Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

Whoosh

Outside Mount Olympus, the void shook for a moment, and the next instant, four deities flew out from it in succession.

Previously, due to the skirmish with that unknown entity, the group was no longer at the location where they had entered before. Because the Phantasmal Spirit Realm corresponded one-to-one with the mortal world, they appeared not far from the outside of Mount Olympus.

“Huff”

“We finally made it out. Zeus, if you hadn’t forcibly broken through the realm barrier, even with it suppressing us, it wouldn’t have been this intense.”

Taking a deep breath, Poseidon was the first to repeat Zeus’s mistake, which caused the golden-haired deity some annoyance.

“Is that so? You might not be aware of what that place was, it was the domain of the Primordial Gods, and even by doing nothing, there was no telling if we would encounter danger.”

“Poseidon, I can forgive your ignorance, but today’s experience should have made you realize the reality of our situation, right?”

He retorted casually, feeling an even stronger sense of urgency.

About the several reclusive Ancient Gods, Zeus knew not much, but compared to the Twin Gods of the Dark Night, there were at least some records of this Lord of the Spirit Realm.

Rumors had it that his power was not strong in itself, merely possessing many powerful Divine Artifacts. However, rumors are always unreliable, and without a doubt, based on today’s encounter, at least he was a deity similar to Mother Earth, yet he seemed not to be friendly towards the deities of the present world.

The suddenly opened realm barrier, the life form full of hostility toward the deities, and the innate suppression of the barrier itself. Although if he hadn’t tried to forcibly enter the third layer of the Spirit Realm, the suppression from the barrier wouldn’t have been so intense, but it was still not a good sign.

Perhaps, after an eon had passed, that Primordial God born at the dawn of creation was no longer satisfied with living in seclusion, like the Twin Gods of the Dark Night who wanted nothing to do with worldly affairs. Instead, he wanted to intervene in the world, just like Mother Earth?

It seems that at tomorrow’s celebration of the division of the spoils of victory, he too needed to make a statement, attempting to reach out to this deity in the name of the Divine King. If it was a visit known by all the gods, it should not result in too dire an outcome, right?

“Tomorrow we shall gather all the gods, and in their presence, announce the establishment of the new Divine Court. The terms I’ve agreed to with you before, will also be communicated to them in a more ‘reasonable’ form.”

He said gravely, looking around at those present, especially his original second brother. Although still somewhat reluctant, Poseidon, along with Hades, nodded in agreement.

“Since that’s settled, let us— hmm?”

His expression changed slightly, Zeus turned to look at the place from where the four had just left the Spirit Realm. At first, he was a bit on guard, but then relaxed.

He thought perhaps the life form from the Spirit Realm was pursuing them again, but instead, it was a familiar figure in red.

So, had she just been watching from the side?

“Golden Mane, have you been beaten up again?”

The voice arrived before the person did. With a ripple of magic, a red-dressed goddess emerged in front of the four deities, followed by a being with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse.

“…An unexpected combat, nothing more. We could say it was a draw, but why are you here?”

Feeling somewhat embarrassed internally, Zeus did not show it. He put on a brave face and introduced the somewhat perplexed trio to the goddess in front of them.

“Hecate, whom I’ve mentioned before, the Grand Sorceress who prepared potions for me. Of course, she is now the Goddess of the Magic Net.”

“She is proficient in potions and witchcraft and, besides, possesses an astrology akin to Prophecy.”

“Astrology?”

The words Zeus spoke earlier were not taken to heart by several deities. They were powerful gods themselves, but astrology was different.

In the original myths, deities like Phoebe, Themis, Gaia, and Apollo had all held sway over the Oracle Stone Tablet at one time or another, so Prophecy was considered a relatively common ability among the gods. But now things were different.

The first- and second-generation Titans were one thing, but some third-generation Titans, or gods like Zeus who had emerged in more recent years, had never witnessed a true Prophecy.

They only knew, directly or indirectly, that some of the Primordial Gods held powers related to fate, and that the succession of power among the early Divine Kings was indeed influenced by destiny.

Therefore, they harbored a certain dread and yearning towards Prophecy.

“What an esteemed guest indeed, Olympus welcomes your arrival, Princess Hecate.”

Zeus’s elder sister Hestia replied with a gentle smile. She hadn’t thought too much about it. Long ago, despite never having met her, she had already taken a liking to the goddess who had helped them escape from the belly of their father.

“Tomorrow is the day of the new king’s ascension and the celebration with all the gods. Given that Zeus once received your aid, you should have a place at this feast as well.”

“A celebration, hm… Little Chiron, what do you think?”

Initially here just for amusement, Hecate was indifferent about staying or leaving after witnessing the event.

She had previously gone to the Spirit Realm to teach a new apprentice, and also because of what the stone tablet said — there might be something to comprehend. She already knew what it was, but the cycle of life and death’s power was too profound. Hecate had merely noted it down.

As for the former reason, now that this hospitable goddess had extended an invitation, whether to waste time here naturally also depended on whether the little apprentice wished to stay.

“…Since the noble highnesses invite me, I have no reason to refuse.”

Faced with Hecate’s question and the gazes of four powerful deities upon him, the centaur promptly agreed.

Honestly, his opinions were a facade; if this newly acknowledged mentor didn’t wish to mingle, he would have declined decisively.

“Then let’s go, Golden Mane. Do you have a place to stay here?”

Seeing her apprentice got her hint, Hecate nodded in satisfaction and then turned to ask Zeus.

“Yes, we do, and, you can actually call me Zeus.”

Zeus nodded and was about to give her directions when he suddenly stopped.

“Come with me, it’s over there. I’ll show you the way.”

A thought struck him, recalling ‘astrology’, and Zeus changed his mind. He led the way for Hecate and Chiron to an unoccupied Divine Palace on Mount Olympus.

“This is the place. Not too shabby, right?”

After parting ways with the other three deities, two gods and a horse landed outside a palace built on a flattened area halfway up Mount Olympus; Zeus spoke with a hint of pride.

The Cyclops were the finest craftsmen but not strong warriors. After forging Divine Artifacts for Zeus, they were put in charge of constructing the buildings all over Olympus.

In terms of skill, they indeed reached the pinnacle, far beyond ordinary people. Compared to the Divine Palaces that Zeus had seen over the ocean, these were undoubtedly much more exquisite.

“Mediocre; the builders are good, but the style lacks innovation. I guess the designer probably didn’t have much talent for art,”

Hecate commented offhandedly, and although she had already guessed these palaces were probably designed by Zeus, she didn’t care if he felt embarrassed.

All these palaces of the gods look the same, thinking a change in relief and addition of a column makes it a new style; truly uninspired.

“Is there anything else? If not, be quick and leave.”

With a wave of her hand, Hecate showed no interest in making further conversation with Zeus.

Although he knew that the goddess before him was not targeting him specifically, as she was the same with most deities, Zeus still felt somewhat uncomfortable.

But there was nothing he could do, after all, he was the one in need of favor, so he chose to overlook it. Moreover, there was no conflict of interest between them, and Zeus, at least for now, didn’t care about such trifles in speech.

Remembering the purpose of his visit, his gaze darkened for a moment. Although he was prepared, he did not know what result he would obtain from Hecate.

It might be good, or it might not, but either way, he needed to know the outcome.

Glancing at Chiron, the centaur beside him, Chiron immediately understood his intention. However, he did not make a decision on his own and instead gave Hecate a cue.

“Go ahead, I’ll listen to what he has to say.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Seeing that his newly acquainted teacher showed no objections, Chiron quickly left the vicinity.

“Speak, what is it?”

Casually turning the earth into a chair, Hecate sat upon it and asked Zeus.

“I guess it’s either about witchcraft or astrology, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t come to me.”

After a moment of silence, as if he was organizing his words, Zeus finally, hesitantly, asked.

“…I heard you say before, astrology can foresee the future?”

“Hm?” Raising her eyebrows, Hecate straightened her body and looked at the deity before her: “So you want to know what, exactly? Like the ancient legends, whether or not you are the eternal Divine King?”

Recalling the stories told by the Oracle Stone Tablet, the previous two Divine Kings had fallen due to prophecies of the Ancient Gods. Could it be that it was now her turn, and the third prophecy was to unfold today?

This piqued Hecate’s interest greatly, divining the future of a Divine King, even with his consent, was a decidedly challenging task. But thinking about the significance of the act itself, she felt as though she was personally crafting history.

Perhaps, millions of years from now, the gods would still remember that Hecate foretold the fall of a Divine King on Mount Olympus.

“No, you misunderstand.”

Shaking his head and seeing the slightly disappointed look in the eyes of the red-haired goddess before him, Zeus declined:

“Prophecy is a shackle; the fates of two generations of Divine Kings have already proven this. How could I willingly place it upon my own neck?”

“Then what do you want to know?”

Feeling somewhat disinterested, Hecate asked nonchalantly.

After hesitating for a while, under Hecate’s increasingly impatient gaze, Zeus finally spoke.

“Let’s talk about the Divine King later. For now, I just want to know…”

“Recently, my wife Metis became pregnant. I want to know, what kind of achievements will the child in her womb have in the future?”

As night was about to fall, the illumination became somewhat dim. In front of Hecate, Zeus’s features were a bit unclear; she could only hear his voice as if it was coming from afar.

“I mean no offense, but as a father, it’s difficult not to be concerned.”

Boom

As night approached, a dim glow spread over the Mount of the Gods, enhancing the sanctity and tranquility of Mount Olympus in contrast with the celestial phenomena of the outside world.

Yet suddenly, a thunderous boom resonated above Mount Olympus, capturing the attention of numerous deities, who then promptly disregarded it.

This was not something that surprised them; most assumed it was Zeus and his brothers arguing for the throne.

In fact, they too were eager to know what the outcome would be tomorrow.

After a long while, when the cloak of the Lady of Night fully shrouded the sky, Zeus walked out of the Divine Palace with his usual demeanor.

As if nothing had happened, he casually summoned a Nymph. After she bowed respectfully, the future Divine King gave her a nonchalant order:

“The celebration feast will soon begin. I have heard that Themis, who presides over the laws, is just and strict. I hope that tomorrow, she will come to witness me ascending as the new king.”

“Go and invite her. Tell her that if she is willing to come, I would like her to serve as the adjudicator in the new Divine Court, to judge the right and wrong, and reward and punishment of all things in the world when I am unable to decide. I believe all gods will trust her judgment.”

“Yes, Your… Majesty.”

With a slight bow, the Nymph immediately went to fulfill the command.

This had been decided long ago, and had there not been a delay, Zeus would not have arranged it now. With all matters settled, he gazed towards the western sky, lost in thought.

“The Father God took his sister as the Queen of Gods, and as his successor, I should learn from his example.”

“The God of the Ocean’s lineage is still too powerful, and the Ancient Sea God no longer concerns himself with affairs. As a qualified Divine King, I should not give them the chance to grow stronger.”

“And then… yes, and destiny too. Maybe this is destiny’s choice; the Queen of Gods should be taken by a deity with more potential.”

Finally, after a period of silence as if convincing himself with these seemingly reasonable thoughts, Zeus stood for a while before turning around and heading towards his palace.

Tomorrow would be the day he became Divine King. On such a crucial day, he could not afford to be late.