Reborn As Hades In Olympus

Chapter Twenty Five: Charon, The Ferryman

To be honest, I could think none other than Zeus himself! And his 2000th was was three days away, he was the only person I knew would grieve the most but what role would that play in the bigger picture?

With the golden apple of discord as the tipping block, I can only deduce that someone wanted a war. Greek mythology flourished in this aspect, they always jumped from one war to another but to threaten a god in the top three, this was much bigger than I expected.

The strange woman "CHAOS BRIDE" has not opened any of my messages since then, in the mean time I had been trying to increase the power of my skills with the domination points I had gotten.

My aura sense has risen to mid, I also practiced a new schedule that feature training.

I gained a new skill called BASIC COMBAT, unlike other skills this one projected the movements I should follow rather than input them into me. It was the same as training only that this one directed me on how to fight.

I did my regular workout routine, push-ups, bench press, squats, planks, dips, hamstrings. It wasn't easy but with Hades' body it yielded results quite faster than expected, perhaps because he must have done something similar in the past.

I slipped into a light top and trousers, I threw my luggages into the trunk of my car. I would spend the next few days rotthe calamity on Olympus, that way I would have more time to prepare in case of necessity.

I left Cerius, Berry and Russle with Hecate who could not stop screaming about how much I was workload-ing her, how could I not? Those dogs eat anyone besides her who tries to as much as glance at them. There were three ways out of the underworld, the first was by elevator to the higher realm, the other was by road which was longer and the third was through the ferryman.

Of course I would go with option three. To ride on the small boat of Charon the ferryman over the river Styx all the way up, this was going to be a memorable momen— "What the fuuuuuuk!! The hell is that!?" My jaw dropped wide from shock, I was flabbergasted by the sight of it.

This was no small boat, it was a cruise ship! My childhood of expectations dashed away by these technological advancement.

Well on the bright side Charon must have make a great deal of money now. I climbed up unto the deck and the once lively ship silenced at first sight of me. Charon came to greet me a while later, or more clearly-- glare at me.

"Hi." I greeted casually as I followed him into the Captain's quarters and Charon shut the door behind me, he looked like a thin sickly man that had lived well over his ages. "I see you're doing well here."

Charon snorted or laughed, it was too quick to be sure. "No thanks to you."

THE CHARACTER "CHARON" HOLDS DEEP RESENTMENT FOR YOU.

So he hated me now?

"You remember the promise you made to me when you took over the underworld?" Charon walked over to a huge chair and took his seat there. "That I would not be forgotten, but you did forget me. I had to save up alp i earned from my honest living to buy this cruise ship while you turned a blind eye on your throne."

Well I wouldn't call exploiting shades when you're were clearly meant to work for free anyway. It seems this is another one of Hades'problems I have to clean up.

"I'm here now." It was the best I could come up with at the moment. "I came back to my senses."

Charon cast me a glance with his ancient eyes. "Too little, too damn late boy."

I could never tell Charon shared a connection with Hades. With Hecate I had a chance to resolve it easily but Charon had zero likeability for me so I can't do much about it. I turned to leave but not before leaving behind a few parting words. "I really am happy for you Charon."

CLICK!

I locked the door behind me.

THE CHARACTER "CHARON" LIKEABILITY HAS INCREASED BY 15.

I opened the door and stromed back into the room, Charon was still seated clearly he looked displeased at me. I shut the door quietly behind me and addressed him. "I'm sorry but I've been a bit curious about your work here, I find being here rather more entertaining than staying on a cruise ship full of dead people. I order you to spend a few minutes with me, please."

Charon chuckled lightly and stroke his dry chin. "The lord of the underworld begs? Never did think the day would come."

For the record it wasn't begging but a polite gesture to a command.

THE CHARACTER "CHARON" IS STARING INTO YOUR SOUL.

A while later Charon nodded and huffed out, I moved forward and sat opposite him. I would not miss an opportunity to talk with Charon himself.

Times like this I always found myself speechless, this was the world I had constantly dreamt of. These were the legends and stories that kept my heart jumping at times when I felt like dying. Being here was a blessing in itself.

Charon had me in a deadlock expecting me to speak but I didn't, it's not like he could force me to speak. This was an already known personality of Hades to rarely start a conversation, I had to keep up the act of I was going to sell it.

Charon parted his mouth to speak, a deep throat moan followed. "I transport souls of the dead on a regular basis since the souls can't cross the river of death themselves. Shades, that's what we call them. There are times I transport other people to, people with business in the underworld. Not gods though, they are too proud to acknowledge this lowly servant but— you did."

"You gave me a purpose. I hear rumors springing about with the shades I bring across. A little patter and chatter here and there, ranting on how life was unfair to them. It's a hassle to listen to them, over time I gradually eased into it."

I had the slightest idea where he was headed but I was intrigued by the story.

"Rumors up and about the three mighty gods of Olympus. Never met them and don't want to, I'm happy here in the depths— love the solitude it brings. I hear Zeus is a playboy of sorts, can't keep his little pintle under control, the fish boy is a vegetarian who can muster a spine when things turn sour and you— you're too much of cunt to live your own life."

Was that an insult? I sort of had it coming— I think.

"I have watched you grow boy and make hard decisions. You conquered the underworld, you've made sacrifices. To hell with the world but no— you still have to live your life boy." He moaned again, this time for longer before saying. "Your mother would have wanted it, Gaia was always fond of ya."

Gaia, the goddess of the earth, mother of all Olympian gods? How nostalgic? I guess I can't ask where she was now can I? That would rouse unwanted suspicion.

"Boy, your soul is tainted. You reek of something ugly it makes my stomach twist." Charon rose up slowly, I could hear his bones creaking. "I have a ship to captain, we will hit earth realm in a few hours let yourself out boy."

THE CHARACTER "CHARON" LIKEABILITY HAS INCREASED BY 150.

FRIENDSHIP LEVEL IS TOO LOW TO GAIN DOMINATION POINT.

"Umm, Charon." I spoke up a little bit hastily. "Thanks for the talk."

Charon stopped and hissed something under his breath before leaving the room. I dropped my head roughly, my long strands of blue hair falling over my face and touching the floor.

"Urgh! My head hurts again, am I having a seizure?" I felt something nudge at my side and reached out to the black book. It had been a while since I had consulted it, how could I? There were still questions bothering me deep down.

Was it fair that I had to be reborn as Hades? Even if I did chose it it still feels as if I shouldn't be here. The thought that my appearance in this world was the cause of Hades' death had me troubled deep down. The world was too much to wrap my head around, responsibilities and roles, it's a whole lot.

Could there be something bigger at play here, something even the myths could not explain? Just what is going on?

"Hey, black book... Were you really killed?" I waited for a minute before but nothing— there was no response from the black book. I gritted my teeth in anxiety, once again my back was to a wall. "I won't let Olympus fall no matter what!" I reaffrimed my goal, it's not like saying over and over would make a change.

Even if it was a sliver of hope, I would take it...