The Story of Typhon - (3)

I witnessed a completely ordinary human possess the courage of Ares. I've seen countless humans, but none have left as deep an impression as today.

However, will alone isn't enough to fulfill Zeus's command. Does Cadmus possess the necessary skills?

So, I asked him directly. How would he retrieve Zeus's sinews from Typhon?

"Though I may not compare to Apollo, the god of music, I am confident that I can enchant a monster with my music."

Cadmus pulled out a flute from his cloak and began to play slowly. His posture was skilled and natural, indicating that he was no novice.

A sweet melody flowed from Cadmus's flute, causing the surrounding animals to pause. Even the nymphs dwelling in nature came out to listen, and the air seemed to vibrate gently with the music.

Every space touched by the flute's sound moved in harmony with its melody. When the soft rhythm ceased, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

Cadmus, with a confident face, spoke to me.

"The monster will be unable to resist my flute's sound!"

I briefly compared the music I had heard from Apollo, the god of music and Zeus's son, with Cadmus's. Similar, if not better than Apollo...

His musical talent was enough to challenge the god of music.

Yet... it was still dangerous. Beyond the performance, Cadmus needed the eloquence, courage, and luck to retrieve the sinews from Typhon.

A gamble that wouldn't work on an experienced monster. But considering Typhon's somewhat inexperienced nature...

"Lord Hades, I am already resolved."

I still think Zeus is mad, but... The eloquence and courage Cadmus displayed in answering my question were indeed beyond ordinary.

After contemplating, I slowly nodded. However, if Typhon ignored the flute and tried to kill Cadmus or if anything seemed amiss, I would intervene using Kynee.

In a location a bit away from Mount Olympus, Cadmus, disguised as a shepherd, played his flute as he walked. A few steps behind, I followed with the Styx sword drawn, invisible under Kynee.

Despite approaching a monster capable of killing him instantly, Cadmus calmly played his music. As he entered Typhon's domain and the fierce storm began to rage, he stumbled.

Hooouuu...

But soon, the raging storm began to subside. Typhon was intrigued by the music and drew back the winds surrounding him.

Seeing clear evidence that his music worked on Typhon, Cadmus walked forward with renewed confidence.

As we approached Typhon's location, the pressure increased, with broken trees and no animals in sight. Cadmus, sweating profusely, continued steadfastly.

Eventually, he confronted the monster.

"Hahaha! Truly a magnificent performance! What is your name, human?"

Typhon's laughter shook the earth and sky as he lay sideways. Despite this, Cadmus stood firm.

"I am merely a passing shepherd named Cadmus. O mighty one!"

"A shepherd? Just a shepherd! You produce heavenly music, yet you do such menial work?"

Typhon looked down at Cadmus with a gaze full of favor, like a giant amused by an ant. The hundred snakes on Typhon's head, spitting lightning and venom, were silent toward Cadmus.

"Follow me. If you play music whenever I desire, I will reward you handsomely." "What kind of reward, my lord?"

Feigning contemplation, Typhon magnanimously offered the ant before him a favor. At least, that's how it seemed to me.

"I will grant you any goddess you desire, be it Athena, Aphrodite, Leto, or Artemis, except for Hera. How about that?"

The mad monster kept Hera as his prize. I worried for a moment that Cadmus might succumb to the temptation.

To possess a goddess is an irresistible temptation for a mortal man, especially if it removes the risk of deceiving the monster.

"Of course, I will obey your command! But wouldn't you like to hear even better music?" "Better than the flute you just played?"

Cadmus's throat bobbed as he boldly addressed Typhon.

"In the past, I defeated the god Apollo in a lyre contest. But when Zeus found out, he struck my lyre with lightning!" "You defeated Apollo? And Zeus cut the lyre strings with lightning..."

"If I could remake my lyre, I could play melodies even sweeter than what you've heard." Indeed, his eloquence, courage, and wisdom were fitting for the first human hero.

"Very well! Here are the sinews I took from Zeus. Use them to remake your lyre and return to me!" "I am grateful, mighty one."

Typhon retrieved the sinews from beneath the bearskin he was lying on. Despite being detached from their divine owner, they pulsed powerfully and showed no signs of decay.

"I will return after making the lyre." "Haha! Yes, return soon!"

The hero, embodying the courage of Ares, the musical talent of Apollo, and the wisdom of Athena, had accomplished his task.

"You have truly retrieved my sinews, human." "It is an honor to serve you, Lord Zeus."

With the sinews, Cadmus and I returned to the mountain and found the cave where Zeus was imprisoned. I was momentarily taken aback by the sight of the once-powerful Zeus lying helplessly on the ground.

However, once the sinews were reattached to his legs, Zeus quickly regained his strength.

"Zeus, it seems the Fates intervened with Typhon." "The Moirai aided me?"

Upon hearing about Typhon's weakened state, Zeus clenched his fist with a confident smile. It seemed his confidence had returned.

"I know where Typhon hid my Astrape. While I retrieve it, can you find the other gods, Hades?" "Of course."

Even with Zeus's power restored, Typhon, who single-handedly devastated Olympus, couldn't be underestimated. Zeus likely wanted to avoid another defeat by joining forces.

I set out to find the other gods immediately.

To ensure the gods could recognize me, I took off Kynee and held it in my hand as I searched. Fortunately, a god found me first.

"H... Hades!"

Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, appeared. She ran toward me and clung to me, trembling with fear.

Her usual warm and gentle divine power was now unstable, like a hearth fire flickering in a strong wind.

"You've come to help! But Zeus couldn't escape..." "I've already met Zeus, so calm yourself."

Even seasoned gods who had experienced wars against the Titans and Gigantes were trembling in fear, underscoring Typhon's immense power.

After explaining about Zeus's sinews to her, I continued searching for the other gods. Hestia was astonished at the human hero's involvement.

"My goodness... A human hero helped us?" "We can discuss this after defeating Typhon."

She also agreed to help find the other gods and gather at Mount Olympus, which Typhon had overtaken. Now the speed of the gods' gathering would increase.

As I thought this, a god with the lower body of a goat and horns but the upper body of a man ran toward me.

"H... Lord Hades!"

He stopped before me.

"Ugh... You've come to save Olympus... I'm so ashamed!"

So, you were the goat-fish hybrid I saw earlier, Pan?

I passed you, thinking you were a mere lower god, following Zeus's trail. If I had known, I would have removed Kynee and spoken to you.

Pan, the god of nature and shepherds, a satyr with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a goat. Also, Hermes's son and Zeus's grandson.

You really need to improve your transformation skills. It's a good thing Typhon ignored the fleeing gods except Hermes.

"Is my father safe? I was in such a hurry..." When I informed him that Hermes was being treated in the underworld, he clenched his teeth. He seemed torn between helplessness and sorrow, having failed to stand against the monster as a god.

After calming him down, like Hestia, I instructed him to find other gods.

"Yes! I'm a god of nature, after all. I'll find them quickly!"

I didn't need to ask who he would inquire. I could see birds, squirrels, and other animals gathering around him.

Since there seem to be many gods transformed into animals, perhaps I should check the nearby river.

Conveniently, there was a suitable river nearby.

Revealing my presence, I spread my divine power widely, causing two fish to suddenly leap from the river. In a flash, they transformed into powerful gods. The twelve Olympians.

"Uncle Hades!" "What happened to the god of war?" "...I apologize. The defeat was too overwhelming..."

One was Ares, the muscular god who had helped with the underworld's affairs during the Great Flood.

And...

The other was Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love, with her dazzling blonde hair and almost frighteningly stunning appearance. Her aura enchanted everyone, regardless of age or gender.

Her perfect figure and the scent of flowers wafted from her.

"Long time no see, Hades."

Of course, she was wearing her enchanted girdle, the Kestos Himas, which amplified her powers to seduce men.

No one can resist the allure of the goddess of beauty.

Ignoring my throbbing head, I addressed Aphrodite.

"Use that when fighting Typhon." "Hmph... It doesn't work well on the three great gods."

The personification of perfect beauty pouted slightly and removed the girdle. If Eros and Peitho, the goddess of persuasion, had been with her, I might have faltered.

"Ah... Aphrodite."

My nephew was already entranced.

Even though she's married to Hephaestus...

I can't tell the goddess of love not to seduce men. Maybe she'll gain the godhood of infidelity one day?

After explaining the situation to them, they agreed to help.

"Understood. With my father's sinews restored... We'll find the other gods!" "See you soon, Hades."

She's like a female Zeus, trying to take every man she fancies to bed.

Turning to search for more gods, a breeze from the forest whispered in my ear.

The rustling leaves conveyed Pan's message. An eagle, Zeus's messenger, flew towards me.

[Lord Hades! We've found everyone!] [Brother, while we distract him, please prepare the Scythe. It's likely in Olympus...]

The time for counterattack had come.