Side Story – Rebellion of the Underworld (3)
Prometheus.
The foreseer and strategist who greatly aided us during the Titanomachy.
But he was also a god who loved humanity.
Ultimately, he defied Zeus's orders and delivered fire to the mortal realm, for which he was eternally punished—his liver pecked out by an eagle every day while chained to the cliffs of Mount Caucasus.
He likely harbors hatred for Zeus comparable to Cronos, who is imprisoned in Tartarus.
Even so, his ability to make perfect prophecies is extraordinary, making him someone I must recruit.
“Foreseer Prometheus. As you foretold, I intend to rebel against Zeus and claim the throne of the gods.”
“Wearing the Cap of Invisibility was a wise choice. Now, let me tell you where my foolish brother, Epimetheus, is.”
Epimetheus.
Known as the one who "thinks later," he is the brother of Prometheus and the one who accepted Pandora, sent by Zeus, as his wife.
This Titan, who sided with Olympus at Prometheus's persuasion, is incredibly strong.
Though a bit dim-witted and easily deceived, his strength is formidable—enough to oppose his brother Atlas.
He also regrets ignoring his brother's advice and marrying Pandora, and he doesn’t hold Zeus in high regard.
“Are you planning to bring Epimetheus to our side?”
“Of course, but we must also deceive Zeus into thinking my release was orchestrated by my brother. Convince him it was Epimetheus who freed me.”
“Then we should bring him here quickly and have him destroy Mount Caucasus.”
“Exactly. Does Zeus remain unaware of your rebellion?”
Prometheus glanced at me, and I nodded in affirmation.
The Titan, now wearing a serious expression, quickly laid out his plan.
“Then there’s no time to waste. I’ll head to Atlas, who bears the celestial sphere, and bring him to the underworld. We’ll reunite with my brother there later.”
“Atlas... Do you think his daughter Maia, who is Zeus's wife, will help us?”
“Ha! Maia had no choice in the matter, and Atlas harbors deep resentment. Trust me.”
With the combined strength of Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus, and myself, we might stand a chance against Zeus.
However, if Olympus anticipates our moves, our odds diminish further, especially with Poseidon as an unpredictable factor.
For now, following Prometheus's advice seems the best course. Atlas may dislike me, but it was Zeus who imposed his punishment...
I won’t make the mistake of ignoring the advice of a trustworthy foreseer.
“Oh, and if Epimetheus refuses to cooperate, do this…”
* * *
According to Prometheus, even after being bound to the cliff, Epimetheus occasionally visited him.
He claimed to have seen his brother’s movements through prophecy as Epimetheus wandered the world.
“If you head to the place I designate, you’ll surely find him. Travel down this accursed mountain and walk for several days at a human’s pace...”
Using the Cap of Invisibility, I moved swiftly until I reached the location he described.
A modest human village. There was nothing about it that would attract the interest of a Titan.
Step, step.
“Come, come! Barley and wheat for sale! Blessed by the goddess Demeter herself!”
“But why are the prices so high? It seems they’ve doubled since last time…”
“We can’t help it. Torrential rains from the heavens and unsettling earthquakes have made farming difficult. Surely the gods won’t sit idly by if this continues.”
The humans, begging for Olympus’s mercy, are oblivious to the fact that the gods themselves are to blame for this mess.
And that it all started with a scandal involving Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
“Leather and pigskin for sale!”
“Hey, do you know why the weather’s been so strange lately?”
“I’m planning to visit Hermes's Temple today to pray. Want to join me?”
I quietly observed the humans. Prometheus had assured me I would find his brother here.
But it seemed Epimetheus was hiding his divine power, blending in as an ordinary traveler.
Understandable. Olympus had claimed supremacy over the world, and he’d surely been branded an outcast.
With his brother condemned as a traitor and punished so cruelly, I could only guess what thoughts plagued his mind.
Hmm? Over there…
“The situation isn’t looking good, is it?”
“Oh, don’t even start. Torrential rains from above, and yet the ground dries up. Surely the gods are punishing us.”
“…I wonder what Olympus is thinking.”
“Shh! Watch your tongue, or you’ll be struck down by lightning!”
Found him.
A towering man, casually chatting with a merchant about current events.
He could only be Epimetheus, the one who "thinks later."
Though he seemed to prefer staying out of sight, this situation was urgent.
I needed to convince Epimetheus before Zeus learned of my rebellion or Prometheus’s escape.
Wearing the Cap of Invisibility, I approached him.
Even someone as slow to react as Epimetheus would recognize me once I spoke.
Tap, tap.
'Who would’ve thought a great Titan like you would be here, Epimetheus.'
“…Hmm!”
“? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
Epimetheus's face froze as he stopped talking to the merchant.
Ending the conversation, he began walking toward the outskirts of the village. Good. He’s caught on to my intent.
* * *
Outside the village, rushing to a secluded spot, Epimetheus suddenly stops and sharply turns his head.
The Titan, with an uneasy expression, begins to speak to the empty air.
"Hades. Why are you looking for me? I've never done anything to provoke you gods!"
"Epimetheus. Your brother sent me."
"What?! My brother? Why would he...!"
His face distorts in shock as I remove my kynee.
"Because I freed your brother, Prometheus, from the Caucasus Mountains with the intent of rebelling against Zeus."
"That's absurd. Do you take me for a fool? Why would you, of all people—not Poseidon—do such a thing?"
"Because the atrocities of the Olympian gods have gone too far."
As he remains visibly flustered, I begin recounting what I have witnessed as the King of the Underworld:
The gods’ countless acts of depravity, their unchanging arrogance no matter how often they were punished, and the disasters plaguing the mortal world, all caused by petty disputes over infidelity.
The longer I spoke, the darker Epimetheus' expression grew.
"...Now do you understand? To divert Zeus' attention, you must use your power to completely destroy the Caucasus Mountains—"
"Ugh. But I cannot fight!"
"After everything I just told you? Are you saying you won’t heed the words of your brother, who can foresee the future?"
"Yes!"
Why is he refusing?
What could be his reason for refusal? His resentment toward the Olympians should rival ours, if not exceed it.
"I regret not listening to my brother before. But even Prometheus doesn't always make perfect decisions. It’s because of his misjudgment that he ended up chained to those mountains for so long."
"What are you trying to say?"
"If I side with you and fight against Olympus, and we lose, won't I end up chained to a mountain like my brother?"
Ah, now I see.
He doubts my strength.
He’s skeptical because Prometheus himself did not come to persuade him, and he lacks confidence in my ability to defeat Zeus.
It’s understandable. Unlike the previous Titanomachy which was a battle of armies. This time, it’s an small-scale rebellion, so his concerns are valid.
Should I persuade him as Prometheus advised?
No. If I compromise on my principles… if I make exceptions, the rebellion will never succeed.
Fine. I will trust the seer.
"If you agree to help me—"
"Hmph. Whatever you say, it won’t convince me. I’m done taking risks..."
"I will revive your deceased family and make them immortal like you."
"What—?"
The composure on Epimetheus' face shattered.
This was my ultimate offer: to break the very principle that the dead cannot be brought back to life.
"As the King of the Underworld, I promise. Your wife, Pandora, your daughter, Pyrrha, and your son-in-law, Deucalion—I will grant them all immortality. I can even feed them ambrosia and nectar, and if I become the King of the Gods, I will elevate them to godhood as the ancestors of humanity."
The Titan’s anguish was palpable as he bit his lip, lost in thought.
After a moment of silence, a single word escaped his mouth:
"...If you swear on the River Styx, I’ll help you."
"Of course. I swear on the River Styx to uphold every condition I just mentioned."
With a short sigh, the ancient Titan who once married the first mortal woman unleashed his suppressed power.
This electrifying pressure… he truly is a warrior who once stood against Atlas during the Titanomachy.
"Now, after destroying the Caucasus Mountains, what do I do? Should I march straight to Olympus?"
"Come to the Underworld unnoticed. I trust you know the way to its entrance."
"Understood, Hades."
I’ve succeeded in recruiting Epimetheus.
Now, the next step...
I must return to the Underworld and confront the three Hecatoncheires guarding the entrance to Tartarus.
Whether I persuade them or find a way to restrict their actions—
I must act before Zeus begins to suspect me.