Chapter 19: Dear Brother

Arthur leaned back in his throne, his gaze fixed on Merlin. He knew that his friend was right. Raven, despite being weakened, still posed a significant threat. There was a reason even someone like Hades was cautious of him.

"You're right," Arthur admitted. "I can't put innocent lives at risk, just to satisfy my desire for battles. I'll leave you to handle this."

"I'll call on the Round Table and tell them to increase security." Merlin nodded. "If that kid dares enter Camelot, he won't be allowed to leave."

He finished healing all wounds of Arthur, who once again looked like his dignified self.

Arthur rested on the throne as he commented. "I doubt he would risk coming here. He would have to be a fool to risk it at a time like this. But it's still good to be careful."

On this, Merlin also agreed with Arthur. Both of them knew that the best plan in this time for Raven was to stay hidden and try to recover his strength. But still, Merlin didn't want to take any risk just because of his overconfidence.

"It's going to be quite a headache. With his return, all those insects will start coming out of their hiding as well..." he signed, feeling a headache as he thought about the future.

....

Hades sat on his throne, gazing at the small scratch on the back of his hand. The scratch was a minor one, yet it refused to heal. Even with his divine abilities, Hades couldn't heal the wound he received from Arthur's sword.

"It's not easy to heal that." Apollo stood before Hades, commenting as if he could understand his thoughts. "It'll heal slowly. It's from that cursed sword after all."

"Did I ask you?" Hades coldly asked, his eyes narrowing at Apollo. "Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about yourself. If you keep disappointing me, I don't know when I'll lose myself to anger and crush that skull of yours."

"So get back to work and find me the whereabouts of Gaia!" His voice became louder as the temperature rose.

Apollo didn't respond. He only sighed. "I'll take my leave, since it looks like you're going to have a guest?"

He turned around and walked out of the hall.

Hades frowned, hearing him mention a guest. He had a bad feeling about this as there were only a few people who dared to enter this place without his permission.

He sat straight, looking at the entrance. He could hear footsteps getting closer. The moment that person came into his view, Hades felt his anger flare even more.

"Hey, little brother. I heard you got beaten by an ant?"

At the entrance, there stood a young man, his long silver hair flowing in the wind. In the middle of his forehead, there was a golden lightning mark, symbolizing his divine lineage.

He had a tall and athletic build, with a strong presence that commanded attention. Zeus was dressed in a sleek outfit that perfectly blended his divine heritage with modern trends. He wore a fitted black leather jacket with intricate gold embroidery.

A mischievous smile played on the lips of the 17 year old as he taunted Hades.

"You still have the time to smile after causing this whole mess?" Hades furrowed his brows, crossing his arms, unamused by Zeus's playful demeanor.

If it wasn't for this brother of his, none of this would've happened. Raven would've been dead, and everything would've been fine.

"You sent the Sky Fortress without even informing me! Even when you knew how important it was, you took it so lightly. And even after everything became such a mess, you still have time to play around?"

"It's not my fault you didn't know what happened under your nose." Zeus shrugged as he waved his hand, making another throne appear next to Hades.

In the blink of an eye, he appeared on the new throne, sitting lazily on it, his expression teasing. "Besides, where's the fun in telling you everything? We all need a little mystery in our lives, don't you think?"

Hades clenched his fists, his anger bubbling inside him. He glared at Zeus, his eyes burning with intensity. "This is not a game."

"That's the problem. It's not a game." Zeus laughed, an apple appearing in his hand. He took a bite from the apple as he continued, "How many centuries has it been since we've been killing him."

"These centuries have been so boring. What's the fun in killing him when he doesn't even remember anything? Isn't it more fun to have him remember? Isn't it more fun to give him hope so we can snatch it from him? Isn't it more fun to play this little game?"

"You... So you intentionally sent the Sky Fortress with such weak security?" Hades' expressions darkened.

Until now, he had thought that this was all because Zeus was careless and didn't think this through. But if it was truly intentional, then it upset him even more.

"I just gave him an opportunity. But honestly, I hadn't expected him to actually be able to escape." Zeus took another bite while lazily explaining. "I must say, what happened was actually beyond my expectations. He truly hadn't disappointed me."

"You..." Hades was at a loss of words. He didn't know if Zeus was taking everything too lightly, or was it his immaturity in this life.

"Anyway, since this game has already begun, shouldn't you also start playing?" Zeus spoke as he again disappeared.

This time, he appeared near the exit, his back facing Zeus.

"Oh, and one last thing before I leave." A devilish smirk spread across his lips.

Hades could feel a sense of danger, multiple lightning bolts appearing all around him.

"You should mind your attitude when talking to me, my dear brother. Don't forget who is the elder one," Zeus stated as he walked away, disappearing from Hades' view.

The lightning bolts fell on the second throne next to Hades, turning it into nothingness.

"Arghhh!" Hades roared in rage, the entire Olympus trembling as if there was an earthquake.