CHAPTER 158: CHAPTER 3

In the dimly lit chamber, the air thick with the scent of incense and parchment, Hecate leaned back in her chair.

The flickering glow of braziers illuminated the shelves stacked with grimoires, scrolls, and strange artifacts.

Across from her, the Titan of Justice, Themis sat with a regal stillness, her posture unbending, blindfold veiling her eyes but not the intensity of her presence.

"I have endured enough silence under Olympus. Their hands weigh too heavily on me, and my scales are chained. Here, I will no longer tolerate corruption. I wish to bring justice to the souls who arrive, to judge them without bias, without Zeus’ meddling." She spoke. Her voice carried an unshakable resolve as she repeated her decision.

Hecate studied her carefully. She could sense the conviction; it wasn’t a fleeting rebellion, but a lifelong frustration finally breaking free.

Slowly, she reached into a drawer and retrieved two items: a contract written on parchment that glowed faintly with magical runes, and a ripe pomegranate, its crimson seeds gleaming like drops of blood.

Her voice was quiet but firm. "You understand what this means? Signing this contract binds you to the Underworld. Eating this fruit seals your soul here for eternity. Mortal, god, titan, none can escape the bond."

Themis didn’t even flinch. "Justice requires sacrifice. I have already sacrificed centuries to silence. Let this be my oath."

Without hesitation, she signed her name in flowing golden ink, her signature burning into the parchment as though branded into existence.

Then she lifted the pomegranate, broke it open with her fingers, and ate the glowing seeds.

Instantly, the Underworld stirred.

The walls seemed to hum, the air tightening as if acknowledging the new bond.

Hecate’s eyes glowed faintly with approval.

"It is done," she said. "From this day forward, Themis of the Scales shall reside in the Underworld. You will judge fairly, with no god above you to silence your voice."

Themis exhaled slowly, as though casting off centuries of chains. "Finally... justice will be pure."

A faint smile tugged at Hecate’s lips. "Your job won’t be easy. You’d surely be overworked. I’d give some time to adjust yourself, so before that, do you have anything else to do?"

Themis’ calm and stoic demeanor cracked for the first time since she entered the Underworld.

Though she had just sworn herself to Hades’ realm, a shadow of worry lingered over her face.

She shifted slightly in her seat, as if weighing whether she should speak.

Hecate, sharp-eyed as ever, immediately caught it. Her tone was light, but edged with curiosity.

"What is it? You look as if a weight still clings to your heart. Speak freely. If I can help, I will."

Themis hesitated a moment before nodding. "Olympus is... in chaos."

Hecate gave a small laugh, muttering with dry sarcasm, "When is it not?"

Themis allowed herself a faint smile but pressed on, her voice lower, heavier. "This time it’s different. Zeus and Poseidon are at war with each other. They are pursuing a goddess named Thetis, and they are recklessly causing chaos."

Hecate’s brows rose. "Thetis...the sea Nereid?"

"Yes." Themis nodded firmly. "Their obsession has already caused great suffering. Their armies and followers clash, storms break across seas, mountains tremble under their rage. And worst of all, a prophecy was spoken: the son of Thetis will surpass his father. For that reason, both Zeus and Poseidon now conspire to imprison her—"

Her voice faltered for the first time, anger and pity slipping through her stoicism. "...to strip her of choice, to bind her, so she cannot bring forth the child fated to outshine them."

The chamber fell silent, save for the crackle of the braziers. Hecate tapped her finger against the desk, her expression unreadable.

"So," she said slowly, "you wish to protect her."

Themis nodded once, firmly. "She has done no wrong. To punish her for a prophecy not yet fulfilled... it is unjust. And I cannot stand idle any longer."

Hecate leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a moment.

"Helping her will mean meddling in Olympus’ affairs. And that," she exhaled, opening her eyes again, "is something I cannot do without Lord Hades’ permission. The balance of realms must be respected."

She rose gracefully from her chair, her dark robes whispering against the floor, the air around her shimmering faintly with magic.

"Come," she said, glancing at Themis. "If your cause is just, then present it to him yourself. If anyone can decide whether the Underworld will move against Olympus, it is Lord Hades."

Themis stood as well, straightening her robes, determination settling over her like armor. "Very well. I will speak with him."

Hecate gestured toward the door, the shadows of the Underworld stretching before them like a path. "Then follow me. Let us see if Lord Hades finds Thetis worth saving."

*

*

*

Themis and Hecate walked a long, seemingly endless path. It took them quite some time before they arrived in front of a large double doors.

"This is the grand hall, where Lord Hades does his work. If you have anything you need his help with, you can mostly find him here."

With that, Hecate opened the doors, and the hall came into full view.

The grand hall was silent, save for the faint crackle of ethereal torches that lined the obsidian walls.

Each flame burned a cold blue, casting an otherworldly glow across the chamber. At the far end, upon a throne carved of black stone veined with silver, sat Hades.

He was bent slightly forward, quill in hand, his focus on the papyrus scrolls laid before him.

Each document pulsed faintly, inscribed with shifting words, records of the newly dead, contracts, decrees that shaped the very law of the Underworld.

He didn’t give off any aura, as if he was just an illusion, but even so, one can stll feel great pressure that weighed heavy upon the air, not oppressive, but vast, like staring into the abyss itself.

As Hecate and Themis stepped into the hall, his hand stilled.

Slowly, he lifted his head. Cold, stern eyes fell upon them, piercing through both goddesses with effortless scrutiny.

Themis froze.

For a moment, her breath caught in her throat.

She had faced Zeus’ storms and Poseidon’s raging seas without flinching, yet before Hades’ steady gaze, she trembled.

It was not malice she felt, but a terrifying weight, as if all her hidden sins and doubts were suddenly laid bare.

Hecate, unbothered, inclined her head in greeting. "My lord."

Themis, startled, immediately followed, bowing deeply. "L-Lord Hades."

His voice, deep and steady, rolled through the chamber like the shifting of earth. "Do you require something of me?"

Hecate straightened, her expression calm. "We do. But it is not I who seeks your aid. I only guided her here."

She glanced to Themis and gave the faintest nod.

Themis swallowed, gathering her composure. Her hands tightened into fists before she forced herself to meet his gaze. "Lord Hades... I come to you not for myself, but for another. The goddess Thetis."

His eyes narrowed slightly, though he said nothing.

Themis pressed on, her voice steady now despite her trembling heart. "Olympus is in chaos. Zeus and Poseidon vie for her hand, their conflict tearing apart both sky and sea. Worse still, when a prophecy declared that her son would surpass his father, they resolved to imprison her...to strip her of her freedom, to punish her for a destiny not of her choosing."

She drew in a breath, her voice carrying a rare fervor. "It is unjust. And justice is my domain. Yet I cannot act alone. Olympus is bound by pride and fear. I have no power to stop them. But you, Lord Hades, I ask, no, I beg, that you intervene, or at the very least, grant me the right to protect her under your banner."

The hall fell silent again, the only sound the soft flutter of the papyrus on Hades’ desk. His gaze remained locked on her, unwavering, unreadable.

Themis lowered her head, bowing deeply. "If she is condemned for a prophecy, then Olympus has already abandoned justice. I will not."

Hecate stood silently beside her, watching Hades with calm, knowing eyes, waiting for his verdict.

Hades leaned back on his throne, fingers tapping once on the armrest. His silence pressed heavier than any words, and Themis felt her throat tighten beneath the weight of his gaze.

Finally, his deep voice broke the stillness.

"You speak boldly, Themis," Hades said, tone calm yet edged with steel. "But tell me, why should the plight of one sea goddess matter to me? Thetis’ suffering does not tip the balance of the world. Her fate, tragic or not, is of Olympus, not mine."

Themis hesitated, her blindfolded eyes lowering. "Because injustice is not bound to a single realm, Lord Hades. When justice is crushed on Olympus, it sends ripples through all creation. If the gods themselves abuse their power without restraint, then mortals will inherit their cruelty. Already, wars rage under the skies stirred by Zeus’ pride and Poseidon’s wrath. Already, the seas swallow ships because of their quarrel. Mortals bleed for the arrogance of gods."

Hades’ brows lowered, but his expression remained impassive. "And what of you? You claim to be Justice itself, yet you chose to flee Olympus rather than confront them."

Themis’ fists clenched. "Because I cannot judge when my scales are chained. On Olympus, my verdicts are ignored, twisted, or silenced entirely. Zeus laughs at the law when it suits him. Poseidon strikes down who he wills. I left, not in cowardice, but in defiance. Here, I thought... perhaps I could uphold what I truly stand for."

His gaze sharpened, cutting through her words. "And if I refuse you? If I declare that Thetis’ fate is her own burden to bear, and Olympus must devour itself as it always has?"

Themis swallowed hard, then raised her head, voice clear despite her trembling. "Then I will help regardless. Even if Olympus chains me as well, I will not stand idle while they trample her for their fears. If justice demands that I fall, then I will fall fulfilling it."

The hall went silent again, her words echoing faintly as if the stone itself carried them.

For a moment, Hades studied her without speaking, his expression unreadable.

His cold eyes shifted briefly toward Hecate, who only gave him a faint, knowing smirk, one that said, ’She has chosen her path. Now it is yours to decide.’

Hades smiled.

Themis froze.

For the briefest instant, she thought her senses deceived her.

Hades—Lord of the Underworld, the cold judge of countless souls—smiled.

She didn’t even know, nor did she even thought that Hades can smile!

"You’ve spoken well, Themis," Hades said, his voice no longer stern, but steady like the flow of the River Styx. "Your resolve is not shallow, and your desire for justice does not waver, even when it places you in danger. That is rare among gods and mortals alike."

Themis felt her heart race. Her hands, clenched tightly in her lap, loosened ever so slightly.

Hades leaned forward, his eyes glowing faintly in the dim hall. "Do not trouble yourself further. If Olympus seeks to bind Thetis, then I will move. I will speak with Zeus and Poseidon."

Themis gasped softly. "Y-you would involve yourself directly...?"

She had thought that he’d merely offer her support. After all, it is well known that Hades himself had sworn to not interfere with the overworld.

Hecate smirked at her side, arms crossed. "You’re fortunate, Themis. Normally, Lord Hades would let Olympus tear itself apart without raising a hand. But it seems you’ve struck a chord."

Hades continued, his smile fading back into calm composure. "There are moments when intervention is necessary, not for Olympus’ sake, but for the balance of all realms. If Thetis bears a child greater than his father, then her freedom must be preserved. Such a soul may one day weigh heavily upon the scales of existence. It would be... unwise to let short-sighted lust and fear decide her fate."

Hades wondered, what if he bore a son with Thetis, would he surpass him as well?

If so, then he would be a great help in dealing with those creatures from the outside.

Themis bowed deeply, almost trembling with relief. "Thank you... Lord Hades. Truly."

"Do not thank me yet," Hades said, rising from his throne. The shadows bent with him as if the hall itself shifted at his command. "Justice demands more than words. I will go myself, and you will accompany me, Themis. If you wish to be the arbiter of justice, then stand at my side as Olympus is made to listen."

Themis straightened, determination replacing her hesitation. "I will."

Hecate chuckled softly. "Olympus won’t know what hit them."