ItB Book 3: The Titan War

Book III: The Titanomachy: The Great Titan War

Disclaimer:

This story is the final installment in the In the Beginning trilogy, which is the first series in the Tales of Olympus series. After this story, the disclaimers on the first in a series will be long, and it will explain that you should start either at In the Beginning or start at a Book 1 of whichever arc I am in for the Mythology, but otherwise, I will assume people have been reading these.

As those who have been reading will know, there will be depictions of sexual encounters, incestuous relationships (specifically grandmother/grandson and siblings in this tale), graphic fight scenes including a massive final battle, creampie, manipulation, elements of magic. Some of these themes are because of the source material. Some are for creative purposes.

This one was tricky to nail down because there's incest, Sci-Fi elements, a fire time sexual experience. Since it has all of these, I have determined to put this in the Novels and Novella Section.

Like previous entries, it draws inspiration from various mythological sources and modern adaptations, including God of War, Percy Jackson, Lore Olympus, Supergiant Games' Hades, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, GoodTimes' Hercules, Mythos, and classical texts like Hesiod's Theogony and Apollodorus' The Library. This work, however, remains a creative adaptation, with the author reimagining elements to fit the narrative.

While certain historical events from the Ancient Era to early CE are reinterpreted for storytelling, this is a fictional work and not intended as a historical account. Any resemblance to real-life people, events, or existing works is coincidental. Quotations from various sources appear to pay homage and set the tone, with all efforts made to respect original copyrights.

This story is primarily a work of the author, with editorial support, created as a cohesive narrative of mythological fiction for entertainment. It's not meant to replace traditional sources of mythology. While this series incorporates fanfiction-like themes, it remains an original creative work at its core.

Thank you for reading, and proceed at your discretion.

The Cast:

The Progenitor:

Chaos: The Progenitor Deity of formless, infinite, and undifferentiated chaos. Chaos is the source of all creation and existence.

The Primordials:

Gaia: The Primordial Deity of the Earth. She is a child of Chaos and represents the physical, living world.

Eros: Eros is the Primordial of love and desire, born from Chaos.

Tartarus: The Primordial of the deepest abyss. He is a child of Chaos.

Erebus: The Primordial of darkness and shadow. He is a child of Chaos and represents the primeval darkness before creation.

Nyx: The Primordial of Night. She is a shadowy and enigmatic deity, mother to various beings, including Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death). She is Daughter of Chaos.

Ouranos (Uranus): The Last Primordial, representing the sky or heavens. He is the child of Gaia. Deposed King of Olympus. He was the First Death in the land of Greece.

The Titans: The "Rightful Children" of Ouranos and Gaia.

Oceanus: Titan of the Ocean and all bodies of water.

Coeus: Titan of intelligence and the inquisitive mind.

Crius: Titan of constellations and heavenly bodies.

Hyperion: Titan of the sun, light, and heavenly wisdom.

Iapetus: Titan of mortal life, mortality, and human nature.

Cronos (Kronos/Cronus): Titan of time, harvest, and the ages.

Theia: Titaness of shining light and divine splendor.

Rhea: Titaness of fertility, motherhood, infidelity, betrayal, and generation.

Themis: Titaness of divine law, order, and custom.

Mnemosyne: Titaness of memory, remembrance, and the arts.

Phoebe: Titaness of prophecy, intellect, and the moon.

Tethys: Titaness of the sea, freshwater, and mother of rivers.

Other Characters:

Atlas: Son of Clymene and Iapetus. Lesser Titan of Might and Strength.

Brontes, Steropes, Arges (Cyclopes): The Cyclopes are one-eyed giants known for their craftsmanship. They are the children of Gaia and Ouranos, and represent various aspects of natural forces.

Cottus, Briareos, Gyges (Hecatoncheires): The Hecatoncheires are 3 monstrous giants with a hundred arms and fifty heads. They are the children of Gaia and Ouranos, and represent chaotic and destructive forces.

Clymene: Daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. Wife of Iapetus. Mother of Prometheus, Epimetheus, Atlas, and Menoetius. One of the Oceanids.

Demeter: Middle daughter of Cronos and Rhea. Adept at magic related to the weather.

Epimetheus: Son of Clymene and Iapetus. Twin to Prometheus. Lesser Titan of Hindsight.

Hades: Eldest son of Cronos and Rhea. Lived all his life in Cronos' stomach.

Hera: Youngest daughter of Cronos and Rhea. A magical prodigy under the tutelage of Rhea.

Hestia: Eldest daughter of Cronos and Rhea. The disinterested child.

Menoetius: Son of Clymene and Iapetus. Lesser Titan of Destruction and Rage.

Metis: An Oceanid, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. Lesser Titan of Wisdom.

Poseidon: Middle son of Cronos and Rhea. He has lived all his life in Cronos' stomach with Hades.

Prometheus: Son of Clymene and Iapetus. Twin to Epimetheus. Titan of Foresight.

The Sisters of Fate: Also known as the Moirai or Fates; these three powerful deities are in charge of the Tapestry of Fate. The Tapestry controls the destinies of gods and mortals alike. They are Clothos (the Spinner), Lachesis (the Measurer), and Atropos (the Cutter). They weave the threads of life, measure its span, and cut the threads to determine when it would end.

Zeus: Youngest son of Cronos and Rhea. Trained By Gaia since birth with the goal of defeating Cronos.

**********

Prologue: Rhea's Secret

"The best way of keeping a secret is to pretend there isn't one."

-- Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin (2000). Copyright © Margaret Atwood. Published by Nan A. Talese (an imprint of Doubleday).

On the planet Earth, there were many nations, but none were so famed as the land of ancient Greece. Within the confines of its borders were majestic beings and an extraordinary mountain known as Mount Olympus. On this mountain was the home of the Titans, and within the majestic halls of Olympus, Cronos, the ruling Olympian King, and Rhea, his queen, lived as husband and wife.

Despite the actions of Ouranos, which led to what some called the Curse of Ouranos, weighing on the throne, Cronos saw no imminent threat to his rule.

His Titan brethren continued to kneel before him, showering him with honor as their leader. After all, he was the very son who had deposed their despotically oppressive father.

When it came to the public nature of the Titan King and Queen, Rhea and Cronos shared moments of passion, their bond seemingly unbreakable. There were many nights of passionate lovemaking. Cronos always gave his wife his most loving efforts.

Rhea, however, longed for the day she could be rid of her husband. She knew Olympus deserved a far more worthy king than the Titan who sat upon its throne. To those ends, Rhea had given her youngest son to the care of Gaia.

While Cronos remained blind to the potential danger, since he was obsessed with keeping his throne, Rhea kept her gaze firmly set on the doom of the Titan King. The deepest recesses of her heart were where she held her most sacred truths, and it was within that consecrated portion of her sul, she knew that the Curse of Ouranos would not go unanswered.

Cronos would be deposed by his most worthy son, whether he acknowledged that verity or not. For that alone, Rhea understood in the marrow of her bones that this offspring would be her most cherished child, Zeus.

Cronos existed in his larger form, and because of this enlarged stature, he stood in a blistering tremendousness. While some might not consider him the most conventionally attractive being as he had a bald head, hard eyes, stubble on his chin, and hairy chest, he was one of the mightiest Titans to ever be born.

His power had grown so immense that he was lost in his exaltation of it. Because of his wayward focus, the Titan King was blissfully unaware of Rhea's machinations.

He ruled over the heavens with that very might. His Titan brethren, ever unquestioning his authority, bowed before him and ignored his actions. Only Cronos' daughters, Hestia, Demeter, and Hera were free from kneeling before their father as well as witnessing any atrocities he committed. While he held no romantic love for them as some divine fathers had for their daughters, Cronos adored his little girls.

He raised them to be faithful and loyal to him. This admiration might have been born from the knowledge that Cronos had been told long ago that only a son could overthrow him. Since Hestia, Demeter, and Hera were girls, they were no threat to him.

For their good behavior, he knew that a reward would be in order. Perhaps, one day, he might even allow them to marry an uncle or even a cousin of their choosing, so that they might go off and find a fulfilling happiness that had always eluded the youngest son of Ouranos and Gaia.

For all of these factors and more, many considered Cronos' rule to be a golden age.

Change bred change, but under Cronos' reign, it was harmonious. Soon, humans would be born. The titan sons of Iapetus were creators like Chaos in that they helped expand the Realm of Greece. They made animals for the land, sky, and sea.

These sons, called Prometheus and Epimetheus, had been hard at work on these lesser beings of mortals, who would exist to worship the Titans.

Almost all believed that Cronos' reign would be unending, but the Curse of Ouranos would come to call.

**********

Chapter 1: Zeus' Training

"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."

-- William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night (1602), Act 2, Scene 5. Copyright © public domain.

It had been fifty years since Zeus had been slipped away from Olympus by Rhea and brought to Gaia. His power had been developing since that day.

Gaia fostered him, teaching him very nearly since his arrival. That was not entirely true. She did not start the lessons until she felt he was old enough to understand. That had taken a tremendous amount of patience from the Earth Primordial. She had seen the power he had at his command; she knew without a doubt that he would be effective in the arts of violence.

Thankfully, it was the earthly bedrock who had been bequeathed its enduring forbearance from the Primordial Queen, so she was up to the task of waiting for his body to mature.

Though he was fifty years old, he appeared to be in the latter years of his adolescence, just before reaching his true adulthood. If Gaia had a firm grasp about how the divine beings matured (and she should since she spawned the twelve Titans), it was entirely plausible that her grandson would soon be coming into his physical and magical maturity in the coming decades.

She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard the boom of thunder.

A violent, pulsing thunderstorm was forming around Gaia's Island. Zeus lifted his hand and a lightning bolt flew as if to strike him. The energy pulsed down to him, but the crackling flash did not harm him. It came to him to show its reverence for his divine aura.

He captured the part of the storm that had come his way and threw that very same energy back at the sky. When that happened, the storm died before it could begin.

"Very good," Gaia said, clapping her hands.

While on her island, Gaia assumed a smaller form of an eight-foot-tall adult female made of greenery. She was still made up of the earth, trees, and rocks, but in her more compact form, even Zeus could see that the primordial earth goddess was breathtakingly beautiful.

It certainly did not hurt matters that Zeus' grandmother never wore clothes, so his young male mind could wander into more lascivious thoughts when she did not require his full attention. Like most divine beings, Gaia had the anatomy of her sex, which certainly hurt in the mind of Zeus. As one of the oldest divine beings, she was considered beautiful in every way, for what others considered appealing to the eye had been dictated by her very existence.

The distraction of his grandmother's body might have given the lighting prince an erection if Gaia had not taken the tone that warned Zeus that she was going to be giving him a lecture.

"Zeus," Gaia began as she had so many times before. "Where do you stand?"

"Upon your island, Mother Earth," Zeus replied respectfully.

Gaia began encircling her grandson.

"That is a vaguery, young Zeus," she said as a hint of a reprimand entered her voice. "What does that specifically mean?"

"This island, like most of the lands of Greece, is part of you," he answered quickly.

His voice adopted the timbre of an obedient student searching for their instructor's approval.

"And yet not apart of you," he went on. Uncertainty entered his voice before he found his confidence once more. "This island is your body itself. When you become one with this island, you take your truer form of a Primordial of one hundred feet tall."

"Better," Gaia said with a nod. She never stopped her slow pacing trudge. "And what of your power? Your lightning?"

"It comes from the spark of divinity, bestowed upon us by Chaos. Some sparks are greater than others. With training, any being can master magic and power to become greater than others who have larger sparks."

"And what if one has a greater spark and they battle one with a weaker spark?" Gaia inquired.

Zeus paused to make sure he answered the question correctly.

"If the one with a weaker spark cultivated their power, their connection to this world, they can overcome the one with the greater spark, especially if the one with the greater spark is lax in their study."

"Very good," Gaia praised with a nod and smile.

The Earth Primordial walked up to Zeus and kissed him softly on the cheek.

"Continue harnessing your power. I want you to be ready when your time comes to confront Cronos."

"Yes, Grandmother," Zeus said with a bow of his head.

While he did not outwardly react, there was a stirring in his stomach. From the thrill of battle to the fear of failure, he was impatient for the day the great work of battling his sire would come.

When Gaia disappeared, Zeus stood upright and returned to harnessing his power and began throwing his bolts of thunder and lightning at the sea and sky.

*********

Cronos stared out at his kingdoms. From Olympus to the seas to the plains and mountains and even to the Underworld itself, he ruled over all that he saw.

That did not mean he was above needing aid. The truth was he leaned on his brothers in a way his predecessor never would.

Crius and Hyperion were indispensable in the day to day functions of the land. Both helped guide Cronos' ruling hand over Olympus, so as to march into the future with the best results.

Why, even Oceanus had made the sea run itself. After negotiating a peace between Cronos' brother and the abomination of a 'Primordial' called Pontus, Cronos had never heard of a single issue with that portion of his domain.

Further still, the realm of Greece was filled with bison, cattle, horses, satyrs, fawns, naiad, dryads, and other nymphs.

Soon those humans will be made. Cronos was excited at that prospect of bipedal beings who were not divine. Having human mortals walking the earth to worship the Titans would be good for the world.

Cronos considered what that future would look like. This was merely a mental exercise though. For while he was the Titan of Time and could control the flow to the future (and even stop it in some cases), he could not peer into the future as the Sisters of Fate could.

Seeing his Titan Brothers, he wondered if Crius' hands would ever heal. Cronos also marveled at Hyperion; with each day, the Titan of Light looked all the more magnificent. Cronos did not fear for the usurpation of his throne from his brothers. As the Fates told him, Cronos' threat would come from a son, but Rhea had not born him a child since Zeus. With Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades within his belly, Cronos was unconcerned with the future.

In his heart, Cronos believed that he had mastered fate itself. Perhaps the Sisters' prophecy had been real, but it was sorely out of date when it came to him.

In moments like this, when Hyperion and Crius visited, Cronos' thoughts went to that of siblings and family. Those thoughts of tribal relations made him ponder the sons in his own stomach. How had his sons survived the realm of his belly?

**********

After many years trapped in the gut of Cronos, both Poseidon and Hades gave in to their frustrations.

The two brought themselves to blows against one another. While they could not know that their powers were dampened by their father's divine power weakening them, they still brought all of their efforts against one another.

The pulsating glow of divine energy from the godly sons illuminated the dim recesses of the belly, casting eerie shadows across the ancient walls.

Poseidon had a pair of striking blue eyes that shined like the sea. He stood proudly across from his gloomy brother. He had long black hair, a strong jawline, honed muscles, and he was covered in a fur pelt made from one of the deer that his father had eaten. Despite not having intimate knowledge of the world outside of his prison, he fashioned it like a skirt.

On the other side of the stomach stood Hades.

His eyes reflected the depths of darkness found in Cronos' belly and made his brother's hair look pale by comparison. His very demeanor exuded a solemn aura that would embody all of the power within death and darkness.

A gust of wind swirled around Poseidon and a chilling aura enveloped Hades in anticipation of what was to come.

Poseidon lunged forward, launching a torrent of water toward Hades. The water was taken from the acid of Cronos. In Poseidon's hand, the acid purified itself to become water and be a weapon for the god.

His liquidy armament surged with relentless force.

While Poseidon charged for the eldest son of Cronos, Hades calmly stood and waved a hand of dark energy. This barest of efforts pushed back the waters. The powerful clash of elements threw Poseidon back.

"How does that always work on you?" Hades asked with frustrated confusion.

The only thing he loathed more than losing was winning when he should have lost. Poseidon making it too easy removed so much of the enjoyment.

When Poseidon crashed against the flesh of their father, the elder sibling seemed annoyed that he would be getting up. Poseidon, however, did his best not to take his eyes off of his opponent.

"One day you're going to falter, Hades!" he exclaimed.

Though he shouted, the younger brother's smile never flinched at the circumstances.

The eldest son of Cronos shook his head. "I will not."

"It never hurts to try!" Poseidon laughed, jumping into the air with swirling tides of water at his side.

Hades rolled his eyes but let his brother attack with his dazzling display of divine power. Poseidon summoned massive water tendrils that might have skewered and stabbed Hades only to crash against shadowy barriers that Hades summoned.

Hades retaliated immediately. With a lifted hand, the eldest son of Cronos conjured shadowy make-shift spears that danced around Poseidon. They flew at Poseidon only to succeed at testing his agility and reflexes. Poseidon was laughing the entire time.

"These'll never touch me, Hades!" Poseidon challenged with glee.

"They are not supposed to," Hades remarked quietly.

"What? I can't hear you over this weak effort!" Poseidon declared excitedly.

Hades crossed his arms.

In moments such as these, he could not help but be both amazed and annoyed by his brother's incessant joy. Even Poseidon's dodging around the spears appeared to be a gleeful dance for the second son of Cronos Hades shook his head as he watched the exuberance.

To the elder son, they were as opposite as opposite could get.

For the first time, Hades moved from his position. With a single blow, Hades punched Poseidon into the wall as the spears followed their prey.

Poseidon's eyes opened, realizing just how much power Hades had at his disposal. Never before had Hades shown so much effort. The younger brother threw himself to the side, wondering why Hades was trying so hard on this day.

Running at Hades, Poseidon found himself trying to lock himself into close combat with Hades. If he succeeded, Hades could not use his powerful shadows to his advantage. Poseidon, with his mighty strength, managed to land a powerful blow, knocking Hades back.

The elder brother touched his jaw, feeling the divine blood being spilt by Poseidon for the first time. The pain and freed ichor caused a complicated sensation well up in this god. There was pride in his brother, excitement at the conflict, but most of all, there was an undeniable will to win, which caused Hades to smile.

Poseidon had a lifetime of interactions with Hades. When he saw the malicious tint on his brother's lips, Poseidon quickly understood the deadly danger before him. In that small opening, Poseidon threw water daggers at Hades. Hades utilized his ability to phase through shadows, evading further attacks with elusive grace.

The surrounding walls trembled with the force of their struggle.

Poseidon shook the very ground beneath their feet in an attempt to unsettle Hades, but the confined space limited the potency of this maneuver. Strangely enough, after all their time there, no one knew Poseidon better, so that meant Hades could see the power that Poseidon brought to bear and how.

Quickly, Hades manipulated the shadows around them. A drain on Poseidon's strength could be felt through the magical darkness.

Gasping and sweating Poseidon looked towards Hades. He could try and slice the shadows that were crippling him. Why should he not? Poseidon could see that Hades was getting tired, but the problem was that Poseidon was far more exhausted by the efforts of Hades than Hades was by Poseidon.

While playful, the second son of Cronos and Rhea could be honest about reality.

Poseidon raised his hand up. As a sign of surrender went, it was not very flashy, but Hades saw the concession. The shadows and dark powers disappeared, rescinding back into their master.

"You did well today, Poseidon," Hades said, pulling his brother up.

"Will we do it again tomorrow?" Poseidon wondered.

"Perhaps," Hades said.

**********

Gaia came to the heights of Mount Olympus. It had been a while since she last visited, but Gaia noticed how little things changed in the realm of Olympus after its creation from the initial coupling from Gaia and Ouranos.

Sitting for a calm midday meal with Rhea, Gaia presented nothing but smiles of formality for her daughter and current female ruler of Olympus. The mask of secrecy was a necessity against one such as Cronos.

"How are things on your island?" Rhea wondered.

She asked the question offhandedly in her casualness. Interest in the sun in the morning light would have been greater to her if she had been watching the dawn.

"Better," Gaia replied with a negligent indifference. "There are so few thunderstorms as of late."

"Oh?" Rhea asked.

A surprised interest entered her voice. Gaia gave her daughter a reproachful look for a moment as a sign of warning. Quickly, the Titan Queen regained the near apathetic composure created from the ambivalent circumstances of being pulled in two directions. She wanted to know more about what was going on, but she could not appear to be too curious or else Cronos or one of his many servants might turn on her.

"Then the clouds have learned to respect your divinity?"

"More that the power on my island is growing even greater," Gaia said, recalling how Zeus would siphon the energy of the thunderstorms to empower himself.

There was a glint of pride in her eyes from what she remembered.

"Would it be wise for me or Cronos to visit?" Rhea wondered, genuinely curious.

"I think Cronos could handle the storms on my island," Gaia lamented with integrity. "However, soon, he might not be capable of such a feat."

"I see," Rhea remarked in thought. "Well, remember that you need to be more aware of the growth."

"How so?" Gaia wondered.

"It takes more than power to rule Olympus. This power would need certain attitudes, healthy appetites," Rhea elaborated. "After all, one of my husband's flaws is that he did not know what to do after getting the throne. We will need this power to know what it is to rule, to know anything under the sky is his to have."

"Anything?" Gaia asked.

For all of her wisdom, the mother would be sure that clarity was used between herself and her daughter.

"Anything, Gaia. Cronos might be too cruel with me and his children, but far too timid in his rule. If these humans that Prometheus and his brother want to make come into reality, we will need someone to rule them."

Gaia nodded, conceding to her daughter's wisdom. "You do understand what you are asking me to do, Rhea, correct?" Gaia said.

Rhea nodded back. "There may come a day when I will need to do the same if this power desires it, but it is necessary for Olympus. Hyperion had told others of these other realms with powerfully warring gods. We will need to have our own champion that can ensure our borders are never crossed, as well as keep our realm in a position of strength."

"As well as replace Cronos' weakness in certain areas," Gaia remarked.

Recollections of a Primordial King washed through the Titan Queen's mind. Fragility of one generation did not exist in the previous, and it would be cut out of the next. The smile that painted across Rhea's face was filled with malice, selfish joy, and dark thoughts of what tomorrow might bring.

"I am so very glad that you see this my way."

**********

Chapter 2: Bonds in the Depths

"Once a wise man told me, 'Family don't end in blood.' But it doesn't start there, either... Family cares about you. Not what you can do for them. Family is there for the good, bad, all of it. They got your back, even when it hurts. That's family."

-- Dean Winchester (as portrayed by Jensen Ackles), Supernatural, Season 10, Episode 17: "Inside Man" (2015), written by Andrew Dabb and Robert Berens, copyright © Warner Bros. Television.

Back on the island of the Earth Primordial, Gaia summoned mountains of rock to attack Zeus.

Without concern or hesitation, Zeus ran forward to dodge the ones that came at him the quickest and threw bolts of power at the rest.

Even as he felt confident in his own might, the earth beneath him became mud and quicksand, trying to swallow him whole. Zeus, the Lightning-Bearer, would never allow himself to be defeated by such a simple distraction.

Thunder and lightning encompassed his body. Thus, the earth beneath him hardened, so as to not swallow up the younger combatant. Further still, this act separated the earth from their ruler and propelled him into the heavens.

Zeus saw Gaia on the ground. He stared blankly at his grandmother, wondering what she might be planning next. What he found was that she was smiling up at him in pride. That made no sense to the Prince of Olympus.

From her physical gestures to her approving face, the Earth Primordial seemed to be encouraging him to win. However, that made no sense. She always threw everything she had at him to push him to do better.

Regardless of her intentions, he did not need her permission. He was Zeus, Lord of the Sky. Victory was his to have as a right, and he would not be denied; not because his grandmother doted on him, but because he reached out and gripped it from existence to make it belong to him.

Gaia saw how long he was in the heavens and decided to act. Pillars of earth, roots, and trees formed from her island at her whim. She motioned with her hand for them to launch themselves towards the target that was slowly coming down. They complied with their creator and sprang forth at incredible velocities.

While still in the air, Zeus made the clouds fire weak bolts of lightning at his body until it finally coated his skin in a thin, but effective, layer of thunderous defense. He flew back towards her with increasing rapidity. The power over the shocking magic that surrounded him stopped the defenses of Gaia from inhibiting him.

They exploded on mere contact with his protective measures. As well they should; after all, the roots, stone, and metals from the earth were nothing to him.

Zeus should have landed with an exploding boom, but instead, using his skillful control and might, he landed gracefully before Gaia. She began to enclose herself in rock and tree. When she had, he shot forward and touched his grandmother on her stomach.

"I win," Zeus said, with a laugh.

"You do," Gaia said with a smile. "You have done very well."

Gaia kissed Zeus on the forehead. He blinked in confusion at the affection. While this had been a training exercise, the fondness was a token that he had not had expected at all.

His grandmother had taken no notice of her grandson's puzzlement. She went right on with her business.

"Come now, Zeus. We need to discuss the future."

**********

Within the belly of Cronos, Poseidon and Hades sat across from one another as they had so many times before.

"Thank you for taking it easy on me the other day," Poseidon said with a soft smile. He let out a small sniff of laughter. "You could have killed me."

"You are my only company," Hades said with blunt pragmatism. "I will not kill you."

Poseidon stared at Hades. Bewilderment crossed the younger brother's face.

"Thanks? I guess."

A mild pause sprouted between them. The elder brother of Hades fidgeted uncomfortably at the question form of the gratitude. For his sensibilities, while no one had formally given him the gift of manners or courtesy, he felt a reciprocation of kindness was necessary. As he had said, Poseidon was his only company.

"Thank you for not using the acid on me," Hades said.

When his face hit the light, Poseidon could properly see the blue-ish gray tinge to Hades' skin from being in Cronos' belly for so long. There were scars and unhealed gashes all along the elder brother's body from the acid and atmospheric dangers of Cronos. Poseidon was careful not to recoil, but it was clear that he worried and felt empathy for his brother's unsightly alteration.

"I would never do that to you. You're family," Poseidon said.

"That sentiment is sweet, but unnecessary."

Poseidon sighed at his brother's monotone. While he was certainly polite, Hades could grate on his younger brother; however, Poseidon understood the sensibility of Hades' notion that they were all they had in their prison.

"I guess that is better than when you kept repeating 'Blood and Darkness' when I got here."

"I have been here all my life," Hades pointed out.

This made Poseidon laugh inwardly. His brother, as well as his sentiments, may have rubbed Poseidon the wrong way at times, but there was genuine happiness to be had simply by reveling in their relation as brothers, and that should be known.

"So have I, but even I know that family matters."

For Hades, that idea was absolutely absurd. They did live in darkness, and they survived off of the blood and meat of the animals that had fallen within. As such, a single query was left on his lips.

"Why?"

"Why else would our father eat us? Because he fears family. And if he fears it, someone out there must love family."

"So what? Because father ate us, our mother will free us?"

"Or maybe a brother?"

Hades recoiled and rolled his eyes.

"No! Not this again!"

If he had heard the idea once, he had heard it a thousand times. Annoyance drenched the two sentences as all of his disciplined self-control had fled his body when he had heard his brother.

"Yes!" Poseidon exclaimed with excitement. "This again! I'm telling you! We must have a sibling out there!"

"Based on a rock?" Hades asked, both skeptical and nettled.

"A magic rock!" Poseidon said, picking up the stone that had fallen into their father's belly so long ago. He did not need to be as powerful as he was to see the lingering magic emanating from the stone. "Come on! Our mother could have enchanted it to look like a baby so he would swallow it."

"Maybe!" Hades retorted back in frustration.

Hades had a mind built for the moment when backed by references and logical examples of the past. Poseidon was all too willing to have an optimistic belief without such rationale. It was Hades' duty as the older and wiser brother to remind Poseidon of reality.

"But father being tricked by a rock seems unlikely," Hades said.

"Then why was there a blanket? And I think pieces of a baby bed."

"A crib," Hades said.

"How would you know that's the name?" Poseidon asked.

"I just do," Hades said, unsure of how he knew what a crib was. "Maybe insight is a power of us divine beings."

Slightly crestfallen, Poseidon looked at the bubbling stomach acid. He truly had hoped Hades had gotten on board with his theory about the stone. The reality of the opposite was hard for his mental wellbeing. He would persist, but everyday that went by was proof that he was wrong, and Hades was ultimately correct.

"Then you'll train some more tomorrow?" Poseidon asked.

Hades let out a long gruff sigh. For his part, he did not enjoy making Poseidon like him. It was his optimism that he loved in his sibling. However, when one believed in such cheery and positivity when life told them otherwise, they were asking to be deceived. Such an existence would never do for Hades.

"Yes. We will train tomorrow. I do not believe some phantom brother is coming to save us, but it will give us something to pass the time. If we ever get free, I think it would be useful to have some control over our divine power."

While Hades went off to rest on the largest body of land in Cronos, Poseidon cheered silently. The younger sibling lifted the rock overhead and waved it about in his joy.

"No celebrating!" Hades said, never turning his head back.

"Oh, come on! I didn't make any noise! Wait! You can't even see me!" Poseidon protested.

"You were still celebrating," Hades replied offhandedly.

"You're such a killjoy," Poseidon huffed.

"So, you keep saying."

**********

Gaia sat Zeus down. She had to be careful with what she said or did next. To know what needed doing was a skill honed over the millenia. Being born at the dawn of creation had most certainly helped her in sharpening this skill. A very strong part of her looked forward to what would occur next.

However, her actions would need to be taken with care. After all, if she initiated Zeus into this part of adulthood incorrectly, she would be making an oppressive tyrant far worse than either Ouranos and Cronos combined. On the other hand, if she walked this fine line well, she could crown a king that would rule for millennia.

Taking him to the central grove of her island seemed the best place for this momentous event in the future king's life.

"Being the King of Olympus is so much more than having the power to usurp the previous ruler. You must have the compassion and empathy to help others," Gaia informed. She looked over at Zeus, evaluating his level of attention span.

Zeus appeared captivated, taking all Gaia said into mind.

While she tried to scrutinize him to the best of her ability, her mind was elsewhere on what would occur.

"You must understand that you are entitled to anything, Zeus. You are entitled to everyone's time, their work, their effort, and their gifts," Gaia went on. "To be ruler is to guide and protect, and that must be earned by those beneath you."

She encircled him, so she could take him in completely. He was more flesh as his father was, but his bearing and command over the heavens was that of Ouranos. Surely, somehow, a small culminating atavism of lineage must have blossomed within him under Gaia's care. For that, she licked her lips at what surely was to come.

"It takes wisdom to allow those beneath you the freedom to live. You must know when to rule and exercise your power, but you also must know when it is time to show restraint.

"How will I know when to do which?" Zeus asked. The question might have been facetious to some, but Gaia knew that her grandson was being genuine.

"With wisdom and by paying attention," Gaia said slowly.

She approached the younger divinity with purpose. She was unsure how her advances would be received, but as his elder, she knew that she would need to do for Zeus what Ouranos did for Rhea.

Zeus looked at Gaia with confusion and desire. There in the latter of his emotions, Gaia saw what she needed for the task at hand.

"Grandmother," Zeus said, unsure.

"Shhhh," Gaia hushed as her hand touched his chest, pushing him back.

Lifting the part of his tunic, Gaia took Zeus' manhood in hand. Her eyes went from the member to his eyes. Already, he had gone from shocked and confused to lost in her motions. He let out a groan of pleasure that told Gaia that Ouranos' affair had nothing to do with Gaia's sexual prowess.

Throughout the years, she had wondered though. She felt Ouranos had been made for her, so his betrayal had hurt all the more. In that same thought, she had to recognize that Ouranos was made for her, but that did not mean she was made for him.

And so, she questioned over and over again why he had been unfaithful with Rhea. Had it been a lack of sexual desire from him? Was she uncultivated in the arts of love making? When one thought came in, it spread like branches on a tree.

Stroking up and down on his male appendage, she felt Zeus fall on his back and grip the ground with his immense strength in an effort to resist her technique.

"Don't fight it, sweetie," Gaia said slowly. "Enjoy it. Enjoy every second. It is your right to have this as king. Not all the time, but when you know I desire it as well."

"Yes, Mother Earth," Zeus replied through ragged breaths.

He rolled his head back as Gaia's hands were making short work out of his impressive size. He tensed all over under her manipulations.

Gaia watched in fascination as Zeus' cock grew with each motion of her hands. While this was a lesson in control and another way to bond him to her, the Earth Primordial found herself curiously enjoying this interaction. She wondered if his phallic member was bigger than her late husband.

"Fuck! By Chaos! Gaia! Stop! Stop!"

Gaia, having lain with Ouranos quite a few times, knew what the youth's begging meant, and before him, she did something she had never done for Ouranos.

Wrapping her lips around the tip of Zeus' penis, she began to kiss and stroke his member. She knew his emission of potent godly seed would be released soon, and she wanted it. Gaia wanted to make this future king unleash his pleasure into her, but only on her terms.

She could feel that he was close. He ran his hands through her ropey, vine-like hair.

"Gaia! Gaia!" Zeus cried.

With him at her mercy, Gaia sucked on his lubricated member. His outcry was mirrored by his satisfying crescendo. His geyser of semen were full and flooded Gaia's throat. Without thinking, Gaia swallowed every drop of Zeus' crowning pleasure.

Zeus' sperm was wonderful to taste. She held his member in her hand as it shrunk bit by bit in her mouth.

She tilted Zeus' head and kissed him just above his brow.

Zeus fell back, lost in the pleasures that Gaia had only recently given him. Never before had he expected her to give him so much. Like most of his sex in the past and the coming future, he enjoyed a female's beauty, especially one such as Gaia. Further, the desire to feel, touch, and have a woman burned in him as it did in most men.

To have that desire fulfilled only made him dream of it happening again.

"Will we...?" Zeus asked, trailing off.

Gaia nodded. "We will, but today was about making sure you understand the power someone like me can have with you. Today is a start."

**********

Chapter 3: Rhea's Guidance

"A mother did not indulge but loved unconditionally in the deepest possible of ways."

-- Maya Angelou during an interview with ABC News' Diane Sawyer, published on May 11, 2006; quoted in The Livewell Playground.

In the heights of Olympus, two divine women looked out upon the land of Greece.

One was taller and had golden flecks in her brown hair while the other had a darker shade of brown. Both shone with power above even the other titans and god; the older was Rhea in a gown of blue and gold while Hera wore a dress of white and silver.

Upon both of their heads were crowns. Hera's was smaller to denote her position as a princess while Rhea's gray-silver wreath headwear wrapped all the way around her head.

"This Realm will be yours to rule someday, Hera," Rhea remarked.

The two overlooked Olympus and all that was below it from the terrace of Rhea's palace. It was the one place where Cronos had given Rhea complete freedom, including the privilege of privacy.

Hera looked up to her mother, confused. She knew she was different; after all, her mother had separated her from Demeter and Hestia to tutor her in matters of manners and magic.

"But what of you? What of father?" the princess asked.

"Sometimes, not all things last, Hera," Rhea said distantly. She did not face her daughter at the moment. She looked out at the Realm. Her eyes went from the heavens to the earth below. "I want you prepared to be the Queen of Olympus should the time come that your father and I are removed."

"But who would remove you?" Hera asked with the innocence of a child.

Though she was a woman in many senses of the word, Hera had lived only a few centuries. Comparatively, this was barely a flicker compared to Rhea's millennia causing uncertainty in any actions Hera undertook. This contributed to her being dependent on her mother's wisdom for guidance.

"We have to be prepared if something happens, Hera. Planning for the possible will prepare you for the plausible."

"Yes, Mother," Hera said with a bowed head.

She did not say that she understood because she did not, and Hera was raised to deal in honesty. That did not stop her from being mystified (as well as mildly discouraged) at her mother's actions. The lack of comprehension also compounded her feelings. In the end, knowing her mother and how conversations with her went, she knew it was best to go along until she knew more

"I will be a good queen."

"No! Hera. You will be the good queen. You will rule Olympus. This is a throne and path I will be preparing for you, and no other."

Hera nodded her head before lowering it in deference to the Titan Queen.

"Yes, Mother."

**********

Zeus threw off his tunic before pinning Gaia to the ground.

"Yes, Zeus, like that," Gaia moaned, feeling his desire rubbing against the lips of her sex. She could feel herself moistening from the contact.

Feeling almost captured when he had her on her back, on her own island, she reveled in his aggressive desires. When his lips went to her breasts, she gave her embonpoint to him more fully than any before. Not even her former husband, Ouranos, had been handed such a privilege.

There was something about Zeus that reminded Gaia of her husband. While he was not a spitting image of Father Sky, Zeus had it in him to be a ruler with just as much distinction as Ouranos. Maybe that was why Gaia felt so easy to give herself to Zeus. The more she gave, the more Zeus was willing to take. It fed itself more and more. And even as she thought of that, she screamed out with another orgasm.

That was just another similarity to his grandfather. What Gaia and Ouranos had done on instinct, giving an example to their children and siblings, Zeus was improving on with that same instinct.

With Ouranos, Gaia recalled only climaxing once or twice from the entirety of their sexual unions. With Zeus, every touch led to a new, higher experience. There was no way his prowess could last; it was not sustainable. That would not stop Gaia from enjoying every moment of Zeus' wanton, hungry yearnings.

Gasping, Gaia wrapped her legs around Zeus when he pushed his impressive, pulsing shaft into her.

"Fucking Chaos!" Gaia called out. She dug her nails into the very ground.

"Do you like that?" Zeus asked, smirking.

Arrogance oozed from him while he was within Gaia's body. Possessing the Primordial Queen was a privilege that only one had known at this point in their history, and Zeus knew it.

"Yes! Yes, Zeus. Take me!"

Zeus grabbed her hips with the knowledge of the treasure he was taking. Slamming deep into her, the Lightning Prince lost himself to his uncontrolled devouring lust.

Gaia did not care that he was manipulating her form for his pleasure. It was the opposite. She relished his passionate efforts. For the first time in millennia, she was desired so greatly by a single individual that she could feel that palpably with every forceful thrust.

"Faster! Faster! Fuck me!" she cried out. While it might have been an order, Zeus' confident smile warned her that while she gave the order, only he could fulfill it, so she might as well be begging.

"I'm close!" Zeus warned.

He was panting like an animal. His impending orgasm had stripped away all decorum that might have been trained into him. All that mattered for him was the release.

"Where do you want it this time?"

Gaia was lost in her pleasures. While he was in her, she might as well have been on Olympus as wave after wave of pleasure overtook her. She knew by the time he released his long ropes of godly seed, she would orgasm again for him.

"In me!" Gaia pleaded.

As she lay on her back, her legs began to shake. The Primordial Queen was unable to keep them wrapped around the divine prince. Gaia could feel his amusement and joy in her want of him. When she was so close, Zeus withdrew from her.

"Zeus! No!" Gaia screamed.

Zeus' smirk became a full grin. His teeth were bared and flashing as he stroked himself to completion. For all of his administering of pleasing eroticisms, Gaia could not find the strength to even sit up and prevent this disobedience. In her vulnerability, Zeus shot his semen on her face and chest.

Despite being denied his sperm within her and even the pleasure of the orgasm, there was something arousing, about the demeaning way Zeus marked Gaia with his ejaculate.

Gaia smiled at Zeus seductively but said nothing. There would be time for words. Just then, she wanted to bathe in the light of the radiant god that had given her immense pleasure.

**********

Hades stared out at the belly of Cronos. The landscape was the same as it ever was. Change only occurred when their father consumed food. In this consistency, it was easy for the eldest son of the Titan King and Queen to lose himself to his thoughts.

Was it possible that Poseidon was right? Often, he mocked his brother's intellect. He was too high strung, full of himself, energetic, and happy for Hades' tastes.

The problem was that the more he thought on the manner of stone and the crib, he was starting to believe that Poseidon was right.

Was it possible that there was another sibling out there who Rhea had saved?

If so, could this unknown brother be their salvation?

Shaking his head, Hades knew better than to hope. Hope is what had killed his elder brother, Aether.

Hades could not tell Poseidon about their older half-brother through Rhea. The tale of Aether's wallowing and suffering was not something Poseidon could handle.

Cronos was the Titan of Time. His power over the flow of chronal events was absolute eleven if he did not realize it.

While a divine being in the outer world was not affected by his influence, within his belly, time was fluid. Sometimes it flowed fast, and other times, it was slow.

It was unfortunate that Aether had been consumed by the Titan King, for Aether had aged thousands of years by the time Hades fell into the realm of Cronos' belly.

The acceleration of time should not have harmed a descendent of Chaos. Under normal circumstances, this disruption might not have done anything to the son of Ouranos and Rhea. However, weakened by Cronos' divine powers, Aether had been denied his immortality.

Coupling that weakness with the thousands of years had made Aether an old man. Withering away was a kindness for the decay he had suffered.

Hades recalled how the elderly Aether had hoped. Aether had believed that his power with Hades would lead to escape.

In the end, that very idiotic notion had proven false.

Aether died an old man devoid of any chance of freedom. Before he went to the land of the dead though, Aether used his divine power on Cronos' stomach, weakening the power of the time manipulation, so that his brothers would not die as he had.

That was when Hades knew the truth. Within the prison of his father, he existed without light and without hope. There was only death and darkness in the belly of Cronos. When death did not come for Hades, he bled his golden ichor and suffered as the animals bled their red blood and died.

Before too long, all he could think was 'Blood and Darkness' because while Aether died, Hades' life within Cronos was suffering.

Whether there was another brother out in the world, that is all life would be for Hades... Suffering.

**********

Gaia continued to play with Zeus. She trained him, honing his powers by day. By night, she and Zeus shared passionate sex. It was not making love or intimate by any stretch of the imagination for either of them; it was relief to both.

The division in that feeling was that it provided easing for Gaia in recalling her unfaithful husband, and for Zeus, he could rest from all of the exercises his grandmother put him through.

"I am sorry about last night," Zeus said.

Though he had his casual smirk on his face, he was not disrespectful or playful. The apology was genuine by Gaia's estimation. For that alone, she would speak to him.

"What have I told you, Zeus?" Gaia reprimanded. "You are to be king. You must never apologize. All that you do will be necessary for the survival of Olympus, and for the divinities that follow."

Zeus lowered his head. A chiding was a chiding no matter what they reason was, so he listened to what she said as though it were of the greatest importance. With those words from her, he knew it was better to be contrite in manner rather than verbally apologize again and risk Gaia's ire for contradicting her.

"I have been meaning to ask, Grandmother Gaia. You told me before that I have siblings. Some trapped within Cronos and some on Olympus."

Gaia turned her head to better face Zeus. She had not expected such a comment.

"What of it?" Gaia wondered.

"Are they like me?" Zeus asked. "In size and so on?"

Gaia nodded, confusion evident on her face.

"We aren't Primordials like you and Ouranos or even Titans like my parents. I don't think I am lesser, but different."

Gaia considered what he said. "You are different. We are all divine, but the Titans are called as such for their size. Perhaps, you and your siblings are simply... gods."

Zeus laughed.

"Gods, huh? I like it."

Gaia turned serious for a moment. She knew that this was important for him to understand. The thought of reuniting with his siblings may bring her grandson joy just as being with Erebus, Tartarus, Nyx, and Eros had given Gaia happiness in her youth.

The days ahead were not about uniting family. There were greater goals and higher reaches for Zeus to grab. If he allowed his vision to be clouded by familial attachment, then everything they were working for could be lost.

"You do understand that the day is drawing near, do you not, Zeus?" Gaia queried. She never moved her eyes from critically observing him. "The day is coming where you will need to battle Cronos and free your brothers from his belly."

"Even if I do succeed in freeing my brothers, we might not be able to kill Cronos," the student said.

As he had trained with her, it was clear to Gaia that he had thought long and hard about the clash between himself and his father. To be young and full of vibrant expectations was his right as the leader of the next generation. For Gaia, her duty was to be steadfast and sensibly reasoned.

"What should I do then?"

Gaia paused to think. To give him an answer quickly would bring him joy, but it would be a disservice to him. She had never considered that possibility. Part of her expected for Zeus to throw all his might at his father and slay him in one blow. In doing so, Zeus should also be capable of freeing his brothers from Cronos' belly.

The quandary did not take her long to consider. Solutions were easy enough to find for Gaia if she only ignored all of the complicated details that got in the way.

"I have other children, trapped in Tartarus. The Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires made weapons for some of my children. If you free them, they might be willing to help you depose the Titans."

Zeus heard what she had to say and nodded.

"Thank you, Grandmother Gaia."

**********

The dead of night was when the Titan Queen felt safest.

She was able to just stare at Nyx's night sky as Selene hung as the moon. Looking up, Rhea knew the day was fast approaching. Cronos could never know that conflict would be there soon to wreak havoc upon all that he had built.

His stolen rule by slaying Ouranos was a perversion of what it meant to be a king. That would be changing soon. Rhea believed in her son; truthfully, she believed in all of her children. She had long since given up the belief that Aether was alive. There was an intangible, unquantifiable force in the framework of existence that whispered to her that her firstborn was dead.

That did not mean Hades and Poseidon were gone, and Rhea had trained each of her daughter's in the arts of magic. Hera was, of course, her best pupil in all forces of the arcane arts, but Demeter had a frigid temperament, and if Hyperion did not have his Great Flame of Olympus, Rhea was certain that Hestia could match his heat, blow for blow.

Beyond all of those facets, the Titan Queen worried for the son she had not seen since giving him up. There was no doubt that he would bring his might down upon her unworthy husband. An attack of that magnitude would not go unnoticed by the other Titans.

She wondered what the consequences of the upcoming attack would be. No doubt that there would be retribution.

The other Titans would likely band together as they had against Ouranos. The six of them together had been enough to take down the Primordial King. Could her son, even with all five of his siblings by his side, defeat Rhea's brothers?

The question might be rhetorical, she thought. As her mind worked on it, she knew not all of the sons of Gaia and Ouranos would unite behind Cronos. Many had seen the insanity of their king for many centuries. Surely, there were one or two who might switch sides or abstain from battling her children altogether.

Rhea felt it was her duty to ensure Zeus won. The problem was how. She could not leave Olympus. Other than preparing her daughters, she could not see where it presented an opportunity to help her offspring.

The best she could do was tabulate which of her siblings would side with Cronos and perhaps subtly moving the ones who were indifferent into helping Zeus.

She could not know if this would work, but for her own peace of mind, this course of action was enough to provide calm.

Regardless of the main Titans and Rhea's children, it was clear that many gods and titans would want to stay out of the coming affair. Gaia would have to be one of those individuals for the sake of appearance, but others might just turn their back because it might be seen as a family scuffle.

Her head shook at such a proposition. Hostilities would rise and a dangerous was coming; Rhea could feel that certainty within her very essence.

How it would all go? No one besides the Fates and Chaos could give such an answer. Lives would be lost just as Ouranos had been slain by Cronos. However, there was an irrevocable, unchangeable, inevitable truth that Rhea was all too aware of. What was to come could only end one way.

Staring at the empty throne, which Cronos had unrighteously claimed, Rhea knew Zeus would be the next King of Olympus.

**********

Chapter 4: Resonance of Thunder

"Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work."

-- Mark Twain, Mark Twain's Speeches (1910). Copyright © Public Domain. Originally published by Harper & Brothers Publishers.

Zeus readied himself to go to Olympus.

His mind was like a veiny web of lightning. While insight from a lived life was not yet his gift, he was still smart enough to know that he would soon have to battle his father.

Cronos was the Titan King, slayer of Ouranos, Ruler of Mount Olympus, and some believed him to be the most powerful Titan. Common sense told the youngest son of Cronos and Rhea that a head on confrontation would only lead to his defeat.

With that impending loss in mind, he thought about how best to confront his father. He could try enchanting his father with some potion, but he was not one for spellwork or witchcraft. His magic lay in combat, specifically in converting his power into lightning and commanding the clouds of the heavens. There was always the option of following his father when he was alone, but that would take time, and Zeus was not sure how much time he had, and given his father's ability to manipulate time, would Zeus' prolonged presence around Cronos make it easier for him to be found?

All of these questions and more swirled in his mind like a storming tempest that threatened to consume him until there was nothing left but the barest nerves of a being who was paralyzed by fear.

While Gaia would be more than capable of giving Zeus advice if asked, he could never go to her with this part of his struggle. She could not fight this battle for him, nor should she. There may be a day when she would be forced to stand in front of her children, and she would have to deny helping Zeus. If they did not know he was raised by her, she would only be asked if she assisted in the assault of Olympus.

No. She deserved to be able to honestly deny that charge.

Further, Zeus understood that if he failed with Gaia visibly helping him, the other Titans would turn on her. As such, the Lightning Lord would need to do this himself. Success or failure would come on his own merits.

Gaia, as the Primordial Queen who was older than her Titan children and most divinities, should only intervene if there was a moment where Zeus would be close to victory.

He had no discernable plan, but he knew he had to act sooner than later.

He started teleporting to look at Olympus in the distance.

In the absence of action, observation was the safest course ahead.

Titans came and went. Only Rhea and Cronos seemed to permanently reside on the grand mountain. All the others seemed to stay away. Was that perhaps because Cronos had lost himself to his madness?

If Zeus ever became king, he knew he would not lose himself to madness. There would be those that could counsel him. Giving into the most base of urges was no way for a ruler to be.

Zeus also believed that he would never lose his throne. No matter the cost, he would cultivate a kingdom where the others served him. They would not all serve him to empower him or even please him like Gaia, but they would know that all power, divine or otherwise, stemmed from him.

She had been right in that they would earn his protection, but more than that, he would earn their servitude. There had to be a balance between the necessity to hold power and the compassion to not lose one's mind.

As he watched, Zeus began to see the patterns of Cronos' habits in his day to day life. That was where Zeus' options would come in.

**********

The private rooms of Rhea, within the grand halls of Olympus, was where two Queens talked, knowing that Cronos was away. They did not know where he was or why, but this was a reprieve to speak, and they would make good use of this window of opportunity.

"How much longer will we wait?"

"These things take time," Gaia said slowly.

Rhea bristled at the comment. She had been the most patient in this arrangement. She had shared a bed with Cronos many times throughout their marriage. Who had watched him devour each of her children, starting with Aether? Was it not she who had suffered more than any on and below Olympus?

She inhaled and exhaled within a moment of her mother saying the words. Rather than losing her temper, she tried to focus on the productive ends of their shared mission. After all, if she shouted at her mother, Rhea would lose her most valuable ally.

"Very well," Rhea remarked, crossing a leg over another. "How does his training progress?"

"I think if he were to battle Cronos, I believe this new power would win, but his path ahead is going to be far more complicated than we realize."

Rhea shook her head with a knowing smile. She had no doubt that her son would prove worthy of the task of taking on Cronos. No matter how powerful her husband had been, it had required all of his brothers helping him to best their father, Ouranos, so she very much doubted that he was some master warrior all on his own.

"You know what I meant, Gaia. How has been his preparation as king?"

When Gaia did not immediately answer, Rhea observed some unique discoloration on Gaia's body. She motioned at the bruising.

"It looks like you have been having fun," she went on, knowing that training most likely did not require her son to bruise her mother.

Gaia blushed at her daughter's directness. She seemed to hesitate, which warned Rhea that she would not answer the inquiry.

"I have been. He is relentless," she said somewhat playfully. "If he does not stop, you might have some siblings."

That caught Rhea aback. In many way, for that small moment, Gaia came across like an adolescent girl rather than the Primordial Queen who had come before the Titan and Titanesses.

Further, both Gaia and Rhea understood since all of the Titans were related, they would prioritize the older deity's relationship to the child over the younger. Otherwise, they would be calling Zeus' offspring both Rhea's grandchildren as well as her siblings.

Rather than upset her, Rhea smiled at the remark.

Worse than that, her womanhood stirred at the idea. A twinge of jealousy almost overtook her, but the power of her son also had her curious as to what kind of lover he might prove to be. To Rhea, there was something arousing about her son taking her mother to bed as well as the prospect of him taking her.

He was the true prince of Olympus, and his ability to have what he wanted showed his strong virility. That was how it should be. After all, as the next King of Olympus, he had every right.

The truth of that would come when he struck Cronos down.

Fuck... Even thinking about it, Rhea wanted to slide her hands between her legs at the thought of letting Zeus take her.

There was a stirring in her she refused to name at first. The boy she had once wept for had grown into a force beyond his station and sex. No woman (whether mother or goddess) could fully ignore. And that, Rhea thought with a momentarily dread, was precisely the problem.

She knew she would not be having any more of Cronos' children because she refused to lay with him anymore, and Hera would bear Zeus' more legitimate children, but Rhea would have Zeus between her legs.

She would enjoy all of these relentless lusts that Gaia claimed Zeus possessed. Surely he would use it on many maidens, wives, and dames.

"What should we do if that happens?" Gaia asked.

"Zeus will most likely have a place for the children here," Rhea thought.

There was a pause. Rhea could see her mother was thinking, and when the Primordial Queen had a thought, there would be consequences for the entirety of Olympus.

"I do not think he should," Gaia said coldly.

Rhea looked confused. She was about to voice her concern, but her mother continued.

"We might need to plan if we need to supplant any king if they become corrupt. We have to plan ahead. I think that is what was the mistake with both Cronos and Ouranos."

"I can agree to that," Rhea said slowly.

Her mother had made a mistake when she had allowed Cronos to take the scythe in hand. There was no guarantee that Rhea would not be making a similar mistake by assisting Zeus through Gaia.

"Then, moving ahead, we might need some divine children that can safeguard against any king."

"Where would we hide them? The new power knows of your island, and let's face it, we can't hide them with Chaos or Tartarus."

Gaia considered the question. "I will ensure no one's seed plants until we find a place for any potential offspring."

"You realize for this to work; we would both need to lay with this power."

Gaia chuckled. "I suspect you would enjoy that part of things."

**********

Cronos lay on his throne, resting in the middle of the day.

Where others might have a multitude of thoughts running through their mind, his head had none. As his eyes grew heavy, he found ruling his kingdom boring.

All of Greece seemed to be in order. There was nothing for him to do but lounge.

Rhea was no longer interested in his advances. In a way, Cronos was glad for it. If they had no more children, then Cronos could beat the Fates' prophecy. By not having any more sons, he had bested the Moirai and their foolish prophecy.

With Hyperion's stories, and knowing he could not be defeated, Cronos wondered about expanding the borders of Olympus. With their might, the Titans could conquer more and more until they ruled over all divinities in every dominion.

Quickly, he retracted that thought. It was not pragmatic to try and expand as circumstances existed on Olympus. Crius would need to heal his hands if Cronos wanted his plan to advance as he wanted.

Regardless of practicality, the thought was a nice, comforting idea to the Titan King. As he closed his eyes, Cronos imagined more realms under the command of Olympus. So many gods under his heel.

**********

Iapetus sat down with two of his four sons: Atlas and Menoetius. They were on one of the many mountains in Cronos' lands of Greece.

While Prometheus and Epimetheus were busy working on creating more beasts to fill the land, Atlas and Menoetius seemed aimless.

"Children," Iapetus began. "I want to discuss with you our purposes in this realm. I know sometimes it feels like you are without purpose unlike your brothers who seem to flourish no matter where they are."

Iapetus was a forty-foot-tall giant of a deity. He could make himself closer to eight feet tall, which was about the average height of his four sons. For this discussion, he knew it was best to be in his more impressive form.

His sons were smaller. Atlas was the largest at ten feet. While they could use their divine powers to make themselves grow, the children often felt less than their father because of his natural immensity.

"But we aren't like them, Father," Menoetius remarked, slightly offended.

He was the son whose temper could always get him into trouble. When Iapetus' sons were infants, he was the child that picked a fight with the others. He could defeat Atlas by himself and the twins by himself, but if all three teamed up against Menoetius, he lost. He often cried when that happened, but he redoubled his efforts the next time to no avail. He was a being that would bang his head against a tree until the tree fell.

"You are not meant to be. They create and preserve," Iapetus pointed out. "But Atlas is strong and can protect others. You, Menoetius, can be aggressive and destructive. Those qualities can be admirable in a way. Much like how my brothers and I used violence to ward off the danger of my father, you might prevent those that might try to harm this family."

"But who will we ward off?" Atlas wondered.

"There are other lands, Atlas," Iapetus countered. "Furthermore, we cannot pretend that Cronos' rule will last forever."

He paused to bend down and pick up a boulder. He smoothed the stone before throwing it up and catching it on its way down. The action was meant to keep his sons' attention while he went on.

"What if he is supplanted by an unworthy king? What if he has a son or daughter that would mean to do harm to the Titans or your brothers' creation?" Iapetus asked seriously.

He looked from one to the other. Prometheus was the thinker in the family. While Epimetheus was often forgetful, he was very good at using past examples to understand what his father was saying. When it came to these two, the Titan would need to make sure they understood explicitly.

"We will need warriors, protectors," he said. He reached out with his empty hand's fingers and touched his sons. "Those are roles for the both of you. Never forget you serve this family, and we serve each other."

"Yes, Father," Menoetius and Atlas said, lowering their heads in deference to Iapetus.

**********

Oceanus was not one to cause problems. He was very much a go with the flow kind of Titan. When he saw a tower of lightning come and go from Gaia's Island, however, he was aware that something was afoot.

That left him with choices. He could argue with his mother... That was never going to happen. He could tell Cronos, which was almost as unlikely given how insane Cronos had become since discovering that he might be supplanted. Or... Oceanus could look the other way.

Swimming back to the small, ever growing island that was his home with Tethys, Oceanus decided that whatever wave was about to crash against the mountain of Olympus was for Cronos to deal with.

After all, he had many children and grandchildren to look after. As the undisputed ruler of the oceans, he was shirking his duties to enjoy his domain.

**********

The heavens glowed with its empyrean light. A phosphorescent veil was cast over the majestic peaks of Mount Olympus. The towering mountain range reached up toward the sky as one hand reached for another. Its peaks were kissed by the wisps of clouds that seemed to dance in reverence to this creation of Mother Earth and Father Sky.

Zeus ascended the slopes slowly but intently. His presence seemed to stir the very air around him; thankfully, he did not seem to be bothering any living beings. Otherwise, everything he was doing could prove to be pointless.

He had gone off to do this without Gaia's express permission. Then again, somewhere deep down inside of Zeus, he felt that this was a task he could not seek sanction for. This was a choice he would have to make under his own power.

There was a sensation he felt on his feet as he walked hallowed ground. Power emanated from each rock and stone he walked over. An intangible sensation seed to whisper of evolving reconditioning towards the status quo of the divine. Surreality at the experience finally coming to pass overtook the Lightning Prince. He had spent almost all of his life on the island with Gaia in preparation for this moment, and finally, at long last, the instant was very nearly at hand.

His newfound freedom in this decision was liberating. That did not stop the unearthly power from emitting from Olympus in a manner that was disorienting to his senses. It was as though an expulsion of a Primordial essence from a time gone by that was attacking his very aura.

When he finally reached the summit of the godly city, he could see the sky was vast and vibrant, but the capital of Cronos was devoid of people. While there were many palaces, only one was truly alit with life.

The mountain city seemed devoid of the splendor Zeus had expected to find in the divine realm. There were twelve living Titans and who knew how many lesser titans that lived? Why were none of them there?

Gaia had not mentioned this fact to him. Did she not know? That could not be true. She visited his mother regularly, so she had to be aware of it. Why keep that from him? Maybe she had been planning on telling him before sending him off, and in his impatience, he had denied himself pertinent knowledge.

Monuments to Cronos stood as silent sentinels. Something about the statues was off. They were artfully crafted, but they were skewed. Images of Zeus' aunts and uncles looked enraged or battle-ready. There were a few to a submissive, broken divinity that looked strangely like Zeus. Was this the madness that had shaped both the realm and the fate of his kin?

Zeus stared intently at everything he saw. There were murals on the sides of palaces that depicted the marriage of Cronos and Rhea as well as images of Cronos' castration of Ouranos.

The statues paying homage to the Titans made them look evil. Zeus shivered at their countenance. Would he have to battle all of them to wrest control of Mount Olympus and the cosmos from his father?

Zeus was not on Olympus to dwell on the past, so he turned his head away from the gaudy visages. The weight of his purpose was bearing down upon him more and more. The smallest part of him that wanted to turn back could not afford to do so. He would not return to Gaia in shame and failure.

He was on Olympus. That meant he would confront his father and achieve victory; no other alternatives existed. He strode toward the one lit palace with a hardened resolve.

Each step brought him closer to where Cronos would surely be, but even more than that, he could feel his commitment to his violent triumph strengthening.

Even if Cronos was not in his palace, Zeus would find him. Regardless of his intention to slay his father, Zeus knew that there was a chance that his brothers were still alive in Cronos' belly.

Zeus was harnessing a storm in his hands for the purpose of freeing them.

To start, he had to inhale deeply. There was a focus required in commanding the heavens. He tasted the crisp air tinged with sparking electricity. The distant murmur of the waterfalls and the echoes of nature's harmony surrounded him in a backdrop to his momentous journey.

These new sensations were empowering his lightning. Though, the Lightning Prince did not know how.

Zeus' heart quickened the closer he got to Cronos' palace. What might he find? Was he the better being? Was he powerful enough to strike hard enough to claim victory? Surely, he was! His grandmother had trained him since birth.

If he was wrong, everything the son of Rhea and Cronos was trying to do would lead to ruinous disaster.

But he could not stop now. He could almost hear the voices of his imagined brother. The sound was one of yearning for freedom. Further still, he felt an echoing in his mind of battle and of victory.

These thoughts might have been real or mere figments of his mind. That did not prevent them from pushing his feet forward until he was nearly within the confines of the Titan King's palace.

No longer could there be worry or doubt. He had to go forward without fear. The crackle of lightning in his hands was the last sign of his readiness. He opened the door to the palace ready to change the destiny of Greece.

**********

Hades felt a hand slap his side, waking him from his sleep.

He barely moved and refused to open his eyes. That did not prevent him from being harrowing even in his status between sleep and waking.

"Poseidon..." Hades remarked with the edge of a threat. "Why are you touching me?"

"No... Hades! Get up!" Poseidon exclaimed in excitement. "I think it's happening."

Hades groaned. "Not this again." Hades slowly picked himself up, to see what had Poseidon so excited. "This is when Cronos naps. I want to take this time to take my own nap."

That was when Hades felt it. The ground beneath Cronos was shaking. Because of this, Hades understood that this meant the inside of Cronos shook.

Poseidon looked giddy as a bright light shone through. He bent down and picked up his magic stone.

For the first time since being trapped in the belly of his Titan father, Hades smiled. The sight of freedom was finally at hand. Nothing could take that from him.

**********

Sitting upon his throne, Cronos rested peacefully. His success had won him this sense of apathy and despondency. Nothing mattered outside what he wanted by the moment.

Much to Zeus' surprise, the palace was barren of most decorations. There were pillars and cloth but otherwise, sparsity was the theme.

Zeus sauntered forward. From his observations from afar, Zeus had seen that Cronos went to his throne room to rest, away from the others.

In truth, Cronos could have been thinking, or harnessing his power, but Zeus wagered that his father had given in to his successes and feared nothing. That made him much more harmless than the prince had initially feared.

When he walked closer, Zeus saw that Cronos was asleep upon the throne. The monumental Titan was lounging in the chair with his bald head slumped in slumber.

The lightning in Zeus' hands called to be released. Channeling the power, the crackle started to thunder. Cronos stirred in his chair all too late. Zeus released his strike of thunder and lightning.

This was a crucial moment for the young god. Which mattered more: The small chance to kill his father or the small chance to free his brothers?

The Titan opened his eyes as the bolts flew. He could not stop or slow the flow of time enough because he needed more seconds to gather his power forth. Instead, he was able to move, shielding himself from a potentially lethal blow. In the end, that might have been one of Cronos' greatest mistakes, for the blow was not meant to strike his head or his heart.

The white-hot electrical power shot forth from the prince's hands like a lance made of the cosmos itself. His stomach was torn open and what came free changed the course of Olympus' history.

**********

They fell before a sky god, shocked.

Though they were not quick to right themselves, Hades was the first to stand. The natural air seemed to burn his very skin. Hades screamed at the pain, but even in his torture, he saw the source of his great suffering.

Poseidon just enjoyed the breeze. The light wind was everything to him. It was joy itself to be let loose upon the world. When he turned, he finally saw Cronos upon his throne. The Titan King was clutching his wounds, and Poseidon looked to Hades and this stranger.

"Greetings," the young white-haired god said. "I am Zeus, your brother."

"I fucking knew it!" Poseidon said, excited.

He almost turned to Hades as if to say, 'I told you so', but he was restrained by his discipline, and the fact that the elder brother spoke.

"Can we deal with Father before we celebrate?" Hades asked, heated.

Poseidon and Hades turned to face Cronos.

Slowly, before their eyes, Cronos' wound started to become undone. All of the damage done to the Titan King was rewinding. The wound did not stitch itself or heal, but rather, the effects of the damage were negated as if it had never been done at all.

With the power of Greece flowing through their veins and power of divinity being fully granted, Hades unleashed a torrent of darkness itself at Cronos. Poseidon summoned a tidal wave of water. In unison, Zeus released a lightning bolt almost as powerful as the one before.

Cronos fell backwards. Before he landed on his throne, Cronos fired his own bolt of energy. Only it was not at the brothers. The bolt went into the air and a shower of sparking energy pulsed through the air.

Though the three brothers wanted to push their advantage, Zeus halted them.

"That signal was probably for our uncles," he said cautiously. "They will be here soon. We need to run!"

Hades, in immense pain and fueled by a fiery revenge, hesitated before giving into his brother's orders. Poseidon only paused for a moment, grabbing the magical stone.

Together, the three ran past their father, running off the side of Olympus' Mountain top. When they were halfway down the mountain, Zeus grabbed his brothers in one arm each and summoned the lightning to teleport them away.

**********

Chapter 5: Weapons of Power

"We're here because we're not free. There's no escaping reason, no denying purpose - because as we both know, without purpose, we would not exist. It is purpose that created us, connects us, pulls us, guides us, drives us. It is purpose that defines. Purpose that binds us."

-- Agent Smith (as portrayed by Hugo Weaving), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), written, screenplay, and directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, copyright © Warner Bros.

On the heights of Olympus, the three daughters of Cronos and Rhea looked out of their window to see three handsome young gods jumping and running down the side of Olympus without help from others.

Hera slapped Demeter and Hestia to motion at the brothers. "Do you see?"

"Were those our brothers?" Hestia wondered.

She seemed entirely unimpressed by their efforts. Crossing her arms, there was a critical analysis from her.

"So it seems. The one in the middle seems handsome, don't you think, Hera?" Demeter asked.

Hera's eyes fell upon another of the three. Her eyes looked him up and down and wonder why he had a blue tinge to his skin.

"I don't know 'Meter. I think the scarred one is really cute."

"Careful," Hestia mused with a laugh. "You don't want to impede Mother's plans for you as queen."

Hera paused, never thinking of that. She looked at the blue-ish gray deity running down the side of the mountain. He turned his head, looking directly at Hera.

There, right then, between them, time seemed to slow. It was almost as if he could see through her very soul, and she could not stop herself from blushing.

Hera looked back, seeing a sad, damaged man. There was some indefinable quality about him that she very much liked. She wished, for the smallest moment, that she did not need to marry the next King of Olympus.

**********

Crius was the first to arrive in Olympus. That was to be expected. After the Titans' conflict with their Primordial father, Ouranos, the Titan of Constellations had been crippled by his father. His hands had irrevocably been crushed. The damage was so extensive that it went from his forearms all the way to his fingertips.

For this depraved action, taken by his father, Crius had been one of the more prolific brothers along with Cronos and Hyperion. When they had begun their battle against their father, it might have been accepted that Crius would be the next ruler of Olympus, but the moment that his father had taken his mighty hands from him, Crius was no longer relevant to that particular conversation. Without his impressive strength to back him up, he felt unworthy.

After that day, Cronos had led the family. However, not once had the youngest brother of the Titans been cruel or unfair to Crius. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The Titan King had given Crius honor and encouraged Crius to work with Coeus in helping make up the night sky. Crius was the usual go between Hyperion and Cronos as well as Oceanus and Cronos but for different reasons.

Hyperion was one to go traveling often. The Light Titan went off to other lands and made friends and pacts and traded small things like pottery and trinkets with the local divinities. Because he was always coming and going, Crius would meet with him after Hyperion had his alone time with Theia.

Oceanus had the opposite problem. He was a recluse when compared to the rest of the Titans. However, rather that going out into the other Realms, his issue was that Oceanus never seemed to leave the sea. This problem became so great that he would battle with Pontus.

Pontus was a 'supposed' Primordial, which was ludicrous because one of Ouranos' titles was 'The Last Primordial', and yet, after the Titans' mother weeped for Ouranos, her tears had helped created a sentience in the sea. That was Pontus. Regardless if he was a Primordial or not, he was certainly powerful. He had taken on Oceanus and his nearly three thousand or so children and grandchildren.

With Eurybia, Crius had fathered three children in Astraios, Pallas, and Perses. That was certainly enough for him. Pallus alone made him feel inferior in his standing as his son was. There were metals far less sturdy than his son. How Oceanus kept track of his family, Crius would never understand.

All of those factors, as well as a few private ones, made Crius all the more loyal to Cronos. He had understood the need to supplant their father. Furthermore, having seen the value of loyalty to one's own with Hyperion always returning to Greece and Oceanus always standing by his offspring, Crius never strayed too far from Cronos.

So when the call came, he answered.

He ran towards Cronos in the throne room of the Titan King's palace. The blow to his brother had left wounds all along Cronos' body, centering from his torso. Slowly, the youngest Titan brother rolled over and exposed the depth of the damage. His stomach had been ripped open by a powerful blow of energy.

The residual signs of magic and power lingered enough for Crius to observe. That was not all he witnessed. Crius could see the slightly-weak breathing of Cronos. It was uncomfortable seeing his king of a brother being so vulnerable and yet alive.

There were times that Crius thought that being King of Olympus meant that one needed to be invincible. That Cronos was not did not make Crius think any less of him. Instead, it made him empathize all the more.

A boom was heard behind the injured Titan, and he knew that Hyperion had arrived.

"Where were you?" Crius angrily asked. "Where in Tartarus were you, Hyperion?"

He made a motion to Cronos, and from the reddish gold ichor, it was clear what had happened was undeniably devastating.

"Ruling my domain!" Hyperion shouted back defensively even as he ran to Cronos' side.

A glow emanated from Cronos' eyes causing the other brothers to step back. Slowly, ever so slowly, with painful deliberation, the wounds weakened, coming undone. Cronos stood before his brothers in his burgundy skirt and bare, hairy chest as his belly started to close all on its own.

Hyperion and Crius stared in awe at the power of their brother. He was proving once again why he was king and why he was called Cronos the Titan of Time.

He held up a hand, so that his brothers did not speak. He allowed his power to rectify the injustice that was his wounds before he decided to talk.

"It is good that you are both here," Cronos said. He motioned his head towards them. "Hyperion, Crius. You are the most loyal."

"What happened?"

"It would seem the Fates' prophecy about my children is finally coming to pass."

Both looked aghast.

"Do not worry," went on the King of Olympus. "After we wipe out these vermin sons of mine, I will find a way to reward you for this loyalty. You arrived first when you king called in his hour of need."

The Titan of Constellations blinked in confusion. He was not sure what Cronos was insinuating, but it felt very much like the day when they had gone to battle with the Primordial King.

"What shall we do now, Brother?" Crius asked.

"We will wait on our other brothers, Crius," Cronos sniffed. He stood at his full height and began to shrink down to about eight feet tall. "Then, we shall plan for the conflict that is to come!"

**********

The three landed in Tartarus. The deep confines of the Underworld did not often witness living gods meant for Olympus in its Realm. This day was different from most others that had come before and certainly unlike those that would come after.

The domain stretched before Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades as an abyss of darkness and cries that seemed to stretch on forever. The air was heavy with an eerie stillness made by its deathly separation from the higher lands of Greece. One might have heard distant murmurs of shadowy figures aimlessly through the abyss if not for the arrival of the great grandsons of the Chaos.

In the deeper reaches, Ouranos walked in the land of the dead without any thought about where he was going or even of his grandsons had come to this place. He was a spectral being of a bygone era, wandering with vacant eyes. He could not even acknowledge his surroundings' existence, much less the existence of the incoming sons of Cronos.

As the three young gods stepped forward, the ground beneath their feet seemed to shift. Was it a subtle acknowledgment of their presence? They certainly were superior to the spectral deities who walked the lands.

Zeus surveyed the haunting landscape for a moment. He was trying to think of what Gaia had told him of the Underworld. Her education was thorough, but the simple truth was that he was not the brightest pupil at times.

Poseidon and his glinting sea-green eyes looked from one brother to another with determination. He clenched the rock that he believed to be made of magic from their mother close to his chest. He had been right all along, and this day, even in the dank and dreary world of the Underworld, was his reward.

Hades, for his part, used his dark countenance to mask an air of solemnity and even regret. Poseidon had been right all those years, but he had blown his brother off. Poseidon was his only friend in all of existence, and it would have cost Hades little to believe in him. Despite these feelings, the eldest brother found a measure of comfort in this bleak realm where he would not need to fight or have any conflict in existence.

Though, he paused and looked down at his hand. He saw his scars were leaking golden ichor. Had all of his time in the belly of Cronos made it so he was incompatible with the outside world?

He did not have long to think as Zeus began to speak.

"Brothers," Zeus began, his voice resonating with authority. He outstretched both arms excitedly. "Welcome to Tartarus."

"Not to ruin your moment, but why are we here?" Poseidon asked. "I thought we would kill our father and be free of his rule."

"Yeah..." Zeus said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I am guessing you both had a lot of time to think about that in Father's belly?"

"We did," Hades replied with a nod.

He stepped forward, so the three of them created a nearly equal triangle. If he had been more observant, he would have noticed that he had brought himself slightly closer to Zeus than he had to his brother Poseidon.

"Poseidon might be immature, but he is correct in his query. Why are we here, Zeus?"

The question, from its tone to Hades' gruff voice, caught Zeus aback. He had thought they would simply be grateful and lend their power to him and his cause in the path ahead. All too quickly, he was learning that no matter what plan he had come up with, qualities change when thoughts become reality.

"Gaia, our grandmother," Zeus answered nervously, "told me of potential allies that might be here."

"Who?" Hades wondered, skeptical.

"The Cyclopes and the Hecatoncheires," Zeus said confidently. He started looking left to right. "They are mighty beings that can forge nearly anything, but I think they could make us the weapons we need,"

Hades raised his brow in concern. While he did not know much about Olympus to the Underworld because of his imprisonment, that did not stop him from being curious. Further still, he did not like how Zeus seemed to know exactly what he was talking about one moment and then was unsure in the next.

"Is not Tartarus dangerous?" Hades asked.

Zeus nodded. He stepped away from the other two to look around.

"It can be, but we will not be here long."

"And who is that?" Poseidon asked, motioning to the tall Primordial trudging through the Underworld.

Zeus' gaze settled on the spectral being. He compared him to one of the statues on Olympus and used the knowledge that Gaia had told Zeus about Cronos and his ascension into power.

"Ouranos," he said offhandedly. He went back to his search soon enough.

Hades looked up to see his grandfather. His gaze did not linger on the larger-than-life being. Instead, he looked for his half-brother. Cronos had eaten Aether. Where had his brother been? Surely, he had died, and therefore, his essence should have been part of the Underworld.

And yet, he was not present. Had he been taken somewhere else? Was it possible that he was gone for good?

Poseidon stared at Hades curiously. Hades' reaction to the answer made Poseidon aware of the fact that Hades was keeping secrets from him.

Hades ignored Poseidon in place of looking for his elder brother.

When nothing came of this exchange, Zeus made a waving motion for his brothers to follow and then told them to help him in his search.

Together, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades journeyed through the depths of Tartarus. They could not know how long they were in the lower Realm of the Dead. They could say that they could feel the cold depth touching their skin, and the freezing loneliness was starting to worm its way into them until it found a home in their bones. The sensations might have gotten worse and worse.

Feelings such as those might have continued for each if not for the fact that they came across gargantuan beings who were chained to the walls of the Underworld: The Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires.

What two of them did not know was that these were their uncles. They did not understand the love that Gaia had held for these creatures that had been deemed 'unsightly' and 'ugly'. For such petty justification, they had been discarded by the Primordial King.

"Cyclopes? Hecatoncheires?" Zeus called out.

Though he had done his best to not sound unsure, the syllables came out that way..

One of the one-eyed Cyclopes moved against the wall where they were bound and fought the very chain that bound them.

"Little being?" he asked. He looked around, trying to identify Zeus. When he found him, he went on. "What do you want?"

"I am called Zeus, son of Cronos and Rhea!"

While the Lightning Prince had hoped by revealing his parentage would ingratiate him to these behemoths, he found that one he spoke to barely stirred. The others seemed to just sleep and ignore him, which was not a sensation he was used to.

"What does that have to do with us, little Zeus?" The Cyclops went on. "We have nothing to do with our siblings or their children since our father trapped us."

"I know, great being! We have come to free you," Hades said.

Though Hades tried to sound sure of himself, he was shaky at best. His wounds from a lifetime within Cronos were taking a toll on him, and he had not been given lessons in history and combat like his youngest brother.

"You barely seem to be able to help yourself," a Hecatoncheires responded.

Though he seemed to wake up, he did not open his eyes or budge even an inch. The other four did not move at all.

"Tell us how we might help you, so we can all be free of this place, then," Hades growled in response.

"What would you have of us?" the Cyclops asked. "Our father trapped us, and your father used our tools to slay our father but left us here to wallow and suffer."

"We seek your help in deposing our father from power, but we give you our word that we have no intention of trapping you in Tartarus once again."

"What does your word mean to us?" the Cyclops asked.

"It is our bond!" Poseidon added. "Zeus swore to free us from our father's captivity for us, and he freed us. We mean the same for you!"

In truth, Poseidon did not know if Zeus made such a vow, but he knew that Zeus had followed through on a perilous journey to free them. Additionally, Zeus could always contradict him since he was right there. Why would he not free the enormous creatures before them?

"All we need from you is to provide us with weapons and swear not to help our parents in the coming conflict."

"Brontes?" the Hecatoncheires asked the Cyclops.

"It is agreeable, Briares," the Cyclops said back.

"Help us, little godling," Briares said to Zeus.

Brontes could barely lift the chain, but he did in the end. When he did, he motioned where the chain was hooked on. "We made it so that the chain can't be harmed by whomever is wrapped up in it."

The three brothers could see the near unbreakable nature of the hook. As one, they channeled their power through Zeus. The divine power at their disposal was so powerful that the other Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires started to stir.

Their blast might have destroyed the hook if it were made of a weaker substance. Instead, the hook came undone and fell. Hades and Poseidon picked the fallen adamantine chain and wrapped it over their shoulder, believing it could be useful in their future.

The Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires slowly started to walk forward. Their movement shook their very heavens. Everyone who was alive within Tartarus looked around at the ground and ceiling rocking. The freed beings looked from the tiny gods to the world around them, fearful of what was to come next.

Seeing and sensing the changes within the Underworld, Zeus shouted, "Everyone, to me!"

The Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires touched the back of Zeus with their enormous fingers. Poseidon and Hades grabbed their brother's arm. With a bolt of lightning, they were gone from the Underworld.

**********

The three brothers had been joined by Iapetus and Crius. Cronos stayed in his throne while Crius stood on his right and Hyperion on the left. The joining two stood in the area where strangers might seek an audience past the steps at the foot of the throne.

If someone had been there to capture this moment, it would have made for a beautiful mural to put on one of the palaces. That was not to pass though.

They fully intended to wait on Oceanus when suddenly the shaking heavens.

However, the five present started to feel the ground beneath them shaking.

"Brother?" Hyperion asked Cronos.

"I don't know!" Cronos exclaimed, scared and unsure. He looked left to right and down to up, searching for an answer. "The heavens. They're falling!"

In the middle of this catastrophe, no one was focusing on one another or at the entrance in the hopes that Oceanus would appear anymore. Hyperion had to grab Coeus and Crius to prevent them from falling over. Iapetus caught himself, but he was looking to Cronos as if somehow this event were his fault.

Cronos summoned most of his Titanic power. Bringing it inward, he unleashed a wave of chronal magic. It flew the borders of Chaos' plane of Greece.

The heavens lost much of their great momentum and were slowly falling. The attempt to crush the earth below continued but at a reduced rate. It was as if their father's power had come down to have revenge on Gaia's realm.

None of that mattered to Cronos. All he could think was that if the sky crushed the earth, there would be nothing for him to rule. Further still, he refused to allow his dominion to be destroyed while under his care. He would not be the failure that his father believed him to be.

"Coeus, fix this! Quickly!" Cronos ordered, trusting the situation to his most intelligent brother. He had extended his arms in both directions, slowing time around the sky. He could not slow the descent of the fall forever.

Coeus looked at Hyperion, Crius, and Iapetus. His mind was not like his siblings. It was the most intellectual mind of his generation. Some might even go to say that his brilliance was unmatched by any in Chaos' creation.

The future generations of god and titan alike would compare themselves to this brilliant son of Gaia and Ouranos.

However, the simple truth was that, for him, his brilliance was not as complex as others made it out to be. For Coeus, if there was a problem, the solution did not rely on getting lost in the minutiae of the quandary, the answer lied in knowing what the solution was and what was required of him to provide in aiding the solution.

For example, in this situation, the sky was falling. That was bad; truly an outcome that would do Olympus no good as it would end all life on and under Olympus. What was required to prevent such a situation? The sky needed to not crush the earth, so for him... someone or something would need to be given to prevent the cataclysmic outcome.

Coeus grabbed three of his brothers and teleported them all to the highest mountain in the land.

He was thinking as quickly as he could.

If the entirety of the cosmos was falling to crush Greece, then a barrier would have to be made to protect the earth and all who lived on it.

That was the simplest, most brilliant solution. Others would praise him for it because it was so simple that they would think: how did they never think of it. The truth was that they could. The problem with most people was that they thought they were above simple solutions. They needed some complexity to their designs.

Cronos, for example, could have simply ruled each facet by knowing what was going on in Hyperion's lands in the east or Iapetus' lands to the south. But he would rather have a lieutenant in Crius to act as a buffer. That was an unneeded complication.

He motioned for Hyperion to summon four pillars of molten magma by pointing down and holding up his left hand outstretched. Hyperion understood and obeyed Coeus. In a crucial moment such as this, it would do no good.

"Now, all of you!" Coeus ordered. "Give the pillars some of your strength."

They did not hesitate. The drain would be immediate for those three Titans, but their stamina would recover. They imbued the four pillars with holding up the sky. To a smaller degree, even Coeus gave some of his might to the project, but he needed to hold much in reserve to bring the Titans back to Olympus, and if his solution did not work, he would need his power at his command to give another ander.

The three brothers fell to the ground, heaving as Coeus teleported them all back to Olympus.

They looked to Cronos and told him to release the heavens. When the shaking faltered, there was a new stability.

"Well done, you three," Cronos said through heaving breaths. As he was still gasping for air, Cronos added, "Do you all see now? My sons mean to bring down all of us Titans, not just me."

All of the brothers present nodded in agreement. They would need to bring all of their power to bear against Cronos' rebellious offspring.

**********

When they were finally free, Zeus had taken them to a cave on a mountain called Orthys. Brontes, Steropes, and Arges were the three Cyclopes. Briares, Cottus, and Gyges were the three Hecatoncheires. They were all the sons of Gaia and Ouranos, and so to the sons of Cronos, the gargantuan beings were held in a position of reverence.

"Where are we?" Brontes asked.

"Mount Orthys. This almost became the home of the Titans. But when they saw Olympus was the highest mountain in the land, made from a coupling of Ouranos and Gaia, Ouranos made his throne on Olympus. Our father," Zeus explained, motioning to Poseidon and Hades, "Cronos, also took up residence on Olympus."

"And they all discarded this mountain as a home?" Briares asked.

Zeus nodded. "And why look in your own backyard?"

"Oh! I like him," Cottus said, motioning to Zeus.

"That leaves us to ask, can you help us?" Hades asked.

"We can. Making weapons for you will take time," Brontes said, speaking for his brethren.

"What will you need of us?" Poseidon asked.

"Time, for a start," Gyges said.

"And materials," added Arges. "The chain is good, but I have a feeling you might need an adamantine chain that can bind a divinity."

The sons of Cronos nodded.

"Retrieve for us copper, iron, gold, and tin," Steropes ordered.

The brothers disappeared, going out and retrieving what was needed for the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires.

The creatures looked to one another.

"Can they be trusted?" Cottus wondered.

A short silence fell between them. Being trapped in a land that had no light in the heavens, separated from their mother and siblings, left to rot when they had assisted Cronos in his ascension by making him his scythe, they were wary of any that might claim to want to assist them.

Their imprisonment was unjust. Their abandonment was a betrayal. Where captivity did not break them, liberty enraged them.

"We can trust they will overthrow Cronos, who left us to wither after we helped him," Steropes said through angry, gritted teeth. "That might be enough."

"But we cannot give them the full chain," Brontes said. "We should never allow ourselves to be chained up again."

The sons of Ouranos and Gaia began working on a new forge. This new forge would be used to dismantle most of their chain and mold the metal into weapons for these new deities.

**********

It had taken him time to see it. He practically scoffed at that notion. The irony that he, the Titan of Time, needed to be patient and allow time to march forward in order for him to have perspective enough to recognize the problems was not lost on him.

Thankfully though, Cronos did become aware of the pattern of these most recent events. Things started to line up in a way that they just had not before.

He marched to Rhea's room. Within, he saw her talking to Hera. The Princess of Olympus was being doted on and having her hair brushed and styled by her Titan Queen of a mother.

Cronos stood in the doorway. While he was rightfully enraged, he knew that his wife was the favored parent by his daughters. It only made sense. He cared for them, but she was involved in their lives.

He almost laughed once more. Was it that sort of favoritism that had led Ouranos taking Rhea? It had to start somewhere. Favoritism surely was where it had begun.

Being able to walk through the halls of Olympus was useful to Cronos. He no longer needed to be an eighty-foot-tall Titan because his sons had been released.

As such, he made himself closer to eight feet in height to walk the grounds of the heavenly mountainous city. Rather than weaken him, this only condensed his mighty power, so in some ways Cronos was made more powerful. His power was becoming more concentrated.

He almost pitied his wife and his wayward sons for what he must do next.

Upon finishing her work, Rhea looked from her daughter to her husband. While he was certain that she was aware of his presence at all times (Rhea's magic and observational skills were second to none), she only allowed their eyes to lock at that moment.

"Go spend time with your sisters," Rhea said to her daughter. She patted her cheek affectionately.

Though Hera was more than fifty years old, she still appeared a young woman. She, like most of her generation, seemed to shine with a greater light of divinity as opposed to the mundane creatures in the mortal realm or even the Cyclopes or Hecatoncheires. Though, most on Olympus had not seen those creatures.

"Yes, Husband?" Rhea asked, putting away brushes that she had been using to do her daughter's hair. "What do you want?"

There was the confirmation he truly needed. The disdain of his wife was spread throughout every word that she had decided to grace him with. Her hatred was in one hand, and a stranger was in the other; Cronos had enough to act.

"I know it was you who helped our sons," Cronos said with menace. His eyes darkened when she turned to face him.

Rhea looked at her dresser for another moment. The sound of her foot tapping seemed to echo between them. The Titan King almost wondered if she had not heard him. However, she tapped the shut drawer before speaking.

"Okay... I'll play along," Rhea said, facing her husband entirely. She sat in her seat and locked eyes with Cronos. "How? How did I help our sons when you ate the last two on the same day they were born?"

Cronos was taken aback by her annoyance and exhaustion. For the briefest of moments, all of his most rational of thoughts seemed to have flown away at the confrontation that Rhea was wielding.

"The fact that you don't seem surprised proves you had something to do with this," he said with less force than before.

"Or I am a tired mother, Cronos. You stole my children from me. I spend my days raising the girls that you have allowed me to keep. You took the last child after I put the baby in their cradle! How? Tell me how I did anything wrong!"

Cronos stared at her rage and had no answer. While he was certain that the stranger must be his youngest son, he did not perfectly recall the day. She had given birth while he spoke with Hyperion, and she had appeared to be exhausted from her labor pains... and there had been a baby in that cradle so far as he could see in his giant form.

"All of my time is accounted for. If I am not here, I am with Gaia. If I'm not with Gaia, I'm with our daughters. I have no time for scheming and plots. I don't care about you anymore, Cronos. I don't care about your throne. If you let a son slip through your fingers, and he destroys you, you brought that upon yourself. If you destroy your sons, so be it. I don't care!"

The exclamation was punctuated by the fact that tears were rolling down her face. To the Titan King, they seemed genuine. A slap across his face might have struck him with less force.

In the past, Cronos recalled an argument like this would lead to passionate sex. However, as Rhea finished speaking, she walked past her husband. The apathy that she claimed she had was written all over her face and walk.

He went to stop her, to try and start something fun for himself. She did not even let his hand touch her arm. Rhea walked away from her husband down the halls of the palace, her feelings for her husband all gone.

**********

It had taken time as Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades did not live lives that were centered around finding ore for giants, but they came back with the metals for the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires.

The six eldest children of Ouranos and Gaia began to get to work. They started on three powerful objects for the sons of Cronos. As the metal began to take shape, they looked to Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon.

Brontes motioned for the brothers to approach. "Imbue these weapons with your power."

Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus extended their hands. Power flowed from them, into the weapons differently. Shadow and darkness came from Hades. A blue hue flowed from Poseidon. Lightning shot from Zeus.

While these initial blasts were exhausting, the results were second to none.

The first of the great weapons were freed by Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires. A helm was handed from the Hecatoncheires to Hades. A trident of blue and silver was gifted to Poseidon by the Cyclopes. In the middle, bestowed by Brontes the Cyclops and Briares the Hecatoncheires was a powerful, physical lightning bolt.

"Each weapon is wholly yours," Arges the Cyclops explained. "The trident shall give you command of the oceans, Poseidon as you seem to use water as your ally. The Helm of Darkness will make you invisible, Hades. The lightning bolt can replenish your strength when you have used up your power, Zeus, and it can help you channel lightning even when you are weak."

"With these, we shall overthrow our father?"

"Perhaps, but I think these weapons are only the start," Gyges the Hecatoncheires said. "We shall make you more weapons, but you will need allies. Go forth and seek them out. If Cronos is the foe, he will surely have enemies that might come to help you."

**********

Chapter 6: A Prelude to War

"War, huh, yeah

What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing, uhh

War, huh, yeah"

-- Edwin Starr, War, from the album War & Peace, (1970), written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, © 1970 Motown Records.

Poseidon stared out at the vast expanse of the water. After Zeus explained the family tree, he knew there was only one being he could seek out. As such, Poseidon threw himself into the ocean with abandon.

With the trident in hand, he released a laugh so long and loud that Poseidon feared that Cronos on Olympus could hear him. He could not help himself. It was so easy. Holding the trident was the most natural thing to him as though the metal was an extension of himself and always had been.

Beyond that, it had taken his affinity for water and bolstered it in a way that he could never have imagined. The second son of Cronos and Rhea understood intuitively that the waves were his to command. His power felt enhanced somehow. He knew where every drop was, what it would do, where it would go. The liquid could not displease him even if it wanted to.

That water told him where he would need to go, and sure enough, as he swam faster than any being alive, Poseidon came upon the home of a Titan.

On the westernmost shores of Greece was where the land met the boundless extent of the sea, and upon that very land stood Oceanus' magnificent palace. This abode was a marvel that rose above the waves like a shining beacon. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm golden hue upon the waters as Poseidon approached the awe-inspiring edifice that melded seamlessly with both the land and sea.

For one who had been trapped within the belly of Cronos, the palace's grandeur was unlike anything Poseidon could ever have expected. The manifestation to the power and majesty of Oceanus made Poseidon flinch and second guess his decision to approach the edifice.

The structure's architecture was a blend of arcane elegance and natural beauty. Towers crowned with spires rose from the earth with the very ends touching the heavens themselves as if to represent the relationship that the ocean was the child of the earth and sky. The walls were embellished with intricate carvings depicting playful dolphins, swirling currents, and schools of exotic fish that seemed to swim across the very stone.

Poseidon slowly made his way toward the palace. The empty courtyard at the front of the construct filled Poseidon with worry even as he was surrounded by colonnades adorned with seashells and mother-of-pearl. The courtyard had floral arrangements of exotic aquatic plants bloomed in vibrant hues. They had a fragrance unique that seemed to carry on the ocean breeze to Poseidon's senses.

Poseidon's eyes were inevitably drawn to the palace's main hall of the imposing structure. Its entrance was guarded by statues of mythic sea creatures. While he was certain that the stone was not alive, their eyes were alight with gleaming power. The doors were carved from the finest ground seashells and adorned with precious gems.

How could one have compacted that much of any substance until it looked like wood? He was new to the open lands of Greece, so every discovery was a marvel to Poseidon, and he relished in it.

As Poseidon entered the palace, he was struck in the face by a sense of awe. The interior was no less magnificent than the exterior. Massive windows framed panoramic views of the surrounding ocean, rivers, and the setting sun. The walls and ceilings wide and tall while also having an enormous amounts of room for anyone within its confines. Further, the innersides borders were adorned with intricate mosaics that seemed to shift and change with the play of light, so as he walked, Poseidon saw different events of the sea in a fluctuating kaleidoscopic dance of waves and currents.

At the heart of the main hall stood two thrones of masterful craftsmanship. Luxury was not a strong enough word for what he saw. Carved from the rarest coral and adorned with a combination of pearls and gemstones, the room radiated a serenely regal aura.

There were two Titans sitting on the thrones. The Titaness was the definition of beauty and grace while the Titan was enormous and unknowably powerful just like the sea itself.

"Well, well, well," Oceanus, the Titan of the Sea, said. "If it is not Cronos' little crotch spawn. How are you enjoying the outside world?"

Poseidon stared up in confusion at the Titan of the Sea. Whatever he had expected from his uncle, this was not it. All his life in the belly of his father, Poseidon had loved the water, and when he had discovered there was a huge body of the fluid, he had grown excited by who ruled its domain.

"You're Oceanus?" he asked, completely let down by the reality of the person.

"I am," the Titan replied blithely. "And I assume you're one of Cronos' sons that might end up deposing him."

Despite the disinterest from the Titan of the Sea, Poseidon grew more confused, and it showed on his face.

"You don't know?" Tethys, the wife of Oceanus, asked. She looked at Oceanus and then back at Poseidon. Incredulity was painted all over her features.

Poseidon smiled at Tethys but shook his head.

Oceanus contemplated what was said before shrugging. It was clear that whatever he thought, he barely thought of his brother, let alone the offspring of the Titan King.

"Cronos was told that he would be deposed by his son, much like our father, Ouranos, was deposed by Cronos," Oceanus explained.

The notion had caught Poseidon off guard. Zeus had not told him that. Was his brother withholding that information or did Zeus not know?

"Then, do you mean to stop us?" Poseidon asked, gripping his trident fiercely.

Oceanus opened his hand. A torrent of seawater flowed into the room. It rushed towards Poseidon. Poseidon only had to raise his weapon, and the water swirled around him rather than harming him. The water acquiesced to Poseidon's will over Oceanus.

"I do not believe I could even if I wanted to," Oceanus remarked, pointing at the swirling water. "Beyond even that, I don't agree with Cronos, little godling. Cronos devouring you and your siblings was wrong. I celebrate your freedom, but I don't want another fight. I saw the damage between Ouranos and a few of us. If you all battle Cronos and his allies, you will destroy this amazing world."

"We are not looking to destroy this world," Poseidon said quickly with raised hands. "We only want to live without the fear of being devoured by our father."

"A fair hope," Tethys said, nodding. "Existence where children are not consumed by their parents is not unreasonable. Surely, we can help in this endeavor somehow even if we do not fight."

Oceanus heard his wife and nodded in agreement. He paused to think. Poseidon could see that the contemplation was complicated, but not how serious the contemplation was.

"Metis," he called out.

He waited a few moments. As the Titan of the Sea, he was accustomed to others coming when he called.

Sure enough, a female divinity of fair skin and blonde hair, wearing a golden helm and dress of flowing silver, entered the room. She was lean, almost well muscled, but she was not dainty in any regard. Her eyes were a striking silver-blue that could pierce through the armor of anyone and get to their heart.

"This is Metis. She is our wisest daughter," Oceanus explained. "From what I have gathered, she has been secretly meeting with Gaia, giving her counsel, so when my mother advised your brother, Zeus, he would be acting less rashly."

Oceanus let out a small burst of laughter, recalling events in his own foolhardy life.

Poseidon was shocked by this other revelation. He might have voiced his surprise and confusion, but he felt it might do him no good. More than that, he worried to look foolish in front of such an important individual and his wife.

Metis looked at her father in her own bafflement.

"Did you not think I, as the Titan of the Ocean, did not know?" Oceanus said with a laugh. "While I and my wife have not helped Zeus or Gaia, we have never stood in their way."

"And I believe that times are changing," Metis said with a kind, soothing voice. "We will need a new king, and while you gods might have the power to destroy Cronos, we cannot have conflict that consumes the realm of Greece."

"Thank you, for your generosity, Oceanus and Tethys," Poseidon said with a bow. Turning to Metis, Poseidon inclined his head to her, as a sign of respect. "Will you accompany me back to my brothers?"

"I will," Metis said.

**********

In the shadows of Oceanus' palace, servants, nymphs, and children of the Ocean Titan all looked on. For their own individual reasons, each wanted to see the first of the newer generations of the ruling divinity on Olympus.

However, a single daughter looked out for a longer period of time than her counterparts. Her eyes lingered on Poseidon with his trident in hand. She wondered if he was sweet and kind as well as powerful.

Would he be bringing devastation upon Chaos' creation of Greece or simply a change in regime? Anything from those two options to anything in between was a possibility. That sort of reform was scary to have on her mind.

She would not be allowed to think about it for much longer as her father would call out to everyone of the Oceanids in earshot, which was a lot given the fact that he could make his voice booming.

"Come out now, children. Our guest has gone. You should return to your daily duties."

"Yes, Father," they all proclaimed. However, the girl called Amphitrite continued looking at the god of the seas riding away on the ocean's water.

**********

The summit of Mount Olympus had an eerie silence. After the heavens nearly fell, the tension of the godly city hung heavy in the air. The once-majestic palace bore the scars of a battle between father and sons in the throne room.

There were only two individuals in the space.

Unlike his counterparts, Iapetus was far more observant and was one to pick at problems. Coeus was certainly far more intelligent than him, but this was where their forms of understanding of reality differed.

As such, Iapetus had decided to stay when his Titan brethren left to prepare for battles with Cronos' offspring.

A blend of determination for the truth and concern for Olympus and his family was churning through his mind. Facts he knew were not aligning with what Cronos was telling him. The more he put those two pieces together, the more his mind extrapolated and came up with suppositions that would bridge the gap between the two opposites.

He leaned against a pillar in the throne room. While he was not being loud, he was very aware that his kingly brother could see him.

Cronos looked toward his brother after he realized that they were alone. His gaze was vacant, but held an all-encompassing stare.

"Iapetus."

Cronos' voice was laced with an unsettling undercurrent. That did not bode well for the father of the creator twins.

"Why are you still here?" Cronos asked. He paused for a moment as irritation seeped into his words. "It is bad enough that Oceanus did not appear. Now, you're not moving hastily enough to protect Olympus."

"You know Oceanus," Iapetus remarked nonchalantly. "He rarely leaves his palace after the fall of Ouranos."

"Do not offer excuses for our brother's shit behavior," Cronos countered.

Iapetus bristled at Cronos' foul language. The father of Atlas felt that as divine beings, they had outgrown profanity after Ouranos fell. The Titan had to let his personal distaste go so as to better focus on his plea.

"Brother, I implore you to alter your course," Iapetus said, his voice resonating with a mixture of conviction and urgency. "We stand on the precipice of a greater carnage than what we wrought against Ouranos. This conflict could shatter the very fabric of our existence."

Cronos' laughter, cold and hollow, cut through the silence.

"And? Brother, Fate bends to my will! We will prevail over this tantrum from my children, and when we are done, I will destroy them and cast their spirits into Tartarus with our father where they belong!"

Iapetus took a step forward. All the while, his eyes locked onto Cronos. The Titan King was resolved in his course, which only cultivated a sense of sad caution in the father of Menoetius. Reason had been the remedy to any madness that Cronos showed, but if he would not hear sensible sanity from a trusted ally, then he was allowing himself to fall into a condemnation worse than Ouranos.

"Cronos, you were once a beacon of strength for us," Iapetus said honestly. "When our father had fallen into depravity and crossed the line by taking Rhea and imprisoning our older siblings, we stood with you against him and his injustices."

Iapetus faltered, shaking his head. So many emotions were building up in him, yet he wanted to make sure to communicate effectively. The might of Cronos was a dangerous aspect to this conversation; Iapetus needed to not enrage his brother. He would still find a way to speak truth even in those trying moments even with those difficulties.

"The path you tread now is destructive," Iapetus went on. He stood up straight and faced the Titan King. "I ask you to consider sparing your sons. Those boys--"

"Those upstarts, you mean?" Cronos exclaimed. His voice dripped with disdain. "They attacked me! They are challenging the legacy we've built! These are the consequences of their defiance!"

"Have you thought about why they attacked you?" Iapetus challenged. "Was it not you who was devouring them?"

"As you can see, I had good reasons to do that!"

Iapetus exhaled. With rising tempers, he knew he would not win. He measured his own breathing to make sure that he was calm enough to affect his surroundings.

"I beg you to reconsider, my brother" Iapetus implored. While he was calm, he raised his voice as he continued. "Their potential is immense, and they still carry your bloodline. If we could defeat father, there is nothing stopping them from doing the same to you. We must find another path forward. That means we need to have peace with your sons."

When he fully understood what his brother said, Cronos' gaze turned piercing. His eyes fixed on Iapetus with a powerful mix of derision and scorn.

"Peace?" Cronos shouted back. "They attacked me! We don't create peace with disobedient children! We are the Titans. We are the rulers of this realm! We don't bend. They bend! Our right to reign goes unchallenged."

Upon hearing the words, Iapetus could sense, in his heart, that there was no path forward for Cronos without violence. Peace was only possible if his sons were made to suffer for the temerity of striking at him.

"This path will not ensure our legacy," Iapetus countered. His voice wavered, not in fear but in realization of how much like their father Cronos had become. "Without wisdom to temper strength, without unity to strengthen the single pillar that is Olympus, our very legacy crumbles."

Cronos' laughter echoed through the chamber once more, the sound grating against the air. "Words... You offer words and intangible thoughts in a world where power reigns supreme. I deal with what is real, not your romantic notions, Iapetus."

Iapetus took a step back, his shoulders sagging with a heavy realization. "All things end, King Cronos. You are allowing fear to cloud your judgment... "

"And you allow your idealism to cloud yours!" Cronos roared.

Iapetus shook his head. "If you cannot see what we must do to be better than Ouranos, I shall not stand in your way, but I will not support you."

With a solemn nod, Iapetus turned to leave the throne room. The weight of his decision setted upon his heart, and he mourned the loss of who his brother was. He hoped that should he return to his sons, he might convince them to stay out of the inevitable conflict.

Cronos stood. "Iapetus!"

The father of Atlas and Prometheus turned. The last thing he saw was the flash of Cronos' scythe swinging. When his head flew from his head, Iapetus' body crumpled to the floor.

"I am sorry, Iapetus. I cannot risk you helping my sons, or causing dissent among our brothers. Oceanus being indifferent is one thing, but there can be no neutrality in the battles to come."

Cronos stared out at the mortal realm. He would rule the realm of Greece forever, and when the time came, he would expand to the world.

**********

Hades arrived back in the realm of Tartarus. He did not pay attention to the specter of his grandfather. No. He had come for allies, so he focused any of the living beings in the Underworld.

There were palaces and crevices that he noticed (while his brothers ignored them) when he and his brothers came to free the children of Gaia and Ouranos. He had known nothing but pain and emptiness inside of Cronos. This had given him a unique perspective that allowed him to pay attention to details that others might miss.

Pain had given him a clarity that his fun loving brother Poseidon could never appreciate and that Zeus would likely ignore in his training to be a warrior.

In the end, and for his curiosity, he delved deeper into Tartarus. He hoped that these other portions of the Underworld that Zeus and Poseidon had ignored might bear him fruit.

When the voice of a matron called out: "Who goes there?", he felt vindicated.

"Mother Night? Is that you?" Hades asked with the utmost respect.

He had known of the Primordial of Night. She had stayed in the Underworld while Eros went missing and the Primordial rulers had taken Olympus.

"It is. I am Nyx, Mother Darkness, Mistress of Tartarus, the Queen of this Underworld," Nyx said, coming out of the darkness.

She was as beautiful as a calm dark night. Her skin was light just as the full moon, which had been made by Selene. She had a necklace of dazzling stars upon her neck that culminated in a drop of pure black obsidian. Her hair was long, straight, and black. While she had no crown on her head, Hades knew that her claim of royalty was nevertheless true.

"Excuse me, ma'am? Of this Underworld?"

While he was glad to find her, he was finding himself shocked by that information. Further still, she was captivating, so the young god was taken aback by her physical form and countenance.

Nyx folded her hands over her stomach in response to Hades.

"Things here are still in a time of change," she said softly. "After you and your brothers freed the Cyclopes and their Hecatoncheires brethren, the sky nearly crushed the lands of Greece, which surely would have destroyed the Underworld from removing beings who have helped hold up the Underworld to the Grecian mortal Realm. These actions create change."

Hades stared at the beautiful queen, taking in her explanation.

"Soon, this realm will be connected, but separate from the realms of Olympus and those mortal animals of Prometheus and Epimetheus. In the future, such fears will not affect us."

"But not yet?" Hades wondered.

Nyx stared at Hades as if seeing him for the first time. She tilted her head to analyze the handsome young god. She saw the scars and rips and tears on his flesh of blue from a lifetime in Cronos' belly.

"No not yet, young son of Cronos."

"Then, what happens in the realm of Olympus and the land of Greece will harm the Underworld." When Nyx nodded, Hades continued. "It is in that spirit that I have come for your help. You are a primordial power. You are darkness itself. While within Cronos, I know he feared your power."

"Did he now?" Nyx wondered.

She genuinely seemed curious in the asking of the question.

Hades nodded.

"And as the task of usurping our father will surely harm your dominion," he went on, "I come on behalf of Zeus, hoping you will help in the battle ahead."

"No. That is not true," she said, raising a hand. "You have come here in hopes that I will defeat Cronos for you."

Hades could see something in her eyes that he had seen on his own before when looking in the reflection of Cronos' stomach acid. He had known when Poseidon was boasting and when he was being honest. Perhaps, Nyx believed his truth was not whole.

With that in mind, Hades shook his head.

"Cronos will fall to myself or my brothers!" he shouted. When he realized he had raised his voice, he calmed himself. "However, he will be protected, Lady Night. I seek your aid because I know you have power."

Nyx looked at Hades more closely. His words seemed to have some tangible effect on her.

"Perhaps, child, I will help you, but you will allow me time to think. Do not return to the Underworld again, asking for my aid."

Hades bowed his head and turned from the Queen of the Underworld. He returned to the mortal realm. Nyx turned from the disappearing Hades. She looked at a small tree that had grown from the magic of Gaia and Ouranos. Two fruits were starting to mature. One was bigger than the other.

Nyx raised her eyebrow in interest to that development.

She wondered what this meant for the future. Things were certainly changing. Was it time that Mother Night left the Underworld and involved herself in the affairs of the Olympic Deities?

**********

Zeus ascended the slopes of the magnificent mountain on Gaia's Island. When he found her, Zeus approached his eight foot tall grandmother. She was a towering embodiment of the very land beneath their feet.

"Grandmother Gaia," Zeus said with the greatest respect. His voice resonated with a blend of reverence and urgency as he addressed the primordial deity. "I know I should not have returned, but I need your aid and wisdom."

Gaia regarded Zeus carefully. Part of her found her grandson to be as attractive as Ouranos once was to her. However, with how he spoke, she knew that she would need to help him in the path ahead and not focus on more selfish, lustful desires.

"What brings you back?" Gaia asked curiously.

"I need your help," Zeus replied, his gaze unwavering. "I have freed my brothers, and I know that there will be battles ahead. But I do not know how it ends."

Gaia paused at his words. Never in her immortal life had she expected such a question like that from any of the rulers of Olympus. She was proud that he was humble enough to ask.

"Zeus, I do not know. I truly do not. While my heart aches for the trials you face, I cannot tell you how your battles will end. I will not intervene directly in what is to come, but that does not mean you are not well prepared for the future."

Zeus lowered his head, acknowledging the limitations of the primordial goddess as well as himself. Those constraints did not assist him. However, he knew that the Primordial Queen had reasons for all she did.

"I understand, Grandmother Gaia... I just..." he said, struggling. "After freeing my brothers and being given these gifts, it all feels like everything is going to change. I don't know if I will have the strength to go forward. I'm afraid that I will lead my brothers to their deaths, or I will somehow ruin everything."

"Is it that you fear failure or is it that you fear death?" Gaia asked, reaching out and caressing Zeus' arm.

Zeus snorted out a single laugh.

"I am afraid of dying too. I don't want to have done all this for nothing, but I also worry that we will win, and I will not be king."

He shook his head as other thoughts crossed his mind.

"What if we succeed, and I become king and then become like my father."

"Then learn, Zeus," Gaia counseled softly. "Learn from your father's mistakes."

She could see the indecision of his fear might overtake him. Intervention was required to save him from his own concerns.

"I am trying," Zeus said.

"That is the start," Gaia replied. Running her hand up her grandson's arm, her finger found Zeus' cheek. She rubbed his soft, smooth skin. "You have the power to challenge your father's rule, Zeus. You will bring change. Just remember, my dear Zeus, that the actions of one should not be attributed to all. Cronos' deeds are his own, and the Titans are as varied in their nature as the stars in the sky."

Zeus absorbed her words, understanding washing over him. "I will, Grandmother."

Gaia lifted her grandson's hands and kissed their backs.

Zeus looked up at her expectantly. The affection mixed with the gift of her counsel were fueling a new mix of tenderness within the lightning prince.

He looked up to her, Gaia's hand went to his chin, lifting him up as if he were no heavier than a feather. Their lips met in a tender, familiar embrace. Zeus levitated himself as he wrapped his arms around Gaia. His powerful strength let him decide whether or not to take control of the situation.

In that moment of choice, Gaia pushed Zeus onto his back and lifted his tunic. She yearned for the power over the future King of Olympus.

She quickly had his manhood in hand. He groaned in pleased submission to her. Gaia ran her hand up and down as she straddled him. The tip of his impressive flesh slowly started to ease into her slick sex.

She moaned into his mouth as she leaned down to kiss him. His tongue entered her mouth with fervent desire. All too quickly, she accepted it, swirling her tongue over and around his. Inch by inch, Zeus was sliding deeper into Gaia.

"That's it," she moaned, kissing Zeus on the lips. Even as she worked her hips, she knew Zeus was no longer present. He was surrendering to the pleasures that she was giving him. This suited her just fine. He was fulfilling her needs by surrendering to her riding on his lap.

The head of his sword made her feel alive. But it was more. With every stroke into her sex, Zeus was getting closer and closer to his release of his seed to her. Gaia might have to ignore the wisdom she shared with Rhea.

It was a wonder to feel Zeus in her. She deserved the explosion of his pleasure in her. There could be nothing more perfect than to feel him flood her. The rushing release of his river of pleasure into her fertile, wanting soil.

She gasped and grunted as she forced her breasts into his face. She did not care what he wanted. Gaia could feel him so close.

"Gaia! Stop! I am close!"

"I know!" she cried out. There was a malicious grin as he squeezed her breasts. They cried out in pleasure together. For Gaia, her orgasm was twofold. She climaxed from the depth in which Zeus had plunged his cock into her. But to take his powerful, sticky release even as he tried to fight it only made it all the more fulfilling.

Zeus had given into his baser wants as soon as his pole had entered Gaia's forbidden treasure trove. Every stroke had been his surrender to his weakness. When his orgasm overtook him, he was clay in Gaia's hands.

Gasping together, they both laid on their backs on Gaia's island.

Zeus was struggling to breathe. "Gaia. I did not want to unload inside of you."

"I know," Gaia said with a mischievous grin. "But even as King, you cannot always have your way."

Zeus did not seem pleased by that, but when Gaia came in to kiss him, he was able to forgive her disobedience.

"Go," Gaia said, shooing him away. "You have battles to fight."

Zeus slowly picked himself up. He looked at Gaia, proud to have fucked her. Turning away, he summoned a tower of lightning to take him to his brothers.

Gaia laid on her island. She was thinking as she often did. Perhaps it would be good to let his seed plant in her. While Zeus was compliant at the moment, that could change.

Truth be told, she rather enjoyed raising these gods from boys to men. She might have to do so again. Thinking on it, she ran her hand down between her legs, rubbing her own womanhood. She used her fingers to plunge Zeus' seed deeper into her.

"Fuck," she whispered to herself. Before she knew it, she was bringing herself to another orgasm at the thoughts of fucking King after King of Olympus. The rulers would change, but Gaia would be everlasting.

**********

Chapter 7: Wise Counsel

"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles."

-- Sun Tzu, The Art of War, translated by Lionel Giles, 1910. Originally published by Allandale Online Publishing. Copyright: Public Domain.

Brontes, Arges, and Steropes (the Cyclopes) stared at their Hecatoncheires brethren: Briares, Cottus, and Gyges.

"What should we do?" Arges wondered. "These sons of Cronos seem to want us safe."

After being liberated from the prison of a pit that was Tartarus, the unique siblings of Gaia and Ouranos found themselves unsure of what to do. Cruelty by Ouranos had locked them away, indifference from Cronos had kept them there, but if their nephews were to be believed, they had been freed to help correct the trajectory of Mount Olympus.

In that, there could be no higher calling. However, as once-prisoners, they knew the fundamental truth that words were one thing and actions were another.

"No. They want us on their side," Cottus countered. "They mean to control us when we are not meant to be controlled."

"They are asking for assistance, not compliance," Brontes said.

"That is the great difference between us Hecatoncheires from you Cyclopes," Briares said. "We have been trapped by our father, betrayed by our brother, and we have no intention of seeing if the next generation will do the thing.

"And you're of one mind?" Steropes asked.

There was no conversation or fanfare. Together, the Hecatoncheires all nodded in unison.

"But you will continue to help us with these weapons for them?" Brontes inquired.

The Hecatoncheires all nodded once more.

After a moment's silence, it was Briares who spoke up for them.

"But when the time comes for our nephews to fight our brother, we intend to leave."

The Cyclopes looked at one another. While they wanted to talk further on this, they respected their hundred handed brothers. After all, time together in solitude had brought them a modicum of comfort in a desolate landscape where they had been forgotten and abandoned.

They nodded to their Hecatoncheires counterparts as they worked on the weapons for the sons of Cronos and their allies.

The clash between gods and Titans was coming, and they knew without these tools, the young gods would never be victorious. These weapons would be their finest works to be remembered for all eternity.

**********

When Iapetus did not leave Olympus, Cronos had to think quickly. Well, the truth was they both could not think quickly, and he did not. However, as the Titan of Time, all he needed to do was focus and use his large pool of divine power to slow the movement of time in Greece. No one would notice but him.

Rewinding time on outside divine beings was near impossible. The divine nature of the Cronos' family made it impossible for Cronos' temporal influence to affect them. As such, he could not resurrect Iapetus by rewinding time.

Laughter almost overtook him when he considered such a notion. Even if he could, the Titan King would not want to. How could his brother have been so passive? Moreover, Iapetus had seemed so against violence that he might have turned the others against him.

In the events that were coming, Cronos suspected that violence between his sons and himself and his brothers would break out. There was some intangible sensation that ran over him that communicated that what was coming would be far greater than his own conflict with his father. If that were the case, a united front was the only way Olympus would win.

He slowed the temporal span to a crawl to stretch a moment into hours. This would provide him with time to think. Cronos had to be sure of his next course. His rash decision to decapitate Iapetus put Cronos in a precarious predicament. If the other Titans discovered that he murdered their brethren, they might support Zeus' reign.

Actually, it was worse than that. If they found out about his act of siblicide, they might decide that it was easier to remove his head from his neck just as he had done with Iapetus and Ouranos.

That outcome was unacceptable to the Titan King.

The easiest solution was to blame the murder on Zeus, but Cronos had to think that through. One misstep and he would be in another situation with his brothers as he had been with Iapetus. The King of Olympus was powerful, but he could not not defeat Hyperion and Crius at once, let alone with Oceanus and Coeus backing them.

How had Iapetus been caught off guard by this child? How had he been decapitated? If the answer was not strong enough to stand against scrutiny, Cronos' reign was over.

He sat upon his throne, lost in contemplation.

He needed to be certain of what he would say.

The 'how' was simple enough; Zeus had been given aid and returned. Who had aided him? Cronos had to think on that subject.

Rhea was out, so was Gaia. Rhea was on Olympus at nearly all times. Gaia was on her island and a recluse. She did not like to have visitors.

There was Oceanus, but Oceanus did not interfere with anything unless it interfered with his precious sea kingdom. Cronos knew that from the Pontus incident.

The Cronos considered the shaking of Olympus. The Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires had helped hold up the Underworld to the mortal realm. They allied, they must have in Cronos' estimation, with Zeus, and Cronos' wayward son must have freed them so he could have their weapons. After all, the torch, scythe and gauntlets had made a difference for Cronos and his siblings against Ouranos. Perhaps after escaping Cronos' grasp, Zeus had found out the story of Ouranos' defeat by his children, and Zeus went out to find the ones who made the weapons.

It was the easiest solution. He would have to come up with some other explanations, but regardless of what was going on, he had to have options.

**********

Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus returned to the entrance of the cave at around the same time after their individual tasks. Poseidon had the Oceanid Metis by his side, Hades had nothing with disappointment coating his facial features, and Zeus had information.

In the background were the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires.

Zeus was the first to speak. Looking at Metis, he lowered his head.

"Who is this?"

"I am Metis, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys," Metis said for herself.

She was not one to wait for one like Poseidon to speak for her. After all, in a family with hundreds of siblings, it was easy to be lost in the shuffle. This arena was smaller, but she would not be outshined simply because these sons had a right to the most powerful seat in Chaos' creation.

"My father sent me to offer you counsel in the battles to come."

"Why would we need counsel?" Hades asked, gruffly.

He crossed his arms. It was clear that he was altogether unimpressed with this child of Oceanus and Tethys.

"This shall be the first war," Metis declared simply.

"War?" Poseidon wondered.

While Hades often insulted his immediate younger brother, the looks on Hades and Zeus' faces mirrored their brother's confusion.

"When two people fight one another, it is a fight," Metis said, sighing in exhaustion. Her confidence and readiness to speak told the sons of Cronos that she had given this explanation before. "When more people join, it is a battle. When there are many battles, it is a war."

"And you have a lot of experience in this?" Zeus asked, somewhat skeptical.

"Not with gods, but with animals. We can learn from the smaller beings. Ant colonies will battle other colonies for territory. Lions eat lesser animals. Conflict exists. We, as higher beings, have a responsibility to learn from those experiences."

"Then what are you the titan of?" Hades wondered.

His stern disposition had never left even if he had shrugged when he agreed with her point of view.

"Wisdom, intelligence," Metis said simply. "I want you all to succeed but only if we learn from the mistakes we make and the mistakes of our predecessors."

Hades and Zeus understood the usefulness of what she said and nodded their heads in agreement to her.

After which, Zeus turned to Hades.

"You seem off. How did your adventure in the Underworld go?"

"I believe Nyx will help us," Hades said.

A mild disappointment coated his words while a feeling of failure overtook his facial features. He lowered his head before shaking it.

"I cannot be sure though," he went on, trying to encapsulate the Primordial of Night and her intentions into mete sentences. "She is so old and powerful that everything she does in her own time. If she helps us, she will decide when."

Zeus leaned back annoyed. If there was anyone that understood the nuances and depths of a child of Chaos, it was him.

"It makes sense," Zeus said with a nod. "She is a Primordial being. They answer to no one."

"And what of you, Zeus?" Poseidon wondered. "Have you anything for us?"

"Gaia said much the same as Metis here. We must learn, be careful, but she will not interfere for or against us when it comes to Cronos."

"But why not?" Hades wondered, slightly angered.

"Because Cronos has Rhea's daughters," Metis pointed out. "If Gaia loves Rhea, and loves you all enough to help you, then she loves her granddaughters just as much. To love them means she cannot aid you."

The brothers understood that much of it and conceded to her logic.

"What should we do next?" Poseidon asked.

No one had an immediate answer. For reasons they did not understand just yet, the sons of Cronos and Rhea turned to Metis.

"You should see what they have for you," Metis said, pointing to the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires.

The brothers saw the layout of weapons.

"For you Hades, we have the Hooks," Brontes said. "They were made from part of our chain. As such, these hooks and the smaller chains, which will be wielded by you, will be indestructible and can survive great heat. And for closer combat, we have constructed you a bident. It will work like a spear, but as Zeus had the thunderbolt, which has a single point at the tip, and Poseidon has a trident, which has three points, we believe you should have a weapon with two points."

"You would think as the oldest, I would have one or three," Hades mused.

Arges laughed. "We did consider that, but your weapons should not be made because of who is oldest but by which qualities suit each of you best.

"And for me?" Poseidon wondered, as the second son of Cronos.

Brontes answered. "For you Poseidon, we have made a sword. This Sword of the Sea will harness your powers for when you cannot use your trident. It will not harness the ocean as well as your trident but it shall never break and will harness your powers when you cannot readily use your trident."

"When would that happen?" Poseidon asked.

Brontes let out a single bark of laughter.

"An enemy might remove the trident. Maybe wielding the trident becomes awkward because you will need your opposite hand. Circumstances can change in the heat of anger. I should think battles will be no different."

Poseidon bowed his head in respectful concession.

"As for you Zeus, we offer a golden gauntlet. It can be used as a way to defend yourself with one hand while you harness your thunderbolt with the other hand," Steropes explained.

Zeus graciously accepted the fist, seeing it was a little unwieldy, but he would learn. They all would.

"Begging my pardon," Metis said, interjecting. "But what of those other weapons?"

Behind the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires, there was a shield, a bow with a quiver of arrows, a staff, gauntlets, and an ax.

Cottus the Hecatoncheires laughed. "I see she is the smart one."

Gyges looked her up and down. "Which one should it be for her, then?"

Briares reached into the pile and handed Metis a shield, which looked a little like the sun. In the center of the shield was a face of some kind. "This is the Aegis, your shield," the Hecatoncheires said.

Metis accepted the gift.

"As for the rest, you will need to decide for yourselves who will be given these weapons, Sons of Cronos," Briares went on. "As for me and my Hecatoncheires brothers, we shall depart these lands before the battle begins."

"But why?" Zeus wondered.

"We do not distrust you, nor do we mean you ill will, son of Cronos," Briares explained, "but we do not wish for conflict. We wish to be far away no matter who is the winner."

"But we need allies," Poseidon protested.

It was Metis who intervened on the Hecatoncheires' behalf. "Yes but allies should be on your side because that is what they choose to be, not because they are forced, Poseidon. Let them leave in peace."

While Poseidon was still wanting to keep the Hecatoncheires on their side, he could see this would not be easily accomplished.

"Metis is right," Hades said. He unfolded his arms to make a motion to the smiths. "We need them, but you and I have been prisoners before. You know we cannot entrap people to do our will."

"And come now, Brother, they have given us help when they had little reason to do so. This is all we can expect without becoming like our father."

Poseidon could see that he had been outvoted. He felt that this was wrong deep down. The problem was that he was struggling to articulate his thoughts in a meaningful way for his brothers.

As the Hecatoncheires left, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus stared at the small collection of weaponry.

The staff, bow and arrows, gauntlets, and axe would need to find a home.

**********

"Father!" Prometheus cried out.

All of the sons of Iapetus (Menoetius, Atlas, Prometheus, and Epimetheus) came to Olympus accompanied by the other brothers of Cronos when the ruler had called for them. Hyperion, Crius, Coeus, and even Oceanus made their way to Olympus to see the decapitated body of Iapetus.

The act was easy enough to do. Cronos wept and explained that Iapetus came to Olympus, seeking to advise Cronos in the battles ahead as well as asking for some information about his sons.

Atlas and Menoetius quickly pledged themselves to Cronos. Kneeling before the leader that had stood up to his usurping sons had made it easy to give him their allegiance.

Prometheus held back his faith. For him, the issue was not the murderer of his father. The problem was that his father had been murdered and would no longer be able to give his sons his time and advice.

"Please, Lord Cronos, let us take our father to the mortal realm to bury him."

Upon Cronos' declaration, the sons of Iapetus carried the body down Mount Olympus.

When the children were far enough, Cronos turned to Oceanus.

"Do you see the threat my sons pose to us, to Olympus?" Cronos asked.

His brother's absence from Olympus was no longer acceptable. He needed his brothers at his back.

"Fish shit!" Oceanus countered. "I don't believe it."

"Excuse me!" Cronos turned, anger flaring.

"That blow, those markings on Iapetus' neck, they are just like Ouranos' neck! If you expect me to believe that you didn't kill Iapetus, you're out of your mind!" Oceanus cried out.

Cronos shook his head. "I would never turn my scythe on any of you. We fought to rule! We defeated our father! I would never betray you, any of you!"

Crius stood between Oceanus and Cronos, as it seemed they might come to blows. When Oceanus realized that none of his brothers would see things his way, he waved them off and walked away. A pillar of blue light shimmered as he returned to his palace in the domain down below.

"Should we not go after him?" Hyperion wondered.

Coeus shook his head. "No. We have fights to prepare for. We should aim our focus there, not on Oceanus. When we have won, we will repair our relationship with our brother."

The other Titans nodded in agreement.

"What should we do first then, Coeus?" Cronos asked.

**********

In the caves of Othrys, the sons of Cronos sat in quiet contemplative thought.

"With the Hundred-Handed ones gone, what is our next move?" Hades wondered.

His gaze went from Zeus to Metis. They were the more knowledgeable pair when it came to the outside world and the interactions of the divine. In that arena, it would do him a disservice not to lean on their expertise.

"Do you not have siblings?" Metis wondered.

"We have sisters," Zeus offered after a moment. "But they were raised by our mother. We can't know if they will be capable of assisting us in combat."

"Why would they not be?" Metis asked, an edge of annoyance in her voice. She looked at Zeus with suspicion, expecting a good answer from the lightning prince.

She stared at this prince of Olympus and was entirely unimpressed. Through the years, Metis had gone to Gaia's island in curiosity. How could she not? An escaped son was being trained in secret on the island of the Primordial Mother Earth was a novelty worth investigating.

While she had never met Zeus on the island, Metis had conversed with Gaia many times. The Primordial had spoken highly of him. In the exchanges the Oceanid and lesser titan had with him, there was a severe discrepancy in terms of quality when it came to him.

"We can't know they were prepared for battle."

"But we don't know that they weren't," Metis said carefully. "When you have no allies, you can't be picky with your options."

Poseidon laughed, motioning his support to Metis with a hand. "You know? She's right."

"Is this how he always is?" Zeus asked Hades.

While there was mild annoyance in the question, Zeus had a fun-loving look on his face. He was unable to contain himself in celebrating his connection with his brothers.

"Yes," Hades said with a grim nod. "It pains me to admit this, but I believe Poseidon is correct. We should free our sisters."

"And what of our mother?" Zeus wondered. His voice edged on hysteria.

He had not known his mother, much like Hades and Poseidon did not know her. He had known Gaia though. His very escape to her island was only made possible by his mother's risk of spiriting him away.

For that alone, there was an indescribable loyalty he had to her. He battled this affection for her as best he could. Coming off as not in control of himself might make his brothers lose their loyalty to him.

"She freed me and made it so I could free you. We cannot abandon her."

Both Poseidon and Hades looked uncomfortable. As advisor and not the child of Rhea, Metis was quick to answer.

"But we are not. If we save your sisters and leave your mother, Cronos will not think we care for her."

"Or Cronos will think that we were too weak to save her," Zeus countered.

"I don't think so," Metis said. "Everything I learned about your father was that he is proud. He sees his goals in a linear fashion. If he can't complete his task directly, I think he falters. We can do this."

Poseidon inclined his head and motioned with his hand to show his agreement.

Hades nodded. "She is right, Zeus. We have to try."

"If our mother dies because of this... "

They could all hear the threat as he trailed off. It was Metis who stood their ground out of all of them.

"She won't," Metis said, simply.

Despite Zeus' apprehension, the brothers started their plan with Metis. With her as the war counselor, they had no doubt about the course ahead.

**********

The sons of Iapetus returned to the mountain that they had grown up on. This decision had seemed the most rational one for the most intelligent of the four.

Prometheus worked on burying his father on the summit of the mount. He had constructed a rudimentary spade from flattened ore and a strong branch of a nearby tree.

"Is this how Father will be remembered?" Atlas wondered. "Forgotten on the top of a nameless mountain?"

"Mount Iapetus," Prometheus declared. He patted the dirt over his dead father's grave. "The other divinities will not know it, and I don't think the animals will care, but we will. We will remember forever."

The brothers basked in the silence for a moment. However, it was Atlas, overcome by anger and feeling, who spoke up.

"Who wants to be named after a mountain? Who wants to spend their life on a mountain," Atlas paused looking at their preserved remains of their decapitated father. "Or their death."

Epimetheus and Menoetius lowered their heads lamenting their father's passing.

They could feel the tension rising. These were the sons of Iapetus and Clymene. A united family was a rarity among the divinities of Olympus. However, this was the norm for the House of Iapetus. For that standard of living, there was an intimate understanding between these brothers, and they could tell a declaration was coming.

"I will stand with Cronos," Atlas said. "Any of you with any sense will come with me."

Epimetheus looked to his twin brother. Prometheus shook his head. Menoetius motioned his support for Atlas. Baffled confusion nearly knocked Atlas down when he saw Prometheus shook his head.

"What? Zeus killed our father!" Atlas asked, angrily. "How can you be content to sit there and do nothing?"

"Did he? Did he though?" Prometheus asked. He raised a finger as if to lecture his brother. "I am not so sure. Maybe he did, but why? If he had the power to attack Olympus again, why attack our father and not Cronos."

He made a flurry of motions with his hands when he spoke as if to accentuate his point.

"He's right," Epimetheus said, considering everything in the light of hindsight. "Cronos is the one who wronged this Zeus, not Father. It would make no sense for him to attack our father. If Zeus was strong enough and Father got in the way, then why didn't Cronos strike Zeus down in retaliation."

"He must have been overcome by grief," Atlas said.

Though he tried to rationalize what was being said, he came up short. Staring out into the world, the logic of his brother almost froze him.

"Regardless!" Menoetius exclaimed, grabbing Atlas on the shoulder. "We are here now. A fight is coming and if you two are too cowardly or too weak to do anything about it, Atlas and I will avenge our father."

Whatever doubt Prometheus had only moments before suddenly vanished.

"It isn't that," Prometheus said, raising a hand.

Menoetius and Atlas did not want to hear the wisdom of their forward thinking brother. Instead, they came together, disgusted by the twins' advice. A tower of light absorbed Atlas and Menoetius, taking them back to Olympus.

"What will we do, Brother?" Epimetheus asked.

Prometheus crossed one arm over the other, and then he rubbed his face from chin to jaw in thought. To be sure of what they did next was a necessity. After all, he was seeing other titans just allowing their emotions to control their actions rather than taking hold of their baser urges with their rational mind.

"We will consult family," Prometheus declared when he was certain of their path forward. "This isn't over, and I don't want Atlas and Menoetius to die for Cronos if, in the end, he is going to sacrifice them.

**********

"Are you sure about this?" Poseidon asked.

Zeus shook his head.

"Fuck no. But if we are going to listen to Metis, we can't risk her on the battlefield early on. Her mind is worth too much."

"We might have to kill some of the beings on Olympus," Hades warned.

"Let's try not to. We want our sisters on our side," Zeus said.

"That's fair," Poseidon said.

"Why are we listening to him?" Hades asked Poseidon gruffly.

"Because he actually knows things about the outside world," Poseidon said carefully. "We can't argue who is in control. We're brothers. If we fight now, everything falls apart."

"I do not seek to rule you, Hades."

"But I am the oldest," Hades said. "The eldest does deserve some respect. Just as the Cyclopes deserved respect."

"Yes, and we will talk about that after we defeat Cronos," Zeus said after some consideration.

Hades considered the statement before shrugging. "Very well."

Grabbing the arm of Zeus, the brothers were summoned up on a tower of lightning, to the mountainside itself. In time, Zeus would have to teach his brothers the ability Gaia had taught him.

**********

A rumbling storm raged along the sides of Olympus. Cronos might have worried that this was a sign of bad things to come. After all, when it stormed, Cronos knew Ouranos was raging in his life, but with Ouranos dead, Cronos knew there was nothing to harm him.

With the death of Iapetus, Cronos felt secure in his reign. No one could stop him. With his brothers by his side, he had defeated Ouranos. His children could not have surpassed Father Sky.

It helped that two of the sons of Iapetus had come back to Olympus.

"Atlas," Cronos said to one. "Menoetius," he said to the other. "I am grateful for your presence here."

"We aim to serve you in the battles to come," the brothers said in unison. They were both kneeling on one knee.

"Then, rise sons of Iapetus. Let it be known that it was you who were first loyal to me from your generation of the titans."

"Yes, Titan King," Menoetius said with admiration for the great ruler.

Olympus shook as Menoetius spoke. The three looked to one another. The sky was not falling as it had before.

Cronos growled. "Zeus! It has to be."

"It looks like we will be avenging father much sooner than expected," Atlas said with a grin.

Menoetius mirrored his brother's grin, but his grin was far more malicious and battle-hungry than either Atlas or Cronos.

**********

When they landed, the shaking of Olympus told them all they needed to know. Poseidon looked at Zeus with a confused credulity.

"Could you have done that any louder?" Poseidon shouted. "Half of Olympus knows we're here."

"The other half will know with your screaming," Zeus said, trying to hush his brother.

"Silence yourselves," Hades said, donning his helm of invisibility. He vanished right before their eyes. "We have work to do."

Much to their surprise, Olympus looked empty. Hall after hall presented no danger to them. There were no people, traps, or weapons. There was a beautiful landscape and palace after palace but there was no one there.

The three knew that Cronos was in the largest palace because that was where Zeus had found him during the lightning prince's last visit. They had no idea where their mother or sisters were. After clearing the gates and walls, they found themselves in a courtyard. Looking left and right, they searched for where to go. There were two palaces with any light source at all, and they recognized one as the one that had housed Cronos.

Zeus motioned to it, knowing Poseidon would see it, and hoping Hades would as well.

Before Poseidon and Zeus could dash through the celestial city, two titans over eight feet tall struck them.

"You must be fools coming back so soon after what you did!" the taller, darker titan said.

The lighter skinned titan with brown and gray hair smirked with a malicious grin. "You must be Zeus," the second one said.

Poseidon drew his sword as Zeus withdrew his golden fist. They both knew if they pulled out their greater weapons, the battle would be over, but the power from those weapons were potentially still beyond their control. They could not afford to destroy Olympus with their mother and sisters within.

A single swing of the sword brought shock to the titans. The smaller one gasped as Poseidon struck his opponent's ribs with all of his godly might. Menoetius' flesh gave way and the golden ichor flowed.

"Menoetius!" the darker skinned titan exclaimed.

"Atlas! Help!" Menoetius cried out. He struggled to breathe.

Though weapons were not new to the world, it was not something Menoetius or Atlas had ever experienced so they might as well have been children battling grown men.

Atlas ran to his brother and threw a powerful punch at Poseidon. Menoetius held onto the sharpened sword, keeping Poseidon in place. Poseidon was struggling to free his weapon when Atlas' fist struck home.

The blow was so powerful that Poseidon flew over a hundred yards from a single blow.

"I am Atlas, strongest of the Titans. And I will avenge my father and the disrespect you brought upon Cronos!"

Zeus called out. "Poseidon!"

The Lightning Prince immediately punched the side of Atlas' head without hesitation. The mighty Titan flew as far as Poseidon did.

"I'm fine!" Poseidon called back. He held out his hand, and the Sword of the Sea flew from Menoetius' wound and returned to Poseidon's hand. "Where the fuck is Hades? We could really use him."

**********

Hades, trying to prove there was some wisdom in being the eldest, had figured out which palace had been lit up purposefully. He ran through the palace in his invisibility. He paused when he was in the palace. In his transparency, he was able to see what most others would not allow.

He paused as he found the room with all three Princesses of Olympus. Hera was before a mirror, fixing her hair. She was wearing a skirt with nothing else on her body.

He assumed since the sisters had gone their whole life without male visitors, they must have been content to show their naked bodies to one another. His theory proved true as he saw Demeter and Hestia changing with their full bodies on display.

For all of the grace and divinity within Hestia and Demeter, it was Hera that captivated Hades. He stared in awe of her full figure. She had long flowing brown hair, breasts that were full and bouncy, a thin waist, long legs, and her hips looked like they might fit into his hands.

He could not help the erection he had from spying on Hera in her more vulnerable state. If he were a lesser man, a lesser being, he would have gone into the room with his engorged manhood and felt the sex that he knew she must have. He hoped she did.

A voice interrupted his thoughts as Rhea whispered into his ear. "Are you enjoying the view?" Rather than give him away to the women, Rhea motioned for Hades to come with her.

When they were alone, Hades could hear a battle going on outside.

"How did you see me? This helm is supposed to hide me."

"I could see the aura of magic. With time, that helm will absorb enough of your magic so even one such as me cannot see you, but for now, it allows me to see what you were doing."

Hades looked abashed.

"Do not feel bad; you're a divine being. We want what we want," Rhea said, a hint of sultry desire in her voice. "When the time comes, make sure when you are with Hera, that she knows that you desire her."

"Yes, Mother," Hades said, somehow instinctively recognizing Rhea as the one to birth him.

"Now, onto the task at hand, have you come to free us from Cronos?" Rhea asked.

Hades shook his head. "For now, only my sisters."

"Why?" Rhea asked, suspicious. Her playful tone and sexual undertone disappeared giving way to her more scheming nature.

"Cronos will call for aid. For now, we need to get our sisters out of here. Perhaps they can help us in the fight to come."

"I see," Rhea said, crestfallen. "So, I am to be Cronos' prisoner."

Hades shook his head again. "No. I had an idea about that. Assist me in helping free my sisters. But before we leave, strike me."

"Strike you?" Rhea wondered. Hades motioned to his face and showed his muscled chest. "I have scars from Cronos' belly. Use your magic to hurt me, not too much, but enough to make Cronos believe you are on his side."

"And when the fight between you and your brothers comes to Cronos and his brothers?" Rhea asked, not understanding.

A playful look crossed Hades' face. "I think you can find a way to not help Cronos."

Rhea let out a short but powerful laugh. "Girls!" Rhea called out. "We have a visitor, and a savior."

**********

Zeus and Poseidon were quick and strong, but the sons of Iapetus were stronger still. They had been practicing with their divine might all their lives. To make matters worse, for some reason, the two were enraged by Zeus and Poseidon.

Zeus was quick to grab Poseidon as they narrowly dodged a united blow from the brothers. Adding to their troubles, a bolt of power of unknown origin had been shot into the sky.

Poseidon screamed. "Well? Got a bright idea now, bolt boy?"

"Fuck off! We're still alive!"

Poseidon sliced the air and a blast of water pushed back Menoetius. "For now!"

"We will not let you get away," Atlas said.

When Atlas crashed against Zeus, Zeus became aware of the difference in their might. Atlas was, without a doubt, stronger than him. But that was not enough. Zeus had been blessed by Gaia, received treasures from the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires, and had the power to liberate his brothers.

He was destined to win. Atlas was just one more foe, one more obstacle in his way. He would not lose until he had the Throne of Olympus.

This was enough for him to push Atlas off of him. The small burst of strength left Atlas with a shock on his face. With his golden fist over his hand, Zeus struck Atlas in the ribs. Surprise struck Atlas with every blow that Zeus threw.

Zeus' powerful attack crushed Atlas ribs. With one more mighty attack, Zeus knocked Atlas back.

A barrage of light flew from the lit up palace. Zeus turned to see Hades gripping his wounded chest.

"Fuck! Mom," Hades grunted quietly. "It didn't need to be that hard."

"Hades?" Zeus asked, confused. "What's going on?"

"Just trust me," Hades said with a raised hand.

"All right, but... " Zeus trailed off as a fire, a snowy breeze and bolt of magic threw Rhea back. He stood in confused awe as their sisters emerged from the palace.

If their arrival was not enough, the tall, mighty frame of Cronos jumped from the highest palace.

"I would run, boys, if I were you. I have called on my brethren. They will be here and teach you all a lesson," Cronos declared.

Zeus smirked, "Oh I don't think so."

Even as he had confidently said it, time seemed to slow around him. Zeus was unable to grab for his lightning bolt, which would end Cronos' life. Cronos laughed.

"I cannot undo time around you, but to slow you, bratty boy, is easy enough."

Cronos chuckled as he charged the children. He threw one blow at Poseidon, knocking the sea god back. Another blow was thrown at Hades, but the eldest son blocked it in the nick of time. Zeus, however, was struck with the full force of both hands.

Zeus fell slowly, realizing that Cronos had slowed time for him the most. The blow was so great that the lightning bolt, carried on the back of Zeus' waist belt flew away from him and clattered to the ground.

"Rhea!" Cronos cried, realizing that their daughters had betrayed them.

Cronos held Zeus in his slowed status, but the distraction was enough to change the course of history on Olympus.

"Worry for yourself, Father," the feminine voice of Hera declared, picking up the thunderbolt. Hefting the great weapon, she threw it as simply as a lance or pole. Her aim was impeccable. Cronos could either slow time on himself or the bolt, and he made the wrong choice.

The bolt flew with Hera's divine strength and the speed of lightning. The powerful weapon struck Cronos in the chest, launching him back to the palace he had come from.

Inspired by her courage, the siblings all ran together as Hades pulled free his Hooks from his belt, Poseidon held his Sword, and the Thunderbolt returned to Zeus' hands.

Both now wounded, Atlas and his brother looked at each other then to where their king had once stood. Warily, they retreated from Zeus and his siblings.

"Olympus will be ours, we, the sons and daughters of Cronos and Rhea, are the First of the Olympians!" Zeus declared. With a call of his lightning, the six siblings disappeared.

For the first time in their history, upon the ground, there was an emblazoned emblem of a Lightning bolt over the image of Mount Olympus without a circle.

Atlas and Menoetius did not know what it meant, nor could they know what it would mean in the time to come, but with the declaration made, they knew something had changed.

In the future, this would be known as the moment that the Titanomachy, The Great Titan War, began.

**********

Chapter 8: Allies and Enemies

"A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends."

-- Baltasar Gracián, The Art of Worldly Wisdom: A Pocket Oracle, translated by Joseph Jacobs, 1904. Originally published by Macmillan and Co., London. Copyright: Public Domain.

The Palace of Oceanus was opulence itself. Even for Prometheus and his titanic brother, it was impressive. They stared at the Oceanids, the nymph children of Oceanus and Tethys. They were all ethereal, beautiful beings.

If romance interested him, Prometheus might have turned his head at them. Instead, he and his twin found themselves at the foot of Oceanus' throne. For most of their lives, they knew of the importance of Oceanus. As such, they would not disrespect the ruler of the oceans.

However, fondness for others in an intimate fashion was difficult for him. With the intellect and forethought, Prometheus had always led when it came to the actions of him and his twin. Epimetheus was not foolish, but his astuteness came into account when it pertained to memory. Epimetheus was the brother who learned from the past while Prometheus always planned for the moment and the future.

Together, they kneeled before Oceanus.

"Rise, the sons of Iapetus," Oceanus said.

Beside him, Tethys observed the sons with keen eyes. She was just as much a child of Gaia and Ouranos as her husband. To see a titan willing to break ties with Olympus told her that the shifting waves of Olympus' water could be leading to irrevocable change.

"What brings you, my way?" Oceanus wondered.

"We have come asking why you are not with Cronos?"

"I am his brother. I am allowed to be changeable," Oceanus said with a laugh. "Besides," Oceanus went on, inclining his head towards himself and his wife. "All of my brothers and sisters know how much I love to stay in my palace. That is why I am here, but it begs why are you both here?"

Epimetheus shivered under the scrutiny of the more powerful titan.

Prometheus stood his ground. "You stayed after our father passed. I heard you. You didn't believe that our father died naturally."

"You heard my husband and listened, but your brothers did not do the same?" Tethys asked with disbelief.

Prometheus laughed. "Good catch, Your Majesty. I did not hear Oceanus. I saw the way he looked at my father's body. But that could have been mourning as much as it was suspicion."

"So, you came here on a hunch?" Oceanus wondered.

"As you said, Your Highness, everyone knows you like to stay by yourself. You swim up your own stream."

Oceanus laughed at the joke.

"I am willing to bet that since you are by yourself, you will be honest about any suspicion over our father's death."

Oceanus considered the statement for a moment before inclining his head in agreement with Prometheus' statement.

"The wound on your father's neck was similar to when Cronos removed the head of our father, Ouranos."

"And that makes you think Cronos killed our father."

"I do," Oceanus confirmed with a nod. "I can't promise it was him, but Cronos acted suspicious when I confronted him. That was enough for me not to help him."

"Why?"

"Because he killed our father for doing him wrong. Do you believe that he would not kill his brother because Iapetus did something he did not like?"

Prometheus thought on the matter momentarily.

"Maybe Father did not want to listen to Cronos or fight in this fight ahead."

"I agree," Oceanus remarked. Shaking his head. "In the future, I know there will be a fight between Zeus and Cronos even further than what has already occured, but Cronos will do anything to hold onto his power."

"And why is that a problem?" Epimetheus asked.

"Because it means all of his allies are just tools, like the torch Hyperion wields or the scythe Cronos has. We can be discarded if it means he can continue to be worshiped. That is reason enough for him to be removed from power. People matter far more than position, Prometheus. Remember that."

"I will, going forward," Prometheus promised.

"What shall you do?" Tethys wondered.

"I shall help Zeus and hope he does not become like his father."

Epimetheus nodded. "And I shall stand by my brother's side."

Together, the twins walked from the throne room of Oceanus. Tethys watched them go.

"Are you sure this was the right path to send them on, Oceanus?"

Oceanus shrugged. "I don't know, my wife, but... it is the more honest one. That needs to be enough if we are to have a King of Olympus who is worthy of the throne."

**********

It was taking time, but the sisters were finding their way. Hera had picked up the bow made by the children of Ouranos and Gaia, Demeter grabbed the gauntlets, and Hestia drew the staff. In their hands, these divine weapons could shape the future.

"So, what is the plan?" Demeter wondered. "We are going to defeat father?"

"No... I think it's bigger than that now," Hades said coolly.

"Bigger? How?" Hestia asked.

"Father's siblings will help him," Poseidon answered.

Zeus followed. "We will have to battle any of the Titans that side with Cronos."

"Luckily for you," Prometheus said, making his way into the cave. "That is not all of us."

"How did you find us?" Poseidon said, withdrawing his sword from his side.

"You're kidding, right?" Epimetheus said. Your tower of lightning can be seen with anyone with a pair of eyes, and every Titan, greater or lesser, knows the importance of Othrys."

"We're following a real genius it seems," Hera remarked snidely. She looked from Hades to Zeus, unsure of which was truly in charge.

"No one is really leading," Poseidon admitted. "It has been pretty go, go, go, since Zeus freed us from Cronos."

The sisters nodded in understanding.

"Then what's your next move?" Prometheus asked. "It cannot just be to arm yourself and battle the Titans?"

"Why not?" Poseidon asked. "We have been doing all right with that thinking?"

"You have fought Cronos twice, and you failed to kill him both times," Metis pointed out.

"The way I see it, we are overcoming Cronos. If we haven't died, we're doing well," Poseidon said.

"Wonderful logic," Hades drawled. "I may be his brother, but that is not my sentiment."

"Then what is your sentiment?" Prometheus wondered.

"We need Cronos to either allow us freedom to exist or, we should fight with all of the power we have at our disposal," Hades said firmly.

The others did not speak right away. A weight settled in momentarily. To try and challenge the power that usurped the Primordial King was an insurmountable task indeed, yet there they were in that cave in an attempt to do such a thing.

"I think those are reasonable goals," Metis said to Prometheus.

Titan to titan, Prometheus inclined his head to her. "I believe I could take these demands before Cronos and his siblings."

"And if he denies us?" Hades asked.

It was Zeus who answered. "Then it will mean war."

Metis nodded her head to Zeus. "That would be a fair summation."

**********

The Halls of Olympus filled up with Titans of every sort. Hyperion and Theia, Mnemosyne, Themis, Crius and Eurybia, Coeus and Phoebe, Atlas, and Menoetius were all present in the grand dining room of Cronos. Rhea was understandably absent.

Menoetius slammed his fist on the table. "Can't you see that Zeus and his siblings are a problem?"

"Would that have been before or after Cronos ate the children?" Coeus remarked wisely.

"Don't start making divisions now," Hyperion remarked quickly. "If we support Cronos, we should support him completely."

"Even if he brings doom upon us all?" Themis countered with inquisitive curiosity. "We are beings that should protect the order of things, not let creation all fall apart."

"They are the problem!" Crius said, careful with his bandaged hands. His loyalty to Cronos was on full display.

The damage from Ouranos had been everlasting to leave ichor-bleeding scars that needed to be tended to by cloth since the wounds would not close on their own. The wrappings served as a reminder of the cost of battle even when he was not showing them off to his brothers.

"And what if they were not a problem?" the voice of Prometheus boomed.

The audience turned to face the son of Iapetus.

In his hand was a scroll. "The sons of Cronos would like to be left in peace to live among us Titans within the mortal realm. They will not seek battle against Cronos or any of the Titans."

"Seek battle? They attacked me!"

"To free their siblings," Prometheus countered. "The first assault freed Hades and Poseidon, who long to stay free, and the second freed the sisters from Rhea. You cannot pretend that you were ideal parents. While Rhea only held the sisters in her palace, they were prisoners, just as much as the brothers."

The dining hall was quiet for a moment. Reality surrendered to truth when it was revealed; these Titans were no different. The hush had captured every Titan present. Each powerful being looked at one another. It was Coeus, the wise one, who broke the silence.

"That sounds honest, and they are not asking for anything unreasonable," Coeus remarked.

"Except to disregard my rule!" Cronos exclaimed, ignoring what Prometheus' requests were.

"As I recall, your rule got us into this mess!" Mnemosyne said. "The Fates told you your future and you have been so busy fighting it that you are becoming worse than Father!"

"Mnemosyne!" Crius shouted. "He is King!"

"That doesn't make him infallible!" Mnemosyne said back quickly. "Surely you all remember Father! His crime was betraying Mother, the Fates, and raping Rhea."

"Cronos, you're no rapist, but as sure as Tartarus is dark, your crimes are mounting," Themis said. As the Titaness of Justice, her declaration stunned the audience.

"Oh! Come on! You all had to have thought of this," Mnemosyne said. "We have all seen Cronos become more erratic over the years!"

Coeus motioned to his sister in agreement. The Titanesses agreed with a nod of their heads. The brothers were more split.

"Do you think my sons will stop at me? When I am deposed, do you think they will allow you to continue being in charge?" Cronos challenged.

"That is the whole point of this," Prometheus said. "I imbued this scroll with magic. If you agree, Zeus and his siblings will not be subservient to you, Cronos, but they will live in peace. They will not start any physical aggression. If they break this order, the scroll will burn, and all of you will know. Is that not enough?"

Hyperion looked from Prometheus to Cronos. "If only you were a student of Marduk, you could have made a better contract."

"Contract?" Prometheus wondered.

All eyes fell on Hyperion, who shrugged at the attention. "You will understand if you all make contact with a great king to the east."

"But this arrangement?" Prometheus asked.

"Leave it here. Give us time to think," Coeus advised.

With a bow, Prometheus left the room. He held hopes for Titans to see the wisdom and forethought of his offer.

**********

"Fuck! Careful!" Hades exclaimed. He seethed at the sensation of pain.

On the outer green heights of Mount Othrys, the eldest son of Cronos and Rhea, lay on the ground as Hera looked over his body. His scarred body had taken a toll of damage, and finally, Hera had had enough. She had taken him to the side of Othrys to heal some of the scars.

"Maybe if you stop moving, it will go easier," Hera countered.

While she had taken Hades to the higher parts of said Mount to assist him with his injuries, the princess was by no means a pushover. To be chided by her mother was one thing, but she would not take it from a patient. Her hands glowed over his body as he fought her help.

"It hurts!" Hades growled sitting up, glaring at Hera.

"Sometimes, healing hurts!" Hera shouted back.

The two locked gazes, and Hera looked into the deep eyes of the eldest son. What occurred neither one could have stopped as they were paralyzed by the moment.

She delved deeper than any other person had ever done, whether from interest or chance, she was able to glimpse pieces of Hades that no one else had ever peered at. When she saw the pain, he was holding back from a lifetime of being within the belly of Cronos, she touched his chest softly.

"Lay down, Hades," she said softly. Compassion entered her mind and then her words. "I will be gentler."

Hades did not know why she was being so kind. However, he stopped fidgeting and allowed her to put her healing magic to use.

"Thank you," he said after a long moment between them.

"I am sorry. I know it must have been hard inside of Cronos."

"I endured," Hades said, looking at the valleys before them.

"But you should not have had to," Hera said, looking over the extensive damage that the divine stomach acid had done to Hades.

"Well, I did anyway," Hades said simply. "Even if I should not have had to."

"Are you always this gloomy?" Hera asked as one more scar started to seal up after all of the magic she was pouring into Hades.

"No," Hades said gruffly.

He turned his head and locked eyes with Hera. For the first time in his unfairly abusive life, he felt as though he were not some damaged being that was destined for only suffering in this life. For the balm she offered in his existence, he gave her a smile.

"I am usually much worse."

She returned a smile to him, and both laughed together at the absurdity of the situation. Hera ran her hand down to Hades' wounded stomach. The blue of his skin was a combination from a lack of sun, and maybe some kind of Hades reached out and touched her hand gently. For such a tall and powerful being, Hera recognized the tenderness in his touch.

"I mean it, Hera. Thank you."

The goddess blushed at his sentimental affection. "Thank you for letting me," Hera replied, recognizing how intimate the touching was between them.

In the smallest briefest moment, the two shared a look. The angry, lonely eyes of Hades met with the gaze of a princess who had been trained to be a queen. In that small exchange, their destinies and grand plans for the future and the pained pasts did not matter.

Hades leaned up slowly. Hera lowered her head to meet his. With the softest of intentions, their lips met. It was the first kiss for both of them. As such, it was shy, sweet, and entirely vulnerable for the both of them.

Hades held Hera's hand as Hera pressed down on him. Even the pain of her on his wounds seem to add to the passion in their kiss.

All too quickly, the kiss went from a tender pressing of their lips to his mouth opening. She coaxed his tongue out of him, to experience the passion of Hades. For all the pain he had suffered, Hades yearned for connection. In that kiss, he gave all of his passion an outlet.

They softly paused to breathe, and they remembered why they came to the mountaintop.

"Right... Your healing," Hera said respectfully.

"Yeah... My healing," Hades replied, leaning back. He tried not to think of the kiss and his desire for Hera. That was quickly becoming impossible. The pain of her healing was quickly becoming nothing when compared to the idea of sharing another moment with her.

Hera blushed, seeing his arousal take shape under his tunic. She wondered what it might be like to touch the phallic member of Hades. If lovemaking was half as good as their kiss, she knew she might find herself alone with Hades again.

What they both failed to notice was that the leaking ichor from his scars had ceased. In addition, his blue tinged skin was fading in its primary color's intensity. Second by second, it was starting to look more tan.

**********

"Should we be considering this offer?" Hyperion asked, holding up the scroll.

"No!" Atlas cried.

The older Titans looked upon him as though he had lost his mind from the sheer volume of what he said. Despite all the eyes on him, the son of Iapetus was lost to his impassioned love for his father. Unlike Menoetius, when Atlas grew angry, it was not some shallow rage. His was one built from a foundational love that could bear the weight of Ouranos.

"While Prometheus is trying to preserve peace, Meno and myself have been harmed defending Olympus even after our father was slain by Zeus. Where were all of you?"

Hyperion and Crius looked down in shame. It was Coeus that refused to allow a younger Titan to chastise them.

"We have ruled this realm long before you were born, and just because you showed one moment of loyalty to our brother does not make you bastions of Olympus."

"It sure as Tartarus makes us more loyal to Cronos than you!" Menoetius exclaimed.

Theia shook her head and stopped Hyperion from speaking.

Phoebe, wife of Coeus and the Titaness known for understanding some of the future, stood tall when she added her voice to the situation.

"The conflict between us and these young gods is now inevitable, so we must be willing to confront them regardless of how we got here. While these sons of Iapetus are disrespectful, their conclusion is sound."

Coeus stared at his wife in stunned confusion. He had not expected her to disagree with him. He enjoyed this his wife held her own opinions, but in the conflict ahead, he wanted to present a more united front.

Eurybia, the mistress of the sea, motioned her support of Crius, and by extension, Cronos.

"Themis? Mnemosyne?" Cronos asked.

Themis shook her head. "These children deserve to live. To battle them would be unjust. I won't fight against you, Brother, but I will not aid you."

"It seems we have forgotten the tyranny of our Father and mean to repeat that mistake," Mnemosyne added. "I want no part in it."

The other Titans watched as two Titanesses left them. Cronos did not stop them nor attack them even though every part of him wanted to stop this from proceeding. What he had feared Iapetus' rebellion would begin was occurring all on its own.

Instead of giving into his anger, he appeared to respect their decision to leave, which only bolstered the respect the Titans had for him.

"Well, if we must battle the children," Coeus lamented, "then we have work to do."

Atlas howled with joy at support. He would enjoy what was to come.

**********

Chapter 9: The First Battle

"A spark can become a flame, a flame a fire."

-- Kathryn Lasky, author of Guardians of Ga'Hoole, Lone Wolf (Wolves of the Beyond, Book 1), 2010. Copyright © 2010 by Kathryn Lasky. Published by Scholastic Inc.

Prometheus returned to the grand halls of Olympus. He saw Hyperion holding the scroll in his hand. Rather than saying whether they agreed with the terms or not, Hyperion lifted the scroll and put it into the great Flame.

The fire licked over the scroll and parchment, consuming the peace accord. From afar, Prometheus knew what it meant. When Hyperion removed the string to prevent it from being destroyed, Prometheus wondered why, but only for a moment.

"That flame will consume any and all that it touches, so to protect something, it needs to be removed before the fires can even so much as lick it. We have powers you new gods could never understand. We were here near the birth of the cosmos and knew Chaos. What can you hope to have against us?"

"If we do battle," Prometheus said carefully, accepting the string. "We will win."

"We will see," Crius said, from behind his brother.

Thankfully, even though peace might not be possible, the love of brothers allowed Prometheus to return with the scroll's string in hand.

**********

Time passed after the falling out between Zeus' gods and Cronos' Titans. In the Valley of Thessaly, Menoetius, Atlas, Eurybia, Crius, and Theia stood as the representative delegation for Cronos.

The Titans may have made a decision about what they would do, but they would communicate it with respect and dignity.

From the caves of Mount Othrys, Zeus looked on. He clutched the Master Lightning Bolt in one hand and wore this divine golden fist with the other. Power crackled from the artifacts from the immensity that was Zeus. He had not felt comfortable using both of the weapons on Olympus, but with the enemies coming to their stronghold, he wanted to discover just how mighty the gifts of the Hecatoncheires and Cyclopes were.

Metis halted Zeus. She turned and shook her head at Poseidon and Hades as well.

"They mean to bring you out."

"We will let them!" Zeus declared.

"The fuck they will," Metis said back angrily. "If Cronos is not out there, none of you should be out there."

"What? Why?" Poseidon asked quickly.

The anger on Metis' face was so palpable that all three brothers flinched when they fully comprehended what they saw.

"Don't you three idiots get it? One of you is to be the next King of Olympus! Not any of the other titan children. One of you! So, if you lower yourself to going out there, then you are seen as the equal to them. You three aren't! For anything less than Cronos, it cannot be you who greets them."

Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon blinked.

"Then who is going out to face them?" Zeus asked.

Metis motioned to Prometheus and Hera. "That should be more than enough for a show of force," Metis said simply.

When the three went out onto the field, Prometheus and Hera accompanied Metis. Prometheus was strong enough to make Crius halt, and as Atlas' brother, Metis hoped she could count on that familial bond to halt them. Hera had her bow strung and ready for battle. On her arm was the Aegis, the shield gifted to the sons of Cronos.

Metis met with the Titans on the field within the valley. "What brings you both here?"

"We are giving you one last chance to live under the reign of your rightful king, Cronos," Menoetius declared.

Crius turned his head and glared at the younger Titan. "While the son of Iapetus might be a little quick and disrespectful, he speaks the truth. Greece can only flourish under one reign, Cronos. We have power and stability."

"The gods only wish for freedom," Metis said firmly, but with respect in every word.

"Metis... " Crius said with understanding. Though he had empathy for the sons of Cronos, he had a real understanding of the world. "Freedom can only be given under the grace of our King."

"Can you not hear yourself?" Hera almost cried out. "Cronos decides if we can ever walk the very earth gifted to us by Gaia? That's insane."

"Watch your mouth!" Menoetius shouted. "Cronos is our king, and your leader is a murderer!"

Eurybia restrained Menoetius. "Not now. If you continue to act this way, you will be returned to Olympus," she whispered with authority.

"We will not give up our position," Prometheus said with seriousness.

"You know you'll die, right?" Crius pointed out.

Lighting crashed and the ground shook as darkness emanated from the Mountain of Othrys. The Titans stepped back from the power that would consume them all. For all of their gifts, the five Titans were quickly realizing just how dangerous the opposition truly was.

Theia shook her head at Menoetius and Crius. Meanwhile, Eurybia and Atlas looked at the display, unafraid, but even they recognized the foolishness in engaging in battle.

Menoetius stepped forward. The forward thinking son of Iapetus could recognize what the combat-driven sibling might do in this moment.

"Don't do this, Brother," Prometheus warned with an intimate knowledge of what might follow.

"Not when you're so far from home," Metis added. "Your forces will be down five powerful allies, and we will not be hindered for the trouble."

Crius, Eurybia, and Theia, as the older Titans, understood, but it was Menoetius who was not listening. He turned towards Metis. Atlas stepped forward to restrain his angered brother. Theia turned too late. She only saw Menoetius charge forward.

"No!" Theia cried.

That did not stop Menoetius from striking at Hera. Metis jumped in the final moment, blocking the powerful block with her divine shield. The protecting metal did its job, but the blow rand out, and Metis could feel the vibration from her fist to her shoulder.

Atlas, Theia, Eurybia, and Crius stared in shock as Menoetius' fist bled, the golden red ichor shocking the onlookers. They did not see the strain and annoyance of Metis, only the pain and damage to Menoetius.

From there, the response was a foregone conclusion. Atlas lifted an enormous boulder and threw it in the direction of the Zeus' forces. Prometheus jumped into action, struggling to catch the rock.

Eurybia started to summon winds and water. Light started to dance off the body of Theia. Crius tried summoning the power of the constellations.

Hera fired one of the arrows from the bow. The projectile flew, striking Crius in the chest.

Everyone turned to see the blow make the Titan fall back in pain but no permanent damage was done. While he was alive, they were coming to realize that death could soon come for any of them.

Little did they know just how right they were.

The forces on Mount Othrys mustered as soon as Menoetius went for Hera. Theia threw beams of light at Hera. Eurybia hurled a cyclone of water at Prometheus.

The Titans did not expect the power that arrived. Light was battled by the power of darkness from Hades. He stood in front of Hera and Metis, a beacon of dark power.

Poseidon arrived on a wave, turning the blow back on Eurybia. She stared up in confusion when she was buffeted onto the ground. She looked from her opponent to her allies before looking back at Olympus.

Eurybia began to doubt the orders from Cronos. However, when Poseidon charged her, she was too late to do anything. The trident drove into her chest. She screamed out in pain.

The distraction was enough for Hades. When Theia turned to see the dying lamentation of the Titaness, He threw his hooked chains at her. The hook stuck into her shoulders, gripping her by her very soul. Theia's cry was the most piercing scream in existence.

Hades did not care. He pulled forward bringing Theia to her knees. He did not pause. He stabbed forward with his bident. The motion pierced through her head.

Theia died instantly, passing only moments before Eurybia.

Crius screamed out, trying to charge forward, but Metis launched herself at him. The shield was more powerful than the strength that Crius, with his damaged hands, brought to bear.

Focused entirely on Hades' back, Menoetius went to attack. But he did not see the response of the Lightning Prince. Zeus brought his fist down against the back of Menoetius' head. Atlas stared enraged, but aware of just how outmatched he was.

Running back to Crius, Atlas grabbed the elder Titan, teleporting them both back to Olympus.

The younger gods cheered in their victory. They reveled in their might, celebrating their powerful win over the Titans.

Metis wanted to stop them, but she knew that the moment Menoetius had struck, that something had begun.

In the years that followed, people would not recall the specifics of this battle, but this was when certain historians would say that the First Titan War truly started.

**********

What?!" Cronos exclaimed. Crius and Atlas were on their knees in the throne room. They were covered in the golden-red blood of their Titan allies.

"How could this happen?"

The Titan King asked the question, but he knew well enough. He had been the first killer in Greece after all. Having been in control of Olympus, the dominion below, and the cosmos above for so long, there was a security in that knowledge. Existence's day to day function was made possible only through the Titans. That any of their number could be slain would be... impossible. And if not that, irrevocably, unachievably, unfathomably tragic.

"Menoetius attacked first, but your sons retaliated, killing Theia and Eurybia before Zeus struck Menoetius down," Crius answered. "They were just too powerful."

Cronos stared out at the battlefield. Even from the heights of Olympus, he could see that their souls were no longer within their bodies.

He had to think quickly. Even before the other Titans, he slowed time around the others in his company. He thought of how this could go. He knew if he tried to directly use the death of those Titans to his advantage, he might lose his allies, but he knew he would not win the fights ahead without them. His sons were proving to be more formidable than even his father.

"The loss of our fallen Titans shows that these rebellious children will do anything to have power," Cronos said carefully. He looked at Atlas and Crius. "You two who were so loyal... I want you to rest and breathe, for you shall lead us in the battles ahead."

The other Titans looked upon their leader. There was some worry and uncertainty. Hyperion and Coeus (who was holding his wife, Phoebe) looked to their Titan King of a brother. They prayed to Chaos that he might see some sense.

"We will avenge our fallen brothers and sisters. The memories of Iapetus, Menoetius, Eurybia, and Theia will never leave any of us. They gave so much for our way of life that these traitors and murderers try to tear down. We will not allow my children to undo all we have built--all that you have built!"

The words stirred within the divine beings on Olympus. A single cheer broke through the silence, and before too long, all of the Titans joined, rallying behind their king.

**********

Within the cave of Othrys, there was a raucous celebration. There was revelry and joy. Zeus picked up Metis. He twirled her in the air to show that he was glad that she was safe. His lips found hers.

Poseidon drank wine from a large container. Demeter and Hestia danced together. The feelings of happiness of their survival told them that they might be ready for the fights they had ahead. Victory can have a habit of clouding a mind.

Alone, on the top of the mountain, Hades tore off the top of his tunic. He grimaced in pain as the golden ichor started to leak out of the lining of his scars.

"Fucking! Chaos! Cronos! All of you!" Hades screamed. "You did this to me!"

He began to cry, and tears streamed down his face. The pain was overwhelming him. He rolled around in pain. The fact that his scars were sealing and his flesh was starting to come more in line with that of his brothers meant little to him.

"Hades," the soft voice of Hera said, breaking through the pain and exclamation.

She reached him. The light of her magic was a hue of blue, green, and gold. The pain started to subside.

He followed her ministrations to lay on his back.

"Why didn't you come to me sooner?" Hera asked.

Hades recoiled when Hera sat next to him. She tried to run her hand through his hair. He gave her a look that warned her not to try.

"I was so used to being alone. Even when Poseidon was with me in the belly of Cronos, he and I were never close."

"But you're not in there now," Hera reminded him softly. "You're here. You're not alone anymore. If you let me... "

Hera paused. Until the war with Cronos was over, she could not be sure which son was going to be the King of Olympus. Her mother had raised her to be the Queen of Olympus. While Zeus had led the charge against Cronos in the beginning, it was clear he was not the most powerful of the young gods of Olympus, and he was not guaranteed to become King.

Hades was the oldest, and Hera could see how much of a wounded being he was. She could help him. She could heal him from his past, but it was not what her mother, Rhea, would want for her.

Rhea was not there though. This was Hera's choice.

She leaned towards Hades and offered in a soft breathy voice, If you let me, I can be here for you, Hades."

"No," Hades struggled. "I know how it will go... Life only leads to being alone, alone in the dark."

"It does not have to be. Today, you did a brave thing. You saved me and Metis."

"I gave into my most primal urges," Hades said, chastising himself.

"And what do those urges say now?" Hera wondered. She straddled the injured god's lap. She could feel his sex growing.

"That... That I should leave," Hades said, unsure.

Hera, ever the daughter of Rhea, smiled promiscuously at him. "That is not entirely true, Hades."

Under the canopy of night, Hera leaned down and kissed Hades on the lips. She was soft, tender at first, but when he reciprocated her affection, it was Hera, not Hades, who opened her mouth and slid her tongue into him, hoping to find his tongue.

She rocked back and forth, enjoying the sensations of the god's hardened phallic member. She knew with the impending battles that there might not be a better time. Her heartbeat was in rhythm with the revelry below and the cosmos above.

Slowly, with only her hips and legs, she lifted his tunic and freed his cock. The freed member caused Hades to be both scared and aroused by what would happen next.

He may have been within the belly of Cronos all his life, but even he could not deny the deep desires of his loins.

He groaned, feeling the head of his rod pressing against the opening of Hera's sex.

Hera gasped, grabbing Hades. The pain was so great that she was unsure if her plan was worth it. She had not known about the need for foreplay. Out of the many discussions she had with Rhea, this was not one of the things Rhea had taught Hera.

Time seemed to stand still as Hera called out Hades' name. His cock forcefully plunged into her. She was overwhelmed by a hurricane of new sensations. Pain from her hymen tearing was a sharp searing, but the walls of her vaginal canal being touched in a way they had never been before elicited a shiver of pleasure up her spine.

Hades was giving into his own pleasures. The feeling of the gentle breeze meant nothing to either of them as they were giving into the raw carnal needs of their flesh.

She forcefully kissed him as she slowly went up and down on his lap. Her left hand dug deep into his shoulder. Under a starless sky, Hera kept kissing Hades as she savored him inside of her.

His pole was larger than she had thought. The diverse sensations were threatening to overwhelm her. She kept going and going until....

"Hades!" Hera screamed. The cry was a declaration of her divine climax. None of the gods below, in the caves could hear them.

But soon, Hades exclaimed, "Hera!"

This was a moment where Hera ignored the advice of her mother. She knew a man's seed could leave her with child, but Hera chanced it this one time. This was for the two of them, and the raw sexual feeling was so new, like a blossoming flower in the desert.

She felt him spurting inside of her, and Hera rode Hades all the more until his emissions stopped. Hera leaned down, pecking him softly on the lips.

"You're not alone, Hades. Not anymore," she whispered.

While Hades believed her, he restrained himself from saying anything, including the declaration of thanks and love for Hera. What she gave him that night was worth more than words, but Hades knew, like all good things in his life, it would be taken away.

**********

The night hung heavy over Mount Olympus.

Cronos stood to look back at the valley of Thessaly. His eyes filled with determination and a burning desire to defend his realm. He turned his gaze toward the Titan he heard approaching.

"Tell me, Coeus," Cronos inquired, his voice carrying the weight of the impending battle. "How do we defeat them? You were always the smart one of us. How do we do it?"

"Brother, I would have argued that you learn to let them live under your rules," Coeus, with the air of a scholar, said.

Moving closer to his brother, Coeus lowered and shook his head. When he raised his head, his eyes gleamed with a calculated wisdom and everlasting exhaustion.

He went on with a sigh.

"But what's done is done. Though I know you have some power over time, I do not know what to do right now unless you can undo what's been done, can you?"

Cronos turned and shook his head at Coeus. He wished he could travel back to the moment before all these battles had happened. With the knowledge he had from this present, he could undo so much of the past. He knew that Zeus had been free somehow. That mystery still bothered him, but there was an answer to that question.

"Very well. Then we cannot go backwards, but we also cannot rush headlong into battle with these gods. Their powers are vast and unpredictable."

"You don't suggest that we surrender? At this point, giving them what they want would be a betrayal of those that died," Cronos said, with an edge in his voice.

"I did not say that," Coeus said quickly. His tone shifted from quick defense to intelligent suggestion. "I do think, however, that we must bide our time, study their strengths and weaknesses, and only fully strike when we are certain of victory."

Cronos regarded Coeus with a mixture of frustration and understanding. Coeus was the wisest of the Titans. If Cronos ignored the counsel, then Cronos would deserve to lose. "How long shall we wait, then?" he demanded, his impatience seeping through.

Coeus' response was measured, his gaze unwavering. "Years, however long as it takes, my king," he declared. "I do not suggest we do nothing. Allow one or two of our brethren to fight at a time. If Zeus escalates things, so shall we, but I think he fears you and Hyperion, so that will stop him from committing all of his forces. Once we know the extent of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, we can start an all-out assault on them like we did with Father."

Cronos' brow furrowed, his doubts surfacing like turbulent waters. "Years... " he mused. "You're asking me to wait years."

A faint, knowing smile played upon Coeus' lips. "Yes. It is fortunate then that you are the Titan of Time."

Cronos smirked, knowing there were ways to use his power to their advantage.

**********

In the quiet, pre-dawn hours of Mount Othrys, the ancient caves held within its dominion the vestiges of revelry. Inside, the young gods Zeus, Metis, Hestia, Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Demeter all lay in a pile sleeping. They were all half naked. But there were no immediate signs of anything tawdry.

High atop the mountain, Hades and Hera laid in one another's arms. Their clothes served as their blankets. There were all the signs of sex from Hera's ruffled hair to Hades' limp but exposed penis.

Despite the uncertainty to come, they had found solace in each other's arms. Deep in slumber, they were unaware of the new watchful eyes that had come to the mountain.

With the first rays of morning light crept over the horizon, Mnemosyne and Themis, two of the most venerable and wise Titans, arrived at Mount Othrys cave's entrance, their presence commanding respect and reverence. Their disapproving gazes fell upon the youthful gods who had yet to notice the arrival of their elder kin.

Mnemosyne, with her regal bearing and a voice like ancient echoes, spoke first. "Zeus," she intoned, her tone carrying the weight of countless memories, "it appears you have forgotten the severity of your situation."

Zeus slowly stirred, groaning in his first ever hangover.

Themis, the embodiment of divine order and justice, nodded in agreement. "This celebration might be well-deserved, but it is premature," she cautioned, her words like the unyielding laws of the universe.

Startled from their carefree slumber and decadence, Metis (who looked ashamed), Hestia, and Demeter stirred, their expressions shifting from jubilation to a mixture of guilt and respect. Poseidon laid in the background still unconscious. The others rose from their lounging positions, their youthful exuberance momentarily dampened by the presence of Mnemosyne and Themis.

Zeus took a step forward, trying to seem like a leader. "We meant no disrespect, Mnemosyne and Themis," he began, his voice a blend of contrition and sincerity. While he had never met them, Gaia had told him about the appearances of all of her children. "Yesterday was stressful and we felt we should celebrate."

Mnemosyne, her stern expression softening, replied, "Victories and celebrations are important, but I suggest caution. Had we been your enemies, you could have been destroyed. Just because your father's champions failed this time does not mean he will in the future."

Themis added, "Remember, youth can be a gift, but wisdom is the foundation upon which the gods must build their reign."

"If you were our enemies?" Zeus asked, trying to understand.

Before the elder Titaness' could answer, Metis spoke for them. "I believe that they are willing to help us, Zeus."

As the morning sun continued its ascent, Zeus smiled. The Titanomachy was starting to show signs of his victory. With these elder Titaness' by his side, Zeus believed he could guide the destiny of the cosmos.

**********

Chapter 10: Ten years Later

"Wars don't end happily. Not ever. Often relationships that were central during war, dissolve during peace. Some people who were brave and fearless in war are unable to handle peace, feel disconnected and confused. Other times people in war make the move to peace very easily. Always people die in wars. And always people are left shattered by the loss of loved ones."

-- K. A. Applegate, author of Animorphs, in a letter to fans addressing the ending of the Animorphs series.

Battles came and went. Titans rose and fell against the might of the gods. Of Zeus and his enclave, all of them survived their battles while Titans fell left and right. However, the tolls of battle had been taken upon them. What were once brim and young gods and titans were quickly becoming exhausted and jaded.

They did not need to communicate that between each other. They saw it in their eyes, knew it in their souls, and the attrition of what had come before was wearing down on them.

The gods were battle-worn and weary; their bodies had been locked in a relentless struggle against the Titans for the long decade. Some important named Titans like Phoebe had been slain while others like Cronos and Coeus lingered on. The conflict had raged across the valley of Thessaly.

They stood atop Mount Othrys overwhelmed by their exhaustion.

Zeus, his once-gleaming golden gauntlet tarnished with the grime of battle and his lightning bolt crackling with diminished intensity from near overuse, stood with a weary posture. The weight of countless battles had stripped away his youthful exuberance. Even the reddish brown portion of his jaw was becoming as white as his lustrous mane.

Poseidon, with his sword at his side, leaned on his trident with a practiced grace. What was once the pride of his arsenal was now nothing more than as a makeshift staff. His sea-green tunic was tattered, and his sea-blue eyes, previously sharp and focused, were glazed over with exhaustion.

Hades held his Hooks on their long chains loosely. His bident was tied to his back. The eldest brother was a shadow of his once-imposing figure. However, unlike his sibling, a fire burned in his eyes. Time in Cronos' stomach had taught him that his struggles were a battle of endurance.

Metis, the strategist, stood resolute but the strain had taken its toll on her as well. The Aegis shield, once a symbol of invincibility, felt heavier with each passing moment. She had guided the young gods with wisdom, but the attrition of war had taken its toll on her brilliant mind and once-strong body.

Hera was as beautiful as ever, wielding her invincible bow that fired infinite arrows. She had not been raised or used to the idea of battle in her upbringing with Rhea. That did not stop her from taking part in the long-lasting war.

Demeter's gauntlets, which had harnessed the powers of the seasons to devastating effect in each blow, hung limply at her sides. The goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the seasons, found the radiance of life fading from her.

Hestia, the gentle and nurturing goddess, held her long staff with trembling hands. There was no flame in her eyes. Her mousy brown hair had lost all of its bounce.

Prometheus and Epimetheus had fought valiantly alongside their divine kin. While Prometheus had an ax in hand, it was clear that he favored his bare hands. They sat together in a weary silence that they shared gladly.

Mnemosyne and Themis were deep in discussion as they had been since offering their wise counsel in the beginning of the Great War. These ancient Titanesses kept their voices faint yet ruminative.

They had gathered atop Mount Othrys to look out at the plains of Thessaly. While they saw an empty battlefield, the splayed out ichor was a sign of what the last ten years had wrought.

The exhaustion in their eyes was only another example of what they decade had taken from them. Nevertheless, a persevering resolve burned within those same eyes regardless of the ten long years of unrelenting battle.

A toll had been taken, but the young gods knew that the fate of Olympus and the future of Greece depended on their enduring resilience in the face of this monumental conflict.

They did not know how, but something about the conflict felt as if it were coming to a close.

**********

On the majestic heights of Mount Olympus, a small group of Titans gathered in a somber assembly. The Great War had raged on for what felt like an eternity, and the price exacted on their ranks was undeniable. The once-mighty Titans now bore the marks of their own from relentless battles.

Cratus was the embodiment of strength and power, and as such, he stood at the forefront of a small contingent of disgruntled Titans. He had stone-like muscles that were tense from many battles. While there were scars, none of the marks were so large that one might think a single weapon had damaged him to a great degree.

Beside Cratus stood Zelus. Zelus' eyes burned with zeal. Zelus clenched his fists in frustration as rage flickered in his eyes. Zelus was bared to the world; it was smooth and toned.

Nike was a winged goddess of radiant proportions. Some say she represented victory; however, with the wilted laurel wreath that crowned her head, one might be forgiven for thinking otherwise. She sat in the corner of the room, annoyed.

Bia leaned against a pillar. Similar to Nike and Zelus, she also had wings. She exuded an aura of restrained power that was so recognizable that any combatant in the Great War would recognize her.

These were the children of Pallas and Styx, the grandchildren of Crius and Eurybia. With their grandmother as one of the earliest casualties of the war, they had given their full support to Cronos.

After seeing Cronos' mismanagement, and the deaths of countless Titans, the siblings emitted a sense of defeat.

Cratus, his voice deep and rumbling like thunder, spoke with a tone of accusation.

"Siblings, our fallen brethren lie scattered across the battlefield," Cronos said, breathing a long sigh. He was holding back his wrath. "We entrusted Cronos with our lives, and yet he orders us into a war where everyone falls left and right while Cronos does not have the courage to join us out there."

Zelus did not hold back the bitterness in his voice.

"His parents were born of Progenitor. Maybe that line does not understand the rest of us." Zelus struggled to think, let alone speak. He shook his head before focusing himself. "We will not be sacrificed in this neverending conflict!"

Nike added her own voice to the conversation. "This all means nothing. Even if we did win, we lost too many of the titans for Olympus to be the same as it was."

Cratus nodded in agreement.

Bia punched a pillar in their own frustrations.

"We should demand an end to this senseless bloodshed. The fallen titans cannot obtain justice over their own deaths, but we can. We can't stand by as more of our kin die."

"I know Cronos will not listen to us," Cratus said with a shake of his head. "He is too obsessed with killing his children."

Zelus smirked. "If Cronos will not heed sense, then perhaps we could make our point to a king who will."

The other divine beings looked to Zelus with interest.

**********

In the opulent heart of Cronos' palace, nestled amidst the resplendent grandeur of Mount Olympus, a private chamber was adorned with rich tapestries and shimmering gemstones. Within the chamber, two Titans met to discuss the future of Olympus.

Cronos, the Titan King, sat on a chair of stone. His imposing form was clad in robes of midnight black and regal purple. Time had not so much as touched him.

On the other side of a table, opposite of Titan King, Coeus stood with an air of solemnity, ever the champion of scholarly wisdom and keeper of secret knowledge. Clad in robes adorned with celestial patterns, he was a sage meant for the annals of time.

In his low voice, Coeus' resonant rumble filled the chamber. "There are whispers of unrest, Cronos. The lesser Titans are becoming unhappy with this prolonged fight."

Cronos' gaze, as ancient as the cosmos itself, bore into the distance. His silence was a signal for Coeus to continue.

"They are growing restless, my King," Coeus elaborated. "They question the path we tread. What has been mere moments for you, using your control over time, has been a decade for us. The war has been hard, Cronos."

"Those were my misgivings in the beginning, Coeus!" Cronos exclaimed. The Titan King slammed his fist into the table, cracking it.

"I had not expected for us to sustain such loss," Coeus conceded. "I can accept the wait is my fault. But it might be time for you to take the field, Cronos.

Cronos twitched in a flicker of anger. "I have been wanting to do so since the beginning." Cronos let out a frustrated breath. "Do you have a full understanding of their powers, Coeus?"

Coeus paused, his gaze steady in contemplation. He nodded slowly. "I believe so. While Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon have proven themselves to be formidable, I believe I understand the limitations of their powers and weapons, my king."

Cronos leaned forward. "What of Hyperion? He possesses the great Flame of Olympus. Why has he not unleashed it upon them?"

Coeus' response was measured, his voice carrying the weight of solemn knowledge. "The Flame is a double-edged sword, my king. To wield it risks the annihilation of all we hold dear, including Greece itself. Hyperion understands the cost."

"And what of Rhea?" Cronos asked.

"She is still in her own solitude. She has made it clear that while she is in support of you, she has no intention of raising arms against her children," Coeus informed.

"Fuck!" Cronos exclaimed. "Her magic would be useful on the battlefield."

Silence descended upon the chamber as Cronos and Coeus exchanged a meaningful glance. The anger of Cronos dissipated, being replaced by a look of determination.

Cronos spoke, his voice carrying the gravitas of divine resolve. "You, Crius, and Hyperion shall join me on the battlefield. Together, we shall lead a final assault on my wayward children. We shall bring an end to this turmoil, and Chaos willing, I will never have children with Rhea again."

Coeus nodded, ignoring the final part of his brother's declaration.

**********

Things had not been going well for the gods of Othrys. While they seemingly won every battle without a loss of life, the conflict had taken its toll on its occupants. Hades, who used to make love to Hera after every battle, was starting to close off from her (as well as others) again.

Hera knew that she had defied Rhea by going to bed with the eldest son of Cronos. The princess wondered if her lover's despondency was a punishment for her disobedience of Rhea's plan.

Going mad from why this distance was occurring was certainly inevitable if Hera's father was state of being was any indication.

With the Great War looking like it might go on, Hera would not tolerate this distance from the person she was closest with. She needed answers, but she could not go to Olympus.

Instead, she found herself within the timeless and bleak domain of the Underworld. This was where shadows whispered secrets and other ancient powers existed outside of the scope of the Great War. She slowed her way forward; there was a quality about the atmosphere that felt heavy with the dense burden of the infinite.

She ventured deeper into the realm all the same. Answers were important to her. A heart could carry the weight of many demands, such as a Realm at war or breaking from Hades' despondency, but the many battles had stripped away much of the fortitude that she had once taken for granted.

Inwardly, a prayer was muttered by the princess in her wish for answers by the enigmatic tapestries of the 'Sisters of Fate.'

Upon crossing the threshold of their Palace-Temple, Hera's senses were immediately ensnared by the ethereal beauty of the place. A flurry of otherworldly colors danced around her to paint the air itself with spectacles of destiny. The Sisters of Fate were beings more ancient than Time itself. To be of an age immemorial would be their honor just as they weaved the threads of existence on colossal looms.

For the visit of this goddess, their faces were hidden beneath hoods.

Hera's eyes were not for the ones who were lauded to know everything when it came to history and the future. Rather, she was fixated upon the colossal tapestries that hung on the walls before her. In those threads, she witnessed immensities.

In one corner, an arras of enormous proportions displayed a scene of dauntless courageousness. At its center stood a figure clutching the severed head of a fearsome female with serpentine locks that twisted in agony. The fearsome visage would be the bane of countless souls. Across from this brave being, there was a monumental sea monster rearing up from the depths. Its writhing tentacles were poised to strike. The dreading, deadly gaze of the viper-haired maid was harnessed by a hero's hand and was turning the watery beast into an eerie monument of petrified stone.

She moved on to see another piece of woven artistry. There was a labyrinthine structure. At its heart, a figure brandished a simple blade. Before them stood the daunting form of a monstrous being with a bull's head and a body like a god's but less of a shine to it. Yet, even as she looked at the fine fabric, there was more to this tale. It seemed that the hero's journey was not solely one of slaying beasts. They had unearthed a bow... Hera paused. That was her bow. She did not have it on her but that was her bow that he was wielding throughout this war. She would know it anywhere.

Turning back, she scrutinized an invading opponent who sought to release titan warriors from a prison in the mountain. She tilted her head at this because she did recognize some of these lesser titans, but she and her allies were slaying them left and right. Why would they ever be in a mountain?

Another wall hanging unfurled a maritime odyssey. A ship set sail across the seas of Greece. Its crew was pursuing a strange fleece of gold. Among them, there was a youth that Hera felt a connection to even through the barrier of space and time. He brimmed with potential. Beside him stood a lesser man with blond hair that she did not care about, but they shared a resemblance.

Adorning another corner of the chamber was a curtain depicting a celestial god imparting a gift of boundless loyalty to a girl? She was royalty like Hera. Was she a princess? Her countenance was radiant as she accepted a hound of incredible prowess. There was a bond between the two. The art was detailed and beautiful, but she could not determine if it was lust or affection that they shared.

Another tableau unfolded, and it depicted the Underworld. In it, the hero from the boat grappled with an indomitable three-headed giant dog. Hera knew of the loyal hounds that Prometheus and Epimetheus had created. She had known them to have one head, not three. This development could mean hundreds of things, but she could not work out specifically what it was or why it was important enough for the Fates to put it in their weaves.

The final dossal held Hera captive when her eyes found it. Regality and love converged within the work of art. A wedding ceremony unfolded in a shroud of a lustrous candescence. Figures of a god and goddess were entwined in a kiss that was built upon everlasting love. The identities were obscured from an onlooker's gaze. There must have been a reason for that, but fuck if Hera knew what that was.

She was completely held hostage by the lucent goddess. That person in the art piece had an everlasting love for the undeniably regal counterpart.

Hera felt a strange and powerful connection in the way their lips met. She was about to reach up and try to touch the work. Maybe by touching the image, Hera might complete the interlink between the future and the present. When she raised her hand a few inches, Hera heard a voice.

"Welcome, O Future Queen of Olympus," one of the hooded sisters said.

The voice of one of the sisters shocked Hera out of her awe of the tapestries. Rather than look upset or flinch at the shock, Hera turned to address the Moirai.

"Mighty Fates," she spoke, her voice quivering with a blend of awe and trepidation.

While she had not intended for the embarrassing shaking, she could not help it. These three divinities were unique. They were certainly descended from Chaos through Nyx, but Hera felt comfortable categorizing someone as a Primordial, Titan, lesser titan or god. These three maidens were unique in the hierarchy of Greece.

Regardless of their standing, Hera saw them as worthy of respect. The problem was with the knowledge they supposedly possessed, it became impossible for Hera's feelings not to bleed into fear.

"I seek your wisdom so that I may know what the future holds for me," Hera went on.

The eldest of the Sisters had fingers gently guiding the skein of destiny. Shereplied in a voice that resonated with the essence of ages.

"The future, dearest Hera, is a tapestry woven by the choices of any living being. We may shape the loom, but it is the choices of beings such as yourself that hold the real power when it comes to the pull of the threads of fate."

Hera nodded to signify that she understood, but her gaze never left the intricate patterns of the tapestry.

"Regardless of my choices, I must know what will happen at the end of the war to come," she said. Her concerns were coming across in every syllable. "What lies ahead?"

"Ahead, or ahead for you?" Atropos said. There was a hint of a laugh in her words.

Hera was so caught aback that she could barely stammer.

The middle sister had her fingers deftly arranging the threads. She spoke next. Hera believed that this much be Lachesis; she was the sister who must have the understanding of the present.

"You shall be Queen, many times over, and for all eternity," she replied. "Your rule shall shape the very course of Olympus... and its rulership."

Hera furrowed her brow into a glare. Despite her irritation at the way she was answered, curiosity and determination overcame her.

"Please, Sisters, grant me clarity. I don't fully understand."

She was careful when she spoke next. She had heard the Fates' say Queen many times over. Did that mean there would be more kings? More than that, one sentence could mean a thousand things. She worried that she might not comprehend, and when it came to using information of the future to navigate forward, she would need a full and correct interpretation.

"Tell me of these kings who shall follow my reign."

Atropos responded once more.

"Kings will rise and fall even as the sun does; their identities are known to us, but obscured to you by the mists of time."

"But what good does that do me?" Hera asked with an impatiently flippant tone.

When no answer came, she became all too aware of who she had an audience with whom she had. These were not beings to be trifled with, and she had gone and lost her temper. She lowered her head in contrite supplication.

"I apologize, Sisters."

Clothos and Lachesis let out long laughs. It became so egregious that they ended up covering their faces. They looked to one another before looking towards Atropos, who was the only Sister to maintain her composure.

She went on to respond to the future queen.

"Your misgivings are understandable given you lack our vision, and you are forgiven for your fear, but understand that you have a great gift, Future Queen. You alone shall hold the key to the ascension of Kingship, dear Hera."

"But how?" Hera wondered.

"That is something you will have to discover for yourself," Lachesis answered simply.

"But how will I know who this person is that is meant to be king?" Hera persisted.

The hooded sisters looked back at one another. A silent signal was given between them. Their eyes glowed with the light of eons and potentialities.

Together they spoke with a careful assuredness.

"Through selfless surrender,

your power shall bloom,

In this act,

Olympus' true heir's room.

His mighty ascension,

not forged by scheming plan,

Through your grace,

he'll inherit the throne's true span.

Forever you shall reign,

your love's embrace,

Shall guide Olympus

in eternal grace.

In generous giving,

your destiny takes flight,

As Queen and King,

Lead with love's pure light."

Hera stared in stunned bewilderment. The poem had given her even less to work with. The rhyme and verse might have been useful to someone like Metis or Prometheus; for her, it could only exacerbate her frustrations.

"We have guided others," Lachesis explained. "If we tell all that will happen, you will not move forward as you should."

"Events may be easily understood, but people always have a choice, Queen Hera," Clothos added.

"So go forth," Atropos commanded. "Choose, Lady Hera. The Fate of this realm, and so many more, are in your hands."

The Fates' cryptic words hung in the air like a lingering melody, a melody that Hera could not yet decipher or fully comprehend. She left the sacred chamber with the weight of her destiny bearing down upon her shoulders.

After she was gone from the realm of Tartarus, Clothos turned to Atropos.

"Are you sure we did not reveal too much to her? Surely, our words and the tapestries would have too many signs."

Atropos shook her head. "These young divinities do not yet have the wisdom or foresight to see the gift. The knowledge on the tapestries might be seen today but will be forgotten tomorrow."

"What if one such as Metis or Prometheus were to have come, Sister?" Lachesis asked, genuinely curious. As the Fate of the Present, she rather enjoyed looking over those two particular Titans.

"Then we might have a need to show concern," Atropos answered with a laugh. "They would look at an end result even as they are in the middle of the process."

The three Sisters let out cackles of laughter. They were not playing just one game, with one end result. They saw many. They saw realms rise and fall. They saw possibilities and probabilities. They saw worlds come and go.

In their eyes, they saw a time where the Titan Cronos was their servant. In another, they used an Hourglass of Time. In yet another, they turned cruel. So, on, and so forth. They even saw timelines which no longer held individuals, divine or otherwise. In some, a single Titan of another land, controlled time.

They wanted a Timeline where not only the Fates lived on, but one where the Pantheon of Greece thrived. They wanted a Realm of gods and goddesses not just for this time, but for all time. To meet that end, they would need a proper king, leader, general, army, and home.

"Which is our first priority, Sister?" Clothos wondered.

"The land must be secured. To that end, the Titans must fall. From there... it is a king we shall need, but Hera shall take care of that," Atropos answered.

"The Titans' fall is inevitable in most timelines. Even now, so long the godlings keep their path, they should emerge victorious," Lachesis said.

"Until the choices are made," Atropos countered, "nothing is certain."

"Yes, Sister," Lachesis remarked. "We shall help provide motivations for the Titans and the gods."

"Of course," Clothos and Atropos replied with glee.

**********

Life was funny for the gods during the celestial conflict. During the day, while Hyperion's son, Helios, was in the sky, they battled for their lives with the Titans. When the sun set, both sides retreated back to their respective mountains.

Despite it being a war for the fate of all of the divine beings in the lands of Greece, there was a pattern (some might even say manners) to the functions of their battles. The day the battle went into Nyx's night, it was unconsciously understood that the war would be ending.

That was why, in the moonlit night, Zeus and Metis found circumstances comfortable to be drawn to one another. Their relationship was no secret. It had formed early in the war, and Metis had long since made the rules for them. They only were intimate during the night. When the day began anew, they were to focus on the battles ahead, no on their primal desires.

Thankfully, the Mountain of Othrys had become home to the young gods in their revolution. Each divinity had carved rooms into the Mountain where they lived modestly in wartime.

In Metis had carved out a room for her handcrafted maps of Thessaly. There were numerous notes on every god and titan on parchments; she looked at each god and titan's images on the parchment to study them. She transformed between Rhea and Hera.

She heard the approach of the audacious Lightning Lord. Metis altered her form from Hera to Rhea then back to her own naked body before playing with the imagery of Mnemosyne and Themis.

"It is good to see you, Zeus."

Zeus approached Metis with an air of flirtation that danced upon his lips.

"Metis," he responded in greeting. "I do love it when you change your forms."

He ran his hands over her body with his intimately understanding of her physique. Even when she changed, Zeus knew the Oceanid. He had been intimate with her hundreds of times. She was his to conceive in this most distinguished of manners.

"Is this show today for me?" Zeus asked with a salacious glint in his eyes.

Metis turned to look at Zeus. She was all too aware of what he wanted and her eyes reflected his longing. She could see his engorging member between his legs. She smirked, shaking her head, telling Zeus that he would not have her yet.

"Hello, Lord Zeus," she replied.

She knew that she had already acknowledged him, but this was different. This was a game between them, and he knew it. Her words were laced with a subtle allure.

"While I do enjoy your company, I do need to strategize about tomorrow and the day after that."

"Were you transforming to try and get into the minds of your enemies again?" Zeus mused.

His question was not an absurd one. Metis was a more cerebral deity when compared to the sons of Cronos. They brought forth might that she could never dream of on the battlefield. However, for as complex and diverse their powers were, so too could one say about Metis' mind. It considered options that no other being could. Perhaps, in the scale of intelligence and forethought only Coeus and Prometheus were her betters.

That did not mean she would not push herself to think like her allies and opponents.

"Don't tease. It has served us well," Metis said with a pout. She had made it a habit to think like their enemies, and Metis believed transforming into their physical visage helped in that.

Zeus stood behind her, running his hands up and down her spine as she was taking the form of Theia, Hyperion's wife. He kissed Metis on the back of her neck. He enjoyed using the skills Gaia had taught him in lovemaking. There was a pleasure in knowing so few divinities had his prowess.

"The realm teeters on the precipice of victory and defeat, Zeus, and you come here to play with me?" Metis asked in a flirtatious manner.

This was her curse; her duality. Metis adored this Prince of Olympus. The Lightning Lord had a captivatingly pulling effect on others that drew them into his sphere of influence. Metis self-admittedly (but only to herself) was one of those people he attracted.

"I have been battling for years. Either Cronos will show himself soon or they will run out of Titans on Olympus to throw at us."

Zeus' flippancy almost turned Metis cold. However, while his words sobered her, the touch of his hands over her nipples and stomach were making her body surrender to arousal.

"Cronos shall enter the fray soon," Metis said confidently. "I have heard whispers of Titans losing faith in him." She gave a low moan to his touches as his index and middle finger grazed over her pubic hair. Zeus was always so good about getting his tips wet before jumping in.

"Have you been sneaking onto Olympus again, Metis?" Zeus asked. He breathed on her neck to see how his Titaness would respond.

Metis shivered. "It helps to sow seeds of dissent, Zeus." She started breathing heavily. How could she not with the way he touched her? She pushed his hands away to give him her opinion. "I know Coeus and Cronos intend to enter the battlefield soon, but if we are lucky, we might get some help from within Olympus."

Zeus froze when she said that. "Then the end to all this fighting might be coming?"

Metis nodded in agreement. "It might be, sweet Zeus. We need to plan for when Cronos enters the fray."

"Why? Me and my brothers have the power to defeat him," Zeus said confidently. The heat of the moment was waning for Metis.

"Maybe, but no one is entirely sure what Cronos can do, and should Cronos fall, the gods and their allies shall seek a new leader for Olympus."

A subtle implication lingered in the luminous depths of her eyes, which Zeus did not see. This was a vision of a future seen by the planning pragmatism of Metis' mind, not of some magical sight that she did not possess.

Zeus' softening manhood was beginning to return to form at the idea. The idea of him on the throne of Olympus was the dream Gaia had put into his head since his birth. He knew he was meant to be king. He knew it meant he would have any woman he craved. That idea alone was worth having an erection over.

"And in this future," she continued, "I see a throne upon which you shall sit, Zeus. As king."

Zeus could not contain himself. He turned Metis, who had suddenly taken the form of Hera. He cared nothing for Hera. From what Zeus discerned, Hera was Hades' lover. While he did not boast, Zeus had no interest in his brother's leftovers.

Still, to see Hera's naked body in front of him, on Metis, was something to behold.

"Oh, is it this one you like?" Metis cooed. "Would you like to fuck me better than your brother?" Metis continued, altering her voice to become identical to Hera's.

Something about that voice turned Zeus on all the more. He lifted Metis-Hera into the air, rubbing his cock at her entrance.

"I bet you would love to be fucked by the better god."

"Oh yes, Lord Zeus," Metis-Hera said. The heavens themselves seemed to hold their breath in anticipation as Metis drew near in Zeus' arms. "I want you to know what I want, my future king," Metis added as she could feel the head of his cock enter her.

"What is it, Metis?" Zeus asked. The moist lips of her pussy licking his cock made him a slave to his desire. "Name it, and it's yours!"

"Make me your queen!"

In that moment, with only the cave as a witness, Zeus and Metis shared a vision of a future where their destinies intertwined.

Zeus pinned Metis to the wall. "Yes, Metis! You will be my queen and carry my heirs."

Zeus' nostrils flared as he felt Metis grip him. He thrust more and more. Inch by inch went in and out of Metis. The eroticism of Metis still in the form of Hera made it all the more sexy for him.

His lips crashed onto Metis'. She returned his passion. Their tongues intertwined as Zeus fully stabbed his prodigious cock into her dripping sex. His testicles slammed against her faster and faster.

Both of them were consumed in the idea of ruling. Zeus drunk on power, and Metis seeing the benefit of Olympus under her rule. Together they cried out. Zeus' explosion into Metis was a promise of the future. His godly semen flew deep into the fertile Titaness. Her quivering pussy accepted and sucked up every last drop.

Even as he withdrew from her, Zeus' juice covered cock fell limp, but not a single vestige of Zeus' seed would so much as drip or drizzle out.

They fell onto their backs, breathing heavily. Metis caressed her lover's softening member. She would find a use for it before the day was out. She kissed her lover with a gentle intimacy.

"To the future, Zeus," Metis said with a smile.

A cocky smirk touched Zeus' lip. "To the future, Metis."

**********

She had not expected the conflict to go this long if she were honest. When Cronos and his brothers united against Ouranos, the battle was over in a day. Letting out a sigh, Gaia had to realize that this was probably due to the scale of the fights.

One primordial versus six Titans might have been cataclysmic to onlookers, but it was a near equal in terms of power. This was a fight where Cronos could not throw every Titan, Greater and lesser, at his opposition for fear of the destructive force. For that, Gaia would have to thank Coeus for being the smart child.

However, this prolonged matter was driving her to a madness that might mirror her Titan King of a son. That was why, amidst the chaos of the war and on her secluded island, Gaia tried to find peace, but when she heard Rhea making her way to the heart of this pristine paradise, Gaia knew that she would not have peace.

Rhea found her mother reclining beside a crystal-clear pool. Gaia's eyes shone with the color of a shining sun mixed with fertile soil.

"Mother Gaia," Rhea said, showing respect to her mother. Her voice was tinged with concern. "The end of this war is coming."

Gaia turned her gaze upon Rhea. She knew that to her daughter that it might seem as if only just recognizing Rhea's arrival. Rhea was, by Gaia's estimation, more self-involved than most of her Titan children, but that made her predictable if not more compliant when Gaia needed to use her.

"Rhea, dear, that may very well be what is happening." Gaia replied before returning her gaze to the pool in front of her.

The truth was that Gaia feared that these skirmishes would go on forever. She feared that some of the lesser titans were starting to enjoy it. Zeus was getting good at slaying his distant relatives. For her, that much life lost was worthy of tears and lamentations. However, she could not allow others, not even Rhea, to see her in such a state.

Sadly, the only person she might feel comfortable seeing her in such a state of vulnerability was her procreator, Chaos. What she wouldn't give for the Progenitor and their near endless power. With it, surely this conflict between one generation of the divine against another could be brought to an end all the sooner.

And for all of those thoughts, she could feel something changing. There was an alteration to the mood and atmosphere around Thessaly. Rosy wishful thinking told the Earth Primordial that a new wind was blowing. It was a similar sensation to when the conflict first began. Gaia could not have told anyone that three of Cronos' forces would be slain, but she knew a change was coming.

So too did she feel this now. Did this mean an end to the fighting or an escalation? She could not know. Rather than contradict her daughter, Gaia thought it was best to humor her and wait to see what came of this coming change.

"Will Hera be ready for the task after?" Gaia inquired.

Rhea nodded.

She was all too aware of what Zeus' elevation, the war, and the eventual defeat of Cronos was all for. All these years after hiding Zeus away and the nearly endless battles, Rhea was firm about making her white-haired son the next King on Olympus, and that he would need someone by his side to temper him from ever becoming like Ouranos.

"Hera will marry Zeus," she replied. She made a motion with her hand to signify an opposite outcome. "But what if Zeus is not amicable or will not be controlled?

"What if he becomes corrupt, you mean?" Gaia asked with a knowing look.

Rhea nodded solemnly to her mother.

Gaia smirked, shaking her head.

Her daughter, despite nearly being as old as she was, somehow Gaia was always amazed how shortsighted her daughter was. It was always just one or two problems ahead. Rhea did not have a gift for planning or foresight. In that, the Primordial Queen somewhat pitied her Titan Queen successor.

"Rhea, my child, I do not think that this will be a problem."

"Why not?" Rhea asked suspiciously.

"I have taken certain precautions," Gaia said with a glint of mischief in her eye.

Rhea's brow furrowed; curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

"For now, let us leave it at that," Gaia said simply. She leaned towards her daughter.

Rhea looked more annoyed than pleased by Gaia's intentions. Her plans were vague until they were spoken. An explanation would have made this infinitely easier, but Gaia knew better. When she was the one who knew the most, she was safe.

Given how much Rhea had already given Gaia in terms of trust, it could not hurt the daughter to give a little more. Gaia was all too aware that she was bending at her daughter's pride. After all, a queen did not like taking orders from others, not even another queen.

"Very well, Mother," Rhea said, not quite through gritted teeth.

"Now, go, Rhea. I am sure Cronos and the others miss you," Gaia advised.

"Not especially," Rhea remarked offhandedly. "The other Titans believe the deception that Hades and I have worked out."

"Really?" Gaia asked, skeptical. "How so?"

"They believe that I am a more doting mother than I am a wife, and that I cherish my children more than I love Cronos."

Gaia almost laughed. The best deception was one wrapped in truth. In that arena, they were safe.

"They would never guess how much you loathe him for taking Aether from you."

"I loved my son, Gaia. You know that."

"Was that because he was your firstborn, or because it was your father... My husband... who gave him to you?" Gaia asked with a sly undertone.

Rhea flinched, understanding the hint. With a flash, she disappeared, returning to Olympus.

Gaia shook her head. She had long let go of her love for Ouranos, but upon realizing how important Ouranos had been to Rhea, even more that importance had shaped the younger immortal, Gaia knew she could not address the issue.

Rhea was, however, right about the possibilities and Zeus. For all their plans and scheming, Gaia knew a single misstep could undo all of the hard work they had undertaken.

Gaia sought to unveil the veiled. The war between the gods and Titans had gone on far longer than she had planned. Rhea's words were the catalyst she needed.

Thankfully, for Gaia's purposes, Cronos had not been foolish enough to demand that Gaia join the fight. Zeus had not sought her aid either, since a decisive victory or defeat had not been at hand.

It did not help that Cronos had not inherited Ouranos' more brash nature. Cronos had learned from the example and failure of Ouranos. Cronos played it safe, staying on the mountain fortress of Olympus.

As such, Gaia had been putting her efforts into something she deemed more useful. She had the spark of divinity within her, same as the other divinities, but as a Primordial child of Chaos, her spark must be greater than the Fates or Titans. She believed that while she was not gifted with foresight like the Fates or the famed Progenitor, Chaos, the power must be in her.

Her attempt to grasp the threads of destiny had limited results. It had left Gaia exhausted and near powerless every day. Yet still, every now and again, her efforts would bear fruit. She saw a prince running in shadow. She could see children being born before sunrise. She could hear someone screaming. The name of Zeus was shouted in many ways.

But on that day, after Rhea's visit, Gaia continued her quest to master the coveted power of foresight.

Gaia felt her immense power at her disposal. With her enduring wisdom, she cast power into her very essence, and her spirit could experience the realm of the unseen. Events were less bound by the restraints of time and space.

In her relentless pursuit of understanding, Gaia was granted a glimpse into the unfolding cosmos. Her gaze, imbued with the mystic sight she had nurtured, beheld the celestial clash between gods and Titans. Mighty Zeus, the thunderous prince, stood at the vanguard, alongside his brethren Hades and Poseidon. A vision of triumphant gods vanquishing the kneeling Titans began to crystallize before her.

Yet, as Gaia delved deeper into the currents of destiny, her vision bifurcated like a river's course. Before her eyes, she saw Zeus upon the Throne of Olympus as Gaia and Rhea had planned, but the sons of Zeus were destined to challenge their father's dominion.

What she saw conflicted Gaia. She knew the future was ever-changing. Things were scarcely set in stone, but the imagery of the conflicts to come had her worried.

Gasping, Gaia returned herself back to reality. She found her breath as she wondered how much of what she saw was meant to happen and what was only chance.

She tried to parse through it. That was an impossible task.

Instead, she found herself focusing on Zeus. Gaia realized that she could not plan for a future unless she readied herself for the moment. Zeus, her secret plan, the potential usurpers to Zeus' throne. None of that mattered.

The final battle was approaching, and her grandchildren might just need her help.

**********

Nyx stood in contemplation over one of the rivers in the Underworld. She stared out at the running water. Her ebony hair was a cascade of silken darkness that wrapped around her ethereally pale face. Her eyes were piercing stars in the night.

In her presence, and for her comfort, the realm of the Underworld would hold its breath to provide her with silence to think.

In the ever-growing realm of Tartarus, Nyx's children were lounging, walking, or just existing. They were each unique in their own way.

Thanatos had been the one to escort Ouranos into the Underworld, which made Nyx highly suspicious about her son's connection to death. Hypnos had eyes that mirrored the tranquil depths of a peaceful dream, which Nyx recognized as a connection to sleep. Nyx looked out to the River Styx. Styx had once been a goddess but had become a formidable river that flowed in the Underworld to the entrance of the living dominion.

Charon, who had been Styx's favorite brother, was working on a small boat so he might spend time with his sister. He stood over his construct. He had made an unbreakable oar from a tree that was grown on Gaia's Island.

The Titanomachy had taken its toll on the world above. Hades and his brothers had lasted much longer than Nyx had ever thought they might. The Night Primordial was coming to accept the possibility that? her daughter's prophecy had something to do with those sons of Cronos.

The conflict between the Titans of Olympus and the gods of Othrys raged on, and Nyx had watched the unfolding of events with keen interest. In the quietude of the Underworld, she recognized the strength and courage it had taken for the brothers and their allies to try and do battle against their parents. The problem was that it did not matter how powerful the three brothers were; Cronos had a near endless supply of allies.

Her thoughts danced between the battle above and its conclusion. What should happen if the gods lost or if they won was the biggest pain of her mind.

Beyond that, Nyx wondered from which lineage her great love might emerge. Her divine instincts whispered that the bloodline of Zeus or Hades held the key to her heart, for she perceived their heroism. Poseidon was mighty but far more carefree and less noble than his brothers. As such, he did not ignite the same spark within her.

Nyx had witnessed the valor and courage of the young gods. Metis would have offspring like no other. Hera could birth children that forged change or perhaps courting battles like the one around them. Hestia would have no children, for Nyx observed that the least amazing of the children had no interest in sex. Demeter would probably give birth to a flower of a goddess. Nyx scoffed; Demeter would probably birth a child of her own making before carrying a male's child.

Yet, Nyx grappled with a profound dilemma. This quandary weighed heavily on her soul. The impending battles would be perilous but decisive. The end was coming regardless if Zeus or Cronos would admit as such.

If Cronos struck, as she feared he might, he and his brothers might be too much for the younger gods. If Nyx and her children interfered, they might make all the difference, but if they did aid the gods of Othrys, the lives of her beloved children would hang in the balance.

She feared risking their existence, whether it was for these young gods, or for her belief that Hades or Zeus would produce her great love. She could not risk her children just for a possibility.

Amidst her contemplation, it was Thanatos who stepped forward. His voice was like the soft rustling of wings in the night. "Mother, we have watched you struggle with Hades' request for help this last decade. We know you worry for us, your children, but my brothers and I would like to help above."

Nyx's starlit eyes brightened from her son's words. "Are you certain?"

"Sometimes, the right choice needs to be as simple as aiding our allies, Mother. What has Cronos ever done for us? What favor has he asked? What reverence has he shown you, Mother Night? Would it not be in our interest to have the next King of Olympus be in your debt?"

Nyx let out a small chuckle. She had never cared for the machinations of Gaia and Ouranos' mountain, yet her son seemed to, and he understood how to play their game. If for no other reason, she might have been willing to listen to her son.

"Perhaps, it might, my son. Ready Hypnos and Charon. We will join the young gods."

The future remained veiled in uncertainty for Nyx, but her son was right. She did not reveal the Fates' prophecy. In reality, the far-flung future did not matter. What mattered was the moment and the next step. She could worry for her great love later. She would focus on the then and there.

Nyx knew that the fates of gods and Titans alike were woven together. Soon, both of those entities would discover that the Night held secrets that only the stars would whisper in their lowest voices.

**********

Chapter 11: The Prelude to the Final Battle

"I don't want to be in a battle... but waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse."

-- Pippin (as portrayed by William Nathan Boyd AKA Billy Boyd), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), directed by Peter Jackson, screenplay by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Peter Jackson, based on the novel by J. R. R. Tolkien. Copyright © New Line Cinema / Warner Bros. Entertainment.

A soft brilliant light emanated from torches of the smoothed walls of Mount Othrys for an important meeting that was convened.

Metis, the Titaness... or was she a goddess now? She did not know. She would always been known by the distinction of Oceanus, certainly. All she could fully determine was that she represented wisdom to the council she had gathered. She stood at the head of the stone table before the assemblage of the Olympian deities.

Zeus sat at the other end of the table with Hades on his left and Poseidon on his right. Their expressions were etched with cautionary resolve.

Prometheus, Demeter, Hestia, and Hera all sat on one side while Themis and Mnemosyne sat on the other.

As the council grew comfortable in their seating, Metis addressed the assembly.

"I believe that the time we have awaited draws nigh for a final conflict with the Titans of Olympus. My sources say that Cronos himself shall step onto the battlefield."

A solemn hush fell upon the assembly, for they knew that the arrival of Cronos marked a massive shift in their epic struggle. He had not battled since the very beginning of this great war.

"Why now?" Poseidon confusedly asked.

"From what I know, Cronos has mastered his divine power over time, and he believes he has the measure of you three," Metis answered, motioning to Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon.

"Then he has an advantage," Hades replied bluntly.

"Maybe," Themis replied thoughtfully.

She knew her brother reasonably well, so when she spoke, it came from intimate knowledge. Further still, she did not speak often as she was a being of order, and to contribute to a conversation without adding value went against her very nature.

"But I think there are other parts of this battle that Cronos is not aware of," she went on.

"Such as?" Hades inquired.

That was his nature. He was curious when it came to the counsel of his older counterparts. He did not care for their sex but rather the quality of their counsel.

"There is some dissent amongst the Titans. If we can hold Cronos off, or turn the battle, we might get enough of them to defect to our side," Mnemosyne answered.

Metis nodded to acknowledge the Titaness' words before speaking again. "With his imminent arrival comes the full measure of his power. Ready yourself. You must rest. Themis, Mnemosyne, and I will stand watch. When the Titans come down from Mount Olympus, we will meet this force."

"Too bad we don't have that rejuvenating ambrosia that Crius makes," Poseidon said flippantly.

"We might see some change in that area," Mnemosyne said calmly.

"Oh?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow. With his arms crossed, he was ever the serious son of Cronos.

"Patience, Hades," Themis said. "Things will reveal themselves with time. Further, we do not want to raise hopes, should our plan prove pointless."

"What of your own advancements?" Metis wondered.

Poseidon looked confused by how much Metis knew. Then, before Poseidon could voice his concerns, Zeus responded. "My surprise for the Titans is coming along." Zeus looked to his brothers.

"My Hooks might be able to rip free souls from their corporeal bodies sooner than later, Brother."

Poseidon realized what Zeus was asking, but he felt unsure about answering in front of the others.

"Well, Brother?" Zeus asked. "Is Cetus ready?"

Poseidon motioned at the flesh above his liver. "Soon, the surprise will be ready."

"My sisters and I have been working on a surprise or two of our own," Hera put in.

Zeus nodded with satisfaction. "Then for now, we will trust that things will go apace and rest ourselves for the battle ahead."

Metis nodded to the youngest son of Cronos. "Thank you, Zeus."

Poseidon rolled his eyes at the pair. He, like most, was very much aware of the sexual connection between Metis and Zeus. While he did not care who his brother was in bed with, it mattered if Metis, who was supposed to be the advisor to each of the three brothers, was showing such blatant favoritism.

**********

Although Metis could see the judgment within Poseidon's eyes, she did not care. Everything was finally coming together. That was what mattered. When she was sure no one else would say anything, Metis struck the table, adjourning the meeting.

As the gods rested, Metis, Themis, and Mnemosyne looked out at the Valley of Thessaly. It had been destroyed by the carnage of the back and forth of the gods and Titans. When it came to what was brought to bear, nothing compared in memory.

"Are you sure Cratus and his siblings will defect?" Mnemosyne asked.

"I can't be sure, but I think so," Metis said. "I do not want to get the others' hopes up though. Themis' assessment was right."

"Then what should we do?" Mnemosyne.

"I will head back to Olympus as one of my family members," Metis said. "It has worked so far."

"And will your presence sway him and his allies?" Themis wondered.

"I think so," Metis nodded. "Cronos has been despondent. I did not have to ferment much dissent. Cronos poisons his allies against himself far more than I have. But with Crius, Hyperion, and Coeus having so much power, and being so loyal to Cronos, the other Titans lack the courage to turn on their king."

The three divine women looked to one another. They understood better than their male counterparts the severity of their situation. Prometheus and Epimetheus might have been understanding of what was going on, but they felt the conclusion of this calamity in their bones.

"Are we at the end of it now?" Mnemosyne asked.

Metis looked at the other two with ominous uncertainty. "I think so. One way or another, this conflict is coming to a close."

"Go, Metis," Themis said. "One day, we will speak of your deeds and how they tipped the balance."

**********

Poseidon saw Metis depart for Olympus in her usual act of duplicitous spy work in the dead of night. He grabbed his trident while leaving his seastone sword at his bedside.

Those weapons had served him countless times in the war. Aquakinesis could only take Poseidon so far. He needed the metal and stonework of his uncles. In that way, the work of the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires were second to none, and he was everlastingly grateful.

The beauty of his trident was that power flowed into it even as it flowed back into him. It built and built until he felt he might burst from the magical might bouncing between himself and the object. The energy needed to be released, and there were not always battles to take part in.

Thankfully, this very accumulation of might led to the creation of Cetus.

Poseidon brought himself to the coast and to the raging sea.

From the depths of the churning, unforgiving sea, there emerged a monstrosity that might have struck terror into the hearts of other beings, but to Poseidon, this was the most wondrous creation. Cetus was a colossal creature, both a living embodiment of the tempestuous oceans it called home as well as a manifestation of Poseidon's desire.

Cetus had been brought into the world from a piece of Poseidon's actual flesh that he had poured the excess power of himself and the Trident into. Rather than empowering the Trident, and its power feeding into Poseidon until one or both of them burst, he had given the power to his most wonderful creation.

Poseidon looked up at his monster. He wondered if this was what Prometheus and Epimetheus had felt when they made the deer, cattle, birds, and fish?

Its massive body was covered in thick, scaly hide as dark as the abyss. Coiling with powerful sinews that could propel it effortlessly through the water, Cetus' form was a grotesque fusion of snakelike and leviathan. A serpentine tail trailed behind like a malevolent comet's tail.

Its head sported a writhing tangle of tentacles that reached out with malevolent resolve. Their eyes had burning embers that smoldered in deep, sunken sockets to communicate that they were always watchful and ever hungry. A gaping maw lined with rows of jagged, obsidian teeth could swallow beings whole, crushing them within the clamorous jaws.

As it rose from the sea's depths, the colossal creature sent towering waves crashing towards the shores. Poseidon marveled at the testament of Cetus' dominion over the ocean.

The creature, in turn, bowed its head in deference to his creator, ally, and friend. For all of the beast's ghastly features, the caring loyalty could not be mistaken in that moment between the two.

"It is almost time," Poseidon said.

He did not mean to but dread entered his voice as his leg shook in fear. The end was coming. Nothing, not even war, could last forever. The uncertainty of the coming battle loomed in his mind.

His hand shivered and shook as he reached out for his creation. With his other hand, he touched his own side. The wound over his liver had nearly healed. Still, when he was near his creation... his friend... all was well.

**********

Zeus sat cross-legged upon a rocky outcrop under Nyx's night sky, which exuded a darkness born of the Underworld. The distant glow of the stars that adorned heaven's landscape even as his brow furrowed with intense concentration. In his hands, he cradled a new, special thunderbolt. Its divine aura crackled with raw power similar and yet distinctly different from his Master Bolt.

His and his brother's location was one they had gone to many times before in the reprieve of night

Necessity had him ensure that he was careful in its construction. Zeus had fashioned the thunderbolt meticulously as it was no ordinary weapon even among his thunderbolts. Rather, it was designed to siphon the very essence of a god or titan. If it worked, it would weaken a divinity for a short time, making it all the easier for Zeus to destroy them.

Atlas came to mind as the best target; however if Zeus was lucky, the siphoning rod of electricity would be used on Cronos. One strike and the war was over.

Beside him, Hades stood with his Hooks on their chains. These sinister instruments coruscated menacingly under the starlit night's sky. Hades threw them at a rock. When the sharpened points latched into the stone, Hades pulled. A thin, wispy essence began to come free.

The hardened piece of earth appeared to have lost some of its color and became dingy. Hades flicked his wrists, releasing the spirit of the stone.

If he could do this with a Titan, Hades could see himself extracting the immortal souls of the enemy. It would offer him the opportunity to temporarily harness their formidable power. Well, that was the idea.

With trees and stones, the loss of their spirit would lead to their end, but with a divine being (who had a connection to the Great Progenitor Chaos), the spirit would find a way back to their original host eventually. In this battle for their lives, the boost in might would be enough for Hades to wreak havoc on the battlefield.

The brothers collapsed to the ground exhausted from their work. They would need rest soon, without a doubt.

While Hades fell to the ground, Zeus let out some laughter next to his brother. "Hard to believe we survived these last ten years."

"Agreed," Hades said stoically. "I did not think I would bond with you when we first met. You seemed too brash and unserious."

"And you were one to take everything seriously," Zeus remarked back in his lightheartedness.

"You do know we could die tomorrow?" Hades said, as Zeus' laughable indifference was aggravating him.

"You are always pessimistic. We could win," Zeus challenged, slapping his brother on the arm.

Hades let out a single bark of laughter. "That might be worse."

"You remember what I just said about pessimism?" Zeus asked, jabbing a finger at his eldest brother.

"What? It's true. If we win, we all will vie for the throne, but only you and I will have the most potent claim."

"Oh? How did you come to that conclusion?" Zeus asked.

"You freed Poseidon and I from Father's belly and started this whole war, but I am the oldest child of our parents," Hades said simply. When Zeus wondered what Hades would say about Poseidon, Hades shrugged and added, "And come now, could you see Poseidon ruling from Olympus? He's too in love with the sea and having fun."

Zeus let out a laugh. "No. You're right. Given how powerful we both are, and how well we know one another, I don't want us to come to blows."

"What do you suggest? Should we vote?" Hades asked.

"That'll never work," Zeus said with a smile. "We could roll knucklebones or draw straws?"

"No magic?" Hades asked.

"No magic. I think chance should choose. That way neither of us can say the other cheated."

Hades smiled. "I could live with that." he extended his hand to Zeus. The younger brother accepted it before looking up at the sky.

"We should rest. We have a few hours before sunrise."

"And then All of Tartarus breaks loose," Hades mused

Zeus let out a long, loud laugh before helping his brother to his feet. "I think so. But it is not something we haven't faced before."

They returned to their own rooms within Mount Othyus. Both would rest and have dreamless sleep.

**********

Metis had taken on the disguise of one of her many sisters, Amphitrite, when she arrived on the amazing Mount Olympus. She blended in seamlessly with the divine surroundings.

Metis was careful. The deception was necessary to channel her purpose, but by working in duplicity, she left herself open to the trapp of getting caught by those who would be looking for opposition.

That was unlikely to happen though. This was not her first visit to Mount Olympus. There were no suspicions or counter-measures. After all, who would be foolish enough to try and break into the highest mountain in the lands of Greece.

It certainly did not hurt her cause that she knew who she sought out. Under the dark of night, she found Cratus, the formidable titan of strength and combat, waiting for her. While most on Olympus had an understanding of the consequences of Cronos' reign, Cratus was one to do something about it.

The strong male stood tall amidst the pillars of the great heavenly city. His mighty form was adorned with the symbols of his dominion over combat, and his gaze held the weight of ages. As Amphitrite, Metis approached him with care, knowing the importance of her mission.

"Cratus," she spoke softly but with a hint of concern. "Are you well?"

"I am, Daughter of Oceanus" he said back.

He said the title with enough uncertainty that others might not be sure that he knew who Amphitrite was exactly, but it served the secondary purpose of recognizing Metis in her disguise. Others might be able to appreciate the intelligence of her deception in the moment, but in hindsight, Epimetheus or Mnemosyne would be able to applaud her efforts.

"Just many sleepless nights. Ever since Cronos said he would take the field, most of the Titans are looking to back him. Though, if I were honest, I think more of them would stand back and watch. Zeus and your little band have become seen as powerful liberators.

"Is it true about Selene and Helios?" Metis-Amphitrite asked.

"Given they are forever trapped in the sky, they have grown to despise their father, Hyperion and the Titan King he serves." Cratus grunted. He shook his head with a troubled demeanor on his face. "It's no secret. They long for release."

Metis nodded, her gaze briefly shifting towards the heavens. "I believe if they won, the sons of Cronos would be sympathetic to Selene and Helios."

"What of me and my siblings?"

"I think there would be a place for you in an honor guard for whomever becomes king," Metis said carefully. "I can't promise everything you want, Cratus, but I can say that if Cronos wins, it will be more of the same, maybe worse."

Cratus regarded her with a knowing look. "It is good you do not lie."

"We have too many obstacles in our way for me to have the privilege to lie to you," Metis replied.

"Do you mean Atlas?"

"Among other things," Metis said with a nod. "Everyone knows that he is a force to be reckoned with. As such, Atlas is a concern. If the gods are to have any chance at claiming Olympus, we must find a way to overcome Cronos' most powerful protector."

The titan of Strength and Combat contemplated her words, then reached into a pouch at his side. With a solemn expression, he offered them to Metis.

"These vials of ambrosia can reinvigorate any divine being, heal almost any wound to us, and can replenish our stamina," Cratus explained. "I think with this, it might tip the scales in the gods' favor."

Metis accepted the precious gift with gratitude. "Thank you, Cratus. It might at that."

The titan nodded in acknowledgment. "Go, Metis. I wish I could offer more, but for now, that is the limit of what I can give."

Metis-Amphitrite touched the Titan's shoulder. "You have given more than enough. Tomorrow, one way or another, this great conflict will come to an end."

With that final exchange, Metis departed.

Cratus looked at her, not fully sure he made the right decision. However, he did know she was right about things under Cronos' rule. For that reason, above all else, he went to go find his siblings. There was more he could do.

**********

Chapter 12: The Tumultuous Plains of Thessaly

"The war between the Titans and the Olympians forged the landscape of the mortal world. It was a war that we knew the Titans must win. If we lost, it would be an end to the golden age of the Titan rule. Peace and prosperity... would be no more."

-- Atlas (as portrayed by Michael Clarke Duncan), God of War II (2007), written by Marianne Krawczyk, Cory Barlog, and David Jaffe, copyright © Sony Interactive Entertainment.

The gods gathered at the base of Mount Othrys under Helios' blazing sun. Their very presence cast long shadows across the vast Plains of Thessaly even if the sun was not at their back. The sky above was a brilliant blue canvas. Entirely untouched by clouds, it was as if the heavens did not know that this day would be the last of the Great Titan War.

The air shifted from the heat as they assembled for the impending battle of the Titanomachy. Each knew this would be a deadly day no matter how the day went.

At the forefront of the divine assembly stood three imposing figures of power and authority.

Zeus held his Master Bolt in his left hand as his gleaming golden fist was on his right hand. The bolt's edges glinted brilliantly in the harsh sunlight, enshrouding Zeus in an aura of lightning-infused power.

Hades brandished his Bident with its twin prongs casting ominous shadows on the ground. The chained hooks were wrapped around his wrist. He wore his helm, but the magic was not activated so he was still visible to his counterparts.

Poseidon gripped his trident tightly with his left hand. The moisture in the air swirled around his weapon and fist. His right hand was resting on the hilt of his sword, which was tied to his belt on his waist. The second son of Cronos was prepared to wield them both in the battle that was to come.

Behind this formidable trio, Metis bore what the others had considered what was once Zeus' Aegis. The shield was smooth with golden flecks and charged as a receptacle of power.

Hera cradled a bow, which fired ethereal arrows. Hestia carried a staff crafted from wood and adamant. Demeter, her golden hair catching the sun's rays, wore twin gauntlets, each intricately etched with symbols of the seasonal elements. Though she had understood the blooming flower and burning sun, she did not know why there was a wilted leaf and frozen wheat on them.

Prometheus stood tall and resolute with and axe in hand and his twin, Epimetheus, by his side.

Above them, perched on the heights of Mount Othrys, Mnemosyne and Themis kept watch over the assembly. Mnemosyne, the Titaness of memory, reached out with her mind, connecting it to Metis and Zeus, so she might counsel them in the battle ahead. Themis scanned the horizon with her eyes for any signs of approaching danger, and she could see the Titanic contingent approaching.

**********

The Titans of Mount Olympus assembled for the impending battle against the young gods of Othrys. At the forefront of the Titan army were Cronos, Hyperion, Coeus, and Crius.

Cronos stood as the ever-formidable leader of the Titans. Regardless of whatever mistakes he had made in the last ten years, the legend of him slaying his father had given him a legend that made it impossible to oppose him. He held the very scythe that had decapitated his father in his strong grip. He surveyed the Plains with caution over the enemy he knew was waiting for him.

Beside him, Hyperion wielded his torch, which bore a piece of the Flames of Olympus. As a fire made of Hyperion's Titan magic and a blessing for the Great Progenitor, Its flames danced with an insatiable hunger and cast an eerie glow across his face; this fire would consume all it touched. Hyperion's presence alone ignited fear among the Titans, for he was a force of nature unto himself.

Coeus, as the Titan of intelligence, watched the unfolding events with his usually thoughtful gaze. Within Coeus was the wisdom of ages. While he did not voice it, he hoped that his strategic mind would make the difference in the upcoming conflict.

On the other hand, Crius never left Cronos' side during the last ten years. It mattered little to him if his wrists were forever scarred by the battle he and his siblings had with Ouranos. While his physical strength was limited, he was still considered a potent threat to any being, whether Titan or god, that was stupid enough to find himself as their enemy. He stood with a quiet stoicism that was unmatched by his siblings.

The Titans began a march forward, and the ground trembled beneath their steps. They were only a bit taller than the godly opposites, but they were weightier in their magnitude. The final battle between Olympus and Othrys was about to begin.

The sky darkened with impending doom. Clouds loomed at their back as the battle was imminent. Cronos stood at the head of an army of Titans, both known and famous as well as nameless and forgotten.

The Titan King raised his head, signaling for the young titans to go forth and prove themselves. As they charged out, Zeus retaliated.

The tumultuous clouds above thundered and rattled with light. Zeus launched himself into the air and hurled his Master Lightning Bolt into the clouds. After swallowing up his artifact, the raging heavens unleashed a torrent of explosive tendrils of electricity at his opposition.

The army of lesser titans below were struck down because they had no power to defend themselves against the might of Cronos' white haired son. Hyperion simply raised his torch, protecting himself, Coeus, and Crius. Cronos lifted his hand, and a swirl of temporal shielding protected its master. The bolt struck at his hand but crashed against the barrier Cronos only to hover there before returning to the heavens.

The many nameless titans, however, proved ill-prepared for the fight ahead and were consumed by the Lightning Prince's attack for their failure.

It was Atlas who stood forward, saying, "I will handle him, Lord Cronos."

Cronos nodded to give permission, and Atlas charged forward without a moment's hesitation.

**********

Zeus, in his frustration, received his Thunderbolt from the heavens. He had hoped his power might be enough to take out the bigger opponents but decimating most of the smaller titans was a start.

"Did you really think it would be that easy?" Poseidon teased. The smile never left his face no matter how long the war went on.

"I had to hope," Zeus said with an incorrigible smirk and a shrug.

With indifferent feelings, Hades motioned towards Atlas, who was running toward them. "Should not one of us handle him?"

"Remember when he was the biggest threat we faced?" Zeus wondered.

Poseidon let out a laugh, and Hades replied.

"Oh... To be young and stupid."

"May I?" Poseidon asked, giddy at the proposition.

"After you," Zeus said, offering Poseidon the entire Valley with outstretched hands.

Poseidon let out bursts of laughter. He threw himself into the air. A wave of water flowed up from its master's call, being pulled from the river, but it was coming deeper still from the delta, and the sea so much further away all for the purpose of its master to ride out onto the field.

Atlas was shocked by Poseidon's appearance; whether that was because he was one of the three brothers or because he was not one of his brothers, Poseidon could not know. The son of Iapetus continued to run, believing his immense strength would turn this tide, but then the water crashed into him.

The aquatic attack threw the powerful titan farther away from the battlefield. When Poseidon landed, the earth quaked at his command. Atlas faltered at the shaking tremor.

"You're not Zeus!" Atlas said.

Poseidon almost threw his hands up in annoyance. Everyone wanted Zeus. Hades was the oldest. If people wanted Hades over Poseidon that would make sense, but everyone wanted Zeus. Was it because he threw the bolt that freed Poseidon and Hades from Cronos' belly, or did the Titans know something Poseidon did not?

"It's a shame for you that I'm not," Poseidon proclaimed.

He withdrew his sword, holding the ground with his trident and sword. He would not be moved by what was to come.

"You are no match for my might," Atlas said with a confident smirk.

"You might be right," Poseidon said, stabbing forward with his trident. "Pity for you, I'm not."

Atlas side-stepped, but Poseidon was quick to follow up and slash his sword. Atlas was powerless to prevent the blade from cutting into his ribs. That was exactly what the sea god needed.

"But he is!"

Atlas reacted all too late as one of the many legs of Cetus wrapped around the Titan's body. Poseidon laughed as Cetus pulled Atlas into the ocean. A stream of golden ichor could be seen from the land to the waters.

The middle son of Cronos and Rhea ran after the screaming titan. His battle was going quite well.

**********

"Atlas!" Crius screamed.

"It is no matter," Cronos said with a wave of his hand.

"Atlas was our field general!" Coeus exclaimed.

"With no army to lead," Cronos said calmly. "It shall come down to us."

Coeus paused to look at his brother. When the Intelligent Titan blinked twice and saw no room for Cronos to budge, he gave in. There must have been a method to Cronos' madness. He did not know what it was, but he trusted his king this far; he could trust him to the end.

"Very well!" Coeus said. "Who next, then?"

"Me!" Crius interjected with angered anticipation. The Titan of Battle and Constellations ran forward and jumped to the center of the battlefield.

"And me!" Hyperion exclaimed, summoning a lesser tornado of fire for himself to ride. He would back up his brother with all of his might.

**********

Crius was out on the battlefield with Hyperion by his side. They wondered who would come to confront them. While their side had fewer combatants after Zeus' little display, they were mighty.

Zeus and Hades recognized that, and they considered going together, but when Hyperion joined Crius' side, the two hesitated.

"If we both go and Cronos holds back, we will look weaker," Zeus said to Hades.

The eldest brother nodded in agreement. Metis' advice since the earliest days had been sound, and it influenced each of their actions since the earliest days.

"Oh, fuck off!" Hera said from behind them. "It won't matter if we don't stop them." She turned her head to look at Demeter and Hestia. "Sisters!"

The three women jumped into the fray. Hera fired her bow at Hyperion, immediately followed by Hestia striking a powerful blow to his chest. Demeter commanded a swirling tempest of ice and snow around her body but with an additional concentration around her fists.

The grand fire Titan was overwhelmed by the onslaught of weaponry from the women. He fell back. When Crius turned to look at his brother, he was caught aback by Hades' Hooks clamping into his shoulders.

Crius was enraged by the dishonorable tactic.

"Is this how you gods mean to claim Olympus?" exclaimed the warrior of a Titan.

"It does not matter how we claim Olympus, just that we do," Hades said through straining teeth.

"Whatever you think you're doing, little godling, you will have to do better," Crius proclaimed, pulling the chains from Hades' grip. "If it were not for my father, I would still be the mightiest Titan."

"I guess I will settle for defeating the second-mightiest Titan, then!" Hades exclaimed. He brandished his Bident as he became invisible.

Crius looked left and right. "Coward!"

"Perhaps!" Hades laughed. "But I shall be victorious."

Crius could do nothing as Hades slashed and stabbed at the more powerful being with his Bident.

**********

Zeus looked at Metis. Uncertainty coated his eyes, but confidence washed over her.

"Are you sure Coeus will not interfere?"

"I think not. Coeus serves the same purpose as Themis and Mnemosyne. He will counsel Cronos."

"That's good enough for me!" Zeus said, hurling a lightning strike at his father. The trajectory of this bolt was quickly followed by the flight of Zeus himself towards the Titan King.

On the battlefield, all of the divine beings were either unconscious or engaged in their own conflicts. This left Cronos to face Zeus in single combat.

Cronos was no fool. He held his hand up, freezing the bolt in the air. When Zeus was close enough, he reversed the bolt's direction, firing it at the impetuous son.

"Child's play," Cronos remarked.

"Perhaps," Zeus groaned when he struck the ground in pain. "But you didn't see the shield."

"What shield?" Cronos asked, even as the Aegis itself struck him on the head.

The blow had flown at him with a might that would have caught Cronos aback even if he had expected the attack. As it was, the protective buckler had knocked him back as Zeus unleashed a cascading storm of rattling lightning strikes.

Further and further, the barrage pushed Cronos back. The Aegis returned to Metis' grip as she recalled the divine shield.

Yet, even as Zeus took a moment to breathe, Cronos laughed triumphantly.

The Titan King regained his footing and reached for his divine privilege of command over time. Temporal power was there waiting for him. He rewound the effects done to his body and the wounds began to seal themselves shut.

"It is good to see Coeus' assessment of you was true, son," Cronos remarked with a laugh. "Unfortunately for you, you young gods have fallen perfectly into our hands."

Zeus looked back onto the battlefield as Hyperion unleashed flames to encircle the women just as Crius summoned a star's gravitational power to ensnare Hades. Simultaneously, earthquakes struck, and Zeus was starting to realize that Cronos had more than prepared for the battle.

Perhaps the final fight had been decided before Zeus had even stepped forward. His eyes widened in shock, and he began to wonder: Had Cronos truly prepared for all of them? Was the outcome already determined?

**********

The sons of Iapetus stood together on a rocky outcrop on Mount Othrys. Their vantage point made it interesting to observe all of the mayhem that was being wrought by both the reigning Titans and the gods on the rise.

Prometheus and Epimetheus saw the world very differently. Some might be foolish enough to think that only Prometheus was the one worth paying attention to. After all, he was the bright one that could plan ahead, but those opinions would be seen as foolish by the lights of Prometheus.

He and his brother had different points of view as well as unique perspectives in which they saw reality. Together, they saw the present, much like anyone in existence. But Prometheus' gift was that of foresight. He could take a moment with understanding of who the individuals were and how they might turn out in the future.

His foresight was not some magical gift like the Fates where he saw the destiny of all. His ability was to understand and plan. If option Alpha happened, then it was likely that outcome Beta or Gamma would eventually occur.

What he admired about his brother was that he possessed the gift of hindsight. Epimetheus could interpret the past, whether success or failure, and use that to understand the present. For example, Cronos had devoured his sons, so when a free soon walked the earth, it only made the most sense that he would liberate his brothers and then sisters.

In that way, some might compare Epimetheus to Mnemosyne or even Clothos of the Fates.

The greatest truth that most did not understand, however, was that Prometheus was at his wisest when he heeded his brother's counsel. After all, How can one plan for the future, even with the knowledge of the moment, unless they understood the context of how people got there? In that way Foresight was worthless without the wisdom of Hindsight.

After their father's passing, the two became more intertwined than ever before. In their united opinion, this was the only way they could be of assistance to Metis and the three brothers.

As it was, they found themselves watching over the final battle in their own unique way. Prometheus studied the battle with a thoughtful expression. He had to consider how the fighting would play out. Would this day call for him and his brother to join the fray? They had often stayed away from conflict, but that was probably for the best.

Epimetheus was often impulsive and sometimes far braver because of that very impulsivity; on this day, however, he stood by Prometheus' side. It was clear that on this day he would defer to his more forward thinking sibling.

"What shall we do, brother?" Epimetheus asked.

"We cannot stay here, Epimetheus," Prometheus answered, with a shake of his head. His voice carried a sense of urgency. "This battle..." he paused to consider what he might say, "It's unpredictable, and the outcome is altogether uncertain."

"But then what shall we do?" Epimetheus asked. He did not mean to allow annoyance ino his words, but they were intertwined all the same from his brother's evaluation.

"Look at Atlas, striking at Poseidon. Look at Zeus and his father. So on and so forth. Let me ask you, brother? If these Titans fall, where will they go?"

Epimetheus nodded, finally comprehending the gravity of the situation.

"Mount Olympus," he said, finishing Prometheus' thought. "That's where any of them would go if he's defeated. That is why these battles stop. No one wants to destroy the seat of power."

Prometheus nodded. He made a slight motion with his hand for his brother to continue. While others doubted the quick thinking of his brother, Prometheus did not.

"We must get there first," Epimetheus added, catching his brother's line of thinking.

Prometheus nodded in agreement of his brother's assessment once again.

"Those were my thoughts as well. Once there, we must find and steal their ambrosia, so even if the Titans flee, they cannot replenish their lost strength and stamina.'

"Then, their retreat would leave them vulnerable and unable to heal from their wounds," Epimetheus surmised, recognizing the brilliance of his brother. "To Olympus, then," he said, his voice filled with resolve.

With a shared understanding, the two brothers raised their arms. They disappeared in an instant tower of light.

**********

"Is there nothing we can do?" Mnemosyne asked.

As the Titaness of Memory, she had a unique knowledge of most everything that had come before. She did not see the past as Clothos did. Rather, her mind could see the memories of every person whose mind she had touched. It was a useful ability, to be sure, but it hardly could shift the position of the battle.

"Not as we are," Themis mused. "If we attacked Coeus, perhaps we would take away Cronos' advantage, but Cronos' powers over temporal material might prevent us from ever reaching their war advisor."

"Not unless we can get Cronos off guard. If we can catch him off guard, there's a chance Cronos' power might fail," Mnemosyne considered.

She had recalled how Ouranos had been unable to call upon his power of the sky, lightning, and wind back when her brothers had struck at him. If they were all similar, focus was required for their powers to work.

"What are you thinking?" Themis asked.

"I think we should appeal to a higher... older power," Mnemosyne replied, bending her knees in supplication. "Mother Earth... Please. Hear my call. This battle that wages in Thessaly will consume all of Greece. Perhaps even the world. Help us save your grandchildren."

When no answer came, it was Themis that joined in the supplication. "We beseech you, Gaia. We cannot overcome the Titans without your aid. Please. Help us overcome the tyranny of Cronos' reign."

They could never know the tradition they were beginning and the repercussions that would ensue. However, the first true prayer in the land of Greece had been done. Their beseeching petition would be answered one way or another, and for that, the course of all that had come before would be ready for upheaval.

**********

As the battle on the Plains of Thessaly raged, the very earth acquired scars from the epic clash between young gods and Titans. Hyperion's flame, Demeter's cyclone, Zeus' lightning, Poseidon's raging waters, Hera's arrows, Crius' starfire, and Hades' might with his formidably fearsome Bident all inflicted damage upon the contested realm they all wished to rule.

Careless abandon was being brought down by both sides. Their only thoughts were of bringing their power out and conquering the other side.

The earth trembled beneath the feet of the divine combatants, and the skies crackled with the energy of their immense power. There was nothing but confusion and uncertainty from both sides of this battle. Heads turned to try and find the source.

In the midst of the battle, Gaia the Primordial Mother Earth emerged from the soil and dirt outside of the battleground. Despite how many were shaken by the revelation, their conflicts mattered more to the combatants.

Poseidon grappled fiercely with Atlas even as Cetus threw the two divine beings onto the coast. Their conflict sent shockwaves through the earth and caused tidal waves to surge in the distance.

Hades clashed with Crius, dodging left and right from powerful starlight-infused blows while landing sporadic shots. Craters were created from their overwhelming exchanges.

Zeus and Metis faced off against the mighty Cronos. Those three froze as the appearance of the monumental Primordial.

Hera, Demeter, and Hestia were trying to confront Hyperion, whose torch bore the all-consuming Flame of Olympus. They knew how serious his power was, so they tried to create a brilliant light that would counter the searing power of Hyperion's flames. Their combined efforts created a dazzling spectacle of light and fire.

One blow from the Earth Primordial obtained everyone's attention. Even the sea monster known as Cetus was not one to defy the matriarch of Olympus.

The Earth Primordial did not seem to care who gave her reverence and who did not. Nothing would prevent her from her course. Gaia unleashed her power by raising her arms high, and the earth itself responded to her command. The very ground beneath the combatants surged out and upward, forming an immense dome that enveloped them all.

Within this earthen prison, most of the gods and Titans found themselves trapped. They could stare in powerlessness at the actions of the child of Chaos. Only Atlas and Poseidon's fight was separated from the cage because Cetus' intervention earlier had dragged them away from the central portion of the skirmish and the earth. This brought them to the waters at the edge of the plains.

The divine beings exchanged bewildered glances.

"Mother!" Cronos exclaimed. "You would betray me?"

"No!" Gaia's voice echoed through the hearts and minds of the combatants. "I use my power to protect the realms of Greece. This battle shall be contained to the here and now. Only one group may leave this battlefield."

Both sides looked up to Gaia's creation. Like children who had been caught doing wrong, they felt ashamed that their actions had elicited Gaia's intervention.

Then, however, a new thought crossed all of their minds. Only one side would be allowed to leave. Each fighter was compelled to ensure it would be their side that left victorious. Some felt remorse in that realization; others felt motivated. but this would be some of the combatants' finest hour.

**********

An overpowering aroma of soot, burnt grass and soil, spilt ichor, and heated metal mixed together to overpower any who smelled it. The obnoxious odor was the antithesis of the air on Mount Olympus, which almost had a tangible sensation of serenity to Prometheus and Epimetheus. Having left the Plains of Thessaly for the mountain, the twin sons of Iapetus could appreciate the stark differences between the battlefield and the heart of the Titans' citadel.

Their arrival went unnoticed because most of Cronos' force were among those on the battlefield. And others had decided to spectate the event from a safe distance. Prometheus almost rolled his eyes at the state of Olympus' emptiness.

Had Cronos left no one to defend the home of the Titans? Had the Titans of Olympus fallen into such decadence that they no longer accepted the severity of the situation of war?

He hoped that was not the case. In fact, as Prometheus led the way through the city, he recalled how jealously Cronos held onto power. That seemed the more likely of the two options, yet in the deepest part of the cynicism, he knew better about the lesser titans of Olympus. They served Cronos out of fear and without a single thought behind it.

Events had made their leader into a cruel despot like Ouranos. If he had lost their trust, they might have gone off to watch the war as if it were just a game to them.

As they traversed the gilded corridors, they could hear the distant roar of the battle below. To the both of the twins, the battle could never simply be a spectacle. The punctuating thunderous bellow of Titans and the resounding thunderbolts of Zeus told Prometheus that matters of life and death were being decided in the most brutal of ways.

The brothers hastened from the noise. They could not forget or be distracted from the urgency of their mission.

They reached the imposing doors of Cronos' palace. They did not need to look at one another for Epimetheus to push the doors open soundlessly.

Inside, the palace was a marvel of divine craftsmanship. The luxurious chamber would have been impressive if they did not have such an important task.

Prometheus and Epimetheus moved soundlessly over the marble floor. They ignored the priceless artifacts, statues of Titans and Primordials in their splendor, and shelves filled with ancient scrolls for their singular task.

If Epimetheus had asked Prometheus who the scrolls were from (since Epimetheus knew that Cronos was not a scribe to write things down), Prometheus would have said it was Coeus or Hyperion. As it was, they came upon a large room within the palace without distraction. A casual glance inside revealed the essence of liquid luminescence.

The ambrosia was contained in a grand crystalline carafe. It both glistened and glowed with the luminous essence of the celestial, resembling nothing less than a wine crafted of starlight.

Epimetheus could not help but marvel at its beauty. After all, unlike his brother, he had not been privy to Olympus. It was Prometheus that everyone thought did the work of creation even back when Iapetus was alive.

On the other hand, Prometheus remained focused on their mission. He hesitated at first because he was unsure of how to handle the material. He carefully lifted the carafe with utmost care.

With their prize in hand, the brothers made their exit from the palace. They had to be careful in retracing their steps through the ornate corridors because they had a prize worth more than all of the art, material, and decoration in all of Olympus.

The brothers were about to make their exit from Cronos' palace when the formidable form of Cratus (along with his siblings: Bia, Nike, and Zelus) blocked their path. The two of them froze. Their gaze bounced from the family and then to one another and then back to the children of Pallus.

Cratus was easily a sturdy seven feet tall with powerful stature mixed together with air of authority. To confront the sons of Iapetus by himself was not outside the realms of possibility for him. To be backed by his siblings was unnecessary but useful in the intimidation that he commanded.

"What do you think you're doing?" he demanded, his voice resonating with the raw power of his Titan heritage.

Prometheus, ever quick-witted, responded calmly, "We are doing our utmost to bring about the downfall of the Titans, as you should be doing if what Metis said about you is true."

Cratus was caught aback by the declaration. Whatever he had expected from the son of Iapetus, this was not it.

Bia had not lost her fierceness from the jibe, so she chimed in, "And how, pray tell, can you make such an accusation when you have fled from the battlefield?"

Epimetheus met her gaze. This was one of the small moments where his inability to consider the future made him brave.

"We have secured the ambrosia should Cronos or his allies return."

"Is that all you can do? When there is a battle to fight?" Nike asked. Challenge was in her eyes and voice.

"There are those fighting it," Prometheus countered quickly. "Though given your great powers, I am shocked you have not lent your aid."

The siblings flinched as one. To have their very valor questioned was not something they had expected. While they might have challenged such a charge, it was clear from the looks of shame on their face that they had questioned the state of their own courage for staying in the divine mountain city.

Zelus was next to raise their voice in challenge after a few moments.

"We know the consequences of defying Cronos and his siblings," he answered. "Have you not heard of Selene and Helios? They are trapped in the heavens because they dared question Hyperion and Cronos. The reprisal of Titans is without compare."

Prometheus sighed, acknowledging the plight of the celestial siblings. He was not without compassion. His father had long-since taught Prometheus that one could be intelligent and have empathy for those above and below them.

"I recall," he admitted. He let out a sigh, and he loathed himself for what he must say next because it would be manipulating these powerful deities into doing his bidding, whether they knew it or not. "Do you not think that they would attack the Titans if they could?"

Epimetheus interjected with a suggestion.

"I believe they see the injustices of Cronos and his siblings. And if they could, they would. But they can't... Should those that understand another's pain not step in, when they cannot? After all, if you do nothing, nothing will ever change."

"But if we do something and fail?" Zelus asked.

That's when the twins saw it. The fear of failure. These brothers and sisters did not fear dying; their dread came from their action (or in this case inaction) meaning nothing in the scale of the the Titanomachy. Neither Prometheus nor Epimetheus needed to answer, but even if they spoke, they would not have the words.

It was Cratus, thankfully, that found the answer that the twins had been hinting at.

"Then we will have at least tried."

Prometheus barely nodded his approval. He knew how hard this path was that they walked, and he was proud that they might take these steps.

Cratus grabbed his three siblings and turned from the twin brothers.

"Come on! We have a difference to make!"

As the four were leaving their sight, Epimetheus turned to Prometheus.

"Should we not join them?" Epimetheus asked.

Prometheus shook his head. "No... I have a feeling we will be needed here."

"By whom?" Epimetheus wondered.

"Our brother."

**********

Beads of sweat were ever-so-slowly forming upon his brow; Cronos desperately strained to manipulate the fabric of temporal movement. His eyes were fixed upon the dome walls made by his mother that entrapped both the gods and Titans. The very chronological essence of the cosmos quivered as he attempted to rewind the cataclysmic event that Gaia had wrought.

He could see the flow of time as sand from an hourglass. As one granule fell, a great pain ran through the nerves of his body.

Normally, it was the easiest thing for him to simply flip the hourglass over and undo whatever had been done. No divinity had that power over him, yet on this day, his mother's actions seemed immutable.

While in his trance, the Titan King was vulnerable, and Zeus knew that and ran at Cronos. His son's frantic speed might have allowed the god to crash into Cronos. However, Cronos froze all where they were. They were aware of what was happening, but they had no power to stop him.

As he held his hands out, Cronos brought all of his power to bear in order to undo Gaia's meddling. Cronos could see them all in his temporal freeze, and no one could stop him. This was just larger than anything he had undone before. It was possible. He could do it. The size made it harder, not impossible.

The sands of time were, moment by moment, becoming undone by Cronos' clinching hold. He could see the path to victory within his grasp, for once he undid his mother's handiwork, he would put his son and this Oceanid in their place quickly enough. He would show every Titan and Primordial that no one could defy him.

His was the right to reign on Mount Olympus. All beings under his view were beneath him and made to serve him. It did not matter that it was Gaia that crowned him. By reversing her influence, he would establish himself as a power beholden to no one but his own desires.

Those thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected force crashing into the ground outside of the dome. The quake broke the stability of the Titan King. As he stumbled, he looked around to find an answer.

From the lofty heights of Mount Olympus, Cratus flew down from the sky with a thunderous roar; he was the one who had crashed into the world and shook the Titan of Time's focus. This second earthquake shook the very foundations of the battlefield

Nike, Bia, and Zelus followed in short order to amplify the explosive, booming clash with the earth. The sentinels stood up alongside Cratus. They were proud of their work and looked at Zeus, not Cronos.

Cronos was struggling so much just to maintain his temporal focus that he could feel it slipping with his focus on so many details and opponents. With this final nudge, he faltered. The grains of time slipped from his grasp like elusive smoke, and for a fleeting moment, he lost his grip on reality. Metis and Zeus, sensing this momentary vulnerability, surged forward with unparalleled force.

Amid the seismic upheaval caused by Gaia's earthbound prison and the traitorous Titans, Cronos found himself trapped in a desperate striving labor. His temporal abilities were being tested by the relentless advance of Zeus and Metis.

The shield on Metis' arm and the thunderbolt in Zeus' grip told Cronos that this could only end with the Titan King's demise.

In that pivotal instant, Zeus unleashed the fury of the heavens. His siphoning thunderbolt arced through the tumultuous skies.

This was the crucial moment for the son of Gaia and Ouranos. He could see the attack coming, but after so much of his energy was spent, he was exhausted. No more could he dodge such a blow than he could fall over. His body was frozen in its exhaustion.

It struck Cronos with a brilliance that rivaled the sun, sending shockwaves of power rippling through the Titan King.

Light was being pulled from him into the air around him. He gasped, reaching out and scratching at the air to try and return what was being stripped away from the Titan of Time.

Wasting no time, Metis hurled the golden Aegis at Cronos. The shield struck the Titan King in the chest with unexpectedly overwhelming force.

As Cronos fell to the ground, the very fabric of time and space quivered. The convergence of powers that echoed through the cosmos itself. Time started to flow at its normal, treading pace. In that moment, before the entire battlefield, Cronos -- once the ruler of all -- was brought to his knees.

Zeus walked toward his father slowly. "It is time to end this."

Metis placed her hand upon her lover's shoulder. "No. If you kill him, you will be no better than Cronos. Show mercy, and we will deal with the Titans better than they dealt with Ouranos."

Zeus considered Metis' words. She worried for a moment that he would not heed her advice. Instead, he turned. "Very well. Cronos is in your charge. We will imprison his Titan brothers, but in the end, we will reign on Olympus."

A smile touched Metis' lips. "Of course we shall, Lord Zeus."

He flashed a wry grin and turned towards Crius and Hades. If he could not slay his father, he could make the difference in the struggles occurring in the conflict.

**********

The remaining battles raged on, the combatants were keenly aware that only with the conclusive defeat of their foe would the damming walls of earth fall. Solely by achieving victory, could they undo the damage that Gaia had wrought.

Hera drew her bow, and the ethereal energy within her arrows glowed. Her piercing violet eyes were ready for the fight ahead regardless of the might of the Titan before him.

Demeter clenched her twin gauntlets. An ice storm swirled around her fists for the sole purpose of being a raging deluge to unleash upon Hyperion.

Hestia held her staff of wood and adamant in hand while gazing intently at the Torch of Olympus. Her normally bouncing brown hair was still in the moments before this clash. Hestia's body followed suit to make no move. To bide her time was the correct course of the inferno that would be unleashed.

Her patience paid off; Demeter struck out at Hyperion. As Demeter charged, the other two exchanged a glance and struck forward with unspoken coordination.

Hera's arrows of radiant power streaked through the air; her unerring aim was her talent shining through more than any projectile. The arrows connected with the Titan of Light's center of mass, knocking him back even as Hyperion's Flame surged.

In response, Demeter launched herself at his falling body and threw blows at Hyperion. Unfazed initially, he flinched as the strength of Demeter started to do real damage. He swiped at her in a hopes to push the goddess away, but Hestia's staff struck him in the temple, stunning the Titan.

Demeter seized her moment. She bent down to touch Gaia's fertile earth and summoned forth vines and roots that reached for Hyperion's feet, seeking to bind him and slow his movements.

Hestia landed her own blow, with her staff. Hyperion's hand was her victim. The goddess struck once and then twice more in a desperate attempt to take the Torch from Hyperion's grasp.

Hera reached into her power within. A bow was not all she had been trained to use. The arcane arts were her truest dominion as the heir to Rhea. A simple motion to where the arrows had struck Hyperion was all it had required. The wounds leaked the light from her arrows, and that very light transformed into bonds. As the shackles clamped around the Titan, Hyperion looked from the arrow wounds and bruises to the goddesses.

In that critical moment, Hyperion flexed his muscles from fingers to forearms to unleash a different facet of his power.

"Enough!" Hyperion exclaimed.

He pushed out his hands, channeling his most ancient power. Light, not fire, burst from him. Even Hera's dazzling display meant very little to him.

"I am Hyperion!" he spat by way of exclamation. "I am a rightful son of the Primordials, Gaia and Ouranos! I will not be defeated by some little girls born of my baby brother!"

The Flame of Olympus flashed out from his torch. With unrelenting fury, the bonds were burned away with clinical precision. Hyperion's look guided the licking Flame. From there, Hyperion stared down the goddesses. Holding the torch, he revealed the Flame of Olympus' other side--a power to give life.

With a triumphant flourish, Hyperion extended his hand towards the fallen titans scattered around the battlefield. The Flame of Olympus surged forth, bathing the unconscious titans in its divine radiance.

However, where they had been varied and unique before, their very essence and identity became uniform. Slowly, these lesser Titans became more akin to clones of one another. Garbed in a loincloth and bronze helms, they lost any semblance of self and became one of many. Empowered by the Flame, they had preternatural speed and divine strength, but little else to themselves.

Their eyes flickered to life, but all color was gone.

In the face of this unexpected turn, Hyperion's confidence swelled and he motioned for the titans to strike out at the goddesses.

"This is the difference between a Titan of Light and little no-name goddesses!" Hyperion declared.

Hera, Demeter, and Hestia found themselves pushed against each other's backs. They each struck with their gifts and weaponry. Hera fired arrow after arrow, but the legion seemed unending, and soon, one of the lesser Titans struck her down.

Hera gasped as the bow was knocked from her hands.

Demeter, whose weapons were her very fists, found that no matter how hard she struck or knocked one being down, another rose, and soon three, four, five, ten of the Titans tackled her to the ground, mauling at her, biting, striking, and clawing at her flesh.

Hestia fared no better as her staff was dragged from her hands, and although she was quick to try and push back at her enemies. However, for all of her might, it was for naught.

The Titan laughed as the battle shifted to Hyperion's favor, but a misty voice slowly entered the battlefield. The shadowy presence both rose and fell upon Thesally.

Hyperion turned to her, wholly aware of the being that had come to the fight

Nyx, the Primordial goddess of Night, emerged from the darkness, flanked by her faithful children, Thanatos and Hypnos.

With her commanding presence, Nyx cast a veil of shadows that cloaked the battlefield in obscurity. Thanatos glided out from his mother's side, herding some of the raging revitalized Titans towards the center of the arena.

Hypnos followed his brother's efforts in corralling the reanimated warriors with his own class of magic. He flew over the lesser Titans and with a bag filled with poppy flowers, he dispersed his inherent magic that put the Lesser Titans to sleep.

Hyperion watched as his newfound army quickly fell to the wayside. He looked on in horror, but with the goddesses on the backfoot, he understood that this would be between himself and the all-encompassing darkness that Night brought.

"I am Hyperion; father of Helios, who is the sun in the sky, creator of the Flames of Olympus, which was blessed by Chaos. I am the Titan of Light!"

"And I... " Nyx said smoothly, "am Nyx. Mother of Night, Lover to Erebus, commander of Darkness, Queen of the Underworld, mother of Death and Sleep, child of Chaos!"

With each word, her size grew. Her face gained many eyes. Arms of the abyss sprouted from her back and her ribs. Her cloak of black darkness grew tendrils and sharpened claws that would make the greatest blades jealous.

Her blackened cloak struck out at Hyperion from all sides, slicing his flesh open. His power was proving for naught. He looked to her, and then to his Torch with desperate resolve. He knew what unleashing its power might risk to Greece, and even the world.

He, better than any other Titan or divinity save for Chaos, understood just how large the world truly was. As he bled his red-gold ichor, he made his choice. The torch exploded with immense potency. The Flame grew and grew.

For the smallest moment, Nyx hesitated. When she realized that the Titan's power might grow out of hand, she lunged for the Titan, who quickly appeared like a child in size before the behemoth that was Nyx.

"And you, little Titan," Nyx declared as the claws of the cape grabbed the Flame. Nyx let out a scream so loud that Hyperion recoiled, losing his weapon. As the fabric of raw darkness burned, Nyx threw the torch to a scared Hestia.

"Do not let the flame touch anything!" Nyx ordered.

Hestia was caught aback that all she could do was nod her head.

Nyx was quick to rend her cape and throw the portion of the material that was still on fire high above her head. The material flew high and far. The material of night, Hyperion's Flame, and that little bit of Chaos magic were the perfect mix when given to the heavens.

The first of the most distant, far-away stars were born from this action. Some were whales and this would be known as Cetus, but many were just the outlines for many beings who had not yet been born. From the mingling of night, flame, and Chaos came a unique collection of stars known as Nyx's Crown.

That was not where Nyx's priority was. She looked down to Hyperion with anger and disgust.

"Now, as I was saying, little Titan. You will learn the difference between a Titan of Light, and the Primordial of Night." Nyx encircled the Titan as Hyperion attempted to backtrack. "It is not light that drives away darkness. It is darkness that consumes light, little boy! But I will teach you a lesson so great that you will never forget!"

Hyperion's blood-rattling scream was so pronounced to the daughters of Rhea that they would hear it in their nightmares throughout the next few centuries.

Nyx let out a victorious laugh as her tendrils, claws, and misty darkness itself stabbed into Hyperion. The Titan fought back with all of his incredible might, but in the end, he succumbed to Nyx.

As she saw that Zeus had spared Cronos, she thought it best to follow the young god's leader's example. Nyx had a suspicion that Zeus was going to be replacing his father.

She gently collected up the fallen Titan. She lowered his battered, barely breathing body into the bosom of Hypnos' poppy flowers, putting the beaten warrior to sleep.

Nyx exhaled. While Hyperion had only barely harmed her, and the cloak of night had been of her making, she had never expelled so much of her magic and power at once. The exertion left her more exhausted than she cared to admit.

As such, she searched for Hypnos. Looking over, she could see other battles taking place. It was her belief that the gods would prove victorious and take over Olympus, so she sat down, leaning against the wall of hardened dirt that Gaia had made.

She exhaled gently from the exertion, and whispered so low and with magic, so only another Primordial might hear her.

"Gaia... I hope we are doing the right thing."

**********

Atlas knew Cronos was meant to be ruler of Olympus. That was a fundamental fact of his reality. It did not matter that the Titaness who had crowned him had turned on him. Cronos had slain Ouranos and united the Titan brothers under his rule. Those were Atlas' uncles and father in Iapetus. It was his right to be above all of the Titans, no matter if they were Greater or lesser.

However, after battling tirelessly against Poseidon and his sea monster, Atlas was starting to have similar feelings as Nyx. Though Atlas could not hear what Nyx said, his circumstances were fast becoming problematic.

Poseidon and his mighty sea monster, which Atlas was calling the Kraken, were overwhelming Atlas. It was to the point that when the creature flung Atlas against a rock, the once-mighty General of the Titan Army coughed up his reddish gold ichor.

Thankfully for the powerful Titan, Poseidon and his beast found themselves besieged by Hyperion's reanimated Titans. Atlas used those moments to breathe. He surveyed the battlefield. The end was in sight.

The battlefield was a maelstrom of chaos and destruction. Lesser Titans, driven by Hyperion's commands, surged forward like an inexorable tide, their massive forms crashing against the divine might of Poseidon and Cetus. However, Nyx had come and made short work of Hyperion. Cronos had fallen to Zeus and that traitor, Metis. Crius would not fare much better against Hades.

It was all too clear that Cronos' monster children would overcome them all. There was only one choice for Atlas.

Returning his attention to where both Cetus and Poseidon fought valiantly against the reanimated Titans, Atlas gave a mighty heave and launched himself at Cetus. The two behemoths clashed in a cataclysmic collision. The sea monster recoiled from the formidable power at Atlas' disposal. With Cetus falling back and Poseidon's attention turning to the slave Titans, Atlas turned. He soared through the air, hurtling toward the shore. As he landed onto the rocky cliffs, Atlas looked left and right to be sure of his decision. Things were only getting worse. With haste, Atlas struck at one of the lesser Titans and seized the helm worn by his unfortunate target.

He was quick to don it, using the headcover to disguise himself and he turned from the fray and ran with all of his tremendous strength and speed. Atlas could not reach Olympus quickly enough.

**********

Along with all of the calamity, there were still battles to fight.

The earth trembled and the heavens roared as Crius clashed with Hades. Crius channeled his power through his fist, imbuing them with the vast cosmos itself.

Underestimating this Hades would be a foolish move by any being, god or Titan alike. Crius was coming to recognize the imposing ferocity in the eldest son of Cronos.

Armed with his formidable Bident, Hades met Crius blow for blow. After his initial onslaught failed, Hades was careful about using his helm of invisibility or his Hooks. The tools were useful, but if he relied on them too much, and they proved ineffective, Crius could overwhelm him.

Nevertheless, he stood his ground against the cosmic Titan, solely armed with his bifurcated lance. Hades had already seen Zeus and Metis defeat Cronos and if he wanted any claim to the Throne of Olympus, the scarred young god would need to prove his prowess in battle.

Valor coupled with necessity were not sufficient boons to the weapon wielding deity. As the skirmish went on, it became clear that Crius had more power at his disposal. His celestial might threaten to overwhelm Hades cosmic force. The son of Cronos found himself in dire straits.

Crius' hurled blast after blast at Hades. It was all Hades could do when he split each shockwave back with his Bident.

Crius shouted out something Hades could not hear, but it was followed up with:

"I am a Titan of Olympus. You have no chance, you broken little godling!"

Hades wanted, with all his heart, to strike Crius down for the temerity of calling him broken.

He, Hades, was the eldest son of Cronos and Rhea. He deserved so much more.

He was so much more than Crius would admit.

He was more than the son who had been eaten by his father.

He was more than his multitudes of scars.

He was more than any of them would admit or voice.

Yet still, he could barely hold his ground while his brothers had bested their opponents already. Maybe Crius was right. It might have been better had Hades stayed in the belly of his father.

At that crucial moment, in his despair, Hades saw a single ethereal arrow streak through the battlefield. It was Hera, wielding her divine bow from far away. The woman he cherished had saved Hades in his most desperate moment.

After firing her arrow, Hera fell, using her bow to hold herself up. She watched the fight to see how her lover would fare against the mighty Titan. Thankfully, her arrow struck Crius in the chest.

Like so many last-ditch efforts, it was enough. The projectile of light stunned Crius.

With Crius momentarily disoriented, Hades seized his chance swiftly. His Hooks, already lodged in Crius' shoulders, glowed with unearthly power. He ran at the Titan, grabbing the dangling chains and flipping overhead. When he landed, with a mighty pull, Hades wrenched free the Titan's soul from his colossal form.

The soul, a shimmering, ephemeral essence, hovered briefly before slowly being swallowed into Hades' chest. Crius, now an empty vessel, raged as if he were merely a beast. Hades could not help but smirk at the turn of events. He ran and jumped at Crius, throwing a single blow. With that strike, Crius collapsed to the ground.

Hades stood victorious, his dark helm concealing a triumphant smile. All that Crius was temporarily absorbed into Hades, allowing the god to clothe himself in the might of the Titan.

Hades turned, realizing how much destruction he and his siblings had wrought on the Plains of Thessaly. They would soon make that right, but what was left was deposing their father.

**********

Coeus was the formidable Titan of Intellect even amidst the bullshit calamity that surrounded him. His eyes saw the conclusion of the end even before Cronos' fall. He knew that they had lost. His keen mind had always been his greatest asset, and in that moment, he wondered when this all truly happened.

When had they lost it all? Had it been when Zeus freed his brothers from Cronos? Had it been when Menoetius acted rashly, starting this great war? Or had it been when Cronos, Coeus, and their brothers had usurped their father?

Was it all a cycle? One ruler to be deposed by the next? When would it end?

Coeus scoffed.

Truthfully, he did not truly care when it ended. The surface reason was because it did not matter, but in his heart of hearts, he knew that he and his siblings' reign had come to an end, and he would no longer have the life, freedom, or power he had been accustomed to. That mattered far more than any other facet of defeat.

To be gracious in victory, he knew that he could do this, but to be gracious in defeat? Never. He would be wallowing in supplication and servitude if these god children had their way.

With a broken heart and wracked mind, he decided to do the most logical thing. With calculated precision, Thanatos was the youngest, and by that estimation, the weakest of the gods, made the perfect target.

Coeus closed in on Thanatos. He knew that a direct confrontation with a son of Nyx would be perilous, so he unleashed a torrent of energy, a crackling bolt of raw power that surged toward the god with deadly intent.

The bolt struck with ferocity, overwhelming Thanatos for a fleeting moment. All would discover that the god of death was not so easily vanquished, and he rallied swiftly. Coeus watched as Thanatos attempted to summon his dark powers to defend himself, but Coeus would not have it. He struck the child in the side of the head. The short sword at Thanatos' side clattered to the ground. Though there was still a struggle in his eyes, Thanatos was clearly ill-prepared.

Just as Coeus believed he had gained the upper hand, he looked over, seeing Nyx catching her breath and Hypnos flying over the lesser Titans. Coeus fired a bolt of energy towards Hypnos. If one brother was as weak as the other, he would dispatch them for his own pride if nothing else.

He had not taken the whole field into account, however.

Hera, the ever-watchful archer, observed the unfolding peril with concern. Realizing the danger that Hypnos did not, she steadied her bow of ethereal energy, drew the string and fired with unerring accuracy. The arrow of ethereal energy soared through the chaos of the dying battle and struck the bolt of energy Coeus had unleashed, shattering it into harmless fragments of light.

Her sisters caught Hera as she fell towards the ground, as they realized how exhausted the goddess truly was.

Coeus roared in frustration, his rage building. He stepped down, crushing the young Thanatos beneath his heel.

He knew the reign of the Titans was coming to an end, and he was determined to cause as much harm as he could before their downfall. With a swift motion in show of defiance, he lifted and slammed Thanatos into the ground, causing the earth to quake beneath them. Thanatos struggled to rise, his hand reaching for a sword that was not there.

At that moment, Zeus ran at Coeus, seeing the injustice of what he was doing, and hurled a lightning bolt with unparalleled precision. The bolt struck Coeus squarely in the center of his chest, sending shockwaves of electricity through his colossal form.

Coeus flew back in convulsive agony. His senses were quickly overwhelmed by the searing power of the Olympian king.

As Coeus writhed in pain, he pushed himself to stand, but all too quickly did he realize how much better it might have been for him to just lay down. Another figure approached him with menacing intent.

Hades, the eldest son of that idiot Cronos, raised a single fist and brought it crashing down with devastating force. The blow struck Coeus in the face, rendering him unconscious and sending him sprawling into the dust.

Coeus, the Titan of Intellect, lay defeated and unconscious. All of his intellect forgotten and any future plans thwarted by two brothers that would not be trifled with.

**********

Breathless and weakened, the young gods looked upon the destruction that they had wrought. Something that had taken ten painfully long years had come to fruition.

They had done the impossible. In a world of powerful parents and oppressors, they had come out victorious. In the end, despite all the things they wanted to say, they all just looked at one another. From Poseidon to Metis to Hades to Hera to Zeus to Hestia to Demeter to the elder Titanesses, they, one and all, let out cries of joy.

They fell onto the ground of the battlefield. No matter where they want, no matter how many centuries or millennia they lived, they would all remember that moment.

The moment where they lay victorious in a cruel world where they had not expected to win; the moment where they firmly believed they had defeated not only Cronos and his siblings, but had overcome Fate itself.

There was nothing left to destroy their shared moment of united joy. They had overcome an impossibility. They had sacrificed and bled for their liberation, and they would be rewarded with much more than freedom.

Thrones of power awaited each and every one of them. Not one of them would expect to give up their newfound stature for anything in the world.

**********

Chapter 13: Titans' Fall

"Then Zeus no longer held back his might; but straight his heart was filled with fury and he showed forth all his strength. From Heaven and from Olympus he came forthwith, hurling his lightning: the bold flew thick and fast from his strong hand together with thunder and lightning, whirling an awesome flame..."

-- Hesiod, The Theogony (c. 730-700 BCE), translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White (1914), published by Harvard University Press. Copyright © 1914 Harvard University Press.

Atlas arrived on the sacred heights of Mount Olympus. Ever desperate to escape the hellscape that was the final battle of the war, he rushed through the divine city. He needed to find ambrosia for himself and then he would find his wife, Pleione.

It was his dearest wish that she would understand his need to run. Cronos had lost; the battle was meant to go to the gods. If she would leave with him, there was a chance everything would be all right. He could have a family with her. He would rule nothing, of course, but he would be alive and free to do as he liked.

He entered Cronos' palace, determined to find the ambrosia, but what he found instead stopped him in his tracks. Within the chamber stood his brothers, Prometheus, and Epimetheus.

The looks of sorrow and disappointment clouded both of their faces.

"Fleeing from the battle, brother?" Epimetheus asked. He crossed his arms in a caricature of Iapetus. "Father did not raise us to be cowards."

Atlas stared wide-eyed at his brother. They had both given their individual loyalties to different leaders. For ten years, they had served with distinctions and acquitted themselves well as their father would have wanted, yet to hear those words from the smartest of the four siblings nearly broke Atlas.

"After so long, that's all you have to say to me?" Atlas screamed.

Prometheus raised his hand to halt Epimetheus' rising temper. "Atlas," Prometheus said, his voice heavy with sadness. "You fought for the wrong side." His voice carried the echoes of pain from the years of conflict.

"I fought for Father! For Menoetius!" Atlas screamed. His impotent rage finally had a target who would have to take all he broke out. "You sided with our brother's killer."

Epimetheus shook his head. He knew the past better than most. To watch his brother fall so low had taken a toll on him over so many mistakes made him tear up.

"Oh... Brother... You have been foolish. Cronos killed our father, not Zeus. We have been with Zeus for the last ten years, and he denies killing our father. Oceanus believed it was Cronos, not Zeus, who did the deed. Menoetius died needlessly, believing a lie."

"Seeing how Cronos has used so many Titans and discarded them left and right..." Prometheus contributed. "I have to believe it was Cronos who killed our father, Atlas."

Atlas' brow furrowed as he absorbed the words. The revelation struck him like a thunderbolt more powerful than anything Zeus could muster. The foundations of his beliefs were obliterated in that instant.

"And come now... You and Menoetius charged headlong into conflict. Our brother got himself killed because he wanted to charge into battle without thinking," Prometheus added. His tone was heavily laced with regret. "There were very few thoughts of justice on his mine.

Atlas closed his eyes briefly, memories of the fallen Titans flashing before him. He had fought alongside his brothers, believing in the righteousness of their cause, but the truth was becoming clearer with each passing moment. His brothers' passion and Prometheus' honesty was cutting Atlas in his heart.

"You fought for the wrong side," Prometheus repeated kindly. Though he kept his voice gentle, it was tinged with sorrow.

Atlas shook his head. "Maybe," he admitted, his voice heavy with uncertainty.

Both Epimetheus and Prometheus looked hopeful. There was a chance they could save their brother from the punishments of Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. Contrition might be enough to spare him from whatever horrors awaited Cronos and his brothers.

Then, unfortunately for the sons of Iapetus, Atlas continued speaking.

"But" he said, narrowing his eyes. "I can tell Zeus is going to be worse than Cronos ever was."

The room fell silent as the brothers stood there. The tension in the air was growing thicker by the moment. With this came the bittersweet realization of what had been lost, and what still hung in the balance. There was no swaying Atlas from his course of action to stand against Zeus. At the very least, he would not ally himself with the sons of Cronos.

"I wish we could have saved you, brother,"

Atlas turned from them. "Will you aid these new rulers in capturing me?"

"We will not," Epimetheus said. "We just refuse to stand with your bad decision."

Atlas started to walk away. However, before he was able to take another step, Epimetheus' strong hand stopped Atlas. Epimetheus turned his brother and gave him a long hug. When Atlas pulled away in confusion, Epimetheus handed Atlas a small vial of the rejuvenating ambrosia.

"We may not stand with you, but we certainly won't stop you, or aid in your destruction," Epimetheus said.

"Run, Atlas. Get as far as you can from Olympus. Hide somewhere. Have a family. Just never return to Olympus," Prometheus advised.

Taking the vial in hand, Atlas embraced both of his brothers. "But the other lands... Hyperion said there are other divinities."

"Then... Just run south. Hide on Gaia's Island. Hide away in the desert if you have to. Just stay away from Olympus."

"I will, brothers," Atlas promised. Tears started to well in his eyes. "I want you to know... we may have fought on opposite sides, but I never stopped loving you both."

"Of course not," Epimetheus said, his eyes watering.

"We're brothers, after all," Prometheus added, as if he were sealing a promise more meaningful than any divine blood shared between them.

**********

They cheered; they celebrated. They were children.

Children with the power of the divine. He and his brethren should have never fallen to such simple brats.

The outcome of the battle may have left him defeated and weakened, but Cronos was not one to accept loss easily. He had earned his throne through conflict. What was this moment except a momentary blip in his reign? It could not be over.

Despite the fact that the Plains of Thessaly lay in ruin and the once-mighty Titans defeated and unconscious because of some magic poppy flowers of Hypnos, he could not accept that the battle had been decided for the newer generation. A toll had been extracted from both sides. That it should end this way was altogether unacceptable.

Those thoughts rattled through the mind of the Titan King as he stirred.

His vision was blurred and his body weakened from the energy-siphoning thunderbolt Zeus had unleashed upon him. The lingering agony of that divine assault still seared through his being. Such a thought of his defeat was humiliating.

Thankfully for Cronos, Metis had decided to join in the celebration of the gods rather than watch over his weakened body.

The Lord of Time struggled to move, but that did not compare to the conflict brewing in his mind. He was all too aware that if he attempted to move too much, they would notice him. However, that did not stop his determination to survive.

With great effort, Cronos tapped into what remained of his godly powers. Using his mastery over time, Cronos directed his dwindling divine energy inward. He accelerated time on himself, willing his body to heal and his powers to return.

It was a risky gambit, for such manipulation of time could have unpredictable consequences; however, he needed to accelerate the effects of his corrupting, misbegotten son's lightning bolt on him.

As seconds turned into minutes, Cronos felt his strength slowly returning. The searing pain in his body began to subside, and his vision cleared. He knew he could not afford to waste any more time. There was a diminishing return on his power. He could not focus solely on his temporal powers.

Instead, with a final surge of effort, Cronos teleported himself away from the battlefield. He reappeared on the familiar heights of Mount Olympus. His eyes scanned the divine city for his palace where the ambrosia within could restore his full strength.

Cronos' gaze found his home easily enough, and he began to make his way toward it. Every step exacted a cost from him. He could feel that using his powers on himself gave him a unique sense of vertigo.

However, when he entered the palace, he did not find his home empty, nor did his elixir waiting for him. Rhea stood there in a defiantly tall stance. Her hands were by her side, and she seemed, for all intents and purposes, to be undefended.

In his desperately weakened state, Cronos stared at her. It made no sense for her to be in his palace. She was a recluse and hide away in her palace.

Rhea stood in a seductive dress that accentuated her every curve. The neckline plunged deep down, showing off the body Cronos had not touched in many decades. Her gown flowed like liquid moonlight and clung to her form in a way that ignited the embers of desire in Cronos' weary heart.

Cronos, momentarily taken aback, could not help but be captivated by Rhea's allure.

"What are you doing here, my queen?" he asked, his voice husky with a mixture of anger and fascination.

Rhea's laughter, like the sweetest of melodies, filled the room. She took slow, deliberate steps towards Cronos. For all of his attention on her, he missed the detail that her eyes smoldered with a dangerous fire.

"Oh, my dear Cronos," she purred, "I've been waiting for you, of course."

Cronos, returned to searching for the ambrosia, turned his attention to his wife, his confusion growing. "Where is it?" he demanded. "Where is the ambrosia?"

Rhea's laughter ceased, and her expression turned from seductive to something far more sinister. "You won't find ambrosia here," she replied, her voice dripping with venom.

Cronos, now both furious and bewildered, took a step closer to Rhea. "What have you done, woman?" he roared.

"Oh, with the ambrosia?" Rhea said. "Nothing. After all, you have no shortage of enemies. Rhea's smile widened, revealing some sort of betrayal.

"What have you done?" Cronos asked. Even in his weakened state, he had a firm belief that he could overpower her.

"Didn't you ever wonder how Zeus was able to escape your belly? How he became strong enough to harm you, O Mighty Cronos?"

"You!" Cronos breathed. "It was you! You tricked me. You must have hid him."

"I did," Rhea hissed. "I spirited Zeus away when he was just a baby!"

Cronos staggered back, the revelation hitting him like a thunderbolt. The truth was he was exhausted from his overexertion, and Rhea's confession was leaving him weaker for the wear. "But why?" he hissed in anger, his eyes burning with betrayal.

Rhea smirked in satisfaction. "Because of what you stole from me!"

"Aether?" Cronos breathed. "This cannot be about Aether!"

"And Ouranos! My first love!"

"You did love him!" Cronos snapped.

"I loved him more than I ever loved you!" Rhea spat.

"Then why do this? Why tell me?" Cronos asked, moving slowly to his wife.

"Because of what you did, I want you to know what happens next."

"What happens next?" Cronos asked.

"For Chaos sake, you are stupid!" Rhea declared.

"Then spell it out for me, Rhea!" Cronos exclaimed. There was murderous intent in his eyes.

"You won't be here to see it, but Zeus will become King of Olympus. He will rise and take everything you had. And I mean everything!"

"You would fuck your own son?"

"I fucked our father! I loved him! And you stole him from me!"

And there it was...

A truth Cronos had long suspected. He had been told; Rhea had even weakly admitted it back in the early days of his rule, but she had done it in a way that had led to sexual gratification for Cronos, so there had always been a barrier of ambiguity for him.

But there it was. The truth! She had loved Ouranos. She had loved him so much that, even after his death, she had betrayed him for the purpose of helping her sons.

She had hidden Zeus away, and afterwards, she had made him feel crazier than he already was to safeguard her secret. Was his insane acts of swallowing Aether, Hades, and Poseidon even his fault? She had not found the courage to admit she had loved their father.

She had made him the first killer in Greece by making him believe that their father had taken advantage of her. Rhea had been at the center of all of it.

The coldest, most heartbreaking part was that Rhea had allowed Cronos to take all the blame. Sure, he was given the Throne of Olympus, but it was by Gaia, and his brother liked Iapetus and Oceanus had lost faith in him.

Rhea... It had all been Rhea's doing.

It was not rage that moved him but rather grief. Grief for the truth, grief for the years, and grief for the ichor that had been spilled because he had loved her.

Cronos lunged, wrapping his hands around Rhea's neck.

Even through her choking, Rhea did not stutter or stop. "This won't make you any more of a man or a king," she struggled out.

Rhea continued to defy his attempt to silence her despite her husband threatening her life. Thankfully for Rhea, a blast of energy struck the entire palace. Cronos was overwhelmed by the display of power.

Cronos jumped, crashing into the ground. Both he and Rhea turned to see not one of their sons, but all three.

Zeus stood atop a majestic pillar of swirling lightning, his muscular frame was clad in robes of celestial white and gold. He extended one hand forward, holding his masterfully crafted bolt of lightning.

Poseidon rose up on a colossal tower of cascading water. His cerulean eyes gleamed with the enigmatic depths of the ocean's mysteries, but with a hint of the fun-loving being who enjoyed all of the challenges and the wonders that life had to offer. In his hand rested the powerful trident.

Hades stood with an air of quiet authority upon one of the towering pillars of Mount Olympus. Unlike his brothers, his presence somber and shadowed, reflected his time within Cronos' belly. Hades' expression was serene with his ebony hair falling to his shoulders. His bident was all he had in hand.

The Titan of Time looked from his treacherous wife to the three ungrateful sons. Cronos wondered if Coeus, for all of his intellect, had come to the same conclusions that the Titan King was coming to.

There, on the heights of Olympus, Cronos saw all of his failings as a ruler. He saw the mistakes of his father. He saw how he had floundered and fallen. In his heart of hearts, he worried that he would meet the same end as his father.

As such, Cronos tried to expel his sons off of Olympus with his power, but without the rejuvenating elixir of ambrosia, his attack rang hollow. However, his sons felt no such weakness. In fact, they seemed to have been restored since the battle. Things were adding up with the betrayal of Cratus to the shortcomings of his siblings as well as Rhea's subterfuge. Everyone had turned on Cronos, in the end.

The desertion engulfed his soul until he might have wept, but Hades' bident struck him in the stomach, retribution for the long years that Cronos had inflicted upon his eldest son. Cronos, in that moment, remembered the great dishonor he had done to Hades. Had Cronos simply stepped down, Hades would have been King of Olympus, and Cronos would not have been enduring the agony of being attacked by his sons.

Outstretching a hand, he hoped to stop his eldest son, but it was Poseidon and his trident that struck out and halted Cronos' attempt.

It was the final humiliation when Cronos staggered back from the trident's blow that a smirking Zeus seized his opportunity to do to Cronos what Cronos had done to his father.

Zeus hurled his lightning bolt. Cronos cried out in agony at the separation of his manhood from his body. When he fell, he realized his son's precise blow had not removed Cronos' testicles. Instead, where the bleeding gold-red ichor was, there was a reminder that Cronos was no longer male, let alone a king of any kind.

"Your time as ruler is done, Father," Zeus declared.

The three sons withdrew their weapons and dropped them to the floor. As one, they struck their father with their impressive might. Cronos flew back, falling from the heights of Olympus. When he crashed back into the mortal lands of Greece, he was not dead, but he wished he were.

Standing over him was Rhea. She was smiling despite her revenge was not yet complete. She held in her hands some of the poppy flowers. She sprinkled them onto her husband's face. This was the moment that mattered most.

In the times to come, Cronos would not need to see Zeus claiming Rhea carnally, but as the light faded from his vision, he was aware that it would happen. Zeus would have Rhea. He would have Olympus. Zeus would not make the same mistakes as Cronos. Cronos would not be able to guess at all the details, but that was the truth as far as Cronos was concerned.

The worst part was Zeus had done a perfect job of turning all of the younger gods against Cronos, so there was no chance of Zeus being deposed. Cronos could only hope, in his heart of hearts, that one day there would be a champion that would defeat Zeus, as Zeus had defeated him.

Cronos prayed and promised that if such a usurper came, he would give nearly anything to ensure this Champion would take the Throne of Olympus from Zeus, for all time.

**********

Mount Olympus had not had its open spaces used for years. However, on this day, openness would serve a purpose that was a long time in the making.

Rhea stood over her victorious children as their mother and as a queen. She had dressed herself in her gown of luscious temptation for Cronos, but behind her, where nothing had been before, she summoned three circlets. These were wreaths of glistening gold.

Her eyes were filled with both pride and relief, and very quickly, tears accompanied the emotions. It had been so long since her long journey of revenge had begun. Before her, there were three triumphant children as a testimony that her faith and patience had been rewarded.

"You have done well, my sons," she said in a voice filled with the love of a mother.

To that, the sons did not know what to do. Rhea had been on Olympus and away from the war. None of them had spent any real amount of time with her.

However, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades knelt before her because an instinct of obedience overcame them. Their heads lowered in deference to Rhea's authority. After all, they could never have overcome Cronos if Rhea had not risked everything and hidden Zeus away.

She had set in motions the chance of their victory, and for that, all three would show her honor.

Rhea turned and began to place the crowns upon their heads.

"I am so proud of you. My sweet boys. You did it."

Each crown sparkled with divine radiance.

"From the highest point of Mount Olympus to the greatest depth of the Underworld, you three shall share the rulership of Greece. Let no more conflict overtake our family."

"Yes, Mother," her sons affirmed in unison.

With grace and reverence, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus accepted their crowns. They understood the gravity of their newfound responsibilities, and in that moment, they were united in their determination to rule justly and honorably.

For the smallest moment after the crowns were put on their heads and the sons lowered their heads a little more to honor their mother, Zeus kept his head up. Rhea and Zeus exchanged a small look. There was a smirk on Rhea's face and a hopeful smile on Zeus' face.

With the most careful respect, Zeus lowered his head in supplication of his mother. After all, if he was to be the ruler, he would have to put faith in the two women who had led him this far.

While the Titans had fallen and were in a temporary sleep, the young gods gathered on Olympus for a well-deserved, jubilant celebration. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the joyous clamor of revelry. The potential future of titles and domains were momentarily forgotten and instead replaced by the simple exuberance of their hard-won victory.

Animals were found in the Grecian countryside to be cooked over the heat of the Flames of Olympus.

Hestia approached the large glass and metal container that Hyperion had fashioned to contain the Flames of Olympus. While she marveled at it in front of her siblings, she had an abject disgust for almost everything made by the Titans, including Hyperion's container. The container was made so there was a lichas (distance from thumb-tip to tip of outstretched index finger) between the flame and the glass, so the Flames never touched it.

Using Hyperion's torch, Hestia kindled a grand bonfire at the center of their gathering. Its flames danced with an enchanting warmth that mirrored the spirits of the gods.

Demeter set down her gauntlets next to her sister's staff. There were baskets of ripe, luscious fruit to be given out, but for a small moment, Demeter simply showed Hestia kindness. The sisters exchanged a hug.

Hera set her bow next to Hestia's staff and Demeter's gauntlets. Seeing her sisters having a moment of sisterly connection, she felt better to go to the brothers than interrupt the sisters. Hera found laughter and joy as Mnemosyne started to sing a joyful but lamenting tune.

Zeus made his lightning bolt disappear but the fist was put alongside the other tools of war by the Great Flame. Metis put her shield next to his fist. Hades set his Hooks and Bident down beside the fist but kept the Helm of Invisibility on his head without activating its power. Poseidon rolled his eyes at the stupidity of the symbolism, but he too set his sword and Trident next to the weaponry.

Prometheus and Epimetheus brought out the ambrosia they had stolen and poured some for every divinity in the room. Chalices of the finest gold were brought out, but not before Prometheus set his axe down by the Flame.

Themis watched over the festivities with a benevolent gaze. She made a motion for Brontes, Steropes, and Arges to join them. As the Cyclops brothers had not aided the Titans and had armed the young gods, they too, deserved to be part of the celebration.

Cratus, Bia, Zelus, and Nike were somewhat uncomfortable, given how many of their Titan friends had been remade into monsters by Hyperion, but that also, they were grateful for removal of Cronos and Hyperion and so they raised chalices to Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon, reveling in the camaraderie.

The night sky above them was illuminated by the divine radiance of Nyx, goddess of the night. Her sons, Hypnos and Thanatos were off to themselves. They were ever the grim beings from Tartarus.

Rhea and Gaia watched in their own way. Their presence was a comforting embrace for the young gods. Decisions would need to be made, and they would be made after the night's fun was over.

As the music swelled and the celebrations continued, the gods of Olympus lived in a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. These were bonds of family and friendship that should have united forever.

In that transcendent moment, titles and responsibilities were forgotten. They were young gods, basking in the triumph of their first great victory. Laughter, cheering, singing, and celebration rang through all of Mount Olympus.

**********

Epilogue: Seeds of a New Reign

"So many adventures couldn't happen today

So many songs we forgot to play

So many dreams swinging out of the blue

We'll let 'em come true

Forever young

I want to be forever young

Do you really want to live forever?

Forever, and ever"

-- Alphaville, Forever Young, from the album Forever Young (1984), written by Marian Gold, Bernhard Lloyd, and Frank Mertens. Copyright © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

The morning sun bathing Mount Olympus in golden light was a new sensation for the gods. They had spent a decade going to war for this sacred mountain, and on this day, they knew that no Titan would take it from them.

Within this light, in one of the chambers of what was once known as Cronos' palace, his sons gathered. Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon had showered and cleaned after the war and celebration.

Zeus had no weapon at his side, which was a strange occurrence for him. After having his fist, the Aegis, or his thunderbolt in hand for the last decade, to have nothing was almost the same as being naked.

Zeus looked at his brothers. "Are you sure about this?"

Hades nodded in agreement. "You and I did discuss using straws before."

Poseidon sniffed in annoyance. "Not that you invited me to that discussion."

"You were too busy being in love with your sea monster," Zeus said irreverently.

"His name is Cetus!"

"You prove his point," Hades remarked offhandedly. He almost laughed at his younger brother's adolescent anger at their youngest brother and love of a fish..

"Very well," Poseidon conceded. "Straws. Who will hold them? I think we all want Father's throne, so we can't trust that any of us won't try to trick the others."

"I will," Rhea said, coming into her son's private meeting room. Behind her was Gaia.

"Wait! Given you saved Zeus, doesn't that mean you will favor him?" Poseidon asked.

Rhea let out a single laugh.

"I suppose you could see it that way. But I don't. Zeus was lucky. I could not have saved Hades or you, Poseidon. I named you and Cronos stole you away. It was Cronos growing inattentive that let me save Zeus. If Gaia held the straws, maybe, but me... I adore all of my sons. I am so proud of each of you."

"Does that suffice?" Zeus asked.

Both Poseidon and Hades nodded.

"That will have to wait until tomorrow," Gaia said. "We need to discuss what to do with my wayward children. I am glad you did not kill Cronos and his siblings in the final battle, but they cannot roam the land."

"As to that," Nyx said, appearing from the shadows themselves. "I believe sending them to Tartarus where they left the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires to suffer might be the best decision."

"Will you be looking after them?" Gaia wondered.

"No... One of them will," Nyx said, motioning to sons of Rhea. "If Mount Olympus and the seas need a ruler, so too will the Underworld."

Zeus looked at his brothers. Hades nodded in acceptance and Poseidon shrugged with indifference.

"I believe we can accept that," Zeus said.

"How will we keep them there?" Hades wondered.

"Tartarus can have a dampening effect on some divinities. I believe the Titans will suffer the effects," Nyx explained.

"Then what of the next ruler of the Underworld?" Poseidon wondered.

"I do have a few thoughts on that," Nyx replied. "When one of you is selected, I will show you how I mean for you to overcome that enchantment."

All three of the brothers nodded.

"And I think we can put the chain made by the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires to good use."

"Can the Cyclopes change the chain to accommodate the Titans?" Hades wondered.

Gaia nodded. "I believe so. I will have to talk to them, so that they do not think that you want to chain them up." Gaia paused, recalling something. "Which reminds me. Will you be seeking retribution on the Hecatoncheires for not aiding you after the weapons were made.

Poseidon and Hades shook their heads in unison. Having been tortured by their father's belly and stomach acid, they knew how much peace was worth.

"We do not," Hades said.

However, it did not escape Gaia's notice that Zeus hesitated.

"I agree with my brothers," Zeus said.

While the others were convinced, Gaia was not so sure. She would need to go to Tartarus before the chosen ruler found himself in its depths. She knew her secret would not last.

"We will also need to discuss you and your sea monster," Zeus pointed out.

"What?" Poseidon shouted. "Cetus did nothing wrong."

"But should we turn on one another," Hades pointed out logically, "Cetus could prove to be decisive."

"If we are discussing all of the logistics," Gaia said, interrupting, "I do not think storing all of the Titans in Tartarus is the wisest move."

"Nor is keeping all of your wartime weapons on Olympus," Rhea said.

"This might have to wait until they have chosen a leader," Nyx said.

"Very well," Hades said. "We should do that as soon as possible."

"After such a tumultuous war," Rhea said, "I think it might be best, son, to have a day of reprieve and celebration."

"Will the Titans remain under Hypnos spell that long?" Poseidon asked, skeptical.

"It will not last forever, but it will keep," Nyx answered succinctly. "Those lesser Titans have lost the power to fight against my son, after what Hyperion did with his Flame."

And so on, and so forth it went. The end of Cronos' Reign had come, and soon, a longer, more complicated but prosperous reign came for the lands of Greece.

It would be a time for myth and monsters, heroes and legends, gods and mortals, war and peace, but above all else, it would be the time of Zeus.

**********

Author's Notes:

As with The Reign of Cronos, I have made changes to the lore to help make my own reimagining for the characters, and I have taken in the opinion of someone I trust, but I have not received a revised version from an editor. When I do, I will update this story.

I know some of you have been waiting a long time for me to update, so I wanted to give this story, as I do believe in updating this series every few months.

As it stands though, these stories take about 3 to 8 weeks to write, as I already have an idea in mind, but there still is labor in writing them, making sure the words aren't repetitive (as that is a personal weakness of mine), and still must come out with a cohesive narrative.

A personal friend and sometimes editor of mine said, "[Your story] wasn't just gratuitous sex for the sake of being erotic, but it fit with the story and the scenes were so incredibly powerful and meaningful to the story."

My sincere hope is that the story comes first, and any sex scene that is or isn't there helps inform the characters, the stories, scene, themes, or adds rather that just distracts. I am not against a story that is overtly sexual. Look at my other work on here or even just the first series I made: The Untold Sequel of Heracles.

However, I know a lot of stories can be gratuitous or just formulaic where they explain who the players are, how hot they look, and by the halfway point, they have sex. Here, I want to be like a soap opera where we keep the adult scenes. Characters have sex. That's how the Titans got into the story, how the gods came into the story, and how most human beings come to exist.

If that helps give an idea of what my stories are, I hope that can keep everyone's attention.

As for the Greek myth people, who just like a good narrative, a lot of the elements here are from Hesiod and Apollodorus, but God of War and Hades really helped flesh out some of the events and the weaponry. The Fist of Zeus and the Hooks of Hades were inspired by the weapons in God of War: Chains of Olympus and God of War III respectively.

The Fists of Demeter and the Bow of Hera were inspired by Coronacht and Malphon from Supergiant' Games' Hades.

The Aegis shield is VERY much from the myths, but how I make Metis use it is inspired by Chris Evans' Captain America because the choreography is so very good. While I looked into actual shield combat, I figure gods are flashy and fun, not disciplined humans who have to obey physics.

Some things, like the 'Crown of Nyx' constellation was made by me because I have to have some original ideas in here. My alpha reader, Abaculus on here, was a HUGE help in helping focus and expand the narrative, especially in helping me include original ideas like that.

I will also add that every divinity makes mistakes in the myths, and there are multiple sources, POVs from fiction, and many books on the subject. With that in mind, each one will make mistakes, commit egregious crimes, and they will hurt one another. Take that into mind.

I hope each of the characters is enough for you to keep reading about.

While every myth will not be expanded on, I will do my best to keep a cohesive narrative while addressing that most of mythology is occurring. I will make mistakes when I try to make a hard timeline in relation to today's times, cut me some slack. By the end, I am sure it will be rectified.

Thank you for reading. Feel free to comment, rate, and favorite this story as you see fit. I will do my best to update these when I feel the story is shaped up to submit, and after they are thoroughly edited, I will update them.

A tentative release date for the next story will be August 2, 2025. If it comes out sooner, great. But I do not think it should be out more than two weeks after. The draft I am currently working on is ABOUT 60K words. I need at least one more draft before giving it to Abaculus. I am constantly trying to make these stories better, not worse, so please keep that in mind.

Again, and a million times over, thank you for reading.