Now You're Talking-I'm Wide Awake 2/2
The sun shines brightly on the lush green meadows of Crete.
A handsome young man with long, flowing silver hair and sharply defined features, toyed with a Golden Horn in his hand, his gaze fixed on the sky, burning with a fierce yet resentful intensity.
Amalthea, the sea nymph who brought divine wine and goat's milk from within the cave, slowly approached, her heart heavy with worry.
As the prince's foster mother, she knew exactly what that look meant.
That is the desire for power that is almost innate in this bloodline.
The divine message left behind by the earth's servants before they vanished, along with the secret support of the Gaia, the Earth Mother Goddess, has now completely ignited the young prince's ambition for power.
Therefore, his days of deep thought were probably spent considering how to overthrow the god Cronus.
However, even with the elusive blessing of destiny, this is not a simple matter.
Although in the rebellion of Uranus, the god of castration, it was Cronus himself who wielded the sickle and decisively killed the chicken.
This was done to deceive Uranus's senses and lower the guard of this volatile Sky Father. All Twelve Titans were involved, belonging to the same group.
Furthermore, they were not only conspirators in the rebellion against the Sky Father, but also shared the spoils after the war. As brothers and sisters, their blood ties and interests were intertwined, so they were bound together by honor and misfortune.
Therefore, to fulfill the mandate of heaven and challenge the second-generation god Cronus is tantamount to declaring war on all the Titan Gods of Mount Othrys.
Even if Zeus had grown to the level of a chief god, even if he possessed the strength of King of Gods, he would still have to behave himself properly when facing the ancient Twelve Titans.
The transfer of power is never without bloodshed, and none of the prince's uncles and aunts were kind-hearted.
If he could be replaced so easily, why did Sky Father, Uranus power had been greatly reduced, disappear without a trace? Even after being castrated, he didn't dare to seek revenge on those rebellious sons and daughters.
Compared to ascending that blood-stained throne, she would rather this child stay on Crete forever, living a peaceful and stable life.
Having watched the prince grow up, the sea nymph Amalthea naturally didn't want Zeus to take any risks. Her maternal instincts stirred within her, and she even felt a sense of resentment towards Gaia, the Earth Mother, for her actions.
She was clearly putting Zeus on the hot seat while she herself remained uninvolved.
Quickly, the ocean fairy hurriedly suppressed the disrespect in her heart, fearing that the offense would be perceived by the divine will in the dark.
The Greek Gods were all petty and narrow-minded.
After Zeus finished his meal, he remained sitting on the grass, frowning and deep in thought, his eyes filled with increasing gloom and restlessness.
After a moment of silence, the ocean fairy, who had witnessed everything, knew that she could not sway the child's pursuit of power. She sighed and stepped forward.
"Your Highness, if there are some things you cannot understand, you can go to the endless ocean and seek the answers from a true sage."
Zeus suddenly awoke, immediately looked up, and tightly grasped his foster mother's hand, his gaze burning.
You mean...
"Metis, Goddess of Wisdom, daughter of Oceanus..."
"She is the wisest of all the gods I know."
The ocean fairy opened her lips and pondered, then pointed out the way.
"Will Metis help me?"
Young Zeus hesitated. Oceanus was one of the Twelve Titans, and this move would be tantamount to having his daughter join him in rebellion against his own family.
"I think you and she will definitely get along well."
"After all, you are all young, while the gods of Mount Othrys are old."
The ocean fairy gently patted the prince's arm, her gesture carrying a meaningful meaning.
That's right, we're all young now, and those old guys have been in power for so long, it's time for them to retire.
Zeus nodded in understanding, his excitement palpable, his eyes burning with a fierce desire for power.
Intelligence often implies ambition.
Now, he was more confident in persuading Metis.
However, before the young prince could rush to the endless ocean to find the answer to gain power, his foster mother sternly grabbed him again.
"My lord, do not try to deceive a wise man with empty rhetoric!"
Zeus paused, lost in thought, the intense flames in his eyes gradually subsiding.
Trying to recruit the Metis, Goddess of Wisdom, to their side won't be so easy.
As a cursed child with limited power and resources, he was no match for the Twelve Titans, who were deeply entrenched in the world.
"So, this is where you'll need to bring out your expertise."
The sea nymph gently touched Zeus's chest, spoke softly, and looked meaningfully at his handsome face.
"Thank you for your guidance, Amalthea. I will definitely repay you..."
Zeus nodded in sudden realization, smiled and understood, then transformed into lightning and set off triumphantly into the endless sea.
Ever since he was a child, this prince has been stirring the hearts of all the Nymphs who serve him.
His specialty, of course, is pleasing women.
Therefore, don't treat that goddess as a wise woman, but rather as a woman to pursue; then, things will be much simpler.
Amalthea ...
At this moment, the sea goddess standing on the ground froze, her eyes revealing both relief and bitterness.
Perhaps out of consideration for the feelings of her biological mother, Rhea, it's time to forget the title of adoptive mother.
This child learns so quickly.
Amalthea raised her hand to her chest and sighed silently.
Your Highness, what I want to say is that what you need to offer is not just superficial tricks to deceive girls, but also a sincere heart...
Otherwise, the wise Metis will sooner or later become a hidden danger for you.
Women are easily swayed, and also easily driven to extremes.
The ocean fairy opened her mouth, but ultimately swallowed the advice that rose in her throat, and turned away forlornly toward the cave.
At the Cilician Marshes, in Daphne's home.
Themis, Goddess of Justice known as "Astraea," held a chess piece in her hand, her fingers hovering in mid-air. She turned her head to look out the window, her eyes, now unbound from their bandages, gazing unfocused into the distance.
"What's wrong?"
Samael casually placed a piece, thus ending the game, and then asked a gentle question.
Themis, who was sitting in the wicker chair, suddenly came to her senses and looked apologetic.
"I've been feeling restless these past few days. I might just be a little sensitive and not used to the wet environment."
The goddess got up to gather the chess pieces and tidy the table. Then, suppressing her distracting thoughts, she opened her mouth to ask a question, blinking and smiling softly.
"Why don't you take this opportunity to talk about the arbitration case you've been involved in? If it's something interesting, I think it will cheer me up."
Samael, who was keen to cultivate a good relationship with this hidden bigwig, readily agreed. In recounting the interesting aspects of the ruling, he intentionally or unintentionally interspersed some of his principles of the rule of law, refining what was unnecessary.
Themis, Goddess of Justice, listened intently, her beautiful eyes sparkling, and she began to set aside her reserve, frequently asking questions and discussing the matter.
Even when it came to specific cases and issues, the two sides held opposing views and engaged in heated debates.
The strange feeling of time and space intersecting and coexisting with literature reminded Samael of the scene in the classic painting "The Athenian Academy," and a pleasant smile appeared on his lips.
Outside the door, it was just as lively and noisy.
Tina, now the leader of the children, is leading two little Nymph, Krina and Daphne, chasing after darting rabbits and toddler eagles, running all over the yard and having a great time.