The God of Underworld - Chapter 194

194: Chapter 38 194: Chapter 38 Overworld.

On the highest plateau of a Primordial mountain, the air was clean and heavy with the scent of moss, stone, and ancient earth.

A small table carved from living rock sat beneath a canopy of ivy and roots.

Upon it, two cups of steaming tea rested, the faint aroma of herbs curling upward.

Hades sat calmly, his dark robes blending with the stone, his posture straight yet unhurried.

Across from him, Gaia herself, the Primordial Earth, radiated a quiet, timeless warmth.

Her long, smooth hair was threaded with green vines and blossoms that shifted with every breath of wind.

Between them, conversation flowed gently, like water slipping through cracks in stone.

“It is rare to see you outside your realm, Lord of the Dead,” Gaia said, lifting her cup with a faint smile.

Her voice carried the weight of the world itself, yet it was kind, like the voice of a mother.

“Usually, you would only have Hecate or Hera bring Nekyria here to accompany me.” Hades inclined his head.

“Ain’t that the truth?

My duties below rarely allow me to walk freely.

Tartarus, the souls, the judgments… It is endless.

Thankfully, I’ve been able to relax thanks to those four bringing me around and accompanying me.” Gaia’s smile softened, her eyes glimmering like deep soil under the sun.

“Ah, yes.

The Battle of Queens, as those divine spirits like to call it.

I believe I was ranked at 8th.

My, my, despite my…’blunder’, years ago, and me only ever stepping foot on the Underworld a few times, I still achieved such high popularity.” Hades allowed a small smile to touch his lips.

“Tell me about it.

Imagine if you frequently visited my domain, you’d probably be the most popular one.” Gaia chuckled, the sound deep and resonant, like distant thunder.

“Of course.

I am the mother of life.

Many gods were my flesh and blood.

Of course, they would all support me.

Not mention, we do have countless children, and our daughter is the one who is most beloved by all of Underworld.” Not far from them, Nekyria’s laughter rang out.

The little girl, with an appearance like her father yet with her mother’s bright eyes, was chasing nymphs among the roots and flowers that bloomed across the plateau.

The nymphs giggled as they played, weaving garlands of flowers to crown her head.

Gaia’s gaze softened as she watched the child.

“I have many children, but I think she is my most favoured.

I just hope she grows up one day, she can’t remain a child forever.” Hades’ eyes followed his daughter’s movements, his stern face easing.

“Yeah.” He nodded, “Unfortunately, unlike me who cheated on my ascension, she is completely bound.

She can theoretically reach heights greater than me if she tried hard enough, but this universe it seems, completely rejects her existence.” Gaia shook her head gently.

“It doesn’t matter.

She can stay as is.

Do not force her to train.

This universe won’t be able to suppress her potential for long.

She can ascend on her own if we just wait long enough.” Hades nodded, taking a sip of tea.

The silence stretched between them, not empty, but full of ease.

After a moment, Gaia leaned forward slightly.

“By the way, Nyx once visted me.

She asked my help for her ‘grand plan’ of uniting entire universes into one single Hyperverse.” Hades paused, he stared at her for a few moments before sighing.

“What do you think?

Is such thing possible?

She said she wanted to study Yggdrasil of the Norse.” Gaia hummed, her eyes narrowing faintly in thought.

“Theoretically, yes.

But that would require power equal or greater than the total number of universes we plan on fusing.” She paused in thought, before continuing, “And…

This might help Nekyria in her ascension.” Hades raised an eyebrow.

Gaia continued, “If we combined several universe into one Hyperverse, the theoretical life form limit of that Hyperverse would possibly allow the existence of a couple transcendent being.” As one of the earliest Primordial created by Nyx from the remnants of the original Roman universe, Gaia knew a thing or two about her past.

Like how Nyx tried to devour the entire Roman Universe to complete her ascension, but failed to do so.

Meaning, for one to ascend, they would require an entire energy of at least one universe.

A Hyperverse made up of many universe would have more than enough energy for quite a few gods to ascend.

“…is that so?” Hades exhaled slowly, and for once, allowed himself to lean back against the stone seat.

His gaze shifted once more toward his daughter.

Nekyria stumbled as the nymphs teased her with vines, then broke into bright laughter when they crowned her with a garland of daisies.

“Now, I think I have more reasons to support Nyx plans.” Hades murmured, almost to himself.

“Yes,” Gaia said softly, her smile warm and motherly.

“That’s natural.

After all, a father only wants the best for his children.” Just then, Nekyria came running over, the garland of daisies slipping down over her brow.

Her little sandals slapped against the stone as she carried something clutched tightly in her small hands.

“Papa!

Papa!” she called, her voice bright, echoing against the ancient cliffs.

Hades set his teacup down, his usually stern expression softening.

“What is it, Nekyria?” The girl skidded to a halt beside him, beaming.

She held out a small bundle of wildflowers tied together with a thin vine.

The stems were uneven, some petals bruised, but she presented it with all the pride in the world.

“For you,” she declared.

“The nymphs showed me how.” Hades took the flowers, his large hands dwarfing the fragile bundle.

He studied them as though they were a rare treasure, his eyes warming.

“Beautiful.” His voice was low, but it carried sincerity that made Nekyria’s cheeks flush with joy.

Gaia watched with a smile that was both amused and knowing.

“The Lord of the Dead, humbled by a child’s bouquet.

My, what has the world become?” Nekyria turned quickly to her mother.

“Do you want one too, mama?” Gaia laughed, her voice rolling like distant earth tremors.

“If my little blossom gifts me one, I would be honored.” Without hesitation, Nekyria darted back to the nymphs, who already began helping her gather more flowers.

As she ran off again, Hades looked down at the bouquet in his hand.

He brushed a thumb gently across one daisy’s petal, his expression thoughtful.

“I don’t know why such simple gestures from a child brings me so much joy.” He muttered, “Honestly, ever since she came to be, I think I’m starting get soft.” Gaia leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand.

“She’s not just a child.

She is our beloved daughter.

That’s what makes her different.” For a long moment, Hades said nothing, simply staring at the flowers, before his lips curved in the faintest smile.

“Well, that’s true.” Just then, Nekyria returned, stumbling slightly as she carried a larger, messier bundle of flowers.

She nearly dropped half of them before reaching Gaia and thrusting them up with a grin.

“For mama!” Gaia accepted them graciously, vines curling gently from her fingers to weave them into a wreath, which she set upon her own head.

“Perfect.

Now I am beautiful again.” Nekyria giggled.

“You’re already beautiful, mama.’ Gaia’s eyes softened, and she reached out to stroke the girl’s hair.

Hades, watching the two, felt something stir in him that was rare and precious-a peace deeper than silence, older than shadow.

“I’ll play a bit more!” Nekyria’s laughter faded into the distance as she chased the nymphs, leaving only the soft rustle of leaves and the hum of cicadas on the mountain.

Gaia poured herself more tea, her ancient eyes glinting with curiosity.

“So… what stirs in the realm of shadows?

Anything that breaks the monotony?” Hades tilted his cup, watching the ripples before answering.

“Nothing of note.

The dead arrive.

Judgment is passed.

The cycle continues.” He paused, then allowed a small smile.

“Ah.

There is one matter.

I found Herios’ reincarnation.” Gaia stilled.

Her brows lifted ever so slightly, and her lips curved into something between wonder and reminiscence.

“Herios?

The Hero King?” she asked, remembering the mortal who stood tall even against the gods.

That was the first time Gaia witnessed such historic moment.

A single mortal man, defying the heavens and killing gods.

His actions started the era of heroes and cemented humanity’s thousand years of dominance.

After Herios’ death, humanity has just grown rapidly and quickly.

In the long history of the earth, humanity was like an infant that grew into an adult in a span of an entire day.

Brave and courageous humans, driven by Herios’ feats, lead the charge and conquered the land and sea.

And before long, there was no longer any mortal races that can stand equal to humanity.

They truly became the most dominant race on the land.

“Yeah.” Hades nodded slowly.

His gaze drifted across the horizon, toward where the mortal lands lay far beyond their sight.

“He lives again.

I personally escorted his grandmother’s soul to the Underworld.

Now he wanders the world, and…” He chuckled softly, an uncharacteristic sound.

“…he is not alone.” Gaia tilted her head, the earth around her humming faintly.

“Companions?” “Athena,” Hades said, voice laced with dry amusement.

“She shadows him like a hawk.

Her obsession is… remarkable.” Gaia blinked, then laughed, low and rumbling.

“The goddess of wisdom herself?

Chasing a mortal?

That child must carry more than echoes of his old soul.

To bind her attention so tightly-ah, how curious.” Hades leaned back, folding his arms.

His crimson eyes glimmered faintly.

“It is not merely attention.

She clings to him.

Watches over him as though she were not a goddess but a woman fearful of losing what she treasures.

Her wisdom may be vast, but obsession blinds even the keenest sight.

A virgin goddess, intelligent and proud, once she sets her heart on something… that is a terrifying thing.” Gaia’s lips curved knowingly.

“Terrifying, yes.

But perhaps fortunate for him.

A man guarded by Athena’s love will never know loneliness, though he may often know exasperation.” Hades gave a faint grunt of agreement.

“Then I can only bless him from afar.

He bore much in his past life, and now, perhaps, he will find peace-or something close to it.

If he can endure her, that is.” Gaia’s laugh shook the stone beneath them, gentle yet resounding.

“How strange, Hades.

The god feared by all, speaking with sympathy for a mortal soul.

Truly, Herios was special to you.” Hades said nothing for a moment, his gaze lingering on Nekyria playing in the distance.

Then he murmured, “He was not merely a mortal.

He was proof.

Proof that even humanity, fragile as it is, can defy gods.

That is something I will never forget.” Gaia smiled, saying nothing in return.

She took a sip of her tea, and the two once again enjoyed the peaceful moment.