Chapter Text
(Hades's POV, present day)
The gods sat and decided the fate of humanity. All the deities from all the pantheons were gathered in the enormous hall. Some were openly bored, some were chatting among themselves, and some were minding their own business. This was a very important meeting, so everyone was there.
Hades was there too. He sat next to his brother, Poseidon. Hades hoped to talk to his younger brother, but in the end, Poseidon kept staring at his phone. Hades wanted to talk to his brother for two reasons. First, Poseidon had been acting strange. Very strange. He used to spend a lot of time in Atlantis, but lately he'd started skipping the family dinners that Rhea liked to host periodically. His mother was very worried, since Poseidon used to always come. Second, Poseidon was constantly on his phone. Of course, many gods use phones, but the Tyrant of the Seas has been constantly looking at his phone lately. And if he's not looking, he's constantly checking it, staring at it, as if expecting a call or a message. Hades, and others, found this very strange. Poseidon was clearly hiding something. That's why Hades initiated the conversation with his younger brother first.
-"Hello, brother."
Poseidon didn't even look in his direction. The younger god simply shook his head and mumbled something unintelligible. The Tyrant of the Seas' gaze was fixed on the phone. Usually, Poseidon would at least greet him.
Out of curiosity, Hades decided to look at his brother's phone, justifying it by saying that they were family and he was simply worried about his younger brother. A messenger app was open on Poseidon's phone. Hades couldn't see what the conversation was about or how his brother's contact information was signed, but he did see a heart next to his nickname. This was very strange. Poseidon was the one who signed everyone with their full names; even Hades himself (who considered himself the closest to the Tyrant of the Seas) was listed as "Hades, Lord of Hellheim, Elder Brother."
The dialogue was interrupted by Zeus's opening remarks. Hades began reminiscing about the strange situations Poseidon had been involved in.
(Hades's POV, two and a half years ago)
Hades decided to visit his brother. He periodically visited Poseidon in Atlantis, as the sea god himself was in no hurry to communicate with anyone. Atlantis was truly a beautiful place.
The entire architecture harked back to antiquity, which was very close to both Poseidon and Hades. Tall columns rested on roofs adorned with bas-reliefs. Instead of flowers, there were corals and seaweed, meticulously tended by mermen and merfolk. Now all the inhabitants of Atlantis hid in their homes to avoid incurring Hades' wrath.
Hades was approaching Poseidon's palace when guards suddenly blocked his path.
-"Forgive me, Lord Hades, but my lord has ordered that no one be admitted."
Hades frowned. This had never happened before. Even when Poseidon didn't want to see anyone, he let his brother in.
-"Call my brother."
Hades said sternly. He needed to understand what the hell had just happened.
-"We can't, Lord Hades. My lord isn't in Atlantis right now."
Now Hades was surprised. Poseidon only left Atlantis for gatherings and family dinners, even if he considered eating to be an act for pathetic humans.
(Hades's POV, a year and a half ago)
Mom was hosting a family dinner. Everyone was there. Family gatherings were usually attended only by Rhea and her children. The large dining room had a large oak table and red-upholstered chairs. Photos hung on the walls. Rhea loved taking pictures of her children. The photos varied, but in all of them, Zeus was smiling brightly, while Poseidon looked like he'd eaten a lemon.
Everyone was already assembled. Rhea sat at the head of the table, and her children sat on either side. Previously, everyone had been seated according to age and gender: Hades, Adamas, Poseidon, and Zeus on the right, and Hestia, Demeter, and Hera on the left. But when Zeus and Hera married, they insisted on sitting together. That's why Demeter and Zeus swapped places, Adamas died, and now Poseidon sat next to Hades.
Poseidon's absence was immediately noticed.
-"Hades, son, do you know where Poseidon is?"
Rhea asked. Her mother knew that Hades was the most intimate with the Tyrant of the Seas.
-"No, but I'll call him now."
Hades immediately pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed his younger brother's number. He heard a long ringing sound, and then Poseidon hung up. He simply didn't answer.
Silence fell over the table. Poseidon always answered Hades.
-"It looks like Poseidon's busy today, let's start without him."
Rhea said. Everyone knew she'd demand an explanation from Poseidon himself later, but for now it was better to just listen to her.
(Hades' POV, nine months ago)
Poseidon finally showed up for the family dinner. He sat next to Hades, boredly picking at his plate with his fork. His mother always cooked traditional Greek food, which suited everyone. Poseidon usually ate only horiatiki, so as not to offend Rhea, but this time he viewed the food as his greatest enemy. The salad certainly hadn't offended the god of the seas in any way. Poseidon's phone lay on the table next to the plate. The Tyrant of the Seas glanced at him periodically, a little nervously.
Suddenly a message came through. Poseidon immediately picked up his phone.
-"Son, could you put your phone away?"
Rhea asked softly, knowing that behind her gentleness lay a hint of irritation. Mom didn't like it when someone was distracted during family gatherings.
-"I have to go."
Poseidon spoke immediately and rose from the table. Hades looked at him in surprise. He was the only one to notice the change in Poseidon's expression. His younger brother was frightened. It wasn't very noticeable, but Hades knew Poseidon too well. Something had frightened him.
(Hades' POV, present day)
Hades snapped out of his thoughts when the voting began. Without a second thought, he cast his vote for the destruction of humanity, like many other gods. Zeus was about to announce that the matter was settled, when suddenly...
-"I object."
-"Please wait."
Poseidon said his "I object" along with the Valkyrie, who burst into the assembly hall.
Everyone fell silent. No one dared say a word.