SCC Chapter 8 State of Greece(2)

"Ektaktos, cultivators have sharp senses. You should curb your rage. Think of the bigger picture." a comrade subtly advised from beside him. Ektaktos took a deep breath before turning his attention back to the arena.

"That man isn't here. But the Dark lord is."

"Yes!!!" shouted his comrade when Hermes down below gained an opportunity that allowed him to inflict a nasty gash upon Ares' body. He wasn't wholeheartedly invested in the battle, just going through the motions so as not to appear out of place.

"Get it together man. The Dark lord is the most unfathomable of the three, and rarely appears publicly, but his agents are everywhere."

"I know. But how long are we going to have to wait?"

"An event is needed, one which will rile up the public to the point that they disregard their fear of the gods."

The fear of the gods. That was the one obstacle in the way of the Federation. Even Ektaktos who had resolved to join the fight couldn't help but shiver upon conjuring the memories of what happened to those that had earned the ire of the gods. Those cultivators were simply monsters in human skin.

Sometimes he wished he could just leave this place. He was nearing his mid forties, having lived a relative long life, but hadn't yet even entertained the thought of starting a family. There was a fear within him that everything might just crumble. He was certain that the moment he married a woman, his edge would be worn away. He had seen many within the organization that had lost their zeal. Some managed to return fully after a wake up call. Like the slaughtering of their loved ones by the gods. Those were the ones who carried the most hate.

Ektaktos had been lucky that his parents had died a natural death. His eyes were once again drawn to the pit down below, his expression morphing into one of anger, though feigned at the sight of one of Hermes' hands flying through the air.

Even when they indulged in debauchery, battles between the so-called gods were as brutal as their slaughters. But what made them different was simply the fact that unless the head was destroyed, everything else could be reattached or regenerated after a period of time. Ektaktos' limited knowledge about cultivation made him certain that there was some technology at work behind the scenes.

That was also the reason why mortals like him didn't dare take on the cultivators. Their chariots, weapons and clothes were all hiding many abilities that they had no idea about.

In the back of his mind, he wondered whether that Federation would really step in if they caused enough chaos, or the gods slaughtered millions.

The cheers had started to become lesser in energy as time wore on. Everyone could see the outcome of the battle. Hermes was going to lose. What was left to see, was how far Ares was going to take this. Ares was an arrogant brat, while Hermes was a spoilt one. He could see it in both their eyes, there was the flame of hate for the other. This wouldn't end today as even off the pits, their conflict would continue, dragging in the innocent mortals. Ektaktos had the urge to sigh at that.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

When the Elephants fight, the grass suffers. That was a phrase that aptly described this situation.

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Mumaso Reed. That was a brat Hades felt could be respected. He had the flair that was akin to a rising star. He had invented that living symbiotic array that allowed cultivation even when the person was idle. Now, certain brats were entering the Core Formation in their 50s! But he still hadn't seen any panic in Zeus, or those of the other sects. Except for the lower echelon that were getting restless, the higher echelon didn't seem to care. Of course, some were adopting the usage of said array, but when you took the population of the entire Federation into account, there was no chance of winning.

So, what was it that Zeus and those people, were hiding. The retired gods, those who had managed to advance to the Nascent Soul stage most definitely knew something. He had tried to subtly ask, but none had divulged anything.

He had tried to infiltrate the other sects, but even that had failed. These people were highly meticulous and trained. The ones that transported those resources that seemingly vanished didn't even exist within the sects. Hades had been puzzled by that, but ultimately understood that there was no way they could be left in plain sight.

But a wrinkle had appeared. Radiance... No, the new sect master of Radiance appeared to disprove of that. He had only managed to find that out through the actions of the sect. The disciples that had been stationed near the other sects to act as liaisons had been recalled. Even the Radiance embassy outside had been vacated.

Hades was abruptly drawn from his musings by the significant drop in temperature and the rapidly increasing level of moisture in the air. At a certain point in time, clouds thick enough to herald a storm had covered the skies.

Then lightning started swimming within them, with thunder following not too far behind. A giant bolt, that caused even Hades' skin to prickle, finally struck down, connecting the skies to the Earth, specifically, Zeus' throne, which was half a step above his and Poseidon's. It had been constructed from a grey stone with streaks of blue running through, and was capable of attracting electricity. It wasn't natural, but a meta material tailored specifically to Zeus' needs.

When the blast of light dissipated, a man appeared appeared on the throne amidst the booming thunder, his entire body wreathed in lightning. He had blue eyes, dark hair supporting a wreath woven from plants on his head, and was clad in a single strap white robe dress that ended upon his knees. His shoes were in the style of gladiators and his gaze upon the masses and the lesser gods below contained both arrogance and authority.

Hades' eyes didn't linger on the man himself, instead moving to the artifact in his hands with two pointed ends, shaped in the form of a lightning bolt. That was a weapon that had elicited a reaction out of his helm.

"Zeus."

"Hades."

"I had thought your attendance wouldn't be needed." spoke Hades as he picked up a subtle change in the atmosphere. Even Eros who had been in the midst of his carnal desires, killed the woman, then roasted her into ashes in half a minute, which scattered into the strong winds caused by the moving clouds.

The spectators on the other hand became even more subdued. That was expected. Zeus was a man who was unpredictable on most days. Even those gods below could be killed if they earned his ire.

"I heard that you are after a certain young woman by the names of Lily Toba. Would you like me to take action?"

"What makes you think that I need your help?" he spoke while his gaze was pointed below towards the pit, where Ares had chopped off one of Hermes' legs.

"Mumaso Reed."

"A mere young curr won't be able to take my possessions away."

"Really?" Hades wondered whether this man was okay in the head. Mumaso Reed alone could be dealt with. But the Federation behind him could not.

That meant that Zeus and his people weren't afraid of earning the ire of the Federation. That was valuable Intel.

There could be ways to muddy the waters to drag the Federation into the fray. Maybe that could expose the secrets of the sects. Besides, he was certain that that man leading the Federation wanted to eliminate the sects. He was simply waiting for a chance.

Hades wondered whether he should watch a little longer, or meddle in the shadows. But what could he tamper with. He knew that even people had been abducted never to be seen again. If he wasn't mistaken, then that meant that woman was going to face the same fate. But this time he had the chance to meddle with her. Maybe a tracking device of some sort, a divine sense brand...

"I am leaving." Hades stood up even as he went through numerous possibilities.

"Stay." Zeus turned his gaze towards him.

"Are you sure you want to stop me?" Hades' voice took on a hard edge."

Two vastly powerful pressures collided with their thrones as the middle, causing the very air to explode, with tiny slivers of lightning and darkness entwining in a dangerous dance.

"You can go."

Zeus withdrew his pressure, and Hades teleported. This was the first time he had exposed his true cultivation, meaning that Zeus was now becoming suspicious of him. All the other times he had spoken about leaving, he had been allowed. Yet now, the man had attempted to pressure him into submission. What had tipped him off?

The helm?

That was the only suspicious thing he could think of. A sigh escaped his lips. This cage was one that was hard to escape from. But he was going to try. And the key had just appeared right before him, in the form of Lily Toba.