Time.
For any deity, this concept holds unparalleled significance.
Hades, in his past, chased time relentlessly. He understood with piercing clarity that failing to transcend the barrier of time would inevitably lead to insurmountable problems—this was an undeniable truth.
Under such circumstances, what about Poseidon, Pollux, and Athena?
The same principles apply. Or rather, it's an inevitable reality. Any deity with even the faintest understanding of divine principles knows this to be true.
Deities stand at the crossroads of fate.
They either move forward or remain stagnant forever.
But there's not a single deity willing to stay in place indefinitely. This is an unspoken reality.
After all, no deity desires to accept their preordained fate, to face inevitable death under its strict arrangements.
Would any deity willingly endure the termination of their existence?
Certainly not.
This is something no deity wants to accept. As such, Poseidon, Pollux, and Athena are preparing with every resource available.
"It truly is so," Persephone said with a sigh. "For all deities, this path is difficult to tread, perhaps even…"
"In truth," Hades interjected calmly, "after the upheavals surrounding our father and me, the limitations placed on divine kings in the Great Mythical World have reached their peak."
"For every divine king."
"For their every action."
"The Great Mythical World."
"It never allows matters to proceed without intervention."
"Instead, it does everything in its power to prevent it."
"Because…"
"If the Great Mythical World no longer has any divine kings, and if all such figures transcend their limitations, it would bring chaos the world cannot endure."
What Hades said was absolute fact.
The Great Mythical World and deities are interdependent. Deities are born within the Great Mythical World, relying on its resources to grow step by step, to even surpass the divine king stage and ascend to become an Ancient God of supreme stature.
But to the Great Mythical World, the divine king is the limit it can control. When a deity surpasses this threshold to become an Ancient God, they are no longer easily governed.
This is something the Great Mythical World will never tolerate. Thus, it imposes restrictions on deities.
Deities and the Great Mythical World are interwoven, yet they restrain each other from unfettered growth. This is a given.
"It seems that's the case," Persephone said, shaking her head with a trace of emotion. Then she added serenely, "But for matters like these, we don't need to involve ourselves too deeply."
"My husband," she asked, "who do you think has the greatest chance of success—Athena, Poseidon, or Pollux?"
Though Persephone wouldn't intervene, and she knew the underworld would abstain as well, she was curious to know who among them might succeed.
"Success…"
Hades considered her question for a moment before answering.
"For me, it's hard to say. The chances of success for Athena and Pollux are very slim. If anyone has the potential to succeed, it would be Poseidon."
Hades held his brother Poseidon in high regard.
In Hades' eyes, Poseidon had prepared meticulously, leaving only the factor of time.
Theoretically, given the preparations and with the Heroic Era reaching its terminus, Poseidon's success seemed almost inevitable.
But this was only a supposition. Whether success could truly be achieved was an enigma. For any deity, nothing guarantees victory.
Success never comes with absolute certainty. For deities, each step forward demands their utmost effort.
Under such circumstances, whether one succeeds is a question no one can answer.
"Poseidon…" Persephone murmured thoughtfully. "Well, all we can do is wait and see. No one knows what the future holds."
"Exactly," Hades replied calmly. "For any deity, this is never an easy path. The outcome depends on their own resolve. External interference is meaningless."
"Poseidon…"
At that moment, a voice interrupted their conversation.
Hestia had arrived in the Elysian Fields unnoticed. She wore a delicate dress, her fair legs clad in white knee-high stockings. She sprawled carelessly on a divine throne, sitting cross-legged with no regard for decorum.
Hestia had gradually become more like an ordinary human than a deity.
For her, this change was not a flaw but a boon. It reflected her evolving mindset—a profound development.
Such changes signify growth and self-completion, filling a void that deities inherently lack compared to mortals.
Now, though her divine power hadn't increased, Hestia's essence was subtly transforming.
"Elder sister," Hades and Persephone greeted her in unison.
"Hey!" Hestia grinned. "Brother, do you really think Poseidon has a chance?"
"At this point, Poseidon's chances seem the highest," Hades replied evenly. "I have some insight into Athena's and Pollux's strategies, but their plans are fraught with challenges."
"When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back," he added. "Their endeavors are akin to bargaining with a tiger."
"Because of this, whether they succeed is uncertain."
"Bargaining with a tiger?" Hestia wrinkled her nose. "Not my concern. By the way…" She suddenly grinned. "Brother, sister-in-law, the Perfect Underworld Warrior Locator has started up again. It seems we've found another one."
"Oh?" Persephone's interest was piqued. Her divine power spread outward, confirming her sister-in-law's observation. "Indeed. The Mulberry Tree is active again."
"It's true!" Persephone smiled. "For the underworld, every Perfect Underworld Warrior is invaluable. Their emergence and growth are truly significant."
"Exactly!" Hestia nodded enthusiastically. "With Charon already a divine king, each warrior's progress brings them closer to divinity. When that happens, the underworld's power and influence will soar."
Hestia chattered on excitedly, evidently in high spirits.
"Elder sister," Persephone asked curiously, "you seem exceptionally happy today?"
"Of course!" Hestia beamed. "Sister-in-law, guess what—I just got my ultimate gaming gear drop!"
"…"
Hades and Persephone fell silent.
Hades, however, couldn't help but smile slightly. Those words, that tone—it was all so familiar. So much time had passed, yet some things remained unchanged.
Leaning back in his throne, Hades closed his eyes. His thoughts seemed to wander far away.
"Hmm?" Persephone and Hestia exchanged glances but said nothing. Their husband and brother appeared to be experiencing some significant internal change.
This was a good thing.
For a deity, particularly one like Hades, a shift in mindset could lead to profound transformation, one that brought unexpected results.
Both women turned their attention back to the Mulberry Tree, awaiting the Perfect Underworld Warrior's arrival.
How many would there be this time?
As always, every Perfect Underworld Warrior represented a miracle—a miracle that was never easy to bring about.
From theory to practice, the search for a Perfect Underworld Warrior was a Herculean task.
The vast expanse of the Sea of Chaos complicated matters. Finding a warrior within its infinite bounds was no simple feat.
Even a minor mishap could spell the end for a promising candidate.
As such, locating a Perfect Underworld Warrior required patience and persistence. While years might pass without success, there was always the chance of an immediate breakthrough.
Ultimately, the rarity of such warriors justified the effort involved. Since the last discovery, decades had passed.
This time marked only the second successful search.
"Elder sister," Persephone asked, "do you think we'll ever find all 108 Perfect Underworld Warriors?"
Hestia laughed softly. "Isn't that inevitable?"
Persephone smiled at her confidence. "Yes, of course. My husband's path has led him this far. Surely, the fate surrounding him will bring even greater miracles."
"No," she added, her eyes gleaming. "My husband has already mastered fate."
"Exactly!" Hestia echoed with a wide grin. "Let's just wait and watch him go further. He'll always surpass expectations."
The two women, the most esteemed goddesses of the underworld, shared a knowing smile.
No matter the circumstances, they placed their unwavering trust in Hades—their husband, their brother.
For them, Hades' resolve was beyond doubt. His unyielding determination and foresight ensured he would continue down his path, overcoming any obstacle.
Hades' journey had already defied the odds. His path was unique, and only he could walk it.
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! Only $5 per novel or $15 for all!!] [www.p@treon.com/Mutter]
[+100 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]