In the Greek Pantheon's Mythological World, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus were the world's most cherished, the favored third-generation God-Kings. Each of these deities had their share of the world's blessings, with neither receiving more nor less than the others.
But if any of them failed to claim what was rightfully theirs, they could not blame the world for not favoring them. The world had already done everything within its power to support them.
"Still," Hades thought silently, "Zeus, at least in the original story, was truly disappointing."
Hades didn't dwell too much on these thoughts. The original myth was merely a reference point, not a definitive guide. For gods, destiny was both a path and a shackle. From their birth, the fate of each god was preordained. To break free from the constraints of fate was theoretically impossible.
- Uranus was destined to be overthrown by his youngest son.
- Kronos was fated to be toppled by his own child.
- Hades was to be slain by the Pegasus Saint, a bearer of god-killing power.
- Poseidon would be eternally sealed, his divine body and soul obliterated by Athena.
- Zeus would be overthrown by his offspring.
Throughout the narrative of the Greek Pantheon, the destinies of these five God-Kings were set from the beginning. Uranus and Kronos transcended the level of God-Kings, becoming Ancient Gods. Even though they faced fate's backlash, they merely stepped aside without being destroyed.
Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus, however, had to strive to prolong their destined encounters with fate, giving themselves the time to ascend to the level of the Ancient Gods.
In the Mythological World, the fates of gods were like the inexorable march of the Dao in Chinese mythology: unalterable in the grand scheme but flexible in the details. The outcome was fixed; how one arrived there could vary.
From the moment each god was born, they began their struggle to transcend fate. This was a path fraught with challenges and hardships. To date, only Kronos had managed to break free from his destined end.
Of course, Kronos had indeed surpassed fate. If he chose to abdicate, as an Ancient God, his fate would have already shifted.
However, Kronos aimed higher. He sought to not just escape fate but to crush it underfoot, to surpass even the Ancient Gods and obliterate his destined end. This was the ambition of the Titan God-King.
Whether he would succeed or not?
Who could say?
This was the nature of divine destiny. For Hades, the threat of the Pegasus Saint and the god-killing power lay far in the future. His immediate concern was how to navigate the looming confrontation in 500,000 years—or rather, in the now dwindling 400,000-plus years.
Hades was about to continue with his plans when he suddenly paused.
A figure with bronze skin and imposing muscles approached. The aura of immense divine power surrounded him, marking him unmistakably as a Titan Chief God.
"…"
Hades watched silently as the Titan drew near. The sheer presence of this Titan spoke volumes of his strength. This was not just any Titan Chief God, but one of the finest among them.
This was Atlas, the Sky-Bearer.
Atlas, one of the twelve Titan gods, was the firstborn son of Iapetus, the God of Dimensions, and Clymene, one of the Oceanids. Among the second-generation Titans, Atlas stood out with his immense strength and power. Even compared to his father and uncles, his divine power was formidable, as long as they did not invoke the full force of their true forms and the Ultimate Power.
Otherwise…
There would be no comparison.
"Hades," Atlas finally spoke after a long silence. "Prometheus sent me to fetch you."
Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Menoetius were the four sons of Iapetus and Clymene. Despite being the eldest and possessing strength comparable to their elders, Atlas was not the leader of his siblings. That role fell to his second brother, Prometheus.
Prometheus: The Seer
Prometheus, known as the Seer, was renowned for his wisdom. Even Kronos, the Titan God-King, recognized that Prometheus' intellect alone could pose a threat to his rule. This reputation had made Prometheus famous.
Of course, this was the perspective of their father, Kronos. Hades understood the intricacies better but acknowledged that Prometheus' wisdom was indeed formidable.
In the original story, both Metis and Prometheus played crucial roles in Zeus' rise to power. They orchestrated the fall of Zeus' elder brothers, secured the support of their three sisters, toppled Kronos, and eventually established the Olympian order.
Unfortunately, Prometheus and Metis probably never anticipated their grim fates. One would be devoured and sealed within forever, while the other would suffer endless torment.
Hades speculated they hadn't foreseen such outcomes. But these were matters for the future. What intrigued Hades now was why Prometheus sought him out.
Was it possible that his natural charisma had drawn Prometheus to his side? Hades doubted it. He had no delusions about possessing any such magnetic aura. He was more curious than hopeful about Prometheus' intentions.
"Let's go," Hades agreed to Atlas' request. Despite his skepticism, Hades was intrigued to see what Prometheus had in mind.
After all.
An invitation from Prometheus, renowned for his foresight, was worth investigating. Hades was aware that Prometheus wouldn't reach out unless he deemed it necessary.
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