Chapter 16: The Apocalyptic Red Dragon Born in the Abyss

The sky was dark and gloomy.

The ground was a deep, ominous red.

This was the typical landscape of a hellish world, and the Abyss of Hades was no different. Hades, familiar with such realms, began his exploration of the Abyss at a measured pace. In a surprisingly short time, he had traversed much of this strange and perilous place.

Yet, oddly enough, he found nothing amiss. Hades couldn't shake the feeling that this in itself was the strangest part—something was clearly wrong with the Abyss, but there were no obvious signs to pinpoint the problem.

"…"

Deep in thought, Hades mulled over the enigma. After a moment, he abruptly stowed away his Invisibility Cloth and ceased the replenishment from the Demon Stars. He then released his divine power without restraint.

"Lord Hades…" Mephistopheles' voice trembled with concern.

Mephistopheles had good reason to be anxious. Having handed his divine heart to Hades, his life was now inextricably tied to his master's fate. If Hades died, so would he, regardless of any other circumstances.

Unfortunately, there was no way Mephistopheles could stop Hades. As Hades allowed his divine power to flow, the temptations that had previously disappeared began to resurface. The more his power waned, the weaker he grew, and under the insidious influence of the voices, he seemed to lose himself gradually.

"Is this really necessary?" Mephistopheles couldn't comprehend the drastic measures Hades was taking. He understood the principle of "entering the tiger's den to catch its cub," but this approach seemed incredibly dangerous. Any misstep could prove fatal.

As Hades weakened, the Abyss grew increasingly animated, ravenous for his divine essence. Absorbing the power of a natural God-King, and a Lord of the Underworld at that, would significantly bolster the Abyss.

Hades appeared dazed, seemingly ensnared by the bewitching voices, but deep within, he maintained a sharp clarity. He was waiting, biding his time for a crucial event to unfold.

Invisible, silent screams echoed through the Abyss, halting the ferocious advance of the Abyss demons. Instead of consuming him entirely, they began to guide Hades deeper into the Abyss. A natural Lord of the Underworld like him was too precious to waste. 

Stumbling with every step, Hades followed the guidance of the Abyss demons. He passed through a surreal, dreamlike zone, entering a special chamber within the Abyss.

"…"

Before him hung the massive head of a dark red dragon, its eyes gleaming with unrestrained greed. It seemed to contemplate devouring Hades whole.

"The Apocalyptic Red Dragon," Hades said softly, his voice cutting through the silence. "A curious sight indeed. How does a creature from the Biblical Pantheon, like you, come to be born in the Greek Pantheon's Mythological World?"

"Roar!"

The dragon's head roared in fury, surprised by Hades' calm response. But it was too late; Hades' divine power surged, obliterating the encroaching Abyss demons. With a swift motion, he donned the Invisibility Cloth once more. Dark purple skulls, manifestations of the Demon Stars, materialized around him.

The Demon Stars!

Manifesting as dark purple skulls, they devoured the Abyss demons. Indeed, Hades had always had the power to destroy these demons, but he had refrained to avoid alarming the deeper threat prematurely.

The Demon Stars, capable of traversing the chaotic seas and waging interdimensional wars, could consume anything. These demons, mere puppets of desires, were trivial prey.

"Seal."

Hades uttered the command, and chains of dark purple energy shot forth, binding the dragon's head tightly. The dragon thrashed violently, roaring in defiance, causing the entire Abyss to tremble and twist under its power.

"Lord Hades," Mephistopheles interjected at the opportune moment, "It seems that this Apocalyptic Dragon has transformed the Abyss into its nurturing womb."

Hades' gaze was cold, devoid of any emotion. He released the full power of the 108 Demon Stars, sending out countless dark purple chains that penetrated and wrapped around the entire Abyss. The frenzied thrashing of the Abyss subsided as it was firmly restrained.

"Roar!"

The dragon's head roared once more, its eyes void of reason, filled only with endless greed. It viewed Hades merely as a succulent meal, oblivious to his significance.

Hades remained silent, observing the dragon. Upon its head were two prominent horns, and a faint, almost ethereal crown bearing the symbols of the seven deadly sins. This crown flickered in and out of existence as if caught between reality and a dream.

"The Seven-Headed Ten-Horned Red Dragon," Hades murmured. "Why are you being nurtured in the Abyss? Have you consumed the Dark Crest that was originally here?"

Hades pondered deeply. The Abyss was meant to house a unique artifact akin to the Demon Stars, known as the Dark Crest. In the original story, Zeus had taken this artifact, and its whereabouts became a mystery.

Considering the possibilities, Hades speculated that after Zeus sought to transcend fate and abdicate his throne to Apollo, he had entrusted the Dark Crest to him as well.

But!

These were just theories. The reality before him was different. Hades had come to the Abyss searching for the Dark Crest, only to find this embryonic Apocalyptic Red Dragon instead.

"Or perhaps…" Hades hesitated, thinking to himself, "The Dark Crest was devoured by this dragon. After Zeus dealt with the dragon, the Dark Crest vanished."

Hades continued to deliberate on various scenarios while Mephistopheles observed with keen interest. Despite being part of a splintered pantheon, he recognized the Apocalyptic Red Dragon from his own world's end times. This dragon had once annihilated his world. Seeing it in its nascent form here was intriguing, especially now that it had been captured.

"How curious," Mephistopheles thought, "to see such a formidable entity restrained and, at least for now, contained."

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