(Greek Mythology) The Abyss
Chapter Five
In the lowest level of Hell, two noble Gatan gods were squatting on the ground… planting flowers. Yes, you read that right, planting flowers, using the traditional method of digging up the soil, planting the seeds, and finally covering them with soil. The vast expanse of dazzling red around them was the result of their efforts over the past few years.
"I now think red is the color I hate most, bar none," Eros said sincerely in a weak voice.
"…" Ignoring Eros's words, Erebus continued with his work.
"Hey! Erebus, can you give me some kind of response?" Eros was resentful that his fellow sufferer was ignoring him.
"…Oh…" Finally, he gave a response.
"…" Can't we just have some fun? Can't you say a few more words? -_-#
Perhaps sensing Eros's deep resentment, Erebus looked up at him. "Instead of talking to me, you should plant more flowers. Do you know how much land we haven't planted yet?"
Tartarus's exact words were, "Since you're all so idle, why don't you help me plant flowers all around the temple?" "Around" was a broad and difficult-to-determine concept; its exact size depended on Tartarus's mood.
"Can we not talk about this? Thank you." He begged not to be reminded of such a tragic reality. He was genuinely worried that his brother would make them plant flowers all over this level. Thinking of the vast expanse of the lowest level of Hell, he felt utterly hopeless. He was so naive to think he'd only get a few more beatings from his brother. Even if his brother wouldn't actually do anything to them, he had ways to make them truly understand the consequences of courting death.
Because Tartarus euphemistically called it "experiencing human life," the two gods were forbidden from creating directly with their divine power and had to do it themselves. Whether it was being covered in mud or enduring long hours of labor, it was all unbearable for gods who generally possessed both fastidiousness and hedonism. Equally unbearable was the deathly aura permeating the depths of Hell. Without Tartarus's protection, the two gods had the privilege of experiencing firsthand what it felt like to be imprisoned in Tartarus's most terrifying prison, a place feared by all the gods. (I'm really not a prison—by Tartarus)
However, Tartarus wasn't worried about his two brothers at all. The Gaitan gods, created by Chaos himself, were far superior to the weaker gods of later generations. Even the most densely packed deathly aura only made them feel a little uncomfortable, and it didn't prevent them from having the energy to plant flowers.
After only three minutes of silence, Eros began his complaints again, "I don't want to plant flowers~~~" The drawn-out tone vividly expressed the speaker's resentful mood.
"Do you think I just want to plant it? Besides, you were the one who came up with the idea first." Erebus was annoyed; he hadn't even complained yet, and Erebus was already complaining.
"...Uh...well..." Eros actually wanted to say that Erebus also agreed, but considering the difference in their strength, he wisely changed the subject. "Do you know what kind of flower this is?"
"It's a spider lily. There are two colors, the red one is also called Manjusaka, and the white one is also called Datura. But my brother prefers the red one." Erebus wasn't interested in arguing with Eros and cooperated by changing the subject.
"I don't understand why my brother likes this flower so much. The blood-red color looks ominous." Thinking of his brother's blood-red eyes, and then looking at the blood-red flower on the ground, well, actually, it does match.
"My brother said he thinks this flower is as alluring and beautiful as blood." Erebus recalled for a moment, then said this with some hesitation.
"Red as blood, so alluring... Is it beautiful?...?" Eros was also puzzled. What was so beautiful about it? His older brother's tastes were indeed as terrifying as his personality.
"But, haven't you overlooked something?"
"...??" Eros thought for a moment, but still couldn't think of anything. Had he overlooked something?
"We're near the Abyss Temple," Erebus prompted.
"I know we're near the Abyss Temple." Eros looked at Erebus, bewildered.
Erebus looked at his still-unresponsive brother with a headache. "You said his favorite flower was unlucky while your older brother was still angry. Are you thinking the punishment wasn't enough, and you want to actually plant flowers all over this floor?"
"..." He'd forgotten that his older brother's control was strongest near the Abyss Temple; he could know what they were saying. "...Uh... Maybe my older brother didn't notice me."
"Oh, good luck then." The words were quite insincere.
"Eros." Tartarus silently teleported behind the two gods and suddenly spoke.
Eros's face turned deathly pale. His mind raced with images of various tragic possible fates, and he successfully scared himself. Tartarus looked at Eros's ghostly expression with a puzzled expression. Was he really that terrifying?
Tartarus hadn't come to find Eros because he'd overheard those words. He didn't have the time to keep an eye on them, and even if he had, he wouldn't hold a grudge over a single sentence. The reason he came to find Eros was because his research obsession had kicked in; he wanted to study the principles of the Golden Arrow of Love.
Hearing that was it, Eros breathed a sigh of relief and readily conjured a considerable number of golden arrows. But, Eros, don't you think your reaction is a bit suspicious? Your fawning tendency is too obvious, isn't it?
Looking at the pile of golden arrows, Tartarus hesitated for a moment. He was just doing research, not practicing archery. Why was Eros gathering so many? But thinking that a few more were better than none, and that they might come in handy later, Tartarus accepted all the golden arrows. He didn't delve into Eros's unusual behavior, thanked him, and then teleported away, allowing Eros to escape unscathed.