Chapter 1: Divine Hate

"Hm…Hercules. Then…the Titans. And maybe Kratos, too…? Can't forget about Mr. Zurkon…"

The confusing babbling nonsense currently dripping from Sora's mouth had nothing to do with, well…anything. Yeah, he was standing in the middle of the octagonal ring, the true heart of Olympus Coliseum. The purple flames blazing atop the coliseum walls seemed to be the center of Sora's sinister attention.

From head to toe, our young, red shorts-clad hero was covered in the black and violet blood of Heartless. He chuckled to himself.

"I'll take on anyone."

-X-

"That! THAT right there! Look at him, Dad!" Hercules bellowed, pointing one accusing finger at the Greek-Viewer's current subject of attention.

Zeus, the bearded dude with all the godlike seniority, stared intently at the hyperrealistic hologram of Sora. Doubtfully, Zeus shook his head, asking, "And you're sure that's the same kid who fought not only Cerberus but my brother Hades as well?"

Hercules' confirmation said it all. "That's him, Dad. And look, it's that golden glow in the center of his eyes. He has the 'god-essence'."

"No way," Zeus shot down. "I feel like I'd know more about this kid by now."

Herc' cleared his throat, then quietly asking in a hinting tone, "Well, uh…you sure you don't remember sowing any seeds in women with spiky hair?"

Laughing, the chief Greek sputtered, "You think that kid's my kin? Like, somehow that pipsqueak made it into my bloodline? Get real…"

Herc' rolled his eyes. "Well, it wouldn't be unlikely, knowing how you get around."

"He's not my kid. Probably not Poseidon's, either…" Shaking his head resolutely, Zeus concluded, "Nah. We can't spawn nothin' that tiny."

Flexing, Hercules insisted, "Hey—I started out on the puny side, too. Now look at me."

Suddenly, Sora's holographic projection interjected, "Yeah, Zeus. Now look at him."

Both gods gasped.

"Okaaaay, now this kid's officially a creep! Better send him to Hell." And with that, Zeus stood up from his throne on Mount Olympus, readied a lightning bolt, and—

"Wait! Dad, are you crazy?!" Hercules had lunged over to halt Zeus's lightning bolt toss. Struggling to hold off his pop's throwing arm, the Zero-to-Hero yelled, "He's one of the good guys, remember? He helped me save Megara before, not to mention all the times he put the smackdown on Hades!"

Zeus returned to a simmer, and also to his throne. "I still don't believe that's the same child. Wasn't he a bit taller than this?"

Herc' explained, "Honestly, I'm not sure how or why he sometimes switches to his younger self. I just know both versions of him are stronger than they look. Seriously. The guy keeps showing up to the coliseum for solo tournaments, and winning them all. Even the Heartless are hitting the gym harder because of him."

Suddenly again, Sora's realistic hologram spoke up, "I got it! Ahem…I'll have what he's having!"

While Hercules was confused, Zeus was distraught. Slamming his fist on the arm of his pimp-chair, he swore, "Dammit…I think he just discovered the secret to infinite mana."

-X-

Sora felt his magic gauge refill instantly. Smirking, he commanded, "Next victim."