25 – Hades vs Poseidon

Inside the room, Hades was sitting on a throne. He was large, his skin red, a helmet that covered his face, and spikes all over his body.

When Hades saw Poseidon and Athena enter his throne room, he stood up, ''Hello, brother! How are you?''

Poseidon stood in front of Athena as if to protect her, '' I'm fine! And you?''

Hades shrugged, '' You see, I was quietly living my life when I noticed that Zeus hadn't sent anyone to talk to me for a year. Imagine my surprise when I sent my spies to Greece, and they said a lot of things had changed and no one told me!''

Hades stared judgementally at Poseidon, who looked to the side, '' Could you explain to me what happened last year?''

Poseidon sighed, '' It's a long story...''

Hades laughed, '' I don't know if you've forgotten, brother, but what I have most here is time to spare!''

Poseidon looked at Athena, who started to speak, '' Zeus went mad and killed almost all Gods. Only a few were left.''

Hades sounded confused, '' Do you have any idea why?''

'' Do you remember the mortal who killed Ares and took his place?''

'' Yes, I do. Kratos, was it?''

Athena nodded, '' Yes. So you also know that to kill a God, you need another God or a God's weapon.''

Hades nodded.

'' To kill Ares, Kratos opened Pandora's Box. When he did, he got the power to kill Ares, but he also released something else. Something bad.''

Hades appears as if he knew something, '' So you're telling me that Evil has been released?'' As he was one of the 3 major Gods, Hades knew about Evil.

Athena nodded, '' Precisely. It messed with the Gods, taking Poseidon's memory, and making Zeus lose his mind.''

Hades looked at Poseidon, who nodded to confirm Athena's story. '' Interesting... Well, there's no need to delve into it any further. For now, let us eat!''

Then, the God of The Underworld clapped his hands. A few girls, all of which were Demigodsses, dressed as maids entered the room carrying a lot of food. All of it was specialties from the Underworld.

Poseidon, seeing that Hades didn't want to let him talk, started to eat. Athena did the same.

Hades smiled after seeing that and started to talk, '' You know, Brother, I remember that time when you .... then you killed the wrong guy.... ''

Hades was talking about a past that Poseidon didn't remember or lived through. It came out as rude.

After finishing the food, and hearing a lot from Hades, Poseidon finally couldn't handle it anymore, '' Brother, I don't remember any of it. I'm sorry.''

Hades stayed quiet after that. Poseidon then took the initiative, '' Brother, as Iris already talked with you, you probably know why we came here.''

The God of the Underworld looked down at Poseidon, '' It's about the souls, right?''

Poseidon nodded, '' Can you please explain the situation? Olympus is willing to give a lot for your cooperation in this matter.''

'' I just felt unappreciated by Olympus! You managed to rise to the Throne of Olympus but you forgot about me, so I made something to gather your attention.''

'' So you're telling me there's a solution to this situation?''

Hades nodded.

Athena asked, '' And what do you want?''

Hades contemplated for a second, '' I want another wife. I want to go out of the Underworld for at least 6 months a year. I also want a few more things, but they are minor. If you're willing to accept my terms, I'll help you on this matter.''

Poseidon didn't hesitate, '' Deal!''

This caught both Athena and Hades by surprise, '' Brother, are you sure? What I'm asking is a lot.''

Poseidon got closer to Hades, '' You suffered a lot here. It's time Olympus gave you an appropriate reward! Besides, you'll help us with the matter of the souls, so it's a win-win situation.''

Hades looked at the hand that Poseidon presented to him. Hades smirked and went for a handshake.

What Hades didn't notice was that Athena was already behind him, with the container with the Flame of Olympus inside.

As soon as the hands met, a powerful clash of forces occurred with Poseidon and Hades at the center.

The forces were matched, which was incredible, based on the fact that Poseidon was supposed to have the power of a lot of Gods.

Hades dropped the facade of a good brother, '' When did you notice?''

Poseidon was relaxed, '' When we entered. Based on what Athena told me, you only use your helmets in a battle situation.''

The clash continued for a while, '' Brother, I'm willing to let it go. Just fix the problems with the souls, and I agree with everything you asked!''

Hades laughed maniacally, '' Foul! I don't need your permission for anything! Can you imagine how powerful I am right now? When all the Souls of the Gods came down here, I absorbed all of them! I'm invincible!''

Just then, Athena attacked. She struck Hades back with the Flames of Olympus and retreated.

This distracted Hades, as the Flame of Olympus, scattered all over his body, purifying it. '' ARGHH!''

Hades tried to extinguish the Flames, but Poseidon didn't let him rest. Because both of them were still in a handshake, Poseidon used his free hand to get his Trident and swung it at Hades.

Hades, who now was incredibly powerful, used his helmet to defend the attack, all while trying to use his powers to extinguish the Flame, but to no avail.

'' What did you do to me!?'' Hades tried to hit Poseidon with his free hand, but he didn't manage to hit a single time.

Poseidon smirked, '' Ever heard of the Flame of Olympus? Probably the only other thing besides Hope, who can purify Evil. Just relax, brother. When it's over, you'll be brand new.''

Hades, realizing the situation wasn't looking good, screamed, '' ALECTO! AMBUSH, CALL ALL THE OTHERS!''

After a few seconds, the Demigoddess, along with a few other Demigods, entered the Throne room. When they noticed the situation, they screamed while rushing towards Hades, '' YOUR MAJESTY!''

Athena, who had retreated earlier, stood in front of Hades' troops, '' I wouldn't do that if I were you.''

Alecto screamed at her, '' Why are you doing this!?''

Athena sighed while putting Aegis in front of her, '' It's complicated... just know that we are the good guys!''

Just then, Hades screamed in agony.'' HELP ME. HE'S KILLING ME!''

'...'

'...'

Athena looked at Poseidon, who gave her a small smile, telling her it was not his fault.

Alecto didn't hesitate anymore, '' Call all troops! Tell them Your Majesty is in trouble!''

One of the Demigods went away as Athena observed.

Alecto then charged at Athena, with a few Demigods behind her. They started to attack Athena, while a few tried to sneak past her.

And while Athena wasn't known for her fighting powers, taking care of a few Demigods was easy, even more now that she had a few of Zeus' powers, and Poseidon could transfer some of his powers to her if she was in danger.

While Athena took care of Hades' demigod army, Poseidon and Hades were still in a stalemate.

' Hades is more powerful than I thought... by now, he should've been purified, but no ...'

Poseidon then noted that Hades managed to use his powers to put Evil in a safe place, inside his own soul.

When he saw that, Poseidon was surprised, ' This must be the last bit of Evil! So it is trying to preserve itself the best it could!'

While Poseidon was thinking about the situation, Hades attacked with his weapon, the Claws of Hades. Poseidon defended with his Trident on time.

Hades continued striking Poseidon, but no attack was working. This made Hades start to become even more erratic. Hades also noted his army was getting devasted by Athena.

' What can I do!? I can't let them do as they please in my fucking home!' Hades tried to think of a solution when an opportunity was presented to him.

Hades noticed Athena was distracted and attacked her with The Claws of Hades. But first, he released a lot of souls on Poseidon, to distract him.

Poseidon noticed what Hades was doing and threw his Trident to Athena, '' Athena!''

When Athena heard the shout, she noticed both the Trident and the Claws of Hades coming in her direction. She dodged the Claws, which hit a demigod and killed it instantly.

Athena then grabbed the Trident and held back the Claws with her, by making them entangle with the Trident. It worked, and now Hades had no weapon.

Poseidon, in the meantime, managed to kill all souls that Hades had released and faced his brother again. All this while holding Hades' hand hostage.

'' Brother! Stop! Let the Flame purify your soul, and all of this will be over!'' Poseidon was still trying to help Hades.

It seems that clarity came to Hades' mind the last time, '' I'm sorry, brother, but I'm too far gone!''

Hades then released all his powers, finally making him and Poseidon go away from each other.

The shockwave also sent Hades' army flying, their destiny unknown. Only Athena, Poseidon, and Hades were left in the ruin of what used to be the Throne room of Hades.

Athena silently passed Poseidon his Trident, '' Hades is no longer there... we will have to kill him.''

Poseidon sighed, '' Yes, we have no other option!''

By this point, Hades' body had undergone a mutation. It seems the souls of all the Gods he absorbed had appeared in his body. Poseidon could see Zeus' face coming out of Hades' shoulder. The soul of Hermes was coming from its belly, and many more faces were coming out of his body.

Hades' body, which was already big, now stands at 20 meters, looking like a titan. This new Hades started his attack. He swipes the ground, killing a lot of his troops, but it didn't hit Poseidon or Athena.

Poseidon, seeing the massacre occurring in the Underworld, said to Athena, '' Go protect them! I'll handle him.''

Athena glanced at Poseidon and then went to help the Demigods.

Only Poseidon and Hades were left now. Poseidon took the initiative to attack, throwing his Trident at Hades. He also made a few spears out of the River Styx, but as his powers over the river were small, the spears were limited in quantity and quality.

It seems that, while this new Hades lost all his reason, his combat instincts were good. He used the Claws to repeal Poseidon's Trident and ignored the spears coming in his direction.

The spears made of water hit Hades and damaged him. Hades responded by swinging his Claws at Poseidon directly, who used his Shield to defend, '' CLANG!''

The clash between weapons made a shockwave, sending both Gods flying. Hades recovered from it first and started to destroy the Underworld. A single swing from his Claws was enough to destroy miles of the Underworld.

The souls were being extinguished at a fast pace. Poseidon recovered only a second later and saw that at least 50% of the Underworld was destroyed, with only a few places remaining. A lot of souls also were extinguished.

Poseidon rushed at the rampaging Hades and swung his Trident at the beast's feet, hoping to stop the beast in place.

Hades didn't care that his legs were cut and continued to attack. One of Hades' legs was cut, but it seems that his soul mutated to such a degree, that it transformed itself into a leg, allowing Hades to continue rampaging.

' This won't do! I have to put his attention on me!'

Poseidon disregarded his safety and jumped in front of Hades, '' Hey, you pig!'' He shouted and attacked with his Trident at the same time.

Poseidon now was aiming at vitals areas, making Hades stop and defend himself. Poseidon also used more spears made of water and aimed them at Hades' legs.

This finally made Hades stop destroying everything around him and made him focus on Poseidon. The beast that was once Hades, was even more powerful than Zeus, so Poseidon was careful.

Both the Gods then started to exchange blows, with Poseidon making more damage than Hades.

A few more clashes between them were made, and showed that Poseidon and Hades were almost evenly matched. But in a God's fight, just a bit more power is enough.

Using his small authority over the River, Poseidon created chains made of water, then waited for an opportunity. He continued defending himself from Hades' attack when suddenly, Athena hit Hades on the back with a surprise attack.

This distracted Hades, so Poseidon used this opportunity to use the chains made of water, to hold Hades in place. When Hades noted the situation, it was already too late.

Poseidon jumped as high as he could, then swung his Trident at Hades' neck, '' I'm sorry, brother.''

Poseidon's strike hit Hades' neck, decapitating the God of The Underworld. All of Hades' powers now belong to Poseidon, while the souls of the others Gods were thoroughly destroyed.

The Evil inside Hades' soul tried to escape, but Poseidon was faster. He absorbed it.

Poseidon felt something was trying to corrupt his mind, ' So this is what all the others felt.'

He felt as if something was changing his mind on so many things, and he was unable to fully stop it. Of course, Poseidon used his powers to stop Evil from going further in his body.

Athena then acted. She held the Flame of Olympus over Poseidon. The God of the Seas let the Flame go through his body. It purified his body, as Poseidon let a small grunt of pain. After a few minutes and a few tests, Evil was finally extinguished.

'' It is over?'' Poseidon asked.

Athena nodded. Both Gods then looked at the destroyed Underworld, '' It seems that everywhere we go, destruction follows.''

Athena stayed quiet. '' Now what?''

Poseidon checked his body, then noticed that he now got powers over souls, '' I can resolve the problem of the souls, but we need a new ruler.''

Looking around at the ruins around, Poseidon asked Athena, '' Anyone survived?''

Athena pointed at the side, where a few Demigods were passed out. Poseidon noted that Alecto was among the survivors, '' How about her?''

Athena looked at where Poseidon was pointing and noted Alecto, '' You decide.''

Poseidon thought for a while and reached a conclusion. First, with the few souls that were left in the Underworld, he realeased them to the cycle of reincarnation. After that, Poseidon also made some changes to the structure of the Underworld.

Not satisfied with that, he made some other modifications. Finally satisfied, he went to Alecto. After arriving at the location, he got her unconscious body and went to the ruins of Hades' castle.

Poseidon then woke the Demigoddess.

After waking up, Alecto looked around, still sleepy, '' What happened?''

When she finally remembered, she shouted, '' Your majesty!''

She then looked around and noticed Poseidon and Athena looking at her. '' YOU! What did you do to Your majesty!?''

Poseidon said nothing and looked at Athena, who started to explain, '' Hades was corrupted by something even more powerful than us Gods. It made him crazy!'' Athena pointed around here, at the destroyed Underworld, '' This was what he did!''

Then Athena spent another 10 minutes explaining everything to Alecto, who by the end, looked confused, '' Why are you telling me all this?''

This time it was Poseidon who said something. He put on a sly smile and came near Alecto, '' Have you thought about being the Queen of The Underworld?''