I Am Hades, The supreme GOD of the Underworld!

Sky and Earth.

Elements of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind.

With the growth of the Underworld's World Tree, these six primordial forces have now been fully cultivated, but this is only the beginning. When the six deities representing these primordial powers finally assume their places, that day will mark the true beginning. For the Underworld, this moment will bring yet another significant advancement. With the return and rise of five God-Kings, the Underworld's power will once again ascend, providing a crucial boost for all within.

This is why Hades has carefully been solidifying his foundation all this time. Only once the deities of Sky, Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind have all reached their respective places will the Underworld be poised to step into the next phase. On that day, Hades himself can ascend to the pinnacle of the Ancient Gods, entering the level of a Creator God.

Yet, this path is far from easy. Though the way forward is laid out, what lies ahead remains uncertain. The journey Hades must tread is challenging, and only time will tell what the future holds. For now, it is the present that must be addressed.

Earth.

Water.

Fire.

Wind.

These four powers surged across the Underworld, and though slightly slower than Hypnos and Thanatos, they, too, soon caught up. The four demon gods at the Pillars of the Abyss shared a knowing smile.

Ba'al, usually so composed as the leader of the 72 Demon Pillars, now felt an unusual thrill. Becoming a God-King was a feat beyond words, a level every god aspired to reach, embodying their ultimate goal.

The way of the Ancients, the path of the Creator Gods, and the Absolute Gods—all of this remains unimaginable to most deities. To regular deities, this level of divinity is an unattainable dream, dismissed as a mere fantasy. But for those who have become God-Kings, this path is what they have been striving toward.

The pursuit of God-Kingship is something that transcends right or wrong; it's a defining aspiration for every god.

Now Ba'al stood on the precipice of something he had long envisioned. He exhaled slowly, a contented smile gracing his lips. "The future. From the moment I swore loyalty to our Lord, I caught a glimpse of what was to come. Now, I have just taken my first real step down that road."

"Don't rush," he muttered softly to himself. "Don't rush. The future is vast, and I will follow our Lord's lead every step of the way. I will become the one and only Ba'al, a supreme demon god in the Sea of Chaos."

Though his voice was calm, Ba'al's resolve intensified, and he clenched his fist firmly. He began constructing his domain, containing his divine power and stabilizing his realm, following the same path as Hypnos and Thanatos. While Ba'al's current strength was slightly behind that of the twin gods, the difference was negligible in a true confrontation.

Ba'al, now the God of Earth, had crossed into God-Kinghood.

Behemoth, Astaroth, and Asmodeus—each of these three had also ascended, taking their places as gods of Water, Fire, and Wind, respectively. As the four supreme pillars among the 72 demon gods, they now wielded the most exalted of powers. In addition, their individual realms, or "Hells," would be incorporated into the larger framework of the Pillars of the Abyss, merging perfectly with the Underworld to fortify its structure.

The fusion of their Hells with the Abyssal Pillars is fundamental, providing feedback to the Underworld and supporting it as a whole. This integration is essential for the Underworld's continued growth. While no one can predict the future with certainty, one thing is clear: the path forward holds boundless promise.

With the four demon gods and twin gods now stepping into their places as God-Kings, they all shared a sense of stability, focused on constructing their realms, consolidating their divine power, and mastering their domains. Upon reaching God-Kinghood, they could sense that something in the Sea of Chaos was about to happen. What exactly would unfold remained unknown, but they knew it was vital to strengthen their powers, for only then could they support their Lord when the time came.

Meanwhile, the infusion of power brought about by the ascension of these six deities stirred the very essence of the Underworld. Though not as powerful as the World Tree's growth, it brought a noticeable change. Much of this energy was directed toward Hades himself, serving to increase his strength rather than enhancing the Underworld as a whole.

In the Pure Land.

Hades sat in silence, his eyes gradually opening, his divine power visibly growing. Yet even with this influx of power from the Underworld, his progress slowed, as if he were approaching a plateau. Though he was but a half-step away from the Creator God level, this last stretch was incredibly difficult.

"Beloved," Persephone's soft voice broke the silence. She looked at him with gentle understanding, her usual authority softened. "Do not rush. This is not something that should be forced."

Hades's voice was calm as he replied, "I'm not rushing. This path is one that no one has walked before. I've made it this far; I'll continue one step at a time."

His expression remained serene, unaffected by impatience. For him, the long passage of time had tempered his spirit, and his heart had settled into a steady rhythm. While Hades had always been resolute by nature, he had become even more grounded over the centuries. The way forward, though unclear, had been laid beneath his feet.

The Underworld's structure now consisted of five primary domains surrounding it: the Celestial Realm, the Oceanic Realm, the Terrestrial Realm, the Netherrealm, and the Astral Realm. These five realms formed an interconnected, protective orbit around the Underworld.

The Celestial Realm was governed by Aether.

The Terrestrial Realm was led by Europa.

And the Astral Realm was ruled by Hemera.

What remained were the Oceanic Realm and the Netherrealm, each still lacking a God-King. Aether, Europa, and Hemera were not originally part of the Underworld; however, Aether and Hemera, as children of Erebus and Nyx, had a natural affinity for the Underworld, and Europa's role was secured through a pact between Hades and the greater mythic world, marking her as a legitimate entity within the Underworld.

However, finding suitable rulers for the Oceanic and Netherrealms was not easy. These positions couldn't simply be assigned randomly; they required entities that harmonized with the Underworld's essence. Hades could make appointments, but if these deities were not aligned with the Underworld at their core, problems would arise in time. While these issues might not manifest immediately, over time, they could become significant obstacles, complicating matters greatly.

"Ruler of the Oceanic Realm, Ruler of the Netherrealm," Persephone murmured with a hint of helplessness. "These roles are difficult to fill. My love, perhaps I could take up the role of Netherrealm ruler?"

"And who would take the position of Queen of the Underworld?" Hades asked, his tone amused, though Persephone fell silent, recognizing his playful challenge.

Sighing, Persephone shook her head in exasperation. "It's truly troublesome. It's just this one last part, and yet…"

Persephone was visibly at a loss, while Eris, standing quietly nearby, was equally unsure of what to say. Technically, Eris herself was suited to the role of Astral Realm ruler, but she wasn't particularly interested in any title. As Persephone's loyal assistant, she lived a carefree life and was quite content with that.

However, the absence of these two God-Kings did indeed create a headache. Where to find suitable candidates was still a question unanswered.

"Don't be hasty," Hades advised calmly. "Now that we've come this far, rushing will only lead to ruin and chaos, solving nothing."

"Yes, my love," Persephone replied, conceding the truth of his words.

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