Chapter 2: Siblings

Six months later.

Island of Crete, Mount Dikte.

The Olympian siblings are resting under the shade of a tree grown by Demeter, discussing about their plans and any events that happened recently.

"Prometheus have already sworn an oath that he would aid us in the war, that is one less Titan to worry about." Said Zeus, a mighty being who stood at 7ft in height, with a bulging muscular body that would put body builders to shame. He has a shoulder length blond hair, with sky blue eyes and chiseled face.

"Unfortunately, Oceanus have decided to remain neutral in this war." Said Poseidon, similar to Zeus, he's a mighty figure that stood at 7ft in height, with a more defined and muscular body than Zeus. He has a short, messy blue hair and striking emerald green eyes.

"Most female Titans also chose to remain neutral." Said Hera, a regal woman whose divine beauty could eclipse the sun and moon. She has a long silver hair tied by golden wreath, with deep emotionless and calculative golden eyes.

Demeter.... Demeter didn't join in on the conversation. She was merely sitting on the corner, gently caressing a flower she had planted.

Demeter is a very beautiful and mature woman with long wavy golden honey colored hair and orange eyes. She is also very well endowed, with her Greek chiton emphasizing her great figure.

"...Hades haven't come out of his dwelling for six months, I'm getting worried." Said Hestia, staring at the cave that Hades used as a residence.

Hestia is a beautiful young girl with long black hair and deep blue eyes. She's quite short and petite, but is very well endowed, her figure not losing to Demeter at all.

Zeus snorted, "Leave him be. As long as he doesn't drag us down."

He was annoyed with this brother of his who keeps to himself and does his own thing without even asking for his opinion.

In Zeus' mind, as the one who saved them, shouldn't they consider him as their leader? Hades acting on his own just violates his sense of authority and leadership.

"He's a coward. All he does is hide in his cave!" Poseidon growled in anger, clenching his fist.

"I'm sure he has his reasons," Hestia smiled, trying to calm her brothers.

Hera's cold eyes stared at Hades' cave. Her face look thoughtful for a moment before she stood up, gaining the attention of her siblings.

"I'll go see him." She declared, startling her siblings. "We need all the help we can get if we want to win the war against the Titans."

Zeus stood up, trying to stop her. "You don't have to bother with him, we don't need that coward's help. I alone am enough!"

Hera gazed at him coldly, "Move. Arrogance won't help us win. If you alone is enough, then there would be no point in finding help."

"Uh..." Zeus has no response. In the end, he can only step aside and let Hera walk towards Hades' cave.

Poseidon clicked his tongue, feeling distaste at possibly meeting that cowardly brother of his.

The siblings watched as Hera neared the cave and stood at the entrance.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the cave, her golden eyes narrowing as the light from outside faded into darkness.

Immediately, a chill ran down her spine.

The deeper she walked, the colder it became. The air was thick, heavy with an unnatural dread that sent shivers through even her divine form. Shadows twisted and shifted unnaturally along the walls, whispering in voices too faint to understand.

She pressed forward, ignoring the eerie sensation clawing at her instincts. Hades had always been strange, but it seems like he became even stranger.

Finally, after a long time of walking, she saw him.

At the center of the cavern, amidst shattered stone and scorched earth, was Hades.

His once short silver hair, the same color as hers, was now an unkempt mess, damp with sweat and clinging to his forehead.

His chiton was tattered, revealing a body hardened by relentless training—scarred, bruised, yet unmistakably stronger than before.

He was panting, one knee on the ground, his left arm limp at his side. In his right hand, he clutched a black spear, its tip embedded in the cavern floor, barely keeping him upright.

The ground around him was carved with deep gashes, and traces of lingering dark energy flickered like dying embers.

She took a step closer. "Hades."

His breathing hitched at the sound of her voice. Slowly, he lifted his head, his piercing steel-gray eyes locking onto hers.

For a moment, Hera saw something that made her chest tighten.

Exhaustion. Struggle.

But beneath it all—power.

Raw, untamed power simmering just beneath the surface, restrained only by sheer will.

She had seen the might of Zeus and the force of Poseidon, but none of them can compare to this dreadful power radiating from Hades.

Like an ant about to be crushed by a tsunami.

That's what it feels to be stared at by Hades.

But then, that feeling vanished as Hades exhaled sharply, forcing himself to stand despite the clear strain on his body. He leaned against his spear, his grip tightening.

"Hera…" His voice was hoarse, rough as if he hadn't spoken in days. "What do you want?"

Hera took in his state, the wreckage around him, and the oppressive aura lingering in the air. She crossed her arms. "Hestia is getting worried. You haven't left your abode for six months."

Hades scoffed weakly, "I'm training."

Hera's gaze swept over the cavern once more. The state made it look not just a training ground, but a battlefield entirely. It feels like a war has been fought here.

"You need to rest," she stated.

Hades snorted, though it sounded more like a dry rasp. "Not yet. I'm not that fragile"

Silence stretched between them, broken only by the distant echoes of dripping water.

Hera studied him carefully. Six months ago, Hades was overshadowed by both Zeus and Poseidon. Although his strength is far superior to her and her sisters, it is still below that of their brothers.

But now...

She exhaled, stepping closer, her expression unreadable. "Zeus and Poseidon think you're a coward."

Hades didn't react. He simply turned away, pulling his spear from the ground. "Let them."

Hera frowned. "Don't you want to prove them wrong? Where is your pride and dignity as a god?"

That made Hades pause. He looked over his shoulder, his eyes colder than before. "Pride and dignity is meaningless before power."

Hera's lips pressed together. "Is that so... Then you're a fool."

Hades blinked, caught off guard. "...What?"

She took a step forward, "Gods rule not just through raw power but through the recognition of our supremacy. Our pride reinforces our status, ensuring that we are acknowledged as divine beings worthy of worship, respect, and obedience. A god who lacks pride is weak."

Hades turned fully to face her, gripping his spear. "That is such a useless emotion. I don't need to glorify myself for self satisfaction. Power is absolute, any humiliation will be erased by superior strength. You can feed that useless pride to the dogs."

Hera narrowed her eyes, "For gods, pride and dignity are not mere emotions; they are fundamental aspects of our power, identity, and function within the cosmos. Without them, our influence weakens, our worship diminishes, and our divine authority crumbles. A god who loses pride risks losing everything—including their place in the heavens. That's why, you must not let anyone trample over your pride and dignity. Crush those who do so."

Hades stared at her in shock and confusion. "...are you saying I should go and crush our brothers?"

"No," she shook her head, "Just show them your superiority. After all, those who are inferior must follow those who are superior. That's the natural order of the world. I followed Zeus simply because he is superior. But you are better than him, Hades."

Yes, just like how Uranos ruled the cosmos. Followed by Cronus after him. They were all superior than their siblings so they naturally ruled the cosmos as the others can only bow their heads.

Hades didn't answer. He just stared at her, unreadable.

Hera stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You're stronger than before. I can see that. You are a better fit to be the leader than Zeus."

"I have no interest in ruling the heavens or anything like that." He clenched his fists, "I want power. Power so great I could beat anyone."

Hera tilted her head slightly, surprised by his answer.

For a long moment, they simply stood there, the weight of unspoken words settling between them.

Then, Hades sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "I'll come out and greet mother and Hestia from time to time. But I'll stay here and train."

"Very well." Hera nodded.

A long silence stretched between them. Then, slowly, Hades straightened his posture, rolling his stiff shoulder.

"…So?" He asked. "Do you need anything else?"

"Nothing." She turned around to climb back up to the surface, but paused before looking over her shoulder. "Clean yourself up first. You look like a corpse."

Hades let out an annoyed grunt as Hera stepped out, leaving Hades alone once more.

For a while, he remained still, staring at the cavern wall.

Then, with a deep breath, he tightened his grip on his spear.

And hundreds of shadow knights emerged from the darkness.