Reborn As Hades In Olympus

Ch. 189: Shadows of Tartarus

The air hung heavy with an otherworldly chill as I stood at the edge of the Styx, waiting for the others to arrive. The glow of Charon's lantern reflected on the river's surface, its steady sway mirroring my own unsettled thoughts. Tartarus loomed ahead like a yawning maw, its foreboding presence more palpable than ever. The figure's warning about "choosing my allies wisely" still echoed in my mind, a reminder of the precarious balance we walked.

Talos arrived first, her steel-plated frame gleaming faintly under the dim light of the Underworld. Her expression was resolute, yet her eyes held a glint of concern. She had armed herself with her finest weapon, an unusual move that spoke volumes about the gravity of the mission ahead.

"Hades," she said, her voice a mix of reassurance and warning, "the more I think about this, the more I suspect we're dealing with something far beyond what we've prepared for."

"We'll handle it," I replied, though I wasn't entirely certain of the truth in my words. "It's not like I'm weak either."

Before she could respond, the sharp clip of footsteps drew our attention. Hecate emerged from the shadows, her presence a blend of serenity and menace. Dressed in flowing black robes, she carried her signature staff, its tip glowing faintly with arcane energy.

"You didn't think you'd do this without me, did you?" she asked, her voice cool and commanding.

I allowed myself a faint smile. "I was counting on your... perspective."

"Good," she said, her gaze sweeping over the dark expanse before us. "You'll need it."

Moments later, Charon appeared, his skeletal form gliding effortlessly across the river. His long pole plunged into the waters with rhythmic precision, the faint sound echoing in the stillness.

"My lord," he rasped, his hollow voice betraying no emotion, "the path to Tartarus grows unstable. The cracks are spreading."

"Then we have no time to waste," I said.

Finally, Arman arrived, his serpentine frame coiling gracefully as he approached. The prince of the Snakemen was as enigmatic as ever, his emerald scales catching the faint glow of the lantern.

"Interesting company you've gathered, Lord Hades, I never fabcied you to be the group type. I guess the rumors about taking out your brother was true," Arman remarked, his tone equal parts amusement and intrigue. "Are we solving puzzles or preparing for war?"

"Possibly both," Talos said curtly, her eyes narrowing at his flippancy.

Arman raised a hand in mock surrender. "Relax, Talos. I'm here to help."

Charon guided us onto his skiff, and we began our journey toward the heart of Tartarus. The river's dark waters lapped ominously at the sides of the vessel, a constant reminder of the peril that lay ahead.

As we traveled, the group's tension began to ease, replaced by a quiet camaraderie born of shared purpose.

"It's strange," Hecate mused, breaking the silence. "I've spent eons working to maintain the balance of magic, but this feels... different. More personal."

"Personal?" Arman asked, his serpentine eyes gleaming with curiosity.

She nodded, her gaze distant. "The seals on Tartarus were forged with the blood of the Primordials. If they're failing, it means something ancient is rising—something tied to the very foundation of our existence."

"Something older than the gods," Talos added, her voice heavy with foreboding.

Arman hissed softly, his tail curling. "And here I thought the politics of Olympus were dangerous enough."

I glanced at him. "You've had your own battles to fight, Arman. The alliance with your tribe hasn't been without its challenges."

He smiled faintly. "True. But watching you navigate alliances with gods, mortals, and everything in between? That's a level of diplomacy I don't envy."

Talos smirked. "You mean you're glad you don't have to deal with Zeus?"

Arman shuddered theatrically. "Precisely."

Even Charon, ever the silent observer, let out a dry chuckle.

The rare moment of levity was short-lived as the air grew colder, the glow of Tartarus casting eerie shadows across the water. The faint hum of dark energy became more pronounced, a tangible force pressing against us.

We disembarked at the jagged shoreline, the ground beneath us trembling faintly. Ahead lay the crack— a jagged fissure in the walls of Tartarus, its edges glowing with an ominous light. Tendrils of dark energy seeped from its depths, curling like smoke.

"This is worse than I imagined," Talos said, her voice low.

Hecate stepped closer, her staff glowing brighter as she studied the crack. "The energy here is ancient, primal. This isn't just a breach— it's a wound."

"What could have caused this?" Arman asked, his voice unusually subdued.

"Someone— or something— with knowledge of the seals," Hecate replied. "And power to match."

I stepped forward, my gaze fixed on the fissure. The growl I had heard in the vision echoed faintly, a deep, resonant sound that sent a shiver down my spine.

"We need to identify the source," I said. "If this is the work of the Circle— or something worse— we have to act quickly."

Talos drew her sword, its blade gleaming with enchantments. "I'll guard the perimeter. If anything comes through that crack, it won't make it far."

Arman moved to her side, his serpentine form coiling protectively. "I'll help. My tribe's magic may not be as ancient as yours, but it's potent enough."

Hecate knelt by the crack, her hands hovering over its surface. "I'll analyze the energy. If we're lucky, I might be able to trace it back to its source."

Charon remained silent, his hollow gaze fixed on the fissure. Though he said nothing, his presence was a steadying force, a reminder of the Underworld's enduring strength.

As I joined Hecate, the energy from the crack pulsed, a rhythmic beat that seemed to resonate with my very essence.

"Do you feel that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded. "It's alive. Whatever's behind this crack, it's watching us."

Her expression darkened. "Then we'd better make this quick."

Hecate's staff glowed brighter as she chanted an incantation, her voice weaving a tapestry of magic that shimmered in the air. The tendrils of dark energy recoiled slightly, as if recognizing her power.

"It's coming from deeper within Tartarus," she said, her voice tense. "But there's a secondary force— something external. It's like a tether, connecting this breach to... something outside."

"Could it be the Circle?" Talos asked, her sword at the ready.

"Possibly," Hecate replied. "But this magic feels older than theirs. If they're involved, they're working with forces they don't fully understand."

The ground trembled violently, and the crack widened slightly. From its depths, a low, guttural growl echoed, louder this time. The air grew colder, the oppressive energy pressing against us like a physical weight.

"We need to seal this," I said, my voice firm. "Now."

Hecate nodded, her hands moving in intricate patterns as she began to weave a sealing spell. Talos and Arman stood guard, their eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of movement.

As the spell took shape, the crack seemed to resist, its energy flaring angrily. A sudden burst of force knocked us back, and from the fissure emerged a shadowy form, its features indistinct but its presence undeniably malevolent.

"Who dares disturb me?" the figure growled, its voice a blend of rage and ancient power.

I stepped forward, my gaze unwavering. "I am Hades, Lord of the Underworld. And you have no place here."

The figure laughed, a sound that echoed with dark amusement. "Oh, but I was here long before you, little god. And soon, I will be here long after."

Hecate's spell flared again, the light pushing the figure back slightly. "Not if we have anything to say about it," she said, her voice laced with defiance.

The figure snarled, retreating into the crack but not before issuing a final warning. "You cannot stop what is coming. The seals will fall, and Tartarus will be mine again."

As the figure disappeared, the crack pulsed one last time before Hecate's spell took hold, sealing it temporarily.

The silence that followed was deafening.

"We need answers," I said finally, my voice heavy with determination. "And we need them now."

Talos placed a hand on my shoulder, her grip firm. "We'll find them, Hades. Together."

I looked at her, then at the others. For the first time in a long while, I felt the strength of the bonds we had forged. Whatever lay ahead, we would face it—not as individuals, but as a united front.

The shadows of Tartarus might be deep, but our resolve was deeper still.