Reborn As Hades In Olympus

Ch. 182: The Aftermath Of The Battle & A Quiet Retreat

The air still smelled of ash and iron, a testament to the battle that had just ended. I looked at the grand hall of Olympus, now a ruin of shattered marble and fractured columns, smoke curling lazily into the sky. The weight of victory pressed heavy on my shoulders, a strange mix of relief and exhaustion.

Around me, my team gathered in varying states of weariness and triumph. Talos stood by my side, her usual steel demeanor softened by the faint smile tugging at her lips. She had earned this victory as much as anyone. I turned to the others, noting their wounds and resolve. It was time to regroup, to leave before the Olympian authorities arrived to claim their victory and probably to cause a ruckus.

Having the battle broadcast live was enough as it was, my part here was now done. I never intended to linger longer or get involved in Olympus.

"We've lingered long enough," I said, my voice steady but low. "Olympus will want its explanation, but we've no time to satisfy their curiousity."

Talos nodded, brushing soot from her armor. "Agreed. Hera's cooperation will keep them distracted, but we should move."

Hecate stepped forward, the staff in her hand clicking softly against the cracked marble floor. Her face bore a weariness deeper than the physical toll. Next to her was Aphrodite who looked equally as worn out. "The curses are broken," Hecate murmured. "With Pandora gone the balance of world has shifted, even if it's in favour of the gods. There's work to be done."

"You've done enough for now," I replied, meeting her gaze. "Rest while you can. We'll deal with the aftermath later." Her mind was always hard on work all of the time, I was happy that she survived.

Hecate hesitated but nodded, the faintest smile gracing her lips. "For once, Hades, I'll take your advice."

Aphrodite walked up to me, barely moving with much stamina. Reaching me she threw her arms around me and buried her face in my arms. "Thank you, you kept your word."

Oh right. Her curse was broken now, she was free. Her curse was that it prevented her from ever falling in love, if she broke this she would experience unimaginable pain and possibly death. She must have felt deeply relieved to be free now.

I pressed my hand on her head and said in a cold voice. "Of course I always keep my word."

She pulled back and smiled weakly, "I got a chance to beat up Apollo."

After a moment with her eyes still on me, I realized she was waiting for me to speak, "Oh, it that so? How did that feel."

I could see her eyes beam as she suppressed something I suspected to be a laugh and said. "It felt really good. I know we planned to win but still winning for once feels... Ecstatic."

I opened my mouth to comment but then closed it back and nodded.

I walked forward to Hephestus who held the vessel of Pandora in his hands. Originally I had planned to destroy both the vessel and the entity but he really managed to pull it off.

I stopped before him, my shadow reaching out and devouring his huge frame under the moonlight. My eyes flashed as I looked down at him crying softly and said. "Wipe your tears, you're a god. We won, you won your old friend, you should be happy."

Without looking my way he nodded and wiped his face, next he gave a low laugh and said after a while. "Why curse is gone now, you were never what others said you were Hades. You're— I'm grateful, truly."

I swear all this pleasantries was starting to make my stomach turn. "We'll be rounding up soon, get ready."

With that I left him and turned to the two figures standing a little distance away. One was Ares, the god of war and the other Eris, the goddess of strife. With the help of Madame Perisa I was able to get in contact with Eris, I had to simply convince her to help my cause and in exchange I would increase her status in Olympus. As for Eris I had a thought that he would help me regardless, as long as he knew it was me calling.

"Hades." Ares said with a bright smile and a nod.

I stopped before him and said. "I appreciate your help, both of you."

Ares beamed with joy and respect while Eris simply nodded and smiled. At another corner was of the roof was Hermes lying down on the floor, for a moment I was afraid he would be badly hurt or worse.

If I remembered correctly, Hera actually despised him so the chances of her healing him were slim. As I approached him I found him breathing causing me to breath a sigh of relief.

"Hermes, you okay?" I asked with a bit of concern slipping through.

He opened his eyes and looked at me, the flickers that always swam there were now unstable. "Oh, hi Hades. I'm just resting."

I sighed and said. "I'm sorry to intrude but can you get us out of here?"

He responded with a deep sigh that possibly meant he was spent but he did not want to refuse.

I turned my attention to the rest of the team and spotted Hera still around. She stood with her arms crossed, her golden hair gleaming despite the dirt streaking her face. She tilted her head, meeting my eyes with a mix of gratitude and something else— something softer. "Well, Hades," she said, her tone light but edged with sincerity, "I suppose you did okay for the King of the Underworld."

I snorted. "High praise, coming from you. The queen truly flatters the king of the dead."

Her lips curled into a smirk. "Don't get used to it."

I could not help but say. "For someone that seems to be indifferent all of the time you do look beautiful when you smile."

I watched her face go blank with shock and smiled at the effect I had left her with. She spoke in a hushed tone only I could hear, "How vulgar."

I saw Hermes leaned against a broken pillar, his usual mischievous grin replaced by a rare look of contemplation. "You know," he said, spinning his caduceus lazily, "I think I'll actually miss this chaos. It's been a while since we gods ever worked together like this."

"Try not to start the next war," I replied dryly.

"No promises," he shot back with a wink, but his tone lacked its usual bite.

Ares and Eris stood slightly apart from the group, their battle-worn appearances doing little to hide the satisfaction still eating at their eyes. I managed to pick up some of their chatter. "You've proven yourself to Hades, Ares," Ares said gruffly, his deep voice cutting through the silence. "This victory is as much yours as it is theirs."

Eris grinned, her sharp teeth glinting. "Don't let it go to your head, though."

"Noted," He said, inclining his head to the ground and pretending to be resolute.

"Your efforts were crucial. Both of you." I said catching them off guard.

Finally, I turned to Hera, who stood at the edge of the ruins, her back to us as she surveyed the destruction. I was still unable to figure her out, at the moment she wasn't my priority. "Hera," I called out.

She glanced over her shoulder, her expression unreadable now. "What is it now, Hades?"

"Thank you," I said simply.

She raised an eyebrow, a rare look of surprise crossing her face. Then she smirked. "Don't let it go to your head, either. You will be owing me one now."

I chuckled knowing that would be something big considering her standards. Still I felt the need to add a little joke. "At least put one on the house."

I could hear the sirens wailing in the distance as they approached the building. The dark pantheon my alliance had won, not everything went according to my plan but still it was rewarding.

But why did I still feel burdened. Was is because of the impact Poseidon's betrayal would have on this world, Apollo as well, would this cause the people to lose fate in the twelve gods that ruled Olympus? The consequences of my actions bit at me like a grim reminder of something.

I still wished I was there in the final moments of Pandora. There were still many pressing questions, what would Zeus do now that his most cherished brotherhood had been broken. As I marched forward to the next chapter of my adventure I let myself be absent-minded for once, the problems of tomorrow could wait till that time. Now, I had to have some closure...!Nôv(el)B\\jnn