Zeus's Resolve
Zeus was deeply dissatisfied with the current situation. He'd pulled strings through his connections to reach out to the dream world, but the results were utterly disappointing.
He bellowed at the mystical mirror before him, where a pitch-black void swirled endlessly.
[You boasted of your wide reach in the dream world, yet you couldn't track down even a single goddess? How impressive!]
A submissive voice echoed from the vortex in response to Zeus's rage.
[I have no excuses. This place is so vast that the task is far from easy. One thing I'm certain of: Selene is not in the dream world. I stake my name on it.]
The responder was a god as well—one who roamed the dream world as his stage and had taken on Zeus's commissions before.
[You're disappointing me this time.]
[I have no excuses. I'll keep searching.]
[Begone.]
As Zeus severed the magic, the mirror's swirling black void reverted to its ordinary state.
"Tch, what a useless fool."
It wasn't just him. Zeus had been gathering intelligence from the dream world using his vast resources and networks, but it was all for naught. He could only repeatedly confirm one fact: Selene's soul had vanished.
In the end, I have no choice but to call Hermes...
He didn't like it, but there was no alternative. Zeus made his decision, and at his summons, the messenger god Hermes appeared swiftly on winged sandals.
"You called for me, Father?"
"Son, I have something to ask you."
Zeus regretted how he'd so readily decided Artemis's fate based solely on Hermes's words. Back then, he'd been furious at the realization that Artemis had deceived him. But now, with time passed and his head cooled, he felt the need to revisit the matter.
How had his son gotten wind of such rumors first?
At the banquet, he brushed it off as hearing it from some extraordinary figure. It sounded plausible enough, given his position where rumors flowed endlessly.
Zeus stroked his chin beard, fixing Hermes with a sharp, probing gaze—like one inspecting prey. It was a familiar, sticky stare to anyone who dealt with Zeus.
"Father?"
"Hahaha, sorry about that. Calling you here just to stare."
"No matter. What did you wish to ask?"
"Well, you see..."
Zeus asked in his characteristically cryptic tone.
"Son, where did you hear those stories about your sister? I know you handle countless pieces of information and are far more attuned to rumors than I. I also know you hide your sources. But this matter is grave, so I'd like the full details."
"How could I defy the Supreme God's will? It's my stock in trade, but for now, I'll lay it all bare."
"Good. Hoho."
Zeus was pleased by Hermes's cooperative attitude. But his face hardened at his son's next words.
"It came from one of the most powerful beings in the dream world."
"Who?"
"The Interstellar Lord."
"What?"
Even Zeus, who feared nothing, widened his eyes for a moment. He soon roared at Hermes.
"You thunder-headed fool! Even for vital information, you must choose your partners wisely! How could you deal with such a dangerous entity?"
"Forgive me, Father. But crucial intel always carries risk..."
"I don't want to hear it! Such recklessness! I thought you were sharp, yet you do this? Were you trying to oust your sister by going to such extremes?"
"No, Father. How could I? I have no interest in the successor's seat."
Hermes soothed the furious Zeus, emphasizing that the Interstellar Lord was a reliable partner as long as rules were followed.
"Moreover, he knows everything about the dream world. We can't ignore him, Father."
"Hmmm..."
"The dream world is a realm of distortions and chaos. Only he possesses clear information and knowledge. To gain anything certain there, dealing with the Interstellar Lord is the natural course."
Zeus, initially angry, began to waver under Hermes's eloquence. When Hermes detailed the offerings and procedures needed to seek the Interstellar Lord's information, Zeus's mind shifted further. But he couldn't show it after all the ranting, so he dismissed Hermes sternly.
"Withdraw. And if you act so rashly again, your father will punish you severely."
"I was foolish. I'll discern wisely henceforth—forgive me."
"Go."
As Hermes bowed politely and departed, Zeus's heart grew conflicted. He considered contacting the Interstellar Lord himself.
But that being is exceedingly dangerous...
Zeus didn't think he'd lose, but he had no certainty of victory either. They were both entities who had ascended to devour other gods. If battle erupted, the outcome was unpredictable. Yet that very fact made reckless moves unlikely between them.
Fine. I'll meet him once. I must uncover the truth of this matter.
With resolve hardened, Zeus began the ritual to summon the Interstellar Lord. The call pierced dimensions, reaching the distant entity. The other responded first, as if amused.
[Zeus. Ruler of Olympus.]
"I've heard your fame, Interstellar Lord. First time conversing, though."
[I've heard yours too. Slayer of Titans. Though your work seems a bit sloppy—some slipped away, after all.]
"What?"
[That being called Selene was lounging here quite leisurely, and you never noticed? Truly laid-back handling, befitting the world's conqueror.]
Snide remarks from the start made veins bulge on Zeus's forehead. He itched for a fight, but as Supreme God, he valued face and barely restrained himself.
"Enough admiring others' leisure. I contacted you for knowledge. I'll pay adequately."
[I know what you want without asking. Something about Selene, right?]
"Yes."
[You suffer much thanks to your fine daughter. Played for a fool by your own child—truly worrisome for your house's future. Though it's not a day or two's affair.]
Unable to endure, Zeus bellowed.
"There's a limit to rudeness! Before I storm the dream world and crush you, recall what manners are. And 'not a day or two'? What nonsense is that?"
Even before Zeus's world-shaking fury, the Interstellar Lord remained nonchalant, even smirking.
[Word of you being a fool of a father, swayed by your daughter, has spread even to this dream world. Everyone knows. Just not you, Zeus.]
"What rumors?!"
[Curious? Listen then.]
The Interstellar Lord began casually. First, he mentioned how Artemis, to cover her Python hunt failure, had pushed the cave assault onto her brother Ares.
[Python's cave was made by an ancient Titan—hard even for gods to breach. But your son, so rigid, charged straight in and failed. He'd have done the same knowing the risks, for a Titan's sake. He got an earful from you as a result.]
"Khmm..."
Zeus swallowed hard, recalling the past.
[Your rage at Ares let Artemis dodge blame for her Python failure. It all played out as your daughter orchestrated. That's why we see Olympus's Supreme God as a fool manipulated by his daughter.]
Zeus felt like a mute fed honey—speechless. When Ares failed at Python's cave, he'd been terrifyingly furious, even mocking him for chasing Titan shadows and getting his comeuppance. Words unbecoming a father. And it was all Artemis's ploy.
Ares had charged in blindly despite knowing, and Zeus ignorant of the plot—both played by Artemis.
"Daring to toy with her father...?"
Zeus trembled, exerting all his might to control it.
[Zeus, you're mighty. Hate to admit it, but perhaps stronger than I. You shattered the steel-walled Titan alliance and scattered them—no god rivals your valor and might. But... you're lacking wits. Brains. How long will you let your children use you?]
They said fury could oddly calm one. Zeus's face turned cold and composed.
"Grateful for the advice. But if you ever visit Olympus, tread carefully. I'll tear you apart alive."
[Would I crawl into the dragon's maw? I wield power unashamed in my dream world, but no confidence against you head-on. Let's chat thus, at this distance, by magic.]
"......"
[Kuhuhuhu. Only then can I mock you without bruising my face. You're a riot, Zeus. So powerful, yet seen as usable by inferiors. Rare fool even in vast cosmos. Great Zeus! Teach me. Something I, wise as I am, can't find.]
"What?"
[Your dignity. Supreme God in name, but where is it? Nowhere in sight. Kuhahaha! Enjoyed this chat. Let's end here.]
The Interstellar Lord thanked him for the fun talk, offering free info.
[On Selene, your suspicions are all true. No need to ask. As always, only you were blind, only you deceived. Hehehe. Farewell, foolish god.]
With that, the connecting magic vanished.
"......"
Zeus stood motionless thereafter. Long after the talk ended, he remained like a stone statue.
How much time passed? Finally, Zeus decided.
"I must restore the Supreme God's dignity."
He realized he'd ruled Olympus too laxly. True, expelling Titans had sapped his edge. Once called the finest warrior, now his belly jiggled.
But from today, Zeus resolved to seize control of everything.
"Think it'll work?"
At the Secret Book's question, I sipped my wine and shrugged.
"Who knows, honestly."
"It's crucial for you, yet you're so nonchalant, Peleus."
Instead of replying, I topped off my glass. Glug glug. The sound of it filling was pleasant enough.
"Not nonchalant—just leaving it to the heavens."
We sat side by side on Naxos Village's outskirts, gazing at the evening sunset. Out for a solo stroll, no one was around. Watching the sun set over the beautiful island's beach was poetic.
I raised my glass toward the fading sun.
"You know the saying: 'God's will be done.'"
Nearly a mutter, yet someone replied.
"Fine words. 'God's will be done.'"
An icy woman's voice. My nape stiffened instantly.
No, it wasn't just a feeling. I tried looking toward the sound but couldn't.
Crackle. Sizzle.
Suddenly, the world froze white. The sunset halted mid-descent beyond the horizon. Incoming waves solidified mid-splash, the cool sea breeze vanished.
The world kept freezing. I realized time was being excised from this space.
No sounds, the Secret Book frozen midair.
"I saw you as mere nuisance. A remarkable hero, but bothersome. Only now, in this state, do I grasp what you truly are."
The speaker appeared before me. Tall and sleek, a woman. Ashen hair, jewel-like gleaming eyes.
She oddly resembled Atalante. I barely opened my mouth.
"Artemis... Have you lost your mind? Descending your true body to the mortal plane..."
The goddess of hunt and moon, Artemis, replied with eerie calm.
"Didn't you drive me to this? Madness is all I have left."
At last, I faced my Artemis. Our ill-fated tie from Calydon's boar reached its peak here.
Artemis pointed to Zeus's sword at my waist.
"Draw your sword, human. Make your futile resistance. Before your eyes, I'll shatter all you've built."