Hades' Wedding - Part 1
After the long and arduous Gigantomachia came to an end, the gods began to gather in the Underworld. The reason? I, Hades, the King of the Underworld, had announced that I would hold my wedding here.
Stories spread that the victory in the Gigantomachia was thanks to Nyx joining the battle, and Zeus himself declared that I was most responsible for our success. Naturally. While Heracles may have slain the most Gigantes, it was I who persuaded Prometheus, defended Mount Etna where Typhon lay buried, and convinced Nyx to intervene.
Thus, the Olympian gods, scattered across the world, flocked to the Underworld, causing a bit of a stir. On the Acheron River, divine beings and souls alike crowded onto Charon’s ferry to reach the Underworld.
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Charon, the ferryman of the Underworld, had his work cut out for him. With the victory feast for the Gigantomachia doubling as my wedding, there was no other choice.
Naturally, the ambrosia and nectar were supplied by Olympus. Ganymede, who took over the management of ambrosia and nectar after Hebe married Heracles, must have had a busy time.
Today, I ordered the Underworld to be decorated so extravagantly that it wouldn’t feel like the realm mortals feared so deeply. The treasure vault had more than enough jewels to spare.
As the groom, I was swamped with changing into countless outfits and having them adjusted. Despite having finalized my attire days ago, it seemed there was always more to prepare.
Finally, I was dressed in a black robe adorned with elaborate decorations, wearing a crown, and seated in my chair. Holding the Bident in my right hand, I worked to ease my slightly tense body.
Various gods would occasionally stop by to chat or offer their congratulations before leaving. Even gods who were rarely seen showed up, including Eris, the goddess of discord. Despite her reputation, I invited her, as it was unthinkable to exclude the mother of the goddess I was marrying.
She graciously assured me not to worry, saying she wouldn’t cause trouble at her daughter’s wedding. If anything, not inviting her might have caused problems. Hmm.
In addition to Eris, I also invited deities often avoided by others, such as Limos, the goddess of hunger, and the three goddesses of vengeance. As a god of fairness, it would be unjust to discriminate. Besides, with the Cornucopia in my possession, I could temporarily sate Limos’ hunger.
Seating arrangements were adjusted to keep any strained relationships, such as Athena and Medusa, from crossing paths. With advance notice given, things seemed to be going smoothly... until another visitor arrived.
It was the goddesses of vengeance—two of them, at least.
Though I didn’t understand what they meant, I resolved to visit Alecto after the wedding.
Clunk.
The door opened again, and another divine being entered with a gift. Was it Aphrodite this time?
"...?"
Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, entered, staring at me with a dazed expression and even drooling before Eros, horrified, dragged her out.
Even the Cyclopes, masters of the forge and wielders of ageless strength, made appearances. I spent some time receiving blessings and gifts from numerous gods.
Finally, the long wait ended, and it was time for the ceremony. At the sound of the call, I walked into the garden of the Underworld.
The god of marriage, Hymenaios, stood as officiant, grinning at me. Ahead, I could see them—the goddesses dressed in radiant attire.
Persephone, beaming and waving when our eyes met. Styx, smiling and fidgeting with the ring on her hand. Menthe, looking down, shy in her formal dress. Lethe, standing with her hand on her hip, clad in a pure white chiton.
Wearing elaborate red veils and floral crowns of unfading blossoms, they each radiated beauty. As I stepped forward, crushing the flower-strewn carpet beneath my feet, the murmurs of gods on either side reached my ears.
The Underworld’s garden glowed faintly in the darkness, with gems shimmering like stars. Ethereal, translucent souls, once musicians in life, floated by, singing hymns of praise for the divine.
Reaching Hymenaios and the goddesses, I met their eyes, noticing the slight blush on each of their faces. Mine likely mirrored theirs.
My focus was entirely on the four goddesses before me. Hymenaios’ voice barely registered. In this moment, it felt as though only they and I existed.
One by one, they answered without hesitation. As I gazed into their eyes, memories surfaced—meeting Styx and Lethe not long after my reincarnation in ancient Greece, Menthe helping me recover fragments of precious memories from my past life, and my first awkward, yet not unpleasant, encounter with Persephone.
These were the ones dearest to me, who loved and waited for someone as unworthy as me.
Ding~ A soft melody resonated.
One by one, I kissed them, their soft warmth filling me as the gods erupted into thunderous applause. Cheers echoed around us. Iris created a beautiful rainbow, and Apollo gently strummed his lyre.
Zeus chuckled as he sipped nectar, Poseidon smiled with Amphitrite at his side, and even Hephaestus, with his unusually swollen and colorful face, joined in applause. The Muses displayed their talents. Aphrodite looked slightly pouty, while Demeter wiped her tears as she gazed at Persephone.
Around them, countless lesser gods, nymphs, attendants, and souls chattered loudly. A whisper from one of the minor gods reached me:
Ah, I understood their feelings. A ruler too obsessed with work would inevitably draw complaints. Maintaining balance was important, but working even on my wedding day... That would leave no room for excuses.
Seeing their hopeful faces, including Charon’s and Thanatos’, whose pupils grew with anticipation, I declared:
That should be enough of a concession.
* * *
Despite the joyous occasion, some gods appeared oddly subdued, though they soon joined in the festivities, chatting and enjoying the feast. However, a few of them displayed strange expressions. Hopefully, it wasn’t anything serious.
Ignoring the numerous gods murmuring about unexplained pains, I turned my attention to Zeus, who approached with a goblet of nectar in hand. Having been mingling with Hera, he now wandered about, observing the Underworld’s transformed scenery.
After exchanging some casual remarks, Zeus adopted a more serious tone.
Another disaster like the Great Flood, perhaps?