(Greek Mythology) The Abyss of the Underworld
Chapter Fifteen
Life in Hell remained as peaceful as it had been for millennia, seemingly imbued with the indifference of its master, unaffected by the undercurrents of the divine realm.
The gluttonous Hemera was still locked in a struggle with the illusion, while her unfortunate brother Aether could only helplessly accompany her.
Although they didn't face the immense and perilous challenge of finding the abyss's treacherous, randomly appearing exit like others, given Hemera's terrible sense of direction, Aether had every reason to worry whether his sister could find her way back to the Temple of Night.
As for the possibility of teleportation, that was truly wishful thinking. After all, this was Tartarus, the deepest level of Hell, the most terrifying prison in the gods' eyes. (Let me say it again, this is really not a prison—by Tartarus)
Even if the rumors are unreliable, just think about how many gods, including two god-kings, were imprisoned here, and none of them escaped. You'll know the reality here isn't much better than the rumors suggest.
Although Tartarus has set up a protective necklace, allowing a god of light to teleport here is still far too much to ask of a god.
"Aether." Maintaining his usual terrifying style, Tartarus appeared silently behind Aether and suddenly spoke. (Actually, it was just a mischievous urge to see how others would react.)
Not frightened at all, Ether clearly had a strong mentality, but he still immediately turned and bowed respectfully, "Your Majesty Tartarus."
Here we go again, Tartarus sighed inwardly. Ether's stubbornness frustrated him. No matter how many times he told him, Ether would still meticulously bow to him with the most standard, exemplary manners the next time they met, making him very uncomfortable, yet he couldn't say anything, after all, it was Ether's respect for him.
But he really didn't have a penchant for having his nephew bow to him! Was he really that arrogant?
He casually told Ether to rise, having given up on correcting Ether's stubbornness. Arrogance it was, anyway, no one dared to say anything, Tartarus thought resignedly.
Aether stood up at the command. Although she didn't understand why His Majesty Tartarus had remained silent after telling her to rise, she dared not utter a sound. She merely sensed the subtle yet vast and profound divine power swirling around Tartarus, silently admiring his strength. Truly worthy of being the God of the Abyss, even in his youthful form, he exuded a sharp and dangerous aura.
Unbeknownst to her, the reason her revered His Majesty Tartarus remained silent was precisely because of his youthful appearance.
Several hundred years is enough for a god to come of age. The grown-up Aether was a handsome young man. His long silver hair was neatly tied back with a golden ribbon. An exquisite forehead ornament added to his magnificence and nobility. His vast, boundless azure eyes were crystal clear, like a child's, revealing their depths. His pure white robes further emphasized his pristine innocence. Even in the abyss, his holiness and purity remained undiminished. Truly worthy of being the God of the Space, the soul of the world. This made Tartarus feel a little disheartened, not because of his appearance, though he was used to the unpleasant situation of any god looking older than himself. But the thought of his nephew looking more mature than him was still a bit ridiculous.
Chaos, you're definitely doing this on purpose, Tartarus thought dejectedly. (Chaos, caught in the crossfire, insisted this really wasn't his fault.)
Soon, Tartarus shook off his annoyance and looked at Aether's bizarre appearance with a slight black line.
Can you imagine? A handsome young man, dressed in classical elegance as if he stepped out of an oil painting, carrying something that looked...like a cloth bag a housewife would use to buy groceries at the market.
This is completely out of place!
"This bag belongs to Hemera." Although it was a question, it was phrased as a statement, clearly indicating that he already knew.
"...Yes." Aether paused for a moment before answering. You have to believe that even someone as doting as Aether would be speechless at Hemera's unusual taste.
"You should probably correct her sense of aesthetics," Tartarus suggested sincerely.
"Yes, I definitely will," Aether replied seriously, but the next second, he added with a deeply remorseful tone, "It's all because I wasn't careful enough that I overlooked this. I won't make this mistake again."
His seemingly overwhelming guilt left Tartarus speechless.
*You're really going too far with your doting on your sister! Can't you stop making such a trivial matter sound like the end of the world?*
Looking at Aether's worried expression as he kept glancing at Hemera's reflection in the water mirror, Tartarus couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
"Don't you even understand? That was just an illusion. Your precious little sister will absolutely be fine. What are you worrying about?"
If being a sister-complex is a disease, then Aether is definitely a patient in the late stages who has given up on treatment.
"It's truly exhausting." Tartarus, naturally emotionally detached, couldn't understand this sister-complex's mindset at all. Did he expect to bring his sister as part of her dowry when she got married?
...Wait, speaking of marriage, he seemed to remember something. If he remembered correctly, in Greek mythology, Aether married his own sister, Hemera.
So, Aether probably liked Hemera.
"Indeed, some things are destined," Tartarus thought with a sigh. (Something seems a bit off here.)
Looking at Aether with a completely new perspective, he secretly wondered if he had noticed this himself. Probably not. Aether's attitude was too nonchalant; it didn't seem like he had.
Then he began to seriously reflect on whether his behavior today was right or wrong. Heaven knows, being a third wheel was definitely not his intention. (Hey! Don't make wild guesses, okay? Maybe she doesn't even like you.)
Neither of the two gods had figured it out yet, so he decided to let them be alone and not make things harder for them. He should leave before Hemera left the illusion. (I told you not to make wild guesses!)
Then… he really left, completely unaware of how crazy his behavior seemed to others.
Luckily, Ether, the only one present, was a good girl and didn't overthink it. -_-///
After suddenly appearing, saying a few pointless words, and then leaving again, what were you even doing here? This isn't the kind of boredom you can be so bad at! Couldn't you stop being so eccentric and acting on a whim?!
Chapter 15