Accidentally Summoning the God of the Underworld

Chapter 15: How Quaint!



Later that day, Hades stood at the base of the grand courtyard as Aurelia approached him, ready for the journey.

"We're going to Mount Olympus," he said.

Aurelia's breath caught for a moment. The fabled Mount Olympus, the home of the gods, the seat of divine power, and a place mortals like her could only dream of seeing.

"Mount Olympus," she repeated, her voice steadier than she felt.

Hades turned to face her fully, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "You'll finally be standing before the gods themselves. They are not kind, Aurelia, especially to mortals."

"I never asked for their kindness," she replied. "I need their judgment."

A faint smirk flickered across Hades' face, but was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Very well. If you're certain, then let us go."

He turned and motioned to the far end of the courtyard, where two magnificent black horses awaited. Their coats gleamed like polished obsidian, and their eyes glowed faintly with a spectral light. 

Aurelia hesitated for only a moment before stepping toward the nearest horse. She ran her hand along its flank, marveling at the cool, smooth texture of its coat.

Hades mounted his horse with ease, his movements so fluid and precise. "These are Nyx-born steeds," he explained. "They are fast, silent, and capable of traversing dimensions. They will take us to Olympus."

Aurelia nodded and climbed onto her own horse, gripping the reins tightly. The steed shifted beneath her, its muscles rippling with restrained energy, but it was surprisingly gentle, responding instantly to her movements.

Hades turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Hold on tight. The journey is brief, but the transition can be a bit unsettling for first timers."

Before she could respond, he raised his hand and muttered an incantation under his breath. The air around them rippled, the courtyard dissolving into a swirl of shadow and light. The horses surged forward, galloping into the void as reality bent and twisted around them.

The world seemed to tilt and stretch, her vision blurring as they raced through a realm that defied comprehension. She clenched the reins tightly, her knuckles white, as the wind roared in her ears and the darkness gave way to flashes of blinding light.

And then, as suddenly as it had begun, it was over.

The horses slowed to a stop, their hooves striking solid ground once more. Aurelia blinked, her vision clearing to reveal a breathtaking sight.

They stood at the base of Mount Olympus, its towering peaks shrouded in golden clouds that glowed with an ethereal light. The air was crisp and cool, tinged with a faint hum of divine energy. The mountain itself seemed alive, its marble-like surface glowing faintly as though infused with starlight.

Aurelia dismounted, her legs trembling slightly as she took in the awe-inspiring scene. "This is it," she murmured, more to herself than to Hades.

Hades dismounted as well. "This is only the beginning," he said. "The gods are waiting, we cannot keep them waiting for long."

Together, they began their ascent, the path before them winding upward into the clouds.

Before long, the amphitheater loomed ahead. It was an immense structure that seemed to radiate both majesty and foreboding. As Aurelia and Hades approached, the chatter of unseen voices filled their ears. 

Hades slowed, his sharp gaze fixed on the massive golden doors that marked the entrance. "When we step through those doors, every word you speak will count," he said. "Choose them carefully, Aurelia."

Without another word, he turned and pushed open the doors.

Aurelia stood in the grand hall of Olympus, her mortal frame dwarfed by the presence of the five gods seated on their golden thrones. 'Weren't they supposed to be six' she thought and exhaled, determined to hold her ground despite the overwhelming pressure.

Zeus, seated at the center, leaned forward, his lightning-bright eyes narrowing. "Mortal, state your case. Why have you come to Olympus?"

Before Aurelia could respond, the grand doors of the hall creaked open, and in walked Persephone, the queen of the Underworld. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, her presence immediately commanding the room.

"Sorry I'm late," Persephone said with a casual grace, her voice carrying a sharp edge. Her eyes then landed on Aurelia, and she froze, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Well, well, look what the cat dragged in," she mused aloud, her gaze never leaving Aurelia. "What do we have here? Isn't this Hades' mortal?"

Aurelia's eyes narrowed as she stood tall, refusing to show weakness in front of the gods and their queen. She hadn't expected Persephone's entrance to be so… theatrical, but it was clear the queen was not someone who would be easily intimidated.

Zeus gave a low, rumbling chuckle, raising a hand to calm the room. "Enough, Persephone," he said with a glance in her direction. His tone held authority, though a flicker of amusement lingered in his voice. "Mortal, speak. Why have you come before us?"

Aurelia's heart beat fiercely in her chest, but she didn't falter. She knew she had only one chance to make her case. She took a deep breath, the weight of the moment pressing on her.

Aurelia took a shaky breath and forced herself to meet his gaze. "I seek an audience with Cronus."

The words echoed in the chamber, and for a moment, there was silence. Then, a ripple of incredulous laughter erupted from Ares, his armor clinking as he shifted in his seat.

"With Cronus?" he scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "You must be out of your mind. Do you even understand the gravity of what you're asking?"

"Why would we allow such a thing?" Artemis added, her silver eyes narrowing as she studied Aurelia. "What mortal business could possibly warrant an audience with the Titan of Time?"

Aurelia squared her shoulders despite the tremor in her hands. "I want to break the summoning bond and mark with Hades."

The gods froze. Hera, regal and unyielding, arched an elegant brow. "You dare to suggest you've summoned a god?" she said, her voice laced with disbelief. "A mortal cannot summon one of us."

"She's lying," Ares growled. "It's impossible."

Zeus held up a hand, silencing the murmurs of the other gods. "Explain yourself," he commanded. "How did this come to be?"

Aurelia hesitated, feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of their gazes. "It was an accident," she began. "I didn't know what I was doing."

"An accident?" Poseidon asked, narrowing his eyes at her. "Summoning a god is no trivial feat. Speak clearly, mortal."

She took another breath, forcing the words to come. "It happened a few weeks ago. I wandered into an antique shop, one I'd never noticed before and found a wooden box. On the lid, in faded gold lettering, were the words: Summoning the Underworld."

The gods exchanged startled glances. Even Artemis, who had remained stoic, seemed intrigued.

"I thought it was just a joke," Aurelia continued. "But the shopkeeper… He told me it wasn't. He said the box contained instructions for a ritual to summon someone from the Underworld."

"Absurd," Hera muttered. "And yet, here you stand."

"I didn't believe him," Aurelia admitted. "So bought it, thinking it was harmless."

"And you performed the ritual," Athena said, her voice calm but piercing. "Did you understand what you were doing?"

"No," Aurelia confessed. "I thought it was fake. I followed the instructions, thinking I'd prove it was nonsense. But then…" Her voice faltered as she glanced at Hades, who stood silently at the edge of the chamber. "…He appeared."

The gods sat in stunned silence. Zeus was the first to speak. "A mortal, summoning a god… This has not happened in eons. If it is true, then it is a matter of great consequence."

Artemis leaned forward, her eyes sharp. "This shopkeeper, what did he look like? Was he mortal?"

"I thought he was," Aurelia replied. "But now… I'm not sure."

Athena's gaze grew distant, as if piecing together a puzzle. "Such knowledge should not exist in the mortal realm. If this ritual has been leaked, it threatens the balance of all realms."

"It must be investigated," Poseidon rumbled. "But the question remains: should this mortal be allowed to speak to Cronus?"

Aurelia's heart pounded as the gods deliberated. Hera was the first to object. "Cronus does not entertain mortals. To even consider this is—"

"Necessary," Athena interrupted. "If what she says is true, then Cronus must intervene. The origin of this ritual must be uncovered, and the bond between her and Hades cannot remain unbroken."

Zeus stroked his beard, deep in thought. Finally, he raised his hand, silencing the room. "We will allow it. The mortal will speak to Cronus."

Aurelia's breath caught, relief washing over her. But before she could react further, Persephone's voice cut through the silence again.

"So," Persephone drawled, her gaze flicking between Hades and Aurelia. "This is what you've been hiding from me, Hades? Your mortal has a summoning mark, a bond? How quaint."

"Then I hope for my sake, mortal," Persephone said, "that Cronus kills you. Because I truly doubt you're worth anything more than that."

"And understand this mortal," Zeus said, his voice heavy with warning. "Cronus only gives where he can take. But if he finds you useless to him, you would be better off dead."

Aurelia nodded, despite the fear curling in her chest. "I understand."

"Then it is decided," Zeus declared. He gestured to the golden doors at the far end of the chamber, which began to open with an ominous creak. "Prepare yourself, mortal. Your fate now lies in the hands of Cronus."


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