PHASE 13 - TO TRUST OR NOT TO TRUST, THAT IS THE QUESTION

Hades is the Greek God of the Underworld. It is said in the myth that Hades can match the pantheon gods, even Zeus himself. It’s not a big deal normally for me to fight such divine creatures, but the Underworld is his domain. As long as we’re inside the Underworld, he will be invincible.

“Hades!” Jeanne shooked, still suppressing her anger.

The lord of the Underworld ignored the hissing kitten that has been glaring at him with killing intent. Instead, his attention was poured to mine.

“Alaric Eisenhower. The man who fell in love with the Frozen Soul. Nice to meet you.” Hades lent out his boney hand, requesting for a shake. I noticed that there are thin black chains swirling around his arm.

I just wordlessly stared at his hand. He might have some dirty tricks or even inflict a curse on me. There’s no way I could ever touch it.

Seeing that I’m not interested, he withdrew his arm and insulted me instead. “I never thought you’re so desperate in reviving your lover that you’ll personally visit hell.”

“The things we do for love,” I smirked.

“Love? Yeah right.” Hades chuckled. “You used to hate the Fake Outsider, but here you are, doing the same things that he did a long time ago. I’d say, you’re just the same as him.”

“No, he’s not.” Erylle jumped into the conversation. “Yohan put the safety of everything at stake.”

“It’s rare for you to insult your very own lover like that, Erylle Fontaine.” Hades chuckled.

Erylle gritted his teeth. She’s ready to materialize her Heavenly Blade at any time now, but something is telling us not to engage in battle with this man.

But somebody attacked.

“Damn you, Hades!” Jeanne lost her cool and leaped forward, ready to cross-slash the god’s throat with his gunblade.

But alas, Hades caught her neck first. The God of the Underworld squeezed the poor blonde runt’s throat until she was out of air.

“Ack!” Jeanne cried as the choke tightens.

“I’m not here to fight, dumb runt,” Hades said in a serious tone. And then he threw the poor girl to a wall, which shattered upon impact. Debris flew all around.

“Gah!” Jeanne cried.

“Jeanne!” I shouted. Then, I immediately materialized Diadem’s crimson katana and shifted myself to attack mode.

Erylle also materialized her giant white bow and charged a green magical arrow, pointing to the God of Underworld’s head.

“If I were you two, I wouldn’t do that. Even if you’re an Outsider, I can easily kick you out in my domain and kill these two mortals. I can still banish you if you kill me. And without you to guide him, Alaric will be trapped here forever.” Hades smirked.

I can sense overflowing prana on him. With this Underworld Prison as our battleground, he won’t exhaust his energy even if he cast a million spells. I can’t draw the as of the moment. If he can eject Erylle from the Underworld, then it’s game over for me and Jeanne.

The tension thickens. Hades, Erylle, and I are just waiting for somebody to make a move. Even if outnumbered, the God of the Underworld never falters. He maintained this irritating smile on his face.

“I told you guys to relax,” Hades said. “I’m not here to fight. You’re going to see someone here, right?”

“How did you know?” I shouted.

“I know you. I know all your desires.” The boney bastard laughed. “You’re looking for Aeternos, right? Then let me show you. Follow me.”

The God of Underworld slightly bowed and then turned away. He started to walk slowly towards the downward staircase, his back is defenseless. I don't know if it's an invitation to attack, but it is wise not to do that right now.

“Kuh…” Jeanne dragged herself towards us. She’s holding her right elbow that is suffering from minor cuts. Aside from her grazed arms and slightly bruised legs, she didn’t get any considerable injuries.

Erylle patted the blonde runt’s head and cast the fastest unto her. Now her health is back in one hundred percent. But the emotional trauma she’s feeling to that mysterious man gives her a wound that could never be healed.

“Hades… You shouldn’t trust that man. He killed my friends and sealed me here.” Jeanne said. “He’ll just lead us into a trap.”

“But Aeternos is downstairs.” I reasoned out. “We need to go where he is going.”

“Then we’ll just proceed with caution.” Erylle made a reassuring smile.

<>

We ventured deeper in these long spiral stairs. Nobody dared to talk during our long walk. It almost took us forever in this dreading silence.

Finally, we reached the bottom of the floor.

There was nothing here, but a single red door. All I can see around us is pure darkness. I’m not even sure if the red door is attached to a wall. It’s like a one-dimensional painting on those creepy horror movies.

“We’re finally here,” Hades said as he reached the doorknob and turned it.

An eerie creaking noise echoed. When the door opened, there was nothing but darkness on the other side.

“Show me Aeternos,” Hades whispered, and then a red carpet on the floor materialized, guiding us to a straight path.

As we walk further, Hades explained how the bottom floor of the prison works.

“This is Level Zero of the Underworld Prison, where I keep the most horrific criminals in the universe. They are trapped in an endless void of darkness so that prisoners can never escape. Only I, and I alone, can open a path in this room. If you didn’t have me, you’ll be forever lost by now.”

We didn’t utter any reply to that, because we wanted this cheeky god to feel how to talk alone. So only the echoing footsteps can be heard.

When Hades’ chattering stopped, it became eerier. This room is endlessly wide but sound bounces over around. We can now hear each other’s breathing and heart beatings. I can even hear anyone who blinks.

Finally, the red carpet stops. It’s a dead end.

Hades swiped his fingers into the void, and a crimson Gate opened. It flashed, making a blinking red light. And then the room brightens.

We found ourselves facing the corner of a bloody wall. In that wall, somebody with a malnourished build and pale skin had his hands and feet chained. He’s naked from head to toe, and I can see his dingdong freely.

Blur.

Not only his R-rated body part is blurred. Everything on his body is blurred. It’s like he’s a ghost in a glitchy camera. Every cell on his body is pixelated. I tried blinking and rubbing my eyes, but still, I can’t see his face clearly. He must be maintaining his spell to keep his appearance hidden.

“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.” A familiar voice echoed. “Alaric Eisenhower…”

Only one person comes to mind in this blurry appearance. Without his platinum armor, he only has this glitchy body to maintain.

“Aeternos.” I clenched my hand.

I can sense a considerable amount of prana inside him. I feel multiple divine God Core signatures on his prana circuits as if he’s a chaotic mix of all the divine entities in the world. I can sense the chilling aura of the Curse of the Brightmore Witch and the warmth of the energy of the Fragment of the Frozen Soul.

Finally, the things I’ve been longing for are just in front of my eyes.