Chapter 4 (Adrian/Kronos) The Preparation

I saw them coming from miles away. Hyperion, Oceanus and a younger generation of Titans. One of them was Prometheus, the slimy weasel that sided with the Gods in the first war. The other was Atlas, my appointed general of the Titan's, my nephew and one of my favourite Titan's. When he was born, he showed the aptitude and strength for becoming a leader. What surprised me the most was that, being a child of Iapetus, he was, and still is, a quiet but brutal enforcer. That's probably the reason why I love the boy. Being the general of the Titan army but not the leader, he would have supreme command over the army. From telhkines to hellhounds, from demigods to Hyperboreans, Atlas was one of two Titans that I trusted to lead the army. Hyperion argued with me for days but I made up my mind. My current form is too weak and I must change soon. Sometimes my mortal host fights back. Sometimes he wins, giving him a few seconds to take control of his mind and body before I possess him again. I turned around to see a group of demigods. A boy with dark brown hair stepped forward.

"My Lord." His eye twitched and stepped back. I looked back. Oceanus and Atlas had arrived.

"Hyperion?" I asked Oceanus.

"Grumbling and throwing a tantrum down at the beach. I can sense him. I still don't understand why you made him the Titan of the East, Lord of the Sun." He sighed and sat down on a rock. "Now he's barking orders at Telkhines. Ironic isn't it?"

Atlas laughed. "A fool. I am the most powerful Titan." I glared at him. He waved his hand. "Apart from you, of course. Everyone here knows that you are the real ruler of the world. The Big Boss. The Big Daddy."

I looked stonily back. Atlas cleared his throat. "Oceanus has something to tell you and Koios told me to find you."

I looked at Oceanus. "What news, brother? Good news, I hope?"

Oceanus shook his head. "That son of yours, Pose man-"

"Poseidon." I growl. "What's he up to now. Eliminate him if you must."

"He suspects me. I'm roaming around the depths of the sea, seeking as many sea creatures that will side with us. I've already got a group of squids that will join our cause."

"Do you really trust him?" Hyperion had arrived. "He didn't help us in the first war. Why should we trust him? He backed down when you needed help restraining our father, he attacked Krios in the first war." He glared at Oceanus. "If brother Kronos trusts you, then I have no choice." He turned to me. Oceanus grimaced.

"I didn't side with the Gods, Hyperion. I was neutral in the first war, as Lord Kronos knows full well of."

"Bah!" Hyperion stormed off.

Oceanus sighed and got up. "He's in a bad temper, brother."

I nod. "I know that."

Oceanus continued. "Ever since you made Atlas general. Ever since you gave me the invitation. Ever since you decided to capture the goddess."

"What do you mean by that? Capture the goddess?"

"You don't know?"

Atlas cleared his throat. "Hyperion has had a little, ah, has had some, um, feelings for Artemis." He cleared his throat again.

Oceanus coughed into his fist. "I think it's a great idea to capture an Olympian. It will show how powerful we are already. They will come for sure." He stopped talking and looked around. He beckoned for Atlas to come closer.

We leaned in. "Are you sure the goddess will fall for it?" Oceanus whispered.

I nod. "Artemis can't stand the fact that we have put a young girl in such a burden. She will take the bait. The others will take the bait as well."

Atlas rubs his hands excitedly. "I can't wait to see the 'greatest' heroes of the age." He used finger marks for 'greatest'.

Oceanus looked at Atlas. "I think it's the heroes that need the finger thingies."

Atlas laughed. "I don't care. They will come as Lord Kronos predicted. It will not matter which words need finger thingies anymore."

I scowl. "Don't take this easily. Enough talking. Get to your positions. Atlas, you have a long way to travel. Good luck. Oceanus-" I look at my brother.

"Don't make me regret this."