Gods' Outing - (2)
Styx and Lethe, the goddesses who had left saying they would change their clothes, returned shortly afterward. Their outfits, however...
"Lady Styx, isn't that kiton the one imbued with the magic of tranquility that Lady Hecate blessed?"
"It is. It's the garment I received as a gift the last time I visited Olympus."
Styx wore a deeply plunging, highly revealing black kiton. The lustrous fabric seemed to drink in the light, accentuating her voluptuous beauty in a way that made it impossible to look away.
"How... how do I look?"
Lethe approached shyly, wearing a thin garment that clung to her body and beautifully highlighted the lines of her thighs. I had never seen her in anything like it before.
"I saved it for a day like today, when I might go out with you, Hades. Did I choose well?"
"Yes... You look especially beautiful today."
Her usual emotionless eyes had given way to a bashful smile. The sight of it was genuinely breathtaking.
Almost in a daze, I left the castle with the two goddesses. Still, wasn't linking arms and pressing so close a little premature? Having both of them squeezed against me like this was honestly a bit suffocating.
"Kiiing! Kyiiing!"
"There, there."
I gave Cerberus, who guarded the castle entrance, a quick scratch behind the ears before we passed the River of Forgetfulness, the River of Flames, and the River of Lamentation in order, finally arriving at the Acheron.
Charon, piloting the newly built massive ferry, froze the moment he saw us. His eyes traveled across my face, then Styx's, then Lethe's. The old boatman muttered under his breath.
"...So which one is the official wife?"
"Me!"
"Obviously... it's me..."
The pressure on both my arms was increasing steadily. I was beginning to feel far too much of their soft warmth. This was as far as we went.
"Charon, please refrain from making unnecessary comments."
"Uh... right, got it..."
Somehow we finally emerged into the world of the living. Fresh air and warm sunlight washed over me—sensations I hadn't experienced in far too long in my true form. The sound of insects chirping, birds singing. The vibrant pulse of life and nature that was so rare in the Underworld.
"How do you plan to reach Mount Etna?"
"I usually use a chariot. The ghost horses are always doing me favors."
Naturally, it wasn't only humans who arrived in the Underworld after death. All manner of beasts and monsters came as well. With a wave of my hand, I summoned a translucent chariot and a team of ghost horses into the empty space.
Blue flames kindled in their eye sockets. The tireless steeds let out fierce neighs as they materialized.
The chariot itself was one of Hephaestus's finest creations. It wasn't quite a divine artifact, but its durability was exceptional. I climbed aboard lightly and extended the hand not holding the reins. The goddesses took it in turn, smiling as they stepped up beside me.
Yet... the belt around Lethe's waist looked strangely familiar.
I tried to get a better look, but Styx urged me on.
"Let's depart quickly, Hades!"
I nodded and took the reins, driving the chariot toward Mount Etna. The Underworld chariot, invisible to mortal eyes, sped across the land.
Near Mount Etna, the landscape overflowed with warmth except near the snow-capped peak. Broad meadows stretched around the mountain, alive with animals roaming energetically. Of course, because Typhon's massive body lay buried beneath it, earthquakes were frequent. That was one reason I occasionally came to the surface—to patrol while enjoying the sights of the living world.
"I've always wanted to visit this place. I heard the goddesses of Olympus descend here quite often."
"Look, there are nymphs over there."
I brought the chariot to a brief stop and surveyed the area. Beautiful forest nymphs in revealing kitons were singing together.
"Kyahahaha!"
"Lady Kore! Come with us!"
"Next time let's go deeper into the forest!"
Hm... but who was that lively blonde goddess running around so energetically? I didn't recognize her face. She must be a newly born deity.
I was about to drive the chariot onward to circle the mountain when Lethe gently tugged at my sleeve.
"Hades. Hades."
"What is it?"
"Could you let Styx and me off here for a moment?"
"We'll look around nearby and return soon. I see some nymphs I know over there..."
"Then I'll circle the mountain once and come back. Enjoy yourselves."
Nymphs she knew? That was possible. The goddesses usually remained in the Underworld, so coming to the surface seemed to have them in high spirits.
"We'll be back after a quick look!"
"See you again shortly..."
The goddesses who had disembarked from my chariot headed deep into the forest. They glanced around, clearly searching for someone.
"Weren't we supposed to meet here?"
"Ah, over there..."
They soon spotted their target and walked forward with faint smiles. In the middle of the forest stood a goddess of such beauty that she seemed to embody the concept itself, arms crossed as she waited.
"Wait, you actually came out with Hades? That block of stone?"
"It's all thanks to the belt Aphrodite lent me. Hee..."
The one the Underworld goddesses had been looking for was none other than Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and love. Lethe approached her and unfastened the belt, handing it over.
Girdle of Seduction • Divine Artifact
Grants absolute charm and irresistible allure to the wearer. Forged by Hephaestus. Capable of captivating gods and monsters alike.
Aphrodite accepted her belt with a puzzled look.
"The belt I lent you actually worked?"
"Yes! Hades, who always brushed off any suggestion to go somewhere, came to the surface with us for the first time!"
"It's all thanks to you, Lady Aphrodite."
The two goddesses beamed while Aphrodite's expression grew increasingly dumbfounded.
"Ugh... When I wear it he always seems indifferent, like he has no interest at all..."
"...Is that so? He was especially gentle today."
"Maybe you fastened it incorrectly..."
Watching the two goddesses who looked genuinely confused, Aphrodite's face twisted. Clutching her head as if her pride had suffered a mortal wound, the goddess of beauty cried out.
"No! That's impossible! I am the goddess of beauty and love, after all... Aaaagh! This is so annoying!"
After fuming for a moment, Aphrodite crossed her arms again with a sulky expression. Styx called out to her just as she was about to summon clouds and return straight to Olympus.
"Um... Aphrodite."
"What...?"
"Didn't you originally have feelings for Hades as well? Then why lend us the belt?"
Lethe stared at her with equal curiosity. Every god who worked in the Underworld knew that Aphrodite had followed Hades down to his realm. Even the most oblivious could tell she harbored affection for him.
So why would she lend her rival the girdle of fascination?
Aphrodite gave a small laugh and answered their questioning gazes.
"All I wanted was one night. Besides, for one of the three chief gods, having many women isn't strange, is it?"
"Then what about Poseidon or Lord Zeus..."
"Not my type. And Lord Zeus has Lady Hera's sharp glare to worry about..."
The goddesses nodded in understanding. Aphrodite lowered her voice to a whisper. Even her sly expression looked captivating on a goddess who was beauty incarnate.
"And shouldn't he first experience pleasure through marriage before his eyes start to wander?"
"Hades doesn't seem like the type to enjoy it when goddesses commit adultery."
"Aaaagh! Be quiet! It's not as if I wanted to marry Hephaestus either..."
But Lethe's single remark instantly shattered her expression. This time Aphrodite turned the question back on the Underworld goddesses.
"But isn't marriage burdensome for you two? Marrying the Lord of the Underworld means taking on all that work, plus the heavy responsibility of being wife to one of the three chief gods..."
Hades was popular among women. His high station as one of the three chief gods, his handsome if gloomy appearance, and his kind personality that differed from his brothers all drew admiration. Yet some goddesses hesitated to become his official wife. Great authority always came with great responsibility. The prospect of living in the dark Underworld rather than bright Olympus, along with the countless administrative duties required as its mistress, was daunting.
"I don't mind any of that."
"I already have plenty of work as it is...?"
Yet the Goddess of Forgetfulness and the mistress of the River Styx answered without the slightest hesitation. Aphrodite thought briefly of Pygmalion—the mortal who had been more sincere in love than anyone, the human who had moved even the heart of the goddess of love.
"...Thanks to the goddess's blessing, I was able to live a life without regrets alongside my beloved wife!"
Too beautiful. A beauty so overwhelming that every god desired her. To prevent a schism on Olympus, the supreme god Zeus had forcibly assigned her a husband.
"Ohhh... How can anyone be this beautiful? You belong to me, Poseidon!"
"Uncle Poseidon, please yield her to me."
"You are more lovely than anyone I have ever..."
"Goddess. I have composed a poem in praise of your beauty."
"Enough, enough! At this rate the gods will tear each other apart. Therefore, I, Zeus, shall decide Aphrodite's husband!"
"The lame Hephaestus? Why must it be me..."
"Father, this is too cruel..."
"What? But..."
"If Aphrodite is to decide..."
Rumble! Boom!
"I will accept no further objections! From this moment on, the husband of the goddess of beauty is Hephaestus!"
The marriage had been forced upon her. Her husband Hephaestus had done everything in his power to treat her well. He crafted whatever she desired and even gifted her the magical girdle Kestos Himas. Yet she could feel no affection for him and eventually began committing adultery. She bore Harmonia, goddess of harmony, with Ares, and shared relations with many other gods.
The more fiercely something is suppressed, the hotter it burns. That was the nature of love.
A somehow sorrowful smile played across the lips of the goddess of love. With a melancholy gaze she offered her blessing to the two women who were bravely challenging love.
"...Yes, that is what love truly is. The goddess of beauty and love will cheer you on, so do your best."
And at this very moment, I, Hades...
"What is your name?"
"I am called Mente."
...was speaking with a nymph who stirred up old memories.