18. Wake up and smell the roses

Sorry for the lateness, I know you guys don't like how hades acted last chapter along with how he treated Angela so I've been editing my future to try and fix that as I also realize that it's kinda mean.

Enjoy

"Why are you even here Hades? What do you hope to accomplish stoking my wrath?" Dream asks, his stature strong like a statue as he observes the tall god. They were leagues away from each other each looking small to any mortal in their position. Hades face gains a ponderous tint as he thinks for a moment eventually deciding his answer. Before going to sleep he didn't even know that dream existed let alone Dream of the endless from Dc. But now that he does know it opens a lot more possibilities. Lucifer exists, and so does her version of hell, which means he needs to step up his soul collection game. 

"Why cant it just be for fun? Why does everything need a reason. You know who I am don't you? So stop acting so coy." Hades speaks, his tone clear and crisp as he mocks the Dream king. Dream raises an eyebrow a small frown on his face. Dream, being a near omniscient presence, would have to know that Hades wasn't really a natural born soul from this universe. 

"Yes and I find your situation quite amusing, after all, I wonder what you will do with all this newfound power and limitless time, mortals rarely if ever get caught in such a situation usually plagued by the threat of tomorrow with tribulations out of their control, their lives like races eager to reach their goals but you have none of that, so I am eager to see what you dream up. Which is why you cannot stay in the Dreaming, eventually you have to wake up, and live." He stood straighter sand starting to swirl at his feet.

"So I, Dream of the Endless, King of dreams, Ruler of the Nightmare realms, The Sandman request your departure. Or, continue on your reckless path of ruination, and accomplish nothing." With that said the world begins to fracture as if made of glass. Swirls of glass shards and storms of dust fly through the air intensifying with each passing second.

"Don't act as if you thought I would actually leave just like that. I came to see the Lord of Dreams and I am not disappointed!" All around Hades cracks as if in mirrors form with sand beginning to pile up. Hades can't just leave, he's been here for over a century just wanting to meet one of of the most powerful existences in the Universe and now that he has he wants to see how strong he is. 

"Let me fight you, or one of your Nightmares at the least? Let me see where I stand one the scale of a universal power." Hades asks with sincerity, although he's not much of a blood lusted maniac he can't say throwing magic around trying to kill someone wasn't fun. Even if he knew he didn't stand much of a chance at winning.

Dream pauses for a second, his eyes staring into Hades looking for something, and for just a moment, a miniscule smile shone through on his face as he proceeded. " I suppose since you insist, one of my Nightmares will fight you, of course I will take away your privilege to control the dreamscape. And I do hope you are prepared." Dream says slightly amused and begins to slightly float in the air. In front of Hade a spiral of sand unwinds, a figure materializing as it falls.

"Hey there, pal, how you doin on this spectacular evening?" A suave voice says. his form revealed from a puff of sand. He was tall, dark, and handsome with charm emanating from him in waves, he had a blond undercut wearing blacked out aviator sunglasses. A charming smile exposes his perfectly white teeth with his canines looking like short fangs with a pristine yet burning cigarette between his lips. He wore a tight and fitting dark blue two piece suit perfectly covering his lean body with ornate buttons and a black tie with reflective skulls imprinted on it.

"I'm The Corinthian otherwise known, as your worst Nightmare. Now, the big guy in the sky told me to beat you up and that sounds like a good ol time to me..." Exhaling a puff of smoke it leaves images of faces screaming in pain with teeth for eyes within it.

"So lets get this show started." Throwing the cigarette down he steps on the bud and grinds it down, snuffing it's flame out, his glasses gaining a malicious glint to them.

The world begins to shift and warp as Dream disappears and in a storm of sand a colosseum builds itself trapping both of us within. He reappears sitting atop a sandstone throne, Lucienne standing next to him looking a little concerned. 

Looking at the two preparing to brawl she ask why Dream was doing this, who was this God Hades? Dream, continuing to look at the two responds in a low voice.

"He is an Otherworlder someone from an entirely different Universe. His soul smuggled across the boundaries and placed in the body of a god, somehow containing limitless potential by design or accident is unimportant." Dream knows that right now Hades can't stand a chance against any of his Nightmares not even the Corinthian who is one of the weakest.

The banter continues between the two of them until The Corinthian seems to get tired of it.

"Pal.. you have no idea." Within an instant he stands Infront of Hades leaving an after image still smiling where he kicked off. Before Hades can react he's hit with an uppercut launching him into the sky his chin little more than scuffed but shocked nonetheless. As he falls back he flips his body landing in a smooth standing pose.

"Just what I'd expect from one of Dreams Nightmares. But I hope you didn't think that would actually do anything. I might actually have some fun if that was just an appetizer so no more games." His body swelling with heat his eyes burn a scarlet red and his power swells. With mirth he spreads his arms and doing little jazz hands he disappears. An instant later appearing behind The Corinthian his eyes still focused on his blurred after image.

With vicious intent Hades haymakers him in the back of his head, his body rag dolling through the sandy beach until he hits the wall of the colosseum. And without hesitation, before he can get up Hades casts his spell, one he's been cooking up for quite a while. [Purgatory] Power pours off him in waves as his magic manifests in the world around them igniting into deep purple flames as the sand melts into liquid glass all of his abilities being boosted to the highest degree. Armor made of netherite is summoned on his body with it wreathed in fire he looks like a fucking demon. Summoning his Orphan Annihilator it's weighty axe head smacking into the ground he advances on The Corinthian. His form like a colossal titan of metal his long, brooding halberd dragging a line in the sand like death as he approaches the Nightmare.

Suddenly sand is kicked up and the sound barrier shatters as The Corinthian smashes into Hades, Hades blocking him at the last second his armored fist catching The Corinthians wrist yet stopping him in his tracks. Within his hands Is a simple looking dagger with a deadly glint on its edge. Hades eyes squint as he can feel the pure bloodlust the weapon emanates as if it's hungry to rip his guts out.

With quick movements Hades shoves him away his instincts screaming to stay away from his knife.

"What's the matter little god? Getting scared?." For some inexplicable reason Hades starts to sweat. All around him are flames the size of buildings capable of liquifying steel in seconds yet its not from that. No, this feeling is new, this feeling is bad.

It was fear.

The Corinthian standing not even 10 feet from him simply stands there, a wide toothy smile on his face now looking not like that of a regular man but of demon, of a monster in all respects, of a Nightmare. Hades nightmare. In an instant the world fell and all he could see was him.

The Corinthian. The Scoundrel, The Beast. 

Hades was frozen, his very breath stopped in fear, and yet nothing happened. As if it was waiting. And so with but a moments thought he pulled himself from his stupor reaching the very dredges of his power his body vaporizes into ashes as the kingly skeleton is once again revealed in all of it Deathly splendor he cranes his Halberd back channeling all of his might at the very worst thing he can imagine, the weapon ablaze and wreathed in death he swings, nothing held back.

...

...

...

*BOOM*

The Dream world shuddered and splintered and fire erupted as if it was a supernova. The Colosseum being revealed once again now scorched and melted cracks running through every direction all emanating from where The Corinthian was standing.

"See, now that's the thing with you 'gods'. You think your top of the food chain, the so called apex, best, of, the, best. I hate to be bearer of bad news, but that's just not true pal."

And yet Hades could not help but let out a sigh at the sight.

With seemingly zero effort The Corinthian simply catches Hades axe just before it connects with his neck completely stopping all it's momentum, effortlessly. They both stand there still as statures. Hades giant form towers over The Corinthian yet seems weak as he holds his weapon still, stuck like in a vice grip.

Hades out of options launches a lightning speed kick yet was instantly stopped with the Nightmares own kick, Hades leg shattering into pieces all of the magic attached completely ignored. His eyes wide in surprise as he quickly casts another spell. [Dead Ma-]

"Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey." Before a second can even pass hades is blasted, a shockwave resonating from the force, to the other end of the colosseum his body riddled with stab wounds as he lays there lifelessly, his body oozing golden blood like a fountain, his eyes ripped from their sockets. 

And just like that, he was awake. 

"What was that?" Lucienne asks Dream confused as to what just happened. She was similar to a normal human in fighting capacity so of course she could not see something that was faster than the refresh rate of her eyes.

"I'll explain. Within the span of a millisecond The Corinthian cut and stabbed Hades thousands of times, each fully piercing him and with his powers he was strong enough to kill him awake easily. Overall Hades never stood a chance against The Corinthian, he's simply too weak as he is now, though now that he has experience the might of beings such as us he should be much more motivated to improve." Lucienne nods in understanding. To her, Dreams personal creations were something to be feared, each boasting power on similar levels to his own.

"Forgive me for asking, but if he had no hopes of winning, then why would you pit them against each other?" She asks curious why the King of Dreams, the personification of hope would put someone through something so hopeless.

"Because he has potential, unlike any I've seen or dreamt before. I know you understand Lucienne. People cannot live in the Dreaming. Eventually, they have to wake up and grow, learn and experience the immeasurable things the Waking has to offer. And then, when they get tired, or need a respite from the trial of life, they can come here and dream, but not live. " Dream says moving to leave as Hades body was already dematerializing. The colosseum starting to collapse as The Corinthian vanishes and Dream and Lucienne leave through a portal. Hades dream officially coming to an end.