Side Story – The Rebellion of the Underworld (5)
Athena and Iris, bowing their heads in greeting, gazed at Protheus, who was bound in chains.
Athena, ard and armored, stepped forward and spoke first.
"You’ve captured Protheus."
"Yes. I couldn’t find Epitheus, but I discovered Protheus while he was fleeing and captured him."
"I see."
“Kehehehe…”
Protheus’s chuckling laughter prompted Iris to glance around nervously before continuing.
"Atlas, who carried the celestial sphere, has disappeared, Zeus’s divine beast is dead, and Protheus’s whereabouts were unknown. Thus, a eting was held in Olympus. Of the major gods who govern the world, only Lord Poseidon and Lord Hades were absent. That’s why we’ve co here in person…"
The fact that Poseidon wasn’t in Olympus was a significant advantage. He had always been a god who moved between Olympus and the seas, so his absence from Olympus was understandable.
But in this situation… If he’s clashing with Zeus or perhaps, like , preparing for a rebellion…
He, who had always coveted the throne of the king of the gods, wouldn’t miss an opportunity like this when Zeus’s authority is faltering.
It feels as if the Moirai, the Fates, are favoring my rebellion.
"Poseidon is just staying in the sea? Tch. He once tried to overturn Olympus; it’s suspicious. What do you think, Athena?"
"…Dionysus has headed toward the sea."
I probed Athena for her thoughts, and I gleaned a small amount of information.
It’s hard to discern her intentions, but it’s certain that Zeus is wary of Poseidon.
Instead of Hers, the ssenger, they sent Dionysus, the weakest among the Twelve Olympians, to the sea?
Perhaps the plan is for Hers to monitor Poseidon and report back to Olympus in case Dionysus doesn’t return, or Poseidon launches a rebellion.
They did say a eting was held. Then the gods left in Olympus now are Hephaestus, Apollo, Ares, and others.
The strong gods are all remaining… Athena’s choice to co here ard may an she harbors even the slightest suspicion of .
Tolerating her disrespect too much might also seem strange, so I should probe her a little further.
"Athena, why did you co to the Underworld ard? While only sending Dionysus to Poseidon, you—a war goddess—ca ard to face , who captured Protheus... I now understand how Zeus views ."
"…I volunteered to co here."
"You voluntarily increased your workload? How comndable. You’ve grown up quite a bit since I last saw you. I still vividly rember how distressed you were during the Great Flood."
Despite my questioning, Athena remained silent, offering no response.
Athena remained silent at my questioning. She either saw no need to answer, or...
"Well, no matter. For now, I need to return Protheus to Zeus. Iris, open the Rainbow Bridge."
Iris, bowing her head slightly toward , glanced at Athena.
"Iris. Wait."
Athena stopped her and stepped forward, speaking directly to .
"Are you perhaps planning to rebel against my father?"
Oh-ho.
When Athena said that to , I looked at Iris first, not her.
But the goddess of the rainbow showed no significant reaction to Athena’s words. Had they discussed this beforehand, before coming to the Underworld?
If the goddess of wisdom truly regarded as a traitor and was on guard, she wouldn’t have co to the Underworld in the first place or made such a statent.
Even Zeus himself wouldn’t dare challenge here in the Underworld. She wouldn’t have thought she could escape from either.
So Athena coming here ard… could it be?
"Why do you think so?"
"A ssenger arrived at Olympus shortly after Mount Caucasus collapsed, as if it had been sent imdiately after the mountain fell."
"Oh?"
"Protheus, who is here, is a seer far superior to Apollo. If he had truly tried to flee from your grasp with all his strength, he wouldn’t have been subdued and captured so quickly."
"Is that all?"
"When Hers visited the Underworld recently, he ntioned that the Lord of the Underworld was greatly angered. And finally…"
Athena turned her head toward Protheus, who was bound tightly in chains.
Her voice carried unwavering conviction as she spoke.
"My father suspects that the one who freed you was the Lord of the Sea, but Lord Poseidon is incapable of persuading you."
"Heh heh heh! Poseidon, oh Poseidon. For a niece to deliver such a sharp criticism!"
"It’s not criticism; it’s an objective assessnt of his abilities."
Poseidon does have a fiery temper. Thinking about it, Protheus and Poseidon never got along well.
Still, Athena had pieced this together rather quickly on her way down to the Underworld.
As expected of the goddess of wisdom.
At that mont, Protheus shook off his chains and stepped forward.
"What if I am? If I intend to overthrow Zeus and beco the king of gods, what will you do?"
"If you attack Olympus right now, you'll surely succeed. On Olympus, my father is only wary of Poseidon. I also heard that Astrape was left behind during the eting. Lady Hera has been secluding herself in her room ever since a big fight with my father a few days ago."
"I thought you'd side with Zeus. Why are you saying this?"
Judging from her actions so far, it was clear she had already spoken with Iris before coming down to the Underworld.
Perhaps Iris guessed I might betray Zeus and suggested pointing our weapons toward Olympus if that happened.
As for Iris, it makes sense given the number of advances she’s received from Zeus.
But why was Athena behaving this way? Isn't she the daughter Zeus trusted the most?
When I asked my question, Athena lowered her head slightly and spoke.
“Olympus as it stands now would never be able to fend off the Gigantes if they invaded. I am rely thinking of the gods’ future.”
Well, the goddess of wisdom might have her reasons for thinking this way.
Olympus, hated by Gaia, is in no position to afford division.
Then there’s Poseidon and Hera, who had once staged rebellions.
Add to that Epitheus, Protheus, and Atlas, who have already betrayed Zeus to join . It makes sense Athena might think this way.
She probably believes that siding with increases her chances of victory.
If Zeus remains the king of gods, there’s no chance of withstanding the wrath of the Protogenoi.
She must be placing her hopes on .
"Did you co to the Underworld ard because you intend to fight alongside us?"
"Yes. If you permit it, I will join you."
"No. You stay here in the Underworld. Iris, create a passage to Olympus."
Even though I doubt Athena will betray us if she goes to Olympus, the rebellion hasn’t succeeded yet. It’s too early to let my guard down.
"Understood, Lord Hades."
The goddess of rainbows, who holds the power to connect spaces.
“If the rebellion succeeds, I will ensure Hera is left unhard.”
“Thank you… truly.”
“Consider it a reward for your cooperation with the Underworld.”
If Zeus had made fewer advances toward Iris, perhaps her loyalty would have been stronger.
* * *
A shimring sound echoed.
At this very mont, a rainbow passage connecting Olympus and the Underworld was ford.
Just as Iris had ntioned earlier, the passage led directly in front of Olympus' eting hall.
Swoosh.
With a smooth motion, I donned the Helm of Invisibility, the Kynee, and summoned my bident.
The divine weapon fits perfectly in my hand as always. This is the spear that will pierce Zeus.
"I'll go first, strike Zeus with a decisive blow, and then you all will follow imdiately to subdue the other gods.
Epitheus! If Poseidon shows up, stop him first. Atlas, you assist in subduing Zeus. Protheus, Styx, Lethe, Thanatos, and Hypnos, focus on the Twelve Olympians…”
If we stick to the plan, there’s no way we’ll lose.
May the Moirai grant their blessings to us, who seek to dethrone the king of gods.
Clunk.
As I stepped through the passage Iris created, Olympus ca into view.
The divine palace built upon the clouds, the resting place of immortals, and a symbol of their grandeur—a dazzling array of structures.
"Ha-ha. Hera’s not here... Co closer, won’t you?"
"L-Lord Zeus. I have sworn an oath of chastity…"
"Co closer, I said!"
Wearing the Kynee, I could see it all: the vast council chamber filled with the gods of Olympus, and Zeus chatting and flirting with a beautiful nymph by his side.
The other gods—Apollo, Hephaestus, Ares, Deter—were present, but
Hera was nowhere to be seen.
I strengthened my legs, readying for a high leap. The cloud beneath compressed and scattered, revealing my presence, but it didn’t matter.
By the ti they realized soone invisible was there, it would already be too late.
Whoosh—THUD!
"Huu—urghhh!!!"
A sickening burst rang out as my bident, swung with full force, crushed Zeus' groin.
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