Chapter 10

It was months later and I was in the overworld relaxing enjoying the crisp air of this untamed land that would one day be Greece. The sensation was short-lived as a sickly stench reached my nose—an unnatural, acrid scent carried on the wind. My senses sharpened, and I knew something was terribly wrong.

A heaviness pressed against my chest as I stepped closer, stopping just outside the cave entrance. I called out, my voice calm but commanding, resonating with power.

"Is anyone alive in there?"

A tense silence followed before I heard shuffling footsteps. An old man, his shoulders bent with age and hardship, emerged cautiously, flanked by two younger men holding crude spears. Their expressions were wary but not hostile. The old man, who I guessed was their chief, eyed me warily before stepping forward.

"Who are you, stranger?" he asked, his voice gravelly and weak.

I smiled gently, lowering myself slightly to appear less imposing. At 8'10", towering over these mortals was inevitable, but I had no wish to frighten them. "My name is Hades, I am the king of the Underworld," I said, my voice even. "I sensed a large amount of dying souls and came to see why."

The chief's eyes widened in fear. "One of the Grim Reapers?" he asked hesitantly. Ah it seems that my Grim Reapers have been becoming popular in the mortal world already.

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "They work for me," I said, folding my arms. "But I am not here to collect souls today. Your home is filled with a poisonous gas—hydrogen sulfide, it will kill you all."

The chief stiffened, his expression grim. "Then you have come to take us to the next life," he said solemnly.

I shook my head. "No," I said firmly. "I have come to save you."

Without another word, I stepped past the three men. They scrambled to make way for me. Inside the cave, I was met with the sight of a roughly large cave. I saw a little over twenty members, several men and females, some children all of various ages. The air was thick, oppressive, and reeked of sulfur, thses humans were all sick and weak, looking at me as if I was some god of death.

I ignored the stares as I moved toward the far end of the cave, where I could feel the poison emanating most strongly. My steps echoed in the hollow space, the sound amplified by the tension hanging in the air. With a surge of power, I struck the stone wall, breaking through to reveal a deeper cavern. The hiss of escaping gas grew louder, and I saw the source—a vast lake, its surface slick with deadly sulfide. I approached the edge, the fumes no bothering me one bit.

Kneeling, I plunged my hand into the toxic waters, summoning my domain of destruction. The lake churned and hissed as my power radiated through it, purging the poison and rendering the water pure. I watched as the blackened sludge dissolved into nothingness, leaving the lake shimmering and clear.

When I withdrew my hand, I noticed the damage—my flesh and muscles had been eaten away, leaving only bone. I clenched my fist, letting the regenerative properties of my divine form take hold. The flesh knit itself back together in seconds, and I turned to face the tribe.

They had followed me to the cavern, standing at a safe distance, their faces filled with awe and fear.

"Gather everyone," I commanded, my voice echoing off the cavern walls. "Bring them before me. I will heal everysingle one of you, from this day forward you shall belong to me. You shall be the first of my followers!"

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It was onver an hour later when every single one was healed and healthy. After being healed they all got togeather and bowed low to the ground swearing their loyalty. They were my first followers, the first of my people.

Perhaps it was the arrogance, but I wanted them to be the greatest tribe alive, I wanted them to have more strength and wisdom than any other human. If I was to have followers, they would be ones to rival any civilization, I only accept the best of the best.

And so I spent the next twenty years teaching them.

The days bled into years, though time held little meaning for me. I taught them everything they needed to survive, crafting their knowledge from my own wisdom and borrowing from what other gods had done in the stories in my past life. I showed them how to farm the land, how to hunt efficiently, how to read the skies for weather or now what time it was by checking the sun. I set for them my own version of the 12 Commandments, even carving them into stone tablets. 

I wrote ten books for them, each filled with information they would need. The tribe called them the Scriptures of Hades. For example the first book teaches acceptance of death as a natural part of life and encourages reflection on the fleeting nature of time, inspiring followers to live with purpose and urgency. Offering lessons on balancing ambition with humility. While the tenth book, encourages followers to think about the mark they'll leave behind after death. Providing guidance on building a lasting legacy through deeds, relationships, etc. 

Each book was different had had lessons that would help them live their lives. In return, they gave me their unwavering devotion, carving my name into their cave walls and singing my praises in hymns I never asked for but secretly appreciated. I watched a new generation be born and a new Cheif be sworn in to lead the Tribe of Aidoneus.

When it was time to leave, I gathered them at the cave's entrance.

"I will return," I told them, my voice steady. "And when I do, I expect to see all that I have taught you blossom into something greater. I hope you do not dissapoint me."

With that, I left them, feeling both the weight and the satisfaction of what I'd done.

Returning to the Underworld was like stepping back into an old, familiar home. The air was thick with the hum of souls moving through their eternal paths. My Grimm Reapers, Thanatos, Moros, and Keres, were working diligently, bringing more souls to be judged. Most were mundane—farmers, laborers, merchants. They filled the Lower City, destined for lives of unremarkable contentment in the afterlife.

But then came an interesting one. A young man stood before me, his soul radiant with an odd purity. He introduced himself as Abel.

"Abel," I mused, studying him. "As in the Abel?"

"Yes, and if I be so bold, who are you, Lord? Are you the Fallen Angel Lucifer? I did not expect Hell to be so beautiful."

Amusement flickered within me. "No I am no Lucifer. My name is Hades the god of this realm." Of course for added affect I let my wings unfurl out letting my power roll off my body. 

"No it can't be, there is only one God. The great God that created the universe!"

"Sorry to break it to you but there are over a thousand different gods in the world, each apart of a different culture. Why are you here in the greek lands?"

"My father Adam and his wives had left the Garden of Eden and..."

"I don't need your entire backstory."

"S-sorry, Lord Hades. My parents moved to these lands from across the sea after they were kicked from the Garden. I died by my brothers hands just months later."

"I do not know, my lord," he said softly. "I only know that I was sent here after my death."

"I see, fine you shall work for me from this day on. You shall work in my kingdom and work as the caretakers of my pets."

"Your pets sir?" 

"My pet snake, Pythagora. Later I might get more pets so who knows." I responded. "Do not worry I shall teach you how to care for her."

"I shall try my best, Lord Hades."

"I shall also grant you a home in Elysium," I responded. "You should know where to go. You are dismissed."

He bowed deeply before leaving the throneroom. I called for Briareus, and he came into the throneroom and bowed.

"I need you to go to the above world and find a young man named Cain," I commanded, my tone leaving no room for question. "This man shall bear the mark of the beast on his body, when you find him bring him to me."

Briareus bowed low, before he turned and left the throneroom. "It shall be done, Lord Hades."