Hades The Unseen One (Greek Myths #1)

War is Coming

When word came back, it embodied hope in everyone around us. The Goddess Styx of the River was the first to go to Zeus’s call, and with her came four of her children. Styx could prove vital for us because any deity who swore an oath by her water was bound to their word, or they would suffer for a period of ten years. There was no word from Pallas, her husband and son of the Titan, Cruis. He was the God of War and Strategy and would have been resourceful.

Themis would actively aid Zeus with her prophecies and divine law. The great Goddess of the Night, Nyx, would not partake in the battle, but Zeus had her blessing. Oceanus would remain neutral, and I wondered if the God whose river spanned across the world was doing so to keep a balance or in favour of his daughter Styx.

This left Cronus, Iapetus, Coseus, Hyperion, Cruis and potentially their offspring. Our mother would not be involved, and it seemed that the rest of the Titanesses would remain neutral. It was disappointing that Atlas disagreed with Zeus because, according to Zeus, he was more powerful than every other Titan except for Cronus.

The lines were being drawn, but once the violence ensued, the situation could alter. No matter what was ahead of us, losing was not an option.

◆◆◆

The bustling noise and excitement within our camp became too much for me, and I sought solace in the middle of the night by taking a chariot. The images of maps were memorised, and I knew how to avoid enemies. The only light was that of the moon and the stars.

The silence was soothing, but the darkness fed into my core energy. It wasn’t long before I came across River Cocytus. There was no danger since Oceanus and Tethys did not threaten us. I saw a small nymph beside the river and heard the faint crying sounds.

After glancing around and not seeing anyone close to the nymph, I halted the chariot. She was but a child, and like all Naiad nymphs, she had pixie-like features. I stepped down from the chariot as she stood up. She sniffled and rubbed her tiny nose. Under the light of the moon, I saw tears in her eyes.

“Who are you?” she asked, but her hands trembled.

My appearance was foreboding, and I didn't do anything to mask my darkness. It was where I thrived. She wore a child's white dress with a green sash across one side. Her sand-coloured hair was braided with greenery and small white flowers.

I kept my distance because she was a child, but I knelt down so she wouldn't feel as afraid. This was when I realised why I didn't like her tears. They reminded me of the sounds my mother made. The nymph’s blue eyes widened when I knelt before her, and her head dipped toward the grassy bank. There was no coyness within her, and her aura radiated shyness.

“I am Hades. Why are you out here on your own?” I asked, unable to restrain my disapproving tone because these were dangerous times.

Her head snapped up, and to my surprise, the fear left her before she gave me a flashing hint of a smile before sadness filled her eyes with tears. Emotions must be exhausting.

“Our father warned us about the war, and I wanted to come to the River of Lamentation, but no one would take me, so I snuck out,” she said before she wiped her eyes. “Father told us about you too.”

“Who is your father?” I asked curiously.

“His name is God of the Cocytus,” she said before she turned away from me and walked towards the river.

She dipped her hand into the water, and the water followed her as she brought it up. The water swirled in the air before she shaped it into a large fish. It appeared to be riding the upward-flowing water.

The little girl’s aura changed again, and it was accompanied by a delighted giggle as she moved the fish around. I was glad she had a childhood and hoped it wouldn't be cut short by the upcoming war.

My childhood was spent in a void. All I could do was sleep, but as I grew older, I began to remain awake for longer spells. Perhaps the misery would never leave me. With a heavy heart, I stood up to watch the playful nymph continue to create various animal and plant shapes.

“Come, I will take you home,” I said, but the words were flat and emotionless.

“Oh,” she said in dismay as the water collapsed when she pulled her hands away. It didn't stop her from dancing past me and climbing onto my chariot.

Children were strange creatures. Crying one minute then laughing and playing the next.

“My name is Minthe,” she said.

I didn't recall asking her, but I remained quiet as I climbed onto the chariot beside her. She could barely see over the chariot. She didn't stop chattering until she indicated where her home was. Luckily for me, her destination wasn't far from the river.

Once we reached her enclosure, she thanked me. Then, she jumped off the chariot and vanished into the shadows of the woodland. As I continued my journey, the encounter made me realise how much was at stake for all beings. The gravity of the upcoming war weighed heavily on me, and we needed a strategic location to ensure fewer casualties.