The God of Underworld-Chapter 100 - 54:

In the deepest core of the Underworld, where the Hanging Fortress floated in eternal twilight above the city of Nox, a single magical pulse reverberated across the realm.

It was Hecate’s call—subtle to mortals, but thunder to gods.

A summoning that needed no words.

Across the vast dominion of Erebus, they felt it.

Hera, still wrapped in divine grace despite the age-old embers of resentment from being left to deal with all internal affairs of Underworld that clung to her heart, looked up from her chambers carved in white obsidian.

She knew this call, and she did not hesitate.

With a wide smile, she vanished in a shimmer of gold.

Thanatos, the God of Death, paused from his silent vigil among the souls of the recently departed.

He whispered one last comfort to a frightened spirit before fading into shadow.

Hypnos, his brother, roused from a dreamless slumber beneath a willow tree beside his personal spring.

His eyes, still drowsy, opened as he let the winds of sleep lift him toward the throne.

The Five River Gods—Styx, Acheron, Cocytus, Phlegethon, and Lethe—heard the call through the very waters they governed.

Waves shifted against gravity and currents flowed in reverse, stirred by the heartbeat of their king’s return.

They left their domains, water trailing behind them like ribbons.

Keres, draped in a bloodstained shroud, soared above the desolate battlegrounds of the damned, her fierce and bloodthirsty eyes gleaming.

She followed the call without question, dragging the scent of iron with her.

Eris, goddess of discord, arrived with a smirk, trailing whispers and illusions in her wake.

The Underworld rumbled uneasily as she moved.

And finally, Aphrodite—radiant and resplendent, untamed by the darkness—gathered herself in silken petals and streaked toward the Hanging Fortress in a storm of pink and gold.

They all converged in the Throne Hall, a vast, vaulted chamber of black crystal and floating sigils.

At its center stood the Throne of Hades, carved from fragments of the first stone that sealed the Gates of Death.

It had remained empty for years—until now.

Hades sat upon it once more.

He did not speak. He did not move. But the very air around him bowed in reverence.

He held a child—Nekyria, the daughter born of death and earth, wrapped in emerald cloth and glowing with a gentle light that seemed to soften the shadows around them.

The eleven gods appeared in a swirl of divine motion.

One by one, they materialized in the throne hall, each bearing the distinct scent and weight of their domains.

Finally, as the last god arrived, Hecate stood in front of them and bowed to Hades.

"My king, the Twelve Patron Gods have gathered. We hear and obey."

" "We Hear And Obey!" "

Without a word, they all knelt.

A sign of their utmost respect and reverence to the god seated on that throne.

Even Hera, his sister, knelt.

Only a certain goddess of love and beauty did not.

Aphrodite, full of life, passion, and recklessness, darted forward in a burst of wild rose petals.

"Welcome home, my love!" she cried, flying straight toward Hades, arms wide, eyes glittering with delight.

Before she could reach him however, a cold wind surged across the room.

Vines of silver mist materialized mid-air, wrapping around Aphrodite and halting her movement inches away from Hades’ throne.

Hecate, still kneeling, had raised a hand with two fingers held upward in a silent sign. Her golden eyes glowed softly.

"Compose yourself, Aphrodite," she said coolly, not looking at her, but at Hades.

Aphrodite wriggled like a frustrated child. "I was just—"

Thanatos stood, casting his icy gaze toward her. "You do not fly at the King of the Dead as if he were a lover returned from war. You stand as his subject."

Aphrodite’s lips parted in protest, but seeing the unflinching stare of Hades, who remained silent, she sighed and lowered her head.

"Forgive me, my king." The words tasted bitter on her tongue, but she bowed nonetheless.

The mist unwrapped and faded into the stone.

Hades finally stirred, eyes landing on Aphrodite as he offered a small smile. "...we can spend some time alone later, just the two of us."

Aphrodite’s eyes gleamed in joy, and sent Hades a flying kiss much to the anger and disgust of Hera and Hecate.

Hades simply nodded and swept his eyes across the room slowly—dark as the abyss, but never cruel.

They lingered briefly on each face, seeing not only their form, but the weight they carried.

He looked to Hera and nodded once. She inclined her head in quiet understanding.

To Thanatos and Hypnos, his first companions after the Titanomachy, he gave a rare flicker of warmth.

To Styx, he merely gazed. She placed a fist to her chest.

Then he spoke—his voice quiet, but undeniable, like the echo of a stone dropped in eternity.

"I have returned. I believe you managed my realm while I was away?"

Hera quickly stood up and reported, "I have promoted several divine spirits into lesser gods to help lessen the workload of our workers."

Hades nodded, "You did good. Thank you Hera."

"Anytime, brother."

"Well... " Hades raised the child to show it to the patrons, "Enough about that for now. This time, I will introduce you to my daighter, Nekyria."

He stood from the throne, child in arms. Nekyria blinked as the divine lights of the hall reflected in her eyes.

The hall held its breath.

"This child is my daughter. Born of Gaia and me. Her name is Nekyria."

Shock rippled through the hall like a tremor.

Whispers stirred.

Eyes widened.

Even Hera, always composed, looked stricken for a moment.

At the same time, she felt an endless sense of unhealthy jealousy as she, for a brief moment, glared at the child. But she soon snap out of her thoughts and mentally slap herself for thinking of something bad to a child.

Hades’ child no less!

Thankfully, they weren’t married yet, or else her authority would’ve already made her go insane.

Aphrodite...well, Aphrodite is Aphrodite.

"My king! I want a child too! Please impregna—mmphg! Mmphg?!"

Before Aphrodite could finish her words, Hecate completely sealed her mouth shut.

"Please continue your majesty," Hecate looked urgent but respectful.

Hades nodded.

"She will walk among us," Hades continued. "Learn from us. And one day... she will rule. Not as a tyrant. Not as a destroyer. But as one who understands life and death alike."

He stepped forward, allowing the child to look at the kneeling gods.

"You are my patrons. You are her family. You will guide her, each in your way."

Hecate rose to her feet first and walked to Hades’ side. "I will teach her the mysteries between light and dark, sleep and waking, the known and the unknown."

Thanatos stood next. "And I will show her the mercy in endings."

Hypnos followed. "And the power in rest."

Styx stepped forward. "She will know what it means to honor her word."

One by one, they all rose, pledging their role in Nekyria’s life.

Even Aphrodite, quieter now, walked forward and knelt again, gazing at the child.

"If she is to be loved... let her know love that does not burn to ash."

Keres, with her ghostly voice, whispered, "She will learn what should be feared... and what must be endured."

Eris only smiled and said, "She’ll know how to break the world... and how to stitch it back together."

The hall pulsed as each god offered their vow.

Hades looked down at his daughter, her tiny fingers clutching the edge of his cloak.

A new Chapter had begun in the Underworld—one not built on judgment or vengeance, but hope.

And all twelve patrons—twelve forces of death, change, chaos, and love—stood behind the child who would one day inherit the balance of the world.