Trickster Wukong

"What is this?"

This was the common question everyone had.

Watching Illian leisurely standing in the ring as the last player, they couldn't help but replay the events that happened in their mind.

Frozen, all of them, even the gods, opened their mouths to try and speak but no words would come out.

However…

"Good game, but there was no way I was going to lose this…"

Illian mused, looking away, however, he suddenly felt the hairs on his neck stand as every cell in his body vibrated.

-ZIP

"That's enough."

He wanted to dodge…hell, he wanted to move even just a little, but all he could do was slowly turn his head in the next second and stare at the figure seemingly teleport before him, two daggers an inch away from the boy's throat.

Illian blinked as he adjusted his gaze to find Ares before him, bare head that dripped with blood, revealing his wild black hair that covered his ears, two daggers in each hand.

He glared at Illian with bloodlust so potent it alone could pose the boy a threat.

However, surprisingly, a tall female with wheat-like hair stood between the two, her hand held up as she opposed Ares.

"Demeter…move, before I kill you too," Ares mumbled, his eyes never leaving Illian's throat.

"Ares!"

A thunderous roar caused all eyes to turn as a large white-haired man towered over his throne, walking toward them with a BOOM in his step; Hera walked behind him, seeming as though she regained her bearings as her expression returned to its usual stoic self.

Keeping his eyes on Ares, Illian relaxed a little as he witnessed the former lower his blades, not without a few unpleasant grunts.

"Demeter, the boy used a hidden weapon in the match. Such equipment is only allowed if both parties have agreed to it." Hera commented as their eyes turned to Demeter.

"That's true. However, Ares is also guilty of such. He's just proven that he's had daggers concealed throughout the match." 

Demeter spoke in a neutral tone, her expression straight as if the pressure being exuded by the three gods before her didn't bother her a single bit.

"The daggers were never used nor did Ares have any intention of using them." Hera narrowed her eyes as she snapped back.

"Be that as it may, the same argument could be said for his armour. They could also pose a disadvantage to the opposing player."

Hera turned to Ares, seeing his now dirty armour. Though she wanted to retort, she knew Demeter was right.

"Therefore, I declare Illian the winner of this Gauntlet."

Silence.

All those watching, whether they were the people impressed by Illian's performance or simply wanted to commend him for his feat, all stayed quiet, too scared of the gods to say anything.

However, the boy in question could be seen emerging from behind Demeter, standing before the pillar-like being, Zeus.

"I'd say we have a deal, don't we?"

It was only an inquiry at first, but seeing the boy's large grin as he stood before the terrifying Zeus, confirmed everyone's suspicions.

'That kid is crazy.'

Meanwhile, Illian was having different thoughts.

'Lesson learnt: never look away from psychopaths.'

***

'One week.'

That was how long Illian was given to prepare. 

His quest didn't have a time limit, therefore, he didn't mind taking as much time as he could get to prepare as long as his curse didn't kill him in that time.

'I'll take this time to research the Underworld and come up with a strategy…'

Currently, Illian walked through the palace hallways, the banquet ending as soon as Zeus declared his participation in the wager.

However, before Illian could reach his room, his thoughts were cut off as he paused, staring at the familiar figure who appeared before him.

"Tell me, boy…" Hera started, her eyes narrowing as she stared at Illian, scrutinising him.

"What is your goal?"

Illian stared with a blank expression.

The answer was simple. His goal was what the wager entailed. A treasure from Zeus.

And so, he answered as such.

"My goal is to win this bet and…" 

"No. Enough with the act. What is your goal?" She repeated, causing Illian to stare.

However, in the next second, he grinned.

"Tell me, is it possible for a human to become the best?" 

He asked, his expression never changing from the devious contortion.

Hera pursed her lips.

"The best? You don't 'Become' the best. Such greatness is determined at birth. It's the work of Fate."

Illian simply stared, not once showing any emotion on his face.

"And you? Your life has already been determined by that peculiar curse. Your fate has been sealed." She said, glancing at his hands.

But to this, Hera's eyes narrowed as Illian's grin didn't even falter.

Illian from a few days ago would have heard her words, unable to retort due to its validity.

However, a lot has happened since then.

Where in Illian's "fate" did it ever suggest he'd be capable of wiping out kingdoms and bargaining with gods?

Since then, something had changed inside him.

It was like something clicked, unleashing an unrelenting need to keep moving forward.

And so…

"Fate, you say? I laugh in the face of fate." Illian scoffed.

In this new world filled with gods and Inheritors, nothing would stop him from becoming Equal to the Heavens.

Hera stared quietly as countless thoughts ran through her mind.

It wasn't long until she turned, walking away.

"Arrogance. Idiocy. Hope. Whatever it is that makes you speak that way won't help you in the Underworld."

Hera finished, disappearing into the maze-like palace, leaving Illian standing on his lonesome.

In the next second, he grinned.

'We'll see about that.'

***

'I haven't slept since I arrived in this world. To think so much has happened in just a few days.'

Illian stepped into his room. 

From the discovery of Night existing on Olympus and distracting questions like whether or not the gods require sleep, Illian arrived later than he would've liked.

'Besides, I had to watch my back. I'm not too fond of running into Ares or Hera again…'

"You're late."

Illian shot his eyes to his bed, only now noticing the familiar female sitting upon it.

"Demeter?"

Illian stared at the wheat-haired goddess staring at him with her usual stern demeanour.

'Wait a minute, she's been waiting for me in my room? It can't be…what exactly is her purpose for being here?'

Illian started to smile and sweat, chuckling nervously as he failed to find the right words, seeing her resting on his bed.

"Illian, I need your help."

-THUMP

'I was right! "God" my foot! These assholes are just as pent-up and lustful as humans. Does she not realise I'm still not technically an adult?'

Illian's heart threatened to leap out of his chest as his face reddened.

'Wait a minute, does consent even exist here? Am I going to be forced to be her concubine?'

"Hehe, Demeter, listen. I'm flattered, really. I understand why you would be interested in greatness like myself…"

"Greatness?"

Illian wasn't able to finish as Demeter scoffed at his words.

"You better get rid of the arrogance if you want to survive the underworld."

Illian blinked.

"Underworld? What exactly are we talking about here?"

Demeter breathed in as she rose to her feet.

"My daughter. She's trapped in the Underworld." 

A second passed as Illain soon sighed, taking a seat and regaining his composure.

"I'm listening" Illian cleared his throat.

"It's been a while now. But when it happened, it was so fast. By the time I found out, it was too late."

Demeter's eyes suddenly grew more fierce as Illian could feel the rage inside her bubbling.

"Hades, the ruler of the Underworld, Zeus' and my brother. He is the one who kidnapped my daughter."

Illian's eyes narrowed as he heard this.

This was the first time he was given a glimpse of what he was facing.

"Let me guess, you want me to rescue her." 

Demeter let out a deep breath as she nodded.

"It's why I saved you from Ares in the Gauntlet and sided with you just enough so that your ploy was perfect."

Demeter mentioned, recalling the events that happened in the dining hall.

However, Illian knew why she was doing this.

'She's trying to say I owe her.'

"You're a god of Olympus. I assumed you had enough sway or power to demand her back."

Demeter shook her head.

"I tried. But no one wanted to risk a war between Olympus and the Underworld."

"In the end, a compromise was reached. My daughter would be allowed to return for some parts of the year while spending the majority of her time there."

Illian rubbed his forehead as a few questions ate at him.

'I guess the Olympian Gods aren't as mighty as I thought them to be.'

"Why is it that Hades suddenly set his sights on your daughter? What caused him to act then?"

Demeter stared at Illian for a second, the question running through her mind.

"He has forced her into marriage with him. But my priority is rescuing her. I'll give myself the luxury of answering how he knew of her or when he knew for the perfect time to capture her."

A few thoughts ran through Illian's mind upon hearing this.

But the most prominent made him blink as he paused.

"Wait a minute, you said Hades is your brother. So your daughter would be his niece…"

Demeter raised an eyebrow.

"And?" 

Illian stated, dumbfounded with his jaw dropped.

'Does she not see the problem with that? Wait a minute…don't tell me incest is…normal here…'

The more Illian stared at Demeter's indifferent attitude, the more it supported his theory.

In the next second, Illian wore an expression of helplessness.

'I officially hate the Greek Pantheon.'

Seeing him quiet, Demeter continued.

"I wouldn't put my daughter's life in your hands if I had any other choice."

"But the sad truth is that you're the only person who can help me…help her."

Demeter lowered her body as her knees touched the marble floor, her head lowering.

'Maybe this is a good thing. This is what I need…'

"Illian Hale, I beg of you…Save my Persephone." 

'Someone I can use.'

"Get up," Illian muttered, Demeter looking up in surprise as their eyes met.

As they did, she witnessed the boy grinning widely, his golden eyes shining in the dark room.

'This is what I need to make the perfect plan.'

"Demeter…"

'Hades, the ruler of the Underworld. He's the one I need to beat.'

"Tell me everything you know about the Underworld."