Entering Apocalypse in Easy-Mode
Chapter 374: Move Again

Chapter 374: Move Again

Hades remained silent for a long moment. The Underworld was always a place of stillness, where the dead lingered in quiet eternity. But now, that silence felt heavier, laden with unspoken fears and the weight of something neither god fully comprehend.

Hades had always sensed something lurking at the edges of existence. A presence he had deliberately ignored.

He had heard of the Black Wall long ago, but after one brief encounter with its mysteries, he had chosen to stay far away. It was not his concern.

Or so he had convinced himself.

But if Zeus, the most arrogant and stubborn of them all, was openly admitting to this threat, then it was no longer something he could ignore. And worse, he could feel it too.

Deep in his being, in the very foundation of his essence. Something behind that Black Wall was indeed stirring.

His fingers curled slightly. How long had it been since he had felt this kind of unease?

"The others know about this?" Hades asked finally, his voice low and measured. "Can they feel it too?"

Zeus let out a slow, heavy breath, shaking his head.

"I don’t think so. Hermes knows only because I told him." His gaze darkened. "Maybe some of the strongest Celestials in every realm can sense it. But I can’t say for sure."

As the words left his lips, the air around them shifted. A deep, rippling energy pulsed through the space, like a tide pulling at the very fabric of reality.

A portal tore open before them. This one swirling with blue light, waves of energy cascading outward like an ocean storm.

Zeus and Hades turned as a tall, imposing figure stepped through.

It was Poseidon.

His sea-green eyes scanned the scene, his powerful face tense beneath his flowing robes of deep blue. His trident gleamed in his grip, crackling with contained energy.

His gaze locked onto Zeus, and for the first time in ages, Poseidon looked genuinely taken aback.

"You’re already here?" he said, frowning. "So I’m not the only one who felt it."

Zeus and Hades remained silent, their gazes locked onto Poseidon with an unspoken understanding.

The Sea God exhaled sharply, already realizing that they must had already discussed exactly what he had come here to talk about.

Poseidon crossed his arms, his expression a mix of frustration and grim amusement.

"It’s been ages since the three of us last stood together like this." A faint, bitter smile crossed his lips. "And of course, it takes something terrible to make it happen. Do we only gather when our world is on the brink of disaster?"

The weight of his words hung in the air. It was true. Once, they had ruled as gods of Olympus together, shaping the world, feared and worshipped.

But time and their own purpose had scattered them, each retreating into their own domain.

Zeus clung to his throne, Poseidon ruled his ever-expanding seas, and Hades remained in his cold, shadowed kingdom beneath them all. Their bond had frayed long ago.

But now, fate had pulled them back together. And the reason for it was enough to unsettle even gods.

Poseidon pushed the thought aside. Irony or not, the situation demanded action.

"I assume you both already have some idea of what’s happening." His voice was firm, all hesitation gone. "We need to decide our next course of action. Now."

Zeus narrowed his eyes. "What do you propose?"

Poseidon hesitated for a fraction of a second before saying. "I don’t have a solid plan yet. I only know that we can’t face this alone. We need to gather every force we can."

Zeus nodded slightly, as if he had already reached the same conclusion. "Then we need an alliance. Across the realms."

Hades and Poseidon exchanged looks. Neither spoke, but the doubt was clear in their eyes.

"With who?" Poseidon finally asked, his voice edged with skepticism.

"With everyone," Zeus said. "Celestials from other realms and also the Angels and Demons."

Hades scoffed. "You think that’s possible?"

"It has to be." Zeus’ said with unyielding tone. "We’ve fought wars against each other for eternity but this is something different. If we wait until it’s too late we won’t have the luxury of choosing our allies. This is bigger than Olympus and any one of us."

Hades frowned, his fingers tightening at his side. "And you think the Angels and Demons will listen?"

"They will," Zeus said, his gaze distant. "Because I think they too already know what’s coming."

The idea of uniting with their ancient rivals was almost unthinkable. But deep down, he could feel the storm gathering on the horizon. So yes, Zeus was right.

Poseidon sighed, gripping his trident tighter. "Then we begin now."

But Zeus shook his head. "I’ve already begun," he said. "Hermes already go ahead to every realm. He’s meeting with their rulers, carrying my message. The Celestials must be the first to gather."

Hades folded his arms, his dark gaze sharp.

"You think it will be that simple?" he said with skepticism. "Most of them will be dealing with their own corrupted followers."

Zeus’s jaw tightened. "I know. But at least they’ll hear of our plan. The message will be delivered. Whether they listen is another matter." His eyes flickered with something between frustration and acceptance. "For now, all we can do is wait. And while we wait, we deal with the corruption in our own domains."

The three gods fell into a moment of heavy silence. They had spoken the first words of unity, but words alone wouldn’t be enough.

Poseidon finally nodded. "Then we handle our own domain and then our realms first. We purge the corruption ourselves before it spreads any further."

Hades let out a slow breath. It had been a long time since he had taken action beyond his borders. But now, there was no more time to stand still.

He turned, already feeling the pull of his domain calling him back to make some action.

"This is it, then," he murmured. "The moment I start moving again."

With that, the three gods went their separate ways.

---

While the universe trembled under the weight of corruption and the realms of higher beings weree tainted by the spreading influence of the Ancient Ones, there existed a rare pocket of peace.

In the middle of Ruin, a lone mansion stood untouched. Here, Clyde and Asqa remained safe from the creeping darkness that infected countless others.

The soldiers who stood guard around the estate were also spared and shielded by their close proximity to Clyde, untouched by the Ancient One’s influence.

Inside the training grounds in the back yard of the mansion, Asqa moved with focused determination. Sweat traced lines down her brow as she continue her attack, her stance shifting fluidly as she practiced a series of attacks and evasions.

Clyde watched from the side with arms crossed. "You’re improving in just short amount of time," he noted.

Asqa let out a breath, wiping her forehead. "I have to."

When the Selection Stage had taken place on Earth, Asqa had focused herself to healing the party members. That was where she had seen her role before, saving lives rather than taking them.

But that was then. The world had changed and so she had to change as well.

Clyde had made it clear. In this in this universe she couldn’t just stand behind other and relying on them to protect her. She had to be able to fight and survive on her own. Just like what she did in Uriel’s domain.

And so she trained, pushing herself further each day.

Clyde stepped forward.

"Good," he said. "But don’t just memorize movements. Feel them. Make them your instinct. I know its hard to do it without a skill, but right now we don’t have that."

Asqa nodded, determination burning in her eyes.

Clyde suddenly felt a presence pressing against his mind. He recognized it instantly.

The Ancient One.

It did not speak in words, not exactly. Its presence was more like a weight settling into his thoughts like a force that could not be ignored.

Clyde exhaled through his nose. "I need to go," he said, glancing at Asqa.

She paused in her training, but only nodded. "Alright." She didn’t question it.

Without another word, Clyde left the training yard and made his way to his own chamber. Once inside, he closed the door, sat down, and focused, letting the presence in his mind settle fully.

The Ancient One did not demand reverence, nor did It expect Clyde to kneel before It. Unlike the Celestials, Demons, or Angels who thrived on obedience, this being seemed to care only about one thing, destruction. And for some reason, It had chosen Clyde to be Its instrument.

"Yes?" Clyde finally acknowledged the presence.

A deep, reverberating force responded.

"My influence is spreading just fine. But I need more information. One of my agents is occupied. So you must move."

Clyde frowned slightly. Another agent? He hadn’t known the Ancient One had others working for It. But he didn’t bother asking. It wasn’t important right now.

"So what do you need me to do?"

"Go to those beings’ realms. See what is happening. And say what you see to me."

"Fine. I’ll go."

The presence in his mind faded as the Ancient One withdrew.

Clyde opened his eyes and prepared himself.

---