With the Foundation of Gaia, Hades (Orphos) felt as if he held an invisible amulet, and the tension in his heart, strung taut from constant vigilance, relaxed slightly.
However, he did not become complacent. The power of the artifact was great, but his own fundamental strength was paramount. He continued to immerse himself in the research and deepening of his new powers, especially the combination of [Forging] and [Knowledge], which opened up infinite possibilities for him.
His communication with Metis also became more frequent and profound. They were no longer limited to theoretical discussions and began to attempt more practical collaborations.
Hades was responsible for supplying materials: special metals, gemstones, and basic forging frameworks, born and refined through [Subterranean Wealth] and [Lava], while Metis used her unparalleled [Wisdom] to create runes and optimize designs.
Together, they developed and created several 'gadgets' that were both practical and ingenious—not earth-shattering artifacts, but each with its own use.
For example, a brooch that could automatically converge, purify, and store elemental water, solving the problem of Metis's divine power recovery in some arid lands; a short dagger that could subtly adjust the surrounding light and shadow at the user's will and enhance the effect of [Secrecy], becoming Hades's handy tool; also, a fragment of a crystal mirror that could briefly reflect the past in a certain area, with limited range and huge consumption, but great potential for reconnaissance.
These collaborations not only deepened their mutual trust and unspoken understanding but also gave Hades a new appreciation for the subtle manipulation of divine power and the microscopic application of laws.
Metis's wisdom was like the most exquisite carving knife, refining his initially crude use of power.
Of course, they were not studying all the time. Sometimes, after completing a small collaborative project, Metis would enthusiastically suggest 'taking a break'.
She would use her divine power to gather morning dew and a little sweet nectar, mixing them into a clear and soft drink; Hades would use the power of [Plant] to weave the softest vines nearby into a couch, or direct stones to create a smooth tabletop.
Once, Metis watched as Hades carefully roasted a few slices of divine leaves she had brought, said to be from the Far West, with a special aroma, trying to make a 'refreshing' beverage that was easy to preserve. But because his control was too precise, the taste was slightly dry and sharp, and she couldn't help but laugh.
"Chaos, Orphos! You're using the precision of forging artifacts to deal with a few leaves!" She wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. "Food needs that certain amount of 'casualness', not 'control' at all."
Hades looked at the failed 'work' in his hand, and then at Metis laughing without any regard for her image. He felt a little helpless, but hidden in his eyes was a tenderness he himself hadn't even noticed.
He was used to precision—whether it was surviving in Cronus's belly or increasing his power now—but with her, he encountered a 'useless', yet pleasant, joy.
Another time, Metis couldn't put down Hades's short dagger that could adjust light and darkness. After playing with it for a long time, a sudden inspiration sparked.
She didn't use any materials, only her own water vapor, wisdom, and divine power, condensing and weaving them in the air, and finally created a butterfly completely composed of water currents, with star-like runes flowing inside. The butterfly flew around her, scattering fine points of light, as beautiful as a dream.
"Look! My 'Starlight Water Butterfly'! It's not particularly useful, but it looks beautiful, doesn't it?" Metis proudly showed Hades, like a child displaying a new toy.
Hades looked at this exquisite creature, which possessed neither offensive nor defensive abilities, but the subtlety of its structure, the use of the laws of water and light, was art. He nodded and sincerely praised: "Beautiful. Creativity itself is the greatest value."
They didn't always engage through dialogue and creativity. Sometimes, when Hades needed to focus on combating a heavily contaminated piece of land with his [Purification] abilities, Metis would quietly stay nearby.
She might sit on a blue stone, letting her hair fall like a stream of water, her consciousness seemingly connected to the water veins of the entire area, silently sensing the joy of the earth's spiritual veins reigniting after the contamination disappeared;
Or she might just quietly watch Hades's back as he worked, watching him calmly and attentively channel his divine power, gradually turning the gray, dead silence into vibrant life force.
Her wise eyes would reveal appreciation and an imperceptible softness.
Similarly, when Metis was immersed in deducing a complex hydrological law, surrounded by flowing azure runes, Hades would cease his activities.
He wouldn't disturb her, but would quietly layer a [Secrecy] barrier to isolate possible interference from the outside world, or use the power of [Plant] to make the surrounding vegetation lusher, creating a more peaceful environment for her.
He acted as a silent guardian, ensuring her spark of wisdom was not interrupted.
These quiet, wordless moments could bring two extraordinary souls closer than many warm conversations.
They shone in their respective fields, yet could provide the most appropriate support and understanding when the other needed it.
Their communication was naturally inseparable from information about the outside world.
Metis, as an Oceanid with three thousand brothers and sisters, was naturally well-informed and would share with Hades less sensitive information that might be useful to him.
Hearing that the atmosphere on Mount Olympus had been a bit tense lately, that Cronus seemed to have reprimanded Hypnos for an ominous dream... she would mention it in passing.
Or: "My father-god (Oceanus) seems to have recently complained about the God-King's endless demands for rare water veins..."
This fragmentary information, after being sorted by Hades's [Summary] divinity, could often piece together some movements in the power core of Olympus, keeping him alert to potential crises.
In return, Hades would also share with Metis new insights into the laws of abyssal erosion he discovered while purifying the earth, or new understandings of the nature of matter gained during the 'forging' process.
This knowledge itself was not related to his core secrets, but it greatly enlightened Metis and helped her improve her own system.
Before each other, they seemed able to temporarily let go of some of their defenses and reveal their true selves—whether it was the 'stubbornness' Hades sometimes displayed that Metis would tease him for, or the girlish cleverness and playfulness hidden beneath Metis's wisdom.
Their daily life was a collision of sparks of wisdom, a combination of creativity, mutual companionship in silence, and a rare understanding and support in the face of an uncertain future.
In this era of undercurrents, this friendship was like a strange flower, quietly blooming in the dark forest, precious and warm.