MOUNT OLYMPUS
Hestia walked to the very edge of Mount Olympus and she found the spot was already taken by her brother's mentor and friend, Aegon.
"I see that you are enjoying the view." She said as she stood by the edge and observed the world from the highest peak
"Yes. It is very majestic and peaceful even when a war is being waged to determine the fate of the world." Aegon responded casting a sideways glance at the eldest Olympian goddess
"I never thanked you for helping me and my siblings escape our fate." Hestia thanked him
"It would have happened regardless of my help. I merely gave your brother the tools he needed and the rest was his doing." Aegon said
"Still you have my thanks. I have heard Zeus has won a great victory today." Hestia commented
"Yes. The Titan, Hyperion has been captured and his army has been destroyed by the combined for forces of Satyrs and Centaurs. He has a knack for good strategy and leadership." Aegon complimented
"Something which he learned from you. So that brings me to the crux of the matter. Why are you pushing him into the position of leadership? You could have easily convinced the other Gods and Titans to crown you as King instead you are supporting Zeus as King. Why?" Hestia asked
"You are right. I could become the King of Gods as I have the support and power to lead but I cannot and I don't want to. I am the Sun God and the closer the Earth gets to the Sun the harder it is for the world to survive. Similarly, it is difficult for me to stay on Earth for an extended period of time because I have to restrain most of my powers to a great extent to interact with the world without endangering it. My duties are in the Upper Heavens and that is the only world that I wish to rule." Aegon explained as he turned to Hestia with a smile
They were interrupted by the arrival of Aphrodite.
"I see you have made the acquaintance of my brother, Hestia." Aphrodite glided towards them and took Aegon's hand in a vice grip
"Aphrodite, it is good to see you." Hestia said awkwardly
"It is good to see you as well, Hestia. Hera has been asking for you." Aphrodite said with a wink
"Oh, then I probably should see her now." with a small bow she immediately departed leaving the twins alone
"She has her eyes on you dear brother of mine." Aphrodite said with a tinkling laughter
"Don't be ridiculous, sister. Unless of course, you interfered using your powers." Aegon accused her
"I do no such thing. Do you think I would meddle with my own twin's love life?" Aphrodite asked with a mock hurt
"I don't know. You tell me." Aegon folded his hands and looked expectantly at her
"Is it a problem? Hestia is an Olympian and if you marry her you will have a strong bond with the Olympians." Aphrodite pointed out
"Perhaps. But I don't think there is a need for that now. Our focus must be on destroying the Titans. The rest can wait Until that is dealt with please don't play your games." Aegon requested her
"Very well. But once the war is over all bets are off." Aphrodite pointedly looked at him
"Fine." Aegon agreed reluctantly
"Now let's go attend that council meeting you were so eager about." Aphrodite said as she dragged him away to the meeting
XXXXX
Zeus found all his siblings along with Prometheus, Metis, Aegon, Aphrodite, the three Hecatonchires and Pan.
"Since we are all here let's start with thanking the Hecatonchires (Hundred-handed ones) who are aiding the construction of Olympus. Now all that is left is to forge the thrones of power." Zeus began
"Lord Aegon freed us from Tartarus and gave us home and respect and we have befriended Lord Zeus during his training and he respected us and treated us like family. This is the least we could do." Briareos, one of the Hundred-Handed ones said
"With Olympus completed why not forge the thrones as well." Hades asked
"We may have dealt defeat after defeat upon the Titans but they are still capable of defeating us. Their base of power has yet to crumble and if we create the thrones now that will be a target for the Titans." Aegon warned the others
"Lord Aegon is correct. The thrones will be too much great a target for the Titans." Aegon warned
"Aegon is correct. We will have to transfer a portion of our divine energy and soul into our seat of powers and the Titans can easily target that. Right now our advantage is that the Titans will have to protect Othrys and at the same time fight our armies. If we create our own seat of powers here we will be forced to protect Olympus. This means we will lose the advantage we have over the Titans as we will be exposing our weak spot." Zeus pointed out
"Maybe that is not such a bad idea." Metis commented as she went into deep thought
"What are you suggesting? Didn't you listen to what the others were saying? Creating the seat of powers will be a target for the Titans to weaken us. Are you really the Titaness of Wisdom or is it stupidity?" Hera snarked as she never liked Metis who strutted around Olympus pike she owned it
"I have no hearing problems. I heard what the others were saying but there is one thing that you are forgetting. So long as the Titans do not engage completely in battle they can drag this war for centuries while the Olympian forces will be exhausted. They have an army of monsters while our army is filled with nature spirits that will fall permanently in battle. No matter what if the Titans manage to drag this war Olympus will lose in the end. Perhaps Kronos will be able to drag the war until the Earth mother is awake and that will spell doom for all of us." Metis explained
"You are correct. But what does this have to do with the creation of seat of powers?" Poseidon asked curiously
"Like Aegon said the thrones will be a valuable target for the Titans and that means Kronos will unleash his full army and all the Titans to ensure the destruction of Olympus. I thought these victories were because we were very precise in our planning but we are not. It was Kronos who was planning and outsmarted us. All this time he was fortifying Othrys with the largest army the world has ever seen. He knows that we have to destroy the seat of powers of the Titans to dislodge them from their power and influence. Creating the thrones in Olympus will force Kronos to target them directly and send his forces here. We can destroy their forces in a single fight and take down Othrys easily and quickly." Metis advised
"It is a bold move for sure but keep in mind that Kronos is not a fool. He will not throw his full forces at us without a plan. He will make sure we are engaged elsewhere." Aegon reminded them
"Kronos is devious. There is a reason he is called the Crooked One. He will plan around this move but he is also arrogant and prideful. He will look weak among the other Titans if he doesn't attack Olympus to destroy the seats of power. So long as there us a solid strategy I believe we can ensure victory. I support what Metis is suggesting." Prometheus said his piece
"In that case, we will formulate a strategy to ensure the Titan army will crumble in the siege of Olympus and at the same time we must ensure the safety of Olympus." Zeus mused
"I can plan a strategy and create defences to ensure Olympus becomes impenetrable." Metis suggested
"I for one do not think that it is a good idea to just go with her plan." Hera said as she glared at Metis
"Don't forget Metis is the reason why all my siblings are free from Kronos. She helped me trick Kronos and I trust her judgement." Zeus proclaimed making Hera scowl and Metis smiled in triumph
"Then we are in agreement. The seats of power must be forged in Olympus soon and I believe the Hundred Handed ones will be able to accomplish this task in a timely manner." Zeus liked at Briareos and his two brothers
"That raises the question of numbers. I mean how many number of thrones should be there in the council?" Hades asked
"For now I suggest six thrones for the six children of Kronos. Further additions can be done after the war is over." Aegon interjected before anyone else could say anything
"I agree with that. It will be better that way." Prometheus supported Aegon's suggestion with a knowing look
"In that case, I will be needing the help of Leto to set up traps around Olympus." Metis said
"There are certain rituals to be done before installing the seat of powers. The next Summer Solstice will be the ideal time for the thrones to be ready." Briareos informed the council
"Then we will wait till next Summer Solstice. Until then we will do our best to destroy the Titan army before it can form up and prove to be a nuisance for the world." Zeus declared and everyone agreed with a nod
"If there is nothing further to discuss this council meeting is dismissed." Zeus declared and one by one the Gods and Titans began to teleport out of the room.
MOUNT OTHRYS
Iapetus was one of the eldest Titan that was conceived by Ouranos and Gaea. After Kronos cut down Ouranos he has been in charge of the Underworld and kept the monsters and all prisoners in check. He was also responsible for guarding the sleeping Primordial Gods in the pit like Nyx, Gaea and Tartarus. But now the upstart God, Hades managed to usurp his position as the warden of Underworld in a matter of days. He was right now at the foot of Mount Othrys and he was hesitating whether or not to meet his younger brother and king, Kronos. It was surely going to be a difficult meeting and he knew Kronos trusted him more than any of his siblings. He was about to turn back when he came face to face with his son, Atlas.
"Father, this is a surprise. I thought you would still be in the Underworld." Atlas asked in surprise
"The Underworld has fallen. Hades managed to defeat me and take control of the dead spirits. The very darkness clings to him like a new bride. I have never felt anything like this. It was as if I felt I am mortal and feared for my soul in his presence. These gods are powerful enough to prove a real challenge. This war will not be easy for us." Iapetus said with a downcast look
"Lord Kronos will not be happy. I too am bearing bad news. Hyperion has been defeated in the field and taken prisoner." Atlas said with a troubled look
"This is madness. How come these Gods start to overcome the Titans like this. They have no prior experience and yet they are outsmarting and defeating us in every aspect. If this is how it is going to be we will be hard-pressed to prevail against them." Iapetus said with a healthy amount of fear
"Don't worry father. I think Lord Kronos has a plan. Otherwise, he would not have asked me to concentrate the bulk of our army here in Othrys. Let's go and meet him." Atlas consoled Iapetus and together they climbed the mountain
They found Kronos all alone in the throne room spinning his scythe on one hand while the other was trying to crush the throne's arm.
"Lord Kronos." Iapetus and Atlas bowed
"I see you have abandoned your post in the Underworld, Iapetus. Is there any reason why that is?" Kronos asked
"Forgive me, brother. I failed to hold the Underworld. Your eldest son Hades managed to defeat me and wrest control of the Underworld from me. As of this moment, we will not be able to call any more monsters from Tartarus." Iapetus said with a downcast look. He waited for the inevitable explosion of rage from the Titan of Time but there was none. He cautiously looked up and saw a pensive look on the Titan's face.
"Tell me something Iapetus. When you fought Hades did you happen to see any weapons with a strong aura?" Kronos asked curiously
"He carried a sword brother but it was just Celestial Bronze but he had a helmet on his head and whenever I tried to take a good look at him it felt like my immortal soul was being ripped in two. I felt the urge to flee and my hands shook like never before." Iapetus admitted with a shiver
"Then my suspicions are correct. The Hundred Handed ones have forged powerful weapons for the Gods. These weapons amplify their power to an unprecedented level." Kronos mused as he sat straight in his throne
"Hyperion has also been defeated and taken prisoner, Lord Kronos. Some of pour spies reported Zeus was wielding a lightning bolt as a weapon." Atlas reported
"It does not matter whether they have powerful weapons. I have managed to find a way to destroy the Gods." Kronos smirked
"How my lord?" Atlas asked curiously
"The fates have delivered me a prophecy. We must find the Ophiotaurus and burn its entrails which will make us stronger than the Gods even with their weapons. Once we burn its entrails we will achieve the power to destroy the gods." Kronos laughed wickedly
"Are you sure about this brother? The Ophiotaurus is a creature born from Gaea and Ouranos. It may look like a monster with it's half bull and serpent look but the creature is pure and mother will not be happy if we use it for something like this." Iapetus warned
"The creature is innocent and pure and because of that sacrificing it will grant us great power. Atlas, send out our best trackers and find the creature. The sooner we find it the sooner we can launch a full assault on the gods." Kronos smirked viciously
While all this was happening another pair of ears was listening into this conversation and became alarmed by the direction this was going. Mnemosyne, the Titaness of memory became disgusted by Kronos and his cruelty. The only reason she had stayed and supported him was because he was her sibling. Perhaps it was time she chose a side that was comfortable for her, she thought. A bright light consumed her and she teleported away from Othrys.