Chapter 77: Harry's Deification
The air around Mount Olympus was thick with anticipation as Harry stood at the edge of a marble balcony, gazing out at the endless expanse of clouds and ethereal beauty. The Olympian gods had gathered in the grand hall earlier that day, their expressions solemn yet curious as they explained what was happening to him.
He was becoming something more—something divine. A God.
The revelation hit Harry hard. He wasn't merely powerful; he wasn't just a mortal blessed with extraordinary abilities. The ancient magic he had absorbed, combined with the deathly aura he wielded so effortlessly, had catalyzed a transformation. In a matter of weeks, he would ascend to become the Primordial God of Death, a position beyond even Hades or Thanatos.
Harry sat on the edge of a low stone fountain in the temple gardens, staring into the rippling water. His girlfriends surrounded him, each of them silent as they absorbed the news. Finally, it was Daphne who broke the stillness.
"So… what does this mean, Harry?" Her voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of her concern.
"It means," Harry said, his voice tinged with sadness, "that I'm going to outlive all of you." He clenched his fists, his knuckles white. "You'll grow old, and I'll stay the same. Immortal. Eternal. Alone."
Fleur knelt in front of him, placing a delicate hand on his knee. "Harry, don't say that. We still have time together, and we'll make the most of it."
Tracey nodded, sitting beside him. "And who says we have to leave you behind? There might be a way for us to stay with you."
"Harry," Hermione said, her tone as steady as always, "this isn't the end. We've faced impossible odds before, haven't we? There's always a solution."
Harry looked at each of them, his eyes shimmering with emotion. Their faith in him, their refusal to give in to despair—it was a balm to his soul.
Later, the group reconvened with the gods. Sitting before the grand assembly, Harry explained his concerns. The gods, surprisingly, listened without judgment. Even Zeus, still nursing a bruise or two from their sparring match, looked contemplative.
"Your predicament is not unique," Athena finally said, her sharp eyes studying him. "Many of us have watched mortal lovers fade away. It is a burden we carry as gods."
"But it need not be so," Hades interjected, his deep voice echoing through the hall. The god of the underworld rose, his black robes billowing like shadows. "There is a way to circumvent mortality, though it is not without its risks."
Harry leaned forward. "Tell me."
"The Book of the Dead," Hades said simply. "It holds the names of every soul destined to pass through my realm. If their names are removed from its pages, they will become immune to death by natural causes. They will share your immortality."
Hermione, ever the scholar, asked, "What's the catch?"
Hades smirked. "The book is housed deep in the Underworld. Reaching it will not be easy. And once a name is removed, the soul is marked. They can only die by force, not by nature."
Harry glanced at his girlfriends. "What do you think?"
Daphne shrugged. "It's dangerous, but what isn't, with you?"
Fleur smiled. "I'd walk through fire if it meant staying with you."
Tracey gave a shy nod, her determination shining through. "I'm in."
Hermione adjusted her robes. "You know me, Harry. I can't resist a good challenge."
The gods exchanged amused glances at their fierce loyalty.
Before they departed, the Olympians offered their blessings.
"Take this," Hephaestus said, stepping forward with a grin. He handed Harry a sleek, metallic object that resembled a modern smartphone. "I made this ages ago. It's a game, of sorts. Complete its challenges, and it will grant you immense strength. You'll need it where you're going."
Harry accepted it with a nod of thanks, though his curiosity about its purpose lingered.
Zeus handed Harry a small vial of glowing golden liquid. "Ambrosia. One drop will restore vitality and power. Use it wisely."
Aphrodite, ever playful, pressed a soft kiss to Harry's cheek as she handed him a shimmering crystal. "For luck, darling. And for love."
Hades stood last, his shadowed presence unnerving but oddly comforting. "I will guide you to the gates of the Underworld, but from there, you are on your own. The Book will not relinquish its secrets easily."
The journey to the Underworld began at a hidden cave nestled in the cliffs of Mount Olympus. The air grew cold as Hades led the group through the winding tunnels, his staff illuminating the path with an eerie blue glow.
"Once you pass through these gates," he said, gesturing to the massive iron doors ahead, "you'll be in my domain. Time behaves differently here, and so do the rules of magic. Stay together, and do not trust what you see."
The gates creaked open, revealing a realm bathed in twilight. The sky was a swirling vortex of black and crimson, and the ground was a patchwork of jagged rocks and rivers of molten gold.
"Welcome to the Underworld," Hades said with a smirk.
Harry and his companions exchanged uneasy glances but pressed on. The air felt heavy, laden with the weight of countless souls. Shadows flickered at the edges of their vision, and ghostly whispers filled their ears.
The journey to the Book of the Dead would be fraught with peril, but Harry felt a renewed sense of purpose. His girlfriends walked beside him, their determination unwavering. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with.
As they ventured deeper into the realm of death, Harry couldn't help but smile. He was no longer alone in this journey, and with his newfound divine powers, he would ensure that their bond would endure for eternity.
The adventure was just beginning.
To Be Continued...