The gods have always watched over humans since the beginning of time. They offer guidance, blessings, and sometimes punishment to those who disobey them. Many cultures have celebrated the gods through myths, religions, and art. Throughout history, the gods have been a symbol of hope and transcendence, inspiring us to have faith in the infinite possibilities of the universe.
None of the pantheons inspires reverence and fear more than the Olympians. Their names are praised throughout the very heavens. And the one to rule the celestial realms is the mighty Zeus. King of Olympus and the Leader of Heaven!
But how did he, despite all the odds, lead his family to becoming the royal family of the gods?
To that answer, this story begins with the birth of a child.
The ray of daybreak paints across the horizon. The sun's temperate light illuminates the waters of the seas, allowing them to shimmer like sapphire. Every flower, grass, and tree comes alive by the caress of dawn. The wildlife rises from slumber to intact the natural order of life. Finally, the sunlight shines upon a mighty mountain, Mt. Othrys, where an acropolis sits at its peak.
At the center of the high city is a castle of marble and gold, which a slight of a baby's wail is barely heard.
"Shhh. It's alright, my son. Everything will be alright."
A woman of radiant beauty lays in bed as she holds an infant in her arms in swaddled cloth. Her long hair is golden like wheat, and her eyes are a vibrant seafoam blue. She wore a simple white gown which matched the wall of her room.
Queen of the Titans and Mother of the OlympiansRhea
Rhea smiled as her child opened his sky-blue eyes and smiled back while giggling.
"Oh, my precious Golden Boy. If only your siblings were here to see you born," Rhea said bittersweetly, trying to hold back tears.
Rhea still couldn't help but relive the moments her other children were born. So small and full of life they were. Only for him to take from her. Rhea slowly felt hatred in her heart as the king...no, that monster would consume her children, their children, with no guilt. Those in his court would defend his actions due to a prophecy. But Rhea knows they were nothing but the paranoia of a mad king.
The King of the Titans...Kronos.
Suddenly, she is snapped by her hate as Zeus coos, much to her delight.
"Zeus, my darling son. I wish I could keep you. If only your father was gentle of heart and sharp of mind. Then your siblings would be here with us. Hades. Hestia. Demeter. Poseidon. And dear Hera. They would've loved you dearly as their brother."
Then, a single tear streamed down her face as this would be the final time she could hold her newborn.
"Zeus...you'll have to stay with the Earth Mother for a while. Under her guidance, you'll grow to be mighty and strong. Only then will you save your siblings and stop your father."
As Rhea said this, flying into the room was an eagle with golden brown feathers, and carrying in its talons was a large stone wrapped in a cloth.
"I love you, my son," Rhea softly said as she kissed the baby's forehead.
The eagle gently placed the stone onto the bed and landed by Zeus's side. The eagle peak is the child, and baby Zeus giggled happily at the creature.
After taking a deep breath, Rhea nodded.
"Take good care of him."
The eagle bowed in acknowledgment of the queen's command. The eagle secured Zeus by the cloth, took to the sky, and flew out the window with Rhea's Golden Boy. Rhea felt the urge to yell in lamentation as, for the sixth time, fate denied her to be a mother. But she knew she had to play her part for the plan to work. Rhea takes the wrapped stone in her arms and, with a flick of her hand, creates an illusion of her son. A perfect copy of her son, even matching his cries.
Then, a knocking is heard on the door.
Rhea sighed as she answered, "You can come in, Hyperion."
Entering Rhea's room was a tall, hefty man who had a tan complexion on his skin, golden yellow hair that reflected the sun's light, a short, trimmed beard that matched the color of his hair, and striking silver-grey eyes. His attire is that of a black one-shoulder toga, an orange sash belt around his waist, golden bands on his wrist, and greaves embroiled with the symbol of a sickle held up.
The Titan of Light and The Watchman of Kronos's CourtHyperion
"Rhea, it is time," Hyperion said, with a stern tone with a hint of guilt.
Rhea glances at her brother with a mix of pity and contempt on her face.
"Hyperion, my brother. You are the most vigilant of us. But I don't understand how you can't see him becoming more and more of a tyrant!"
Rhea grits her teeth, her anger felt in the castle's halls and those who reside. Hyperion couldn't blame her for her rage against Kronos, but he stood his ground.
"Rhea, I know you can't forgive our king for what he did. But you need to understand that he did what is necessary to save us from the usurpers."
"They have names, Hyperion," Rhea retorts, disgusted at Hyperion defending Kronos's action.
"It doesn't matter," Hyperion stated.
"They were foretold to bring the end of our reign. Why can't you see that? Our brother ushered in the Golden Age for this land. After Kronos slayed Uranus, we lived in peace and stability. I know you're suffering, but we must make sacrifices to ensure peace lives on."
"Peace? Kronos has become exactly like our father! He doesn't heed the wisdom of our mother. He is taxing those who don't have the appropriate tribute. Isolated himself from other Titans who were not in his court. And You still defend him!?" Rhea points an accusatory finger at Hyperion.
"Rhea! I am oathbound to serve him. Like it or not, he is your king!" Hyperion bellowed, feeling frustrated at this point.
After calming down, Hyperion walked to the door and said to Rhea, "Get dressed and say goodbye to the child."
As Hyperion leaves, he feels shame for saying such a heartless message to his sister.
'Forgive me, Rhea.'
The sunlight lit through the windows of the throne room. The room is a grand hall with marble walls etched with the art of Kronos and his 'righteous' deeds and solid white pillars. Tapasties of his emblem hang high above the porcelain floor. A long red carpet splade across the floor to stone steps of a platform. On top of the platform are two stone-carved thrones with golden lion statues sitting alongside the thrones.
Sitting on the more ornate throne is a pale man with a rippling tone build, well-groomed long white hair, cold reddish-purple eyes, and a slender silver crown placed on his head. He wears majestic black and dark blue toga robes, a golden pauldron strapped to his right shoulder, and tan leather buskin sandals.
The King of the Titans and Titan of TimeKronos
"Where is that blasted woman? I don't have the tolerance for her loitering," The Titan of Time spoke with subtle annoyance.
Then, a titan standing a few steps below Kronos chuckled softly and spoke in a low, militant voice.
"Indeed, brother. You would think that she would accept this fate already?"
The titan is a man with an olive complexion and a similar build to Kronos, shaven white hair, ghostly white eyes, and a scar horizontally across his right cheek. He wears the finest platinum armor, fitting of a general with red leather tassels on his pauldrons, a cape of the fittest furs, and a helmet with a cyan crest to show his importance in his right arm.
General of the Armies of Orthys and Titan of MortalityIapetus
Kronos nodded in agreement.
"I merely don't understand my wife anymore. Can't she not see I wish to save us from the usurpers? Besides, I could craft her a child if she wants, but she prefers to be difficult," Kronos sighed, feinting distress.
Iapetus nodded sternly, "She will see reason, my lord. In time, Rhea will come to understand."
Kronos smugly smirks as Iapetus says time. For all knew that Kronos can weave and control time at a whim. He could make an immortal body wither with a snap of his fingers.
Then, entering the room of Kronos is a nymph as she bowed to the two titans.
"Lord Iapetus. King Kronos. Queen Rhea and Lord Hyperion awaited to enter your domain."
Kronos solely nodded to let them in. Kronos's throne room opened to let in Hyperion and Rhea. Rhea now wore a silk red toga dress and sandals, and her bun was styled into a neat bun. Kronos sees that his dear wife doesn't have her crown. He smirks in amusement at this supposed state of her rebelliousness. Furthermore, Kronos held the child in her arms, and his smirks slowly shifted to a scowl.
"Rhea, my sweet. I'm so relieved you are up and about. So, will you comply this time, or will you fuss and scream again?" Kronos said with a demeaning attitude.
Rhea looked coldly at her monster of a husband and retorted, "I realize there's no point in trying to convince you. For so long, I tried to reason with you. Telling that our children wouldn't be your demise, but I don't listen. So yes, I will comply but know this, husband. But someday, your arrogance and delusion will be why your reign ends."
Iapetus sneers in disgust. Hyperion grimaces while looking at the ground. Kronos chuckles heartily as if Rhea's threat was a mere joke.
"Such words, my love. But I fail to see where that will ever happen. Rhea, you must understand that the cosmos desires perfection through order. The mortals I fashion from gold serve us faithfully and obediently and are rewarded. By my hand, I slayed our father, Uranus, that tyrant. After his death, I created a paradise for us. So, enlighten me, Rhea. What would happen if I let at least one live?"
"We could've had a family," Rhea answered defiantly.
"We could've had a rebellion," Kronos corrected his wife.
"Now, prepare the child."
Rhea reluctantly walked up to the platform of Kronos and her thrones. Rhea raised the 'child' in the air as an offering to the lord of time, with Iapetus watching closely to ensure compliance.
Kronos eyed the supposed baby with an icy stare. He raises his hand, and the baby levitates toward the titan. As the Zeus construct drifts towards Kronos, it gradually shrinks in size and begins to crystallize into a small orb that he holds in his hand. The orb is about the size of a pebble, and Kronos, as he has done this before, admires his handiwork.
"So small you are. To think that I would fear you and your wretched siblings. Little bastard, may you never know your destiny," Kronos spitefully uttered as he put the orb in his mouth.
Then, with one big gulp, Kronos swallows the orb into the infinite abyss.
Kronos sighed happily as the prophecy of his descension had been diverted permanently.
"Hyperion, call our brethren that we are no longer tied into fate's cruel grasp! That we are now free!" Kronos rises from his seat, expressing his joy.
"Yes, my king," Hyperion complied as he went to spread the news.
"In fact, Iapetus. Get our finest cooks prepared, for tonight we feast and merry to our hearts' content!"
Iapetus bowed and went to prepare for the night of indulgences. Rhea turns on her heels to leave.
"Rhea."
Rhea turned her head slightly at Kronos.
"You may hate me now. But in time, you will come to understand."
Rhea sneers as she storms away from the throne room. As she walks through the hallway, one bold thought comes to her.
'You're wrong, Kronos. In time, you will come to regret the actions you made. That I promise you!'
Somewhere thousands of miles away from Mt. Othrys is an island of Crete surrounded by the vast sea. Standing on the beach is the transparent figure of a ravishing woman with a shapely figure. Her long hair is a vivid shade of light green and adorned with various flowers. Her eyes were like nebulas, a blend of violet, pink, and light. She had an earthy grey complexion on her skin. And she wears a superb dress made from the leaves and vines of her very being.
Mother of All Titans and Personification of the EarthGaea
Gaea is flanked by two nymphs as she waits for the arrival of her grandson. Then she heard the eagle's as the bird descended with the real Zeus in its talons. Gaea smiled as the eagle gave the ground to the Earth Mother.
"Thank you, Aëtos," her ethereal voice echoed as she praised the eagle.
As Aëtos flew away, the two nymphs went to see the young boy.
"Awww, he's so cute! He's like a perfect pearl," One nymph cooed.
"Lady Gaea, may I please hold him?" The second nymph asks, eager to hug the bundle of joy.
Gaea giggled lightly, "Now, now, you two. My grandson requires all our aid if he is to face his destiny."
As the primordial says this, she looks at her grandson and feels a swell of confidence and pride while she holds this child.
"Little Zeus. I will see that you won't become the monster like your father and grandfather. You will be a beacon of hope. A champion of the unfortunate. And a king who rules with benevolence and fairness. I will see that it shall come to pass."
With that, Gaea and the two nymphs walk from the beach into the depths of the jungles.
Thus, on this very day, The Golden Boy, known as Zeus, would take his first step into kingship!