Monarch of Lightning

One hundred years. A whole century of relentless training, battles, and growth. And here I stood, the same yet somehow reborn, a hundred times stronger than I had been at the start. As I sat on the edge of the cliff, overlooking the vast expanse below, the familiar chime of the system echoed in my mind.

[System Notification: Congratulations! You have survived and trained for 100 years.]

A small smile crept onto my face as the notification continued.

[System Notification: You have successfully mastered all available powers and skills in your current state. Due to this milestone, you have been granted a reward.]

[Reward: 100,000 Divinity Points]

I felt the power surge through me. It was pure, overwhelming, filling every part of my being like a river fed by the storm. It felt like lightning coursing through my veins—a familiar, exhilarating burn that made me feel invincible.

[Reward: Scroll of Divinity]

I held my breath as a scroll materialized before me, its ancient surface glowing with faint symbols that seemed to twist and shift, reflecting the limitless possibilities within.

"Divine Order," I whispered, reading the label on the scroll. The very name carried weight. This wasn't just another power—it was a domain, something that would allow me to influence reality itself.

With a thrill of anticipation, I reached out, and as I unfurled the scroll, it dissolved into shimmering energy, merging with me in an instant.

[System Notification: New Domain acquired—Divine Order.]

[Divine Order: Allows the user to set a rule upon their surroundings or others, enabling them to bestow or manipulate properties within themselves, others and the world around them.]

"Spend 20,000 Divinity and level me up."

I watched my divinity drain by 20,000 as I leveled up, feeling the surge of power with each step. The energy was intoxicating, strengthening me, heightening my senses, and sharpening my mind.

[System Notification: Congratulations! You have reached level 100.]

I glanced down as a soft sound interrupted my focus. There, at my feet, was a lion cub—smaller than my hand. His fur was a sleek, glossy black, and its eyes were a stormy silver. The cub kept knawing on my sandles.

"Well, little one, welcome to the family. You will be needing a name," I murmured, bending down to run a finger through the soft fur between his ears, "how about Mufasa?" The cub responded with a small roar that was more of a squeak.

Then the system chimed again.

[System Notification: Congratulations! You have reached level 1,000.]

A new gift appeared: a large egg, unlike any I'd ever seen. It shimmered with a deep, opalescent luster, as if forged from the heart of a storm. I stared at it, intrigued, then decided I wasn't going to wait for it to hatch naturally.

"How much to speed this up?" I asked, a grin forming as the system replied.

[System Notification: Cost will be 500, but the more divinity you put the higher change of a greater beast hatching.

In the end, I poured 10,000 divinity into the egg, feeling the potent energy seeping through its shell. Cracks began to spiderweb across its surface as the egg pulsed with life. Then, with a burst, the egg shattered, sending shards of light and energy into the air.

Out flew a magnificent bird, its wings spread wide as it hovered before me. It resembled a Harpy Eagle but larger, more regal, with feathers an intricate mix of deep silver, slate-gray, and obsidian, marked with subtle streaks of storm-blue. Its powerful beak was ivory-white, sharp and curved, a tool meant for both elegance and deadly efficiency. The bird had four wings, each pair layered like armor and covered with feathers that shone in the dim light, and a tail that stretched long with shimmering tailfeathers, trailing like ribbons of a storm cloud.

"Guess I will need a name for you too, how about, Rykurd," I asked. Rykurd ruffled his feathers and "System, I would like to offitially make Lions and Thunderbirds my sacred animals."

[System Notification: Cost of 5,000 each. Do you accept?]

"Yes." I accepted as my two new pets glowed as my divinity entered them. Got 100,000 Divinity and is the span of an hour already spent 40,000. 

I strode back to the cave with Rykurd perched on my shoulder and Mufasa trotting at my heels, inside, the familiar warmth of home welcomed me, and I found Amaltheia, Gaea, and Adrastea preparing dinner. The firelight danced across the walls as they worked, filling the cave with the comforting scent of roasting herbs and wild meat.

Gaea looked up, her eyes narrowing in curiosity at the two creatures beside me. "Where did those two come from?" she asked, arching a brow.

I gave a half-shrug, grinning. "I found them," I replied, casually petting Mufasa's head as he nuzzled into my hand. "And I've made them mine. I declared Lions and Thunderbirds as my sacred animals."

Gaea nodded with a small, approving smile. "So, you've chosen well. Now go wash up if you plan on joining us." She turned back to her work, her hands deftly arranging food on a stone slab.

Adrastea, however, was instantly captivated. She crouched down, cooing softly as she stroked Mufasa's silky, midnight fur and admired Rykurd's four proud wings. Both animals seemed pleased with the attention, Rykurd tilting his head to watch her with sharp, intelligent eyes.

Leaving them in Adrastea's care, I headed deeper into the cave, where my "room" was tucked away. A slight wave of my hand brought a rush of cool air, and I used my powers to cleanse away the day's sweat and dust, feeling the refreshment ripple through my muscles. I shifted into a more comfortable chiton, letting the fabric drape loosely around me, and tied up my long hair. Adrastea had once insisted I'd look well with dreadlocks, but I refused, thinking they wouldn't suit me. Instead, I fastened it up in a manbun, securing it with a simple white ribbon.

I returned to the fire, settling down on the cool stone floor across from Gaea. She glanced at me, waiting as I settled in. "I'm ready," I said, looking at her with unwavering resolve. "I've trained, I've planned, and I've prepared. It's time I freed my siblings from my father's stomach."

Gaea held my gaze for a long moment, then nodded, folding her hands in her lap. "Do you even have a plan for this, Zeus? It's not enough to walk in and challenge him."

A slight smile crossed my face. "I do. I've thought it over. I need Mother's help to get into his home undetected, and I'll do the rest."

Gaea considered my words, her eyes thoughtful. "Very well. I'll reach out to Rhea and arrange it."

<----------->

I sat cross-legged on the cliff's edge, the roaring wind and swirling storm clouds around me a perfect reflection of my own power, as I meditated. My energy pulsed with the rhythm of thunder, each strike harmonizing with my breath.

Suddenly, a familiar presence entered my awareness, gentle yet carrying the unmistakable weight of age-old power. I opened my eyes to see Gaea standing before me, her expression solemn but with a glint of excitement in her eyes.

"Zeus," she began, her voice calm yet insistent. "The time has come."

I raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparking within me. "You mean…"

Gaea nodded. "Your mother, Rhea, will be here in a few days. She's ready to finalize the plan for freeing your siblings."

The words settled over me like a sudden rush of lightning. This was it—the turning point, the start of the battle for my family and for the world.

I stood, steadying myself, taking in the gravity of her words. "Then in a few days, we begin," I replied, feeling the fierce determination within me. The thrill of anticipation buzzed through my veins.

Gaea placed a hand on my shoulder, her gaze steady. "Remember, Zeus—this will be no simple task. But I believe in you."

I inclined my head, gratitude and resolve blending within me. "Thank you, Grandmother. I'm ready to meet her, and I'm ready to face him."

The skies crackled above us, echoing my unspoken promise. The time had finally come.