The God of Underworld-Chapter 21: The Sea

Poseidon stood on a coral outcrop, gazing at the vast underwater kingdom of Oceanus.

The currents wove through the towering coral spires like rivers in the sky, and bioluminescent fish shimmered in the deep blue expanse.

Yet, despite the beauty around him, his thoughts were heavy.

Hecate’s words echoed in his mind.

"You were too weak."

His grip tightened into a fist. She was right. He hadn’t even been able to defeat one titan.

Coeus had crushed him with ease, and if not for Hades’ intervention, he would have been erased by Cronus’ storm.

His authority over the seas, which he had once thought was absolute, had proven useless.

’I need to be stronger.’

Just then, a gentle voice called out.

"Are you alright, Lord Poseidon?"

He turned and found Amphitrite standing before him, her sea-green eyes filled with concern.

The sight of her never failed to stir something deep within him. Her presence was like the calm waves of a peaceful shore, soothing yet powerful.

He forced a small smile. "I’m fine... just thinking."

She stepped closer, her long, flowing hair swaying in the currents. "Thinking about the war?"

Poseidon hesitated, then nodded. "Yes."

Amphitrite studied him for a moment before speaking again. "You seem troubled."

Poseidon exhaled, running a hand through his hair, before clicking his tongue in frustration.

"I feel useless,’ he admitted. "I wasn’t even able to defeat a single titan. My authority over the sea—something I’ve always prided myself on—wasn’t enough."

He clenched his fist as his eyes darkened. "I don’t want to be this weak ever again."

Amphitrite was silent for a moment before she reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm.

"Strength isn’t just about power, Poseidon," she said softly. "You are not weak."

Poseidon looked at her, his gaze searching hers. "Then why did I lose?"

She smiled, but there was sadness in it. "Perhaps because you don’t yet understand the true nature of your domain."

Poseidon frowned. "What do you mean?"

Before she could answer, a deep, commanding voice echoed through the waters.

"If you wish to become stronger, then you must learn from the source."

Poseidon turned sharply.

Oceanus stood before them, his towering form radiating an aura of authority that made even the ocean tremble.

His deep blue eyes locked onto Poseidon with an intensity that made the younger god’s breath hitch.

"Come," Oceanus said. "Let me show you what it truly means to command the seas."

Poseidon’s eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that?"

Oceanus folded his arms, his gaze unwavering. "I am going to train you."

Poseidon blinked, momentarily stunned by the statement. "Why?"

Oceanus smirked. "Because I made a deal."

Poseidon stiffened. "A deal? With who?"

Instead of answering immediately, Oceanus’ gaze became distant, as if recalling something.

****

The vast throne room of Oceanus was silent, save for the gentle hum of the currents flowing through the grand pillars.

Then, without warning, a cold mist crept into the chamber, swirling unnaturally through the water.

Oceanus’ eyes sharpened as he sat upon his throne. His presence alone was enough to make the ocean itself bow in reverence, but this mist... it carried a presence that did not belong to his domain.

Then, from within the fog, a figure emerged. A woman, cloaked in shadow, her eyes gleaming with an eerie light.

Hecate.

She bowed deeply. "Lord Oceanus."

His expression darkened. When did gods and titans decided that they can intrude his domain whenever they want?!

"You dare enter my domain unannounced?" His voice rumbled like an underwater quake. "Explain yourself before I erase you from my seas."

Hecate, unfazed, smiled faintly. "I come bearing a message. Someone wishes to meet with you."

Before Oceanus could demand further explanation, the mist thickened. Then, as if reality itself was being rewritten, a new figure strode forward from the depths of the fog.

A tall, imposing man, clad in dark robes that seemed to swallow the surrounding light. His presence carried the weight of the inevitable, the cold certainty of death itself.

Hades.

His piercing gaze met Oceanus’.

"Shall we talk?" Hades said, his voice smooth yet unyielding.

However...

The ocean suddenly trembled.

An overwhelming, ancient power surged from Oceanus, the sheer weight of his divinity pressing against the very fabric of the Underworld God’s existence.

The seas roared in response, currents shifting violently as if the ocean itself sought to drown out Hades’ audacity.

"How bold of you," Oceanus said, his deep voice carrying the authority of the primordial seas. "To enter my domain uninvited, as if you were my equal."

Hades did not flinch. He merely raised a hand, and from the abyssal depths of the mist, a black throne formed behind him. Without a word, he sat, his posture relaxed but commanding.

He met Oceanus’ gaze with calm indifference.

"I have a deal for you."

Oceanus snorted. The pressure around them increased, the very water distorting under his might. "A deal? You think you can negotiate while in my waters?"

The pressure intensified, threatening to crush Hades where he sat. But before it could even reach him, another force emerged.

Hecate.

A pulse of dark magic radiated from her as she stepped forward. Shadows stretched unnaturally, twisting and consuming the pressure that Oceanus exuded.

The sea around them darkened, responding to her magic, swallowing the oppressive force whole.

Oceanus narrowed his eyes.

For a moment, silence filled the throne room as the two gods stared at each other, neither willing to yield.

Then, Oceanus let out a low chuckle. Slowly, he withdrew his divinity, and in response, Hecate did the same.

"I see... I underestimated Cronus’ descendant." Oceanus leaned forward, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "You are far more than I expected."

Hades smiled, tilting his head slightly. "Shall we talk now?"

Oceanus leaned back into his throne, tapping his fingers against the armrest. "Very well. Speak."

****

Poseidon frowned at Oceanus’ lack of response. "Hey, are you listening. What do you mean you made a deal? With who?"

Oceanus merely waved a hand dismissively. "That is not your concern. You need only focus on what lies ahead. So? Do you wish to get stronger or not?"

Poseidon’s grip on his trident tightened, his pride demanding he refused as he can donit himself, but before he could push further, a gentle hand rested on his arm.

"Don’t worry," Amphitrite said softly, her eyes full of quiet reassurance. "My grandfather won’t harm you. This is a rare opportunity—one that you shouldn’t waste."

Poseidon hesitated, glancing at her, then at Oceanus, who stood waiting with an unreadable expression.

After a moment, he exhaled and nodded. "Fine. I’ll go."

A small smile graced Amphitrite’s lips before she stepped back, watching as Poseidon followed Oceanus deeper into the vast, endless ocean.

The further they went, the darker it became.

The light from the surface faded, consumed by the immense, crushing weight of the deep.

The water grew colder, pressing against Poseidon’s body like an unseen force trying to drag him down.

Finally, they arrived at a place where even the concept of light seemed foreign. There was nothing but infinite, oppressive darkness.

Poseidon glanced around, his divine senses stretched to their limits, but even then, he could barely perceive anything.

"What is this place?" Poseidon asked, his voice unnaturally quiet in the abyss.

Oceanus turned to face him, his expression severe.

"You call yourself the god of the sea, yet you know nothing of it." He gestured to the darkness around them. "The sea is more than waves and storms, more than the creatures that dwell in its shallows. The true sea is fathomless. It is cold. It is merciless. It is—"

Oceanus raised a hand.

"The abyss."

Before Poseidon could react, the ocean god made a simple gesture—and the abyss swallowed him whole.

Cold.

Unfathomable, suffocating cold.

Poseidon felt himself falling, the crushing weight of the deep pressing into his body, threatening to break him apart.

The pressure grew unbearable, the very concept of breath stripped away, leaving only an all-consuming void.

He struggled, but there was nothing to grasp onto. Nothing to fight.

Just the abyss.

Then...

As suddenly as he had been swallowed by the abyss, Poseidon felt an unseen force yank him back.

His body surged upward, breaking through the oppressive darkness, until he felt like he crashed onto solid ground, gasping for breath.

He coughed violently, his hands pressing against the ocean floor beneath him as he knelt on all fours.

His body trembled—no, his very soul trembled from what he had just experienced.

The overwhelming weight, the unbearable silence, the sheer nothingness of the abyss had stripped him bare.

Poseidon slowly lifted his gaze. Oceanus stood before him, arms outstretched, his ancient eyes gleaming with something deep and unreadable.

"This is what the sea truly is," Oceanus declared. "Not the crashing waves, not the tides that kiss the shores, not the tempests that mortals fear."

"The sea is the abyss. The abyss is the unknown. And all creatures instinctively fears the unknown."

Poseidon swallowed, his body still shaking from the experience. Yet, beyond the fear, beyond the exhaustion, something else burned within him.

Determination.

Determination to be stronger.

"I will teach you," Oceanus continued, his voice unwavering. "I will show you what it means to be the true overlord of the sea. The depths, the currents, the darkness—these will be a powerful weapon for you to win against anyone."

He extended his hand toward Poseidon.

Poseidon stared at the offered hand. He was Poseidon, god of the sea. He had thought he understood his domain, thought he had already grasped the full extent of his power.

But compared to what he had just faced, he was nothing more than a fool playing in the shallows.

Gritting his teeth, he reached up and grasped Oceanus’ hand.

"Good," Oceanus said with a knowing smile, pulling him to his feet. "Then let us begin."