Bab 28: marriage on the rocks and perhaps some domestic abuse.
Much like any castle where a king lives the royal palace of Olympus had a throne room and with a throne room there is a throne. A beautiful gold and silver Chair made with precious metals such as gold and silver as well as mithril a white metal that served as the base of the throne, mithril was known to humans as the metal of the gods and is the strongest metal currently known. The throne was elevated quite high with steps leading up to it, a king looks down on his subjects as he is their better and superior and is not their equal and Zeus was a firm believer of this.
Zeus was not in a mood where he could speak to anyone, the revelation that Apollo was a traitor was a big shock more than he wanted it to be but he quickly got over that. He now was simply saving his anger, letting it simmer until the moment Apollo comes to attack. Having the oracle meant he could foresee any possible countermeasures they might have against him as such the best strategy is to simply prepare for war and nothing else, worrying about what Apollo can and cannot foresee is useless.
"my King"
Leto entered the throne room with bit of Hesitation, seeing the way she was dressed Zeus scoffed, Leto was certainly Beautiful but this was no time for such things plus it is clear what her intentions were.
"Do not walk any further, leave"
His voice boomed, reverberating throughout the room and sending chills down her spine but Leto continued to move forward, all the way till she was at the base of the steps that lead to the throne.
"Please my lord here my plea"
With a bow she asked, she did not dare stare up at him and look him in the eyes. Athena spoke lies, is what she believes, her son would never betray Olympus there was no reason for him to do so, nor did it make sense why a favored son would rebel.
"Hear your plea? Athena Lied, Is that your plea?"
"Yes"
"So you are saying my own daughter is a liar? What purpose would her lying serve? Even if she is lying do you have any proof that she is or perhaps you know who real traitor is?"
The sound of thunder in the distance became louder and louder as Zeus continued to speak, the room was filled with a heavy presence that pushed down on Leto's body, filling her heart with an intense anxiety and Fear. Zeus was rash and impulsive he could very well kill her right here, she was in no way safe in his presence but she knows her son better than anyone.
"My Lord, Apollo Ad–"
"MY KING I HAVE TERRIBLE NEWS"
Leto was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Hermes, the young God had utilized his great speed and arrived beside Leto without her even noticing, it was almost like he had teleported right beside her.
"Hermes, what is it?"
Zeus completely disregarded Leto and focused his attention on Hermes, by the look in his eyes he seemed shocked or maybe surprised so whatever news he may have was most probably important.
"My Lord, the Queen, Themis, Athena, Ares and now possibly Hephaestus and Aphrodite are Traitors."
….
After having left Aphrodite's palace Themis and hera were now returning from Athena's chambers after having let her rest for the day. The two of them walked the hall in an awkward silence, Themis having several questions but struggled to ask them. Hera could feel that the titan had things to say so she accommodated her.
"is there something you want to ask?"
And almost immediately Themis began her inquiry, regarding whatever matter she wanted to discuss.
"my queen, I know you weren't exactly happy in your marriage but why the sudden change of heart and how come you know so much about the oracle?"
Hera sighed as she heard those questions from Themis, it is true that she loved Zeus very much infact Aphrodite had hit the nail on the head when she made the assumption that Hera would kill for Zeus because she would or at least was but not anymore, her love for him had long faded, no part of her yearned for his presence.
"the change isn't sudden its something that's been festering within me from the very moment Zeus began his debauchery…"
She began to explain to Themis, Her first and most significant memory of Zeus is when she was regurgitated from within her father's stomach, when she gazed upon him she saw a gallant figure, with a firm and unshakable resolve, despite never having met his siblings he still risked his life to free them from Cronus and not only that but he lead the charge to end the reign of the Titans. He was Handsome, brave and strong, he embodied all those concepts and she strived to emulate him, she was infatuated with his charisma, his charm and his way with words that made her weak. She fell for him hard, no doubt she was happy when he asked for her hand.
"I had thought I would be enough for him just as he was for me, live a life of luxury as king and queen and create the greatest kingdom that would last till the end of time but I was wrong or rather I should have known. His eyes always were curious…"
Hera marked a pause causing the curios Themis to wonder if there was a problem, perhaps Hera didn't feel comfortable sharing, as she was about to speak to let her know it's fine not to share Hera spoke once more.
"do you remember Metis?"
"Yes, Zeus's first mistress and the one he ate"
"Yes that one, but she wasn't just his mistress but instead something like a caretaker, she took care and taught him from when he was but a small God. Anyway when Zeus cheated with her I was immensely distraught, infact it felt like my world was collapsing because there was the possibility that I might lose him to her, she's been with him throughout his short childhood and had known him longer than I had, I didn't want to seem like I was separating them plus I chose to trust that Zeus wouldn't cheat on me"
One could argue that it was Hera that stole Zeus from Metis and not the other way around, after all she did seduce him and eventually he married her leaving Metis who probably had feelings for Zeus but then again is hera truly at fault? After all Zeus was the one who asked for her hand and didn't ask Metis, which means whatever feeling Metis might have had for Zeus were not mutual.
"after he cheated on me I needed to know my future, if she was the wedge between me and Zeus's happy marriage then I would kill her but if it was just a fling then I would forgive and maybe have her spend a few years in Tartarus and so I sought the Morai but they didn't help so I sought the oracle."
"I see but that doesn't explain why you seem to hate Zeus"
"after getting my hands on the oracle I used it to see my future with Zeus and I was relieved to say the least but then Metis fell pregnant with Athena so in a panic I used the oracle again but this this time I saw a different future."
The mention of a different future caused Themis to raise an eyebrow in curiosity and waited to hear more but Hera did not elaborate, instead she just skipped that part.
"After Metis was pregnant I made it a point to get pregnant as well I needed something to ensure Zeus wouldn't leave me for her so I made sure he impregnated me. However before either of the children could be born the Morai came and told Zeus about How powerful Athena would be if she was born so in order to absorb that power and make it his he ate Metis while she was pregnant."
"By Tartarus!!!"
Themis exclaimed with a subdued shock in her voice Metis was his caretaker, someone who looked after him and protected him yet he just straight ate her just because of how powerful Athena was prophesized to be.
"Yes anyway after Metis was out of the picture I relaxed, however Athena was born by bursting forth from within his forehead, already pretty grown, and Zeus took a liking to her immediately, she was his ideal daughter. Unfortunately when Hephaestus was born he didn't care, mostly because he was ugly and since I couldn't stand it myself I discarded him, a cute child is what brings a couple together not an ugly one"
She spoke without a shred or remorse or guilt, Themis was a bit taken aback by her callousness, she had expected for Hera to at the very minimum to care for Hephaestus but it's seems that she doesn't, well she had no reason to talk after all she and hera were similar in that regard.
"Unfortunately it didn't matter what child I would have with Zeus he would cheat on me again and again and again"
She spoke, with deep look of sorrow and hurt on her face, the person she loved the most was the one who hurt her the most, the irony would be laughable it didn't so much, she couldn't help but wonder if her judgment in Marrying Zeus had been wrong. Divorce was out of the question, her pride would never allow it.
" Each time he cheated something deep within me broke until eventually my love turned to hate and I just couldn't Stand seeing his face, so I waited."
This time her face had returned to its stoic expression as she tried her best not to show the anger she felt for Zeus, she didn't want Zeus to claim anymore of her emotions or feelings but she was failing at that.
"waited for what?"
"For the future I saw to come to pass. A red haired God with golden Eyes would set Olympus a blaze and kill Zeus, I just had to wait for that to happen but it looks like something else happened and someone else became a traitor but that didn't matter as long as someone became a traitor Zeus would eventually die"
Hearing the description Themis easily guessed that Hephaestus was supposed to be the traitor that Hera was waiting for she just didn't know at the time considering how ugly he was, so she must have figured that Hephaestus would be the Traitor when she saw him in the meeting hall back when the prophecy was announced, but Hephaestus didn't become a traitor it was Ares and Athena who did.
"To think that my own wife would conspire to dethrone and have me killed, how unexpected"
Themis was the first to react as she heard Zeus's voiced right beside her, grabbing hera by the arm she sprung back by 5 meters opening a wide distance between her and Zeus who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, the fact that, she didn't sense his presence until he was right beside them was a testament to how outclassed they were. Not only that but by his words it meant he heard everything they spoke of, Hera stood upright as the sudden pull from Themis had made her nearly fall.
"Unexpected? You should have seen this coming after all our relationship was monogamous"
Hera spoke with a hidden emotion in her voice, her heart had become erratic but she made sure it didn't show on her face. looking right behind Zeus she spotted Hermes and Leto with Hermes offering a hand wave greeting. She cursed her own carelessness, of course Hermes probably spied on them he was particularly good at things such a stealth and speed.
"where is my son!!!"
Leto shouted but was immediately ignored as Zeus spoke to respond to Hera's statement. It seems that the whereabouts of her son were a low priority to Zeus however she decided to keep hope in her heart that he was alive somewhere and that the enforcers would find him.
"I am a king Hera, there's nothing I can't do, as my wife your job is to simply accept whatever I decide and support me"
He spoke with an arrogance that only he could muster, a firm belief that he was in the right and that it was her who was wrong. Hera frowned at his words as anger was ignited in her heart, She loved Zeus, she loved him a lot but to take disrespect again and again repeatedly without fail was not something she was going to entertain any longer, this is made worse when all he could ever offer was a faux apology that relied on the fact that she loved him, it was time that he faced her wrath.
"Haven't seen that face in a while"
He smiled at Hera showing his perfect white teeth, Hera was a woman of battle, her strength was undeniable and her resolve was ever firm. During the Titanomachy she was not a damsel in distress, she was a warrior and he loved that, that is why he married her but that didn't mean he had to settle for only one woman, he is a king and as such he is free to pick and choose which ever woman he wants, she was the one foolish enough to think he wouldn't do so.
"Themis, I'll offer you a chance to clear your name and come to my side and your punishment won't be severe"
Zeus offered as he drowned the entire room with an intense pressure, showing the titan that she is outmatched and there's no escape. He won't kill them after all they are his woman and killing them means he'll be left with few flavors to taste. After this Themis should come around.
"I'm sorry my king but I..."
There was no winning by siding with Hera she's breaking the law by rebelling against the king but at the same time when has Zeus ever been someone who follows the law. Taking a glance at Hera and then back at Zeus, unfortunately before she could speak her answer Zeus spoke first.
"Times up."
With a flash of azure lightning, Zeus disappeared as he accelerated towards their position at great speeds, he moved faster than what could not be perceived by the Human eyes, using his hand Clad in lightning he thrust it forward toward where Hera's heart would be, aiming to pierce through her body in a single thrust. However he was moving at the speed that could not be perceived by humans as such Hera simply grasped his wrist halting the attack a hairs breath away from her chest.
"did you forget who I am?"
She asked as her grip tightened on his wrists and her left arm that was free glowed a golden color, she raised it up and Zeus immediately pulled his hand away or at least tried but she had a strong grip, as she swung her arm down, Zeus used a greater amount of strength and quickly dodged the attack and returning back to his position meters away, unfortunately however he was missing his arm.
A smirk appeared on his face as the gold blood fell on to the floor as it poured from his shoulder, a clean cut by Hera. The Goddess had managed to gain the upper hand in just the first exchange. Shock and awe was written in the faces of the 3 spectators, despite her rage towards Hera and Athena, Leto had decided to keep her mouth shut for the moment and let things proceed, no doubt she'd get in the way if she tried to fight.
Hera held onto his arm feeling a sense of accomplishment with herself but she held no delusion that she could win, she is no push over but she is far from being a match for Zeus, however with his arm her chances increase, hera then quickly attached the arm to the left side of her torso and the hand began to move as if it was always hers.
"What!!"
Hermes was of course the only one surprised by this, he has never witnessed Hera in battle before. The concept that was within her domain was marriage, when two people get married they are often said to be no longer individuals but instead a unit, two halves that have now been united, with this Hera can unite any two or more things into one and this includes souls as well, she can also divorce those things just like how she divorced Zeus's arm from his body and then married it to her torso essentially making it her own. in Other words she can fuse and separate any existing objects if she so desire and unfortunately for Zeus he cannot heal or regenerate from that.
Seeing the danger Hermes sprung forth and stood in front of Zeus blocking him from any preemptive attacks.
"my lord, are you alright?"
Hermes asked as he now stared daggers at Hera but also keeping some of his attention focused on Themis who stood beside Hera, what she just did was cause for concerns as it suggested she had the means to defeat Zeus, He certainly did not expect for Zeus to be the one receiving an injury and by all accounts Hera should have been dealt with easily.
"no need for you to interfere Hermes, stand back, this is my battle."
"Is it now?"
She asked as the arm attached to her torso began to generate electric sparks that danced around its finger and forearm before a bolt of lightning formed at its hand and Hera grasped at it and felt the electric surge of strength travel all over her body as the power of lightning coursed in her veins boosting her overall speed. Her eyes changed from their amethyst to an electric blue hue that glowed.
[Themis, prepare for retreat]
"My queen?"
With that exchange Hera ignored the confusion that came from Themis' response and she tightly grasped the bolt of lightning on her hand, reeled her arm back all the way before throwing it at Zeus with all her might, the bolt sped toward its target, electrifying the air and scorching the side walls of the corridor. Hermes in a panic jumped back in an attempt to avoid it. Zeus who didn't even flinch waited for it to strike him but, with a flick of her wrist the bolt struck the ceiling and causing rubble and dust to fall and cover the area where Zeus had stood, blocking his vision.
Without warning Hera turned her back grabbed Themis by the arm and began to retreat, with her speed now increased thanks to the lightning her escape would be easy by the time the dust clears she'll be gone, unfortunately however there's not a place she can go to where Zeus won't find her, Placing her foot firm on the ground she proceeded to burst forth out of the royal palace or rather that's what was supposed to happen.
Blood splattered on to the floor as Zeus's arm stabbed Hera through the back and the proceeded to grab her by the neck, choking her, Themis could only sit there and stare flabbergasted, everything happened quickly and she wasn't ready, Zeus's speed was impeccable. Her body shuddered as his cold blue eyes landed on her while his one arm went through Hera's back and choked her.
"so? what will it be?"
...
A/N: this feels a bit rushed, was it rushed? Not only that but I feel like I could have done so much more with Themis as a character before getting to this point.
Also Bleach is heating up.
and Gojo was unfortunately unable to become Dunk' n donuts employee.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone