Even at the end of his life, Krios couldn't believe what had happened. He was stunned by the betrayal from Mnemosyne. Did she not understand the consequences of her actions? With endless confusion and bewilderment, Krios's life finally came to an end.
As everything concluded, a calm seemed to settle over the events. The destruction of the Sky Temple simplified matters significantly, and the ensuing war in heaven was little more than a one-sided sweep, with no real resistance or change.
Zeus stood with his hands behind his back, his expression cold and his gaze sharp. "Mnemosyne, you've done well. Rest assured, what I promised you will be fulfilled. Father will not be aware of what has transpired, and you will be safe."
"Thank you, Lord Zeus," Mnemosyne bowed respectfully and withdrew. She needed to hide, as she was not suited to participate in the upcoming Titan War. If the Titan King learned of her involvement, the consequences would be severe. Mnemosyne understood that she needed to stay alive, whatever the cost.
Mnemosyne departed, and Zeus, along with his subordinate gods and the Celestial Warriors, swept through the heavenly realm. It took only a little over a decade for them to fully control the entire realm.
Zeus, maintaining his composure, walked through the heavenly realm, gazing at the grand palaces towering above the clouds. "What a beautiful heaven," Zeus said calmly. "Metis, Prometheus, our journey has just begun. The beauty of heaven, the vastness of the sea, the richness of the earthly realm, the silence of the underworld—all of it will one day be under my control!"
Zeus clenched his fist, his eyes gleaming with ambition. Clearly, he possessed an insatiable drive to rule. Like his grandfather and father, Zeus sought to control everything, a trait that defined him and never changed.
Interestingly, the personalities of the three god-kings—Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus—were quite different. Hades, for instance, cared little for power or authority. He saw his role as the ruler of the underworld as a means to become stronger, and his goal was always personal strength rather than power for its own sake. Poseidon, on the other hand, was more indifferent, almost emotionless, as if searching for something unknown to anyone else.
Zeus, however, was characterized by his ambition. He aspired to control the entire mythological world, aiming to become the undisputed third-generation god-king. This ambition made him the most fitting ruler in the eyes of those who followed him, like Metis and Prometheus. They knew that only by following Zeus could they achieve their own ambitions.
As for Hades and Poseidon? They seemed out of place, as if lacking the grand ambitions expected of god-kings. It was as if they did not fit the traditional mold of a god-king, preferring a quieter rule.
"Lord Zeus, there's a seal here!" one of the subordinate gods reported. "We can't open it!"
"Hmm?" Zeus quickly approached, showing no concern for the seal. With a simple gesture, he opened it. However, what they found inside left even Zeus, along with the wise Metis and Prometheus, in stunned silence.
Inside was something resembling a crown or helmet. It was called the God-King's Crown, an artifact that symbolized the authority and power of a god-king.
"How is this possible..." Zeus muttered in shock, unable to believe what he saw. The God-King's Crown, a symbol of the god-king's authority, had always been held by the ruling god-king, like Uranus and Cronus.
Cronus had never used it, but it should not have been hidden away like this. Had Cronus failed to find it? In reality, Cronus had found the crown but chose to ignore it. To him, the crown was meaningless; true authority came from his divine power and laws, not from an artifact.
Zeus's eyes gleamed with greed. This crown, a symbol of the god-king's power, was something he greatly desired. However, he soon regained his composure, realizing that the crown was useless to anyone not recognized as a true god-king. Even Cronus, who had lost all authority, could not be considered a true god-king anymore. Therefore, the crown held no practical value.
"Sigh, what a pity," Zeus said, feeling a sense of loss but maintaining his calm. "Prometheus, seal this place again. We will return after the Titan War is over."
"Understood!" Prometheus replied with a smile, pleased with Zeus's decision and showing great respect for his leader.
___________________
Read Ahead
P@treon.com/Mutter
___________________
✨ Special Offer! ✨
Enjoy a 50% discount on all Patreon tiers until November 30th! 🎉
Use code EDE1A at checkout to unlock this limited-time deal.