Side Story - Rebellion of the Underworld (6)
Shiiiiing—Thwack!
"H-Huuuaaaagh!!!"
The bident struck straight into Zeus's groin.
Golden ichor, the divine blood of gods, burst forth, staining the surroundings.
The scream of a god-no, the scream of the king of gods-caused the buildings of the Olympian palace to collapse and sending gusts of wind tearing through the air.
In that moment, the gods of the underworld surged into Olympus like an unstoppable wave.
"Thanatos, Hypnos, Moros, and even the goddess Keres... Damn it!"
"No way. Prometheus and Epimetheus, who've gone missing- don't tell me!"
"Tch! An attack from the Underworld?!"
"Out of the way, you brats!"
"Artemis... Hold still for a moment—"
"Lord of the Underworld! Why are you doing this?!"
In an instant, the Olympian palace turned into a battlefield, with divine powers clashing and swords and spears cutting through the air.
Artemis, drawing power from the moonlight and her own madness, unleashed a barrage of arrows, while Apollo, the god of the sun, emitted blinding light as he fought against the gods of the underworld.
Shwaaaak-Fwoooom!
Hephaestus's flames and the goddess of beauty's allure combined to counter the goddess Styx.
The aura of death crept over Olympus like a faint mist.
The scene resembled the end of Olympus itself, a chaotic battleground of ruin. Yet amidst all the destruction, only Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, sat sighing as she tended to her sacred fire.
Of course, my sole focus in this battlefield was Zeus. I started with a strike to his groin and continued to prevent him from wielding his lightning bolt. Still, Zeus was indeed formidable.
Having realized the attack was mine, Zeus resisted ferociously.
"Urgh... Hades! You, not Poseidon, leading a rebellion?!"
Zeus roared in fury, thrashing wildly, but I remained silent, concentrating solely on incapacitating him.
After all, it wasn't every day I got to wield Kynee in battle. I had to fully utilize its invisibility.
Lightning surged from his hands, and winds whipped around us. But that wasn't Astrapē-just Zeus's divine power.
If he wanted to inflict real damage on me, he'd need to summon Astrapē or strike me directly with his authority.
"Argh... Ares! My son! Bring me Astrapē!"
"Yes, Father!"
Zeus, bleeding ichor from the countless wounds I'd inflicted, realized he was in trouble and called for Ares.
Of course, if Ares brought him Astrapē, things could get dangerous...
"Where do you think you're going?
You'll stay and play with me a bit longer."
"Damn it! Thanatos!"
"Do you have any idea how much work you cause me with your endless wars?!"
"What?! No, but that's your job..."
"You insolent brat! Let's see how you'd like being the god of death for a change!"
Thanatos, always furious at the wars Ares instigated, intercepted him.
Since they weren't in the Underworld, their battle likely wouldn’t reach a conclusion. Meanwhile... Good. Atlas was on his way.
BOOOOM!
"...Atlas!"
"Well, Zeus! How about you take over holding up the heavens for a change?"
Atlas smashed through the gods' fierce battle and struck Zeus.
The sheer force of the blow sent Zeus flying, crashing through the pillars of the Olympian palace.
Though the king of gods rose again from the rubble, standing before him was me, still wearing Kyneē.
Thunk.
"...Urgh!"
I pierced his right shoulder.
But Zeus, clutching my bident, unleashed a surge of lightning. The crackling sound filled the air, and a massive voltage coursed through my entire body.
Damn. That stung. It seemed Kyneē was no longer of use here.
"Surrender, Zeus. Poseidon is absent, and three of lapetus's children are on my side."
"Hah... Did you desire the throne of the gods so badly, Hades?!"
"Of course I did. “Who else but me could possibly keep these thunderous fools under control?”
"What did you say?"
"You are banished. Take up Atlas's burden and hold up the heavens."
Zeus burst into laughter at my words as I removed the Kynee, then shouted,
"Hahaha! If you want the throne of the gods, come and take it by force!"
"If that's what you want, so be it."
Atlas and I advanced on Zeus, joined by Epimetheus, who had just knocked Artemis to the ground.
We would see this rebellion against Olympus through to the end.
* * *
The battle in Olympus ended not long after it began. After all, everyone witnessed Zeus being subdued by my hands.
A surprise attack that started with crushing his groin, Zeus failing to grasp Astrapē until the end, and the combined efforts of me, one of the Three Great Gods, and the mighty Titans Atlas and Epimetheus.
It’s only natural that things would turn out this way. Of course, I wasn’t without injuries myself, but my condition was far better than Zeus’s.
“This... This can’t be! Lord Zeus...!”
“Damn it! It’s over! Father has been defeated!”
“Lord Hades has truly…”
“Everyone, lay down your weapons. From now on, I am the King of the Gods.”
As the gods of the Underworld quickly began tidying up the battlefield, Hera appeared, her steps slow as she entered the completely ruined Olympus.
She hadn’t actually arrived late but had been momentarily persuaded by Iris, who had emerged from the underworld.
Loyalty to Zeus, the resentment built up from his adulteries, and the betrayal of her most beloved confidant, Iris—it must have been a whirlwind of emotions inside Hera’s mind. Especially considering she had once conspired with Poseidon to rebel against him.
“Hera.” I called.
"Hades, you dared to rebel…"
“I had a promise with Iris. I won’t harm you. Remain as the goddess of the family, and show compassion to those burdened with unwanted children.”
Leaving Hera, who wore a complex expression, behind, I approached Hestia, who sat on one side of Olympus, tending her hearth with a sullen face.
Even amidst the fierce battle, the goddess who had refused to intervene and instead guarded her hearth, glanced at me and pouted.
“Hestia.”
“Sigh... Hades. I did wish you would visit Olympus more often, but...”
“...not like this?”
“I don’t think you started all this just because you coveted the throne of the gods.”
“I couldn’t stand idly by in the Underworld any longer. I’m grateful that you chose not to intervene.”
The goddess Hestia, despite her gentle nature and her domain of the hearth, was a powerful deity. Though she might not be as strong as Hera, I had experienced her might during the Titanomachy.
Had she sided with Zeus, it would have made things far more difficult. The fact that Hera and Poseidon were absent during my ambush was truly a stroke of luck. The Fates must have been on my side.
* * *
After the rebellion against Olympus, I ascended to the throne of the gods.
Though Poseidon, arriving late, was horrified by the sight, the power of Olympus had already shifted to me.
Crack!
With Zeus’s Astrapē and Olympus’s greatest weapon, the Scythe, now in my possession, there was no way he could resist me. Of course, it was also thanks to the support of the Titans, such as Atlas and Prometheus.
Holding the scepter of the king, I sat on the golden throne and issued my commands.
“Zeus shall take on the punishment of bearing the celestial sphere in place of Atlas. As for the family of Epimetheus, I will grant them immortality, as per our agreement. From now on, the Hecatoncheires guarding Tartarus shall regularly be informed of the world’s affairs. Additionally, all Olympian gods are to assist in the duties of the Underworld on a rotational basis…”
These were tasks Zeus should have undertaken, but that fool had abandoned his responsibilities in favor of chasing women.
“And henceforth, any acts of cruelty towards mortals are strictly prohibited. Arbitrary curses, murders, assaults, or other torments inflicted upon mortals without just cause will result in forced labor in the Underworld. While punishing them for legitimate reasons is allowed, those who unjustly harm mortals shall face the consequences. This will be judged by Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory, and Dike, the goddess of justice. If anyone feels wronged, I will personally oversee the trial and deliver the verdict...”
“Hmm...”
“...Ahem.”
The Olympian gods wore peculiar expressions.
What? Is it strange that I, who overthrew Zeus and ascended to the throne of the gods, would make such declarations?
“Furthermore, the demigod children of the gods must also be properly managed. If any unjust acts occur among the gods themselves, I will intervene. Regarding the recent controversy involving Aphrodite… she shall go to the underworld to reflect deeply on her infidelity, leaving her husband behind. Ares shall guard the entrance to Tartarus in place of the Hekatonkheires for five years…”
Whenever power shifts, cleaning up the aftermath is always the most challenging part.
While political retaliation or the settling of old grudges often follows, I’ll leave it at this for now—except for Zeus.
Placing the scepter back in its holder, I tried to ease the tense atmosphere.
“I understand that today’s events have left everyone shocked and confused. But I hope you all recognize that this was not an act driven by personal ambition, but a decision made for the greater good of the world. Past sins will not be pursued, but I urge every god to be mindful of their words and actions moving forward and to take responsibility for their divine duties.”
Clap, clap, clap!
As I finished speaking, the gods began to applaud.
Some clapped reluctantly with uneasy faces, while others seemed genuinely hopeful that I would be better than Zeus.
Of course, there might be gods like Poseidon harboring dangerous thoughts.
But I have the justification, the support of the gods, and the overwhelming power. None would dare rebel against me.
From now on, I, Hades, shall reign as the ruler of Olympus and govern the world.