Chapter 9: Tricks Are Fun
Rhea woke up and started her day by listening to her husband, Cronus, do his job as the king of the Titans. After blessing the humans and family, she decided to sneak out to see her son, Hades. She opened a portal to her mother Gaea's domain, stepping into the serene garden. However, as she walked around, the garden felt too quiet.
Suddenly, she tripped over something. A chaotic mix of paint, dust, smoke, water, spider webs, and even a hint of lightning surrounded her.
Rhea let out a cough as she steadied herself. "Hades!"
She yelled as she looked up to see Hades, Odin, Metis, and Anansi. They were now looking like young teens, around 12 to 15 years old. The mischievous glints in their eyes revealed that they had set a trap, and Rhea had fallen right into it.
Hades smirked, his dark hair tousled and eyes sparkling with mischief. "Gotcha, Mother!"
Rhea shot him an incredulous look, half-annoyed and half-amused. "I knew that spider was a bad influence on you!"
Anansi chuckled, his multiple arms playfully juggling some of the traps they had set up. "Hey, it was all in good fun! Besides, look how much we've improved our skills!"
Odin nodded, his own face beaming with pride. "We wanted to test our traps and see if we could catch the queen of the Titans! You know, to prove we're not just kids anymore!"
Metis, still hovering in the water, giggled. "And we didn't think you'd mind a little game!"
Rhea couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm, despite the mess around her. "A game, is it? I'll show you what a real trickster can do!"
With a wave of her hand, Rhea conjured a gust of wind, sending the paint and dust swirling back at the boys, creating a colorful chaos. The boys laughed and scattered, trying to dodge the sudden onslaught.
"Hey! No fair!" Odin shouted, giggling as he tried to shield himself with his spear.
"Maybe next time you'll think twice before setting traps for your mother!" Rhea replied, her laughter echoing in the garden.
As the playful banter continued, Gaea watched from a distance, her heartwarming at the sight of her daughter and grandchildren enjoying their time together. This was what she had hoped for—a bond between the gods that transcended their realms.
Rhea turned to Gaea, who had joined the scene with a knowing smile. "See? They're learning to work together. Perhaps they will be the key to uniting our pantheons after all."
Gaea nodded, her eyes glimmering with pride. "Yes, but we must ensure they understand the weight of their powers. Mischief is one thing, but they must be ready for the responsibilities that come with being gods."
Rhea sighed, her smile fading slightly. "I know. But for now, let them enjoy their childhood. They will have enough burdens soon enough."
With that, Rhea turned back to the trio, who were now plotting their next trick. "Alright, you little mischief-makers. Let's see what else you've got up your sleeves!"
And thus, the garden of Gaea echoed with laughter and playful shouts, a rare moment of joy in a world that often leaned towards chaos and strife.
Anansi then removed the paint from his face, his dark skin glistening in the sunlight. With a playful grin, he said, "If it makes you feel better, Miss Rhea, the trap was actually made for Gaea."
Rhea raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Oh really? And what was the plan for your grandmother?"
Odin, trying to suppress his laughter, chimed in, "We thought it would be hilarious to cover her in colorful paint and then see her reaction. You know how serious she can be sometimes!"
Hades couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. "She'd probably just give you that disappointed look and then summon a thunderstorm or something."
Metis nodded eagerly. "But imagine the look on her face! It would be worth it!"
Rhea shook her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. "You little rascals think you can outsmart the goddess of the Earth? That's a tall order."
Anansi shrugged with a mischievous smile. "Well, we had to aim high, right? Besides, it's not like we're the only ones with tricks up our sleeves."
Gaea stepped forward, her presence commanding yet warm. "And what would you do if you succeeded? I'm curious to see how you would handle my reaction."
The young gods exchanged glances, realizing they might have gone too far in their plotting. Hades took a step forward, his voice steady. "We wouldn't do it for real, Grandma. It was just a silly idea. We're just trying to have some fun."
Gaea smiled, her expression softening. "Fun is important, but so is respect. Remember, children, every action has consequences. Just as you found joy in your tricks, you must also consider how they might affect others."
Rhea nodded in agreement. "Wise words from your grandmother. Next time you decide to plot against someone, perhaps you should include them in the fun instead."
Anansi tilted his head, absorbing the lesson. "So, you're saying we should trick you and Gaea together next time? That sounds much more entertaining!"
Odin burst into laughter, shaking his head. "I can already see it now. The ultimate prank team—us, Gaea, and Mom!"
Metis clapped her hands excitedly. "That would be amazing! A family prank war!"
Gaea chuckled softly, her laughter echoing in the garden. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I will have to think about the consequences of such a venture. Perhaps a friendly competition would be more suitable."
Rhea laughed, shaking her head. "You little tricksters have a lot to learn about teamwork and responsibility. But I must admit, your spirit is infectious."
With that, the playful atmosphere returned, and the group began brainstorming more ideas—some innocent, some daring, but all filled with laughter and camaraderie. The garden buzzed with excitement, a place where the bonds of family and friendship grew as vibrant as the flowers that surrounded them.
The teen gods dashed into the lush expanse of the garden, their laughter echoing like music in the serene environment. Hades felt a sense of freedom wash over him as he ran alongside Odin, Metis, and Anansi. For a brief moment, he was just a boy, unburdened by the weight of his lineage and the expectations that awaited him.
As they played hide and seek, Hades took a moment to reflect on the joy he felt being among friends. It was a stark contrast to the darkness he had often associated with his destiny. He relished these carefree moments, knowing that soon enough, the realities of his future would come crashing in.
Meanwhile, far away in Olympus, Cornus, the Titan of the Harvest, sat upon a stone balcony, staring into the vastness of the sky. The distant rumblings in his stomach echoed the struggles of his children, who constantly attempted to escape the fate he had set for them. Each failure weighed heavily on him, an ever-present reminder of the tight grip he held over their lives.
With a heavy sigh, Cornus touched his abdomen, feeling the pulse of life within him. A frown settled on his face as he whispered to himself, "I'm sorry." The words were laced with regret and sorrow, as he felt the weight of his actions and their consequences. The thought of his children, trapped and longing for freedom, gnawed at his conscience.
As he gazed at the horizon, visions of his children's struggles played in his mind. He had created a cycle that fed his power but starved his love for them. They were his legacy, yet they were also prisoners of his ambition. The guilt began to swirl within him, like a tempest that threatened to consume him.
Cornus stood, determination flickering in his eyes. "I must do better," he resolved, shaking off the despair that threatened to envelop him. He needed to find a way to reconcile his actions and the fate of his children. Perhaps it was time to forge a new path, one that would not only honor his legacy but also liberate his kin from the chains he had placed upon them.
With renewed resolve, Cornus set out from the balcony, determined to seek out allies who could help him in his quest to free his children and bring balance back to their lives. As he walked through the halls of Olympus, he pondered the choices that lay ahead—choices that could either mend or shatter the bonds of family and duty.
Back in the garden, Hades and his friends continued their playful escapades, blissfully unaware of the turmoil brewing in Olympus and the sacrifices that might soon be required of them. The sun shone brightly overhead, illuminating their laughter and the fleeting moments of childhood that would soon become a cherished memory in the face of the challenges to come.
Cronus looked at the sky. "Helios... Will you betray me"
Helios then landed from the sky, he has sun yellow eyes, body made by pure yellow sun light wearing a pristine robe as he looked at Cronus
Helios eyes meet the titan of harvester. ".... If I have to say... One day yes"
Cronus's heart sank as he heard Helios's words, the weight of the sun god's proclamation settling heavily upon him. He had long been wary of the gods he once commanded, and Helios, with his radiant form and blinding brilliance, was no exception.
"One day yes?" Cronus echoed, incredulity mixed with bitterness in his voice. "You speak as if you have already decided to turn against me."
Helios's sun-yellow eyes shimmered with a strange mixture of pity and determination. "It is not betrayal to seek the truth, Cronus. You have ruled with fear, and your children suffer for it. One day, they will rise against you, and I will stand with them. It is their time to shine."
Cronus clenched his fists, his frustration boiling beneath the surface. "They are my children! They are my legacy! I have done what I must to maintain order in this world."
Helios sighed, his luminous presence seemingly dimming in response to Cronus's anger. "Order? Or tyranny? You have swallowed them, Cronus, for your own selfish desires. They deserve a chance to thrive, to be free from your grasp."
The Titan looked away, unable to meet the piercing gaze of the sun god. Memories of his children—once vibrant and full of potential—flashed before him. They were trapped within him, waiting for the day they would find a way to escape and reclaim their rightful place.
"I have to keep my throne. The prophecy..." Cronus began, but Helios interrupted him.
"The prophecy was born from your actions, Cronus. You cannot hold onto power forever. The cycles of life demand balance, and your reign will end. You must accept that."
A heavy silence fell between them, the air thick with tension as Cronus wrestled with his thoughts. Helios stood resolute, a beacon of hope against the looming darkness of Cronus's despair.
"And what of you?" Cronus asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "What will you do when the time comes? Will you turn your back on me completely?"
Helios stepped closer, his voice firm yet compassionate. "I will not turn my back on you, Cronus. But I cannot support a regime built on oppression. I will choose to stand with the children you've wronged, for they are the future, not the past."
With those final words, Helios turned, ascending back into the heavens, leaving Cronus alone with his turmoil. The Titan watched the sun god disappear into the fading light, an unsettling mixture of dread and resignation washing over him.
As darkness began to envelop the sky, Cronus felt the weight of the impending storm. The world was shifting, and he was losing control. He clenched his jaw, anger flaring within him once more.
"I will not be defeated!" he shouted into the void, as if challenging the very fate that awaited him. But deep down, he feared the truth of Helios's words—that the tide was turning, and he might soon find himself at the mercy of those he had wronged.
Cronus leaned back on his throne, the ornate seat feeling more like a cage than a symbol of power. His fingers traced the cold, hard surface of the armrest as he pondered his fate. The throne room, adorned with the golden trappings of a bygone era, seemed to mock him with its silence.
"If it does come... I deserve that," he murmured, his voice barely audible in the vast emptiness. "But who will it be? Zeus, my firstborn? Or maybe Poseidon?"
His mind was a tempest of memories, each one a reflection of the choices he had made. Zeus had always been the one with the spark, the tenacity to challenge authority. The way he had roared like thunder since his infancy hinted at the might he would one day wield. Poseidon, on the other hand, had always been more subdued but possessed a depth of emotion and power that could rival even the strongest storms.
"Or perhaps Hades," Cronus mused darkly. "The one I have cast aside in the shadows of the underworld." The thought sent a chill down his spine. Hades had always been the quiet one, but the anger that simmered beneath his calm exterior was undeniable. Perhaps he would emerge from the darkness to claim his vengeance.
Cronus stood abruptly, the heavy thud of his feet echoing throughout the empty throne room. He paced back and forth, the weight of his thoughts becoming increasingly unbearable. He could sense the shifting tides, the whispers of rebellion growing louder with each passing day.
"The prophecy speaks of a child who will overthrow his father," he muttered, the realization dawning upon him. "Am I merely a pawn in this game, destined to be defeated by one of my own?"
The bitterness coursing through him began to coalesce into something more potent—fear. Fear of losing everything he had fought so hard to control. Fear of being consumed by the very children he had tried to protect from the world.
"I will not go quietly," he growled, determination flickering in his heart. "I will not allow my legacy to be dismantled by them. I am Cronus, the King of Titans, the Harbinger of Time! They will understand my power."
His thoughts raced as he plotted ways to secure his reign. Allies could be sought, plans could be devised, and if needed, the strength of his own children could be twisted to his advantage.
"But first, I need to keep an eye on them," he decided, the shadow of a plan forming in his mind. "I must not underestimate them, but neither can I allow them to think they can challenge me. The time for games is over."
He knew the risks of ignoring the signs, but there was a part of him that relished the challenge. He had outsmarted the other gods for eons; he could do so again.
As he turned back to the window, watching the sun dip below the horizon, Cronus felt a flicker of resolve. The darkness of the night would not just bring his fears; it would also provide cover for the plans he would lay. The time to act was now, and he would prepare his defenses against the inevitable rebellion.
"Let them come," he whispered, a sinister smile creeping onto his lips. "Let them come, and let them see just how powerful their father truly is."
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone