe them all out in the future and replace them with Homosapians.
Their expressions looked wary but not hostile. The old man, who I guessed was their chief, eyed me warily before stepping forward.
"Who are you, stranger?" he asked, his voice gravelly and weak.
I smiled gently, lowering myself slightly to appear less imposing. At 8'10", towering over these mortals was inevitable, but I had no wish to frighten them. "My name is Hades, I am the Lord of the Underworld," I said, my voice even. "I sensed a large amount of dying souls and came to see why."
The chief's eyes widened in fear. "One of the Grim Reapers?" he asked hesitantly. Ah it seems that my Grim Reapers have been becoming popular in the mortal world already.
I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "They work for me," I said, folding my arms. "But I am not here to collect souls today. Your home is quite dangerous, it is filled with a poisonous gas—hydrogen sulfide, it will kill you all."
The chief stiffened, his expression grim. "You must be talking about the death curse placed on the cave, Lord Hades. Sadly this is the only home that we could find that could keep us all safe. I assume that you have come to take us to the next life," he said solemnly.
I shook my head. "No," I said firmly. "I have come to save you."
Without another word, I stepped past the three men. They scrambled to make way for me. Inside the cave, I was met with the sight of a roughly large cave. I saw a little over twenty members, several men and females, some children all of various ages. From what I could see, these Neanderthals had come so far without fire. They wore clothes of leather and fur and have even started learning to make weapons to hunt animals.
The air was thick, oppressive, and reeked of sulfur, these humans were all sick and weak, looking at me as if I was some god of death.... that I was.
I ignored the stares as I moved toward the far end of the cave, where I could feel the poison emanating most strongly. My steps echoed in the hollow space, the sound amplified by the tension hanging in the air. With a surge of power, I struck the stone wall, breaking through to reveal a deeper cavern. The hiss of escaping gas grew louder, and I saw the source—a vast lake, its surface slick with deadly sulfide. I approached the edge, the fumes not bothering me one bit.
Kneeling, I plunged my hand into the toxic waters, I was pulling a huge gamble here and I didn't even know if it would work. I spread my divinity through the lake as I tried to heal it, purge the sulfide and leave only clean and pure water.
It wasn't working so I plunged both hands in and pumped my divinity into the lake as I felt energy pulse and crackle around me as this white energy surrounded me. The lake churned and hissed as my divinity radiated through it, purging the poison and rendering the water pure. I watched as the blackened sludge dissolved into nothingness, leaving the lake shimmering and clear.
When I withdrew my hands, I noticed the damage—my flesh and muscles had been eaten away, leaving only my bone. I clenched my fist, letting the regenerative properties of my divine form take hold. The flesh knit itself back together in seconds, and I turned to face the tribe feeling so exhausted.
They had followed me to the cavern, standing at a safe distance, their faces filled with awe and fear.
"Gather everyone," I commanded, my voice echoing off the cavern walls. "Bring them before me. I will heal every single one of you, no one shall die today. For you have been blessed as a god has chosen you as his people!"
I had no clue what I was saying but it worked as they all gathered and started bowing and worshiping me. For the next couple hours it was a blur as I took the time to heal and help every single one of these mortals.
They swore loyalty to me and even took my name, calling themselves the Aidonians, the chosen of Hades.
Perhaps it was arrogance, or maybe clearing that lake had damaged my brain or something cause I decided that I was going to make them the greatest tribe alive. I wanted them to have more strength and wisdom than any other human. If I was to have followers, they would be ones to rival any civilization, afterall I only accept the best of the best.
Though the problem was that I couldn't really stay here too long, so I told them that I would return. They were sad but said that they would wait for me.
Returning to the Underworld I couldn't help but feel amazed and prideful at how the Underworld was turning out. Nyx and Erebus had both visited the Underworld and had brought several new workers to help me.
My Grim Reapers had gotten to work bringing all the souls of the dead that have been straying and those new that have died. Those souls gathered and waited for their turn for where Charon would ferry them through the River Styx where they would be able to basically tour all of the Underworld and go through the Styxian Bridge and to Judgment where they are judged by none other than Nemesis.
I didn't know how having a goddess of vengeance judging the souls of the dead would work but it did for now and everything was going so smoothly, allowing me to focus on the preparations of war.
Yet if everything was going so smoothly, why was I sitting on my throne, staring at a young man who looked like a lost lamb—confused, nervous, and entirely out of place.
"So," I began, resting my chin on my hand as I studied him, "you're telling me your name is Abel." I tilted my head slightly, letting the weight of my gaze fall on him. "As in the Abel? The one famously killed by his brother?"
"Yes," he stammered, his eyes darting nervously. "And if I may ask, who are you, Lord? Are you the Fallen Angel Lucifer or the Archangel Michael? I... I can't tell if this is Heaven or Hell."
A flicker of amusement danced through me, though I kept my expression neutral. "Sorry to disappoint," I replied with a faint smirk, "but I am neither. My name is Hades, god of this realm." For effect, I unfurled my wings, letting the inky black feathers spread wide as waves of my power rippled through the room.
His face paled, his hands trembling. "No... it can't be. There is only one God—the great God who created the universe!"
"Ah, the monotheistic perspective," I said, my tone tinged with dry amusement. "Hate to break it to you, but there are over a thousand gods in existence, each ruling over their own realms and cultures. Your God, though real, governs his chosen land. So, tell me, Abel... why are you here, in the realm of the Greek gods?"
Abel hesitated before answering, his voice soft and hesitant. "My father, Adam, was born in a beautiful place called the Garden of Eden. God created him from mud and blood, and—"
I held up a hand, silencing him. "Spare me the full family history, Abel. I'm not here for your life story. I want to know why you are here."
He flinched but nodded quickly. "S-sorry, Lord Hades. My parents moved to these lands from across the sea after being cast out of the Garden. We've lived here for many years. Long story short... I died yesterday. My brother Cain—he..." Abel trailed off, his voice breaking.
I leaned forward, my tone softening slightly. "And what happened after that?"
"I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "After I died, I was approached by a woman in black robes. She said she would lead me to the afterlife. I thought she was an angel, but instead of going up, we went down. Was she a demon?"
I shook my head. "No, she was not a demon. The woman you saw was a goddess—Ker. She is one of my Grim Reapers, tasked with gathering the dead and bringing them here to the Underworld. Now, Abel, I could have you sent to the Upper City of Asphodel to live out your afterlife. Or..." I let my words hang in the air for a moment. "...I could offer you a job."
"A... a job?" he repeated, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Yes," I said, leaning back on my throne. "You said you were a shepherd in life. Did you enjoy it?"
A faint, wistful smile crossed his face. "I did," he said quietly. "It's the one thing I regret leaving behind."
"Good," I said with a nod. "I have animals at my ranch in need of a caretaker. You'll tend to them—feed them, care for them, and keep them company. Among them is Ophis, my Pythagora serpent. You must have met her when you were being judged."
Abel's eyes widened, and he nodded quickly. "Yes, Lord Hades. I shall try my best."
I gave him an approving look. "In addition to the job, I'll grant you a home in Elysium. Consider it a bonus for your dedication." I waved a hand toward the door. "Oizys will give you a tour and help you settle in. You're dismissed."
Abel bowed low, his expression a mixture of awe and gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Hades. I won't disappoint you."
After Abel had been led out, the doors to the throne room closed with a resonating thud. I sat in silence for a moment, fingers drumming against the armrest of my throne as thoughts churned in my mind. Something about Abel's story left a sour taste in my mouth.
I called out, my voice echoing through the chamber. "Thanatos."
The room darkened, the light bending unnaturally as a flurry of black feathers swirled before me. Thanatos emerged from the shadows, his imposing form bowing deeply before my throne. His skeletal mask—being my idea, really did make him look badass.
"How may I serve, my Lord?" Thanatos asked, his deep voice steady and reverent.
I leaned forward, the weight of my decision pressing heavily on my shoulders. "I need you to go to the world above and find a young man named Cain," I commanded, my tone brooking no argument.
Thanatos tilted his head slightly, though he did not question me outright. I reached for a piece of parchment and drew a sigil upon it with a steady hand, the ancient runes glowing faintly as they took shape.
"This man," I continued, holding up the paper for Thanatos to see, "shall bear this mark on his body. It will make him easy to find. When you locate him, you are to bring him here to the Underworld—I believe that he would wish to repent for murdering his brother. Bring him here alive or dead, I do not care."
Thanatos stepped forward to take the sigil, his bony fingers brushing the parchment as he studied it briefly. "It shall be done, Lord Hades," he said, his voice unwavering. Just like he came, Thanatos left, leaving me staring at where he had been. War was only a couple days away and I wondered if I was actually ready.