The Story of Typhon - (2)

The traces left by Typhon, the enormous monster that covered the mountain, were clear as he dragged Zeus away. The land, utterly overturned, would drive Demeter mad if she saw it.

The horrific sight of all the plants, animals, and humans around dead from the fierce wind naturally flowing from Typhon's body. The traces of divine power left by Zeus as he resisted while being dragged away.

After traveling for a while, I found that the traces ended at a particular mountain.

I suspected Zeus was imprisoned in a cave in this mountain and began to look around...

"And now, my sinews are in Typhon's grasp. If you can help me, in the name of Zeus, the king of the gods..."

A translucent image of a bull was speaking to a prostrate human. Realizing the bull was created by Zeus's divine power, I removed Kynee and approached.

"Zeus." "Hm? It's Brother Hades... Hermes succeeded, then. But I lack the strength to maintain this any longer..."

Zeus's state was dire; as his divine power weakened, the bull's image dissipated. I looked down at the prostrate human beside me.

"I... I am the lowly human Cadmus, meeting the lord of the underworld, Lord Hades!"

Oh... Most humans fear and avoid saying my name, but this man was different. Usually, they call me Pluto when not in dire straits or when they fear imminent death.

Cadmus, bowing his head deeply and avoiding my gaze, began to explain. He was Cadmus, a prince of Phoenicia... Zeus had been defeated in a battle with Typhon and was now imprisoned in a cave on this mountain... Zeus had sent him an image of a bull to ask for help...

So, Zeus ordered him to retrieve the sinews from Typhon. I found it difficult to understand his rambling words, but Zeus must have been desperate or seen something in this human.

"Do you really intend to follow Zeus's command? Your life might be cut short."

If he pleaded with me, saying he was too afraid, that he couldn't do it, I was willing to shield him from Zeus's wrath.

But the blond man, Cadmus, did not.

Cadmus, a prince of Phoenicia, was an ordinary human.

A typical human who feared monsters and mysteries and revered the gods of Olympus.

One day, his father, King Agenor, ordered Cadmus to find his sister, Europa. He sent out all his sons with the command not to return unless they found her.

Naturally, Cadmus couldn't find any trace of Europa and wandered aimlessly, eventually reaching near Mount Cilicia. As he was about to search the mountain, something appeared before him.

"Human, I am Zeus, king of the gods."

Seeing the translucent image of a bull, Cadmus hurriedly bowed his head. The majestic tone and mystical aura suggested a god, whether or not it was truly Zeus.

The god commanded Cadmus to help him. To retrieve the sinews from a powerful monster that had defeated even a god. A divine command was absolute, and he had to obey.

Sweat trickled down his neck. Could he do it?

The promised rewards from the bull supposedly sent by Zeus didn't register in Cadmus's mind, filled with fear and dread at the thought of facing the monster.

That was until a somber-looking man suddenly appeared.

"Zeus." "Hm? Brother Hades..."

At that moment, his mind was washed over with a fear greater than that of the monster. Although the sun was high, the surroundings grew dark and the air heavy.

Struggling to breathe, Cadmus saw the grass around the man wither. The chilling aura emanating from him dominated the surroundings with an immense presence.

If this wasn't a god, what was?

'He mentioned Hades and Zeus... So that must be...!'

This person must be Pluto, lord of the underworld! That bull really was sent by Zeus?

He glanced up to see Hades looking at Zeus's bull image, but...

When he met the gaze of the gloomy god, Cadmus quickly pressed his face to the ground. The black abyss in those eyes couldn't be human, but a divine presence of the highest order.

'It must be Hades!'

As Cadmus bowed, he felt the lord of the underworld's gaze on him, as if asking him to explain the situation. His mouth moved on its own.

"I... I am the lowly human Cadmus, meeting the lord of the underworld, Lord Hades!"

'Should I have called him Pluto?!'

Cadmus swallowed dryly and explained everything to the lord of the underworld, including the message from Zeus's bull.

'Damn, I stuttered too much. What if he takes offense and drags me to the underworld...?'

There was a moment of silence as Hades deliberated. Cadmus felt an almost blood-draining tension in the prolonged quiet.

Finally, the god of the underworld spoke.

"Do you really intend to follow Zeus's command? Your life might be cut short."

Cadmus took a breath. This was undoubtedly a considerate remark.

A god worrying about a lowly human losing his life to a monster.

From the perspective of the underworld, a human's death would increase his power, but...

Hades, the god shunned and feared by everyone, to whom no temples were built, was this compassionate?

Despite his merciful words, Cadmus pondered how to answer.

How should he respond to Zeus's command? As Hades said, a mere human could easily die to a monster, so why did Zeus choose him? Especially since Typhon, the monster, defeated even the mighty king of the gods.

No matter how great Zeus was, wasn't his own life more important? It might be a test from the gods to see if he would back down. If he died to Typhon, he wouldn't be able to find his sister Europa, nor would he be able to see his brothers again.

Cadmus, bowing his head, thought and thought until his thoughts were clear.

And finally, he answered firmly.

"Yes, of course."

The fear on his face faded slightly due to my presence. He seemed to draw strength from his unwavering conviction, using it as a pillar to withstand the pressure.

Although I had suppressed my presence since appearing, it would still be overwhelming for an ordinary human.

The look of fear and self-assuredness, the coexistence of fear and confidence. Why would he choose to follow Zeus's command, risking his life?

"...Why?"

I asked him the question, filled with many doubts. Humans are not the slaves or servants of the gods. If he felt coerced by Zeus's command, I would protect him.

Cadmus cleared his throat and spoke.

"Well... Since childhood, I've learned about the gods' grace. That they created humans and all living beings."

Indeed, the gods did create humans, but it was out of necessity. Was his behavior truly just a repayment to his creators?

"This morning's rising sun was Helios's mercy, and the moonlight that comforted me every night was Selene's grace."

His eyes showed firm belief. His voice no longer trembled.

"The food I eat daily is blessed by Demeter, and the water I drink carries Poseidon's blessing. Besides these..."

He continuously spoke of the gods' blessings. Not hastily made up or false, but genuinely heartfelt.

"...Lastly, even if I die to Typhon, I would be under the care of Lord Hades before me, so why would I fear a mere monster?"

Impressive. Did such a person exist in the mortal world?

Cadmus slightly raised his head to look at me. He bit his lip, which bled, as if meeting my gaze was difficult, but he did not avert his eyes.

The eyes of a human overcoming the fear of a monster with willpower, filled with determination. I saw courage burning there that surpassed even Ares.

"I may be a mere human compared to the great gods,"

He bowed his head again. Not from the pressure of my divine presence, but with gratitude and reverence.

"But I am not ungrateful for the grace I have received."

At this moment, Cadmus was undoubtedly a hero.