Riser Phenex? DXD SI. Multicross?-Chapter 88: The Olympus and Underworld Alliance? What is Zeus thinking?

Chapter 88 - The Olympus and Underworld Alliance? What is Zeus thinking?

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(Pov. Riser Phenex.)

Exhausted, I adjusted my tie for the thousandth time that day. The endless meetings with various factions had drained my energy, but I knew the worst was yet to come. The last meeting, the one I feared the most, would be with the Olympians.

I took a deep breath, feeling the cold air of Olympus fill my lungs. The white marble gleamed under the eternal light, making my eyes burn. I felt a soft hand touch my shoulder.

"Nervous, Riser-chan?" Serafall's melodic voice sounded beside me.

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Nervous? Me? Please, I'm a Phenex. We don't get nervous."

She laughed, a crystalline sound that echoed through the empty halls. "Sure, sure. And I'm just a simple magical girl, not a Maou."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. Serafall had this gift of easing tension, even in the most critical situations. And this situation? Well, it was as critical as it could be.

The golden doors of the council room creaked open before us. Inside, seated on majestic thrones, were the gods of Olympus. Zeus, with his white beard and stormy eyes. Poseidon, smelling of sea spray and power. Hera, with her aura of majesty and dignity. And the others, each more intimidating than the last.

"Welcome, demon representatives," Zeus's thunderous voice echoed through the room. "I hope you've brought proposals worthy of our attention."

I swallowed hard. Here I was, Riser Phenex, about to negotiate with beings who were insignificant to us in raw power but could hurt us in other ways. They could turn me to ashes with an Olympic-style Greco-Roman fight. My eyes would be instantly disintegrated at that moment. But hey, at least I could be reborn, right? Small comforts.

"Great Zeus," I began, my voice firmer and more resolute, looking at the 15-meter-tall being, "and illustrious gods of Olympus. We are here to propose an alliance."

A murmur ran through the room. I saw Ares lean forward, a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

"An alliance?" he growled. "With devils? Why should we stoop to such a level?"

I felt my blood boil. Typical of Ares, always ready for a fight. Even though Serafall and I could vaporize him instantly. It was more than obvious it was an intimidation tactic. But before I could retort, Serafall stepped forward.

"With all due respect, Lord Ares," she said, her voice sweet as honey but with a touch of steel, "times are changing. The old rivalries no longer serve us. United, we could face threats that none of us could alone."

Athena nodded slowly, her gray eyes shining with interest. "The little one has a point. Prophecies speak of dark times approaching." Athena said, as if she didn't know exactly what was being offered. But she knew well what it was. After all, I had already slept with her a few times.

Zeus raised an eyebrow, his eyes fixed on me. "And what would the devils offer in this... alliance?"

I took a deep breath. It was now or never.

"Knowledge," I said, my voice echoing through the room. "Magic that even the gods have not fully mastered. And, of course, a marriage."

The silence that followed was deafening. I could feel the weight of every divine gaze upon me. But I kept my posture, upright and proud. After all, I was a Phenex. And Phenexes don't bow.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Zeus spoke:

"Interesting proposal, young devil. Very interesting indeed." He exchanged glances with the other gods before turning his attention back to us. "We will need to discuss this in private. Wait outside."

When the doors closed behind us, I let out a sigh I didn't know I was holding.

"You were amazing in there, Riser-chan!" Serafall exclaimed, her eyes shining with admiration.

I shrugged, trying to seem casual, but inside, my heart was still racing. "It was just another day at the office, Sera."

She laughed, patting me on the shoulder. "Ah, always so modest. But seriously, you may have just changed the course of history."

As we waited for the gods' decision, I couldn't help but think about how we got to this point. From an arrogant young devil obsessed with Game of Thrones to a negotiator in a potentially historic alliance. Life has a peculiar sense of humor, doesn't it?

The doors opened again, and Zeus stood there, imposing as a mountain.

"We have an answer for you, devils," he announced.

I swallowed hard, preparing for what was to come. Whatever the decision, I knew nothing would be the same after this day. And honestly? I couldn't wait to see the chaos that would follow.

After all, chaos had always been my favorite element.

"But first. My son, the god Apollo, wants to show how a true Olympian fights!" Zeus said, puffing out his chest, with thunder reverberating through the sky.

At the same time, Apollo appeared with a smile on his face, seeming to enjoy all of this.

**

General Knowledge.

Yağlı güreş - "Oil wrestling is a form of Greco-Roman wrestling where opponents face each other covered in olive oil. Álvaro Garnero, the host of the show 50 por 1, participated in an oil wrestling match in Turkey during a trip to the Turkish Riviera."

Oil wrestling, also known as yağlı güreş, is a sport highly appreciated in Turkey. Before each match, the wrestlers rub olive oil on each other as a sign of respect and balance.

**

Apollo entered the arena with the confidence of a god who knew his power and influence. The smooth marble floor seemed to shine even brighter under his feet as he approached the center, displaying his impeccably sculpted body, glistening with the olive oil that ran down his muscles. Around him, fifty of his lovers, each more imposing than the last, formed a perfect circle, their bodies also shining as if they were living statues, monuments to physical and divine perfection. It was a spectacle to be admired, a true visual feast for the eyes of any mortal... or immortal.

My stomach churned, not out of fear of the strength these bodies displayed, but because of the theatricality that awaited me. Zeus, seated on his elevated throne, watched with approval, while Apollo smiled, savoring the moment before the fight began. The atmosphere was charged, not just with divine energy, but with expectations. The expectation of witnessing the power of the gods displayed as mere entertainment, a tradition to reaffirm their superiority.

However, I knew there was more behind this display. It wasn't just an oil-drenched Greco-Roman wrestling match; it was a demonstration of strength and dominance, a reminder of who was really in control here. And I, Riser Phenex, knew that, as irritating and unnecessary as it was, I would have to watch every move, every strike, as an inevitable part of the negotiation.

"Ready?" Apollo shouted, raising his arms to the sky, while his lovers took a step forward. Their bodies shone even more intensely under the eternal light of Olympus, and in a synchronized movement, they began to fight each other. It was a brutal yet incredibly beautiful choreography, as if each blow had been designed with precision, each fall carefully calculated to impress. The sound of bodies clashing echoed through the arena, but what bothered me most was Zeus's satisfied expression as he watched every move, his eyes gleaming with pride.

For a moment, my gaze met Athena's, who was sitting beside Zeus, silently watching. She maintained a neutral expression, but I knew that goddess better than anyone. Her eyes hid something deeper, a truth that no one else suspected. Athena and I had shared more than just furtive glances in the past. And if everything went as planned, soon, what was secret between us would become a union recognized by the gods.

However, for that to happen, there were still obstacles to overcome.

"Riser," Serafall's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "What do you think?" She smiled, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

"A waste of time and olive oil," I muttered, not taking my eyes off the fighters who now intertwined like serpents. But I knew that Serafall wouldn't let my frustration go unnoticed.

"Oh, come on. Admit it, you're impressed. And, anyway, it's just part of the political game. The real test is yet to come."

I knew she was right. The real challenge wasn't the display of physical strength but what would come next, in the words and negotiations that would still take place in that room. But something about this situation made me uncomfortable. Something about the way Zeus seemed to be enjoying the fight too much. Or maybe it was just my mind playing tricks on me.

The fight continued, with Apollo's lovers fighting tirelessly, each trying to outdo the other, while the god himself watched with a satisfied expression. I couldn't help but feel a pang of disgust. Apollo had the admiration of everyone there, and his beauty, amplified by the wrestling, only reinforced his status as an unattainable deity—or at least, that's what he wanted to show everyone. But as impressive as he was, I knew I had something none of them could take from me: Athena. (A/N: Later in DxD, there will be a dispute between Athena and Apollo over who will become the new ruler of Olympus when Zeus is sealed along with others.)

When the last of the fighters fell, exhausted and covered in oil, Apollo finally raised his hands in victory. The spectacle was over. The gods applauded, and Zeus rose from his throne, as imposing as ever.

"Now that the display is over," he said, his voice echoing throughout the arena, "let's move on to what really matters. Athena?"

Athena stood up, her cloak billowing as she walked toward me. "Zeus, Father, and fellow gods," she began, her voice calm but firm. "As you all know, a union between myself and Riser Phenex has been proposed. However, I ask for something more. A dowry that honors not only my position as a virgin goddess but also represents the value of the alliance we are forging."

The room fell silent. I knew Athena was merely playing her role, but there was something in her words that bothered me. Everyone believed she was untouched, pure. No one there knew that our nights together had been many and that this alliance was merely a formality to legitimize what already existed between us.

Zeus nodded, seemingly satisfied with his daughter's words. "Very well. And what do you propose as a dowry, Riser Phenex?"

I knew this moment would come. I took a deep breath and stepped forward, feeling the eyes of all the gods on me. "I offer the creation of Athena's Divine Armor," I said, my voice firm. "A rare gift, forged in the heart of the Sun, symbolizing both immortality and destruction, love, strategy, and hope. Furthermore, I promise to personally teach Athena to control the power of this armor. Together, we will be able to face any threat against this alliance."

The gods murmured among themselves, clearly impressed with the offer. I knew that Athena's Divine Armor wasn't just a relic; it was one of the most powerful items I could create at the moment. Offering it as a dowry was a risky move but necessary to ensure that this alliance was taken seriously.

Finally, Zeus smiled, satisfied. "Very well, Riser Phenex. Your offer is accepted. May the marriage of my daughter to you be celebrated soon."

Athena gave me a knowing look, and I knew the game had been won.

The celebrations began immediately after Zeus's acceptance. The gods, with their divine cups full of nectar, toasted, laughing and talking among themselves. Zeus's thunder rumbled across the sky, while Apollo, still radiant, played his lyre, filling Olympus with grand melodies.

Serafall shot me a radiant look, as if we had just accomplished the impossible. Beside me, Athena, always serene, smiled slightly, which for her was a significant display of emotion. Everything seemed to be going according to plan. At least for now.

While everyone celebrated, my mind was a million miles away, anticipating what would come after these celebrations. But for now, in Olympus, the present was one of jubilation.

Pov. Hades

In the underworld, the atmosphere was very different. Darkness reigned supreme, suffocating. My kingdom, always bathed in the aura of death and the oppressive silence, now seemed to vibrate with my growing fury. The corridors of the underworld echoed with the anger that boiled within me. How dare Zeus accept a union without even consulting me? An alliance between demons and Olympus? An insult, an affront to everything I had built in the underworld. Every decision, every move made without my permission. That marriage of Athena to Riser Phenex was nothing but a sham.

"This is unacceptable!" I roared, my voice echoing through the depths of the Land of the Dead. Shadows moved around me as if they were alive, responding to my discontent. My eyes burned with the rage I had repressed for so long. "These fools on Olympus think they can toy with fate... but I will show them true power."

I walked through the dark chambers of the underworld, passing by condemned souls, specters, and creatures that once ruled the world of the living but were now under my command. With each step, my fury grew. The marriage between a goddess and a demon? The idea alone was unbearable. And Zeus, of course, was there, reveling in his arrogance, not understanding the consequences.

My hands clenched into fists. No, I won't let this happen. I will strike first. I will destroy this alliance before it even blossoms. Chaos will reign, and destruction will be inevitable.

As I plotted my dark plans, a golden glow filled the hall around me. I immediately recognized who it was. Apollo. The god of light and prophecy had decided to show up in my realm uninvited.

"Planning something reckless, Hades?" Apollo asked with an enigmatic smile. His body gleamed, a striking contrast to the shadows surrounding me. He was an unwelcome presence, yet I wasn't surprised.

"Reckless would be sitting idly by while these fools celebrate an alliance doomed to fail," I growled, glaring at Apollo with blazing eyes. "Zeus has always been naive, and now, more than ever, he is blinded by arrogance."

Apollo stepped closer, his expression more serious now, but he still carried that air of someone who knew more than anyone else. "You can try, Hades, but you will fail. I've already seen it in my prophecies."

I laughed, a dark laugh that made the walls of the underworld tremble. "Prophecies?" I mocked. "You know as well as I do that the future isn't set in stone. If I strike now, I can change the course of everything."

Apollo remained unfazed. "No matter what you do now, Hades. The right time will come... but it's not now. If you attack now, your effort will be in vain. The time for destruction will come, but not in the way you expect. You think you can control chaos, but it has its own path."

I frowned, my patience wearing thin. "And what do you suggest? That I stand by while Zeus and his offspring play at being superior gods?"

Apollo looked at me with a gleam in his eyes that I recognized as foresight, a glimpse of the future he clearly saw. "The time of darkness will come, Hades. And when it does, you will hold the power. But for now... wait. Watch. Events will unfold as fate has already written."

I was silent for a moment, the echo of Apollo's words lingering in the shadowy air. I knew he saw beyond the present, beyond the anger I felt. But accepting the wait? It burned inside me, like a flame I couldn't extinguish.

But maybe... maybe Apollo was right. Maybe the right moment had yet to come.

"Leave," I muttered, turning back into the darkness of my kingdom. "When the time comes, I'll be ready."

Apollo smiled one last time before disappearing in a beam of golden light, leaving me once again in the solitude of the underworld, but with something new pulsing inside me: anticipation.