Ch. 105: The Edge Of Trust
“What kind of alliance?” Aphrodite’s voice trembled slightly, her breath ragged, as if she were battling something inside.
I kept my hands buried in my pockets, eyes locked on her with an intensity I didn’t bother masking. Behind her composure, I could sense desperation, a quiet fear edging her words. She had reason to be cautious, but I just needed to push her a bit further— make her see what was at stake.
“There is a darkness rising in this world,” I said, my voice steady, each word deliberately slow, carrying a weight I knew she would feel. “And as much as it pains me to admit it, I can’t do this alone. I need others— strong allies— yo help forge the peace I desire. A peace only achievable through this alliance.” It wasn’t enough. She needed more than simple truths.
I began walking toward her, my gaze like a cold wind. I could see her tense, a flicker of fear crossing her face. She tried to steady herself, to regain control. “I don’t understand you, Hades,” she said, her voice faltering slightly. “Are you sure you didn’t come here to kill me?”
I stopped, leaving just enough space between us to feel her unease. “I have no interest in killing you, Aphrodite,” I replied coolly. “I’m here to build something— a new world. A world where curses, like the one that binds you, will no longer exist. A world where I will have no enemies left to fight.”
Her eyes flickered with something unreadable, but her body relaxed slightly. “That’s a lofty goal, Hades. But I still don’t understand what I can offer you in all this. How do I fit into your plans?”
I sighed and threw myself onto the nearby sofa, leaning back as though the weight of the world had settled onto my shoulders. “It’s simple. When I call, you answer. That’s all I need.”
Before she could respond, her phone rang, slicing through the thick tension in the room. Her hand flew to the device almost instinctively, and though she made it sound like she was asking, she didn’t wait for my permission to answer it.
A few tense moments passed as she murmured into the phone. Then suddenly, she slammed it down on the table, her face contorted in frustration. “That son of a bitch!” she spat, her eyes wild. “He just won’t stop! Always so pushy, always trying to get his way.”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the outburst. “Who has you this worked up?”
Her eyes flashed with anger, though not directed at me. “It’s Apollo, the golden prince of Olympus,” she replied, her voice dripping with disgust. “He’s always hovering, pestering me. Thinking he can bend everyone to his will.”
Apollo? I thought, surprised. I hadn’t expected such venom from her. Apollo was widely adored— respected, even. The god of light, music, medicine, and prophecy— he embodied everything Olympus stood for. Masculine beauty, talent, grace. So why this reaction?
“You’re not close with Apollo?” I asked, trying to peel back another layer.
Aphrodite laughed bitterly. “Close? Maybe once. He likes to play the charming golden boy, but he’s more spoiled than anyone else. His ego is unbearable.”
I mulled over her words. So Apollo was part of her past, but clearly, something had soured between them. “Is he coming here?” I asked, my tone neutral, though a spark of interest lit within me. If Apollo was involved, this could get more complicated than I anticipated.
“No,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “I’d never let anyone interrupt our conversation. Especially him.”
I admired her resolve. Her determination only made me more certain she would be a valuable ally. “Good. Because as long as you join the alliance, I’ll help you find a way to break your curse. Together, we’ll fix what’s been broken.”
Her demeanor softened at that, and for the first time, a hint of hope crossed her features. “You’d help me with that? You think we can really find a cure?”
I leaned back further, stretching out on the couch. “Of course. But if you don’t let Apollo in, I can’t evaluate him, can I?”
She blinked, startled. “You want to meet him?” Her voice was laced with disbelief. “You know he’s a jerk, right? I don’t want you killing him in a fit of rage.”
I smirked at that. “And why would you think that?”
Aphrodite pointed at my face, her lips quirking into a wry smile. “That look. The killer smile, that’s what it is. You’ve already decided something about him, haven’t you?”
I shrugged and let my gaze wander to the ceiling. “Tell me something, Aphrodite,” I said, my voice low. “Are you only attracted to me because I’m the one who can help you?”
She froze, and I could feel the weight of the question pressing on her. I knew the answer, but I wanted to hear her say it.
Her eyes dropped to the floor, her voice soft and hesitant. “Yes. But it’s more than that. I owe you… more than you realize.”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. She wasn’t just talking about the present.
“When I was younger, none of the gods really paid attention to us children,” she began, her words faltering. “Why would they? They had just saved the world. We were nothing to them. But you… You were different.”
Her eyes shimmered with an emotion I hadn’t expected. “You never smiled, never laughed, never made us feel welcome. But you were always there. You didn’t show emotion, but you cared in your own way. Me, Hermes… We owe you everything.”
My mind flashed back to those days. I had tried to protect the younger gods, not out of love, but because someone had to. That’s what I expected to be going on in my mind if I was Hades. I wonder why he was was always drawn to the forgotten, the lost. Perhaps it was a reflection of my own emptiness.
“You taught us to look out for the weak,” she continued, her voice trembling. “You made me the goddess of love so I could help others find the one thing you never seemed to care about. And Hermes, well… he always wanted to save you from the darkness in your heart.”
Tears began to roll down her cheeks, and she stepped closer to me, her vulnerability on full display. “Even now, you’re still trying to help me. I will join your alliance, Hades. But on one condition.”
I raised an eyebrow, curious. “What’s that?”
“You let me help you find love,” she declared, her voice thick with emotion. “You’ll fall in love, or my name isn’t Aphrodite.”
I scoffed, turning away from her intense gaze. “What kind of half-baked sentiment is that?”
“Hear me, Hades,” she said, stepping closer, her eyes burning with determination. “You will fall in love, and you will find peace. I’ll make sure of it.”
I crossed my legs and leaned back again, the weight of her words settling on me. “I don’t give a damn about love,” I muttered. “But if that’s what it takes to have you on my team, fine. I’ll play your little game.”
Her eyes brightened, a genuine smile breaking through her tears. “You’ll see. I’ll make sure you find it.”
I sighed heavily. “Whatever you say. Now, call Apollo. I want to meet him.”
“Oh, right!” She rushed to her phone, making the call with newfound energy.
As she spoke to Apollo, I closed my eyes, pondering her words. Love? For someone like me? I had long since buried any hope for such things, but if it meant securing Aphrodite’s loyalty, I would indulge her fantasy— for now.
If I revive a magic castle I will mass release 10 chapters
