Hades vs. Zeus – Battle for Olympus | Ascension excerpt | Hades, Zeus, Olympus, Greek mythology, Ascension, epic fantasy, Battle for Olympus, book excerpt

What happens in this part of the story

After his encounter with Zeus, Hades retreats to the Underworld, where in silence he forges a plan for revenge. His servants on Earth remain hidden and unnoticed, waiting for the moment when they will act again.

That moment comes on a night when the world is preparing to celebrate. As people across the planet welcome the New Year, unaware of the danger approaching them.

Hades gathers his followers and gives them a clear task: to attack different parts of the world at the same time and sow chaos among mortals. While they carry out his plan, he prepares for a much greater conflict – a confrontation with his brother Zeus and a battle for control of Olympus.

Excerpt from the book

Torches flickered along the palace walls, casting long shadows across the stone floor. Zeus walked toward the table with weary steps, the pain in his chest refusing to subside. He reached for a goblet of nectar – the drink of the gods, a cure for all ailments – and drained it quickly, bracing himself against the edge of the table. But the pain remained. Frustrated, he grabbed a jug of wine and poured himself another goblet.

At that moment, he stiffened and looked toward the doors, sensing a presence. Yet the palace was empty. The crackling of the torches was the only sound breaking the silence. His gaze fell on the empty goblet. On a sudden impulse, he poured wine into a second one and pushed it across the table until it stopped just at the edge.

Then, from the shadows, Hades emerged. He removed his helmet of invisibility, setting it casually on the table. Beside it, his two-pronged spear gleamed against the edge. He sat down with that same relaxed posture that had always infuriated Zeus, took the goblet, and raised it in a mocking toast, smiling. Zeus watched him – Hades looked younger than ever, while years and the burden of rule had worn down Zeus’s own body.

“Where is your beautiful queen?” Hades asked nonchalantly, sipping his wine. Zeus glanced toward the bedchamber but said nothing. “Still by your side, even after all your… mischief. That’s quite a rarity,” Hades said with a mocking grin. Zeus remained silent. He knew what was happening.

At that moment, the doors flew open. Hera rushed in, her face pale with fear.

“How lovely of you to join us!” Hades addressed her like an old friend, raising his goblet in greeting.

“Leave!” Zeus’s voice was sharp and resolute.

“No – I will stay with you!” Hera refused to step back.

“Go – everything will be all right. I’ll call you when it’s done,” Zeus said, and she looked at him with tear-filled eyes.

“Oh, how touching, watching everyone care for another’s life and not their own… Magical, isn’t it?” Hades sneered.

Zeus nodded, signaling Hera to go. She knew this might be the last time she would see him, but she obeyed and ran to the door, blowing him one last kiss. Zeus then turned to his brother.

“Why have you come?” he asked angrily, a lightning bolt appearing in his hand immediately.

Hades waved his hand. “Easy, little brother! Such impatience… Where is the brotherly hug? Do I not at least deserve a greeting?”

“You deserve nothing!” Zeus’s fury was like a storm about to break. “Are you responsible for the chaos on Earth?! I will kill you if you are behind this!”

“I don’t think that will happen, brother,” Hades smiled, then rose calmly and slowly circled the table. “Do you really think I could be spreading terror among mortals and be here before you at the same time? You are, after all, King of the gods! You deserve my full attention.”

“If it wasn’t you, then who is attacking the Earth?” Zeus again felt the pain in his chest and shuddered.

Hades drew closer, slowly circling the table.

“How are you feeling, brother?” Zeus instinctively shifted, keeping his distance. “You’ve grown old…” Hades continued, his voice almost gentle, though his eyes gleamed with malice. “Once, you were a mighty god. No one dared oppose you. You won every battle, enchanted mortals – and even gods. But now, you look like an old man. You don’t deserve the throne. But… I have a solution,” he said, stopping behind Zeus’s chair and placing his hands on the backrest. “Give me the thunderbolt, and I’ll spare your life. I promise…” his voice dripped with poison. “I’ll let you live among your beloved mortals – while I rule over them.” Zeus lowered his gaze to the lightning bolt in his hand. “This time, there are no demigods to save you. This time, it’s just you and me,” Hades leaned closer. “We don’t have to fight.”

Zeus lifted his head, his eyes flashing with fury. “I will never give you the thunderbolt!!!” he roared, his voice like rolling thunder.

Hades’s smile froze. His eyes darkened. “Wrong choice, brother…” he hissed, spreading his cloak. From its folds burst two Furies – Megaera and Tisiphone, the most powerful of all. They were creatures of nightmares – with bat-like wings, claws instead of fingers, and serpents writhing where their hair should have been.

Zeus raised his hand, and a thunderbolt cracked through the palace. The Battle for Olympus had begun.

This is only the beginning of the war.

As the world descends into chaos, the real conflict is just beginning.

Follow the blog for the continuation of the story.

New excerpts arrive every Monday, and the full story awaits you in the novel Ascension.