Dodona's Divine Council

The next day.

Divine Court, Dodona.

The Divine Council Hall stood within the Great Altar, surrounded by the Machine God Corridor.

A pale, towering, majestic god stood at the head of the hall. Blue-white divine light, like heavenly lightning, blazed from his eyes as he looked down upon everything.

This was a meeting.

It was not the mandatory annual assembly, but an emergency meeting convened by Zeus. Thus, not many gods had come.

[High God · Zeus] [Queen of the Gods · Hera] [Sun God · Apollo] [Moon Goddess · Artemis] [Sea God · Poseidon] [Sacred Flame Goddess · Hestia] [Agriculture Goddess · Demeter]—these seven gods had gathered at the Great Altar.

"My fellow kin, my brothers and sisters, my children, by the command of the [Zeus Flagship], I offer you my gratitude." Zeus's scepter trembled faintly as he dipped his head slightly toward the gathered gods in thanks.

The gods likewise nodded, ready to hear the subject of today's meeting.

"I vaguely recall that several years ago, at this Great Altar, I issued an order—to attempt to create life with surface-dwelling creatures, to create the so-called [Demigods], so as to deepen the gods' understanding of humanity." Zeus's voice was like thunder, resounding through the skies.

Standing beside Zeus, Hera remained expressionless, dignified and solemn, though she sighed inwardly.

The gods' understanding of humans?

"Many gods responded to my proposal and attempted to bear offspring with surface-dwelling creatures, but..." Zeus shook his head. "Almost all failed. Only [Sea God · Poseidon] successfully fathered a son with a human woman, and that son successfully awakened divine power."

The gods' expressions did not change. This was already public knowledge.

"But something happened yesterday that caused me great concern. Poseidon, you may explain it yourself." Zeus looked toward Poseidon, who stood at his