Hades' Wedding - Part 1
After the long and arduous Gigantomachia ca to an end, the gods began to gather in the Underworld. The reason? I, Hades, the King of the Underworld, had announced that I would hold my wedding here.
Stories spread that the victory in the Gigantomachia was thanks to Nyx joining the battle, and Zeus himself declared that I was most responsible for our success. Naturally. While Heracles may have slain the most Gigantes, it was I who persuaded Protheus, defended Mount Etna where Typhon lay buried, and convinced Nyx to intervene.
Thus, the Olympian gods, scattered across the world, flocked to the Underworld, causing a bit of a stir. On the Acheron River, divine beings and souls alike crowded onto Charon’s ferry to reach the Underworld.
"Is this the Underworld? It’s my first ti here..."
"Olympians, hurry it up. I’m busy enough ferrying souls."
"Oh, Charon!"
"Huh... Your ferry has changed quite a bit since last I saw it."
"This isn’t a ferry; it’s made of steel!"
Charon, the ferryman of the Underworld, had his work cut out for him. With the victory feast for the Gigantomachia doubling as my wedding, there was no other choice.
Naturally, the ambrosia and nectar were supplied by Olympus. Ganyde, who took over the managent of ambrosia and nectar after Hebe married Heracles, must have had a busy ti.
Today, I ordered the Underworld to be decorated so extravagantly that it wouldn’t feel like the realm mortals feared so deeply. The treasure vault had more than enough jewels to spare.
As the groom, I was swamped with changing into countless outfits and having them adjusted. Despite having finalized my attire days ago, it seed there was always more to prepare.
Finally, I was dressed in a black robe adorned with elaborate decorations, wearing a crown, and seated in my chair. Holding the Bident in my right hand, I worked to ease my slightly tense body.
"Wow, Lord Hades! You look amazing all dressed up!"
"Woah..."
"Perhaps a bit more decoration on the shoulders..."
Various gods would occasionally stop by to chat or offer their congratulations before leaving. Even gods who were rarely seen showed up, including Eris, the goddess of discord. Despite her reputation, I invited her, as it was unthinkable to exclude the mother of the goddess I was marrying.
She graciously assured not to worry, saying she wouldn’t cause trouble at her daughter’s wedding. If anything, not inviting her might have caused problems. Hmm.
In addition to Eris, I also invited deities often avoided by others, such as Limos, the goddess of hunger, and the three goddesses of vengeance. As a god of fairness, it would be unjust to discriminate. Besides, with the Cornucopia in my possession, I could temporarily sate Limos’ hunger.
Seating arrangents were adjusted to keep any strained relationships, such as Athena and dusa, from crossing paths. With advance notice given, things seed to be going smoothly... until another visitor arrived.
It was the goddesses of vengeance—two of them, at least.
"Hades. Congratulations on your marriage."
"Ah, thank you... But where is Goddess Alecto?"
"...She’s crying because of you."
Though I didn’t understand what they ant, I resolved to visit Alecto after the wedding.
Clunk.
The door opened again, and another divine being entered with a gift. Was it Aphrodite this ti?
"Oh my... Hades, always dressed so drably, but now... slurp... looking quite..."
"Mother! Please stop!"
"Oh, co on. Just a little eye candy—"
"...?"
Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, entered, staring at with a dazed expression and even drooling before Eros, horrified, dragged her out.
"Hades! It’s been a while!"
"Anything in particular you’d like as a gift? I could upgrade your weapon."
"My Kunee could use so work."
"What did it even collide with this ti?"
"Poseidon’s trident got nicked too. Maybe he’ll ask for repairs."
"It wasn’t Skeptron again, was it?"
Even the Cyclopes, masters of the forge and wielders of ageless strength, made appearances. I spent so ti receiving blessings and gifts from nurous gods.
Finally, the long wait ended, and it was ti for the ceremony. At the sound of the call, I walked into the garden of the Underworld.
The god of marriage, Hynaios, stood as officiant, grinning at . Ahead, I could see them—the goddesses dressed in radiant attire.
Persephone, beaming and waving when our eyes t. Styx, smiling and fidgeting with the ring on her hand. nthe, looking down, shy in her formal dress. Lethe, standing with her hand on her hip, clad in a pure white chiton.
Wearing elaborate red veils and floral crowns of unfading blossoms, they each radiated beauty. As I stepped forward, crushing the flower-strewn carpet beneath my feet, the murmurs of gods on either side reached my ears.
"Finally, a wedding. Are all four to be queens of the Underworld?"
"nthe is just a minor goddess. But to accept them all... Hades truly is sothing."
"It must be because he’s the god of fairness."
"We even placed bets on when he’d marry!"
"Deter’s cherished goddess of spring... Her beauty is truly breathtaking."
"Congratulations, great uncle Hades."
The Underworld’s garden glowed faintly in the darkness, with gems shimring like stars. Ethereal, translucent souls, once musicians in life, floated by, singing hymns of praise for the divine.
"Hehe."
"It feels like a dream..."
Reaching Hynaios and the goddesses, I t their eyes, noticing the slight blush on each of their faces. Mine likely mirrored theirs.
"Ahem. In the na of the Styx, here at the final destination of mortals, you shall be united forever."
My focus was entirely on the four goddesses before . Hynaios’ voice barely registered. In this mont, it felt as though only they and I existed.
"Now, King of the Underworld, will you spend eternity with these four goddesses?"
"Of course."
"And you, goddesses, do you swear to share your destiny with the lord of the Underworld for eternity, even in darkness?"
One by one, they answered without hesitation. As I gazed into their eyes, mories surfaced—eting Styx and Lethe not long after my reincarnation in ancient Greece, nthe helping recover fragnts of precious mories from my past life, and my first awkward, yet not unpleasant, encounter with Persephone.
These were the ones dearest to , who loved and waited for soone as unworthy as .
"By the declaration of Hynaios, the god of marriage, I pronounce you as one."
Ding~ A soft lody resonated.
One by one, I kissed them, their soft warmth filling as the gods erupted into thunderous applause. Cheers echoed around us. Iris created a beautiful rainbow, and Apollo gently strumd his lyre.
"Wooo! Congratulations, Lord Hades!"
"Enjoy your honeymoon now that Gigantomachia is over!"
"Perhaps I’ll visit the Underworld to lend a hand!"
"...What? Are you insane?"
"Kuhuhu! Yes! This is it! Hahaha!"
"Euros? That laugh better not an you’re plotting sothing."
"As the goddess of hearth and family, I wish you a happy household."
Zeus chuckled as he sipped nectar, Poseidon smiled with Amphitrite at his side, and even Hephaestus, with his unusually swollen and colorful face, joined in applause. The Muses displayed their talents. Aphrodite looked slightly pouty, while Deter wiped her tears as she gazed at Persephone.
Around them, countless lesser gods, nymphs, attendants, and souls chattered loudly. A whisper from one of the minor gods reached :
"Wait, today’s the day the Underworld finally gets its mistress. Does that an we can rest?"
"Is... that possible?"
"Just a month, please!"
Ah, I understood their feelings. A ruler too obsessed with work would inevitably draw complaints. Maintaining balance was important, but working even on my wedding day... That would leave no room for excuses.
"Ahem. Hear , all gods of the Underworld! Today is a joyous occasion, and by my authority..."
Seeing their hopeful faces, including Charon’s and Thanatos’, whose pupils grew with anticipation, I declared:
"...I hereby suspend all Underworld duties for four days."
That should be enough of a concession.
* * *
Despite the joyous occasion, so gods appeared oddly subdued, though they soon joined in the festivities, chatting and enjoying the feast. However, a few of them displayed strange expressions. Hopefully, it wasn’t anything serious.
"Ugh... Why does my head start hurting the mont Lord Hades ntions work?"
"Ares, you too? I feel it as well..."
"Grrr... Still, four days off is better than nothing. Wait, hold on—am I even officially assigned to the Underworld right now?"
"No more paperwork... No more paperwork."
Ignoring the nurous gods murmuring about unexplained pains, I turned my attention to Zeus, who approached with a goblet of nectar in hand. Having been mingling with Hera, he now wandered about, observing the Underworld’s transford scenery.
"Brother Hades. It seems the Underworld has changed quite a lot since I last visited."
"You’ve barely set foot here since the Great Flood. I’ve implented a few reforms in the anti."
"I hadn’t realized the Underworld had so much to see."
After exchanging so casual remarks, Zeus adopted a more serious tone.
"This isn’t exactly the ti for such matters, but... I’ve been considering reducing the number of heroes. When the ti cos, I’ll send a ssenger to the Underworld. Could you visit Olympus to discuss it?"
Another disaster like the Great Flood, perhaps?
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