Dark Desire-Caught between duty and desire (englisch version

Chapter 5

The room was filled with flickering candlelight and the soft murmur of voices as Hades, Persephone, and Ares sat gathered around the large, round table in the ancient library of the Underworld. The air was thick with tension and worry, almost tangible even in this dark chamber. Between the towering shelves lined with ancient scrolls and dusty books, a scene was unfolding that could forever change the course of events.

"If we let Lux continue unchecked, we risk losing more than just Despia," Persephone said gravely, her emerald eyes dark with concern. "He'll destroy her, Hades. And Zeus will see any resistance as an act of war."

Hades stood at the head of the table, his brow deeply furrowed. His usually composed features were set in hard determination, and his deep-set eyes glowed with a menacing red hue. "We can't afford a war. Not now." His gaze shifted to Ares, who sat silently by his side, arms crossed, his face shadowed like a gathering storm. "But I won't allow my daughter to be sacrificed just to satisfy Zeus's thirst for power."

Ares, the God of War, inclined his head slightly. His eyes burned dangerously beneath his dark brows. "Despia is not just your daughter, Hades. She means everything to my son. Corvin would go to battle for her, even if it cost him his life. But if we confront Zeus directly, we risk plunging all of Olympus into conflict."

"We need to be clever," Persephone said softly, her gaze steady on her husband. "If we want to protect Despia and Corvin, we have to outmaneuver Zeus and Lux. They think they already hold the upper hand, that Despia is caught in their web. We need to keep that illusion alive... until we find the right moment to strike."

Silence settled over the room, the weight of her words pressing heavily on everyone present. And then, unexpectedly, a hidden door on the side of the room swung open, and a powerful figure stepped in. The light reflected off silver armor and the deep blue of a flowing cloak as Poseidon, Lord of the Seas, made his entrance. The sound of the ocean seemed to follow him, and the air filled with the scent of salt.

"When it comes to outwitting Zeus," Poseidon said in his deep, resonant voice, "let me help."

Hades' eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Poseidon... what brings you here?"

"The same thing that brings you." Poseidon stepped closer to the table, his hands clasped behind his back. His blue eyes shone coldly, but there was a spark of anger in his gaze that could not be ignored. "I've had enough of Zeus's hunger for power and his arrogance. He wants control over everything—the earth, the seas, and even the Underworld. But he forgets that without the support of the other gods, he's just another tyrant. If he thinks he can use Despia as a pawn on his chessboard, then he's mistaken."

"What do you propose?" Persephone asked, her voice gentle but filled with curiosity. She was astute enough to recognize the significance of Poseidon's offer. If he was on their side, they might have a chance to turn the tide.

Poseidon took his time, as if weighing each word carefully. "Zeus is only strong when we rise against him. What if we make him believe he's winning instead? That Despia is doing exactly what he expects of her?"

A murmur rippled through the room. Hades raised an eyebrow. "A false marriage? You're suggesting we let him think Despia is submitting to his will?"

"Exactly." Poseidon's smile was sharp, like the edge of a blade. "Let him believe he holds the upper hand. We stage the engagement and the wedding. Lux will think he's won, that Despia is his. But in truth, she won't be marrying Lux. She'll be marrying someone we trust—someone she truly loves."

Persephone glanced at her husband, and Hades' expression grew contemplative. "Corvin. You're suggesting that Corvin and Despia marry while Zeus and Lux still believe she's bound to Lux."

Poseidon nodded. "If Lux thinks he's won, he'll grow careless. And Zeus will rest on his supposed victory, not realizing the wedding is a ruse. When the time is right, we reveal the truth and expose Lux as a fraud—a liar who sought to deceive the gods. That will isolate him from Zeus and make him vulnerable."

Ares chuckled softly, the sound dark and foreboding. "A risky game, but one I'm willing to play." His gaze moved between Hades and Poseidon. "The only problem is that Lux isn't a fool. He'll sense something is off."

"That's why we have to bring Despia in on this," Persephone said quietly. "And Corvin. They both need to be utterly convincing. If there's even the slightest hint that she's acting against her will, Lux will question everything. Despia needs to make Lux believe she's genuinely submitting."

Hades' face was a mask of stone, but a fire of determination burned in his eyes. "I won't force her to do this. If Despia isn't willing, we'll find another way."

"She'll do it," murmured Persephone gently, placing her hand on his. "If it means ridding herself of Lux forever—if it means being with the man she truly loves—she'll fight."

A tense silence fell over the room as the gravity of their plan sank in. This was no simple scheme. They were playing with the hearts and lives of their children, and one wrong move could shatter everything. But in the faces of the assembled gods, there was determination and hope. They knew this was their best—perhaps their only—chance to bring Zeus and Lux to their knees.

"Then we're agreed," Hades said at last, his gaze steady as he looked each of them in the eye. "We'll set the trap. Lux will think he's marrying Despia, and Zeus will believe he's taken another step towards domination. But when the truth comes out... it will be their downfall."

Poseidon nodded firmly, and Ares' smile was grim. Persephone, the Goddess of Spring and the Underworld, rested her hand on Hades' shoulder, her eyes dark with resolve.

"We will win," she whispered softly. "For Despia. For Corvin. For all of us."

The gods nodded, and with one final look of solidarity, they left the room, ready to pit the greatest forces of Olympus against each other. The trap was set. Now, they just had to wait for Zeus and Lux to step into it.