(Greek Mythology) The Abyss of the Underworld
Chapter 54
Passing through the magnificent and grand temple complex, one enters a lush, verdant back garden. A clear stream meanders through the trees, its bottom covered in white pebbles, with aquatic plants peeking out from the cracks, adding a touch of life to the scene.
The trees and grass along the banks are covered with flowers that emit a faint glow, which gradually intensifies with the infusion of divine power until it illuminates this small space as bright as day.
So, Your Majesty Tar, you didn't make most of the flowers in the Underworld translucent and luminous just so you could use them as streetlights, did you?
"Hermes' divine power is truly invaluable in times like these." Having shed her usual ornate yet elaborate attire, Ai Miye appeared remarkably simple in a knee-length black sundress. Sitting on a rock by the shore, she dipped her legs in the cool water, slowly plucking petals from a flower in her hand, exuding an air of languid elegance.
Depending on the amount of divine power infused, the flower's glow varied, and Hermes' divine power earned unanimous praise.
"That's why she's the Goddess of Daylight," Eris, equally simply dressed, scooped up a handful of water, then slowly released it, letting the droplets splash and create tiny sprays, playfully adding a comment.
"Now you know how important I am, don't you?" Taking advantage of her divine immunity to drowning, Hermes lay down on the pebble-strewn bottom, her voice muffled by the water.
Artemis silently took a few steps to the side, lest she accidentally step on the goddess with her childlike heart.
"Yes, yes, you're important," Aimee said dismissively.
"So, Auntie, why don't you cook today?" Hemera perked up at the mention of food, sitting up from the water expectantly to see Aimee.
"No." Being a cook for her father was one thing, since she couldn't resist, but to be asked to cook again after returning home was something she absolutely refused to do. It was a hobby occasionally, but now she had no interest.
After thinking for a moment, Aimee felt that refusing so bluntly was too impolite. Just then, she glanced down at the fruit bowl beside her, and an idea struck her.
A plate inscribed with runes, filled with fruit, floated easily on the water. With a gentle push from Ai Miya, the plate drifted towards Hemera. "But fruit is still acceptable."
"What's so special about fruit? I don't want it!" Hemera muttered, quickly picking out her favorite fruit and eating it.
Hermera, you're really a hypocrite, aren't you? Should I give you a thumbs up?
The others nearby were unfazed, except for the newcomer, the little girl Artemis, who stared in disbelief, her worldview shattered. Her impression of the Underworld as terrifying yet sublime was instantly destroyed.
Tarasa patted the little girl's head reassuringly, comforting her, "Some things don't need to be taken so seriously."
"Hermera is always like this." The words, tinged with surprise, were barely out of her mouth when Artemis regretted it. How could she speak of her mother like that in front of someone else's daughter? The little girl blushed with embarrassment.
Ignoring Artemis's slip of the tongue, Tarasa looked at Artemis, who was unusually angry with herself for being annoyed, and a smile appeared in his eyes. "The Mother Goddess is indeed always rather... uh... lively and uninhibited."
Artemis: Although the wording is euphemistic, it's definitely badmouthing Princess Hemera, isn't it? Princess Tarasa, does your mother know you're saying that?
Then, as it turns out, Hemera is quite perceptive. She had just been arguing with Amyr about the dialectical relationship between gourmet food and a cook, and turned to Tarasa and Artemis, saying, "Just say I'm unreliable, no need for such euphemisms."
When it comes to self-deprecation, Hemera has always been exceptionally talented.
Artemis: ...Such a good attitude.
"Mother Goddess, I'm taking Artemis swimming." The ever-calm Tarasa was as composed as ever. She extended her right hand to Artemis. "Want to come along?"
After less than a second of hesitation, Artemis decisively placed her small hand in Tarasa's palm and obediently let her lead her away.
Compared to the mischievous Princess Amy and Princess Eris, and the unreliable Princess Hemera, the steady and gentle Princess Tarasa was simply too good to be true. Was there any doubt about Artemis's choice?
Moreover…
"What a pity. I wanted to tease Artemis a bit, but I was talking to Hemera and didn't have time. Now she's been taken away. It's quite a shame." The regretful tone sent chills down one's spine.
Artemis, who hadn't gone far, heard Amy's words and couldn't help but feel fortunate for her decisiveness.
"I'm so tired of being teased and played with all the time. She's just a child, okay? Can't you be a little more understanding of a child's emotional capacity?" —by Artemis, who's always having bad luck.
The stream downstream was deeper than upstream, just enough to completely submerge Artemis. The bottom wasn't filled with pebbles, but with beautiful stones of various colors. Small fish swam leisurely back and forth, making Artemis instantly fall in love with the place.
The beautiful "stones": No, we are really gems, please believe us.
Because they contained too little energy, the goddess of annihilation, Ai Miye, disliked them and didn't even want to eat them, and then casually tossed them into the water. Their hearts were filled with sorrow. "I'm unhappy, I'm having a little tantrum! Life as a stone is already so difficult, please don't expose me!"
Due to their different species, Artemis was completely unaware of the complaints of these fake-beautiful-stones-real-gems, and happily swam around underwater, playing with the little fish. Tarasa watched Artemis's rare childlike behavior with a smile. This was more like a child; children should be lively. Her usual quiet and cautious demeanor was heartbreaking.
In the Underworld, besides those who were cunning and ruthless, there were only overly lively and mischievous children. Even the seemingly innocent Eris was only on the surface. Artemis's quiet and well-behaved nature was a miracle, so Tarasa actually quite liked the little girl.
After Tarasa took Artemis away, Hemera coughed to clear her throat, then asked with a serious expression, "What do you think His Majesty is doing right now? Is he playing chess again?"
Aimiye and Eris, who thought Hemera was going to say something serious: ...So you were all serious just now, but all you wanted to ask was this? Are you kidding us?
Seeing the two gods' slightly displeased expressions, Hemera quickly added, "But the subject of our gossip is His Majesty, I'm a little nervous."
So, the premise that the Abyss is Tartarus is just too much of a trap. Hemera always felt like she was being overheard. Gossiping about him in the deepest part of Hell, where Tartarus has the strongest control, made Hemera a little nervous, like that scary yet exciting feeling of doing something naughty behind someone's back as a child.
Well, actually, thinking about it that way is kind of exciting.
Ai Miye's lips twitched slightly. She genuinely thought Hemera's imagination was wildly wild. Calmly patting Hemera's head, Ai Miye replied, "You're overthinking it."
As the Lord of the Abyss, Tartarus had the privilege of easily knowing the entire Abyss's situation, but unless there was a reason, he wouldn't use this power. Furthermore, Ai Miye and Eris were both girls, and to avoid suspicion, Tartarus would deliberately avoid this area when using his divine sense to examine the Abyss. How could he have overheard anything Hemera said?
"Uh... really?" Hemera lamented her own slip-up, changing the subject. "To be able to play chess with His Majesty for so long, I think Hades has it pretty tough."
Hermera's chess skills were poor, and her sportsmanship was even worse. Not only did she take back moves, but she did so with unwavering self-righteousness. So, she was initially very willing to play chess with Tartarus, since he would let her take back moves however she wanted. However, she soon resolutely went on strike, taking back moves all the way through, only to lose miserably. Couldn't a god enjoy playing chess like this? Therefore, she particularly admired Hades.
However, Amy and Eris were clearly on a different wavelength from Hemera. They didn't think Hades had it tough at all.
Amy: That bastard who stole his brother.
Eris: That wicked god who stole His Majesty.
The two goddesses, forced to shorten their time with Tartarus, were unhappy.
Hemera silently watched the almost solidified black aura behind Eris, and Aimi, who, while not emitting black aura, had accidentally crushed the emerald in her hand. She inwardly wiped away sweat, realizing she couldn't handle this combination of a queen-obsessed brother and a scheming, brainless fan.
"Anyway, there are many affairs in the Underworld. You can wait until Hades leaves before going to His Majesty."
After saying this, Hemera saw the resentment intensify.
Hmera: O_o Did I say something wrong again?
"His Majesty prefers peace and quiet," Eris's voice was soft and ethereal.
Tartarus might be happy to have a god visit occasionally, but too many visits would definitely displease him given his love of peace and quiet. As a caring sister/fan, how could they possibly disturb Tartarus?
Chapter 54