Reborn As Hades In Olympus

Ch. 160: The Silent Strike

The big day had finally come.

The banners and posters filled the streets of Olympus, showcasing Apollo's latest brand, with Pandora's face at its forefront. Her haunting beauty was both a lure and a warning— a reminder of the danger that lay ahead. News channels buzzed with excitement, and the city hummed with activity.

I sat in the back of a sleek black SUV, its tinted windows shielding me from the prying eyes of the press and the unsuspecting public. The air inside was tense; every breath felt heavy with the weight of what was to come. Talos sat beside me, her fingers tapping a rhythmic pattern against her thigh. She didn't speak, but her presence was grounding— a reminder that I wasn't alone in this fight.

As the vehicle approached Olympus Grand Park, the venue for the convention, the scene outside was overwhelming. The crowd stretched for what seemed like miles, thousands of mythological beings and gods mingling in ignorant bliss. The grand park itself was transformed into a spectacle, complete with flashing lights, towering screens, and a stage fit for the most ostentatious of celebrations.

The SUV pulled up before the red carpet. A sea of reporters swarmed the area, cameras flashing incessantly as I stepped out. I adjusted my suit— a deep shade of black that seemed to absorb the light around it— and made my way toward the entrance. My steps were slow and calculated, each one measured to project confidence I didn't entirely feel.

Talos was dressed in a black suit that was well fitted and showed her curves. She slipped her head under my concealment cap and I watched her appearance transform into that of Hecate. She looked at her reflection in the glass and I could see a look of displeasure on her face. "I hate looking like someone else."

I raised my eyebrows and smiled. "How can you hate it when this has only been the first time?"

"That's why I hate it." She looked at me. The cap turned invisible on her head. "Let's get on with the plan before I vomit."

I smiled. "Let's go then."

Hecate's work was simple, to take control of the security room since it had to be done manually, she would be our eyes everywhere.

We stepped out of the black SUV and made our way to the huge hall. My sights were set on the entrance of the hall, the noise from the crowd and the press I tried to die it down. I noticed the look of unease in Talos' eyes, I guess she was very cautious under such publicity. Typical shut in.

Inside, the air was electric with anticipation. The hall was a masterpiece of divine architecture, its high ceilings adorned with chandeliers that cast a golden glow. The sound of chatter and laughter echoed, masking the sinister undertones of the event. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for familiar faces among the sea of opulence.

"Hades," a voice called out, smooth and saccharine.

I turned to see Apollo, his golden hair catching the light as he approached. I signalled Talos in a subtle manner to dissolve into the crowd. Apollo continued to approach me, smile was disarming, but his eyes betrayed his cunning. There was the strong sense of malice coming from his aura no matter how well he tried to hide it from me.

His face looked the way it always did and since the nether flame could not be cured that easily I guessed he must have covered his face with make up. Beside him stood Pandora, her gaze unreadable but her presence commanding. She wore a gown that shimmered like liquid silver, every movement exuding an aura of untouchable elegance.

"Apollo," I called out, keeping my tone neutral. "I see you are still asleep beautiful as ever."

"Glad you could make it," he said, clasping my hand with more force than necessary. "This is going to be a night to remember."

"I'm sure it will be," I replied, allowing a hint of sarcasm to slip through.

As we exchanged pleasantries, my attention was drawn to Pandora. She didn't speak, but her gaze lingered on me, as if she were sizing me up. There was something unsettling about her, something that went beyond her role in this twisted game. Her gaze held something to it, a serenity like she was trying to pass on a message to me.

Behind me, I could feel Talos and Hermes blending into the crowd, their presence a silent reassurance. Aphrodite was somewhere in the room, her charm working to gather information while keeping a low profile. We were scattered but connected, each playing our part in the unfolding plan.

The event began with the unveiling of Apollo's new line, a theatrical display of lights and music that masked the true purpose of the gathering. As the models strutted down the runway, the air seemed to grow heavier, a subtle shift that only those attuned to divine energy would notice.

Then came the announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Apollo's voice boomed through the hall, "I present to you the pinnacle of divine innovation— a celebration of unity, beauty, and progress."

As he spoke, a massive screen lit up behind him, displaying a swirling black cloud. The room erupted in applause, the crowd oblivious to the danger that image represented.

I tensed. The black amber was no longer a rumor— it was real, and its effects would be catastrophic. To think they would choose to go with this first.

No that would be too rushed, they must have a plan.

Talos' voice crackled in my earpiece. "They're moving into position. The chemical dispersers are being set up on the roof."

I nodded subtly, my mind racing. The dispersers would turn the black amber into a rain cloud, spreading its curse over the entire city. There was no time to waste.

"Did you already take out the security room?" I said in a hushed tone trying not to sound amazed.

"Well I did have a bit of help." She said back to me.

Hermes' voice cut in, his usual humor replaced by urgency. "We've got company. Poseidon just entered the building, and he's not alone."

My heart throbbed. Poseidon's presence was expected, he always complicated everything. He wasn't just a rival; he was a force of nature, and facing him in a crowded hall was a risk I hadn't planned for.

"Stick to the plan," I said, my voice steady despite the chaos brewing inside me. "Talos, disable the dispersers. Hermes, keep an eye on Poseidon. Aphrodite, keep Pandora distracted. I'll handle Apollo."

The team moved swiftly, their roles set in motion.

As I made my way toward the stage, Apollo caught sight of me. His smile faltered for a brief moment before he regained his composure.

"Hades, enjoying the show?" He asked, his tone laced with mockery.

"Impressive theatrics," I replied. "But we both know this isn't about fashion."

Drawing the attention of the magnanimous crowd filled with the powerful made him falter. I had yet to sense the aura of the king and queen of Olympus but that only worked in my favour.

Apollo's eyes narrowed, the mask slipping just enough to reveal his annoyance. Before he could respond, the lights flickered. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as the atmosphere shifted from celebratory to ominous.

"What's going on?" Apollo demanded, his voice rising above the murmurs.

The answer came in the form of a thunderous crash. The main doors burst open, and there he was—Poseidon, his trident gleaming with an otherworldly light.

The crowd parted in fear as he strode into the hall, his presence commanding and terrifying. His eyes locked onto mine, and the air grew thick with tension.

"Hades," he said, his voice a low rumble. "I've been waiting for this."

I stepped forward, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. "Then let's not keep you waiting any longer."

The room erupted into chaos as Poseidon lunged, his trident striking the ground with enough force to send shockwaves through the hall. I barely had time to react, summoning a wall of shadows to deflect the blow.

The fight was on.

Poseidon was relentless, his attacks precise and devastating. Every strike of his trident sent ripples through the air, the sheer power behind it a reminder of why he was feared. I countered with bursts of dark energy, using the shadows to shield and strike.

Around us, the chaos continued. Talos and Hermes worked to disable the dispersers, their movements a blur as they navigated the crumbling hall. Aphrodite engaged Pandora in a battle of wills, her charm clashing against Pandora's malevolent power. All she did was keep her contained in place.

But my focus was on Poseidon. His strength was unmatched, but he was reckless, his arrogance a chink in his armor.

"Is this all you've got?" he taunted, his trident slicing through the air.

I didn't respond. Words were a distraction I couldn't afford. Instead, I waited for an opening, every move calculated to wear him down.

And then it came.

Poseidon overextended, his trident smashing into the ground with a force that shook the entire hall. In that split second, I unleashed a surge of shadow energy, enveloping him in a cocoon of darkness.

"You underestimate me," I said, my voice cold.

The shadows tightened around him, but he fought back, his raw power threatening to break free.

The fight was far from over, but for the first time, I felt a glimmer of hope. We had a chance— not just to win, but to change the course of fate itself.

As the battle raged on, the clock ticked closer to the moment that would determine everything.

Author's Note: Wouldn't you want to be the first to gift me a magic castle? I'll be really grateful