Chapter 140: 2.17 Lord X (2)
Hades and Lord X stood over the unconscious Eris after forcing her to sleep. Hades manifested anything he wished and handed these creations to the masked god while they prepared for the transplant.
"So you can create anything you want? That’s a useful ability. Is that how you created my eyes?"
In a rare moment, Hades’ decided to share information with his newly named Lord.
"I’ve always been treated like an outcast. I was damned to watch the Underworld by my prick of a brother who hated how powerful my creation magic was. Eventually, I realized if I had enough souls to experiment with, I could create something powerful enough to counter my bitch of a sister."
"Why didn’t you force Chronos to create eyes for you? Isn’t that who gave Sora his powers?"
"No one can ever find him. His realm is an anomaly. It exists where he wants to exist, when he wants to exist, on whatever timeline he wishes it to exist. He’s a strange god, but one of the most powerful. I’d prefer to not get on his bad side."
"But you’ve openly challenged Athena and we’re trying to take over Limbo and Paradise. Wouldn’t that make you his enemy?"
Hades smirked as he pulled out a small black rectangular box and opened it. Two black eyeballs, with yellow pentagram pupils sat in a thick, white goo.
"Chronos may have helped recruit Sora to save Exteria, but that’s only because it benefits him on whatever timeline he feels most comfortable with. Sure, Athena assembled her Pantheon of leaders after the Steele’s saw the prophecy, but how do you think a prophecy came to be in the first place?" Hades grinned widely as he created a small end table and set the box down.
"So Chronos helped Athena just because it benefited him? He created a vision in a specific timeline he foresaw knowing Athena would come to him? How do you know this and why doesn’t Athena know this?" the masked god shook his head in confusion. "None of this makes any sense anymore. I thought we were just taking over Paradise to rule over all realms."
"We are. Athena knows as well, she’s the only god or goddess I’d consider powerful enough to shatter my soul. We both know Chronos looks out for Chronos, but if he came to me with the same proposition he brought to Athena, I would have taken Sora in a heartbeat. He protects her."
"Are you suggesting there’s a universe and timeline where you rule over Paradise and she rules the Underworld and you have Sora protect Exteria. This is... overwhelming."
Hades laughed. "Only Chronos knows. If I ruled Paradise, any planet that went to war would be immediately exterminated and rebuilt. I’d rule with absolute authority and not trust mortals to do things for me. That’s why I like you. You don’t feel an affinity and connection with mortals. You swerve the gods and goddesses and would watch the world burn if it protected the immortals."
X slid his mask over his head, wiped his face, revealing his confused face
"Better hope Xander isn’t watching. He knows ’all’ apparently." Hades said while shooting an evil glare.
"I’m guessing he wasn’t in Chronos’ original vision of this timeline?"
"I don’t bother wasting headspace like he does or you do trying to obsess over every detail. Look at this realm you asked me to create. You might as well be Chronos Jr. Although, you just only see one flow of time. He sees them all and everything can change at any second. I like to live in the moment. Wake the bitch up and wire her eyes open." Hades demanded.
*****
Eris screamed in pain as the masked god released the sleeping spell and pried open her eyelids with thousands of thin wires.
"Please stop! I’ll do anything! I’ll go to Paradise and spy for you! I’ll kill whoever you want me to kill! Just please stop and let me keep my eyes!"
Hades laughed hysterically. He snapped his fingers and Eris fell silent for a moment.
"Do you feel better now?" Hades teased as numbed Eris’ entire body. "Before you make promises like that, you should remember what happened the day you had your chance at Lox’s power.
Hades shot black and gold magic to Eris’ head. She remembered everything.
"Fuck. Our allies in Paradise are dead and I didn’t get an answer out of him." Eris muttered. "Now I’m bound to you no matter what. I was better of staying in that fucking hellhole of a prison."
Xades smacked her across the face, screaming at her in anger.
"Was it not you who prayed to me every day to help you get back to your titans so you could conquer the world? Did not you willingly grovel and beg me to take you in and give you a purpose again? Now you insult me and refuse to take my blessing? What the fuck is wrong with you? Is it Ankha? Why the fuck do all these gods and goddesses keep getting attached to mortals?! I’m losing my fucking mind!" Xades shouted while waving his arms in frustration.
Sensing the tension, the masked god interjected.
"Eris, you literally moan with pleasure when you kill and take someone’s lifeforce. You’re a walking hypocrite. I’ll shatter your soul or you can acknowledge and thank Master Hades for such a wonderful gift. It wouldn’t be hard to convince another race to take you and the titans place." Lord X said calmly, his eyes locked with Eris’ as silver tears flowed from her eyes.
The realm fell silent. Eris stopped struggling and weighed the choices.
’I’m not going to let them shatter my soul. I need to find out who this masked fucker is. Maybe Hades’ is telling the truth? Maybe these eyes are a blessing.’
"Hades, why did you choose me for these implants? I thought I was just a ’ruthless dumbass bitch."
Hades looked her directly in the eyes. "Because you have potential and I need to ensure Helen follows through rather than continuing to fuck the little demon Lord. Get over your infatuation with Ankha. You created a powerful race that serves us well. Grow the fuck up and do your job."
"I did my fucking job! I cleared 10 planets and absorbed the souls and powered up the Titan generals, just like you asked. Now we’re going to a new universe to take over some other race for more power? What else do you want from me?!" Eris complained.
Hades smacked her again.
"Your job is to serve me without fail. We’re going to overthrow Athena and that can’t happen until you and your duo over lovers have enough power to destroy Exteria, steal the lifeforces and take the power and magic from the Lockhearts."
Eris started to understand the consequences of her choices and knew she only had one option. She needed to ensure Hades’ knew she was on his side. She thought for a moment before speaking.
"So the eyes will help me do that?" she asked calmly.
"Holy shit! She finally used her brain! Did you see that X? She actually showed remnants of the goddess who used to gleefully destroy anything and everyone in her path if I asked!" Hades’ laugh eased the tension.
Someone appeared behind Hades and she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a kiss on the neck.
"Why hello beautiful. Are you ready to implant these eyes with me, Persephone?" Hades smiled.
"Of course my love. Will she be conscious or will we be putting her to sleep?" she said softly.
Eris sighed and accepted her fate.
’Shit. His wife’s here too. I guess I have no choice. It’s not like Athena would welcome me back with loving arms. I have to follow Hades or my soul shatters.’
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