Above Eurasia, a gigantic silver-white head was bound tight by Black Chains. Zeus roared in fury, while thunder boomed without pause in everyone's ears, as though the end of the world had come.
Yet strangely, once the Black Chains bound the enormous head, not another bolt of lightning or ball of electricity struck the ground. The cataclysm seemed to have subsided. Like a dormant volcano, it looked almost safe.
The people who had been fleeing in panic breathed a little easier. They had no idea how long the calm would last, but even one peaceful minute was worth having. Living under a sky full of lightning was too much for their hearts.
Some who had taken shelter in shrines began praying fervently for it all to end. Only now did they understand the sorrow of their ancient ancestors, who had lived under the rule of the gods: the sorrow of being utterly at their mercy.
When the gods wanted war, war broke out. When they wanted to destroy the world, the people upon the earth were replaced.
Before the gods, the Greeks were lives to be taken or spared at a whim.
But sorrow changed nothing. Their ancient ancestors could not resist the gods, and the Greeks of today could not resist them either.
"Hello, everyone. These are the chains worth a chance at immortality."
A streamer with no fear of death held up his equipment. He glanced at his soaring viewer count, smiled, and pointed at the thick Black Chains in the sky. "Whoever cuts these chains will be granted immortality by Zeus."
Greece was dangerous now. No one knew when lightning might fall from the sky and strike them dead. But money was a powerful lure, and plenty of people charged in despite knowing the risks.
As soon