19 Divine Weapons

Apollo and Artemis strolled to the centre throne of the Main Palace of Gods, where Zeus sat, tapping his armrest.

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The eyes of king of gods were more cloudy and gloomy than normal, his figure veiled in a tyrannical aura.

"Father." They called after noticing the King of Gods, who seemed to be distracted.

Apollo looked at the king of the gods. He could tell something was wrong, different from yesterday, just from the aura emanating from the figure of Zeus.

Zeus, his father and the king of the gods, was no fool. He may be paranoid, hell-a-paranoid, but he was not a fool, as many people assumed, based on mythology in his previous life.

Zeus was also extremely strong, even more so than other gods. Zeus was an actual star if the other gods were planets. This was to be expected. He was, after all, a Skyfather who ruled over the entire Olympian Pantheon.

Apollo has witnessed his father's fate. It was literally lightning that enveloped his entire body. Blinding. Mighty. Obscuring. It dwarfed everything he'd ever seen. Fate was on his father's side. It was too telling. He didn't dare to explore further into his father's situation, as he had with Cynthia. His existing power over fate was insufficient to do this.

Is it possible that fate has something to do with why Skyfathers are more powerful?

Odin, Lord of Asgard and Usurper, stood tall above all with his Odin-Force. It was the source of his might, prowess, authority and divinity. He was the Sky-Father, the most powerful of them all. One could say he earned that title through sacrifice and hardship.

What about the other Skyfathers? What gives them such an advantage over other gods?

It was a question that lingered in Apollo's heart. There must be a reason behind this. And yet fate makes sense in more ways than one.

However, Apollo didn't finalise his findings without more data. He could be completely wrong. This knowledge of Skyfathers is critical for his future endeavours. He will have to face his father one way or another. It was unavoidable, just like the war he was about to start.

But if fate is the source of the sky father's strength and force, then it's plain sad.

What's the purpose of having all the power if you don't have free will? It was like a puppet on strings, dancing to the beat. It doesn't matter how powerful the puppet is, a puppet, at the end of the day, is just a puppet, nothing more and nothing less.

Fate is truly powerful. Especially in this ridiculous multiverse with the Density of Endless and the Kindly Ones...

Apollo focused on Olympus, pushing away thoughts of fate. He had given much thought to his visit to Olympus and had prepared for every eventuality.

Through divination, he knew there was danger on his way to Olympus, yet the threat was within his capabilities. But still, he didn't want to let his guard down after the lesson he learned from his fight with the python. So, he created an anchor of light in Delphi, through which he could immediately teleport faster than the speed of light at a moment's notice. And while there are laws and regulations in Olympus that prohibit teleportation, Apollo's specialty is rule-bending. He had already found a loophole in them that he could exploit.

So there he was, heading into Olympus with his family, holding the purple necklace. He made the necklace out of python hide solely to humiliate Hera.

The purple necklace wasn't obviously ordinary, as it managed to fool Hera. The python was the most favoured pet of Hera. Even if she didn't care much about it, she would recognise it if she saw it. So he used his order authority to alert reality in order to disguise its true essence, which would disclose itself automatically with his questioning.

As for why Hera just didn't call him out on this?

Pride, the original sin. Lucifer, 'himself', fell because of pride. It was a sin that was present in all living things to varying degrees. It is even for the gods who wage war in the name of pride. His pride is what drove him to face Amaterasu when he could have totally remainded silent.

Pride is far more meaningful to the gods than it can ever be to mankind.

So, Apollo manipulated pride to his advantage.

Due to her godly pride, Hera, the queen of gods, would not simply admit her loss to him, a bastard in her mind. Indeed, he humiliated her by calling her a bitch in front of the entire Olympian Council. But still, it couldn't compare to her loss.

It was truly satisfying to see her noble and high-faced twist to reveal an enraged yet helpless expression. It was completely worthwhile.

He wasn't going to give up. He was going to make sure that the tale of what happened in Olympus yesterday was etched in history and mythology, making it so that the title 'True Bitch' is what Hera is known for rather than Queen of Olympus. And this was only the beginning.

Zeus, though, was an enigma to Apollo. He anticipated Zeus would stop him and Hera before the conflict ever started.

Nonetheless, he let it happen until the very last second before stopping it.

Was he testing him? Trying to infer whether he is a threat? It's possible...

His jumbled thoughts were abruptly interrupted as Zeus focused on him and his sister, his hazy eyes flashing with lightning streaks. He rose from his seat, descending in front of them, his tyrannical aura dissipating.

"My children." Zeus said, his voice carrying a unique majesty. "You are finally here. Last night, I really couldn't say a lot to you."

Apollo and Artemis looked at their father in silence, as he continued.

"Even I, as a Sky Father, am bound by restrictions that I cannot break. On my shoulders lie obligations; the magnitude of the earth and expectations; the grandeur of the sky. I cannot be partial in my rule as it will be interpreted as weakness by our adversaries."

'Bullshit!' Apollo cursed, while he nodded, a mixture of hesitation and understanding obvious on his face.

Meanwhile, Artemis just listened on in the utmost silence and solemnity, as if she really took it seriously.

"But.." Zeus drawled, his dazzling eyes riveted on Artemis. "It cannot deny what happened. You've both been through a lot before coming home. And I truly have wronged you..."

He suddenly waved his hands, and a cloudy projection formed in front of them, revealing Olympus with highlighted temples, which are also the homes of the main gods of Olympus. The temples of Zeus and Hera were the largest of all.

Zeus snapped his fingers at the projection. Two more temples with sun and moon emblems grew up from within Olympus, dwarfing everything but Hera and Zeus' temples.

"These will serve as your temples and dwellings. It represents your power, authority, and position within Olympus. I understand how this may appear. But, as I have stated, this is your birth right."

He concluded, his brilliant gaze fixed on them.

Apollo could finally clearly see the true intentions of Zeus. Olympus is the domain of Zeus. Staying here would be equivalent to exposing everything to the king of gods. But this is an opportunity. Didn't he just say it is their birth right?

"Father…" Apollo spoke up, ruminating. "If I am not too presumptuous, instead of these temples, can we ask something else?"

"Oh.." Despite the denial, Zeus lifted his brows, his tone calm and majestic. "Why?"

Apollo continued, his eyes reminiscent, sighing with sadness. "Father, Delos. It is where we were born. We spent our entire childhood there. It is our home in the same way that Olympus is in our hearts. In any care, our mother can't stay in Olympus. Given everything that has transpired, I believe it would be prudent for us to remain with her in Delos. I don't want anything from the past to happen again." His hands tightened fiercely, emphasising the word 'mother.' Rhea is dead in this universe, after all. He was also taking a leap of faith by doing this.

Zeus looked on his impassioned son in silence, his eyes glowing brighter and brighter, before suddenly dimming.

Apollo inwardly sighed, noticing that. He was almost ready.

Zeus shifted his gaze to his sister. "Do you wish the same, daughter?"

"I'm sorry, Father..." Artemis looks down, her head hung low, her fingers interlocked. "But, I wish the same…"

Zeus finally sighed and shook his head. "Despite the fact that it is unfortunate, I understand. So, what do you both desire? If it is within my ability, I shall attempt to fulfil it."

Artemis spoke up first, before her brother could, asking what he exactly anticipated and wanted. "Father, I wanted a bow forged for my will, my power, my divinity."

"A divine weapon, it is." Zeus nodded without surprise, as if he had anticipated the request.

"Father…" Artemis continued, slightly hesitantly. "I'd want to make one more request."

"Go ahead," Zeus responded generously.

"I want to be a..." Artemis began.

"Artemis." Apollo interrupted, his head jerking solemnly towards her. "Consider it again. You will be missing on a important aspect of life. I don't want you to come to regret…."

"Apollo." Zeus remarked sternly, while his bright eyes were filled with curiosity. "Let your sister finish."

Apollo still cast a sidelong glance at his sister. The meaning was obvious. Don't do it. Don't do it.

Artemis exhaled a sigh. "This is my choice, brother. I'm not going to come to regret it." She turned and looked at her father, her gaze resolute.

"I want to be an eternal maiden, Father."

Her words echoed through the hall, bringing silence with it.

Zeus went into a literal daze. Sighing, Apollo shook his head and looked up at the ceiling.

The king of the gods recovered after a few moments, but the surprise in his eyes did not diminish.

Without hesitation, he declared, his voice booming across the hall.

"I, Zeus, King of the Gods, bestow Eternal Maidenhood on Artemis, my daughter."

In reality, a ripple spreads out with a click. An order was imposed.

"Thank you, father." Artemis said, her voice sincere and her silver eyes bright.

Zeus nodded, his surprise fading slightly. Then he turned to face Apollo.

Apollo asked. "Father, I want a divine bow and a divine spear."

"Divine weapons?" Zeus lifted his brows but didn't say anything. "I will send someone to lead you to the forgers tomorrow with my order," he said, looking at them.

"Is that all?" He asked again, quite deeply. They both nodded. Then he spoke. "Leave us, daughter. I need to speak with your brother alone."

"Father?" Apollo was surprised. Zeus, on the other hand, remained silent, just glancing at Artemis, who finally nodded with obvious reluctance and exchanged glances with Apollo before leaving.

Boom!

The golden door closed. Silence reigned in the palace of the gods.

Apollo still looked calm, but his heart was on alert, prepaying. "Father?"

"Son.." Zeus said, his bright eyes completely dimmed. "I need your help."

Apollo jerked his head up at Zeus.

Zeus continued. "I need you to split my head open."

"What?" Apollo blinked in shock.

Zeus leaned, his eyes closed, his tone deadly serious. "I need you to split my head open." He continued, noticing his still shocked look. "Your sister is coming, Apollo."

Apollo calmed down. "Are you sure about this, father?" he asked, putting on hesitant expression.

He now understands what was unusual about Zeus today.

Zeus remained silent. He instead returned to his throne and sat on it, peering down, emphasising the obvious.

Apollo raised his hand, light burst forth, morphing into a golden axe, as he walked towards the throne.

He eventually approached the Zeus, his hands clutching the handle fiercely, and lifted the axe high before swinging down.

Boom!

A thundering roar reverberated throughout the solar system.

The head of Zeus was ripped open in the divine palace of the gods by Apollo, but the King of Gods sat on his throne, still calm and without the slightest indication of pain.

The throne and floor were coloured by the heavenly ichor. A golden light shot forth from Zeus's open head.

Out of the golden light came a beautiful woman clad in battle armour and holding a long golden spear. Her long brown hair fell to her hips, and her grey eyes opened wide as she stepped onto the stained floor.

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Apollo witnessed it all and still felt surreal.

With her head held high, the divine woman declared.

"I am Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom."

With her proclamation, many mortals over the globe experienced epiphanies, with esoteric knowledge streaming into their minds.

Magic. Science. Material. Astral. Mundane. Extraordinary. The knowledge included everything, inadvertently creating a part of foundation for future morden civilization.

In his throne, Zeus immediately said, waving his hand at Apollo. "Take your sister out."

Apollo approached Athena, who turned to face Zeus and said, "Father."

Zeus nodded quietly, waving his hand towards them.

"Come on." Apollo called. And Athena followed, leaving the main palace of the gods. Though Apollo is certain he heard a grumble of pain when he closed the door.

"I am Apollo." he finally said, walking with Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom.

"Oh, I know." Athena said with a smile.

"Okay…" Apollo blinked, looking her up and down.

"I will take you to Aunt Hestia. She will know what to do with you."

They walked under the gleam of sunlight.