Chapter 16: Trials Part 1
Everyone head turn to the purple hair Norse... God.
Hades looked at the girl that was the reason they ended up here. "Who are and what do you want with my brother"
The Purple hair girl looked at them. "My name is Skadi, as for Poseidon I am here to kill for what you did to me".
Let's just say, Hade smacked his head so hard that his hand almost went through his skull, he remembers the future as no wonder she looked so fermilier Skadi in the future during the war caused by Zeus was one of the top general of the Norse Gods, using her magic of the rune magic and many more
Hades smacked his head. "Kill me"
Skadi was a bit confused. "What did I do"
Hades screamed and spoke in his head to him self. 'You did so many things'
Hades sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course it had to be you, Skadi. The future just keeps getting worse, doesn't it?"
Skadi narrowed her eyes, still focused on Poseidon. "I'm here for him, not you, Hades. He knows what he did." Her voice was icy, her anger palpable as she tightened her grip on her wand.
Poseidon raised his hands in mock surrender, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Skadi, come on now, that was a long time ago! You're really holding a grudge?"
Skadi glared at him, her voice filled with cold fury. "You humiliated me, Poseidon! You dare mock the goddess of winter and hunt, and think I'd just let it go?"
Hades, still massaging his temples, muttered to himself. "Of course, he angered a future Norse general. This day couldn't get any worse."
Loki chuckled from the sidelines, clearly enjoying the drama. "Well, this is certainly more entertaining than I thought it'd be. Keep going, Skadi. I'd love to see how this plays out."
Odin stepped forward, his voice authoritative but calm. "Enough, all of you. Skadi, we're in the middle of something bigger than old grudges. Let's settle this later."
Skadi looked at Odin, visibly frustrated but knowing better than to go against his word. "Fine," she hissed, lowering her wand. "But this isn't over, Poseidon."
Poseidon let out a breath of relief, wiping his forehead dramatically. "Phew. Thanks, Odin. I owe you one."
Hades rolled his eyes. "No, we owe him one because you can't keep yourself out of trouble."
Skadi shot one last icy glare at Poseidon before falling into line with the others. Hades could only shake his head. "Future wars, angry goddesses, trials in the jungle. This trip is just getting better and better."
Hades looked at Poseidon. "Brother may I ask what you did while we were at Asgard training"
Poseidon went silent. "... Lighting Dragon"
Skadi was ready to jump but Hestai holded him back. "You almost killed me and my father, on my birthday"
Hades stared at Poseidon, his voice sharp. "You unleashed a Lightning Dragon on Skadi and her father? On her birthday?"
Poseidon nervously scratched the back of his head, avoiding his brother's glare. "It wasn't as bad as it sounds..."
Skadi, seething with fury, tried to lunge at Poseidon, but Hestia held her back firmly. "You nearly wiped out my entire family!" Skadi shouted, her magic flaring up around her, ice forming in the air. "And you did it for what? Fun?"
Tezcatlipoca, watching the scene unfold with growing impatience, clapped his hands. "Alright, enough of this. Whatever you gods think you're doing here, bickering like children won't solve anything." His voice was commanding, cutting through the chaos. "And don't tell me you're adults. Living 22 years as gods still makes you nothing more than toddlers to the likes of me."
Everyone paused, turning to Tezcatlipoca, who stood there with an amused yet stern expression.
Hades, sensing the tension, sighed and addressed his brother once more. "Poseidon, you and I are going to have a long conversation about this later."
Poseidon muttered under his breath, "I didn't mean for it to escalate like that..."
Tezcatlipoca crossed his arms, clearly fed up. "Now, if we're done playing out personal vendettas, can we focus on the task at hand? You gods have come here for a reason, no?" His tone was challenging, reminding them of the larger mission.
Hades nodded reluctantly, turning his attention back to the situation. "Right... the mission." He gave Poseidon one last withering look before refocusing on Tezcatlipoca. "Lead the way."
But even as the group prepared to move forward, the tension between Poseidon and Skadi lingered, promising that this wasn't over by a long shot.
Skadi looked at Tezcatlipoca. "So um do I need to take these Trails, I am not even related to this group".
Tezcatlipoca looked at her. "Sorry to say little girl, you got teleport here so you have join this... Adventure Party"
Tezcatlipoca looked at Odin. "You too eye patch kid.... How about I give you a nickname name All-father"
Hades just looked at him, to him that way to close to confert he wonder if Tezcatlipoca can see the future but in back is his mind.
Odin just looked at him. "One of all I am 22, two I have girlfriend and that is it she is not my wife, there i am not a dad ans four I like the Nickname"
Tezcatlipoca's grin widened as he led the group deeper into the jungle, the thick foliage seeming to swallow them up. The air was humid, and the sound of distant creatures echoed all around them. Hades could already feel the unease building, knowing this would be no ordinary trial.
As they walked, Skadi kept her arms crossed, occasionally shooting irritated glances at Poseidon, who was doing everything he could to avoid her gaze. She had clearly not forgotten the "Lightning Dragon" incident.
"So, Poseidon," Skadi began, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "care to explain what exactly possessed you to almost kill me and my father? On my birthday, no less?"
Poseidon scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I thought we settled this already. It was an accident! I didn't even know you were there—"
Skadi cut him off, pointing a finger at him. "Bullshit! You knew exactly what you were doing. I saw you smirking as you unleashed that lightning. You were trying to show off."
Odin chuckled under his breath. "Busted."
Poseidon shot a glare at Odin, who quickly looked away. "Look, I didn't mean for things to get that bad! It just… happened."
Skadi rolled her eyes. "Oh, sure. It just 'happened.' And you just 'accidentally' aimed your attack at a party. Classic."
Tezcatlipoca glanced over his shoulder, clearly amused by the bickering. "I like this one. She sees through your nonsense."
Hestia sighed. "Can we focus? We're in the middle of a dangerous jungle, and we have no idea what these trials even involve."
Skadi shrugged. "Sure, as long as Poseidon stops pretending he's innocent."
Poseidon opened his mouth to retort but quickly shut it when Skadi glared at him again. He muttered something under his breath, but the group moved forward.
As they approached a clearing, Tezcatlipoca stopped, raising his hand. "We've arrived."
The clearing was vast, with ancient ruins scattered around. In the center stood a massive stone structure, covered in strange carvings that seemed to glow faintly. The air felt thick with magic.
"This is the first trial," Tezcatlipoca announced. "Each of you will be tested based on your greatest weaknesses. Your fears, your doubts, your inner turmoil. Overcome them, and you will proceed. Fail, and… well, let's just say the jungle has plenty of hungry mouths."
Skadi raised an eyebrow. "Inner turmoil? You're really leaning into the melodrama, aren't you?"
Tezcatlipoca chuckled. "I like you, little one. But make no mistake, this is serious. The jungle tests those who dare to enter. There's no room for half-truths or lies here."
Skadi rolled her eyes again but didn't argue. She glanced at the stone structure, her sharp eyes narrowing. "So, what's the deal? We just walk in and face our nightmares, or is there some cryptic puzzle involved?"
Tezcatlipoca grinned. "You'll find out soon enough."
Odin stepped forward, adjusting his eye patch. "Well, let's get this over with. I'd rather not be eaten by whatever's lurking out there."
Skadi snorted. "Finally, something we agree on."
One by one, the group approached the structure, each stepping through its entrance and disappearing from view. Hades hesitated for a moment, glancing at Tezcatlipoca, who merely smiled.
"Good luck, Underworld boy," the Aztec god said, his tone dripping with mischief.
Hades sighed and stepped forward, bracing himself for whatever awaited him inside. As he crossed the threshold, a sudden chill ran down his spine, and he found himself standing in darkness. The air was thick with an oppressive weight, and in the distance, he heard a familiar voice.
"Hades…"
It was Cronus.
Meanwhile, outside the structure, Tezcatlipoca sat back, watching with amusement as Skadi, Odin, and the others faced their trials. He turned to Anansi, who had been surprisingly quiet throughout the journey.
"Think they'll make it?" Tezcatlipoca asked.
Anansi grinned. "Oh, I'm sure they'll manage. But I wouldn't be surprised if we see a few tempers flare."
As if on cue, Skadi's voice echoed from the structure, shouting, "This is such a load of crap!"
Tezcatlipoca chuckled. "I like her fire."
Anansi nodded. "She's not one to back down. But I think she'll handle it better than most."
Tezcatlipoca leaned back, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "This should be fun."
Inside the structure, Skadi stood in front of a projection of her past, her younger self standing before her, crying out for someone who was never there. She crossed her arms, glaring at the illusion.
"You really think this is going to break me?" she muttered to herself. "I've been through worse."
With a quick flick of her wrist, Skadi dismissed the illusion. She knew it was just an attempt to get under her skin, to make her doubt herself. But that wasn't going to work. She had no time for self-pity.
"Nice try," she said aloud, turning her back on the vision. "But I'm not falling for your games."
The structure rumbled as if acknowledging her defiance, and a door appeared before her, leading to the next part of the trial. Skadi smirked. "On to the next one, then."
Back outside, Tezcatlipoca couldn't help but laugh. "Breaking stereotypes indeed."
Odin, still inside his own trial, sneezed. "Who's talking about me now?"
Inside of them temple, Hades heard the voice then saw the smoke move and made the shape of his father before it took the Cronus
Hades just looked at Cronus. "... This is fun"
If it was anyone of his other sibling then woul fall in fear, there Trauma resurfacing, but for Hades he punched the thing as it was sent flying
Hades looked at the fake Cronus, cracking his nuckles. "Oh boy this will be fun... Yeah I using all my powers and some new moves, how about a shadow dragon and void wolf fusion
The smoke dissipated as the image of Cronus was sent flying by Hades' punch, scattering into the air before reforming a distance away. The looming figure of his father, twisted and shadowy, took shape again, but Hades was unfazed. Unlike his siblings, who had deeper scars from their father's tyranny, Hades had long since come to terms with the past. For him, this wasn't a trial—it was a sparring match, and one he was excited to win.
Cracking his knuckles, Hades grinned. "I've been waiting for something like this."
The illusion of Cronus towered before him, speaking in a low, thunderous voice. "You dare defy me, Hades? You have always been the most insignificant of my children."
Hades just rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all before. But let me make one thing clear—this is my trial, not yours. I'm in control here."
With a flick of his wrist, dark shadows began to swirl around his arms, forming into the shape of a massive dragon coiled around him. The ground beneath him cracked, and from those cracks emerged a sleek, snarling wolf made of pure void energy. Its eyes gleamed with malice, its form shifting and unstable like the void itself.
"Shadow Dragon, Void Wolf," Hades said calmly, his smirk growing. "Let's show this poor excuse of a god what real power looks like."
The shadow dragon roared, its long, serpentine body undulating around Hades as it locked its eyes on the false Cronus. The void wolf snarled, its form pulsating with chaotic energy, ready to pounce.
With a swift motion, Hades sent the two beasts hurtling toward Cronus. The dragon struck first, its jaws snapping around the smoky figure, while the void wolf attacked from below, its claws shredding through the illusion like it was made of paper.
Cronus tried to reform, but the sheer power of the dragon and wolf made it impossible. The smoke form of his father was torn apart piece by piece, dissipating into the air as Hades watched, his expression unwavering.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Hades said, his voice low and dangerous. He raised his hand, forming a sphere of darkness in his palm, a mix of shadow and void energy swirling together. With a flick of his wrist, he sent it forward, obliterating the last remnants of the illusion.
As the smoke cleared, Hades stood there, victorious. His beasts faded away, and the temple rumbled, acknowledging his success. The walls began to shift, revealing a path forward, but Hades stayed where he was for a moment, glancing around.
"Is that all?" he muttered. "Kind of a letdown, honestly."
Just then, a voice echoed from the walls, Tezcatlipoca's voice, filled with amusement. "Impressive, Underworld boy. But the trials are far from over. Let's see if your comrades fare as well."
Hades smirked, cracking his neck. "I doubt they'll be as entertained as I was."
He turned, heading down the newly opened path, ready for whatever came next.
Meanwhile, in another part of the temple, Skadi stood facing her own trial. The temple had conjured images from her past—visions of loneliness, moments where she had felt abandoned, betrayed. But instead of faltering, she crossed her arms, glaring at the illusions with disdain.
"You call this a trial?" she muttered, stepping forward. "I've dealt with worse from actual people."
One illusion, a younger version of herself, stepped forward, eyes filled with tears. "Why are you always alone? Why does no one stay?"
Skadi rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. This is such a cliché. You think this will break me?"
She raised her hand, summoning a flurry of ice and magic runes, and with a swift motion, shattered the illusion. The temple groaned, almost as if it was struggling to create something that could challenge her, but Skadi was unfazed.
"I'm not here for your psychological games," she said firmly, striding through the now-open door. "If you want to challenge me, do it head-on."
As she stepped into the next room, she smirked. "I swear, this temple is trying way too hard."
Back outside, Tezcatlipoca leaned back against a tree, laughing as he sensed the progress of each god. "These kids are full of surprises."
Anansi nodded, a sly grin on his face. "It's rare to see gods so young face their fears with such defiance. They might just make it through."
Tezcatlipoca glanced at the temple, eyes glinting with mischief. "Oh, they will. But let's see if they can handle what's coming next."
To be continued
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