Gigantomachia - Preparation
"Hades, Hermes has come to visit."
"Send him in."
Today, Hermes, the god of messengers, had come all the way to the Underworld. His demeanor was unusual—gone was his usual playful demeanor, replaced by a serious expression.
"Lord Zeus has ordered an attack on the plains of Phlegra tomorrow. He has also summoned you to a meeting today."
"...Tell him I’ll be there on Olympus shortly."
"Understood, Lord Hades."
As soon as he received my answer, Hermes quickly disappeared. Likely to spread Zeus's summons to the gods scattered across the seas and lands.
This sudden declaration of war by the king of the gods didn’t surprise me too much, as I had received a letter a few days earlier to prepare for war. I had been advised to act as usual so as not to alert the Gigantes or Gaia.
I picked up my Helm of Darkness, the Kynee, which always lay beside my throne. Extending my hand, I summoned my two-pronged spear, the bident, and rose from my seat.
"Who’s outside the audience chamber?"
"Yes, my lord!"
"Summon every god in the fortress, excluding the Hecatoncheires guarding Tartarus."
"Everyone... you mean even Lord Charon and Lord Thanatos...?"
"All of them."
Though Thanatos and Charon are among the busiest gods in the Underworld, they would have to pause their duties for a matter of this magnitude. The dead may be confused, but there’s no helping it.
Taptaptap.
The hurried steps of a messenger echoed from outside as I made my way toward Tartarus. The decisive battle was near; I needed to request the Hecatoncheires brothers to reinforce their vigilance over Tartarus.
Descending deeper into the Underworld, I arrived at the entrance of Tartarus and found the three Hecatoncheires brothers resting as usual. Each with fifty heads and a hundred hands, they immediately greeted me with their ceaseless chatter.
"Hey, Hades, come by more often, will you?"
"So, what news do you bring this time?"
"Speaking of which, that war with the Gigantes... is it ever going to happen?"
"The war will soon begin."
Over 150 heads fell silent simultaneously. Three hundred eyes rolled, contemplating the news.
They knew some of the outside happenings, yet Gaia, their mother and benefactor, held no ill will toward them. They might hold grievances against the Titans or Cronus, but not Gaia.
"I have no intention of involving you in the war. The Gigantes are our enemies. However, while we march to the plains of Phlegra, the Underworld will be largely defenseless. I need you to be especially vigilant in guarding Tartarus."
"No need to worry! We’ll keep it safe as we always do."
"Good luck to you. Though, is the goddess of luck even on your side? Hahaha!"
"Well, I hope you win. The Gigantes seem too similar to the Titans for my liking."
I humored their remarks, engaging in brief conversation. Now that I was here... it seemed about time for the goddess of night to arrive, considering her promise to aid us last time.
Sssssss...
"Hmm? Is that Lady Nyx?"
"She’s been leaving her dwelling a lot lately...?"
Since two Proto-Gods had descended here in the past, even the Hecatoncheires were no longer startled by her arrival.
Swaaaaaa—
As before, darkness enveloped the surroundings. A wall of darkness formed between the three Hecatoncheires and me, and soon, the Proto-God appeared. The Goddess of Night, Nyx, wore a faint smile as she faced me.
“Greetings, Lady Nyx.”
“Hmm... yes. I thought it was about time you sought me out again.”
“...?”
"The plains where those Gigantes dwell have been rather noisy of late. Gaia might have foretold your impending battle, don’t you think? Hehe...”
Of course, I’d expected this possibility. If there’s someone with prophetic abilities on their side, then a surprise attack is naturally less likely to succeed. With Gaia’s foretelling, it seems they’ve accurately read the winds of war.
This means both sides will face each other fully prepared.
"That’s correct. We plan to march upon the plains of Phlegra."
“Good, good. Do your best. I’ll be watching with interest... and, as promised, if Gaia appears, I’ll step in to help.”
Once more, I bowed in gratitude for her support, but then... I heard a somewhat hesitant, almost shy voice. What was this about?
"And... well, about what we discussed last time...?”
Not quite understanding, I looked up, only to see the Proto-God's face flushed. Why? Had I offended her somehow? Had I, unknowingly, been disrespectful to the goddess?
"Must I spell it out for you?"
“Did I make a mistake...?”
“Hmph! If you can’t remember, I might just rescind my offer to help.”
The goddess crossed her arms and turned her head to the side, sulking slightly. She looked oddly similar to the goddess Styx when she’s upset with me.
Why was she acting this way? I strained my memory. Last time... before I received the sigil from Uranus, what did I say?
Ah!
“Of course, Lady Nyx, I plan to spread word of your grandeur to the mortal world, though it may require Gaia’s acceptance...”
“Hmph. So you hadn’t forgotten after all?”
“...I’ve been very busy with matters of the Underworld.”
Her narrowed gaze was sharp enough to prick, and I subtly channeled divine power around my skin to shield myself.
“Very well. Now that you remember, I’ll be there when you need me. You may go.”
I had indeed forgotten, amidst the busyness, the promise I made to Lady Nyx—to establish a statue of her in my temple and spread her worship as the Proto-God of Night.
As the veil of darkness lifted, I found myself facing the 150 curious eyes of the Hecatoncheires, who seemed intrigued by our conversation. I was already planning the new statue of the Goddess of Night for my temple.
Returning to the fortress of the Underworld, I met the gazes of many gods who awaited me. As I had instructed, all the gods had gathered here before I descended to Tartarus.
"So... you gathered everyone like this because..."
"Didn’t Lord Hades mention it recently? That war could break out any day now, but we should act as usual...”
“The time has come, then. Should we start preparing to bring the Gigantes into the Underworld?”
“The plains of Phlegra... wasn’t that near Thrace?”
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They seemed to have guessed why they’d been summoned, speaking in hushed, grave voices. Then, one by one, they fell silent as I approached.
A heavy silence filled the room, and the weight of anticipation hung in the air.
The hero foretold by prophecy had fully matured into a god, every god of the Underworld was assembled, and I stood before them, fully armed. No one was left unaware of the looming battle.
The atmosphere buzzed with tension. The gods sensed it.
I slowly walked forward, meeting the gaze of each god I passed—from the lowest deities working at the fringes of the Underworld to high-ranking gods whose names were known by all.
"Hades."
"The time is almost here."
"...The battle approaches."
Among them, the three blood-soaked goddesses of vengeance, whose eyes blazed even more fiercely today, Thanatos, weary but resolute, the other death gods, Moros and Keres, Hypnos standing silently with arms crossed, and Morpheus, the god of dreams, scratching his head.
"I can fight too."
“Goddess of Mint, this isn’t a battle for you.”
“...But...”
“Even for the higher gods, this war is dangerous...”
"Last time, we were almost defeated, but this time, we’ll triumph!”
Mente, clasping her hands to her chest as she looked at me, was consoled by Styx. Nearby stood Lethe, observing calmly, and Persephone, clenching her fists and biting her lip.
Every gaze was filled with resolve to annihilate the enemies of the gods. They were the loyal gods of the Underworld who had always stood by me.
Clearing my throat, I addressed them.
"As you’ve all suspected, Zeus has declared war on the Gigantes."
“......!”
“After the meeting on Olympus today, we will march to the plains of Phlegra tomorrow.”
All eyes were fixed on me, and the Underworld shook with the energy radiating from the gathered gods.
"Thanatos, Hypnos, and Charon, due to the crucial nature of your duties, you will not participate in the war. Mortals and lower deities will remain in the Underworld as well, due to the war’s high risk."
Expressions shifted among the gods. Some were understanding, while Mente looked downcast, and Charon, deep in thought, stroked his chin.
“The forces of the Underworld will consist only of gods and previously deceased monsters. From our last skirmish at Mount Etna, we learned that those who fall to the Gigantes do not return to the Underworld.”
When the dead who clashed with the Gigantes failed to return, I suspected that either Gaia’s powers or the monsters’ godlike strength was the cause.
In any case, mortal allies would only be burdensome to gods wielding transcendent power. It was unthinkable to sacrifice them like expendable pawns.
“I will now call the names of those who will accompany me to the meeting on Olympus. First, the goddess of oblivion, the goddess of discord, and those of the Styx...”
I called upon each high-ranking deity.
Lastly, I discussed gathering the army of monsters, the contents of the oracle we would deliver to the mortal realm, and the defense of the Underworld during the battle. After concluding, I disbanded the assembly and crossed the Acheron with the chosen gods, making our way to Olympus.
The prophetic hero, Hercules. The bridge between life and death. The Proto-God's aid in case of unforeseen circumstances.
All elements needed for victory were in place...
We would surely crush our enemies and emerge triumphant.