Bellerophon's Story (5)
While the hero's labors were underway, Gaia intervened with the Chimera, destroying Athena's temple and killing Bellerophon. Though she could not alter the fate that the Chimera would die at Bellerophon's hands, she had chosen the same method of selecting the path to destiny that I once advised Perseus to follow.
"Did you see that, Lady Lethe?"
"Yes... Gaia possesses prophetic power on par with Prometheus."
"Even if we triumph in the war against the Gigantes, it may prove a hollow victory."
Victory against the Gigantes could still mean the Titans' release, or suffering at Gaia's hands. Or perhaps Gaia would birth new monsters to replace the Gigantes. I would need to prepare more thoroughly...
Gaia was one of the primordial Protogenoi. The only beings comparable to those ancient gods were the other Protogenoi themselves. Beneath the all-powerful Chaos that first existed, there were few Protogenoi: Gaia, the god of darkness Erebos, the goddess of night Nyx, and Tartaros, the abyss itself. Tartaros took no interest in worldly affairs... and Erebos and Nyx had also withdrawn from the matters of the world. Hmm.
Lost in thought, I was interrupted when Lady Lethe spoke beside me.
"Hades."
"What is it?"
"Bellerophon will soon arrive in the Underworld... Will you grant him some reward for his labors?"
Some time had passed since Thanatos's avatar had gone to him, so it was nearly time for Bellerophon, who had died alongside the Chimera, to arrive. Though his crime of fratricide made him unworthy of Elysium, those who accomplished great deeds deserved proper reward.
I summoned a messenger at once.
"When the hero who slew the Chimera arrives in the Underworld, bring him to me."
"Yes, Lord Hades."
* * *
While Lady Lethe and I waited in the audience chamber, the hero soon arrived. Having regained his memories of the living world through Lady Mnemosyne's power, Bellerophon wore a pained expression, as though phantom pain still lingered. Kneeling before me, he seemed to harbor some regret, yet also wore a bitter look as he came to terms with his own death.
"Er... Why have you summoned me, Lord of the Underworld?"
"Though mortal, you accomplished the feat of slaying Typhon’s offspring, yet received no fitting reward in the living world."
"...?!"
"Is there anything you desire? I promise you treatment and reward worthy of your deed."
If a hero who sacrificed his life to slay a monster received nothing in return, who would ever strive to become one? If he wanted no material reward, then at least his fame should be spread far and wide... But the words that left his mouth exceeded my expectations.
"Th-then... I want to become a god like Lord Pluto!"
"Hmm?"
"To ascend to Olympus above the clouds and become a god there, enjoying eternal life..."
Bellerophon raised his head and spoke passionately, his eyes sparkling. Becoming a god seemed rather excessive... and he wanted to ascend to Olympus rather than become a minor god of the Underworld? That was beyond my authority, and would require the consent of Zeus and the other gods. Still, he was a hero who had given his life to slay the Chimera, so a bit of presumption could be overlooked. I would try to persuade him gently first.
I raised a hand to cut him off and explained calmly.
"...You hold far too grand an illusion about what it means to be a god."
"Pardon?"
"What do you think a god is? Why do you wish to become one?"
After a moment of thought, he answered.
"Are they not eternal, perfect beings? I have always longed to become a god!"
"Perfect...?"
"Since I slew such a powerful monster, please grant me the chance to become a god as well!"
There were precedents of mortals becoming gods. Medusa had become one because she suffered too greatly at the hands of the divine... Dionysus had spread wine throughout the living world, gathered faith, and eventually claimed his place among the gods. But even Cadmus and Perseus, who had performed great deeds, had not become gods. Making Bellerophon one seemed... difficult. He had not gathered faith in the living world, and he sought a place among the Olympians rather than the Underworld. Though it was a mistake, he also bore the stain of having killed his brother. Still, considering the feat of slaying the Chimera at the cost of his life...
"First, you need to understand what a god is and what duties they perform."
"What do you mean...?"
"Work as a minor god in the Underworld for one hundred days. If your mind remains unchanged afterward, I will speak to Olympus on your behalf."
"...! Thank you, Lord Pluto!"
Bellerophon bowed deeply to the floor, offering repeated thanks. But was it not still too early for gratitude?
"Thank you so much!"
"Well..."
Our daily lives as gods were quite different from what he imagined... Soon after, Bellerophon left in high spirits, and I turned to Lady Lethe beside me. She was looking at me with sparkling eyes, clearly thinking the same thing.
"Hades...! Could we not assign that human to the River Lethe? Lately, the newly arrived souls have been saying they do not want to lose their memories..."
"For now, I intend to send him to Eros, who is in charge of torturing sinners. After that..."
"Ah..."
Upon hearing that he would not be assigned to her domain, Lady Lethe's eyes drooped slightly. I gazed at the dejected goddess for a moment before reaching out to gently stroke her soft hair. Strands of her beautiful silver hair slipped between my fingers.
"...Hyah! H-Hades?!"
She was utterly startled. She had always been the one to approach me, but this was the first time I had reached out first. As the flustered Lady Lethe tried to pull away in surprise, I lightly caught her wrist.
"Bear with it a little longer. Someday, I will surely..."
"Y-Yes... I understand. S-so... my hand..."
"Ah."
When I released her, the silver-haired goddess dashed out of the audience chamber. Her flushed nape was particularly visible as she fled, covering her face. Thud.
"Ow! Ugh..."
She had been in such a hurry that she struck her head on the door. Of course, the door of the audience chamber bore no mark from colliding with a goddess's forehead... Ah, I would also need to repair the spot where Lady Styx had bumped her foot last time.
* * *
Having quickly left the audience chamber, Lady Lethe hurried toward a certain office in the Underworld.
"Styx! Styx! Styx!"
"Wh-what is it?! Lethe!"
"Lady Lethe...?"
Inside were Lady Styx, who had been working through piles of parchment, and Mente. They were startled to see the goddess of forgetfulness rushing toward them with flushed cheeks. Paying no heed, Lady Lethe confronted Lady Styx.
"Hades has been acting strange whenever he sees me these past few days. What exactly did you two do?"
"But... why so suddenly today...?"
"Today was the first time Hades patted my head with such gentle affection! Tell me honestly! If he treats me this way, then what on earth did you two..."
Indeed. Not long ago, while riding Pegasus... the other gods could not have missed the change in Lady Styx after she kissed Hades. But the Lord of the Underworld that Lethe knew had always been a god who, while not particularly averse to goddesses approaching him, would take a step back whenever they drew too close. It was as though an insurmountable wall surrounded his heart. So she had assumed that Lady Styx had once again clung to him only to be rejected in embarrassment... But now.
"Did you two perhaps... go further than that last time?"
"Wh-what do you mean, further?!"
If Hades was showing such a different side today, the story changed. Lady Styx shook her head in denial, but the memory of what had happened several days ago made the tips of her ears gradually redden despite her efforts.
"Come to think of it, Lord Hades has seemed different these past few days. His gaze has become... gentler, somehow?"
"Well... it did feel like the wall around his heart had softened a little."
Mente, who had also sensed something amiss, added her own comment. If Persephone had been present, this change would have been enough to send her running straight to Hades... but she had long since returned to the living world.
"Could it be that Eros shot an arrow or something..."
"Lord Eros is still working in the Underworld, you know?"
* * *
Meanwhile, Bellerophon, who wished to become a god, arrived at his destination under a servant's guidance. The place radiated heat fiercer than the Chimera's flames he had faced in the living world...
"Aaaagh!!! Stop..."
"Kuhak! Krrgh!"
"Save me! No, please forgive me!"
Though not quite worthy of Tartarus, countless grave sinners who could not atone through ordinary punishment writhed in agony there. The dead rolled across the floor in torment, unable to escape the sea of flames that covered everything.
"Here, you must deliver arrows to Lord Eros over there."
"Ah..."
Whoosh— Thud!
"Kuaaagh!"
Even a winged child-like god was continuously shooting arrows from above. So that god was Lord Eros... but.
"Hey, you there, human! If you're here, hurry up and bring more arrows!"
"Ah... Y-yes!"
Why was the god who governed love working in the Underworld? And even while moving so busily, he showed no sign of resting...?!