Medusa stared at Ocean Song.
Ocean Song had a big smile as he stared back.
This continued for several minutes until Medusa finally reached her breaking point.
"And what now?" She finally asked.
"....."
Truthfully, Ocean Song had no idea what to do now. He scratched his head awkwardly before speaking again. "I didn't think I would get this far; give me a moment."
Medusa let out a sigh; the snakes on her head dipped down in a low hiss as if to mimic her emotions.
"We need to find a mountain!" Ocean Song blurted out again, the same thing he said not minutes prior.
"...Why?" She asked once more, hoping for something better to explain.
"Because all proper sects have their sects on a big mountain!" He said it as if it were some profound wisdom.
"Okay." Medusa, at this point, decided it was best to just go along with whatever he said. Once more, she told herself that there was literally nothing worse that could happen to her at this point in her life.
"...Do you know any amazing mountains around here that we could use?"
Though, despite Medusa telling herself to go with the flow and not question anything, she felt her eye twitching with every new sentence he spoke. "I know of some mountains in the country, yes. There is an entire mountain range west from here."
Ocean Song remembered what she was talking about. There was a large trail of mountains not far west from here!
"I have some things I need to prepare! Stay here, and I'll come back when everything is ready." Ocean Song hopped onto his sword and quickly flew away.
Medusa looked at him shoot off into the sky.
"...Where do you expect me to go?" She shook her head, going back inside.
Ocean Song flew for a bit before he peered down with his divine sense and found something that caught his attention.
A small farmers market with various fruits, vegetables, and things of a different variety.
He, of course, immediately found what he was looking for.
The only question is, which to purchase?
They must be meticulously chosen.
Unfortunately, he was not very knowledgeable on this subject, something he should have asked his uncle about beforehand.
How convenient it was that he could simply call up his uncle!
Ocean Song maneuvered out of eyesight, finding a secluded spot, and deployed the already prepared altar to his uncle as he has with many others.
"Revered magnificent Great God of the Underworld—"
"What do you want?" Hades' voice cut him off.
"Uncle, I have a matter of dire importance!" Ocean Song, said quickly. "I know not anyone else that can assist me in this matter. This lowly one bows his head to request your expertise."
There was a short sigh on the other end before the God of the Underworld—or at least a piece of him—emerged from the nearby shadows, looking down at Ocean Song. "What's so important that you're acting like this?" He crossed his arms.
"I wanted to choose flowers for Hecate, but I don't know what to pick." Ocean Song looked at him with pleading eyes.
Ocean Song intended to go to the Underworld to speak with Hades about something else, but then he had the thought that he should follow his uncle's advice and bring her flowers if he was visiting!
Unfortunately, he had no idea what to choose.
Oddly enough, Hades didn't smack him for calling him for such a reason.
Was Hades happy? Most assuredly not, but this was a far cry from whatever nonsense he thought his nephew caused while he wasn't looking.
And it had only been… hours since they last met.
He had just left Olympus himself, feeling rather good about himself, so he sighed and just decided to go along with it.
"Come along, Nephew. I'll teach you." He gestured towards the strangest of his nephews as they walked back into the market. "What was your first thought?"
"Something dark. Purple, dark blue, maybe see if there are black flowers?" Ocean Song tilted his head.
Hades shook his head and realized that his nephew actually did need help and he wasn't just being a nuisance. "You have a lot to learn. Do you think Hecate wants something dark and dreary?"
"Does…she not like those colors?"
"It's her preference for certain things, obviously." Hades replied. "Vibrancy. Something bright and warm. Of course you can choose specific colors that reference her tastes, but they should be complementing a vibrant display, not overtaking it."
Ocean Song quickly took out a piece of parchment and a pen and began taking notes.
He followed Hades to the stall with many different flowers, barely paying the human any attention as he found a satchel and started picking flowers out.
"Purple goes well with white to keep it neutral. However, and rather cliche, red roses will pop better with this darker shade of purple tulips." He said casually, taking them out, and the bouquet was forming. "With two or three sunflowers to add a subtle warmth, it's done."
Ocean Song stared at his uncle.
Hades returned the gaze, expressionless. "What?"
"I am…humbled by your expertise, Uncle." Ocean Song decided it was best not to say what he was actually thinking.
Hades could read between the lines. "How long do you think I've been doing this?" He deadpanned.
Truly, Ocean Song realized his uncle was wise beyond measure, and he was glad he sought out an expert.
Ocean Song took the bouquet of flowers and looked at it happily.
"Come along; we'll speak while I do some shopping." Hades put a gentle hand on Ocean Song's shoulder. "If you're going to be giving Hecate flowers, Persephone won't hear the end of it, and I'll have to do something as well. I may as well get some stuff to cook dinner for her while I'm out." He grunted, as it was rare for him to be on the surface so many times in a short period.
Ocean Song also took note of this.
"How are your children, Uncle?" Ocean Song asked, making idle conversation.
Hades paused for a moment, a question he would have rejected answering or given the bare minimum if it were anyone else. Paranoid, the God of the Underworld was, but he could recognize someone trustworthy. "They are doing well. Persephone has taken to them moderately."
Another reason he would make a romantic dinner for his wife is to smooth over any disgruntled feelings with his children of his former mistress coming to live with them.
"The problems on Olympus have been resolved." Hades continued on.
"That's good; that means there was no fighting, right?"
"In a manner of speaking." Hades replied. "It's common for different pantheons to 'fight' when they're all gathered together. However, a true battle or war is unlikely. After a commotion, Zeus apologized on behalf of Olympus and offered compensation."
What went unsaid was that Hades reveled in watching his younger brother being forced into concessions and an apology.
Everyone could visibly see how much it hurt Zeus's pride.
"My brother is looking for a reason to let his anger out; I suggest you don't give him one." Hades warned.
Ocean Song wisely took his uncle's warning into consideration.
"What about the other children?"
"Their parents have sorted them—if they cared enough. The majority have either gone to the Roman or Greek camps. They decided on a…quick course to rehabilitate them into the modern world." Hades said rather vaguely.
And he didn't bother hiding the Roman stuff considering his nephew was already this deep in and even called him by his Roman name every now and then.
"Uncle, dare I ask a…" Ocean Song leaned in and whispered. "Personal question?"
Hades felt like he was going to be asked something stupid and simply sighed. "Proceed."
"Is it considered cheating if either you or your wife embraces their Roman side when you…?"
Hades rubbed the bridge of his nose. Partly because he's never been asked that question before and felt exasperated. "No, but it's debilitating, so we don't do that."
"Does Hecate have a Roman side too?" Ocean Song, she whispered. "Should I get a second bouquet of flowers for her Roman side?"
Hades raised an eyebrow. "Her Roman counterpart is much less… consuming. For her, it is but a simple 'outwardly' change compared to myself or my siblings. She does not change much, if at all, in her Roman persona, as she is already a three-faced goddess."
It was obviously much more complicated than that, but Hades didn't think he needed to spend a few hours on what was basically an academic difference.
Ocean Song followed along as Hades picked out various ingredients, food, or other things and added them to a bag, paying each human they passed quite handsomely.
As they were meandering through the market, Ocean Song recalled a talk he had with Hecate when it came to debts and gods.
"Uncle, I have a request I would like to make. I intended to come to the Underworld and ask properly, but if you're here now, I believe you wouldn't like me to waste your time." Ocean Song stated.
"You intended to come to the Underworld."
"Yes, Uncle."
"Presumably, on the way, give Hecate flowers."
"Yes." Ocean Song nodded."
"For which you called me for help. For which is now completely irrelevant now that I'm here and you don't have to go to the Underworld any longer." Hades pointed out.
"...yes?"
Hades let out a groan. "I owe you payment; tell me what you want."
If there was one thing Hades was, it was reciprocal to debts. As the God of Wealth, Hades had it ingrained into his being to 'pay debts.'
"Uh... I want a mountain."
"..."
Ocean Song smiled.
Hades frowned.
Hades turned around and continued shopping without answering, walking away from Ocean Song.
"Wait, Uncle! It's not what you think."
"I'll give you a chance to rephrase what you want." Hades grunted, getting dangerously close to smacking his nephew upside the head.
"I want to make a mountain mine?" Ocean Song rephrased.
"I'm listening." Hades hesitantly replied. A significant departure from his nephew's first request for a mountain.
"I want help building a sect on a mountain."
"...you want something built on a mountain."
"Yes. Very auspicious, decorated, beautiful, and with clouds!" Ocean Song waved his arms around as he explained very poorly.
"I…" Hades pondered how to answer him. "Will provide you manpower and materials. They'll listen to you on what you want. You need to tell them where to build."
He expertly sidestepped any issues of finding out what nonsense his nephew was talking about and relegated that to some of his subordinates.
"Oh, can I get a whip sword too!"
"Okay." Hades said blankly.
"And I want a zither!"
"...very well." Hades had no idea what that was, and he was barely paying attention at this point.
Ocean Song nodded to himself.
As a Jade beauty, he should learn to play the zither properly.
As for Hades, he barely cared to pay attention because while he knew his nephew was an idiot, he knew his idiotic nephew wouldn't try and take advantage of him in what he wanted as a 'reward.'
Frankly, just wanting something 'built' on top of a mountain was… strange, but wholly mundane compared to what he may have given out to someone else for the same task being completed.
No, the only thought Hades had right now was that he needed to keep his children away.
They already caught a bad case of idiot from him, and he was working diligently to help them get rid of it. But all they would talk about after coming home was about their 'swords and cultivation.'
He planned on keeping his children far away from his nephew until he could…properly educate them.
On that note, Hades got tired of his nephew's presence and hoisted him up by the collar. Before Ocean Song could question what was happening, he had already been tossed into a nearby shadow, disappearing into the Underworld.
Hades continued to hum to himself, enjoying the rare break he allowed himself.
Though, it only took a moment before he realized he forgot to tell his nephew what happened on Olympus beyond the conclusion.
The various gods are fighting over him.
The fact that everyone knows he's still alive now.
Hades thought it over and shrugged to himself. He was sure it wouldn't be a problem.
Probably.
Not a problem for him.
In fact, it was beneficial to him.
If anything, he wanted to praise his nephew. By being such a beacon of attention, no one asked about his children or his involvement in the 'incident'. Despite everything blowing up spectacularly, Hades came out completely unscathed and unnoticed.
Well, perhaps that's why Hades sent him where he sent him.
Persephone was rooting for Hecate, and Hades supported her as well, if nothing else, to get a leash on his dear nephew and hopefully stop him from causing any more trouble.
(Line Break)
Ocean Song hit the ground.
He stood up, brushing himself off, and realized he was now in the Underworld and standing right outside of Hecate's 'house.'
Though it looked a bit like a house on the outside, its nature was more like a temple or a palace if she desired.
Appearances are often immaterial when it comes to divine beings.
The door swung open, and the Goddess of Magic stood there in the threshold, arms crossed, staring at the Cyclops.
A cold, expressionless look that would make mortals shiver, but Ocean Song just smiled brightly as he felt his heart warm up.
Without a word, he was in front of her, kneeling down, with the bouquet of flowers offered.
Hecate raised a single eyebrow, looking at his 'offering.'
She noted his stupid and bright smile and reluctantly accepted the offering.
The Goddess of Magic walked back inside the house, but the door remained open, a wordless invitation for him.
Ocean Song followed right behind, once more entering the house of the Goddess of Magic.
Carefully, Hecate put the flowers in a vase, making sure that none of them were harmed as she spread them out and displayed them properly.
Once she was finished, her expression hardened once more as she turned back towards Ocean Song. "What do you think you were doing, becoming a champion for another god?"
"Eh?"
"Don't 'eh' me." She huffed, jabbing her finger into his chest. "If you hadn't somehow rubbed your two brain cells together to give yourself a way out, I would be kicking you out of the Underworld right now."
"And of course, that's ignoring the entire mess you caused up above." She kept jabbing her finger into his chest. "Do you have any idea what kind of chaos you sowed by your stunt?" She continued to berate him, loudly and aggressively.
It took her several minutes to finally calm down, throwing her arms up a few times before her temper settled.
"I could just tie you up so you can't go out and cause any more trouble." She finished with a grumble. "You better not be planning on doing anything else for the time being. It was lucky I was able to save you the first time; if you get Zeus focused on you again, you may actually die."
"Don't worry, I'm just focusing on building my sect for now!" Ocean Song beamed happily, reassuring her.
Hecate looked at him blankly. "What is a 'sect'?"
"A…mutually supportive organization focused on pursuing the Dao and Cultivation." Ocean Song repeated.
Hecate didn't react outwardly, having no idea what some of that meant, but she could glean a notion or two.
"You are recruiting people?" She asked.
"Yes!" Ocean Song nodded happily. "I have recruited my first sect member already! I'm sure Medusa will learn quickly."
Hecate scrunched her nose. "Medusa?"
"You know her?"
"Everyone knows her." Hecate sighed. "She's one of the most famous monsters in our history. Why did you choose Medusa?"
"She was pitiful, and I wanted to help." Ocean Song shrugged. "I'll help her regain her beauty and human appearance, and we shall pursue the Dao together!"
Hecate paused, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Repeat that."
"Huh?" Ocean Song tilted his head. "Pursuing the Dao? Helping her regain her former beauty?"
"Do you intend to follow in the footsteps of your half-siblings and anger Athena?" Hecate sighed in exasperation.
Though, Hecate realized that his mere existence would be enough to infuriate the Goddess of Wisdom, so it was a moot point.
"Who else do you plan to recruit? And if it's all women, I will be most upset." She warned him with an icy tone.
Ocean Song shrugged again.
Hecate sighed again as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Why did I expect any different? Is that why you came to me? Did you need my help?"
"No, I just wanted to visit and give you flowers." Ocean Song smiled.
Her lips twitched slightly. "I swear, if I didn't know you weren't doing this on purpose, I would have smacked you already." She said under her breath.
"I will need to seek out more individuals for positions in my sect, though." Ocean Song continued, not hearing what she said. "Artifact refiners. Alchemists. Those two are the most important."
"Alchemy?" Hecate perked up. "You want someone who knows Alchemy?" She was suddenly intrigued. "For what reason?"
"To make drugs!"
"....."
"The good kind of drugs, not the bad kind." Ocean Song clarified as if that answered everything.
Hecate wisely decided not to ask for more details there; she felt like her head would start to hurt. "If you want someone who can forge, go ask your father; he has plenty of cyclops children down in Atlantis who work the forges."
Ocean Song's eyes lit up, then they widened as he recalled something very important.
He stilled to the point where Hecate took notice. "What's wrong?"
For everything going on, Ocean Song forgot something very important, or perhaps it had been a detail he had nearly forgotten due to other reasons.
"I have a brother!" He blurted out and, without warning, shot out of the house and flew away.
That is to say, Ocean Song just remembered that he had a young cyclops brother called Tyson who should be homeless in New York right at this moment.
Hecate stared at him as he left, twitching slightly. "You're lucky that I find your nonsense cute," she grumbled.
She didn't bother with it anymore and turned back to the flowers, fussing over them.
A faint smile slowly found its way onto her usually cold and expressionless face.
It had been a very long time since someone got her flowers.
(Line Break)
A/N
The sect expands, and plans are made. Soon, the Heavenly Monster Ocean Demon Sword Sect shall be built!
The name is still a work in progress. :V.
Sorry for the late chapter, had stuff going on the past few days that made it hard to write.
If you want to read 1 chapter ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone
I also have a boosty if you can't read the abover under the same name.