As the anticipated moment for the pomegranate's appearance in Tartarus drew near, Hades felt a sense of urgency weighing heavily upon him. Kore's condition had worsened, her strength waning with each passing hour. She had slipped into unconsciousness a day ago, leaving Hades consumed with worry and desperation.

With every fiber of his being, Hades knew he had to act swiftly to secure the pomegranate and bring it back to Kore before it was too late. Ignoring the ominous whispers and shadows that lurked in the depths of the Underworld, he steeled himself for the perilous journey ahead.

On the awaited day, Hades, armed with his formidable bident and fueled by unwavering determination, set forth into the dark and treacherous depths of Tartarus. Every step forward felt like a battle against time itself, each moment urging him to hasten his pace and reach his destination before it was too late.

The journey to Tartarus was fraught with peril and uncertainty, yet Hades embarked on it with a determined resolve. As he made his way through the dark and winding passages of the Underworld, the air grew colder and heavier, the very atmosphere itself seeming to weigh him down with its oppressive presence.

The walls of the cavernous tunnels loomed ominously overhead, their jagged edges casting eerie shadows that danced and flickered in the dim light. Every step Hades took echoed hollowly against the stone, a constant reminder of the desolate solitude that surrounded him.

Occasionally, he would encounter wayward souls, their anguished cries echoing through the darkness as they wandered aimlessly through the labyrinthine corridors. Their hollow eyes bore silent witness to the torment that awaited those condemned to Tartarus, serving as a haunting reminder of the grim fate that awaited those who defied the laws of the gods.

As Hades pressed on, the path grew more treacherous, the terrain becoming increasingly rugged and uneven. Jagged rocks jutted out from the ground like twisted claws, threatening to trip and ensnare the unwary traveler.

At long last, after what felt like an eternity of navigating the Underworld, Hades arrived at the entrance to Tartarus. The air grew thick with the stench of sulfur and brimstone, a foul odor that seemed to permeate the very fabric of the Underworld itself.

Standing before the imposing gates of Tartarus, Hades took a moment to steel himself for what lay ahead. With a deep breath, he inserted the key, turned the lock and pushed open the massive doors, their ancient hinges groaning in protest as they swung open to reveal the abyssal depths beyond.

As he descended into the depths of Tartarus, the air grew hotter still, a searing heat that penetrated into his very being as he navigated the labyrinthine tunnels that twisted and turned like the convoluted thoughts of a tortured mind.

Yet, despite the overwhelming darkness that surrounded him, Hades pressed on, his determination unwavering in the face of adversity. With each step he took, he drew closer to his goal, driven by the knowledge that the fate of his beloved Kore hung in the balance.

As Hades ventured deeper into the heart of Tartarus, the oppressive darkness seemed to close in around him. Suddenly, a voice shattered the silence, causing Hades to startle and grip his bident tightly.

"Boy," the voice echoed, its tone laced with a sinister edge that sent a shiver down Hades' spine. He turned to the direction of the voice, his senses on high alert as he recognized the source – the prison of Kronos, the titan who had once ruled over the cosmos.

With a heavy heart, Hades steeled himself and approached the ancient prison, his footsteps echoing ominously on the uneven ground. "Father," he addressed the titan, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Kronos scoffed at the title, his voice dripping with bitterness. "Oh, you still call me that, do you?" he remarked, his tone laced with disdain. "You are indeed the kindest among my sons, but look at what your kindness has brought you."

Hades bristled at the words, the sting of truth biting deep. "They took the sky and the sea, the best realms, and left you with this dark, gloomy one," Kronos continued, his voice echoing with mockery.

Hades clenched his jaw, his fists tightening at his sides. "Someone had to take on the responsibility of ruling the Underworld," he retorted, his voice firm despite the doubt gnawing at his heart. "It is an honorable duty, one that I will fulfill to the best of my ability."

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Kronos chuckled darkly, his gaze piercing through the darkness to meet Hades' own. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that to feel better," he jeered, his tone dripping with disdain. "Look at you, stuck here..."

"Stop it, Kronos," he demanded, his voice edged with frustration.

But Kronos persisted, his taunts relentless. "Rarely called to Olympus,"

“Stop it!” Hades felt the anger bubbling inside him, his fists clenching with each word.

But Kronos continued, his tone mocking. "While Zeus, Poseidon, and even the minor gods enjoy life in the light." he taunted, his words like poison dripping from his lips.

"I said STOP IT!" Hades shouted, the sound reverberating through the gloomy depths of Tartarus. He paused, panting heavily, trying to regain his composure. "I will not be swayed by your deceitful words."

But Kronos merely smiled, his expression twisted with malice. "My poor boy," he cooed, his voice dripping with false sympathy. "How about you release me, and together, my firstborn, we can overthrow Zeus and claim what is rightfully ours?"

Hades shook his head, his resolve unwavering. "I will not betray my brothers," he declared, his voice ringing with determination. "You will remain here, where you belong, imprisoned for eternity."

With that, Hades turned away, his steps resolute as he walked away from the prison, leaving Kronos' mocking laughter echoing in his wake.

As Hades ventured deeper into Tartarus, the air grew heavier with an oppressive darkness, and the ground seemed to tremble beneath his feet. Shadows danced and writhed around him, whispering sinister secrets that sent shivers down his spine. Yet, he pressed on, his determination unwavering as he navigated the twisting paths of Tartarus.

The journey was fraught with perilous obstacles—a river of fire that licked at the edges of his cloak, caverns filled with the anguished cries of lost souls, and monstrous creatures lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment. But Hades, undeterred, faced each challenge with unwavering resolve, his mind focused solely on his goal.

After what felt like an eternity of traversing the labyrinthine depths of Tartarus, Hades arrived at the heart of the realm. There, nestled amidst the darkness, stood the solitary pomegranate tree, its branches barren save for one fruit—the object of Hades' quest.

As he reached out to pluck the fruit from the tree, a voice echoed through the darkness. "What brings the lord of the Underworld down here in Tartarus?" The voice belonged to Tartarus himself, the primordial god presiding over the depths of the Underworld.

Hades turned to face the god, his expression unreadable. "I came to take the pomegranate," he replied, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment.

Tartarus regarded him with a knowing gaze. "I see," he said cryptically. "I can give it to you, but in return, I will take something from you."

Curiosity flickered in Hades' eyes as he asked, "What do you want?"

A sly smile played across Tartarus' lips. "Where is the fun in telling you?" he chuckled darkly. "Either you accept the deal or go back from where you came."

Without hesitation, Hades made his decision. "I accept," he declared, his voice unwavering.

Tartarus nodded in acknowledgment. "Very well," he said. "Here is the pomegranate. And as I feel generous today, I will not collect my debt now, but I will get it soon from you."

The pomegranate gleamed in the darkness before leaving its branch and floating through the air until it rested in Hades' palm. With his prize secured, he felt a surge of anticipation coursing through him, urging him to hasten his steps. Every stride brought him closer to his beloved Kore, and he couldn't wait to see the look on her face when he presented her with the seeds.

Despite the lingering darkness and the ominous whispers that seemed to follow him, Hades pressed on, fueled by the thought of reuniting with Kore. The journey back seemed to pass in a blur, the obstacles that had once loomed so large now fading into insignificance in the wake of his determination.

As he emerged from the depths of Tartarus and ascended toward the surface, the weight of the pomegranate in his hand served as a constant reminder of the promise he had made to Kore. He vowed to uphold his end of the bargain and ensure her happiness, no matter the cost.

Finally, the gates of Tartarus loomed before him, and Hades felt a surge of relief wash over him as he secured them shut. With a sense of purpose driving him forward, he made his way back to Kore's side, eager to deliver the seeds that would seal their fate together.