Prophet Prometheus - (1)
In the underworld, the great gates to Hades' citadel loomed large.
Huff, huff. Creak...
I stood watching the creature before me, a monstrous hound with three heads, each dripping with venomous saliva as it panted and wagged its tail, trying to please me. This was Cerberus, the guardian of the underworld, who had grown a bit larger since the last time I saw him.
As I watched Cerberus, I pulled out the Cornucopia, the horn of plenty. Thinking of a juicy piece of meat, I reached into the broken horn and grabbed a large chunk of flesh.
Crunch. Rip.
I threw the meat to Cerberus, and all three heads dived in, devouring it eagerly. The fresh meat disappeared quickly into the beast's belly.
Pant, pant, pant.
Cerberus looked back at me, wagging its tail, as if asking for more. Just then, the god of dreams, Morpheus, approached me.
"Hades, it seems you're personally feeding Cerberus today. Is something troubling you?"
"No, it's nothing."
"Your expression says otherwise. Is it Gaia that's on your mind again?"
Lately, Gaia had been unusually quiet.
At first, she had used the Gigantes to set traps, weakening our forces. When the gods successfully defended against her attacks, she attempted to reduce her influence on the mortal world by using human heroes like Oedipus.
Her next move could be...
"I feel like she's about to start something again."
"Perhaps she's preparing to use human heroes again, or maybe she's gearing up to use her last chance to unleash the Gigantes?"
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"The problem is, I can't be sure."
As Morpheus suggested, Gaia was undoubtedly planning something, but the exact nature of her strategy remained uncertain.
Gaia, the primordial deity of the Earth, wields immense power, influencing all things. She holds dominion over the earth, even above Demeter, and she also possesses...
"Gaia also has the power of prophecy."
"Yes, her prophetic abilities surpass even those of Apollo. That is indeed a problem."
Gaia, the Earth Mother, is the embodiment of the earth, seasons, and ecosystems. She is also a powerful seer.
When her relationship with Chronos, the god of time and agriculture, soured, she famously predicted that he would one day be overthrown by his children. That prophecy was well-known.
Only one other being's prophetic power rivals hers: Prometheus. Even Apollo can't match his foresight, making him a significant threat to us.
"Wait, what if we could somehow persuade Prometheus? His help could be invaluable."
"But he bears a deep grudge against Zeus. Would he really help Olympus?"
Prometheus was punished by Zeus for giving fire to humans, bound to a rock, and tormented daily by an eagle that devoured his liver. The resentment he must harbor against Zeus would be substantial.
"However, I've never seen a Titan as devoted to humanity as he is. If we appeal to his concern for mankind—who are preyed upon by the Gigantes—we might be able to convince him..."
"But first, we would need to release him from his chains."
"I'll go to Olympus and try to persuade Zeus."
If I can convince Zeus to lift the punishment from the rock, perhaps we could gain Prometheus's help through his prophetic abilities.
One thing that concerns me... Will Zeus really forgive him for stealing fire?
"No matter how much you ask, it's impossible."
Damn it, I knew this would be his response. As soon as I arrived at Olympus and met with Zeus, he flatly refused, his expression rigid.
"Initially, I intended to leave him bound to the rock, but it was Prometheus himself who chose this punishment."
"You mean that statement he made to provoke you?"
When Prometheus was bound to the rock, he told Hephaestus to convey a message to Zeus: "Zeus will meet the same fate as Cronus and Uranus."
This provocative statement infuriated Zeus, leading him to decree that an eagle would eat Prometheus's liver every day. Given that it was spoken by Prometheus, who possessed perfect foresight, no one knew whether it was merely a taunt or an actual prophecy.
Prometheus used his knowledge of Zeus's awareness of his prophetic abilities to taunt him. That statement likely continues to plague Zeus's mind like a thorn.
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"That comment has been on your mind, but if you show mercy, perhaps he'll offer a way out."
"You think that nonsense might actually be a prophecy?"
Zeus's expression turned pensive. Even though releasing Prometheus would mean forgiving someone who had angered the king of the gods, it was clear that Zeus had never forgotten the message Hephaestus had conveyed.
Zeus, tapping the armrest of his golden throne, finally spoke.
"What will you do if Prometheus refuses to be persuaded? When I sent Hermes to try and negotiate, offering to stop his punishment if he revealed his prophecy, Prometheus only responded with scornful laughter."
"That's because you sent Hermes. It might be different if I go in person. And if he refuses to be persuaded..."
Prometheus is a seer whose powers surpass Apollo's and rival those of Gaia.
He knew the consequences of stealing fire from the gods yet still chose to give it to humanity. He knew the punishment he would face for taunting Zeus, yet he did it anyway.
Isn't he truly the god of madness, surpassing even Dionysus?
If Prometheus refuses to be persuaded and Zeus considers retribution—such as re-binding him to the rock—the seer would undoubtedly scoff at the idea, fully aware of the consequences.
"He's already suffered enough punishment... I have no intention of doing anything further."
"...So, you're just going to let him go?"
"Yes, and that's the only way forward."
To persuade someone like him, we need to approach with genuine intent, not threats. It's time to end the punishment for the crime of simply giving fire to humans.
"Humans are able to offer sacrifices to us because he gave them fire."
"But I can't forgive him for defying the command of the king of the gods and acting on his own."
"Which is why I didn't intervene when you first punished him. But I think this has gone on long enough."
Prometheus has already endured great suffering for a very long time. While the king of the gods must maintain a certain level of authority, this punishment has lasted long enough for the other gods to accept it as just.
"Summon Athena immediately!"
"Yes, Zeus."
Zeus sent a servant to fetch Athena. It seems he wants to hear the opinion of the goddess of wisdom whom he trusts.
Shortly after, Athena arrived, fully armed as always. After hearing the conversation between me and Zeus, her expression grew thoughtful.
"I mean no disrespect, but haven't you already let go of your anger, Father?"
"What did you say?"
"The very fact that you called me to ask for my opinion suggests that you believe Prometheus has already been punished enough."
"Hmm... Fetch your mother, Metis."
Moments later, Metis arrived, descending on a cloud. She, who was once deemed the wisest in Olympus before giving birth to Athena, approached with a gentle smile.
Although Zeus devoured Metis to prevent the prophecy from coming true, she was released when Athena was born, as no male child was born between them, thus she was no longer a threat in his eyes.
Metis, once considered the wisest being before Athena's birth, seemed to already know what was discussed and spoke softly as soon as she arrived.
"Zeus, to counter Gaia's prophetic abilities, we need Prometheus's power."
"But can we really forgive him so easily?"
"As the king of the gods, perhaps it's time to show some magnanimity. Even if someone defies you, if they can be of help, why not bring them into the fold..."
With the most intelligent deities in Olympus in agreement, Zeus frowned but waved his hand in acknowledgment.
"Ah. Ah. Fine... I get it. Metis, you may go now."
"Just as you have done in the past, I trust you will make a wise decision."
Zeus, rubbing his temples, seemed slightly troubled. It was evident he was struggling with the decision to forgive Prometheus, who had challenged his authority, even if he might need his help.
I waited patiently, not pressing him. I knew my brother, who had led Olympus well thus far, would make the right decision.
"Hmm..."
After a long silence, Zeus finally spoke, seemingly having made up his mind.
"I had no intention of seeking Prometheus's help, but... You're very merciful to even consider releasing him, Hades. Have you been called the god of mercy lately?"
Is he implying that I've gone soft? But I could tell that he had been persuaded; his tone was more of a grumble than a stern rebuke.
Understanding this as his way of accepting my request, I smiled at Zeus.
"A god of mercy cannot condone excessive punishment, especially when the one being punished holds the key to defeating Gaia..."
"Perhaps it's not so bad to have a god as lenient as you around..."
Zeus rose from his throne and looked me in the eye.
"You may deal with Prometheus as you see fit. But I expect an apology from him."
"I'll do my best to secure that."
With Zeus's permission, it was time to visit Prometheus at the rock. However, I couldn't just rush over there—I needed to prepare a bit more.
If I could persuade her in the underworld...
We might just gain the help we need from Prometheus.Prophet Prometheus - (2)
Even if we stop Prometheus's punishment, he is unlikely to help us, given the deep grudge he holds against Zeus. He would probably refuse to speak of Gaia's intentions or his prophecies, offering only scorn instead. It's uncertain whether his love for humanity outweighs his anger toward Zeus.
Returning to the underworld, I moved quickly, leaving the citadel behind.
Exiting the pitch-black citadel and heading to the outskirts of the underworld, I soon came upon a quiet path. If I continued north, to the edge of my domain, where few souls ever venture...
After walking for some time along a narrow trail that only one or two people could pass at a time, a soul emerged from a small house. It was a beautiful female soul, her beauty rivaling that of many goddesses.
"Pandora. Would you hear me out for a moment?"
"...What brings you here?"
She was the first woman created by the gods, a justification for the great flood that Zeus unleashed to punish humanity.
Driven by a moment of curiosity, she unleashed all manner of evils—disease, disaster, and anger—upon the world. She was Pandora, wife of Prometheus's brother, Epimetheus.
Pandora led me inside her home and offered me a seat.
"What brings the lord of the underworld to a lowly human like me?"
"A lowly human? Nonsense. You are the first woman, blessed by many gods. Don't speak so humbly."
Her husband, Epimetheus, being an immortal Titan, still lives in the mortal world, though in seclusion. But Pandora perished during the great flood that Zeus had unleashed.
When Pandora arrived in the underworld, she realized she had been used by the gods, and she despaired. Although much time has passed and her bitterness may have lessened, at that time, even after crossing the River Lethe, she retained her memories.
Feeling pity for her situation, I offered to erase her memories, but she chose to live on the outskirts of the underworld, retaining her memories without being reborn.
Convincing Pandora to help me now...
"I'm planning to end Prometheus's long punishment."
"...I see."
"But I need a reason that will satisfy Zeus. That's why I'm asking for your help in persuading Prometheus."
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I explained everything to Pandora—about Gaia being our enemy, about seeking Prometheus's prophetic power, and how I planned to free him and gain his cooperation.
After hearing my explanation, Pandora sighed softly and replied calmly.
"You have been kind to me, Hades, but I still have no desire to do anything that benefits Olympus."
I had shown Pandora kindness by frequently bringing her news of her husband, Epimetheus, who still lived in the mortal world, and vice versa. Though they could not meet, I remember how they rejoiced in hearing about each other.
Epimetheus, who wandered the world in seclusion, was difficult to locate, but whenever he received news of Pandora, the messenger reported how much it pleased him.
"After all, wasn't I created by the gods to punish humanity for receiving fire?"
"I won't deny it. You were created because Zeus was angered by Prometheus giving fire to mankind."
The gods had endowed Pandora with countless blessings and created her as a trap to eventually destroy humanity.
"So why should I help the gods who used me to bring ruin to mankind?"
Pandora's expression remained unchanged as she spoke. She, the first woman, cherished and loved her descendants, humanity.
She had borne a daughter, Pyrrha, with Epimetheus, and Pyrrha married Deucalion, becoming the ancestor of a new race of humans. Thus, Pandora's bitterness was likely a mix of resentment toward the gods for destroying humanity and guilt for having been used.
"Couldn't it be possible that Gaia and her Gigantes ruling the world would be better for humanity?"
"The Gigantes eat humans. In the city where my temple stands, they kidnapped people to use as sacrifices."
"...Is that so."
Although Pandora was willing to listen because of the favors I had shown her, convincing her to help was another matter.
"There will never be another great flood like that again. Even if Zeus tries to destroy humanity once more, I will stop him."
"...Hades, would you truly oppose Zeus?"
"Only if the reason is as unjust as it was before—punishing humanity just because they received fire."
Back then, Olympus was still in its early stages, and we needed to establish the king of the gods' authority. It wasn't until Pandora's box was opened, unleashing evil into the world, that I realized she had been artificially created by Olympus.
Out of respect for Zeus, I had only expressed concerns and refrained from outright objections. Zeus, in turn, respected me enough to allow Pandora and Epimetheus to communicate.
"He let me continue providing Pandora with assistance here in the underworld as well."
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"Let me show you how your daughter Pyrrha and her husband Deucalion's descendants are living."
I shared with Pandora a glimpse of the mortal world, a vision I frequently observed. Through my eyes, she could see the people living in Thebes.
Despite the chaos caused by King Oedipus's madness, Thebes had prospered. Thanks to the blessings of wealth I had bestowed, there was little hunger, and the people spoke of the gods' blessings.
"Today, I plan to pray at Morpheus's shrine in the temple of Pluto."
"Did you have a good dream last night?"
"I'm hoping it was a prophetic dream about a profitable venture..."
"The mint that the god of mercy, Pluto, has given us makes even the air in the graveyards smell sweet."
"Oh, come on... You're exaggerating."
"You'd understand if you worked as a gravekeeper. The stench before was unbearable..."
"I'm from Athens, but how did Thebes come to worship... er, serve Pluto?"
"Haven't you heard of the mint? Not only that, but when a devotee is threatened by a monster, he descends himself to protect them..."
"The lord of the underworld... the god of mercy?"
Ahem... I sometimes think the people talk about me too much. But in Thebes, my name is second only to Zeus, so it's understandable.
"So many people invoke your name, Hades. The god of mercy..."
"...It just happened to turn out that way."
Pandora widened her eyes as she observed the mortals in the world above. What was she thinking as she watched her descendants?
"The reason I descended to Thebes was because of the Gigantes, who served Gaia."
"..."
"I barely managed to save one of my followers who had been captured and was about to be killed."
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"Gaia's servants..."
"Yes, that's why I intend to seek Prometheus's advice to counter Gaia's prophetic power."
Pandora closed her eyes, deep in thought. All I could do was hope that her love for humanity outweighed her hatred of the gods.
Time passed as long as it would take to drain a cup of Dionysus's wine. Finally, Pandora opened her eyes, having made her decision.
She fetched a scroll of parchment and a quill from within her home and began writing something diligently. Then, she removed the golden necklace she was wearing and handed it to me along with the parchment.
"Give this to Prometheus. It should help persuade him."
"...Thank you."
The golden necklace of Pandora was a unique treasure, the only one of its kind in the world. It was a symbol given to her at her creation by the Graces, the three goddesses of charm who served Aphrodite, and by Peitho, the goddess of persuasion.
The letter I would deliver to Prometheus would bear the seal of Pandora, and the necklace would serve as proof of her sincerity. This would surely convince Prometheus.
As Pandora handed me the letter and necklace, she suddenly paused, then spoke quickly.
"But don't think for a moment that this means I've forgiven the gods or that I'm siding with them."
"Then..."
"I just believe it's better for humanity to be under the current gods' rule than under the Gigantes. And..."
Pandora hesitated, her lips trembling slightly.
"...If the gods try to destroy humanity again, you said you'd stop them."
I realized then that my long-standing kindness to Pandora had paid off. Perhaps, unintentionally, I had managed to sway her over the years.
"I'll trust the kindness you've shown me, Hades."
Initially, I had considered seeking help from her husband, Epimetheus, but finding him would have been difficult given his constant wandering and reclusion.
"You're trusting me, not Olympus. Is that okay?"
"The lord of the underworld wouldn't deceive a lowly human, would he?"
"...I'm truly grateful. If Prometheus is persuaded, it will be thanks to you."
The slight smile on the face of the first woman... Was she acting out of love for humanity, or was it guilt for having unleashed disaster upon them?
"Don't expect too much. I only wrote what I saw, heard, and felt in that city called Thebes."
"That will be more than enough."
Having convinced Pandora, who had once cursed the gods for using her to destroy humanity, I was hopeful that this would also influence Prometheus's feelings.
Now all that remained was to deliver Pandora's letter and necklace to Prometheus myself. No matter what, I would persuade him.Prophet Prometheus - (3)
Carrying the letter and the golden necklace I received from Pandora, I made my way to find the goddess Styx. As soon as she saw me, emerging from the waters of her river, her wet clothes clung to her body, accentuating her gentle curves. But now wasn't the time to dwell on such things, so I forced myself to look away.
"Hades, that necklace in your hand…"
"It is exactly what you think it is—Pandora's necklace."
I explained to the perplexed Styx about Gaia's prophetic abilities and the situation with Prometheus, including my intention to leave the underworld temporarily to try and persuade him.
"So I need you to take care of the underworld for a while."
"Hmm... I'll inform the other gods. Persuading Prometheus... I hope it works out."
"If Tartarus opens or if there's any urgent matter, inform Thanatos…"
The persuasion of Prometheus is something I must accomplish. It's the only way to counter Gaia's prophecies.
"Then I'll head to Mount Caucasus, where Prometheus is bound."
"…Don't you have anything else to say to me?"
"Ahem. The weather is cold. You should change into something warm."
She's been getting more and more like this lately...
I hurriedly turned my head and walked away, hearing her grumble softly behind me. Crossing the River Lethe and quickly passing the River Acheron, I made my way to the entrance of the underworld. Mount Caucasus is quite far from here.
That's why I had already spoken to Olympus to borrow Iris.
As I emerged into the mortal world, the rainbow goddess bowed respectfully to me.
"Hades, shall I take you directly to Mount Caucasus?"
"Yes, connect the space to that location."
With a wave of her hand, Iris opened a portal, revealing the towering Mount Caucasus beyond. At its peak, Prometheus would be bound.
Whoosh—
The cold air greeted me as I arrived at Mount Caucasus, the chill biting into my skin like sharp blades.
Even at the base of the mountain, I could feel the presence of various divine powers. It made sense, given that this is where Prometheus is bound. There were clear signs of defenses set up to prevent Gigantes, Gaia, or ignorant mortals from reaching this place.
Peering from the jagged crevices of the rocks was what seemed to be Athena's sacred owl, exuding a clean and serene divine power.
Despite being a rocky mountain, I also noticed a sacred tree of Demeter growing there. There were even barriers that would cause ordinary humans, who were not heroes, to lose their way and wander endlessly.
Ssss—
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Passing through the barriers, I continued to ascend the mountain path. Hmm. Olympus seems to have secured this place well; I'm quite satisfied with that.
Near the summit, I brushed aside a lion sacred beast that bared its teeth at me and rounded a large boulder to finally see Prometheus.
He was chained to the rock face, arms and legs spread out in a large "X" shape, bound by chains forged by Hephaestus himself. The Titan god hung his head low.
"Oh… Hades. The mighty god of mercy graces me with his presence. Heh heh…"
As I approached him, his middle-aged face slowly lifted toward me. With a twisted, mocking smile, he spoke with a tone dripping in sarcasm.
"How does it feel to be revered for your trifling acts of mercy toward humans?"
"We haven't seen each other in a while. Can we skip the jokes, Prometheus…"
"Heh heh heh…"
…This guy is still the same.
Before falling out with Zeus, Prometheus fought alongside the gods in the Titanomachy. His personality hasn't changed a bit since then.
"Ho! If you go that way, you'll get caught by the Titans… Heh heh… Go if you must…"
"Oh… If it's prophecy, there's nothing I can do."
"Not prophecy, just intuition."
"Click your tongue… If you use divine power like that, you'll end up like Cronus…"
"…Is that another prophecy?"
"Who knows? It depends on your brother Poseidon."
"Ho ho! You'll get hurt badly one day, mark my words!"
"Hmm… If it's prophecy…"
"No? Just a feeling."
"...?"
Back then, we were inexperienced young gods, and Prometheus was a seasoned Titan with the power of prophecy, our greatest asset.
We all trusted his words, but his personality… Well, I have a reasonable suspicion that this might be part of why Zeus had him chained up.
"How have you kept the same personality after all these years of punishment?"
"Just because you're the lord of the underworld now, doesn't mean you can't take a joke? Why not show me some of that mercy?"
After laughing for a while, Prometheus finally grew serious and spoke.
"You came to persuade me to counter Gaia's prophecy, didn't you?"
"So, you knew all along."
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"I'm curious to see what method the lord of the underworld has prepared. Go ahead, speak."
He knew I was coming but didn't foresee the specifics of how I'd persuade him? I suppose that's how your prophecies work.
You joined us in the Titanomachy because you foresaw our victory, but there were still times when we struggled in the war, as you couldn't see everything.
"Prometheus, you care for humanity like your own children, don't you?"
"Do I?"
"Otherwise, why would you defy Zeus to give them fire?"
"Oh…"
"The Gigantes created by Gaia are powerful, but they are the worst thing for humanity. They eat humans and sacrifice them without hesitation."
To defeat us, Gaia created Gigantes who prioritized physical strength over wisdom. Though they match the gods in power, they are more monster than deity.
"Hmm… You must think I'm weak because I'm chained here. But remember the humans sacrificed by the gods…"
"They are better off than with the Gigantes."
"Are you admitting that the gods are the lesser evil compared to the Gigantes?"
"Yes, exactly."
"Oh… Zeus won't like hearing that."
Honestly, how many humans have been sacrificed due to the whims of the gods? The underworld is filled with those who died due to prophecies, curses, or simply for being too arrogant.
You can't lie to the greatest prophet in the world. To persuade him, I need the truth, not sweet lies.
I summoned the greatest weapon of the underworld, the Bident, to my hand. Then I cut through the chains binding Prometheus.
Clang! Clatter. Clang.
The chains that bound Prometheus were forged by Hephaestus at Zeus's command. But this Bident was also crafted by the god of the forge, with even more care and dedication.
As the chains that had bound him for so long were severed, Prometheus stumbled for a moment, then looked at me in shock.
"Ha. Do you think the king of the gods will allow this?"
"I've already discussed it with Zeus before coming here."
Brushing off the dust from his body, Prometheus studied me with a curious gaze.
"What will you do if you gain nothing from me?"
"…Then that's that. The punishment you received was excessive, to begin with."
"Hah… You're going to release me?"
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It's not bad to see the wise Titan god taken aback. Now, to move forward…
"What are these? And is this necklace…"
"This is a letter and necklace from Pandora. I swear by the River Styx that she was neither coerced nor threatened."
Prometheus examined the golden necklace seriously, then opened the letter. He studied the scroll for a long time, as if scrutinizing every single word.
Whoosh—
Zeus's sacred eagle swooped down to peck at Prometheus's liver. The letter was still in his hand as the bird attacked.
Thunk. Flap. Flap-flap.
But the sacred bird was easily caught by the prophet. The playful demeanor from earlier was gone, and Prometheus looked into my eyes with a grave expression.
"…Hoo."
A gentle breeze stirred between us as he let out a deep breath. Then he spoke again.
"Hades, as you know, Gaia's prophecies are on par with mine."
"That's why we need your help."
"She knows exactly what to do to win this war against you all."
He released the eagle and continued speaking. The bird, realizing it was no match for this renewed force, flew away.
"No matter how well you prepare… The gods will be struck down by Gaia's attack, even if I warn you in advance."
"You mean we'll definitely take a hit?"
"Yes, and it will be a significant blow to your plans."
Despite Apollo, Selene, Helios, Demeter, and countless other gods being on high alert… We won't be able to block this attack? Could it be the final assault of the Gigantes, or something else entirely?
"But after that…"
The instincts of the Three Rulers told me that Prometheus was about to give us a crucial insight. The strange energy emanating from his half-closed eyes hinted that a prophecy was about to be revealed.
"When the mortal world and the underworld are connected, the gods will win."
The prophecy was clear and powerful, as if it were a curse or a blessing. The fates of two worlds, previously separate, would be entwined.
"Zeus probably told you to get an apology from me, didn't he?"
With a gesture that signaled he wouldn't reveal more, Prometheus turned his gaze skyward. Then, he shouted with all his might.
"Zeus! I apologize for the harsh words I spoke to you!"
Rumble—
As soon as his shout ceased, the sky echoed with the sound of Zeus's thunder. It wasn't a prophecy but merely harsh words. Prometheus's claim that Zeus would be overthrown like Cronus and Uranus was not a prophecy after all. It was a provocation against Zeus for chaining him to the mountain.
By admitting this here, we've managed to remove one major source of anxiety from Olympus.
"Oh, and Hades, you should keep your lower half in check! Heh heh heh!"
"What... What?"
Flap—
With those parting words, Prometheus transformed and flew away, leaving me with an odd sense of foreboding.