*Knock, knock.
The blonde maid opened the door leading to Iode's room.
"Lord Hades and Lady Persephone have requested your audience," she said.
"Alright, please lead the way," Iode responded.
' Hades… another big shot that one-eyed freak mentioned. Today just keeps getting better'. Iode smiled inwardly.
He was led to a throne room twice the size of Valier's. The space was far more aesthetically pleasing than anything Valier's castle could offer—adorned with plants from the mortal realm, growing from the ceiling, trailing down the walls, and blooming from every corner. Iode was astounded to witness such exquisite beauty in the underworld.
At the center of the throne room stood three prominent figures. Two were seated, while one stood.
One of the seated figures was a man with silver hair and a strikingly handsome, chiseled face and physique. His seat was large and intricately carved, radiating regality and power. He wore a dark toga and sat between the other two.
To his right sat a woman with an aura of life and vibrance. Her golden hair flowed as if constantly stirred by the wind. She was dressed in light floral garments, surrounded by blooming flowers and verdant energy.
The third figure, standing beside the man's left, was a dark-haired woman robed in flowing black garments. Large dark wings extended behind her, and her form was shrouded in sparkling shadows. Though mysterious and cloaked in darkness, her beauty was undeniable and alluring.
Once again, Iode was stunned. Can demons and devils truly be this beautiful? It perplexed him. But in truth, they were not demons or devils—they were gods from the celestial realm who had chosen to reside in the underworld for reasons of their own.
"Iode, right? How was your rest? Was it good?" the golden-haired woman asked in a soft voice.
"Huh? Oh—yes. Thank you. I haven't had a rest like that in... forever," Iode replied.
"Do you know who we are, the ones who summoned you?" she asked again.
"I do not, my apologies," Iode answered.
"Don't sweat it, mortal. I am Persephone, goddess of spring and renewal. Beside me is my husband, Hades, ruler of the underworld. And she—" Persephone gestured to the dark-haired woman "—is Nyx, the primordial goddess of the night. I'm sure you know why you were called."
"Yes, I—"
"You beheaded and mortally wounded my best friend, Cerberus," Hades interrupted with a somber tone. "Not even Hercules or Theseus did him that much harm. How do you answer for this, mortal?"
Iode was taken aback. He hadn't expected the ruler of the underworld to speak with such sadness and vulnerability. A being of his caliber, a celestial, should have had an overwhelming, fearsome aura. Yet here he was—almost mortal in demeanor.
' Behind that somber expression lies an immeasurable power… I must not get on his bad side', Iode thought.
"I'm sorry, ruler of the underworld. I was fighting for my life," Iode said, bowing slightly. "You see, I have a family waiting for me back home. I was given a condition to return—to make Cerberus retreat. I never meant to go that far. I just… I just want to go back home."
Hades looked at him with an aloof expression but soon scowled. Persephone and Nyx subtly shivered—they knew what this meant. Hades rarely engaged in conflict and distanced himself from worldly affairs. He was not quick to punish like other gods. But those who harmed what he cherished—Persephone or Cerberus—faced his wrath.
"Hades, I've been meaning to give you this for a long time," Nyx said, breaking the heavy silence. She brought forth a dark, hexagonal crystal.
"This is the Starless Crystal. It absorbs light, leaving only darkness in its wake. It will amplify the dark energy in your domain," she added.
Hades furrowed his brow and stared at her. "Why are you giving me this now?"
"What? Can't I offer a gift out of goodwill?" Nyx replied.
"You knew this was going to happen. Even a human toddler could see you're protecting him. What's your connection to him, Nyx?"
"What? This is my first time seeing him. We have no prior relationship," Nyx said plainly.
The room fell into total silence. Darkness, deep and absolute, spread across the chamber.
"I'll accept your gift—on one condition. I want the truth behind your motives. This isn't coincidence. We'll hear it... after we're done with him."
"Mortal, it seems the goddess of night is shielding you—for reasons I don't yet understand," Hades said. "But I won't let you off lightly. Still… it appears you are already plagued with a sickness, one that's draining your life force."
He leaned forward slightly, his tone dark and resolute.
"Iode de Pandavatton, I pass this judgment onto you: your blood will occasionally darken—turning smoky gray or dusty red—and thicken. It won't kill you, but it will worsen flare-ups and leave your skin cold and pale. Healing magic will work slower during these periods."
Iode felt something—like a seed—embed itself deep within him. He gritted his teeth. The ones he hoped would help him had only added to his suffering.
' Igor. Valier. Curse you both', he thought.
Yet he said, "Damn it… you've seen the plague on my shoulders and the pain I carry. I do not reject your judgment—but please, honor this one request. I need to return home. I have kids. I'll do anything."
"Desperate, I see. But I do not take advantage of pitiful souls," Hades said.
"But… you are the ruler of the underworld. You can do something," Iode insisted.
"True. I hold absolute authority here—save for Lucifer, Azazel, and a few other fallen angels. But I do not interfere in the affairs of other gods. If you want salvation, speak to Valier."
"But you—"
"Don't push your luck, mortal. I've shown you mercy. You hurt someone I care for. Letting you suffer occasionally is proof I acknowledge you."
' His acknowledgement? What do I need that for?' Iode clenched his fists, his rage swelling. ' Igor, this is all your fault!'
"Mortal, unclench your fist and look," Nyx said calmly.
Iode opened his hand. A small dark orb sat there. Its outer shell was glass-like, but within it churned dark, smoke-like matter.
"That is the Tab of Awakening. Keep it with you," Nyx said.
Iode was confused. First, she'd subtly defended him, and now she was giving him a gift?
He moved to store it in his trouser pocket, but Nyx instructed him to place it in his chest pocket. With nothing else to say, he obeyed—grateful, yet uncertain.
"There is a high chance we will meet again. Until then… goodbye," Hades said. Iode vanished, teleported from the throne room.
---
"So, tell us… what is your real motive, Nyx?" Hades asked.
"I'll tell you," she said. "That mortal carries the blood of Momus—albeit faint and extremely diluted. But I can still sense it."
"That still doesn't justify protecting him and giving him a gift," Persephone said.
Nyx turned to them, her face ethereal, her expression unreadable. She smiled...