It was the middle of the fourth watch, the world hushed, stars still twinkling in the sky, the early dawn light barely piercing the mist.
The mountain tracks wound through rocky terrain, boulders, and trees covered in fog, their shapes and silhouettes vague.
The birds began their early morning chorus, as he padded up the trail, enjoying the feel of the cool dense air as he warmed up. This was a time Zeus felt he owned.
He began bounding up the rocky terrain, his muscles working with the rhythm. He sprung with a quiet confidence, his feet knowing every rock, every twist and turn even as the fog blurred the landscape into a monochrome haze.
He landed hard on a familiar rock, breath spaced out as he scanned the outlines of the blurred trees. He knew this place all too well. He hopped down it slowly. He paused. His senses heightened.
A dagger sliced through the air towards him. He leaned right, the metal swishing past him, lodging into the trunk of a tree. His reflexes sharp, he moved quickly, as someone charged at him from behind.
Spinning, he grabbed the attacker by the wrist, using his momentum against him. A swift flip sent him crashing onto the rock, a sharp hit at his temple knocking him out.
The sound of scuffling feet's came from somewhere near. They were two.
Zeus sprinted passed the unconscious guy, and leaped off the rock, using the fog as his cover. A blade flicked down his gut, he deflected it with his forearm, countering with a jab to the ribs, and then smashed his fist into the attackers face. The attacker groaned in pain, and crumbled.
'One left.' He thought.
The last attacker seemed to know this place as well, hiding behind trunks, using the trees as his cover.
Zeus moved stealthily, listening carefully for sound of any movements. A stone moved. Zeus went after him, but he dodged, using a large trunk as cover.
'This is stupid.'
He hid near the attacker, inching slowly towards him when the attacker slipped while trying to get further away.
Zeus struck him below his gut, and he fell over. He began crawling back, trying to stand up and flee while he was at it. Before he could sigh freely, a gloved hand joined the fray and smashed him in the gut, dropping him like a stone.
"Cronus?"
Zeus asked zooming through the haze. He saw the powerful build of his cousin and relaxed.
"It is I."
Cronus said suddenly materialising before Zeus, his face inches from his, his frame blocking his path.
"Must have been scared to death wishing desperately for me." He stated cockily, a smile flashing across his face.
"I almost said thank you."Zeus deadpanned.
Cronus chuckled. His brows raising in disbelief.
"And I almost believe you." He said turning around to scan their surroundings, zooming through the haze.
"We should leave." He looked back at Zeus; serious.
"Hero might be tracking you."
Zeus nodded, eyes narrowing, his jaw tight.
"I didn't think he'll play dirty."
"He's got his lackeys everywhere, your lucky I heard."
Cronus went ahead, Zeus following him behind. They walked for long, taking several bends and turns before they came to a stone path.
The fortress of Khronos stood defiantly atop a mountain at the western border of the divine state. It's unadorned walls, the colours of dark grey and midnight bore scars like ancient wounds, it's height piercing the sky like a shard of dark stone that could be seen clearly from a distance.
Cronus walked towards the twisted vine like gate, giving Zeus a meaningful gaze.
"I'll see you at the Fury rounds." Before disappearing behind it.
Zeus walked on, wishing he had taken a flying carriage or something. He walked a little bit more and stopped, summoning shadows, and fading away with them.
He appeared in the middle of a large clearing, in front of large golden gates that shone like the sun's rays in the now dawning world.
This was Palace Aetheria. Standing on a mountain peak in the center of the divine state, facing the East, towards the sun. It was a humble version of Zeus Palace on mount Olympus.
The gates were a marvel, adorned with intricate likeness of thunderbolts and eagles symbolic of Zeus power and authority.
Atop the roof, a massive statue of an eagle poised to take off.
He grimaced at the sight of it. It had always looked excessive to him.
The side gate was opened, and he walked in, past the eagle fountain, entering the grand hall through the main entrance.
The air was thick with the smell of ambrosia, the massive gold outlined hearth roared with a large fire that casted a warm glow around.
Servants bustled around him,their faces familiar and welcoming. "Good morning Clyde, good morning Hephis, and good morning to you Harris." He greeted in rapid succession. They greeted back smiling at him.
He smiled at the welcoming warmth walking towards the staircase when he heard the sound of laughter coming from the dinning hall.
'Why are they up early?'
He turned left going through the kitchen backdoor.
"Zeus child"
The head cook called, her voice high pitched.
He winced "Lower your voice Cece. They might hear you." He pointed towards the dining hall.
Her eyes sparkled, a large smile on her face. "Your mother is probably in your chamber waiting for you right now."
He loved Metis and Gwendolyn, but they could be overwhelming, most of the time.
He gave up on evading them, and walked up the stairs to his chamber. Metis his stepmother waited by his door.
He opened the door and walked in, leaving it open for her to come in too.
"You don't have to come today, it's just the beginning phase." He informed her.
Metis chuckled. "Nonsense. Of course I'll be there to cheer for you."
Zeus smiled genuinely knowing he wasn't going to talk her out of it.
"Alright, but at least don't try to be inconspicuous. You always end up looking like a walking sunburst."
Metis laughed, and Zeus lips curved more.
"I'll tone it down. I promise."
She fussed about, asking if he needed anything, but he had all he needed.
While they were talking, Gwen's laughter echoed from the hall, coming closer with time.
His eyes widened, and he snatched up his satchel.
"Tell Gwen I said good morning, and that she should not come."
He pecked her on the cheek, embracing her lightly and stepping back.
In a burst of light, he vanished.
Metis smiled, shaking her head. Gwen walked into the room, her large smile falling.
"Did...did he just run from me?"
She turned to her mother.
Metis looked at Gwen with disappointment.
"More like vanished."
She said walking out the door.
The fighting arena was already cramped, the sun casting a soft glow on it. A large number of people surrounded him as soon as he was sighted, wishing him luck. Telling him they had bet on him.
He tried his best to evade such conversations, searching for Cronus as he circumvented the crowd, but he did not find him.
He headed for his locker room. There was subtle movement inside. He froze, his hand hanging inches above the door handle, trying to discern what was happening inside.
He opened the door quickly, his wardrobe shutting close slowly.
He noticed the gifts that had been thrown off the table, and torn paper littered on the floor. He walked in unperturbed, heading towards his wardrobe to pick out a pair of leather gloves.
He turned around and grabbed at something invisible, choking it before throwing it down.
Ava appeared on the floor, a hand on her throat as she gasped for air, the other holding her up.
"It really would be too much to expect anything good from you. Right?"
He sneered, crouching beside her.
"Nothing to say?" His tone low.
She sucked in a breath, her chest heaving as though she were the victim here. She tried to meet his gaze, her eyes diverting at the last moment.
"I...I just wanted to..." Her voice cracked, deliberately fragile. She clutched at the silk of her robes, fingers trembling. "I just wanted to talk."
He straightened slowly. Turning away.
"Leave."
The word landed heavy.
"No. Wait." She pushed herself upright quickly. "Please. I only came to see you. I have something important to tell you."
He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled heavily, his shoulders sagging in resignation.
"What."
She smoothed nonexistent creases from her dress, gaining her composure speedily.
The shift was subtle, but telling. "I was wondering," she said carefully, "if you'll attend the Equinox ball. At our house."
He turned to her, staring at her in disbelief.
"If that is all," he said evenly, "you may leave the same way you came. Invisible.
Her jaw tightened. She hates being dismissed.
"Ashera will be there," she added quickly, using it as her last resort. "I thought that might be of interest to you."
It was.
Just not the way she hoped.
His eyes hardened.
"You really are shameless," he said. "Using her the way you always do."
She scoffed, offended. "That's not fair."
"Isn't it?" His voice remained calm. "You destroyed your own sister out of jealousy. You had her banished, and now you bring her back."
He stepped closer.
"To prove what?" He asked. "That you've changed? Or are you just bringing her back because you are bored."
Her face changed, anger flickering, but she recovered fast.
"I've changed," she said self righteously. "But you refuse to see it."
He was tired of talking.
"I won't come. Moreover, Ashera and I ended years ago."
She wanted to persuade him. "Can't you just..."
But the door bursted open.
And she vanished.
Cronus walked in, only to collide with the air, the door opening and then closing.
He frowned, looking from the doorway to Zeus, then back again.
"Who is that?"
Zeus didn't hesitate. "Ashera's younger sister."
"I did not see you earlier on." He stated.
"We would chat later," Cronus replied." But the call has been made. You need to get ready and go now."
He drew in energy, gathering it at his palm before letting it in. He had already exhausted most of his.
The crowd hailed in anticipation, chanting his name, as he confidently stepped into the arena. Hero stood on the other end watching him like a hawk.
The bell tolled for commencement of the fight, a hush falling all over the crowd as they watched earnestly with bated breath.
They circled each other, calculating their first moves.
Without warning, Hero sprinted towards him, launching a fierce kick that whipped through the air. Zeus dodged at the last moment, countering with a powerful Jab.
Hero fell back, but hooked Zeus leg, sending them both to the ground.
They scrambled up, rearranging their stance, ready for the next attack.
Hero landed a solid hook Zeus jaw. He stumbled back, dropping low to evade the other attacks.
He stood up quickly and moved back. Seizing an opportunity, he attacked quickly, unleashing a flurry of kicks and punches that Hero struggled to block. As hero struggled to regain his stance, Zeus turned and launched himself airborne, twisting momentum into a deadly double kick. His right heel smashed into Hero's shoulder-neck joint, flipping his body forward, his left feet clipped Hero's temple with precision.
The combo sent him crashing on the floor. Zeus landing on his two feet, standing over him.
The bell tolled. He had won.
He turned to the crowd, his chest heaving with exertion, the crowd cheering in celebration.
The crowd suddenly grew quiet, the bell tolling louder signalling that the match was over. But Hero roared in anger, transforming. His hands flared with energy, a massive axe materialising, growing bigger, crackling with power.
Metis shouted in the crowd, calling for a council member or scribe.
The crowd fell into an uneasy silence as the axe fully solidified in his grip, it's weight cracking the ground beneath his feet.
Power rolled off him in waves.
Zeus turned slowly, the arena holding its breath as their eyes locked.