At the summit of Mount Olympia — On the floating island of Olympus.
The ground continued to tremble as Ares and Apollo advanced through the sacred halls. The marble slabs, usually radiant, vibrated beneath their feet.Both gods, accustomed to the unshakable calm of their Olympian Domain, felt something unprecedented:
Fear… of not understanding what was coming.
Ares: —"That impact… that wasn't a normal strike. It felt like something tore through the very structure of the sky."
Apollo: —"Not even a god could cause such a fracture without it being noticed."
The two crossed the bridge connecting the Temple of Sacred Fire to the outer esplanade. From there, they saw the floating island trembling under an invisible pressure, while a strange light flickered across the sky.
But when they looked up—
Where the divine barrier should have been protecting the entire island…
All the golden radiance… had shattered into thousands of fragments, raining down like liquid gold.
Apollo: —"This is impossible… Out of all pantheons—WHO is invading us?!"
Ares tightened his grip on his spear, crimson energy flowing like flames around his body.
Ares: —"It doesn't matter who it is… No one—and nothing—threatens our territory without consequences."
***
Brian POV:
As I admired the sheer grandeur of the place, two presences materialized behind me.
I hadn't sensed them.
They were colossal. Solid as mountains.
I turned my head on instinct—and saw them.
Two gods.
One shone as if his skin were made of light, dressed in fine linen, with arrogant eyes.
The other was massive, clad in gleaming bronze armor, spear in hand, with a bloodthirsty gaze.
From their status windows…
Apollo and Ares.
I didn't even have time to react before another flash of the Bifröst tore through the air.
Aphrodite and Lilith appeared instantly in front of me.
Once the light faded, I looked at them—and yeah… judging by their expressions, they were seriously pissed at me.
Aphrodite, Lilith: —"You idiot! Why did you leave us behind?!"
I didn't even get the chance to answer.
The gods behind me…
Ignored me. Completely.
Like I didn't exist.
They walked right past me and addressed the two who had just arrived.
Apollo: —"What are you doing here, Lilith? Aren't you supposed to report to Odin?" (I clearly felt the barrier being breached… was it them?)
Ares: —"Ah, Aphrodite… you look beautiful. Care for my company?" (Thought we had intruders—but it's just these beauties.)
Lilith: —"None of your business, Apollo." (This guy again… ugh… why can't anyone leave me alone?)
Aphrodite: —"No thanks." (Huh… trying to seduce me again… oh Ares, I don't think I'm interested in young gods like you anymore… wait… could it be?)
Apollo: —"Hey Lilith, I'm very different from other gods." (Is that bitch… asking me to take her by force?)
Ares: —"What, don't you remember our last conversation?" (Should've taken my chance before she got assigned as a guardian.)
Lilith: —"You know nothing about how to treat a goddess like me." (You've got potential… but I have other interests now.)
Aphrodite: —"You just tried to get me drunk and take advantage of me." (Though… I did have fun.)
These guys didn't even look at me.
They just kept flirting… and flirting…
And I was standing there like an idiot, waiting for a chance to ask something.
After a few minutes of this nonsense…
I got tired.
Annoyed.
And I snapped.
—Hey, bastards… is Poseidon here?
They both turned.
Their previously relaxed expressions hardened instantly.
Ares: —"Who the hell are you calling bastard, you filthy mortal!?" (Never seen an insect this insolent.)
I didn't answer.
My body moved on its own.
My fist connected straight to his face—A dry sound. Bone. Thunder.
Ares went flying, smashing through several marble pillars.
Apollo barely had time to react.
Apollo: —"Who do you think you are, kid? My father is—!"
Before he could finish, I jumped.
Mid-air—
And slammed his face straight into the ground.
His blood splattered—
Golden.
Like the purest liquid gold.
The impact shattered the marble floor beneath him.
(That's gonna be expensive.)
Lilith and Aphrodite froze.
The gods—defeated.
Silence.
Absolute.
—Where can I find Zeus?
Aphrodite: —"I-I can guide you." (Ares… and Apollo… two of the most prominent gods of the third generation… they didn't even stand a chance.)
—Lead the way.
Lilith stepped closer, her voice slightly trembling.
Lilith: —"You're not going to hurt my sister Athena… right?"
—If she lifts the curse on my friend… I won't do anything to her.
Lilith: —"B-but… t-that's… what if that's not possible?"
—Then I'll find an appropriate punishment.
Their expressions tightened.
There was fear in their eyes.
And I got it.
Still, I followed Aphrodite.
She walked with calculated grace, her hair flowing with the sacred winds of Olympus.
Lilith followed in silence.
I ignored their attempts to influence me.
My basic skill "Absolute Resistance" kept my mind steady—unshakable.
The path led us to a massive domed structure.
The moment we crossed its doors, everything changed.
The air became heavy. Electric. Charged with divine power.
The floor shone as if reflecting its own sun.
Inside—
A vast circular hall.
At the center, a relief map displayed the continent of Aurotia.
The rivers moved.The mountains breathed.
I recognized territories… but also unknown lands, islands, archipelagos even Artia hadn't recorded.
And in the middle of the ocean—
A massive island.
The centerpiece.
Around the map, several thrones.
Three figures seated. Two standing.
At the main throne—
Zeus.
Imposing.
Beside him, Hera.
Facing them—Hades and Persephone.
To the left—
Athena.
Standing in silence.
This was it.
Time to ask for directions.
Their status windows flickered with strange stats… different from the gods I'd seen before.
Zeus stood.
His voice thundered across the hall.
Zeus: —"What are you doing here?" (This meeting must be postponed… but who broke my barrier?)
Hades and Persephone turned at the same time.
Athena stood up, surprise flashing in her eyes.
I walked forward without fear.
The echo of my steps filled the silence.
And now I could finally observe them clearly:
Zeus—blond, with streaks of gray. Handsome, but with a sharply defined short beard filled with silver strands.
Smooth skin, though marked with age. Lean, yet clearly powerful. Pale blue eyes, almost white. Dressed in a white tunic with a blue toga.
(If I didn't know mythology, I'd expect some senile old green dude.)
Hera—unbelievably beautiful. Perfect pale skin. Long, dark hair like a starless night. A face so refined it felt ethereal. Amber-orange eyes.
Wearing a white tunic with a red toga that emphasized her figure… and yeah, everything else.
(Damn… Greek fitness model vibes.)
Athena—also stunning. Wavy brown hair adorned with golden ornaments. Surprisingly… very well-endowed.
Deep blue eyes. Dressed entirely in white.
(I thought she'd be flat.)
Persephone—extremely attractive. Jet-black hair, darker than Hera's, but shorter. Caramel-toned skin. Piercing yellow eyes. Black tunic with a yellow toga highlighting her curves.
(…Okay, now I kinda get why Hades kidnapped her… still messed up though.)
Hades—dark-haired. Leaner than Zeus, but well-defined. Black eyes with white pupils—intimidating as hell. Dressed entirely in dark robes.
While I was busy analyzing—and lowkey roasting—them…
I didn't notice that neither Lilith, Aphrodite, nor I had answered Zeus.
So he spoke again.
His voice shook the hall.
Zeus: —"Aphrodite, Lilith—what are you doing here?" (That boy… he looks familiar… but I can't recall where I've seen him.)
The anger was still there.
Pulsing.
I didn't hold back.
—Where is Poseidon?
Silence.
Heavy.
Athena took a step back, trying to slip away quietly.
Our eyes met.
She recognized me.
And that was enough.
A smile slowly formed on my face.
—Told you… to wait. Because I'd come.