Reborn As Hades In Olympus

Chapter Eight: Prometheus (2)

Prometheus raised his head, his scarred face twisted with both resolve and fear. His voice trembled as he pleaded, "My gods, I beseech you... Please, spare humanity for my sake."

The air seemed to darken in response to his words, and the atmosphere in the grand hall crackled with tension. Suddenly—

BOOM! The sound was deafening, as if the heavens themselves had cracked open.

"FOR YOUR SAKE!?" Zeus's voice rolled like thunder, shaking the very foundation of Olympus. The sheer force of it made me instinctively flinch. "YOU STEAL FROM OLYMPUS— THE HOME OF THE GODS— AND DARE TO PLEAD FOR YOUR SAKE? YOUR SAKE IS NOTHING TO US!"

Holy—! My pulse quickened. Zeus's rage was far more terrifying than I expected. Sure, he was known for his temper, but seeing it up close? Yeah, I might have pissed myself if I were still mortal. His booming presence wasn't just thunderous; it was like the storm itself had taken form.

This wasn't some petty squabble. This was the King of the Gods, and I was stuck right in the middle of it.

I glanced at Prometheus, who was trembling before the throne, his defiant posture now wilted under Zeus's wrath. For all his rebellion, he looked pitiful now, a shell of the titan who had dared to defy the gods.

"Please," Prometheus whispered again, but his plea felt futile in the face of Zeus's fury.

Zeus's eyes blazed like molten gold as he rose from his seat, towering over us all. "YOU WANT US TO SHOW MERCY AFTER YOU DEFIED US?! AFTER YOU DEFIED ME!?" The thunder crackled again, his divine rage echoing in every syllable. "YOU ASK US TO SHOW COMPASSION TO YOUR FOOLISH CREATION— FOR WHAT REASON?"

I felt my hands clench into fists. Zeus was laying it on thick, but I could not just let him destroy humanity without intervening. I had to admit, though, the guy was terrifying in person. He exuded raw power, and his presence felt like it could crush us underfoot at any moment. Could Hades—could I— really talk him down from this?

I glanced at Prometheus again. He was shaking now, his once-proud figure reduced to a crumbling wreck. He had brought this on himself, but still, a part of me felt a flicker of pity.

Blinded by your love for humanity—, I thought. You stole from the gods. What did you expect?

But this was about more than just Prometheus. This was about humanity, about whether I had the courage to stand up to Zeus and turn the tide of fate.

I was no longer one who studied the myths I was now at the heart of them, I now had the power to intervene and alter it. But was this what I wanted?

Zeus's laugh rang out, sharp and cold. "It is not our problem if you made your creation defective! Humanity must pay for your arrogance, Prometheus. THEY MUST PERISH!"

Die? He wanted to wipe out all of humanity? Just like that? My heart raced. I couldn't let that happen.

No way.

I stole a glance at Poseidon, who had been unusually quiet this whole time. His ocean-blue eyes were fixed on me, but he didn't say a word. What was his game? Was he waiting for something?

Prometheus's voice broke through the storm of my thoughts. "Please... They are innocent. They only needed the fire to survive. The gods refused to share it, so I gave it to them." His voice cracked as he begged. "It was wrong, I see that now, but...

punish me, not them."

Zeus's laugh grew louder, more maniacal. "You think your sacrifice will save them? Fool! You will watch them die, and then i will make you suffer for all eternity!"

I couldn't stay silent any longer. If I didn't speak up, it would be the end for humanity. But what could I say that would stop Zeus? He was too proud, too powerful.

Then, an idea struck me— something desperate but clever. I stood up from my seat, my heart pounding. "Wait!" I shouted, my voice sounding strange to my ears.

All eyes turned toward me, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a blade. I could feel Zeus's gaze on me, scorching, as if daring me to speak.

"Brother?" Zeus's voice was dangerously calm. "You wish to punish him yourself? It has been a while since I saw you torture a soul."

Oh shit. Was I digging my own grave here? Why wasn't Poseidon backing me up? My mind raced. I needed to think of something— fast.

I took a deep breath, my palms slick with sweat. Time to play the long game. "I propose... we preserve humanity."

Zeus's expression darkened, his golden eyes narrowing. "Why? They have nothing to offer."

Alright, Zeus, you asked for it. Time for the trump card.

I leaned closer and whispered, "Think about it, Zeus. In the future, humanity will create the finest women— beautiful women with curves and grace, women that will rival even goddesses. Do you really want to miss out on all that? You do know that he made them in our image."

It was a gamble, but I was banking on Zeus's well-known... appetites to be the saving grace. Please let this work.

Zeus pulled back, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Women, you say?" He paused, his gaze shifting, as if he were picturing it in his head. "Perhaps you are right, brother. Perhaps there is something to be gained after all..."

I could hardly believe it. It was actually working. I'd just convinced Zeus to spare humanity by appealing to his vanity— and his libido.

"So what's your decision?" Poseidon asked, his voice deep and resonant as he finally spoke up.

Zeus cleared his throat and stood tall. "It has come to my attention that humanity may yet have a use. Let them live, for now. We shall see if they are worthy." He turned his piercing gaze to Prometheus. "But as for you, your punishment remains."

I felt a pang of guilt as I approached Prometheus knowing I would end up being the one to damn him. This was part of the deal, after all.

"Prometheus," I announced, my voice carrying through the chamber. "For the crime of stealing from Olympus, you shall be bound to a great rock. Each day, the great eagle will come to devour your liver, and each night, it will regrow, so that your torment will never end."

Prometheus bowed his head, his voice soft but full of conviction. "Thank you, my lord. I accept this punishment for the sake of my children."

Zeus clapped his hands, his booming voice ringing out. "Then it is settled! Prometheus, your fate is sealed, and humanity is ours to judge."

I watched as Prometheus was dragged away, the weight of what I had done sinking in. I had saved humanity, but at the cost of condemning their creator to an eternity of torment.

Was it worth it?

Zeus's laughter echoed behind me as the gods celebrated their triumph. And though I had won this round, I could not shake the feeling that I had just set something darker in motion.

"This was only the beginning."