[Third Person’s PoV]

Hades walked back toward Lucian’s bloody form and placed a hand on his head. Darkness enveloped Lucian in a comforting embrace, healing the wounds scattered across his body. His breathing, once hoarse and labored, eased into a steadier rhythm.

Hades sighed, giving Lucian an apologetic look. “Thanks for looking after them,” he said, patting his head.

Lucian swatted his hand away and used his magic to clean himself. Shadows engulfed his body in a swirling black silhouette, and when they withdrew, he stood in normal clothing, having dismissed his battered armor. “Let’s just get this over with. I have more important things to do today.”

Hades scoffed in amusement but nodded in agreement. He cast a glance toward Nico and Bianca, ensuring they were unharmed, before turning back to face the throne.

“Zeus,” Hades called out coldly. The last thing he wanted was to acknowledge him as his brother.

“What?” Zeus snarled, clearly in a foul mood. Being reprimanded by their eldest sister had done nothing to improve his temperament.

“I propose a trade,” Hades said, slipping his hands into his pockets.

Zeus sneered. “You have nothing I want. What exactly do you think you can offer me?”

Hades’ grin widened. “I’m so glad you asked. You will drop this matter concerning Nico and Bianca. You will not antagonize them, set your sights on them, or attempt to harm them—directly or indirectly. That includes tricks, tactics, and, most importantly, using your wife to do your dirty work.” Hades’ tone was firm, ensuring no loophole remained.

Zeus scoffed and walked back to his throne, lounging lazily against his fist. “And in return?” he asked, clearly uninterested, already deciding he had no intention of agreeing.

Hades’ grin remained, but the shadows beneath him suddenly expanded, staining the golden floor of Olympus a pitch-black void. It was as if an abyss had opened beneath him.

With a flick of his wrist, the sound of rattling chains echoed through the hall. A thick black chain shot from the darkness, wrapping around Hades’ palm and snaking up his arm.

He yanked the chain. A low grunt of pain followed as a figure was dragged out of the void and thrown onto the floor.

Lucian barely restrained his laughter when he saw who it was.

Ares.

The war god lay sprawled on the ground, groaning in agony. His short black hair was matted with sweat, his bulky frame covered in numerous bite marks. His body was drenched in saliva, and his sunken eyes trembled with a lifeless, haunted expression. He shook violently, looking like a man who had glimpsed true hell—and survived only to regret it.

Zeus’ relaxed demeanor vanished instantly, his cold gaze settling on the disgrace before him. He tried to appear indifferent, but the veins on his temple and his iron grip on his throne betrayed his barely contained rage.

“And in return,” Hades said smoothly, tugging Ares’ chain and pushing him forward, “I give you back this miscreant.”

Zeus sneered. “And what makes you think we—”

“We accept the deal,” Hera interrupted, her voice cold and resolute.

“What?!” Zeus snapped his head toward her.

“Zeus, he’s our son,” Hera said, her gaze flickering toward Ares, lingering momentarily. “Yes, he needs to be punished—but that punishment must come from us. Hades has no right to keep him.”

Lucian watched the exchange with hidden amusement. Interesting… So Hera truly cares for her son. That could be useful later.

Zeus scoffed. “Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if Hades kept him a while longer. It’s not as if he’s missed here.”

Ares’ eyes widened in terror. Panic overtook him as he scrambled forward, his voice breaking.

“No! Father, please! I beg you! Don’t send me back down there! Please don’t send me back to that monster! Am I not your son?! Please, Father!!”

The room fell into an eerie silence as everyone watched the war god’s pathetic display. Tears and snot streamed down his face as he knelt before Zeus, trembling in desperation.

Zeus looked at him with pure disgust. He wasn’t alone. Aphrodite shared the same expression, while Hera’s gaze held a rare flicker of pity. Hephaestus, however, looked gleeful, clearly enjoying the humiliation. The rest of the gods wore either amused or indifferent expressions.

Ares, once a mighty war god, now lay broken before them all.

*Flash*

Everyone turned toward the sudden flash of light to see Lucian holding his phone in front of his face, camera aimed directly at Ares.

Lucian glanced down at his screen, completely unfazed, and muttered as his fingers moved rapidly across it. “I’m so sending this to the group chat… Status update: Laughing my ass off… and send.”

With that, he shut his phone and looked back up to see everyone staring at him. He waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, don’t mind me. Carry on.”

Hades stifled a laugh, but he wasn’t the only one. Hephaestus was roaring with laughter, while even Aphrodite, despite herself, hid her mouth behind her hand, chuckling. Apollo and Artemis also smirked in amusement.

Hera, on the other hand, was glaring daggers at Lucian before turning her fury toward Zeus, who merely looked indifferent.

“Well? Aren’t you going to say anything?!” she demanded, a mix of anger and curiosity in her voice.

Zeus shrugged. “He deserves to be humiliated.”

Hera’s brow twitched violently.

Hades shook his head with a suppressed smile before turning to Zeus, raising an eyebrow. “Well?” He then smirked tauntingly. “I’m offering you a lifetime deal here. One full god for two demigods. That sounds like a reasonable exchange, wouldn’t you say?”

Zeus studied Ares with a thoughtful expression before turning to Athena. “You’ve been quiet when you’d normally have something to say. What’s your opinion on this exchange?”

Athena closed her eyes briefly before responding. “Although he clearly wasn’t missed, he is still part of the council. He has some importance, so I’d say the exchange is reasonable. More importantly, we can’t afford a war with Lord Hades, especially when he’s willing to meet us halfway. We lose nothing and gain a god back.” She paused. “We also have to consider how the original trial would have gone. In all honesty, they would have likely won, making this entire thing a waste of time. However, that changes now with Ares’ return.”

Zeus nodded, considering her words. He then looked around. “Who agrees to the exchange?”

One by one, the gods raised their hands—even Hephaestus, though clearly not for Ares’ sake, but rather in favor of Hades and Lucian. A consensus was reached.

“Very well,” Zeus said, his voice heavy with reluctant acceptance. “We agree to the terms of the exchange. In return for Ares, we will not pursue your children. However, should they ever pose a threat to Olympus or turn against us, I will have no choice but to act.” His eyes narrowed slightly as he emphasized the last part.

Hades and Zeus locked gazes. After a brief pause, Hades nodded. “I suppose that’s fair.”

“I’ll serve as the intermediary for this deal. Now, shake hands to seal the agreement,” Poseidon announced, stepping between them.

From his throne, Zeus extended his hand. Hades did the same. As their hands met in the middle, Poseidon placed his own over them and declared, “With this, the deal is complete.”

A collective sigh of relief escaped from Nico and Bianca.

Lucian turned toward Hestia and lowered his head in gratitude. She merely winked before returning to tend to the Hearth.

Just then, a voice echoed in Lucian’s mind. He kept his expression neutral, showing no outward reaction.

“Little brother, meet me at the nearby park when this is over. I want to talk to you alone~”

Lucian had to stop himself from visibly shuddering at Aphrodite’s voice inside his head.

He considered his options for a moment before opening his mouth, preparing to inform his father. However, as if anticipating his move, Aphrodite’s voice rang out again.

“If you mention anything, I’ll tell Zeus about the little secret you have with Artemis~ Maybe even throw in a white lie and say you’re aiming for all three Virgin Goddesses~”

Lucian turned to Aphrodite, who was smirking triumphantly down at him.

Lucian simply smiled back.

Aphrodite’s smug expression faltered. Before she could react, Lucian screamed directly through the mental link she had formed.

Aphrodite jolted in shock, drawing confused stares from the other gods as she quickly looked down, clutching her head in both discomfort and embarrassment, her face flushing as she tried to compose herself.

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