King of Underworld

Hades' Wedding - Part 1

After the long and arduous Gigantomachia came to an end, the gods began to gather in the Underworld. The reason? I, Hades, the King of the Underworld, had announced that I would hold my wedding here.

Stories spread that the victory in the Gigantomachia was thanks to Nyx joining the battle, and Zeus himself declared that I was most responsible for our success. Naturally. While Heracles may have slain the most Gigantes, it was I who persuaded Prometheus, defended Mount Etna where Typhon lay buried, and convinced Nyx to intervene.

Thus, the Olympian gods, scattered across the world, flocked to the Underworld, causing a bit of a stir. On the Acheron River, divine beings and souls alike crowded onto Charon’s ferry to reach the Underworld.

• "Is this the Underworld? It’s my first time here..."
• "Olympians, hurry it up. I’m busy enough ferrying souls."
• "Oh, Charon!"
• "Huh... Your ferry has changed quite a bit since last I saw it."
• "This isn’t a ferry; it’s made of steel!"

Charon, the ferryman of the Underworld, had his work cut out for him. With the victory feast for the Gigantomachia doubling as my wedding, there was no other choice.

Naturally, the ambrosia and nectar were supplied by Olympus. Ganymede, who took over the management of ambrosia and nectar after Hebe married Heracles, must have had a busy time.

Today, I ordered the Underworld to be decorated so extravagantly that it wouldn’t feel like the realm mortals feared so deeply. The treasure vault had more than enough jewels to spare.

As the groom, I was swamped with changing into countless outfits and having them adjusted. Despite having finalized my attire days ago, it seemed there was always more to prepare.

Finally, I was dressed in a black robe adorned with elaborate decorations, wearing a crown, and seated in my chair. Holding the Bident in my right hand, I worked to ease my slightly tense body.

• "Wow, Lord Hades! You look amazing all dressed up!"
• "Woah..."
• "Perhaps a bit more decoration on the shoulders..."

Various gods would occasionally stop by to chat or offer their congratulations before leaving. Even gods who were rarely seen showed up, including Eris, the goddess of discord. Despite her reputation, I invited her, as it was unthinkable to exclude the mother of the goddess I was marrying.

She graciously assured me not to worry, saying she wouldn’t cause trouble at her daughter’s wedding. If anything, not inviting her might have caused problems. Hmm.

In addition to Eris, I also invited deities often avoided by others, such as Limos, the goddess of hunger, and the three goddesses of vengeance. As a god of fairness, it would be unjust to discriminate. Besides, with the Cornucopia in my possession, I could temporarily sate Limos’ hunger.

Seating arrangements were adjusted to keep any strained relationships, such as Athena and Medusa, from crossing paths. With advance notice given, things seemed to be going smoothly... until another visitor arrived.

It was the goddesses of vengeance—two of them, at least.

• "Hades. Congratulations on your marriage."
• "Ah, thank you... But where is Goddess Alecto?"
• "...She’s crying because of you."

Though I didn’t understand what they meant, I resolved to visit Alecto after the wedding.

Clunk.

The door opened again, and another divine being entered with a gift. Was it Aphrodite this time?

• "Oh my... Hades, always dressed so drably, but now... slurp... looking quite..."
• "Mother! Please stop!"
• "Oh, come on. Just a little eye candy—"

"...?"

Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, entered, staring at me with a dazed expression and even drooling before Eros, horrified, dragged her out.

• "Hades! It’s been a while!"
• "Anything in particular you’d like as a gift? I could upgrade your weapon."
• "My Kunee could use some work."
• "What did it even collide with this time?"
• "Poseidon’s trident got nicked too. Maybe he’ll ask for repairs."
• "It wasn’t Skeptron again, was it?"

Even the Cyclopes, masters of the forge and wielders of ageless strength, made appearances. I spent some time receiving blessings and gifts from numerous gods.

Finally, the long wait ended, and it was time for the ceremony. At the sound of the call, I walked into the garden of the Underworld.

The god of marriage, Hymenaios, stood as officiant, grinning at me. Ahead, I could see them—the goddesses dressed in radiant attire.

Persephone, beaming and waving when our eyes met. Styx, smiling and fidgeting with the ring on her hand. Menthe, looking down, shy in her formal dress. Lethe, standing with her hand on her hip, clad in a pure white chiton.

Wearing elaborate red veils and floral crowns of unfading blossoms, they each radiated beauty. As I stepped forward, crushing the flower-strewn carpet beneath my feet, the murmurs of gods on either side reached my ears.

• "Finally, a wedding. Are all four to be queens of the Underworld?"
• "Menthe is just a minor goddess. But to accept them all... Hades truly is something."
• "It must be because he’s the god of fairness."
• "We even placed bets on when he’d marry!"
• "Demeter’s cherished goddess of spring... Her beauty is truly breathtaking."
• "Congratulations, great uncle Hades."

The Underworld’s garden glowed faintly in the darkness, with gems shimmering like stars. Ethereal, translucent souls, once musicians in life, floated by, singing hymns of praise for the divine.

• "Hehe."
• "It feels like a dream..."

Reaching Hymenaios and the goddesses, I met their eyes, noticing the slight blush on each of their faces. Mine likely mirrored theirs.

• "Ahem. In the name of the Styx, here at the final destination of mortals, you shall be united forever."

My focus was entirely on the four goddesses before me. Hymenaios’ voice barely registered. In this moment, it felt as though only they and I existed.

• "Now, King of the Underworld, will you spend eternity with these four goddesses?"
• "Of course."
• "And you, goddesses, do you swear to share your destiny with the lord of the Underworld for eternity, even in darkness?"

One by one, they answered without hesitation. As I gazed into their eyes, memories surfaced—meeting Styx and Lethe not long after my reincarnation in ancient Greece, Menthe helping me recover fragments of precious memories from my past life, and my first awkward, yet not unpleasant, encounter with Persephone.

These were the ones dearest to me, who loved and waited for someone as unworthy as me.

• "By the declaration of Hymenaios, the god of marriage, I pronounce you as one."

Ding~ A soft melody resonated.

One by one, I kissed them, their soft warmth filling me as the gods erupted into thunderous applause. Cheers echoed around us. Iris created a beautiful rainbow, and Apollo gently strummed his lyre.

• "Wooo! Congratulations, Lord Hades!"
• "Enjoy your honeymoon now that Gigantomachia is over!"
• "Perhaps I’ll visit the Underworld to lend a hand!"
• "...What? Are you insane?"
• "Kuhuhu! Yes! This is it! Hahaha!"
• "Euros? That laugh better not mean you’re plotting something."
• "As the goddess of hearth and family, I wish you a happy household."

Zeus chuckled as he sipped nectar, Poseidon smiled with Amphitrite at his side, and even Hephaestus, with his unusually swollen and colorful face, joined in applause. The Muses displayed their talents. Aphrodite looked slightly pouty, while Demeter wiped her tears as she gazed at Persephone.

Around them, countless lesser gods, nymphs, attendants, and souls chattered loudly. A whisper from one of the minor gods reached me:

• "Wait, today’s the day the Underworld finally gets its mistress. Does that mean we can rest?"
• "Is... that possible?"
• "Just a month, please!"

Ah, I understood their feelings. A ruler too obsessed with work would inevitably draw complaints. Maintaining balance was important, but working even on my wedding day... That would leave no room for excuses.

• "Ahem. Hear me, all gods of the Underworld! Today is a joyous occasion, and by my authority..."

Seeing their hopeful faces, including Charon’s and Thanatos’, whose pupils grew with anticipation, I declared:

• "...I hereby suspend all Underworld duties for four days."

That should be enough of a concession.

* * *

Despite the joyous occasion, some gods appeared oddly subdued, though they soon joined in the festivities, chatting and enjoying the feast. However, a few of them displayed strange expressions. Hopefully, it wasn’t anything serious.

• "Ugh... Why does my head start hurting the moment Lord Hades mentions work?"
• "Ares, you too? I feel it as well..."
• "Grrr... Still, four days off is better than nothing. Wait, hold on—am I even officially assigned to the Underworld right now?"
• "No more paperwork... No more paperwork."

Ignoring the numerous gods murmuring about unexplained pains, I turned my attention to Zeus, who approached with a goblet of nectar in hand. Having been mingling with Hera, he now wandered about, observing the Underworld’s transformed scenery.

• "Brother Hades. It seems the Underworld has changed quite a lot since I last visited."
• "You’ve barely set foot here since the Great Flood. I’ve implemented a few reforms in the meantime."
• "I hadn’t realized the Underworld had so much to see."

After exchanging some casual remarks, Zeus adopted a more serious tone.

• "This isn’t exactly the time for such matters, but... I’ve been considering reducing the number of heroes. When the time comes, I’ll send a messenger to the Underworld. Could you visit Olympus to discuss it?"

Another disaster like the Great Flood, perhaps?