Chronos and Sovereign Icarus (BOOK 4)

Chapter 275 - Chronos and Sovereign Icarus

Chronos:

I walked through the Capital of the World, and from a distance, I could contemplate the splendor of the palace that rose as the center of all creation. Soft clouds descended from the sky and gently hovered over the palace, touching the golden domes and white marble towers. Imposing structures, sculpted from the very essence of the world, rose in glory, while majestic statues and divine sculptures adorned every street and square. The city had transformed into a celestial garden, a paradise sculpted by my own will and by the grace of my Sovereign.

The nymphs roamed the gardens as eternal caretakers, maintaining the perfection of every flower and leaf. Cylla, a city once a den of poverty and violence, had been purified. Now, it was the most beautiful of all cities, the remnants of a shattered world. Half of the world had been consumed, either by the relentless advance of the sea or by the armies during the war against the gods. What remained now was under our protection, under my watchful eye and under the absolute command of my Sovereign.

At the dawn of existence, I helped the first beings emerge from that limbo, I helped the beings that would be called 'gods.' When I used my Divine Essence, my intention was to create balance, a perfect harmony, alongside the other first beings. But I was betrayed. Betrayed by those I helped bring to life. They imprisoned me in Tartarus, an eternal abyss of shadows and pain, so they could usurp my essence, slowly draining my power, never allowing it to replenish. The Titans, beings that emerged when my divine essence was infused into the parts of nature, were shackled and scattered across the corners of the universe, their powers exploited as mere tools.

But then he came. The only one with the courage to break the chains. The one who defies fate itself: my Sovereign Icarus. He freed me from Tartarus, destroyed the false gods who oppressed this world, and restored true order.

Now, Cylla had merged with Olympus itself. The holiest of all cities. And still, mere humans, the mortal kings, dared to walk its streets, seeking an audience with the Sovereign. But being a king now was a curse, not a blessing. After Icarus's ascension to the position of Sovereign God, he allowed the rulers to continue their roles, but under a new paradigm. Power was no longer a symbol of glory, but of responsibility. To be a king was to be the first to answer for any crime. A king was judged alongside the thief, beheaded like any common criminal. Under the rule of the Sovereign, there was no room for corruption. There was no injustice. Only order.

"Lady Chronos," a nymph bowed deeply as she saw me pass, her voice as soft as the song of a stream.

"Is everything perfect?" I asked, my eyes scanning the details of the path paved with celestial marble. "Sovereign Icarus will leave his chambers for the first time this year. The city must be flawless to welcome him at the festival. Every petal, every light must be worthy of his presence."

"We are taking care of everything, my lady," the nymph responded with another reverence.

But I knew perfection was not enough. Not when it came to him.

I continued walking, my gaze sharp on every inch of the city. Crystal fountains poured shimmering waters, while impossible flowers bloomed on balconies. The festival I was preparing was not just a spectacle of beauty. It was a silent plea. A desperate effort.

My Sovereign, Icarus, remained on his throne. Always. Behind the divine power, there was a broken man. A being whose heart, I knew, still bled.

That's why nothing could go wrong. Not in this celebration. Not for him.

My Sovereign always remained motionless, seated on his marble throne, immersed in a silence so dense it seemed to weigh upon the entire palace. His eyes, always so imposing, now stared at his memories, trapped in recollections I dared not interrupt. He relived the past, revisiting fragments of an era when he was still human, still vulnerable. The memories of a woman whose name was almost a forbidden whisper between us... Helen.

A woman who, even before I met him, had already won his heart and defeated me.

I walked through the vast corridors, the echo of my steps resonating off the immaculate stone walls. I ran my fingers along the white marble railing, feeling the cold texture beneath my skin, searching for any trace of imperfection. A thin layer of dust brushed my hand.

"Do it again!" My voice cut through the air.

The servant trembled, bowing before me.

"Clean everything again! With no powers at all! Use your hands!" I commanded, my expression as rigid as the stone around me. "This marble came from Olympus itself! I want it flawless!"

I continued my inspection, my gaze sharp, every detail weighed under the burden of my judgment. Nothing could fall short of perfection. He deserved nothing less than absolute glory.

"Mother Chronos." A deep voice called to me, and as I turned, I saw Prometheus approaching. He was in his humanoid form, just like me. Our Sovereign, though capable of taking a colossal form of unimaginable height, still chose to remain as a human. A symbol of control, of serenity... and I, as his devotee, would never dare to appear larger in presence or stature than him.

"Ho-how is Sovereign Icarus?" Prometheus asked, hesitation in his voice revealing the respect he held. In the past, they had been close friends. Now, however, Prometheus no longer entered the Sovereign's chambers, as he felt he no longer belonged there. His admiration for Icarus kept him at a distance, becoming a guardian, even reprimanding other Titans who dared to approach.

I alone had the honor of crossing those doors. To speak, even in whispers, with Sovereign Icarus.

"Ugh... he doesn't even pay attention to me anymore..." murmured Themis, appearing beside us with a sulking expression. "I used to enjoy drinking with the Sovereign... but now he... doesn't even go out to party with me and hunt animals."

"Don't speak like that!" Prometheus's voice sounded sharp. "Have more respect when speaking of Sovereign Icarus! That's why I'm the favorite servant. Twenty years ago, he personally asked me to fetch him coffee!" he said, puffing out his chest with pride.

Themis blushed, clenching her fists.

"S-Sovereign Icarus... once let me sit on his lap when I was sad... and talked to me until I stopped crying!" she retorted proudly, though there was a sincere gleam of nostalgia in her eyes.

"OH, YOU FOOL!" I exclaimed, fury burning in my chest. "I should be the one sitting on Sovereign Icarus's lap!"

Themis let out a mocking laugh before, in a flash of silver light, transforming into a squirrel, running across the hall with her high-pitched voice echoing, "I'm his favorite!"

I gritted my teeth, watching as the small creature vanished between the columns.

Prometheus, on the other hand, was already kneeling on the floor, scrubbing the carpet with a linen cloth.

"That stupid Themis... I don't want to see A SINGLE HAIR on this carpet! Everything must be flawless for the Sovereign!"

***

I continued my task with an almost obsessive dedication, inspecting every corner of the city with sharp eyes. The crystal-clear waters were purified when I summoned the sea creatures, which swam in perfect synchrony, cleansing every trace of impurity. My whispers echoed through the winds, summoning the spirits to prevent the trees from shedding leaves onto the ground.

Everything had to be perfect.

The only place that remained untouched was the entrance to an old sewer, left undisturbed. Standing before it, I felt a chill run down my spine.

"This is where my Sovereign grew up…" I murmured, my voice softly echoing against the damp walls.

I approached, my fingers gliding reverently over the worn stones until I reached the entrance to a small room within the tunnel. The air there felt heavier, imbued with the memories of the past.

"For today... this place will remain sealed."

I took a step back and snapped my fingers. The stones responded to my command, moving with precision until a solid wall sealed the passage. Around me, a garden bloomed instantly: silver roses and emerald vines intertwining, transforming that forgotten space into a sanctuary.

Cylla City pulsed with celebration.

The annual festival had begun. Banquets stretched across the city, with tables laden with meticulously prepared delicacies. Music echoed through the cobbled streets, where humans danced and laughed, celebrating the greatness of our Sovereign and the city's anniversary. But from atop the palace, I watched it all... and it still wasn't enough.

"They're not happy enough!" I growled to myself, my hands clenched at my sides.

Below, in the royal gardens, influential human figures gathered under silk canopies, while elemental beings served as butlers, moving gracefully among the guests. Every dish, every goblet, was prepared with the finest quality: plants grown under the purest sunlight and animals raised in the perfect environment.

Still, something was missing.

"Do you know where Sovereign Icarus is?" Prometheus appeared beside me, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Where else would he be? In his chambers. He only comes out at the end of the party... as always," I replied, though the certainty of his arrival didn't ring true in my voice.

He hesitated, uneasy.

"Prometheus... What is it?"

He took a deep breath, avoiding my gaze.

"Sovereign Icarus... he's already left the throne room."

The reality hit me like a cold blade.

"Excuse me?"

The sharp sound of a snap echoed through the palace. Each goblet on the banquet tables cracked in unison, the crystal shattering into tiny luminous shards.

"Explain yourself now, Prometheus."

"I... I went to check the hall one last time today, for the hundredth time, and... the door was open. He wasn't there."

My expression hardened. The world around me seemed to freeze for a moment.

"Why was I not informed of this?!"

I strode toward a servant, my gaze fiery and relentless.

"Sovereign Icarus left his chambers and you didn't alert me?! What's the explanation for this failure?"

The servant trembled, stammering.

"I... I... Lady Chronos, I didn't know... I simply... felt the urge to do other tasks. I... forgot about that room..."

"Forgot? Are you telling me... you forgot your only duty?! Forgot to serve our Sovereign?!"

Others approached, nervous, their trembling voices echoing.

"Lady Chronos... we feel the same... as if... it were impossible to remember the room... suddenly, it... just disappeared from our minds..."

Prometheus, thoughtful, brought his hand to his chin. "It must have been... the Sovereign himself. He probably didn't want to be disturbed. He used his power to erase the presence of the servants from the room... without them noticing."

The fury in my chest subsided, turning into a wave of unease.

"That makes sense..." I whispered, clenching my fists. "But... where is he now?"

Without waiting for a response, I began running through the hallways, the echo of my boots filling the palace. Every door, every corner, I searched with growing desperation. The royal chambers, the kitchens, the gardens... even the bathrooms.

Nothing.

"Sovereign Icarus... I need to find him!"

The entire city went into alert. Aquatic creatures emerged from the depths of the sea, while flocks of birds cut through the sky, their magical eyes scanning every inch of the land. Elemental spirits searched through the shadows, while the Titans dispersed in search of their master.

***

"Is he here…?" I whispered, my voice barely an echo amidst the pulse of power I could feel.

The festival continued in full swing, with streets filled with civilians dancing, eating, and celebrating, oblivious to the magnitude of the one truly walking among them. But I could feel it. No matter how subtle my Sovereign's presence was, even when he deliberately suppressed his divine aura to remain hidden, I was the only one among them who could sense him.

As I moved through the crowd, I noticed the glances turning toward me. My robes, my human form, were known throughout the City of Cylla. The silver glow in my eyes, my impeccable posture — everything was a symbol of absolute power. And they knew it.

Some fell to their knees, murmuring words of devotion. Others hesitated, as if they wanted to offer me gifts but feared getting too close.

Pathetic.

I ignored them. Every single one of them. My focus was solely on finding him.

"Damn it!" I growled in frustration.

The discomfort in my chest grew, a burning heat of anger. I couldn't afford to be distracted. I closed my eyes and let the magic flow. With a single thought, I became invisible, dissolving into the shadows. But it wasn't enough.

I transformed my shape. My face altered, my skin and features molding into something unrecognizable. Now, I appeared to be just another ordinary human woman: powerless, without glory. A mere mortal.

I made myself visible again and continued moving through the people, their gazes no longer on me.

His energy was close.

I passed by dancers twirling to the music, silver trays carrying exotic fruits and wines, children running through the streets lit by golden lanterns. The whole city seemed to breathe in harmony.

But then I saw him.

Sitting.

On the steps of a stone staircase, he was there. My Sovereign.

And beside him, a human child.

The shock stole my breath. How could no one notice?! How dared they ignore the presence of the one who shaped the sky and the earth?!

"I'm going to kill these humans!" I muttered through clenched teeth, my blood boiling. "They should be kneeling before him!"

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. No... I needed to calm down. Control my emotions. His serene presence there was enough to remind me of my place.

I straightened my shoulders.

I hardened my gaze.

And then I flashed the most charming smile I could muster.

Am I pretty enough?

Simple clothes. Human features.

Damn... I've spent the last few moments sculpting every detail of my face as Chronos... and now he's going to see me in this pathetic form.

But none of that mattered.

I needed to reach him.

I took calculated steps toward him.

And then I saw him... smiling.

Next to him, a little girl, a mere mortal, was laughing while talking to him, as if they were... friends. A frail little girl, her hair disheveled, smiling at him as if they were... equals.

"The sky... I like the sky more than the sea," she said innocently, swinging her feet as she spoke with him. "The sky I can look at every day... but the sea is far away."

He tilted his head, pondering her childish words with a patience that seemed... divine.

"If you want... I can bring the sea closer to the city," he answered softly.

The little girl let out a crystalline giggle.

"That's not possible. Only those who live in that palace do those things." She pointed at our palace on the horizon.

He smiled, serene as always.

"But I live in that palace."

And she laughed at what he said, as if she didn't believe him.

She laughed!

"How funny you are, sir."

I almost froze.

How... how dare this... this... filthy human speak to him like that? Without reverence, without fear?!

And then came the final blow.

"A-are you going to eat that?"

The wretched girl pointed at his plate.

He simply nodded, extending the plate.

"Would you like some? I only eat for fun. I'm not hungry."

NO! NO! NO!

She took something from my Sovereign's plate!

She dared... touch... the food... of my Sovereign.

My fists clenched, my teeth grinding. The air around me began to vibrate, almost distorted by the suppressed power.

I... I will kill this filthy creature.

I counted.

Twelve seconds.

TWELVE SECONDS!

That was how long she spent leaning against his arm. How dare she do that?

"Where do you live?" my Sovereign's voice echoed, soft, almost gentle.

The little girl, with her big innocent eyes, answered simply:

"I just live... somewhere"

He furrowed his brow, analyzing her words with that serene and deep gaze.

"You don't have a home?"

Before she could respond, a rough voice interrupted the moment:

"Hey! Get off my stairs! Go eat somewhere else!"

The blood in my veins boiled.

The audacity!

That filthy human dared to order my Sovereign off a stone step as if he were any beggar?

I felt the divine aura pulse within my chest, ready to reduce the entire street to ashes.

I will kill them all... Now.

But then...

He saw me.

His eyes rose in my direction, and with a simple hand gesture—calm, delicate, almost imperceptible—he commanded me not to interfere.

The fury within me silenced. Against my will, but it silenced.

The little girl stood up, pulling at the hem of her dress carelessly.

"We better leave, sir..." she said, her voice pure, not understanding the gravity of the situation.

My Sovereign rose with the same calm demeanor, taking the nearly empty plate in his hands. The two of them began walking, leaving the steps behind.

I followed, invisible among the crowd. Every fiber of my being screamed to annihilate that despicable human and the filthy girl right after. How dare they treat him like that?

But I stayed silent, watching.

They stopped in front of a trash bin. The plate they carried was emptied there, the action so mundane it felt wrong coming from him.

"I live in a house, but not in this city," the girl explained, fiddling with her fingers. "I live in a village in the forest."

He looked at her, genuinely interested.

"How did a little girl like you end up in this city?"

She smiled as if it were obvious.

"I took a caravan for the city's anniversary. They serve free food for a week. I thought it would be fun."

He shook his head, his eyes softening.

"And where will you stay?"

"The inns are all free here. I can choose any of them," she answered, her eyes sparkling, too innocent to realize who she was talking to.

For a moment, my Sovereign smiled.

"Impressive… you thought of everything," he murmured to himself.

They continued walking, the crowd around them oblivious to the presence of the greatest being alive.

"If you have a home," he said after a while, "then why did you say you just live somewhere?"

The little girl shrugged, starting to skip, her dress swaying with the light movement.

"I spend more time outside my house than at home."

He frowned.

"Why?"

The girl stopped skipping, looking at the stones beneath her feet, hesitant.

"My father... he's not a good person."

Silence fell over the scene, but my Sovereign...

He didn't hesitate.

"If you want, I can kill your father."

The girl looked at him, surprised.

"That wouldn't be wise, sir. Crimes are prohibited. Sovereign Icarus would come and kill you in the worst way possible."

He remained silent for a moment... then responded:

"But I am Sovereign Icarus."

She burst into laughter.

"You tell a lot of jokes, sir."

I wanted to scream.

She's laughing at him! HOW DARE SHE?!

But he... he almost seemed... relieved.

Her laughter seemed to disarm something inside him, a fraction of the weight he always carried.

The little girl bit her bottom lip, hesitating.

"I don't want anything to happen to my father," she continued, her voice quieter. "I just wanted... for him to be a good father. He became like this after my mother died."

The expression on my Sovereign's face shifted.

Subtle, but I noticed.

That old, familiar pain resurfaced in his gaze, like a shadow haunting his immortal being.

"That's no excuse…" he said softly, but then paused, looking at her more deeply, more humanly.

"How did you deal with your mother's death?"

She sighed, looking up at the sky.

"I just accepted it... but I know one day I'll see her. When I die."

Ignorance...

Pure human ignorance...

"My mother would bring me to the city's anniversary, but when she left…" she continued, a small melancholic smile forming on her face. "That's why I came... and tonight... I remembered her... and it hurt..."

They kept walking, silence reigning.

And then she whispered, almost like a confession:

"That's why I like the sky... because I know she's up there."

I silently raised my eyes to the same sky.

And I knew the truth.

Above the clouds, there was nothing.

No paradise. No embrace.

Above, there was only the infinite void.

Those who die do not return.

And if they do return...

They do not return as they were.

What comes back from the dead... is something broken. Deteriorated.

Death was an unbreakable cycle, a fate even the gods did not dare challenge.

That's why even they feared death.

And there, beside that ignorant human, I saw in my Sovereign's eyes the memory of a pain far too ancient to heal.