74

"Isn't having a dinner party an odd choice when nobody other than you can eat?" I ask Izanami as we head to the dining room.

Izanami pouts at me, "Almost nobody, save the dead, can eat in Yomi without being cursed to remain. I can loosen the restriction enough for Hades and Persephone to eat without being cursed."

"But I still can't?" I huff, annoyed that I'll have to sit awkwardly while everyone else eats.

"It's a law native to this plane, the fact I can loosen the taboo at all is already impressive." Izanami says defensively, "If Persephone and Hades weren't already connected to their underworld plane, the taboo still might have affected them even after loosening the restriction."

"I guess I assumed that you controlled everything that goes on here."

"Yomi existed long before my death," Izanami says shaking her head, "The taboo barring consumption of the food or water from here by the living did as well. It is a fairly common taboo amongst underworld planes, though sections of the underworld like where the devils reside are an exception."

"Really? How does that work?" My offense at the implication I'm too weak to overcome the restriction has faded in favor of curiosity.

"All naturally formed planes have laws and taboos native to them. Underworld planes are grouped and labeled as such because souls gather here and are gradually stripped of their ego before being reconstituted. Those purified souls then drift back to mortal planes. The underworld realms don't exist beneath the world on a physical level but more as a 'stack' of dimensional proximity." Izanami explains looking enthused to be talking about this.

"The cycle of reincarnation is a natural phenomenon then?" I ponder aloud, summing up her statement.

"Of course, gods of the underworld merely guide the souls along, delaying or speeding up that process as they please. Our presence benefits us by giving us a source of worship and benefits the souls of the dead by either providing them a refuge where they can reunite with their loved ones after death or a way to re-enter the cycle quicker." Izanami says as I nod along to her explanation.

An interesting question comes to mind as I process that, "So how is it decided which afterlife a soul ends up in?"

"Oh, that's easy! The largest factor is individual belief; since the soul still contains an ego it drifts to the strongest connection. Essentially, wherever you believe you will end up is where you go. You don't need to worry, Ibaraki." She states gently, and I get the feeling she has the wrong idea.

Well, even if I have no plans of dying any time soon, I wouldn't mind ending up here when I do.

"What about if a soul is rejected entry to the afterlife by the god ruling the plane?" I ask. While we're on the topic I might as well get the full explanation.

Izanami hums, "It depends on whether we're talking about a natural plane or an artificial plane. The various afterlives created by the pantheons for their chosen require a guide."

"Valkyries or Angels for example would lead the worthy soul to their respective plane so there isn't any chance of being 'rejected' upon arrival. If you were rejected you would know since nobody would guide you to your idea of paradise."

"For natural underworld planes, you can be denied entrance to a ruler's domain, but for the plane itself, nobody can stop you from entering. It's why underworld domains are often partitioned."

Thinking about the guests we're about to join I realize that Charon the Ferryman is a perfect example of this. While people who believe in that pantheon may be guaranteed to arrive in Hades, without a Drachma to pay the Ferryman, they'll be left on the other side of the shore.

Even after crossing the river they still need to be judged and categorized into a different section of Hades.

This does make me wonder how I ended up in this life but not enough to ask. I can't say I care much about what led me here, only what I do here is important.

I flash Izanami a grin, "It's a good thing you're generous then. It would suck to arrive here and then be barred entry."

She smiles bashfully back, "Death is hard enough, I'm not going to make people suffer once they're here."

"Unless they deserve it," She tags on after a short pause and I laugh.

"You won't find me complaining." I shrug, "As much as I enjoyed this chat though, is there anything I need to know about etiquette for this dinner?"

Izanami looks surprised that I'd ask and I pout, "Izanami, I know you're excited. I don't plan on ruining your chance at making more friends by accidentally insulting your guests."

"This is an informal setting in the first place so a normal level of etiquette would suffice." Izanami answers after brief consideration, "Though you're here as my friend, I don't expect you to show deference to anyone or pretend to observe the status of others. Just be yourself."

She winks at me, "Well, maybe hold back a little. I wouldn't want to scare them away too soon."

I'm a bit surprised Izanami isn't asking me to be overly polite but it's a nice feeling that she trusts me that much. "I can do that."

The servants manning the doors to the dining room see our approach and open the doors in unison to allow us entry. Persephone and Hades are already seated inside and halt their conversation when we arrive.

When they turn to us, I get my first look at the two of them and suffice to say my first impression is a mixed bag.

I had forgotten the way that Hades looked in this universe until this moment in my excitement. So when I see a skeleton, with pale blue eyes made of ghostly flames, dressed in priestly robes; I feel vague disappointment.

If there's one portrayal of the Undead that lacks any impact, it's the skeleton.

Nothing visually striking or fear-inducing exists in the image of bleached white bones, animated, and wrapped in the garb of a priest. Part of that is probably due to modern comedic portrayals of skeletons in media but a clean skeleton also simply lacks the elements of gore and decay of other undead that make them scary.

It's hard to tell how he feels about this dinner party from his appearance. A skull doesn't have the most animated facial expressions, nor do the balls of flame that represent his eyes.

Persephone on the other hand looks like what you would expect from a Greek Goddess -dressed in a white peplos, with a dark palla worn atop the dress like a cloak, lending its shade to add a sense of mystery by obscuring the top half of her face.

Her mouth and the lower half of her face are all that is visible of her face below the shade from her hood, and thick curls of dark black hair frame her pale face. She smiles as we approach them, her dark red lips curving upward.

Despite the nature of the gathering and the two Greek gods suppressing their divine auras, it wouldn't be possible to not notice their strength. I'm left in awe by the raw power they emit, and numbly find myself following Izanami in a haze. I find it hard to think about anything other than fighting either of them, or both, I'm past the point of caring. The opportunity to experience that level of power again would be worth offending them. I subtly wiggle my hips in my seat and try to focus.

"Thank you for waiting patiently while we got ready," Izanami says to them with a smile.

"No thanks is necessary, we managed to keep ourselves entertained during your short absence. Besides, we wanted to meet the friend you spoke so highly of, Izanami, right my love?" Persephone laces her fingers with Hades' bony hand on top of the table as she asks him that.

I glance at Izanami and she smiles sheepishly. It would've been nice to know what she told them of me before now.

"Of course, dear." Hades responds and despite his lack of expression his voice is filled with warmth, "It is good to finally meet you, Ibaraki. Though I do have a question for you?"

I'm stunned by the abrupt focus on me but I can roll with this. I do my best to stop myself from allowing mythology knowledge to taint my impressions of them and try to keep a level head. Fangirling over meeting them is a bad idea until I confirm who I'm dealing with. There's no telling that this version of Hades and Persephone is the same as the one from mythology.

"I'm happy to meet the two of you as well. Please, feel free to ask me anything." I say keeping my words polite, though I'm mostly confused as to what he could want to ask me.

"Some time ago, a Nymph that my Brother Zeus was quite fond of suddenly returned to our domain after being kidnapped and sold into slavery. When she returned she said she was saved by a young woman named Ibaraki. Are you that same woman or do you simply share that name?" Hades recounts his story and I'm once again left surprised.

"Yes, um, you mean Rea?" When Hades nods, I shake my head, "Wow, I hadn't expected that to come up again. Small world, huh?"

Persephone laughs, "I think the string of coincidences that brought about that connection is more than a 'small world' moment."

I blush and rub the back of my neck, "Well when you put it like that… Are they doing well now? Rea, Sophia, and Adrianna, I mean."

Hades tilts his head, "I only heard of this matter from my brother when he was recounting their 'reunion'. I'm unaware of the details outside Rea's 'enthusiastic return. Though given they haven't arrived in my domain, I assume they're fine."

While we hadn't known each other long or particularly well, they did leave me with a fond memory. It's nice to know that they're doing well.

Izanami giggles beside me at the dry tone Hades responds with. Clearly, Zeus shared a bit more information than Hades would have liked.

"That's good to know," I say awkwardly, "Were you just curious?"

"My brother said that since I was heading to this country if I happened across Rea's saviour I was to invite them to Olympus. He wishes to reward you for returning his 'favorite Nymph." Hades explains sounding annoyed. "I would've ignored the request given there should have been no chance of meeting that person in the underworld, yet here we are."

I chuckle in amusement, "He just assumed you'd be fine with scouring Japan for me, huh?"

"My brother-in-law has always expected more from others than he does from himself." Persephone responds amused, "He's been a better ruler in the past millennia but he still has his shortcomings."

I hold my laughter despite finding her insult towards Zeus hilarious. It might be okay for her to insult him like that but I probably shouldn't join in. Izanami is far less restrained and gleefully giggles along.

Hades merely rolls his eyes and coughs, "Putting my brother's ability as a ruler aside, I'd like to do my part and extend his invitation to you, Ibaraki. It was a casual invitation so if you wish to be rewarded for your deed, feel free to visit Olympus within the next decade or so. If you don't my brother will merely assume you have no desire to be rewarded and forget about this."

"That's rather gracious of him," Izanami says once she has recovered from her giggle fit.

"As I said, it was a casual invitation." Hades shrugs, "My brother likely didn't put much thought into it. He was simply happy to have Rea nearby again."

Hades pauses and he shifts in his chair, "That being said, my brother's wife was… less enthusiastic about the news."

I hope that doesn't mean that Hera is angry at me for saving one of his husband's… paramours. Hera is one of the Greek Gods that I'm a fan of so her hating me would sting. I'll be content having Hades and Persephone like me if nothing else. They were always my favorite couple from mythology.

Persephone snorts, pretending to look innocent when Hades turns to her, "What is it, my love?"

He grumbles when she leans in and places a kiss on his jaw.

"Could you retrieve our gifts for our host?" She asks sweetly, changing the topic.

Hades snaps his fingers and his divine aura swells when suddenly the table is filled with various delicacies surrounding three expensive-looking wine bottles.

"Oh! What a lovely surprise," Izanami murmurs as she stares at the bottles, "Nectar is quite the generous gift. Or is it ambrosia?"

"It's the least we could bring to thank you, Izanami, as our host and friend," Hades says emphasizing friend especially. "Both names have referred to different things and either is fine to refer to the liquor of the gods."

Izanami looks touched at the gesture and has to shake her head to calm herself, "Let's have a glass then, to celebrate our friendship."

She manifests a trio of cups and begins pouring Nectar for each of them while I awkwardly watch. My mouth waters as the golden liquor is poured and I start to wonder if having a taste would be worth getting cursed to stay here forever.

Another cup appears in front of me and Persephone grins at me, "This liquor is from the vineyards on Mount Olympus, the grapes cultivated by Dionysus himself, it isn't subject to the same rules as food from the underworld. Have a drink with us, Ibaraki."

I gulp as Persephone fills my cup and I breathe in the divine scent of the wine, "Well, if you insist…"

Once everyone's cup has been filled, I grasp the liquor reverently and we all raise our glasses in toast.

"To new friendships," Izanami cheers with a wide smile, eyes sparkling with joy.

"To new friendships!" We all mimic the toast, before knocking back the wine.

"Hah!" Izanami exhales as she finishes the ambrosia in her cup.

While her son occasionally brings some of the sake he enjoys, there's a massive difference between masterwork alcohol and divine alcohol. The scent alone is enough to leave someone in a trance, envisioning endless fields of the most plump, sweetest grapes dangling from the greenest of vines.

A taste then, shows a vision of the heavens.

Izanami wipes away a stray tear from the vision she's presented with, shoving away the brief vision of her and her children united in the overworld.

"It's delicious," She says, bowing her head to Hades and Persephone, "Thank you for the kind gift."

The two turn to face her, as they have been staring into each other's eyes after savoring the alcohol.

"Only the best for a friend," Hades says sounding flustered. "We were excited to receive your letter reaching out so presenting a fine gift is a given."

Their drinks are refilled with more liquor with a gesture from Hades and Izanami toys with the stem of her wine glass, "I'm happy that you feel that way, though I was surprised at how quickly you wished to visit. I had expected to exchange letters for a while before meeting in person."

Hades slowly takes another sip of ambrosia and Izanami takes a moment to glance at Ibaraki.

She laughs fondly as Ibaraki guzzles down her second glass of ambrosia with fervor. Besides being thankful for Ibaraki's presence here, Izanami is delighted that her friend has the opportunity to taste divine liquor. Ibaraki had shared a taste for alcohol before so this would be a great experience for her.

Hades clears his throat and Izanami turns back to him, "I was particularly excited to hear from you because I've been making similar overtures to other deities recently. The fact that you, Izanami, reached out to me was intriguing."

Izanami blinks slowly as she takes that in, apparently, she isn't the only god of the underworld who has struggled to make friends and feels lonely as a result. "I hope you make more friends then. Of course, if they're interested I'd love to meet them as well."

Hades laughs, causing his jaw to clatter, "That wasn't quite my intent but yes, making more friends is always preferable."

"What was your intent then?" Izanami asks, trying not to sound disappointed.

If this entire meeting was only under the guise of friendship she'll be quite sad. While people having ulterior motives is common, she had thought this situation was different.

Persephone squeezes Hades' hand and preempts his response, "Izanami, we came here because you expressed a desire to be friends. What my husband was alluding to was his goal for approaching others. We wished to meet you after our correspondence, regardless of anything else."

Hades nods emphatically, "My wife speaks the truth. If you wish to hear about the proposal I've given others, I'm more than happy to tell you. If not, we can continue as though it was never mentioned."

Before Izanami can answer Ibaraki growls and pulls her into a half-hug, "You better not've come 'ere to force Izanami into your little cult."

Ibaraki's words are slurred and she hiccups to punctuate her statement. Upon a closer look her entire complexion is flushed, and her eyes unfocused.

"Oh dear," Persephone says, her mouth forming an 'o' in surprise, "It seems your friend is drunk, Izanami. I hadn't considered that ambrosia might be too much for a mortal."

"M' not drunk," Ibaraki slurs, swaying in Izanami's grasp, "I can't get drunk, ever! My body's too strong."

As if to prove that Ibaraki flexes her free arm and lets out a dismissive huff, as if that display would cow the two gods into submission.

Hades grumbles but doesn't say anything, electing to take another drink instead.

Persephone giggles though, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, "She's adorable, Izanami. Where did you find her?"

"My son brought her with him to train here. She's a very sweet girl," Izanami distractedly responds as she checks to make sure Ibaraki's only drunk and not in danger of alcohol poisoning. She sighs in relief after she finishes checking.

"Protective too." Hades nods with something approaching respect. "Is she your descendant then?"

That question causes Izanami to pause, "Why would you guess that?"

"We did research your past before we visited, so as not to offend you by accident." Persephone says, "Naturally we learned of the Thunder Gods you created. The Oni are a byproduct of that, right?"

Izanami nods, glad they didn't bring up the greater context surrounding their creation. "If that's what you meant, then Ibaraki would be extremely distantly related to me. Not enough to be considered a descendent."

The Thunder Gods, Kijin that she created and sent to chase her husband down with the intent of killing him as he escaped Yomi… they were born in the throws of rage without any thought beyond her desire to punish her husband.

After that fateful day, she had placed them firmly out of her mind in an attempt to not think of them again. To call them her children would be a disservice, not to her, but to them. How could she call herself their mother when they were born of hatred?

Her son had taken Fujin and Raijin under his wing and raised them into proper gods. He even went out of his way to update her on their lives when he visited. That didn't mean she deserved their affection or to acknowledge their ill-fated relationship.

Especially when the continued existence of the other six is a mystery to her. Where they ended up or what they did after realizing they would never slay Izanagi is almost entirely unknown to her.

One of them had presumably sacrificed themselves to create the Oni. Their idea must have been to birth a race that may one day accomplish what they could not. Given that their soul had never arrived in Yomi, they might also still live. Or as she explained to Ibaraki, they believed more strongly in an afterlife somewhere else.

That thought, especially stings. That they would hate her so much to not return here even in death.

Izanami idly brushes Ibaraki's hair out of her face, "No, Ibaraki is a dear friend but I'm not using her as a substitute for grandchildren or anything."

"Best friend," Ibaraki corrects petulantly, glaring at her and then back at her guests.

"Ah, I see. Best friends then," Persephone agrees with a clap, watching them fondly.

"I hadn't meant to offend you earlier," Hades offers, circling back to the original conversation, "I merely wished to invite you to join a group of like-minded individuals."

"Like-minded?" Izanami asks, pushing Ibaraki away when she tries to burrow closer.

"You've had your issues with those… unnecessary beings. Bats, crows, and pigeons, that leech off the humans who worship us. Usurping their faith and perverting it." Hades intones passionately, "We sensed that those residences you've built for heroes and honored dead are nearly empty. Are you not also a victim of that thief's poaching?"

Izanami feels anger curl in her chest at the mention of the biblical god, and yes she does empathize with what Hades is saying to a degree. Yet taken as a whole, it sits wrong with her. Even the language he uses to describe them is simply wrong. The effort he goes through to call them something else, to dehumanize them, makes her uncomfortable.

"Hehe, insecure racist Skeletor." Ibaraki giggles and points at Hades causing everyone except her to go still in shock.

Even as uncomfortable as Izanami was with what he was saying, she never would have called him out so bluntly, or so rudely.

Persephone is the first to move again as she bursts out into laughter along with Ibaraki. Izanami on the other hand is trying to figure out the best way to prevent Ibaraki from dying right now.

Persephone, still laughing, pats her husband on the back, "I told you the skeleton look was terrible. Even Zeus agreed and we hardly agree on anything!"

Rather than attempting to erase Ibaraki from existence, Hades just deflates when his wife joins in on the teasing. Izanami chooses that moment to remember how to breathe even as she continues to shield Ibaraki just in case.

"Is it that bad?" Hades directs the question to the table.

Ibaraki, still drunk, doesn't hesitate to answer, "Skeletons are the opposite of scary. You're powerful enough to be scary anyway but the skeleton look takes away from that, you know? 'Sides, you're complaining about the, uh, bible people while dressed as the Pope. Kind of a dumb look dude."

Hades sighs and his head droops downward, "Does it hit harder because I'm being told this by someone so weak?"

Persephone squeezes his shoulder in support, "She is drunk, my love. I doubt she would normally have the courage to directly insult you."

Izanami bites her lip, not having the heart to tell them Ibaraki would've said that anyway if she was comfortable enough.

With a flex of his divine aura, Hades' appearance shifts. The skeleton look is replaced with something more in line with his wife's appearance. A Grecian god with pale skin, dark hair, and traditional dress akin to a classic painting.

His bony form fills out with flesh and muscles, ending with a quite appealing musculature in Izanami's opinion. Not herculean by any means but a thinner, defined physique that shows a quiet strength. Like a warrior-poet, or a scholar who cares for their body.

His eyes shift from pure flames to blue eyes with iris' that flicker with those same flames. Lastly, he crowns himself with those ghastly flames forming a laurel wreath.

Persephone hums her approval and whispers in his ear, causing a blush to bloom on his expression. When she pulls back she looks exceedingly smug and moves her hand to wrap around his bicep.

"Much better," She purrs, her hand stroking his bicep idly.

Izanami, realizing she's staring takes another sip of her drink and looks away. She sighs when she notices Ibaraki reaching for her glass and pulls the glass out of reach.

"Izanami! I was still drinking that." Ibaraki whines, "It shows me awesome things."

Wanting to distract her, Izanami pulls on that thread, "What does the ambrosia show you, sweetie?"

"Hm… Mostly myself but super strong. I was beating up Great Red in the first vision, scales flying everywhere as the big lizard roared in pain, 'was great." Izanami shakes her head in amusement at Ibaraki's idea of 'heaven'. "Slaughtered that overgrown salamander."

The description of her vision is so impossible that Izanami's mind brushes past the fact that Ibaraki shouldn't know of Great Red's existence and latch on to the absurdity instead.

"Oh, and my family too." Ibaraki says, leaning in to whisper in Izanami's ear, "I was even married in one vision. Crazy, right?"

"Aw," Persephone says leaning on her husband's shoulder, "She just keeps getting more adorable."

"To Suzaku?" Izanami asks her.

Ibaraki turns to her with eyes wide, "Did you see it too? That's wild."

Her eyes suddenly narrow, "Does that mean you were dreaming of marrying Suzaku? 'Cause best friends or not, I'll fight ya for her."

Izanami giggles and pats Ibaraki on the head, "No, I was a bridesmaid in the vision."

If anything that makes Ibaraki's eyes narrow further, "Liar, if you were there you'd be my maid of honor."

Izanami is touched by that statement but Ibaraki ruins the mood by hissing at her, "I'll be watching you."

This final threat makes Hades of all people chuckle and both Persephone and Izanami turn to him showing their shock.

"What?" He says defensively, "When she's not insulting me, she can be amusing."

Ibaraki seems to remember who he is after he says this and focuses on him again, "I'm not against you… um… consolidating, that's the word. Consolidating your pantheons."

She pauses to hiccup, "I suggested the same here, after all, but trying to eradicate the biblical factions is dumb. And it shows you're insecure, 'cause that's what this is, jealousy at their success in the modern era."

Hades looks an amusing mixture of offended and contemplative due to Ibaraki's blunt words.

"You're not going to solve anything by doing that." Ibaraki mumbles, "Even if the chaos would make for some good fighting."

Hades raises a brow at the drunken rambling, "So we should try to retain what we have while they gnaw at the fringes of our populations for a taste of our people's faith?"

Ibaraki rolls her eyes and scoffs, "Be a better option and have people want to worship you. It's not even hard, is it? You're like… super strong and stuff."

She waves her hand negligently in Hades' direction, "It's sad that you're in the Top 10 Strongest but not more popular than a bunch of priests and devils."

Her eyes go unfocused again and she giggles with a rosy blush, "Hey, let's fight, right here, right now. I can take you."

Any momentum behind Ibaraki's points evaporates as Hades pinches the bridge of his nose, "Why am I listening to this anymore?"

"We're gonna fight eventually, why not now?" Ibaraki drawls, sneakily reaching for Izanami's glass.

"Stop that," Izanami smacks her hand away from the drink, "Why would you have to eventually fight, Ibaraki?"

"My little sister is a Fallen Angel. If this glorified sack of bones wants to eradicate all Fallen Angels, I'll have to crush him into bone meal, right?" Ibaraki's voice goes monotone and she glares full force at Hades. "Just thinking about my sister being caught in your crosshairs is pissing me off."

Hades looks unbothered, even as Ibaraki starts to emit killing intent, "Attacking me wouldn't be wise, Ibaraki. You're a long way from being my match."

"Huh? Who do you think you are, trying to set my limits? Only I can decide who's my match and right now I'm not sure you could handle me." Ibaraki tries to get out of her seat but Izanami's hand on her shoulder keeps her seated. "You're weak ideology makes you sound like a loser, and I can beat up a loser any day. Since we're friends I won't even kill ya."

As Ibaraki continues to aggressively wiggle in her seat trying to stand up, the other three assembled gods merely watch silently.

"I wouldn't be happy if you tried to kill my guest, Ibaraki," Izanami states, breaking the silence.

"Oh… I won't then." Ibaraki shrugs and goes back to trying to steal Izanami's drink without missing a beat.

Izanami sighs in relief and allows Ibaraki to drink what remains in her glass.

When she looks at her guests she's surprised to see Hades in deep contemplation. Persephone on the other hand is smiling at Ibaraki.

"She's a fierce woman, isn't she?" Persephone asks, "Not many would so brazenly insult my husband. Especially in my presence."

"Fierce is a polite way to describe what she just did," Izanami responds, at a loss for how to proceed. "I apologize for any offense that she caused you. I didn't even think that she might get drunk."

"Izanami, it's fine. I'm not upset and I know my husband well enough that he isn't either." She glances over at Hades who is still deep in thought, "He has probably come to some realization based on what Ibaraki said."

She sighs and gives Izanami a sad smile, "The transgressions of the Biblical God and the devils are difficult to stomach, as I'm sure you know."

"I can't say I'm fond of their thievery, no." Izanami's voice reverbs as her divine aura slips, "I've never considered killing them all though."

"I think that is a side-effect of our history. The Titanomachy and Gigantomachy were only solved by crippling or killing our enemies. Even the Titans came into power by crippling Ouranos. My husband thinks this situation is as dire as those, and other gods agree." Persephone explains.

Izanami remembers what Ibaraki said about the Biblical God being dead and for a moment considers telling Persephone and Hades.

Yet pointing out that weakness in Heaven would surely lead to the start of another Great War, or in this case, a Great Extinction.

She shakes her head and smiles sadly, "I'm somewhat of a shut-in and rarely interact with the outside world. I couldn't say how large of a threat the Biblical Factions are to traditional pantheons. I don't think their destruction will be the solution your husband hopes for, however."

Persephone purses her lips and nods, "I understand. I've had my doubts about my husband's plan as well. Though this is the first time he has thought so deeply about a contrary opinion."

"I can't say I thought much about how others would be affected," Hades says suddenly returning to the conversation. "As annoying as their presence is, they've had a long time to integrate into this world."

Izanami holds back from pointing out how obvious it is that others would be affected by the deaths of entire species of people. Not to mention the way the balance of power would shift worldwide.

"I'll have to ponder that issue for longer it seems. However, the Sacred Gear system and the Longinus are still a problem." While he sounds unsure saying the first part, the second is said with conviction.

Izanami glances at Ibaraki expecting her to say something inflammatory again but she seems to have dosed off.

"Every time a Pantheon tries to control a Longinus, to raise the wielder as a member of their group, they either get killed by outsiders or bite the hand that fed them," Hades says with a look of disgust.

"Olympus has been raising the newest weilder of Regulus Nemea but they constantly have to monitor them in case of assassination attempt or signs of discontent. Yet we can't simply allow them to run free either, lest someone else control them and set them against us." Persephone tells Izanami.

"Should I have been told about that?" Izanami asks and Persephone gives her a feeble grin.

"Despite some rough moments in this conversation, I never lied about wanting to be friends. I don't think that's too large of a secret to share with a friend."

Izanami finds herself returning the grin even if she still feels warry. "Thank you for trusting me with that."

She bites her lip, "Should we talk about something less heavy? I'd love to hear about how you two met."

A sly grin slips onto Persephone's expression, "Did you hear that, my love? Izanami wants to hear all about how we met. Why don't you recount that tale?"

Hades chuckles and shakes his head, "If you insist. It all began when I made the mistake of asking my brother about getting myself a wife…"