10 10: Never Again (II)

"How disappointing" the being's voice echoed like somber chimes throughout the realm. It seemed to come from absolutely everywhere, hammering down on Hades.

His response was but a feeble murmur, scarcely audible in this infernal realm where silence and wailing seemed to merge. "Sorry," his voice drifted away like a wisp of breath in the torrid wind.

A new emotion festered within him, one he had no experience with. It grew like a twisted plague, spreading unease in his mind.

It was not something he would wish to ever live through. It was vastly different from pain. He would even call it worse.

Almost like a robot, following its programming with no superficial thoughts, his head fell down. So down that his chin tucked into his neck. His lips were pressed, while his gaze quickly and respectively switched directions. His shoulders slumped.

He felt like the person before him scrutinized every movement he made, a mocking smile dancing on his face. His gaze was demolishing. Hades felt small and wished to become one of the billions of motes that drifted amidst this tempestral realm.

"Sorry," he repeated, still barely whispering, desiring for all of it to vanish.

Yet it did not.

'Why did I lie?" This question seemed to echo in his head, banging against every wall, banishing away every good memory and replacing them with a single feeling of shame.

Hades wanted to sink into the very ground. The realm, however, did not listen, unlike the Underworld, he held no control over it.

All of a sudden, for the very first time in his life, he was preoccupied by what someone else thought of him.

He felt ashamed.

Though contrary to Hades' belief, Tartarus — the being in front of him — did not harbor a face of scorn. He was not smiling nor mocking the young god.

He felt pity. While watching the Hades ashamed, Tartarus realized something.

He was talking to a kid who had yet to experience life.

He sighed before a soft smile akin to a cloud grew on his face. "Raise your head," he told him to which Hades complied. "I have been watching you for quite some time and what you've shown me has raised high my expectations of you. That's why I felt disappointed in your lie, but that doesn't mean you should be ashamed of yourself. Be more proud of your achievements." he explained, his voice holding traces of compassion.

Slowly, Hades' pale blue eyes regained some of the glistening vigor. "Really?" he asked, retaining his grim demeanor. He did not wish for his hope to crash him even further down.

Tartarus nodded, his smile wider than before. He felt like a father watching his son grow up. It was melancholy. "Do you know why I have been paying attention to you?" he asked Hades, his smile mysterious but warm.

The young god fell into deep thoughts, almost forgetting what previously happened. Curiosity shone in his eyes. "Because I am not supposed to be here?" he finally answered.

Unexpectedly, Tartarus laughed, amusement dancing in his eyes. His voice boomed like a volcano. "No, you're exactly where you're supposed to be."

Hades tilted his to the side in confusion, displaying one of his tics. "Then why?" he asked, his boundless greed for answers shimmering akin to stars in the night.

"Because our pantheon has been missing an Underworld King for some time."

Hades' eyes opened wider, while his thin eyebrows were raised in shock. He already knew beforehand that he had an affinity with the Underworld. However, he did not expect a Primordial to tell him he was going to be the King of such a grand realm which even Kronos had no true control over.

Tartarus revealed his vampiric teeth "And because I quite like you, I want to make a deal." he said, his blood-red eyes twinkling with maroon stars.

"What kind of deal?" his excitement was palpable. He seemed all bubbly.

Yet, his enthusiasm was soon put to a halt. "Don't be so excited, I am not making you a present. While I do like you, you still need to learn that there are consequences to every one of our actions."

Hades' mouth closed; he looked at the ground.

"What do you think of lies?" asked Tartarus, his voice like a churning cauldron.

Hades' gaze fidgeted before he finally answered. While he was still ashamed of being caught lying, it did not mean he would not stay true to his opinion. "Lies are important to cohabitate with one another," he said, raising his head a bit higher than he wished.

"Well I hate lies," said Tartarus in a grim tone. His words brought a lingering silence, only punctured by the rhythmic sound of Hades' nail tapping against his tights.

The Primordial's blood-red eyes transfixed Hades as he told him, "Lying isn't important, neither is telling the complete truth. You don't want to hurt people with your words? Then tell half-truth or fix your way of talking. The truth is never more painful than a lie and that goes for both the one who tells it and the one who is mentioned."

While Hades partly understood what Tartarus meant, it did not mean he agreed. His opinion of lies had already crystallized.

However, things don't always go your way. This was a lesson Hades still had to learn.

"I hate lies" echoed Tartarus. "The perfect like you need to become doesn't lie. Or else, all the trust put in him could be shattered by the mere fickle of wind. So, make a pact with me. Swear on your name that you will never lie ever again — which doesn't mean you have to tell the truth — and I'll crown you as the King of the Underworld. I'll even name you."

Hades' eyebrows rose. If he became King, he would become much stronger, which was something he so terribly desired. He would finally be able to use his control over the Underworld outside of it. Not only would his control over his domain of the dead increase, but he would also become able to summon hordes of Infernal Monsters and use the Infernal Elements.

As a plus, he would get an epithet from a Primordial, which meant his name would get spread throughout Terra and maybe even in other realms.

Though, for that, he had to never lie again.

The minutes ticked by, a silence between both hung in the air as Hades' gaze seemed more pensive the more time passed. His breath and heartbeat loomed over the strings of destiny.

Until he spoke, breaking the stillness. "I accept"

"Good choice, Hades Nekrokratēs, Ruler of the Dead"

***

Finally, almost over with Hades being in Kronos' stomach!

It has been ten chap and he hasn't even be "born" yet 😅.

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