Chapter 27

The air on Olympus was as still as death itself when I arrived. My steps echoed across the marble floors, and the cold weight of the throne room pressed in on me like a tangible thing. My eyes swept the room, noting the familiar faces already present—Poseidon, Hera, Hestia, Demeter. They stood in their usual positions, their expressions unreadable, yet the tension in the air was palpable.

And then, standing in the middle of the room like a lone sentinel, was the young woman I had been summoned to meet. She was dressed in gleaming armor, every plate sculpted to perfection, as if it had been forged by the gods themselves. A long cloak fluttered behind her, a shade of deep midnight blue that contrasted sharply with her starkly pale skin. Her hair, a cascade of silver locks, fell loosely around her shoulders, though she kept it back with a simple braid at the crown of her head. Her features were sharp, yet there was an undeniable beauty about her. But it was her eyes that struck me the most. They gleamed with an unnatural intensity, burning with a depth of knowledge and power that one rarely encountered.

She was younger than I expected, yet I could sense the weight of her existence—like a book whose pages had been written but whose story had yet to be fully revealed. There was no doubt about it now. This was Athena. Not a shadow of her, not a mere imitator, but the true daughter of Metis, forged from a lineage shrouded in darkness and secrets. And what had been lost to time had now been reclaimed.

I took my seat on the obsidian throne, the familiar coolness of it settling against my back. The others watched in silence as Athena bowed deeply, her movements measured and deliberate, before she straightened, her eyes meeting mine with unwavering resolve.

"My lord," she said, her voice steady but carrying a weight of sorrow that lingered in the air. "I am Athena, daughter of Atlas and Metis."

I nodded slightly, acknowledging her introduction. Poseidon's laugh echoed through the chamber, a sharp, mocking sound. He couldn't resist, could he?

"Ha! Atlas? That's an interesting claim, considering his reputation," Poseidon remarked, the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "You know, I've heard rumors of his… interest in Metis. Not exactly a flattering story."

The room grew tense as Hera cast Poseidon a look, though she said nothing. It was a reminder that things were far from settled between the gods, even now, after so many years of relative peace.

I cleared my throat, my gaze turning toward Poseidon. "Not now, brother." I glanced back at Athena, who stood unwavering, despite the faintest flicker of discomfort that passed through her eyes. She had heard Poseidon's words, I could see it, but she didn't react. That spoke volumes about her strength.

"Athena, daughter of Atlas and Metis," I repeated, my voice steady as I addressed her directly. "It's been… a long time since the Titanomachy. The scars of that war run deep, as I'm sure you know. But tell me, why are you here now? After all these years, why come to Olympus now?"

Athena's gaze didn't waver, though a shadow passed over her expression. She seemed to weigh her words carefully before speaking, her voice low but resolute.

"I've come at the request of my mother," she said, her eyes meeting mine with a flicker of something fierce. "She has spent all these years in hiding, ever since my birth, but now she wishes me to speak with the gods, to join Olympus, to be part of the council."

Poseidon snickered again. "Join Olympus? You must be joking. The gods are a tight-knit family. We don't just let anyone in."

Hera's eyes narrowed at Poseidon's words, and I could feel the subtle tension building. "Poseidon," I warned, my voice cold. "Enough."

I turned back to Athena, my mind racing. This wasn't just any goddess—this was the daughter of Metis, a being whose existence had been erased from history. Her mother had hidden her for a reason, and now, she was asking to be recognized. To be accepted.

I folded my hands in my lap, my thoughts working quickly. "Athena, I must ask. Have you been granted your domains yet? Have the Moirai given you the power you seek?"

She shook her head, her eyes flickering with a mixture of regret and hope. "No, my lord. It is the will of the King of the Gods to grant domains. I must receive them from the Moirai themselves."

I nodded thoughtfully. The King of the Gods. That used to be Zeus, but no longer. I was the one who had inherited that mantle, whether the others liked it or not. And it was time to remind them of that fact. I turned my gaze to the others in the room.

"Well?" I asked, my voice ringing with authority. "What do we think of Athena's request? Do you believe she should be granted a seat on the council?"

Hera was the first to respond, her face as unreadable as always. She shrugged, the gesture nonchalant. "I don't see why not. She's as much a part of our pantheon as any of us."

Demeter, who had been silent until now, nodded slowly. "I see no problem with it. Perhaps it's time we welcome a new perspective."

Hestia's gaze softened, a quiet warmth in her eyes. "There's no harm in giving her a chance. After all, we are a family, are we not?"

Poseidon remained silent, though his expression was guarded. He might not have voiced his opinion, but I could see the skepticism in his eyes.

I turned back to Athena, my gaze hardening with a sense of finality. I stood from my throne, my presence commanding the attention of the room. As I moved toward her, the weight of my crown settled heavily upon my brow. It wasn't just a symbol of my authority—it was a reminder of all that I had endured to reach this point. I had defeated the Titans, killed some weird god, and now I am ruling Olympus as it's King. I needed to create a kingdom that will flourish far into the future. One that shall endure till the modern age... the future? 

And now, it was time to welcome a new face into the fold.

I stopped before Athena, looking down at her with a piercing gaze. "Athena," I said, my voice ringing with authority and purpose. "You stand before me as the daughter of Metis. You have come to Olympus seeking recognition and the wish to join us, and it is my decision whether or not to grant it."

I paused for a moment, letting the weight of my words settle before I spoke again.

"You will be granted a place here, among the gods, and I will bestow upon you a title worthy of your heritage. From this moment on, you shall be known as Pallas Athena Megatron, the goddess of Wisdom, Cultivation, and Battle Strategy. The Celestial Scribe of Olympus, the one who documents and preserves all knowledge and history."

Athena bowed her head, her eyes glistening with gratitude, but there was also something else—something fierce, a fire that burned within her. I could see it in the way she held herself, the way her posture straightened, as if she were accepting more than just a title. She was accepting her place in the grand scheme of things.

With a nod, I gestured for her to rise as a marble throne rose up between Hera and Demeter. "Welcome to the Olympian Pantheon, Athena."

The room was silent for a moment, and then Poseidon broke the stillness with a low chuckle, though it lacked its previous mockery. "Well, I suppose that settles it. Another goddess on the council. Let's hope she doesn't start writing all of our histories down. I don't think I'm ready for my memoirs just yet."

Athena's lips curved into a slight smile, a spark of amusement in her eyes. "I'm afraid I'll only be documenting the truth, Poseidon."

"Alright, does anyone have any other matters to discuss?" I asked.

Hera's eyes flickered toward me, sharp and calculating. I could already sense the storm brewing behind her calm facade. She never let an opportunity go by to probe for information, to gather what she could. "What of the mortal you were with earlier?" she asked, her tone casual but filled with underlying suspicion. "Is there something you have been up to?"

Poseidon, ever the provocateur, leaned back in his chair, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Ah, yes. The mortal. I do wonder who they are," he chuckled, his tone teasing. "Perhaps you've found a new lover?" His grin widened, clearly amused by the thought.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Poseidon's jets were as tiresome as ever. Still, there was something amusing about watching him squirm when I didn't indulge him. Instead, I waved my hand, and the shadows around me stirred. Slowly, the darkness coalesced, forming a clear, mirror-like surface in the center of the room. The reflection rippled for a moment before it settled, revealing a young man flying through the sky.

Aeolus.

The young mortal was mid-flight, his body moving gracefully through the air as he manipulated the winds with ease. His excitement was palpable, and I could sense the power flowing through him—untapped potential, waiting to be shaped. His dark hair whipped around his face as he soared, a smile stretched across his features as he threw his arms wide, embracing the freedom of the sky.

I turned my attention to the council, letting them all watch the young man in action. "This is Aeolus," I said, my voice firm. "A mortal born with the unique ability to manipulate the winds."

I saw Poseidon's eyes narrow, and he leaned forward, intrigued. He studied the image of Aeolus intently, his gaze following the boy's every move. Aeolus was now in the distance, his small form barely visible against the vast sky, but I could still see his energy. He was something extraordinary.

"Impressive," Poseidon remarked. "The boy has control over the wind, but what else? What is it that makes him worthy of Olympus?"

I nodded, turning back to Aeolus. "He's more than just a mortal with a few tricks. I've been watching him for some time now, observing his growth. In fact, he's the best candidate to take Zeus's domains. He has potential far beyond any mortal I've ever encountered."

I let the silence linger, my gaze moving toward the empty throne between Hera and me. The seat that had once been filled by Zeus. Poseidon's voice broke through the silence. "So, you've made up your mind, then? You're giving him Zeus's power?"

I met Poseidon's gaze, my eyes cold. "Nope, I've already given him Zeus's powers. In fact, Aeolus is no longer a mortal. He is now a minor god. I've granted him the authority to rule the winds, and with it, the power to control the sky."

Hera scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "A mortal who just became a minor god? And you expect us to accept him into the council just like that?"

I raised an eyebrow, unbothered by her reaction. "The fact that he was once mortal only adds to his potential. He is not like the others. He will bring something new to Olympus. Something that we need."

I could feel the room's tension rising as the gods exchanged glances. The idea of elevating a mortal to godhood—especially someone with so little history—was unsettling to many. Poseidon's voice broke through the murmur. "And what does Zeus think of this? Does he even know this mortal is taking his throne?" His tone was dripping with sarcasm.

Athena spoke up. "If Zeus has abandoned the throne, then why don't you just take his domains for yourself? Why not rule both the Underworld and the sky? After all, you've already taken so much. What's three more domains?"

I chuckled darkly, the sound carrying through the room. "You misunderstand, Athena. I already have more than enough. I have the Underworld, the riches of the earth, the souls, the very fabric of destruction itself. Why would I want the sky as well? Too much work. And besides, I've already learned that ruling the heavens is no easy task. Some of us—" I cast a glance around the room—"are better suited to other duties."

Athena's gaze flickered toward me, a curiosity in her eyes. "But why Aeolus? Why him specifically?"

I met her gaze, feeling a flicker of understanding between us. She was sharp, and I could see that she was already analyzing the situation. "He is a really kind young man that believes having powers give him a reason to help out those around him even more."

Athena nodded slowly, her eyes still locked on me. "I see. You believe he will be a better ruler of the sky than Zeus?"I let out a long breath, a slow exhale that seemed to carry the weight of centuries. "Yes. I believe he will be exactly what Olympus needs."

Poseidon's voice broke in again, his tone sharp. "So, this is it then? We're voting on whether to accept this minor god as an Olympian god, even though he's nothing but a... a child in comparison to the rest of us?"

I turned my gaze to Poseidon, my expression hardening. "Yes, that's exactly what we're doing. I've already granted him the power. Now it's time to make it official."

With a sweeping motion, I raised my hand, and the room fell silent once more. "Let's vote. Those in favor of making Aeolus a full-fledged god, and granting him a seat on Olympus, say aye."

The room was quiet for a moment, but one by one, the voices of the gods rang out, each in turn agreeing. Demeter was the first, followed by Hestia, and then Athena, her voice steady as she spoke. "Aye."

Poseidon's hesitation was palpable, but in the end, he gave a reluctant nod. "Aye," he muttered under his breath.

And then Hera, who had been quiet for too long, finally spoke. "Aye."

Six in favor. The vote was unanimous.I stood, my heart pounding in my chest, the weight of the moment settling upon me. "It is done. Aeolus will join us in four days.