Bellerophon's Story - (1)
As the hero aspirants began their training in the Underworld, the number of new followers pledging themselves to me gradually increased. Perhaps it was because they were constantly exposed to the Underworld's aura, even though Persephone's power had neutralized its worst effects.
"Lord Pluto, if you are watching now, please grant me just a sliver of mercy!!! Aaaargh!!"
BOOM!
"Iaretos! Are you all right?!"
"This guy's eyes have completely rolled back! Hey, snap out of it!"
Hmm. The human whose voice I just heard has become a new follower. It wasn't strange for heroes constantly tormented by mythical monsters to call out my name. When facing creatures too powerful for mortal strength to overcome, it was only natural to seek the nearest god. Still, no matter how desperately they called for me, I never helped. Unless they called from the world above, the trials of the Underworld were merely training.
"Lord Pluto... another has passed the trial and entered the Underworld today..."
"We give thanks for your grace..."
The priests in the mortal world connected to the Underworld's outskirts were also fulfilling their roles. Occasionally, spies sent by Gaia who had been consumed by madness were discovered, but they were filtered out using stones imbued with Dionysus's power.
While I watched the heroes' training with my eyes closed from my throne, a gentle voice reached me. It was the voice of Lady Styx, which I always heard.
"Hades. Are you free right now?"
"Lady Styx...? There is no one in the audience chamber, so what brings you here?"
The goddess peeked through the door of the audience chamber, glanced around, and then entered.
"Have you heard the story that a new hero is trying to slay the Chimera?"
"The Chimera... the child of Typhon and Echidna."
The monstrous Chimera, or Chimaera. One of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, it was a creature with the forms of three animals combined. A powerful beast with the body of an ordinary lion, a goat's head sprouting from its back, and a serpent for a tail... The lion's head breathed fire, the goat's head possessed cunning, and the serpent's fangs dripped deadly venom. It was famous for these traits. Come to think of it, Typhon's children were all incredibly powerful. Cerberus was the Underworld's divine beast and gatekeeper, the Nemean Lion that lived in the valley, and the Sphinx, who had been taken in by Hera before being slain by Oedipus and coming to the Underworld, were all the same.
"Since a hero is slaying one of Typhon's children, many gods will be watching."
"Olympus sent word asking whether it would be acceptable to lend the hero Pegasus, who was born from the severed head of Medusa."
Pegasus. The winged white horse born from the blood of Medusa when the hero Perseus beheaded her. Unlike ordinary horses, it possessed the ability to fly through the sky using the wings on its back. Last time, Medusa, who had become a lower goddess of the Underworld, had gone up to the mortal world and brought the horse back to the Underworld... Apparently, when the now-divine Medusa approached, Pegasus had recognized her as a motherly figure and followed her obediently. Thus, Pegasus was currently living leisurely in the Underworld with Medusa.
"Then let us summon Medusa and ask her opinion. After all, Pegasus was born from her."
"She is probably with Lady Mente right now. Shall I call her?"
"There is no need. It has been a while since I last saw Pegasus as well, so I will go myself."
"I believe she is at the Elysian Fields to feed Pegasus."
Since Pegasus had eaten the food of the Underworld, it had long since become part of this realm. However, depending on Medusa's thoughts, it should be possible to lend it to the hero for a short time.
* * *
I arrived at the Elysian Fields, a place filled with an aura warmer than the Goddess of Spring and more comforting than the Goddess of the Hearth. The endless, vast plains were filled with the sound of gentle breezes and the chirping of insects. The Elysium looked almost no different from the fields of the mortal world. Yet on a high hill lay a man enjoying the scenery. As I approached, he rose with a pleased expression. It was Cadmus, the great hero of Thebes who had deceived Typhon and now resided in Elysium.
He looked at me and spoke.
"Why, is that not Lord Hades? What brings you to Elysium?"
"It has been a while, Cadmus. Have you by chance seen two goddesses and a winged horse around here?"
"If it is those ladies, they passed by that way earlier."
Cadmus pointed in one direction with his finger. The goddesses must have taken Pegasus to graze in the fields by now. Since they would have to leave Elysium once the grass was eaten, they would return this way eventually. While waiting for them, I might as well chat with Cadmus...
I casually asked Cadmus about life here. Though I had put considerable effort into creating this paradise, it was only proper to hear the residents' evaluations.
"How is life in Elysium? Are you satisfied?"
"Hahaha! A smile never leaves my wife Harmonia's lips. Even these days. Compared to the mortal world..."
Cadmus laughed, baring his teeth. It seemed he was on good terms with his wife, the Goddess of Harmony, Harmonia. A mortal who maintained a harmonious relationship even in death...
"Even after all these years, you and Harmonia are still very close."
"I am no Aphrodite, but... that is precisely what love is, is it not?"
Though they had been dead for quite some time, their love remained unchanged. So that was it. If this was truly love... then perhaps I too...
"By the way, what brings Lord Hades all the way here?"
"I came to meet Medusa to lend Pegasus to a hero in the mortal world."
"It seems the mortal world still has no peaceful days... Could it be those serpent monsters I mentioned before...?"
I told him the truth about the Gigantes and that we were raising heroes in the Underworld. I also shared news of his descendants remaining in the mortal world and the current state of Thebes' residents.
"Oh... such things... In that case, may I make one request?"
"You have something to ask of me? Speak."
"Are not my junior heroes currently training in the outskirts of the Underworld? I wish to lend my strength there as well."
"...I cannot disturb those resting in Elysium."
I refused outright, but Cadmus smiled broadly again and opened his mouth. This was paradise, a peaceful space everyone dreamed of...
"Lord Hades. Guiding the next generation onto the right path is both a hero's duty and pride. Sometimes, helping them can be more rewarding than staying in Elysium."
"But you have already completed your given tasks and duties, and severed all ties with the mortal world..."
"Ask the other heroes as well. If they are truly heroes, they will give the same answer as I."
The first hero who had stolen Zeus's sinews from Typhon and saved Olympus still had upright eyes even after so much time had passed. If that was what it meant to be a hero, if that was their wish...
"...I will try suggesting it to the others as well."
"Haha! Please call on me anytime. I wish to pass on even my meager experience to those who come after."
While conversing with him, I heard a goddess's voice from afar.
"Cadmus~ Where are you?!"
"That voice...! It seems Harmonia is looking for me."
"Go on. I need to fetch Pegasus. Enjoy your time with your wife."
"Please come again! I will have something prepared next time!"
* * *
Not long after turning my steps, I encountered the goddesses and Pegasus. The white, beautiful-winged Pegasus saw me and whinnied before hiding behind Medusa.
Whinny!
"Ah! Lord Hades! Have you come to see me?"
"You came all the way to Elysium?"
I nodded at Mente and Medusa, who greeted me with bright smiles. Pegasus, however, was still afraid of me.
"Medusa. I came to discuss with you about lending Pegasus to a hero in the mortal world."
"Pardon? That is... You may simply command me..."
I remained silent at Medusa's question. She too had been beheaded by a hero... and Pegasus had been born as a result...
After a moment of silence, Medusa lowered her head as if she had realized something.
"Ah... You need not consider my feelings. Please lend Pegasus to the hero as the Lord of the Underworld wishes."
"...Thank you. Once the hero slays only Typhon's child, I will return it to you."
Whinny!
The intelligent Pegasus acted as if it understood, but quieted down again after Medusa stroked its back a few times.
"Does it still follow you around and bother you wherever you go these days?"
"Hehe... That was when it was a foal. It does not do that now that it has grown. Right?"
Whinny!
"For some reason, it only fears Lord Hades. Is it because it is a horse that flies through the sky?"
Mente might be right... Since Pegasus, which possessed attributes of the sky and sea, had become part of the Underworld, adapting would not be easy. Still, it seemed to be gradually growing accustomed to the Underworld's aura, though it still avoided me...
When I gestured to Pegasus, the intelligent creature moved to my side despite its fear.
"Well then, I will take Pegasus with me for now."
"Yes. See you again later!"
"Understood, Lord Hades."
Now it was time to hand this horse over to the hero. Who should I have deliver it... Hermes? Athena?