Lyclean (1): Forging a Hero
The gods' war left ripples across countless divinities. Gods too weakened to maintain their godhood were one thing, but it was commonplace for them to be absorbed by others like spoils of battle. In the end, it proved that these beings, who strutted about as superior to humans, weren't so different from mortals in their deeds after all. No—considering the vast power they wielded, they were arguably even more vile.
"If we could thin out the gods' numbers like this, maybe we wouldn't have needed the Life List after all. Feels like we wasted time and effort on something pointless."
"Hard to say. Reducing their numbers through war isn't exactly ideal."
Predicting who would win or lose, who would lose their divinity and who would absorb another—it wasn't easy to foresee such futures completely. Not impossible, of course, but far from simple.
"Besides, a war like that won't happen again."
So many gods fell on that battlefield. The fact would be etched deep into the bones of the survivors. That's why no one would dare start another. Even if someone incited them...
They wouldn't want a war doomed to destruction, one leading straight to annihilation. Once they truly felt how it could end them, the very word "war" wouldn't even cross their minds. Like the era of mutually assured destruction in a cold standoff.
"Is that so? But... there were gods who didn't join the war, right? Won't they start one?"
"You mean the Aesir?"
Shamash nodded slightly at my words.
The Aesir. The gods of harsh lands who followed Odin. The chance they'd start a war... well, I couldn't say zero, but...
"Odin doesn't strike me as the type."
He's already shaken things up plenty using the words of the wise. Rather than war with the others, he'd focus on preserving his Aesir gods through other means. In short, he'd play the long game—pure endurance meta.
"That certain?"
"Yeah. Pretty damn sure."
He might already be moving, for all we know. Odin knew full well that even if Baal returned as king of the gods, things couldn't go back to how they were—not for those who'd held his fragments.
Lose the eye holding Baal's wisdom, and all Odin would be left with is a foolish, blind old god. Something that dimwit Zeus hadn't figured out yet.
Ah, though Zeus is a different case from the other three. Unlike those who held Baal's heart, body, or eye, Zeus possesses authority and power through Baal's crown—not a piece of his own flesh. So even if he surrenders the fragment, he won't have to carve out part of himself. He'll survive. Unlike Odin with his eye of wisdom, he'll only lose raw power and authority.
"So... we'll watch for about ten years, then."
"Mm. And keep an eye on Baal reborn as a human... Lyclean, was it? What an odd name."
"Humans named him."
"Anyway, if nothing crops up, we'll just watch the kid grow."
The gods, a bit deflated from the war, won't kick up a fuss anytime soon. We can take it easy for a while.
"A human reincarnation of Baal... Wonder how he'll turn out."
"Don't meddle directly. Indirectly's fine, though."
"I know, I know. Baal wants to enjoy a full human life, after all."
If other gods puppeteered his life after reincarnating human, even Baal would be disappointed. Sure, we've got a rough life plan sketched out.
First, the hero's path. Let's see... Raise him like Heracles, maybe? A life of heroic feats. Blessed body, great mentors, growing into a legend.
Ah, but Heracles' twelve labors are a bit much... Tone it down, fewer trials? And proper character education as he grows. Can't have anger issues like Heracles, or too much arrogance.
Mm. Need a good teacher for that. A divinely blessed kid—everyone'll want to mentor him.
Lyclean grew by leaps and bounds each day. His divinely blessed body was stronger and sturdier than most adults, despite his youth, and his keen intellect grasped one lesson and extrapolated to a hundred on his own.
Many vied to be the blessed child's teacher, but most stepped down soon after. The prodigy absorbed their wisdom and knowledge in a flash, leaving them with nothing more to teach. They bowed out, their secrets laid bare.
It was a problem born of his excellence, but Lyclean and his parents brushed it off. The world was vast, full of the exceptional. The hero's bud hadn't fully bloomed yet.
And so, seekers came endlessly to nurture that bloom to full flower.
"Growing nicely, just like that."
"I knew without the rundown."
Shamash grumbled softly. He'd just sent a jurist he'd divinely inspired to impart all knowledge to Lyclean, only for the man to retire as teacher shortly after. He was a tad miffed.
"Still... gotta be the divine soul. Nothing like a normal human."
"Tell me about it. Didn't expect this level."
Baal—no, Lyclean—was beyond description. Like a sponge sucking up teachings, mentors lasted days before being drained dry and retreating.
"And physically unreal too. Not even an adult yet, with a body like that... 'Amazing' doesn't cover it."
"Mm. That physique must be Zeus's blessing."
Mid-teens, yet outmatching grown men. Truly blessed.
"So, who next for teacher?"
"Dunno. Brain's stuffed with knowledge enough... Mm. Body's grown plenty too. Time to teach fighting."
"Fighting?"
Heroes of this era made names in wars or slaying mighty monsters. Combat skills were essential.
"Mm. But a warrior skilled enough to teach him..."
"I know a few. Don't worry."
Let's see... Closest is Asterios. After our travels, he returned home king of Minoa. Geographically convenient for Lyclean.
Ah, but as king, he can't just leave—so send Lyclean to Minoa. And with Indra's blessing letting him wield lightning, Asterios can temper Zeus-blessed Lyclean just fine.
"So, what do you think?"
"Ah, Tia. You've arrived."
In the training grounds of Minoa's palace. Asterios greets me as I approach the grounds he shares with Lyclean.
Twenty years on, the once-childish Asterios had matured splendidly. Drawing on our journey's lessons, he ruled Minoa wisely, earning the title of its wise king.
Who could've guessed the big, trapped kid in the labyrinth would grow like this?
"If you'd sent word ahead, I'd have prepared. Shame."
"Nah, just popping in for a quick errand. Anyway, Lyclean—the kid. Impressions?"
Training under Asterios, Lyclean's skills advanced daily.
"Excellent. I wasn't half this good at his age."
"Mm. Divinely blessed growth. He'll spin plenty of tales as he matures."
Asterios chuckled softly at my words.
"A bit hot-headed and quick to flare, but if he masters that, he'll be a hero for sure. I guarantee it."
"Your guarantee? That's good enough."
I gazed at Lyclean, collapsed exhausted on the grounds. Despite the fatigue, a small smile played on his lips. Satisfied with his current life.
"Good."
"Hm?"
"Nothing. Never mind."
I shook my head lightly, then turned to Asterios.
"If you need anything, say the word. I'll provide what I can."
"Needs... Come to think, he's shown interest in bows. Could use a bowmaster teacher."
"Bows?"
"Yeah. And a bow strong enough not to snap under his strength."
A bow, huh... Ask Yggdrasil? An elven bow should do. Ah, but weapons?
"No need for other weapons?"
"Nah, he's fine. Weapons can't handle his power, so he grabs whatever's handy."
"Whatever's handy?"
Asterios pointed to scattered wood shards on the ground. Once weapons, now splintered across the yard.
"Too strong—normal gear breaks fast. So he snaps trees into clubs."
"Tree clubs...?"
Mm. Then Yggdrasil can sort it. Bows and a sturdy tree club while she's at it.
"Made from world tree Yggdrasil, unbreakable even for his monstrous strength."
"I'll prep a bow and club then. Top quality, no more shattering."
"For bowmaster... Epeus should do. No one shoots better."
He even hits sun gods with arrows. Perfect teacher.
