Trial of Ares and Poseidon - (3)
As I watched Poseidon leave, Zeus approached me. He gestured for me to sit next to him, and I took the seat beside him.
A translucent barrier, created by Zeus's divine power, emerged, blocking out sound.
"Poseidon has had his share of struggles," he said. "Because of his children?" "Exactly. I can't help but think that his way of showing affection might be a bit misguided... But it's a delicate matter to interfere, and I don't think I've been much of a role model myself."
Zeus's words likely referred to Tantalus, who had recently tried to deceive the gods. If that fool had gained divinity, we might have seen a true god of madness surpassing Dionysus.
"...I think you've done well enough with your children. Apollo, Athena, and Hephaestus are not so bad, after all..." "When Poseidon called Ares a 'ruffian' earlier, do you know what I was thinking, brother?" "...?" "It's true that Ares has a violent temperament, and I can't refute that. I wonder if I haven't set a good example..."
Weak words slipped from Zeus's lips. He had a somewhat subdued look in his eyes, unusual for the king of the gods, who usually exuded confidence and authority. It was a glimpse of the darker thoughts he carried.
I gazed into his serious eyes for a moment. Thanks to the barrier of divine power, our conversation was completely unheard outside. Was he feeling a bit burdened to share his inner thoughts with me?
"I feel sorry for Hera because I've been frequently visiting the mortal realm to create heroes due to prophecies. Like with Callisto, who became a constellation... or Io, who suffered being transformed into a cow..."
While Zeus may not have been entirely devoid of desires for beautiful women, his actions generally benefited the gods. After all, great heroes like Perseus, born from the blood of the supreme god, sometimes emerged.
I knew it took quite a long time to court human women to bear children, so he resorted to more forceful methods. Though such methods could never truly be justified, it seemed Zeus was making his own efforts to bring forth a hero from prophecy.
"Try not to do things that Hera would dislike. You've caused more than a few victims to come to the Underworld because of your actions." "Haha... Once I've dealt with the Gigantes and gained recognition from Grandma Gaia, I'll consider it."
With a bittersweet smile, the golden-haired god stroked his beard. As our conversation stretched on, the surrounding gods wore puzzled expressions, forcing themselves to turn away.
I took a slow look at each one of them. Apollo, the proud son of Zeus, who oversees numerous domains, appeared somewhat satisfied yet uneasy about the trial's outcome. Ares, who was also in attendance, carried a tense atmosphere. Hebe, the goddess of youth, exchanged smiles with Hestia when their eyes met...
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I could understand how heavy Zeus's heart must feel, overseeing all these gods. The Titan gods were dreaming of revenge from Tartarus, Grandma Gaia did not recognize us, and even with the Gigantes as foes, the prophesied hero had yet to appear.
"Zeus, you should just stay where you are." "Hmm?" "...You've done well enough until now. In front of your children and descendants, wear a confident face as you sit on your throne. It suits you." "Haha... Are you trying to comfort me, brother?"
He looked at me, brightening his expression. Now, he seemed a bit more like a king. Shouldn't the king of the gods be so gloomy? In truth, I, too, had many imperfections, as I mentioned to Mente...
"If you have urgent matters, feel free to contact me in the Underworld. Just don't take Thanatos with you because you find some human annoying." "What are you saying! There won't be any need for my busy brother's help from the Underworld. Until next time."
With a flash—thunder rumbled!
The king of the gods dispelled the barrier of divine power and stood tall, soaring into the sky. The last time I saw Zeus's face, it appeared much better than before.
After the trial concluded, Poseidon, along with many gods including his consort Amphitrite, was returning to the sea when he suddenly stopped. Several lower sea deities following him looked at their master in confusion.
Slowly turning his head to the empty space on his right, Poseidon spoke.
"Come out. Gaia."
Gaia? Isn't that the name of the Protogenoi hostile to the Olympian gods? The surrounding gods were taken aback by his words, but it was still too early to be shocked.
For a voice, captivating and feminine, echoed from the void where nothing existed.
Indeed, it was Poseidon, the true god who ruled the realm of Okeanos.
"I sensed a divine power from the earth, not Demeter's. Enough with the pleasantries; why have you sought me?"
With his Trident in hand, Poseidon glared at the empty space, cautious, but there was no hint of tension in the beautifully resonating voice.
"Surely I didn't come to persuade you. I, too, heard about the dispute between you and Zeus's son."
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Gaia, the earth itself, holds precedence over the dominion of the earth over Demeter. What happens on the land is hard to escape Gaia's gaze.
When Zeus's son killed your son, I witnessed it too. Was it Ares? The sword wielded by Zeus's son cleanly severed your son's neck. Following that, his cold corpse scattered across my surface, and cold blood poured out. Does that not make you furious?
"...Are you trying to sow discord between Zeus and me?"
Poseidon's expression tightened further. As the lord of the sea became increasingly disturbed, the air trembled with the briny scent of the ocean. Nevertheless, Gaia spoke to him in a soft tone.
"Sow discord? Why would I sow discord? Your son was wrongfully killed. And wasn't the dominion of the heavens, seas, and the underworld decided by the three of you through a lottery?"
"..."
I intend to drive out the Olympian gods. If you help me...
Amphitrite, with a worried expression, gently grasped one of Poseidon's hands. The lower deities around them had frozen in silence, unable to even breathe.
If one of the three main gods sided with Gaia, could the Olympians hope to win?
They awaited the decision of their lord in breathless silence...
"I could give you a position like that of the king of the gods. Of course, the dominion over the heavens as well."
Poseidon closed his eyes.
The memory of that moment when they had triumphed over the Titan gods and divided the world...
Hades appeared indifferent, but he always desired dominion over the heavens.
Thus, he had even incited rebellion and maintained a careful relationship with Zeus.
Undoubtedly, he coveted both the throne of the king of the gods and dominion over the heavens. But...
"Ha... Hahaha! You have underestimated me, Poseidon." "...?" "Are you telling me... to side with you for power? Such nonsense!"
His voice thundered like a majestic roar.
Long ago... Poseidon had led a rebellion alongside Apollo and Hera. Even if he succeeded, he had no intention of imprisoning Zeus or banishing him to Tartarus.
Zeus was his brother, after all, and he owed him for being freed from Cronos's womb.
He intended to strip Zeus of his divinity but had no thoughts of going beyond that.
However... if Gaia were to sweep away Olympus, what would become of Zeus and his kin?
"Are you not thinking of imprisoning all the Olympian gods in Tartarus instead of the Titan gods? No matter how much I covet power, do you think I would act like Cronos!"
...So you refuse my offer? I thought we might have some common ground...
"Shut your mouth! Gaia!!!"
Poseidon's prideful Trident, the Trident of Poseidon, pointed towards the earth. As he raised it high with both hands, it finally plunged into the ground, causing an earthquake that ravaged the surroundings.
As the power of the lord, imbued with anger, struck down with the Trident's might, the force was formidable. The area around him was completely torn apart, revealing the earth's inner flesh.
The tremors grew increasingly stronger... with a deafening roar, everything visible on the ground was overturned... Countless lives caught in the sudden disaster were lost in vain.
"Ha... Do you think Poseidon would fall for such words?"
Amphitrite and the other gods merely looked on at the back of his form, suppressing their anger. His fury appeared to be greater than when he was angered over Ares killing his son.
Hooowww—
"Uncle Poseidon...! What in the world is happening here? Have you been fighting someone?!"
Hermes, who had sensed the unusual occurrence, rushed down from the sky and landed behind him. Sweat dripped from the face of the messenger god, startled by the flow of divine power that could easily destroy a city.
Poseidon, without turning to look at the messenger's question, replied in a heavy voice. "...Hermes. Go back to Olympus at once and tell them that Gaia tried to lure me to her side." "What...! Uncle..." "Rhode. You explain it to Hermes and come back."
Rhode, one of Poseidon and Amphitrite's daughters, bowed her head to Poseidon and approached the messenger god. Then, the lord of the sea silently stepped past the bewildered Hermes, making his way quietly into the sea.Prophetic Hero, Heracles
"Is that really true, Hermes?" "Yes. Fortunately, Uncle Poseidon rejected Gaia's proposal, but..." "Now he intends to sway the gods."
Two days after returning to the Underworld, Hermes came to visit. The news he brought was that Gaia had attempted to sway Poseidon.
With a slightly anxious look, Hermes spoke to me.
"Is there a possibility that Uncle Poseidon might waver?" "Hermes, you still don't know Poseidon well."
Though he has a somewhat proud and violent nature, he would never betray us. After all, Kronos's children, including myself...
"But after the big fight with Ares, there was even a trial, wasn't there? If his feelings were hurt..." "Of course, he wouldn't be pleased. Ares's punishment was also considered with Poseidon's position in mind."
For immortal gods, the concept of time differs from that of humans. For gods, even a year feels like a fleeting moment, so a two-month punishment is extremely light.
Poseidon knows this. Yet, he probably accepted it moderately because he felt that his son's actions were wrong, and I was aware that he sent Ares to keep Athena in check.
Though nominally, Ares has been punished, Poseidon might feel some satisfaction in that.
"But even if he glances at Ares with disdain, Poseidon would never ally with an external enemy." "That's true." "You informed Zeus of this as well, didn't you? What did your father say?" "...He simply told me to send a messenger to thank Uncle Poseidon for not being swayed by Gaia's persuasion. The king of the gods, who is usually so sensitive about his throne, didn't even doubt it..."
See, Zeus isn't a fool; he knows Poseidon won't betray him. Even if he were to incite a rebellion, Poseidon wouldn't drag in external enemies.
"Is that all you wanted to tell me?" "Oh, there's one more thing. Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, will be arriving here shortly..." "Why is Iris coming here?" "I'm not sure? Perhaps she's trying to invite Uncle Hades to Olympus again?"
I doubted that but nodded to send him off. Both Iris and Hermes are coming to the Underworld? Usually, if they had something to say, wouldn't they send just one?
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As Hermes said, after a while, a messenger entered the audience chamber.
"My Lord Hades, the goddess of the rainbow has arrived at the entrance of the Underworld." "Let her in." "However... she was holding a human infant."
"...?"
The goddess of the rainbow, whom I hadn't seen in a long time, wore a rather awkward expression. It was likely due to the infant cradled in her arms.
"Greetings, Lord Hades. Lord Zeus asked me to deliver this letter." "Yes, but what about the infant you're holding?" "That... first, the letter..."
Iris rummaged through her robes and pulled out a piece of parchment.
However, there was something unusual about the power contained in this parchment. It felt as if it had been sealed away to prevent anyone else from seeing it.
Crisp—
As I unfolded the parchment, a jolt of energy tickled my hand, but I ignored it and began to read the contents.
"Dear Hades, it's Zeus. I didn't intend to ask for your help, but somehow it has come to this."
Does he have a request for me?
"I'm sure you're curious about the infant the goddess of the rainbow Iris is carrying. Can you hide this child from Hera for about a month? I understand the implications of allowing a living being to dwell in the Underworld, but Hera is trying to kill the child with poisonous snakes..."
So it seems Zeus has secretly fathered another child. But to ask me for help means Hera's fury must be tremendous.
Indeed... this letter states that even after hiding the child in mountains, caves, or other gods' abodes, Hera somehow found it. Since the mortal realm cannot escape Hera's gaze, he is thinking of hiding it in the completely different world of the Underworld...
If I can protect the child for just one month in the Underworld, he must believe he can find a way to divert Hera's attention or change her mind. Perhaps he plans to hide the child here and there until her fury subsides. But to ask me to hide his illegitimate child—what kind of child could it be?
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"This child is my son, and I have named him Heracles (the glory of Hera). Surely, this child is destined to be the prophetic hero who will triumph in the fight against the Gigantes."
Wait, the child's name is... Heracles?
Heracles. Heracles. As I pronounced it a few times, it felt strangely familiar.
I had definitely heard this name before. A memory more deeply rooted than being struck by Eros's arrow... it was none other than...
"Tell the goddess of the Styx to immerse this infant in the River Styx." "...My Lord Hades?"
The most famous hero in Greek mythology, the hero of heroes. The great hero Heracles, who would shine in the battle against the Gigantes in the future.
We have won.
"...What?! You want me to immerse him in the River Styx?" "Yes. The weak human body will improve somewhat after being submerged in the waters of the Styx."
Iris looked at me in shock, but my resolve remained unchanged. Regardless of laws against the living entering the Underworld, this must be allowed. The memories of a past life flashed in my mind. It was the fact that Heracles was indeed the prophetic hero.
If the living can withstand the power of the River Styx... they will have a body so resilient that it won't be easily harmed by ordinary weapons. If fully submerged, it could prevent the prophetic hero from meeting an untimely demise.
"But this child is a human hated by Hera..." "Then why did you come all the way here on Zeus's request... No. If Hera realizes, say that it was because of my request that it couldn't be helped."
Did Iris, Hera's attendant, bring this child because Zeus asked? If Hermes had sent the child along, perhaps Hera would suspect, so he must have persuaded Iris to do this.
To secretly deliver the illegitimate child to the Underworld through one of Hera's confidants...
What did Zeus use to persuade the goddess of the rainbow? Did he vow never to lay eyes on Iris again and swore by the River Styx?
"Yes... I understand." "Good. Be sure to tell the goddess of the Styx to fully immerse the child. Remember that."
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Just in case something might happen where the child isn't completely submerged, I made sure to emphasize it. Watching Iris depart with a reluctant expression toward the goddess of the Styx made me smile involuntarily.
One of the worries threatening our gods has been partially resolved. If I can raise this Heracles well to become a great hero... the Gigantes will all meet their doom.
Soon, the goddess of the Styx entered the audience chamber. The child in her arms was enveloped in the aura of the Styx, visibly changing in form.
As expected of Zeus's son, he was enduring the power of the River Styx well.
The goddess of the Styx, having handed Heracles to one of the handmaidens, spoke with a worried expression.
"Hades. Since he is Zeus's son and destined to be a hero, I immersed him in the water. However, if I keep releasing humans who have gained the strength of the river into the mortal realm..." "Hmm. I understand. If heroes imbued with the power of the Styx roam the mortal realm, it will disrupt the balance there."
This child, once he grows up, will likely join Chiron's tutelage when he ascends back to the living realm, right? If Heracles comes to the Underworld's training ground, I should tell Chiron to ensure he receives proper character education.
Having grown into a powerful hero fully immersed in the River Styx, he must be trained well not to harm others carelessly.
"Of course, I plan to ensure he receives proper education under Chiron later. Naturally, I won't be raising a multitude of heroes who have been immersed in the River Styx." "That's a relief. By the way, why are you treating this child with special care despite having seen so many heroes?"
Of course, I can't say that I know from past experiences that Heracles will defeat the Gigantes.
"Looking at the letter Zeus sent... it states that he nursed on Hera's milk and killed two poisonous snakes immediately after birth." "Poisonous snakes...? How did that happen..." "I suspect Hera sent them. He is an illegitimate child, after all." "Ah..."
The black-haired goddess nodded in understanding. I added a bit more explanation to her, who clicked her tongue at the sight of Heracles.
"The one who brought this child is Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, and Zeus asked me through a letter infused with lightning." "She probably nursed him while Hera was asleep. Her wrath will pierce the heavens." "Right. He may not live an easy life. Filled with the corpses of monsters and human jealousy..."
I turned my gaze toward the child held in the handmaiden's arms.
Heracles was sleeping peacefully, unaware of the events to come.
In truth... the child born deliberately by Zeus for the gods' victory is none other than Heracles.
It's certain that from birth he was nourished by Hera's milk and had the strength to kill poisonous snakes...
But I worry that he may be thrust into a difficult fate. Still, having been immersed in the River Styx, I hope it will aid him in overcoming that fate.
"Uwaah! Waaah!" "No...!" "Ah! Hades! Look away for a moment. He can't withstand the power of your gaze and is crying!"
At the goddess of the Styx's flustered voice, I hurriedly averted my gaze and looked elsewhere. Had I been staring too intently? Sometimes I make such mistakes...
I can't feed him the food of the Underworld for a month, so I need to find a wet nurse or figure out a way to bring food from the mortal realm.