Ten years later
Zeus looked out of the cavern to the mainland of Greece. I'd like to go there someday, he thought, and see what life there is all about.
He was ten, but looked twice his age. His blond hair was slightly spiked at the back, and his blue eyes glowed bright with unforeseen excitement. He wore a long white tunic loosely draped over his shoulder.
"Zeus!" called Neda from the back of the cavern. Zeus turned around and walked into the cavern, where at the end, there was an array of training equipment- wooden swords, spears, bows, and a dummy- all worn from use.
Zeus walked in, but saw no equipment set up for him. Instead, he saw Neda standing in the back of the room with a dark-haired woman he didn't recognize.
"Who are you?" He asked with the air of a curious child.
"Zeus!" Rhea could hardly contain her excitement as she raced forward and hugged him. Zeus bewilderedly hugged her back.
"Oh Zeus, I'm so glad you're safe, you've grown up so well!" She sobbed into his shoulder. Zeus stepped back, completely confused.
"Wait, hold it, who are you?"
Rhea jumped back. "I'm sorry, I didn't explain myself, I was so excited… I'm your mother…"
"Wha-?"
Neda gave him a look. "She is. I was the one who helped her give birth to you."
Zeus blinked. "Mom? Then what do you mean by safe?"
"Honey, your father is Cronus, ruler of Greece. He is a tyrant who rules over both god and human harshly. You are the only one who can stop him."
Completely shocked, Zeus shook his head. "No, no, no! This is too much- a random lady comes, tells me she's my mother, and now I have to save the world from an evil king?"
"I know this is a lot for you to take in, but you are our only hope! And if you stay here and do nothing, Cronus will surely find you and kill you, just like your brothers and sisters!"
Rhea gave Neda a warning look. Zeus' jaw dropped. "I have siblings?"
Rhea sighed. "Yes, like Neda said… and right now, they all dwell in the prison of Cronus' stomach."
Zeus choked on air. "He… ate them?"
"He was afraid they would overthrow him. But your mother replaced you with a rock, so she saved you."
"Oh, thanks, Mom…"
So will you do it? Surely you will not let your years of training be worthless?"
Zeus looked up and nodded firmly.
"Yes."