The God of Underworld - Chapter 181
181: Chapter 25 181: Chapter 25 It was a joyful day for Hera.
She stood before her mirror, tilting her chin this way and that, carefully studying her reflection.
She adjusted the fall of her silver hair, smoothing it over her shoulders, then fixed the clasp of her gown until it sat just right.
Her fingers lingered on the edge of the fabric, her lips curving in quiet satisfaction.
Today was her date with Hades-or as she stubbornly called it, an “inspection.” The word made her feel safe, kept things proper, but she could not deny the warmth that spread through her chest every time she thought of him waiting for her.
Once she was satisfied, she exhaled, almost giddy, and turned into a beam of golden light.
Her radiance cut through the air as she soared toward Hades’ Fortress, which hung like a great black citadel over the City of Nox.
Her heels clicked against the polished stone floor when she landed.
She walked the fortress halls with her usual dignity, back straight, expression composed.
But inside she was bursting with excitement, every step light as if she might skip.
Her fingers brushed against the walls absentmindedly, as though she needed to touch something solid to ground herself.
When she reached the door to Hades’ office, she paused.
One last look at her reflection in the polished metal of the handle, one last breath to calm the flutter in her chest.
Then she pushed the door open.
Hades sat at his desk, quill in hand, the faint glow of his magic illuminating the papers before him.
He looked up, blinking in mild surprise.
“Ah.
Is it time already?” His deep voice was calm, but there was a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth, almost a smile.
“Sorry, can you give me five more minutes?
I just need to finish this report.” Hera nodded gracefully.
“No worries.
Take your time.” She crossed the room, her steps soundless, and settled into one of the carved chairs.
She placed her hands on her lap and tilted her head slightly, watching him work.
Her gaze followed the smooth motion of his hand as he wrote, the faint rustle of parchment the only sound in the room.
She noticed how his brows furrowed when he was deep in thought, how his hair fell slightly over his eyes, how the light caught on the black pen he always uses.
Her heart felt strangely calm as she watched him.
She realized she enjoyed seeing this side of him, focused and intent, running his domain with quiet authority.
Hera’s lips curved into a small, private smile.
She could wait more than five minutes if it meant she could sit here like this, just watching him.
Before Hera even realized it, the soft scratching of Hades’ quill had stopped.
The room was quiet again, save for the faint flickering sound of the torches hanging on the wall.
She was still lost in her thoughts, staring at him, when his voice cut through her daze.
“Hera.” She blinked and straightened, caught off guard.
“Yes?” Hades studied her, his purple eyes calm but curious.
“Are you alright?
You seemed far away for a moment.” A faint warmth crept to her cheeks.
She nodded, perhaps a little too quickly.
“I’m fine, thank you for your concern.” she said, her tone composed but softer than usual.
He raised a brow but didn’t press further.
“Are you ready?” she asked, regaining her poise.
“I am.” She rose from her seat, smoothing her gown with one elegant motion, then turned toward the door.
“Then let’s go.” Hades stood and followed her, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the floor.
Hera walked ahead, her steps measured, but inside her heart was beating just a bit faster.
For a moment, she allowed herself a small, secret smile.
* * * Hera’s first destination was the Akashic Library, containing the most records in existence.
The moment they stepped through its gates, the sound of rustling pages filled the air, soft and constant like a distant breeze.
It was the largest library in all creation, its halls stretching endlessly in every direction, lined with shelves that reached into the sky.
New tomes appeared every second, glowing briefly before settling in place.
Each one was the memory of a soul, carefully recorded by the divine scribes assigned to this eternal task.
Although Lethe was the custodian of the records, it was Hera’s duty to ensure that the Library remained perfect.
She walked with measured grace, her eyes scanning the shelves, occasionally greeting the few divine spirits who crossed their path.
Even here, where thousands worked, they were rare to see.
The Library was simply too vast.
Hades followed silently, hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm.
Hera found herself talking as they walked, pointing out changes, asking his opinion on the way some sections were now organized, and sharing small thoughts about the flow of souls.
To her, it felt warm, even intimate, a quiet conversation between two people who understood the weight of duty.
When she was satisfied, she led him onward.
Their next stop was the Judgement Hall, where souls who committed heinous crimes are judged.
Not only them, but even gods and divine spirits, even demigods from Underworld were brought here for trial.
The air here was heavier, filled with the echoing voices of pleading souls.
On the great dais stood Themis, tall and radiant, her eyes bright as she passed judgment after judgment without pause.
She did not look tired, nor weary of the endless task, like every other underworld god.
In fact, she seemed invigorated, as though each verdict only gave her more energy.
Hera watched from a distance, her lips curving faintly.
“She might take your award for the most hard working god in underworld, Hades.” she said softly, chuckling.
“Maybe.” Hades gave a slight smile, but it quickly vanished.
They remained silent, and together, they observed a few more moments before Hera turned and guided them away.
She glanced at him as they walked toward the next site, her voice calm but carrying a quiet satisfaction.
“Everything is in order so far.” Hades hummed in agreement, and Hera couldn’t stop the small flutter in her chest at the sound.
“But we still have a lot of places to inspect.” Hera guided Hades through a series of shimmering portals that connected the fortress to the many cities scattered throughout the Underworld’s inner layer.
Each city had its own purpose.
One held the artisans who shaped the houses of the dead.
Another was filled with divine scribes who recorded the deeds of every soul that passed through.
Hera greeted them as they passed, making sure each city governor are doing their job to manage the city and not just use their power for corruption(slacking off).
Once they inspected every city, they descended to the outer layer, a vast, desolate place where countless souls wandered aimlessly.
Their forms were pale, almost translucent, as if waiting to be called for judgment.
Hades stopped for a moment to observe them.
Hera noticed this and said.
“This is where Thanatos and his legion patrol.
Their duty is to keep these souls from straying too far into the void.” Hades nodded.
They walked along the edge of the field until they reached the banks of the five great rivers.
First was Acheron, the river of woe, where the water glowed faintly blue and carried the faint cries of the newly dead.
Then came Phlegethon, the river of fire, its current burning bright crimson, a terrifying but strangely beautiful sight.
Hera leaned closer to look, the heat reflecting in her eyes.
Afterward they crossed Cocytus, the river of lamentation, where the air grew cold and heavy.
Hera shivered slightly, and Hades noticed.
He walked closer, his presence shielding her from the chill.
Finally, they stood before the mighty Styx.
Its dark waters moved with a quiet, unstoppable power.
Hera placed a hand over her heart and whispered, “No matter how many times I see it, Styx has always been the most terrifying out of all river.” “You should be.
Although she has always been silent, she’s one of the oldest and most powerful god of underworld.” Hades said, gazing at the flow.
“If she wanted to, she can bind even the mightiest of gods.” Hera stared for awhile, before shaking her head.
“Come.
We still have some place to check.” Once they had finished observing the rivers, they made their way to the edge of the cycle itself, where Charon oversaw the ferries that carried souls between states of being.
Hera and Hades did not disturb him.
They simply observed from afar to see how he handles the process.
And by the end of it, Hera and Hades felt pity to the ferryman.
No wonder he was always complaining.
His job was simply too much.
When they finally left, Hera felt oddly satisfied.
There was a certain peace in seeing the great machinery of the Underworld working as it was meant to.
Their final stop was the balcony of Hades’ fortress, overlooking the City of Nox.
Their next destination was not part of the official “inspection”, it’s Hera’s little selfishness to spend more time with Hades.
Hera led Hades toward the quieter parts of the fortress, her steps soft against the polished black stone.
The halls here were almost empty, save for the occasional divine guard who bowed in silence as they passed.
Finally, they reached a balcony overlooking the City of Nox below.
From here, the entire underworld stretched out before them, the glowing rivers, the flickering lights of the souls, the infinite night sky where no stars shone except those that the dead themselves had carried with them.
Hera stopped by the edge, resting her hands on the cold railing.
“This view,” she said quietly, “never loses its weight.” Hades joined her side, his presence calm, steady.
“It is the heart of my realm,” he replied.
“I come here every time I feel like I’m losing my path.
It helps me relax and focus on my current goals.” Hera turned to look at him, her expression softer than she meant it to be.
“You really shouldn’t stress yourself, Hades.
We can still share your burden.” Hades stared at her eyes, before looking away and nodded.
For a moment, they simply stood there in silence.
The atmosphere felt different now, warmer, quieter, almost intimate.
Hades glanced at her, then asked in a tone that almost sounded amused, “Was this part of your inspection too?” Hera’s lips curved into the faintest of smiles.
“No.
This was for me.” Hades gestured toward a small table set to the side of the balcony.
At some point, a servant must have left it there, two crystal cups and a dark bottle filled with glowing, golden liquid.
“It seems my attendants anticipated this,” Hades said, moving to pour.
“It is ambrosia, aged in the depths of Cocytus.
It is said to calm even the most restless of souls.” He offered her a cup.
Hera accepted it, feeling the warmth radiate through the crystal.
She took a small sip.
The taste was sweet, with a faint bitterness that lingered at the back of her tongue.
“It’s… good,” she admitted.
“I haven’t drank this one before.” “Cocytus only share this drink with me.” “Oh.” Hades drank as well, watching her from the corner of his eye.
“You seem different today.
More relaxed.” Hera looked away, suddenly aware of how close he stood.
“Perhaps,” she said softly.
“Perhaps I just enjoy spending time with you.” “What coincidence.
I do too.” Neither spoke after that.
They simply drank in the quiet, watching the city below, letting the moments pass slower than usual..