Prophet Prometheus - (1)
The underworld, the realm of the dead.
A massive door leading into Hades' fortress.
"Hek. Hek."
"Kkiiiing..."
I gazed at the three-headed dog performing all sorts of tricks before me.
A creature with three heads, its venomous saliva dripping as it playfully stuck out its tongue.
Now a bit larger, the guardian of the underworld, Cerberus, caught my attention as I took out the Cornucopia.
Thinking of thick meat, I reached into the broken horn and soon pulled out a large chunk of meat.
Addeuk.
Jjiik.
I tossed it in front of Cerberus, and the three heads lunged at it, tearing it apart in a frenzy.
The fresh meat vanished into the beast's belly in an instant.
"Hek hek hek."
As Cerberus looked back at me, wagging its tail as if asking for more food...
The god of dreams, Morpheus, approached.
"Lord Hades, you are personally feeding Cerberus today. Is there something weighing on your mind?"
"No, it's nothing... just a trivial matter."
"That expression of yours seems like the face you make when you are troubled. Are you perhaps worried about Gaia again?"
Lately, Gaia has been quiet.
At first, she used the Gigantes to dig various traps and weaken our forces...
When the gods successfully repelled the attacks, she tried to reduce her influence in the mortal realm by using human heroes like Oedipus.
Next, what she might set in motion...
"I feel like it's about time she pulled some tricks."
"Will she use human heroes again, or prepare to move the Gigantes with her last chance?"
"The problem is I can't be sure."
It is true that she is preparing something, but I cannot be certain what means she will employ.
The ability of the first-generation god, Protogenoi, the master of the earth who influences all things.
She holds precedence over Demeter in dominion over the earth and even...
"Gaia possesses the power of prophecy as well."
"Indeed, her prophetic ability surpassing that of Apollo is a concern."
The earth goddess Gaia embodies the earth, the seasons, and the ecosystem.
And she is also a god with powerful foresight.
When her relationship with Chronos, the god of time and agriculture, soured,
It is well-known that she prophesied he would also be overthrown by his children, just like Cronos and Uranus.
The only one in the world who possesses foresight comparable to hers is Prometheus.
His prophetic ability, which even Apollo cannot match, poses a great danger to us...
"Wait, if we can somehow persuade Prometheus, could we not receive his help?"
"But he must be filled with resentment towards Lord Zeus. Would he truly help Olympus?"
Prometheus, who brought fire to humanity, incurred Zeus's wrath and was bound to a mountain.
He even suffers the punishment of having his liver pecked out by an eagle every day, so he must harbor considerable resentment.
"But I have never seen a Titan who cares for humans like him. The Gigantes devour humans, so if we can exploit that point to persuade him..."
"First, we need to free him from the mountain, right?"
"I will go to Olympus and try to persuade Zeus."
Somehow, I will convince Zeus to lift the punishment of the mountain,
And then we will receive help from Prometheus's prophetic ability.
One thing that troubles me is... will Zeus forgive him for stealing fire?
"No matter how much you say, brother, that is impossible."
Damn, as expected, he is saying this.
As soon as I arrived in Olympus and met Zeus, he rejected me with a stiff face.
"I originally intended to only bind him to the mountain, but Prometheus chose that punishment himself."
"Are you referring to the provocation he made?"
When Prometheus was bound to the mountain,
He asked Hephaestus to deliver the message that "Zeus will one day meet the same fate as Cronos and Uranus."
Zeus, enraged by such a strong provocation sent to the king of the gods, had him punished by having an eagle eat his liver daily.
In fact, since Prometheus is capable of perfect prophecy, it is unclear whether his words were mere provocation or a prophecy.
Prometheus's provocation used the fact that Zeus knows of his prophetic abilities.
That statement must have lodged itself in Zeus's heart like a thorn.
"What he said back then weighs on my mind. If you show him mercy, perhaps he will reveal a way out?"
"That nonsense could be a prophecy..."
Zeus showed a moment of contemplation.
Even though it is a matter of releasing Prometheus, who has provoked the king of the gods,
It seems he has been holding onto the words delivered by Hephaestus.
As Zeus tapped the armrest of his golden throne, he spoke.
"What will you do if Prometheus does not yield to you? Sending Hermes to persuade him with the details of the prophecy will only earn you mockery."
"That's because you sent Hermes. If I go directly, it will be different. And if he does not yield to me..."
Prometheus surpasses Apollo and possesses prophetic abilities comparable to Gaia.
He knew the consequences of stealing fire from the gods, yet he still gave it to humanity...
Even knowing what punishment would follow from provoking Zeus, he laughed in defiance.
Isn't he the true god of madness, surpassing even Dionysus?
If Prometheus does not yield to me and seeks revenge by binding him to the mountain again,
As the god of prophecy, he would surely mock me and scoff.
"He has already received sufficient punishment... I intend to do nothing further."
"... So you mean you will simply release him?"
"Yes, and that is the only way."
To persuade him, I must approach him sincerely, not with a whip.
The punishment he endures for merely giving fire to humanity must come to an end...
"By giving fire, humanity can offer us sacrifices."
"But ignoring my command as the king of the gods and acting on his own is unforgivable."
"That is why I have also overlooked the punishment you imposed. But I believe this is enough."
Prometheus has already suffered for a very long time.
While some authority is needed for the king of the gods, this duration is sufficient for the other gods to accept.
"Hey, tell Athena that I am looking for her!"
"Understood, Lord Zeus."
Zeus summoned Athena through his attendants.
It seems he wishes to hear the opinion of the goddess of wisdom whom he trusts.
As always, the goddess of war and wisdom, Athena, arrived fully armed.
Upon hearing the conversation between Zeus and me, her expression turned serious.
"I apologize, but hasn't Father already calmed down?"
"What do you mean?"
"The very fact that he called me to ask for my opinion suggests that he believes Prometheus has received sufficient punishment."
"Hmm... Bring my mother, Metis."
A short while later, Metis arrived riding on a cloud.
She had given birth to the goddess of wisdom in Zeus's mind and came out alongside Athena.
Although Zeus had swallowed Metis out of caution for her prophecies,
Once a goddess was born from their union, he no longer held her captive.
Before Athena was born, Metis was regarded as the wisest among the Olympians.
She seemed to have already heard Athena's words, as she smiled gently upon arrival and said,
"Zeus, to stand against Gaia's prophetic abilities, we need Prometheus's power."
"But I am unsure if I can forgive him so easily."
"How about showing a bit of mercy as the king of the gods? Embrace him even if he defies you if it helps..."
As the opinions of the wisest gods in Olympus unified,
Zeus frowned and waved his hand.
"Ah. Ah. I see... I understand. Metis, you may leave now."
"Hehe. I will trust that you will make a wise decision, just as you have until now."
Zeus's expression seemed a bit uncomfortable as he rubbed his head.
He appeared to be struggling with whether to release Prometheus, who had offended him, and seek his help.
I chose not to rush him and waited for a moment.
I believed that my brother, who had led Olympus well until now, would make the right decision.
"Umm..."
After quite some time, it seemed Zeus had made up his mind and spoke.
"I had no intention of seeking Prometheus's help... but the fact that you are considering releasing him shows your mercy. Have you been praised as the god of mercy lately because of that?"
Am I being too soft in my words?
However, it seemed he was already convinced, speaking in a tone that was more grumbling than harsh.
Realizing this was a sign of agreement, I smiled and said to Zeus,
"The god of mercy cannot defend excessive punishment. Especially if the sinner holds the key in the fight against Gaia..."
"Indeed, it wouldn't be bad to have at least one generous god like you..."
The king of the gods, rising from his throne, met my gaze.
"As for Prometheus, you may proceed as you wish. However, I must receive his apology."
"I will do my best to persuade him."
Having received Zeus's permission, it was now time to head to the mountain where Prometheus was bound.
However, I couldn't just rush there... perhaps I should prepare a bit more.
If I can persuade 'her' in the underworld...
I might be able to gain Prometheus's assistance.