The God of Underworld-Chapter 133 - 32

The Underworld had rarely known peace, but today was one of the few exception.

The air in the throne room of Hades’ floating fortress was quiet, yet warm — the hearth fire crackled gently in its bronze brazier.

Across from the obsidian throne, couches crafted from shadow and velvet gave comfort to two goddesses at rest.

Hera, regal and composed, sat with her legs crossed, holding a porcelain teacup with both hands, sipping slowly.

She said nothing, but her gaze occasionally flicked toward Hades and the small girl on his lap with a subtle fondness.

Aphrodite, draped in white silks and lazily reclining on another couch, plucked at a bowl of ripe pomegranates, her eyes glinting as she watched Hades and his daughter.

The girl — Nekyria — had her father’s pallor and solemnity but carried something more powerful and innocence in her eyes.

She sat on Hades’ lap, engrossed in the large tome open before them. It was a storybook called "The Epic of Herios". ƒгeewёbnovel.com

A story about a mortal who defied the gods and started an era of mortals.

The God of the Dead — feared by gods and mortals alike — gently turned a page.

He smiled.

It was rare. Rare enough to silence even the always-commenting Aphrodite.

Then the silence broke.

A sudden swirl of purple mist coiled like a serpent in the center of the room before coalescing into the form of Hecate — goddess of crossroads and magic.

Cloaked in flowing twilight, she appeared with her staff in hand, a tired look in her eyes.

She stared at the scene before her: Hades, smiling like a mortal father. Nekyria, safe and small. Hera with her tea. Aphrodite lounging and eating fruit like she hadn’t a care in the world.

Hecate’s brows twitched.

"You two..." she muttered, glaring at Hera and Aphrodite. "You do know that we have work to do, right? Or did that slip from your minds?"

Hera raised an eyebrow over her teacup.

"My work is done," she said evenly. "I’ve already secured an alliance between Herion and several neighboring city-states. I’m simply awaiting Hades’ next command."

Aphrodite didn’t even turn her head. She waved a hand lazily, brushing off the scolding like one would a fly.

"I’m emotionally preparing myself,x she said between bites. "Besides, stress ruins the complexion. Goddess of beauty here."

Hecate pinched the bridge of her nose.

She was about to reprimand them properly when Hades spoke, his voice calm but firm, smooth as riverstone.

"Let them be, Hecate."

The goddess of magic turned, already frowning, but then paused.

Hades’ face bore the same smile he’d been wearing since she arrived, a smile so gentle, honest, and deeply focused.

The sight of it made her heartbeat stutter.

She looked away quickly.

"...Do you need something?" Hades asked without looking up, his fingers idly combing through Nekyria’s hair.

Hecate coughed and composed herself. "Yes. A message."

At this, Hades finally lifted his eyes to meet hers.

"The Giants," Hecate said. "They’ve begun targeting Hestia specifically."

The air chilled.

Hades’ smile vanished.

Hera looked up sharply. Aphrodite stopped chewing.

Even Nekyria paused, eyes shifting between the adults around her, before quickly turning back to the book.

"...Why?" Hades asked, his voice no louder than a whisper.

Hecate shrugged. "That’s the problem. We don’t know. There’s no strategic gain. She’s not even a warrior. She’s saved mortals, yes, but so have many others."

Hades frowned deeply. Nekyria noticed and gently took the book from his hands, turning it in her lap, trying to find the page he had last read.

A small thing — but it grounded Hades’ thoughts for a second.

Hecate, watching, thought, ’Adorable.’

But the matter was serious.

Hades leaned back on his throne, arms crossed in thought.

"Why Hestia...?" he muttered. "What makes her different?"

"That’s what I’ve been trying to determine," Hecate replied.

At this moment, without any warning — a chill far more ancient than the Underworld swept through the room.

Nyx emerged from the shadows like flowing ink, her presence thick and heavy. Her raven-dark hair floated like starlit mist around her, and her eyes burned softly with violet light.

She appeared with no fanfare, no sound. Only the unnatural stillness of everything around her.

Nekyria immediately curled closer to Hades’ chest. Even Aphrodite straightened, brushing her hair back and sitting properly.

Nyx’s eyes swept the room once before settling on Hades.

"The reason," she said softly, "is the Azure Lotus."

Hades’ eyes narrowed.

"Lady Nyx!" Hecate quickly kneeled.

Hera and Aphrodite quickly followed.

"At ease." Nyx raised her hand, motioning for them to stand up.

They did, but they stood up straight like soldiers in front of their superiors.

Nyx continued. "That weapon she wields has the flame that bypasses divinity and burns souls, and is the only thing the giants cannot resist."

She turned toward Hecate. "However, I feel like there is more deeper reason why she was targeted. How is the Goddess of Hearth now?"

Hecate answered, "She is fine lady Nyx. The Herion Sentinels have arrived to her rescue."

Nyx nodded, "It seems we need to send protection to Hestia...but."

"Gaia might not take kindly if we try to interfere again." Said Hades.

Nyx nodded as the room suddenly fell into silence.

A beat passed.

"...still, a soul burning flame..." Hera whispered, breaking the silence. "That’s why they want her gone. Indeed, her divine weapon would pose the most serious threat to them."

"Understandable," Aphrodite confirmed. "You want to completely eradicate those that threatens you... that’s why I hate Hera."

Hera raised a brow. "You hate me?"

Aphrodite growled, "Of course I do! Your domain completely restricts people’s freedom to express their love!"

Hera put down her tea and glared at her, "Love isn’t something to be given casually. It is eternal! If you truly love someone, then you will swear to be with them through sickness and in health, in richer and poorer, until death do you part!"

"Tsk!"

Hera once again raised her tea to her lips, "besides, if we’re talking restricting, then aren’t you restricting yourself? You’re the goddess of sexual pleasure, so why are you still a virgin?"

"Ugrh!" Aphrodite felt an arrow shot to her chest. "It’s not my fault...lord Hades wouldn’t visit my boudoir, even though I always kept it unlocked."

Hades blinked. She does?

"Okay enough!" Hecate exclaimed, "As subordinates of Lord Hades, you are embarrassing him in front of Lady Nyx by acting that way!"

Aphrodite and Hera flinched, before quickly lowering their heads.

"I apologize," said Hera, offering a bow.

"Yeah, sorry." Aphrodite followed.

Nyx chuckled, waving her hand. "It’s fine, young ones are just too energetic."

She stared at Hades with half-lidded eyes.

The God of the Dead merely snorted, offering no response.

"The Olympians surely have heard of the attack on Hestia," said Hecate, "They will surely send another one of them to her side."

"It’s probably Themis," said Hera, "They can’t send an Olympian to protect Hestia as they will lead the army, but they can’t send someone weak either. They needed someone strong but doesn’t have much authority in Olympus’ divine army. Themis is the best choice."

"Make sense," Aphrodite nodded.

"Speaking of Themis," Hecate added, "I noticed her wandering the gates of underworld some time ago, it seems to me she wanted to enter but decided not to."

Aphrodite rolled her eyes, "Hmph, with Olympus being all that, she probably wanted to leave. I’m surprised she and Astraea can tolerate them."

Indeed. As the enforcers of justice, the two of them should’ve already left Olympus long ago.

"Well..." Hades started, "That’s enough idle chatter."

He turned towards Nyx and continued, "So? Did you contact Erebus?"

Nyx nodded, "I informed him of what we found out, and he had already decided to find the giants."

Hades nodded.

The others looked confused, but since Hades didn’t say anything, they didn’t ask for details.

They trust him to tell them when the time comes.

"Well for now, this is all we can do." Hades sighed.

Nyx nodded at him.

With Gaia ready to go to war with them if they try to interfere, there is really nothing they can do much.

So, for the time being, their next move will be decided once Erebus and Demeter find out the truth about the giants.

Right now? They can only stay here.

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