Monarch of Lightning

As I carried the goblet toward Kronos, my gut felt tight, like a bowstring pulled taut. I scanned the massive hall, noting the grand assembly of Titans sprawled across couches, laughing and lounging with goblets that were long past refilling. The sheer scale of Mount Othrys's throne room still took my breath away—the marble walls and towering columns stretched so high that the torches above looked like tiny stars. At the far end of the hall, Kronos sat on his throne of gold inlaid with emeralds and rubies, his sharp, piercing gaze fixed on me as I approached.

Kronos was magnificent, a sight both awe-inspiring and terrifying. His face, worn by countless millennia, still held a striking beauty, though it was harsh, like a cliff that had weathered countless storms. Those golden eyes of his held a fierce, contained light, sweeping over his domain with a mixture of disdain and satisfaction. He wore dark, gleaming armor that seemed to absorb the surrounding light, adding to his aura of invincibility.

He raised a hand, quieting the music and beckoning me forward. His voice was deep and commanding, though I could hear the slight slur of intoxication. "Entertain us, young bearer. Show us why my sister insisted on bringing you here."

I forced a smile, keeping my voice steady and respectful. "As you command, great Kronos."

I took a deep breath and glanced around the massive throne room, where dozens of Titans lounged on opulent cushions and marble thrones. The air was thick with the scents of wine and roasted meats, and their booming laughter echoed through the hall. I had them exactly where I wanted them, and as I stepped into the center of the room, I raised my arms to call for silence.

"Alright, alright!" I called out, grinning wide. "My name is Zeus, and I'll be your entertainment tonight!"

There was a smattering of cheers, laughter, and a few skeptical grunts from some of the older Titans, who squinted at me over their goblets. I glanced around, letting the silence stretch, as I met their gazes one by one.

"So… Titan gatherings, huh? Like family reunions, only with less awkward small talk and more giant egos! Seriously, though—no one throws a party like the Titans! I mean, Kronos here," I gestured up at him on his throne, "has managed to make agriculture and time exciting." Kronos chuckled, raising his goblet as the Titans laughed. I took a quick mental note of the hearty response—a good start.

"So, let's talk about some of our favorite Titans here." I leaned on one leg, tapping my chin as if deep in thought. "Where do we begin…? Oh, I know! Hyperion!" I pointed to the massive Titan of Light lounging in the back, glowing faintly as he drained a goblet twice the size of his head.

"Look at you, Hyperion, shining so bright that you make the torches look like fireflies. I'm pretty sure we all get our tans just from sitting next to you! By the way, you don't need to be glowing like that all the time—some of us are just trying to keep our retinas intact."

The room burst into laughter, with Hyperion letting out a booming chuckle, clearly enjoying the attention.

"Then there's Prometheus, the Titan of Forethought!" I gestured toward the Titan, who had an intense, faraway look in his eyes as if pondering his next big idea. "Let me tell you, I asked Prometheus how he'd spend his night, and he said, 'I'm planning to create something revolutionary, something that's going to change existence as we know it!'" I paused dramatically. "And what did he do? He went out and started playing with clay." I shrugged, feigning a disappointed sigh. "Seriously, clay? I thought he was going to invent something… anything really. Like a 'wheel' or a 'fire' or a hobby, at least!"

Laughter erupted, and Prometheus shook his head, laughing despite himself.

"Of course, we've got Atlas," I said, nodding toward the hulking Titan of Strength, who crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at me. "Atlas, the brawler, the bruiser, the guy who thinks a 'gentle pat on the back' is only acceptable if it results in someone's back cracking." I lowered my voice as if confiding a secret, "He's so strong, rumor has it he's been banned from all of the Titan wrestling matches because last time he… well, let's just say we're still trying to find Hyperion's missing tooth." Atlas snorted, shaking his head with a smirk as the crowd roared in laughter.

"Then we've got the four Titans holding up the sky—give it up for the East, South, North, and West!" I pointed to each direction. "Seriously, these guys are the real MVPs. I mean, without them, we'd all be, what? Flat as a pancake? They're the original pillars of support around here!" I held up my arms and pretended to shake under the imaginary weight. "And let me tell you, this isn't an easy job! You've got to keep the heavens nice and steady, make sure no stars slip through, and—oh, don't even get me started on what happens if one of you gets a cramp mid-shift!"

The crowd was in stitches, and the four directional Titans exchanged looks, chuckling.

I turned my attention to the bearded figure with a crown of seashells, Oceanus, the Titan of the Ocean. "And there's Oceanus, the calm in the storm. Well, usually. I hear he likes to stir things up every now and then, just to keep everyone guessing." I leaned in and whispered loudly, "Between you and me, I heard he once got drunk and tried to turn the Aegean Sea upside down. Poor dolphins didn't know which way was up for a week!"

Oceanus slapped his knee, his booming laughter nearly shaking the room.

"And then we have Themis, the Titaness of Law, Order, and Justice." I nodded toward her, where she sat, serene and composed, overseeing the chaos around her with a slight smile. "Themis—you ever notice she's got that expression that just says, 'Try me'? Like, I have a feeling if someone so much as sneezes the wrong way, she's already got a ten-point list on how to restore order."

Themis chuckled, her calm exterior breaking as she shook her head in amusement. "Someone has to keep you lot in line."

"Exactly!" I raised my goblet toward her, grinning. "And I think I speak for everyone when I say we'd all be lost without you. And by 'lost,' I mean… maybe in a pile of rubble somewhere."

Finally, I looked up at Kronos himself, who was watching me intently, amusement in his golden eyes. I took a steadying breath—time for the grand finale.

"And of course, last but certainly not least… Kronos, our illustrious King of the Titans, the Master of Time and Agriculture." I smiled, letting my voice drop to a conspiratorial whisper. "I have to admit, I never thought I'd meet someone who can make both clocks and crops sound… well… terrifying."

The Titans laughed uproariously as Kronos raised an eyebrow at me, clearly intrigued. Emboldened, I continued, "But seriously, it's impressive! Time? Agriculture? You've got it all! The seasons, the harvest, and every second that ticks by… except, let's be honest, half the time we're all asking him what hour it is, and he's like, 'Who needs hours? Just wake up when the sun rises!'"

Kronos's eyes twinkled, and he chuckled, tipping his goblet at me. "You've got spirit, boy."

I gave him a mock bow. "Just trying to live up to the great King of Titans himself."

As I finished, the hall erupted in laughter and applause, some of the Titans raising their goblets in salute. I kept my gaze steady, making sure to weave Divine Order into every smile and every glance, using its subtle glow to lace the air and every goblet with a command: relax, laugh, indulge. I wanted them to be intoxicated, it is said that gods can't get intoxicated so they always drink as much as they want, but I think it is time that they feel what it is like. 

Divine Order worked easily through the throneroom, it feeled the room like a veil, noone could see except me. I have set four orders so far. Though the three that affected everyone except him, Rhea, Metis and his siblings where what mattered for now.

Divine Order of Enervating Feasts: All food consumed within this Throneroom shall carry the weight of eternal rest.

Divine Order of Numbing Libations: Let every drink become a draught of intoxication, clouding the mind and weakening the will of those who partake.

Divine Order of Soporific Breeze: The air shall thicken with calm, slowing every step, clouding judgment, and dimming the will of the mighty.

Across the hall, I could see Kronos watching me with an approving glint in his eye, a slight smirk playing at the corner of his lips. I held my breath, keeping my face blank, projecting nothing more than the humble cupbearer they believed I was.

Just as I finished my last joke, Kronos raised his empty goblet with a roar. "Enough! Another drink fit for the King of Titans!"

I bowed, calm on the outside, though my heart was thundering as I turned to the tables lined with heavy jugs of wine. Keeping my face blank, I filled the goblet with the exact proportions we'd practiced—copper sulfate, poppy juice, syrup of manna. Nightshade, I thought with satisfaction. A fitting name for the betrayal I was about to serve.

Summoning a sliver of my Divine Order, I pressed it into the drink, embedding a command so deep and silent that no one would ever detect it. Just as I lifted the goblet, though, I felt the air shift behind me, and a chill crept up my spine. I turned slowly to see Phoebe, the Titaness of intellect and prophecy, watching me with a raised eyebrow. She was tall and regal, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders, her eyes gleaming with a knowing look.

"What exactly are you doing, nephew?" she asked, her voice smooth and calm, but the weight of her words settled like stones in my chest.

My heart skipped a beat, but I forced myself to meet her gaze, giving her an easy grin. "Just preparing a drink for King Kronos, Lady Phoebe. He does expect only the finest."

She didn't buy it, and I could tell by the smirk playing on her lips. "Save it. I know who you are, and I know why you're here."

There was no use denying it, so I held her gaze, my voice low and steady. "Then what do you want?"

She leaned in, her smirk widening. "Several Titans despise Kronos as much as you do. We want him removed from power, and I foresee that one day, you'll grow to be far more powerful than he could have ever imagined. We would rather stand with you."

I stared at her, weighing my options. "You don't seem to be affected like the others?"

She chuckled, clearly amused by my question. "I actually am affected, so are my friends. Though as the Titan of Wisdom and Prophecy I have a greater control of my mind. Once I realized what you have done I had my friends leave."

She nodded subtly, and I noticed a small group of Titans slipping away from the hall, unnoticed by the others. I kept my face composed, gave a short nod, and lowered my voice. "Take them to Mount Ida. Tell Adrastea I sent you. But if you or any of them betray me, I'll make sure you regret it."

Phoebe's smirk only grew, and she inclined her head. "Understood.... Lord Zeus." And with that, she vanished into the shadows, leaving me alone with the goblet still clutched in my hand.

I took a slow, steadying breath. No more distractions.

With the goblet in hand, I made my way back to Kronos, fixing my gaze straight ahead, my expression neutral. I spotted the small group of Titans slipping from the throne room, their departure a quiet shadow in the raucous festivities. As the doors shut behind them, I straightened and let my mask of calm settle once more over my face.

Kronos's gaze met mine as I approached, his eyes gleaming with amusement and a touch of impatience. "There you are," he drawled, stretching out a hand. "I was beginning to think you'd kept the best drink for yourself."

I dropped to one knee before him, holding out the goblet with a respectful bow. "Apologies, my king. I prepared a drink to honor you—a blend that will make you wiser and stronger than ever, worthy of the King of Titans."

Kronos's smile widened slightly as he took the goblet, his eyes gleaming as he raised it to his lips. He watched me, golden eyes steady over the rim of the cup, and I held his gaze, letting the faintest hint of a smile touch my lips.