That night, the island was alive with festivities to welcome their two new honorary sisters. Rachel and Barbara, now in her Cheetah form, sat with Diana as the Amazons celebrated with food, drinks, singing, and dancing. Rachel basked in the festive atmosphere, while Barbara meticulously observed every detail of Amazon culture, making mental notes. Diana noticed her friend's keen interest and smiled wryly, shaking her head.
Amidst the celebrations, Antiope and Queen Hippolyta approached Rachel to formally introduce themselves. Antiope took the opportunity to apologize for the attitude of the Amazons, including her own. Rachel sensed the sincerity in her words but also felt the lingering indignation and doubt from some in the crowd. She sighed, choosing to ignore them and focus on those who seemed genuine in their desire to befriend her.
As the festivities neared their end, Diana made an important announcement. "My aunt Antiope will train Barbara, while I will take Rachel under my wing. Given our nature as cultivators, Rachel and I will train on a neighboring uninhabited island to avoid any unintended damage." Her words raised some eyebrows, but the earlier display of Rachel's power had made everyone aware of how devastating cultivators could be.
Queen Hippolyta nodded in agreement. "Very well, Diana. Ensure that you remain cautious."
Diana smiled and bowed to her mother, then gave Rachel a playful wink. Rachel returned the smile, taking a sip of her juice. She understood that come tomorrow, she and Diana would embark on the true training she eagerly anticipated.
The next morning, Diana and Rachel departed for the neighboring island, its uninhabited lush green expanse with a large mountain and a waterfall providing the perfect training ground. As they landed, the stillness of the island was shattered by the intensity of their energy.
"This place is perfect," Diana said, surveying the land. "We can use this island as cover. Now, Rachel, you have an understanding of space law, right? Please take us to Azarath."
Rachel nodded, raised her hand, and tapped into her inner realm to connect with the space around them. In the next moment, a ripple in space appeared before them. Seeing this, Rachel turned to Diana and said, "It's ready."
Diana nodded and stepped through the ripple. As they emerged, Diana once again witnessed the ethereal beauty of Azarath.
Rachel followed, and the moment she stepped onto the land, the winds swirled around her, and the nearby trees seemed to shake joyously.
Rachel smiled and said, "I'm home."
Diana noticed the realm's lively reaction and was amazed. Just then, a gentle swirl of wind placed a flower delicately on her head.
Rachel, seeing this, smiled and said, "Even though you haven't come to Azarath many times, the realm still remembers you."
Picking the flower from her head, Diana smiled and said, "I am surprised at the development of the realm. Orach told me it would develop spirituality at some point, but this is already amazing." She paused to place the flower behind her ear and, looking at the landscape, continued with a smile, "I appreciate the welcome. I'm home."
Later, both Rachel and Diana took flight, making their way towards the training grounds. However, a thought occurred to Diana, and she halted mid-flight. She looked gently at Rachel, who stopped as well, seeing Diana pause. "Rachel, before we begin our training, there's something I want to do. Could you please guide me to the gravesite of your mother?"
Rachel, hearing the request, was stunned and raised an eyebrow but nodded, causing Diana to smile at the trust. Rachel then led Diana towards the graves of her people. Diana couldn't help but clench her fist upon seeing the graves, swearing to stand by Rachel and face the high-demon Trigon together. She would make him pay for hurting Rachel. Soon, Rachel descended towards a grave covered in flowers, with Diana following.
Rachel took a moment, just staring at the gravestone. Diana, seeing this, stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. With a comforting smile, she knelt in front of the gravestone. Rachel watched as Diana cleaned and dusted off the unwanted vegetation before removing her tiara and placing it beside her, letting her cascading hair be tousled by the gentle winds.
With her head bowed and eyes closed in prayer, Diana began, "Hello, Angela. I am Diana Prince. Ever since Orach told me about you, I wanted to come here with Rachel. I want to thank you for giving birth to such a wonderful and strong girl despite what you went through. I can't begin to imagine your struggle, but I promise you I will ensure you receive justice and vengeance on that demon. But mainly, I want to say to you today, out of the many things I am, I stand before you as Rachel's new mother. I know I can't replace you and will never try, but I promise to love her, guide her, protect her, and support her growth with all my heart and soul. So, please, I hope you can rest, move on, and have a wonderful next life while entrusting our daughter to me and my foolish husband."
Later, Diana opened her eyes and, grasping her tiara from the ground, stood up and placed it back on her head.
Just then, as she turned to face Rachel, she was caught off guard as Rachel embraced her tightly. Diana soon heard sobbing and felt Rachel's tears. She gently patted her head as she returned the embrace and said, "Rachel, I am sorry, dear. I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to do this properly; I wanted to honor your mother. I wanted to thank her properly for bringing you into our lives and giving me the chance to be your mother. I wanted to do it with you to ensure her I meant every word so that she wouldn't have any lingering feelings and could move on."
Hearing these words, Rachel continued to cry, letting out her emotions. She was thankful for meeting both Orach and Diana. She was grateful for the home they provided and the love they gave her, saving her from loneliness. As she cried, the last of her emotional walls preventing her from associating the word 'mother' with Diana slowly crumbled.
Diana simply continued to embrace and pat Rachel, allowing her to vent it all out. Finally, after a while, Rachel stopped crying and made a move to break the hug. Feeling this, Diana let go and asked, "Feeling better, dear?"
Rachel removed her hood and replied, "Yes." She looked straight into Diana's clear and gentle eyes and continued, "Thank you for honoring my mother, Dia… mother."
Diana smiled warmly and said, "It's fine, Rachel. Don't push yourself. I'll wait for the day when it comes naturally to you." She then patted Rachel's head before continuing, "One more thing, don't mention to Orach that I called him my husband. Even though I know that's where we're headed, I still want that fool to do the work and propose to me. Got it?"
Rachel chuckled, nodding in agreement.
Diana's smile widened. "Now, if you're still up for it, let's go and begin your training, shall we?"
Rachel nodded, and the two took flight towards the training ground. However, what they didn't notice was a silhouette gently looking at them as they flew away, tears rolling down her cheeks. Soon, a bright light enveloped the silhouette, and after feeling the warmth and peace from the light, the silhouette nodded and vanished.
Gods' Realm
In the serene, lush expanse of Lord Shiva's celestial abode, Lord Ganesh stood beside his mother, Goddess Parvati, his trunk swaying thoughtfully as he pondered recent events.
"Mother, it's rare for you to intervene so directly," he asked, curiosity evident in his voice. "You could have let her soul enter the heaven of that lower realm. Why send her into the cycle of reincarnation in the higher realms?"
Goddess Parvati smiled, her eyes reflecting timeless wisdom. "A mother endures everything for her child's future and happiness. Despite her mistakes, she was a devoted mother. In an era like Kaliyug, in that world, sadly, abandoning her child under the guise of fear would have been easy. But she chose a different path. Even after knowing her child had half-demon blood, she still chose to stay and protect her daughter, Rachel, from the demon's clutches. She gave up everything she knew, embraced Azarath and its teachings, and even in death, she refused to leave her daughter's side. Watching her child's loneliness without being able to comfort her was torturous, but love anchored her to the mortal plane. Now, with Rachel becoming Orach's and Diana's child and Diana stepping into her role as Rachel's new mother with resolve, it's time for her suffering to end. She deserves a chance at happiness, and I've granted her just that."
Lord Ganesh nodded, a smile spreading across his face. He then let out a hearty laugh. "Ever since Orach landed in that lower realm, it's been one thing after another. The fates of many have changed. I can only imagine how 'The Presence' must be reacting."
Goddess Parvati chuckled, her laughter a harmonious melody that filled the lush expanse. "Indeed, 'The Presence' must be in quite a state, especially since one of his own hands attacked Orach without his consent. Being a lower-level creator god, having the boy's fate intertwined with his creation is undoubtedly causing him great stress. I can only imagine how he's reacting to the changes in the fates of so many of his creations. The boy in the void realm is on a path to reclaim parts of himself that he buried after the android war, battling his inner demons. Once Orach emerges, I can only pity that lower realm. He was quite the mischievous one in his youth, much like you were, my sweet child."
Lord Ganesh gave his mother a wry smile, reminded of his own youthful adventures. But his expression turned serious as he thought of Orach's fate inside the void realm. "He has already spent so long in there and has lost a leg. The sheer mental strain he is enduring...he is bound to become more ruthless. I truly hoped he had reached Ultra Instinct before he entered the void."
Goddess Parvati's gaze softened as she gently placed a hand on her son's shoulder. "The boy's journey is fraught with challenges, but it is through these trials that he will find his true strength. He must confront and conquer his inner demons from the Android war to unlock the power that lies dormant within him. Only then will he be able to rise further in his cultivation and face the fate of his world and parents without succumbing to despair."
As she spoke, she looked further away in the direction of a world in a newly risen higher realm, where two children at different corners of that world were slowly but steadily growing in their homes.
The girl, a rambunctious yet tomboyish and mischievous princess, created trouble for her servants, declared herself as the future Empress, dominated other children in her age group, and beat any boys black and blue that annoyed her, even her elder brothers.
In a different part of that same world, a young boy loved playing with flowers in his home's gardens and was often seen surrounded by animals of all types, all either playing with him or protecting him, a sight that scared a few while leaving others awestruck.
Seeing them, she smiled and continued, "The realms are fortunate that Orach was born a Saiyan and that he is the legacy of his parents, Gula and Cress, who both cherished life. Their teachings, love, care, and guidance have been his foundation and will continue to support him through his struggles. While the events in the void realm and the revelation about his home world and parents' tragic fate will inevitably change him and make him somewhat more ruthless, he will ultimately find his way. He will realize his true self, live by his principles, perform his duties without fear, and continue to treat others with compassion and respect. Your father, along with other gods, is invested in seeing the boy triumph and rise through his struggles. We eagerly await the day when he ascends and stands with us. Though his journey is fraught with challenges, these trials are ultimately for his own good. So, as his guardian deity, just continue to watch him rise, my son. His epic has only just begun."
Lord Ganesh, moved by his mother's wisdom and reassurance, nodded in agreement. Together, they continued to spend quality time, discussing the happenings in the other realms as they watched Lord Shiva deep in meditation.
Cale Estate
SMASH
The sound of shattered glass echoed through the living room of the Cale estate, a palpable expression of Veronica Cale's frustration. Despite maintaining a composed and authoritative demeanor in front of her employees, the recent hack had left her seething with anger and frustration. Together with her partner, Adrianna, they had tried to drown their sorrows in whiskey, but the loss of confidential files, especially those related to their newly assembled team, gnawed at them both.
"Why is the world so against us? Why does nothing go our way?" Veronica fumed.
Adrianna, though equally frustrated, couldn't bear to see her friend in such distress. She gently took Veronica's hand, stopping her from picking up another glass. "Veronica, stop. You'll hurt yourself." Her voice was calm but firm. "What's done is done. Yes, we got hacked, and yes, our plans got partially leaked. But the hacker didn't get everything. We still have a chance to turn this around. Let's come up with a new plan."
Veronica took a deep breath, Adrianna's words bringing her back to a semblance of calm. Nodding, she agreed to brainstorm together. Adrianna continued, "This might be risky, but given that we're dealing with gods and magic, why don't we revisit our plan to contact a mage or witch? Someone who can help us find our little girl. If they can't locate her, at least they might give us a clue about that damned island's location. It's better than relying on the Cheetah avatar."
Veronica and Adrianna had previously dismissed this plan, wary of charlatans in the magical community. But with no leads on Barbara Minerva and their kidnapped daughter, it seemed worth reconsidering.
The next few weeks were a whirlwind. Veronica and Adrianna delved into the arcane underworld, creating a buzz in magical circles with their relentless search for a genuine mage. Their inquiries and substantial rewards quickly attracted attention, and soon, rumors began to circulate.
One evening, a tip led them to a smoky lounge where a singer crooned a haunting melody. Among the patrons was a woman in a dark green gown, enjoying the song. Spotting their target, Veronica and Adrianna exchanged nods and proceeded towards the woman. With each step, they felt a subtle pressure on their bodies, reminiscent of their humiliating experience with Phobos and Deimos. This pressure, they realized, was the aura of ancient power emanating from Circe. They had found the real deal—a powerful mage. Noticing the two mortals approaching her, Circe, the infamous witch, sipped her drink with a subtle smile. She could see the desperation and resolve in their eyes, and it intrigued her. Desperate humans were always so easy to manipulate.
Adrianna approached her cautiously, the weight of their desperation evident in her eyes. "Excuse me, Miss. Are you by chance the witch Circe?"
Circe raised an eyebrow at such a blunt question and let out a sigh. She pointed to the two empty chairs at her table, indicating that they should sit down and not create a scene. 'How could these two stupid women just blurt out the word 'witch' in public like this? Either they are stupid or easy pickings,' she thought. As the two sat across from her, Circe continued to enjoy the show and her drink.
Once seated, Veronica said, "Circe, we need your help. My daughter has been taken, and we believe she's in the hands of the gods Phobos and Deimos. Can you help us find her?"
Circe's eyes sparkled with intrigue. Intent on finishing listening to the singer, she snapped her fingers, taking Veronica's voice, and indicated for her to be silent by bringing her index finger to her lips. Shocked and angry at this woman for caring more about a song than her daughter's life, Veronica wanted to shout, but Adrianna held her hand and shook her head. Veronica could only grit her teeth and wait in silence for the song to end.
After the performance, Circe clapped along with the audience and then looked at the two women in front of her. She smiled before snapping her fingers again, restoring Veronica's voice. Veronica, initially alert, was surprised when the words, "What are you…" came out of her mouth. She realized her voice was back.
Both Veronica and Adrianna looked relieved and gazed up at the powerful witch they had come to meet. Circe took a sip of her wine and said, "Your daughter is not with Ares's sons. She's in Tartarus."
The revelation sent a chill down Veronica's spine. Tartarus, a realm of torment and imprisonment, was a place few dared to tread. "WHAT? Why would she be there? What did those bastard gods do to my child?" Veronica's imagination ran wild, fearing the torture her daughter might be enduring.
Seeing the distress on Veronica's face, Adrianna, with a serious expression, asked, "Circe, if you know this much, can you help us? We are willing to pay any price. Please, help us rescue our little girl."
Circe, still enjoying her wine, smiled at their pained expressions and said, "Tempting... to others maybe. But I am old, very old, ladies. I doubt you have something that would interest me. And why would I even lend you a hand? Two strangers who just disturbed my night out?"
"What do you want in return?" Veronica asked, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.
Circe smiled, a wicked glint in her eyes. "Persistent, aren't we? While that tactic might work with others in your circle, big shot of the business tycoon world, your identity means nothing to me. So, my question still stands. Why should I help you? Many children go missing or meet tragic fates. What makes your daughter special enough for me to intervene?"
Veronica and Adrianna gritted their teeth, desperately thinking of ways to convince her. Just then, Circe felt a shiver as if she was being locked onto by a powerful entity. Recognizing this presence, she knew someone was getting annoyed by her fun.
Tsk
Though annoyed, she sighed and said to the women, "I require a favor—a promise that when the time comes, you will assist me in a matter of great importance. Do this, and I will guide you to your daughter."
Taken by surprise, Adrianna hesitated for a moment, but Veronica immediately jumped at the chance. "Deal," she said.
Circe clasped her hand in a firm handshake. After closing her eyes and murmuring a word, she reopened them to see a green magic chain around their handshake. The appearance of these luminous green chains shocked both Veronica and Adrianna, but Circe said, "A pact with an ancient witch like me is a serious matter, Miss Cale. There is no going back. Now we are on the same boat. If either of us breaks the pact, the party that breaks the promise suffers a pain worse than death."
Adrianna, now worried and frustrated, felt they had just traded one peril for another.
After Veronica nodded, the chains disappeared, and both Circe and Veronica had a chain tattoo appear on their hands as proof of the deal.
Circe then said, "Firstly, don't fear Phobos and Deimos; they're just demigods. With me by your side, those two won't be a problem. But I suggest you both play along with their plans. They were right about one thing: we need to find Themyscira. To access Tartarus, we need a gate on the mortal plane, and the only unsealed gate is on Themyscira. I can use my magic to get us there, but we'll have to deal with the Amazons, especially their guardians. Having Phobos and Deimos with us will help distract the Amazons. They might not be the brightest, but they have the strength to be our muscle. So, continue to act as loyal subordinates who have found a way to the island. All they care about is freeing someone. While they create chaos and draw attention, we can rescue your daughter. Understood?"
Hearing the plan, Adrianna and Veronica exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously. They spent some more time discussing additional details.
With the pact sealed and under Circe's guidance, Veronica and Adrianna started thinking about the requirements for preparing for the perilous journey to Tartarus. Driven by the hope of reuniting with their daughter and fueled by determination, they were ready to overcome any obstacle in their path. Later, they said their goodbyes and took their leave.
Just then, Circe took a measured sip from her goblet, her eyes locking onto the man before her. "You really are as impatient as ever, Zeus," she remarked with a hint of a smirk.
Across from her sat a middle-aged man with a stern demeanor. His light skin contrasted with his short, neatly styled dark hair streaked with gray, and his well-groomed gray beard and mustache. He wore a dark blue suit jacket over a matching dress shirt and tie. At her comment, his eyes narrowed. "Careful, Circe. It's Godking Zeus to the likes of you witches."
Circe's expression hardened, her smirk vanishing. "Some Godking. News of your wife taking over has spread far and wide. Oh, Godkinnnggg... how the mighty have fallen. Good for Hera, finally standing up for herself after centuries of your betrayals. She, the goddess of marriage, had become a joke because of you."
CRACKLE
Zeus's eyes began to glow with an ominous light, and electricity crackled around them in response to her mocking tone.
"Careful, Zeus. We're in the mortal plane, and I'm not some helpless mortal... not anymore," Circe warned, her voice cold as a green magic circle materialized beneath their feet. One wrong move from Zeus, and Circe would show him she wasn't one of the defenseless mortal women who could only spread their legs for this beast who seduced anything that moved.
Despite his anger, Zeus remembered his purpose. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down. While he was certain he could destroy this witch, he knew her magic was potent, and he would still suffer injuries if they fought. Worse, his actions would be noticed by Olympus, who believed he was under house arrest.
Opening his eyes, he fixed his gaze on Circe. "I did not come here to fight, Circe. I just want to ensure you carry out our agreement."
Circe, who had witnessed countless extraordinary events throughout her long life, was rarely taken aback. However, the sight of Zeus, known for his impulsive nature, restraining himself and maintaining composure, made her raise an eyebrow. This uncharacteristic behavior from Zeus underscored the seriousness of the situation they were facing.
"Fine," she said, her voice measured, though her eyes carried skepticism. "But, Zeus, are you truly prepared to sacrifice your grandsons? And what about releasing that mad son of yours? He despises you, and I can almost see him attacking the moment he's freed. With humans creating weapons of mass destruction and the countless conflicts since his imprisonment, his power will only grow once he is freed. Why release a potential threat?"
Zeus sighed, his expression grave, yet determined. "That's precisely why I want him out. With all the conflicts and negativity in the world, he should now be able to rival a god-king. Despite his tantrums, he is still my son. I'll convince him to join me and support our plans. I've already secured Poseidon's assistance when the time comes. With three powerhouses, each at or near god-king level, I don't see how we can fail to capture those two. As for my grandsons, I consider them necessary sacrifices. Besides, I can always have more."
Circe's eyebrow arched higher, a mixture of incredulity and disdain in her gaze. "How did you manage to convince Poseidon? You cucked him. He should hate your guts for what you did to his wife."
Zeus sneered, his lip curling in contempt. "To gods like us, women are merely playthings. So what if I bedded his wife? I am his brother; how can he stay mad at me over some woman? He can have any woman he desires. Plus, we gods need to look at the big picture. I still don't understand how that alien put me into a coma, but to make me spill my blood, put me into a coma, and now his daughter dares challenge our identity as gods, we must act!"
A wave of disgust washed over Circe, her stomach churning at his callousness. To her, Zeus wasn't a god but a beast. Reluctantly, she nodded, knowing she had to compromise to achieve her own goals. "Zeus, you disgust me. You're no god but a beast. Just make sure you deliver on our deal, and I'll help you. But know this: you are only deluding yourself if you think he's just an alien. That kind of power is beyond us all. It's a power that shakes creation itself. Some part of you must realize that, or you wouldn't stoop so low as to release the mad war god or ask your brother for help. Also, while I didn't feel it for myself, my contacts have told me about that little girl and the power she unleashed on that island. She is a potent mage. If I find that we are losing, I'll abandon you in a heartbeat." With that, she rose and left the venue, her footsteps echoing in the silent hall.
Zeus narrowed his eyes, glaring at the back of the mortal woman who dared disrespect him, the god-king of Olympus. However, considering the bigger picture, he gritted his teeth and reined in his anger. "Once I have them, I will drain those two of that power and make them my slaves. Once that power is mine, I'll be able to breakthrough to the next level. Even when that bastard alien returns, he'll be my slave too, and I'll make him watch as I defile his wife and daughter. Then, bitch, I'll hunt you down and make you regret crossing me! I'll make you all pay!"
A crackle of lightning split the sky, and the lights flickered within the venue, casting a brief moment of darkness. When the light returned, Zeus had vanished, leaving only the faint scent of ozone behind.
Rewinding time
Realm of the Sea God, Poseidon
"You dare show your face in my domain, ZEUS!" roared Poseidon as he rose from his throne, sensing the presence of his brother.
With unhurried steps, Zeus entered the grand halls of the underwater palace, a smirk playing on his lips. "Now now, brother. Is that any way to greet your elder..." But before he could finish, Poseidon's trident came hurtling towards him.
The divine trident, imbued with Poseidon's immense power, struck with such force that it destroyed a part of the palace. Zeus barely dodged it in time. Surprised, he looked up with narrowed eyes. "You have grown stronger, brother."
TSK
Poseidon, with an annoyed tone, sat back on his throne and recalled his divine weapon. As the trident flew back into his hand, he spoke in a serious and angry tone, "SPEAK! Why have you come here, Zeus? You are unwelcome in my realm. State your purpose and leave!"
Zeus sighed and shook his head. "Are you still mad about me sleeping with your wife? Seriously, it's been ages, let it go, brother. I agree she can provide decent, nay good even, pleasure, but we are brothers. We shouldn't be spoiling our relationship over a woman. We are gods, brother. Women should feel honored to be selected by us and willingly spread their legs. We can have any woman we want. So, why fixate on her? Just select a new one."
Poseidon's rage erupted. He released an overwhelming pressure, the aura of a godking, pushing Zeus back several steps. Zeus, shocked, quickly countered with his own divine pressure.
'What is going on? How did things change so much while I was in a coma? How is he a godking rank?' Zeus thought. Ever since he woke up, he couldn't believe the changes. Once a proud king of the gods, enjoying merry-making and orgies, now he was a king without a throne, forced to move in the shadows, hiding from his usurping wife. He felt this was undeserved. To set things right, he needed help, which is why he now stood before his brother, whose wife he had once violated. He couldn't fathom why his brother still cared about that incident.
"YOU DARE SAY THOSE WORDS! ZEUS! YOU RAPED MY WIFE! MY WIFE! I LOVE HER, ZEUS, AND YOU FORCED YOURSELF ON HER! She trusted you. She welcomed you as a guest and family when I wasn't there! You dare imply she should feel honored? She was a broken mess! She feared I wouldn't love her anymore, that I would hate her. She was on the brink of ending her own life! It took me a year to bring her smile back, to make her believe in my love again, to not fear my touch! WHY? WHY DID SHE HAVE TO SUFFER LIKE THAT? She did nothing wrong. YOU WERE THE PERPETRATOR. IT'S YOU WHO SHOULD DIE. I hate you, Zeus! I loathe your existence!" Poseidon, who had bottled up his anger for so long, finally snapped. He didn't care about the Greek Pantheon's need for Zeus's power. All he could see was red. He wanted to make Zeus suffer. He wanted to give his wife the justice she deserved. Grasping his trident, he unleashed all his might directly at Zeus.
Ever since that incident, he had been secretly developing a method to grow stronger, biding his time for the right opportunity. Now that it had presented itself, he wouldn't let Zeus escape unscathed. He was determined to showcase the fruits of his labor and the immense power he had harnessed with his newly devised method to defeat a god-king ranked powerhouse.
The oceans outside churned, whirlpools forming as the brothers clashed. Lightning crackled, and the ocean roared in response to their fury. Zeus, summoning his own divine weapon, the thunderbolt, met Poseidon's assault head-on. Blows were exchanged, each strike shaking the very foundations of the underwater palace. However, with Zeus worrying about his presence being felt by Olympus where he was supposedly in house arrest, felt restrained in his movements and attack power. Not being able to display his full might, Zeus soon became defensive and Poseidon used this to his advantage.
Just as Poseidon was about to deliver a fatal blow, a voice, calm yet commanding, pierced through the chaos. "STOP!"
Amphitrite, the Queen of the Sea, appeared between the two brothers, her presence immediately diffusing the tension. She placed a gentle hand on Poseidon's arm. "My love, this is not the way. We are gods, and we must rise above such mortal emotions. Let your anger go, for the sake of our realm. He isn't worth it."
Poseidon, breathing heavily, slowly lowered his trident. The rage in his eyes was replaced with sorrow. "Amphitrite..."
Zeus, wounded and weary, took the opportunity to step back but asked the question he really wanted an answer to in his usual commanding tone, "Brother, you... How do you raise your rank to God-King?"
Hearing his tone, Poseidon felt his rage boil up again, but he felt his wife's hand grasp his. He turned to look and saw her carrying a gentle smile, shaking her head. But his anger only flared further because, despite the smile, he could feel his beloved wife's hand trembling. It made his heart bleed to see her put on such a brave face for his sake. While he had been promiscuous in the past, his love for his wife was now paramount. He needed her by his side. He wanted to see her smile. He decided to hear out Zeus and immediately send this nuisance away.
"Zeus, just state your purpose and LEAVE!" Though he started in a calm tone, his anger showed as he shouted his last word.
Zeus, growing increasingly irritated by the lack of urgency, decided to focus on the matter at hand. "Very well. I didn't come here to fight. I came here to ask whether you have felt the power that has made this world its home?"
Poseidon, now seated back on his throne with Amphitrite, his queen, clutching his hand supportively, listened attentively. At Zeus's words, Poseidon's eyes narrowed. "I am aware of the higher realm being. My subjects have informed me of his power and deeds. So, what of it?"
Zeus, visibly exasperated, retorted, "What of it? Are you serious, brother? Do you not see the threat he poses? We, the old gods, have never heard of this higher realm before. How can you believe this higher realm nonsense? He's simply a powerful invader from another world. We must unite and fight him to show that this world is ours."
Poseidon's thoughts raced. 'This fool came to me for help? Does he think I am blind to the reality? That power shook all of creation! This idiot wants to provoke such a being? He is courting death!' Unconsciously, a sneer formed on Poseidon's face. "Why should I care, Zeus? This being hasn't shown any interest in the ocean. He only seems to care about the land. Why should I antagonize him for no reason?"
Zeus, stunned by his brother's nonchalance, responded with a serious tone, "Are you an idiot or pretending to be one? You must have seen the battle between his daughter and Artemis. You must have heard her disdain for us, calling us mere creatures! If people start believing that, our already strained supply of faith energy will diminish even further! We would weaken, some of us might even fall into slumber, and the idea of growing beyond our current powers would be impossible. And consider this: his daughter carries demon blood. What if he favors demons and grants demons some boon to challenge us? What then? So, brother, I have a plan. Join me and help me. What say you?"
Despite Zeus's seemingly logical argument, Poseidon had only one thought: 'He's definitely suicidal. Fine, let me be a good brother and help him out.' To Zeus, Poseidon's smile signaled agreement. But Amphitrite, knowing her husband well, sensed his true intentions.
"Very well. I agree, but I am not your errand boy. Tell me your plan and call on me when you need me. Not before that," Poseidon said.
Zeus, overjoyed, eagerly explained his strategy. He planned to use Ares's sons to free Ares and then, with their help, capture the two women from the higher being's house to force Orach into submission. Poseidon struggled to contain his laughter. The more he heard, the more he was convinced Zeus was sealing his own fate. He even started imagining how Orach would exact his revenge on Zeus.
After securing Poseidon's reluctant agreement, Zeus left, satisfied. He then headed to Circe to begin his plan. As his presence faded, Poseidon's domain erupted in laughter. Poseidon laughed so hard that he slipped from his throne, alarming his confused wife.
"Husband, what is wrong? Don't scare me!" Amphitrite asked, worry evident in her voice.
Poseidon, calming himself, replied with a smile, "I am fine, my love. I just can't believe how far my brother has fallen. His pride blinds him to the reality of Orach's power. He is walking towards a gruesome death."
"Husband, then refuse to get involved. I don't want to lose you!" Amphitrite pleaded, clutching his arm tightly.
Poseidon's heart softened at her plea, but he felt a duty to see this through. "Don't worry, my love. Zeus plans to free Ares, who hates him as much as I do. Zeus thinks he can convince Ares, but I know better. Ares will attack Zeus the moment he is freed. I will seal the island with the ocean, trapping them there. I owe it to the brother who once led us to greatness and to give you the justice you deserve."
Amphitrite wanted to say she only needed his love and presence, but seeing his resolve, she chose to support him. She hugged him tightly and murmured, "You fool. Just come back to me safely!"
Poseidon smiled and embraced her back. Later, they retreated to their chambers to spend cherished moments together.