When I returned to the others, they were laughing and cheering cause I never let dusk move. Thankful this event made everyone decide to go home. Cronus patted my shoulder, then left. The next few months were a blur of me running the underworld. I would teleport straight to the city where Orion would be waiting. I discovered that he was the leader of all the cities, so I sought him out. I put him under a slave contract, which I felt so awful about, but it was necessary.
I ordered him to tell me the truth about everything I asked. He said Cronus would come to the city every few years, but it was to collect his money. He would sometimes walk around but then would leave. He also said Iapetus would come down about every month and enjoy the city. I pressed him to see if anyone else would come here, and he couldn't think of anyone right then but said he would start keeping track. I thanked him for that.
I could see he wanted to know why I was asking all of this, and I told him that right now wasn't the time to tell him what was going on, but I would. I helped make the cities better using the money from the people who paid to come over. I ensured that all the houses were correctly built, with roads that had no holes and connected all the cities. I wanted more than anything for the people to be loyal to me. I also ensured they had better food and spoke with Iapetus and Cronus to create a reincarnation program, allowing them a second chance at life. Iapetus loved the idea because he said souls were the hardest part of making humans.
It was about two and a half months when I pulled Orion to the side, making a sound barrier so none could hear.
"Are you finally going to tell me why you have done all this?" he asked as I looked out at the rivers with the thought running through my head.
"I order you to never tell anyone of this conversation. Before the words even come out of your mouth, I order you to cut your throat immediately," I said, feeling the harshness of the words.
"Even if you didn't put me under the slave spell, I would never betray you. I never knew Titans could be so kind." he smiled, which made me feel even more awful.
"Do you know what Cronus has been doing to his children?"
"Yes. It's awful, but what can we do?" he replied, and I could feel my heart pounding as I thought of my words carefully.
"Rhea could give birth any day now," I stated.
"Yes, and the poor child will be imprisoned like his siblings for just existing."
"Orion, do you think these people will stand by me?"
"Yes, of course. They love you and sing your praises. Anything you need, I'm sure we will all help without a second thought."
"Rhea will give a stone to Cronus after she gives birth. I need you to take care of the child for me while we celebrate her health. If you don't want to get involved, I understand." I said, turning to look him in the face, seeing the weight of my words. i wondered what he was thinking and wondered what he would do. My heart was racing.
"I am honored you trust me with such a task. I will help you, but since I'm the only one under the slave contract, it would be very suspicious if you suddenly brought a child here. I suggest you get one of the storks to bring the child over to us like the other babies who didn't make it." Orion suggests putting his hand to his chin while the other crosses his belly.
"How would you know if you got the right child?" I asked, which made Orion think about it for a moment. He stayed quiet for a long time. I couldn't come up with any ideas cause I was still learning about how the underworld worked.
"Here," he said, handing me a black rope with gold specks from his pocket, "Wrap this around the child's right arm. Some kids come here with necklaces and other key sakes."
"What happens to those kids?" I asked, looking into his brown eyes while he ran his hand through his black hair.
"Those kids are giving to the nuns who live here to take care of." he explained.
"Do they age?" I asked, to which he shook his head no. I frowned, then gave him the order for all those children to be reincarnated, to which he nodded.
"Is there a way to age them or to make the older people younger?" I asked, thinking about it for a moment, knowing some probably didn't want to reincarnate.
"That's just how it is down here," he replied, shaking his head. I bite my lower lip, trying to think of a way, but then realize I could change how this is, but I would need to talk to Cronus. He was the only one who could change the order of the world, but I would need a good reason.
"Is there something the underworld can offer that isn't offered anywhere else?" I asked.
"Um, maybe our gems or ore is all I can really think about," he said, pointing to the ceiling, which was sparkling. I couldn't help but grin, thinking this would be a great idea.
"Why didn't any of you say something about it before?" I wondered.
"Why should we tell the people who don't care about us? You made sure our cities are nice and clean and that we have no rotten food. Honestly, made us feel more alive in years." Orion stated, simply looking me in the eye.
"I will be honest; if you do not want to help me, I will still help you and all the cities," I stated, making sure he understood he wasn't being forced.
"I will help you not because you have me under contract but because I believe in what you do, and there has to be a reason for you wanting to do this." he smiled, kneeling like I do to Cronus. I couldn't help but smile and relax a bit, thinking for the first time there was actually a plan since Rhea approached me.
"Thank you so much," I smiled.