章 54: Getting things in order
Some time has passed since Hades had come back from the Tensura world. He had started to look after the Underworld as he knew that with the 'gift' the gods had granted Pandora, the Underworld would get very busy.
So to make sure that everything was working as intended, Hades decided to wait for a while before going to another world. He had gone back to the world of Tensura first to set things right and placed Rimuru in another slime body and gave him the skills he had in the beginning. He wanted the skills but he would not just kill him for his benefit if he didn't have to. But that was not important now.
He spent a few years in the Underworld simply watching and seeing the progress while also training armed and unarmed combat from Yuuichiro Hanma and Miyamoto Musashi. These two were masters in their respective martial arts and Hades picked it up in a flash. He used the same strength as they did to make training more effective and fun. But even then ... the speed at which he learned new things had taken a massive leap since he had comprehended the Sixth Note.
Using time dilation of about 100:1 he spent a few years in the END to learn the things from them and then train in simulations he created. He made the enemies stronger and stronger while he restricted his power more and more. After some years it was no use in training in the simulations anymore and he stopped to go back to the Underworld.
.
"My Lord?", Yuuichiro asked Hades.
He and Miyamoto were kneeling before Hades in his throne room in the Underworld when he summoned them. He had something to tell them.
"I have called you today because there is something I wanted you to do. Should you accept, you will be granted some form of freedom in the world of the Living."
"Sure, we'll do anything you ask of us.", Miyamoto said.
"I want you two to go out in the world and create quests that I will tell you about. I have decided to keep some form of influence in the world now and in the years to come.", Hades told them.
"What sort of quests do you mean?"
"I want to create quests that those who seek to better themselves or wish to grow stronger can get tested. Those who pass the test will be granted something by me."
"And what would you grant them, my lord?", Miyamoto asked Hades.
"I have already started. When the gods created Pandora and gave her the box of curses to unleash on the world, I gave her a gift. I gave her the will of a Conqueror. No, even beyond that. It is no longer correct to call it the will of a Conqeror, It is not the will of Pandora. The will to get up and face misfortune, adversity and pain head-on. The will to grow stronger and walk the path no matter how many stones you encounter along the way."
"Hehe, you gave her the will of a warrior.", Yuuichiro smiled. He knew this Will. But what Hades gave Pandora was more than that. He gave her something special.
"Something like that. But there is more to it. What I want you to do is to settle where the quest eventually leads and where the final tests will take place.", Hades told them.
"I understand. You want us to be the final challenges.", Yuuichiro said.
"Correct. If those who go on the quest of Hades, make it til the end ... you will be their final opponent. It should show us whether they deserve my gift or not. And don't worry. The tests that come before you will already have eliminated those that only seek power to dominate.", Hades said.
"So we just wait for a contender to come?", Yuuichiro said, clearly not as happy as he thought he would be bored.
"For taking this upon yourselves, I will grant you two your bodies back and grant you eternal life, for as long as you act as the final guardians of the quest of Hades. I even have something special for you ... Yuuichiro.", Hades said and out of his Shadow another figure emerged.
Yuuichiro watched with wide eyes as the silhouette of a woman came out of Hades' shadow and revealed to be ... his wife.
"You-"
"I added her, for this reason. I thought you deserved some peace and entertainment. Take it however you wish. Now ... do you accept?", Hades asked them both.
"My Lord ... are we ... allowed-", Miyamoto wanted to ask, when Hades interrupted him.
"You are allowed to go out and seek yourself a companion. Since Yuuichiro has someone I also grant you this chance. But if you have not yet found someone in the next millennia, I will have to ask you to begin with your quest preparations. You are both allowed to make families and you can travel the world. I will grant you the ability to teleport to your home, which you will build at the test site. And more questions?"
"None my Lord.", Miyamoto said.
"No.", said Yuuichiro.
"Good. Then let us begin. I will grant you your bodies now."
.
Hades had planned to do this since he knew that Pandora would be created. He wanted to create something that would make exceptional martial artists from the entire world go on a quest. And should they prove themselves worthy, he would grant them the ability to use Haki or Nen. He had granted Pandora Haoshoku Haki. She was the first one to be granted this, but it was more than just Haoshoku Haki from One Piece. Those few that had this special type of 'will' or Haki would be able to do truly marvellous things and it depended on the individual to understand it.
After Hades had granted Yuuichiro, his wife and Miyamoto real bodies, he sent them out to see the world before they began their work. The times were not good for humans in these years and Hades could see it as the knowledge in the 'Tree of Knowledge' increased. He could feel their suffering and their fear of death. Hades understands the fear of death better than any god, as he was once a human himself. That is also why he created the Underworld the way he did and why he wanted the 'Quests of Hades' done as well.
He knew that death was not cruel, it was impartial and that could be seen as cruel. But no matter who you were, it came for you. Everything would eventually come to Hades. As he was the END. No one would be free of this. Not even the gods and not even cosmic beings or entities. They would eventually come to him.
.
.
- In Hades' study -
Hades was currently drinking the tea that he enjoyed so much when he got notified that someone called him from the Palace in the Underworld. He took a deep breath and appeared in the throne room. There stood his dear Butler, dressed in formal clothing befitting his station. He bowed to Hades when the latter motioned him to speak.
"Well Sebas, what do you have for me?", Hades asked him with a smile.
He was very proud of himself that he had taken the time to go to Overlord and take Sebas as his Butler. He was truly competent and after he made him a Shadow he knew that his loyalty was guaranteed. He did however grant him a body to work in.
Sebas has the appearance of an elderly butler and he is dressed gracefully in his traditional black uniform. Sebas' hair is entirely white, just like his immaculate beard. He has visible wrinkles on his hollow face, which makes him seem gentle in appearance, but his eyes are as sharp as an eagle's.
"Master Hades. It appears that you have a guest. It is a young lady with the name of Pandora. Would you like to receive her?", Sebas asked.
"Oh? She came. That's good then. Yes please bring her in, Sebas."
"Yes sir."
.
Sebas left to get Pandora. After a few minutes, he walked back in with the young woman in tow. She was a beautiful woman, but unlike what one might expect, she was not the scared and desperate girl who opened the box and unleashed all those curses on humanity. She looked like a strong and capable woman.
"Pandora is here to see you, sir.", Sebas says and bows.
"Thank you Sebas. You can leave."
After Sebas leaves the two alone Hades and Pandora look at each other for a moment. Then Hades stands up and walks to Pandora until he stands right before her.
"Pandora, I am glad you came. What brings you here?"
"Lord Hades ... thank you for seeing me and allowing me access to the Underworld. I came to speak with you about your ... gift.", Pandora told him.
"I see. And what is it that you wish to know?"
"I wish to know why you did it. Why did you give me this strong will that drives me and pushes me forward? Why do you want to torture me so?"
Pandora had an angry look on her face.
"It seems like you misunderstood me. What I gave you ... is the power to decide. I gave you the will to do anything you set your mind to. You have been granted something truly unique and powerful. I gave this to you so that you can stand back up after this 'punishment' that the gods gave humanity and help them. You can become someone that truly helps them and shows them that ... there is still hope."
"I ... understand. What should I do then?", Pandora asked him after a moment of contemplation.
"What do you want to do?"
"I ... I'm not sure. I want to help humans. To help my kind. I wish to show those gods that we're not weak and we will not bend to their every whim just because we aren't as strong as they are. I wish to see humanity prosper!"
Hades grinned when she said that. He had succeded in his plan to make Pandora the force that will give humanity hope. She will become a legendary figure in the future.
"That is good. I am glad you think that way. And I invite you to the Underworld whenever you wish. As long as you agree to all the terms, you are always welcome here."
"Thank you, Lord Hades. But I wish to live among humans for now. I want to be as close to them as I possibly can."
"That is perfectly fine."
"Then I shall take my leave. Thank you for explaining this to me, Lord Hades."
"You are most welcome, Pandora. I shall see you in the future.", Hades told her when she left with Sebas.
.
Hades was now ready. He had completed the things he came here for and was now ready to go on another adventure in another world. He had waited for a long time now and he wished to see new things. And he knew the perfect world to do that. He had long waited to have a symbol of power.
While he could have asked the Cyclops to make one for him, he didn't want to. He wanted something unique, with metals of his choosing or at least something that was connected to his soul. And he thought of the world of Bleach. It was perfect and the Zanpakuto would reflect his soul and fit him perfectly.
So, Hades prepared everything. He checked if everything was ready and then told Hecate as well as the family of Nyx and Erebus goodbye. He told them that he would go into the END to practice with his powers and wouldn't come back for a few years.
He went into the END, sat down cross-legged and then focused on the world he wished to go to as well as the time. With one last look, he vanished from the DC universe.
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