A few days had passed since Kronos contacted them. Lucas carried on as usual, having been contacted once before. He dived into his usual routine of studying magic and exploring his abilities; Luke, on the other hand, explored the city with Thalia, keeping his thoughts to himself. As for Annabeth, she took the time to talk with Tekto and Hestia about Architecture, hoping to gain something from their experiences watching humanity progress.
Finally, the city was complete. All the flowers and trees had been planted by the dryads, giving the city a vibrant and lively feeling, even with no inhabitants. The automatons had finished with the details, the statues of the three goddesses, the murals, and even the minor detailing on columns. Everything was built to plan.
Though there was only a single pressing concern, all of them gathered around the center hearth.
Lucas, Hecate, Hestia, Nemesis, Tekto, Luke, Thalia, Annabeth, and Elizabeth. Even Ethan Nakamura had returned from Camp half-blood, though he was a little indignant to be forgotten by Lucas when he brought the rest from camp.
The reason for such a gathering was to decide on the city's management. What direction would they take? As it was Lucas's vision, they agreed to allow him to make the final decision, but each of them first shared their own opinions and options.
Nemesis voiced her thoughts first.
"A monarchy would be simplest. One voice to make final decisions, to bear the weight of choice. No squabbling factions, no slow councils. You could hold it, Lucas, or choose a figurehead, if you wish not to wear a crown."
Nemesis must have seen the surprise on the faces of the demigods and empousa, so she explained.
"I understand you may fear the future leaders turning out like Zeus, but remember, there is fairness in one final decider. And if he becomes a tyrant, disrupting the balance, it is simple to kill him and get a replacement."
Lucas let out a wry smile. He should have expected such a blunt decision from Nemesis.
Next was Tekto, his great shoulders still stooped, but his voice had grown steady, no longer nervous or insecure around those gathered by the fire.
"An oligarchy, a council of the most skilled. Builders, protectors, wise men. Not one ruler, but a circle of rulers. Stability through craft and experience. A city led by its strongest minds."
Hestia sighed, keeping her voice soothing, trying to help dampen what she was about to say.
"I disagree." She gave Tekto a soft smile as an apology, but continued. "An oligarchy is prone to corruption and a lack of accountability. It may start as wise men, but soon it will cause a split in purpose, as they use their power to increase their livelihoods while forgetting their duties. It has happened too many times during the old times."
Elizabeth shifted, crossing her arms. "A stratocracy?"
Watching how everyone turned to her, she froze under the pressure of their gaze, but did continue.
"A city led by the strongest ensures the safety of the people, right?"
Lucas rubbed his head, already knowing such a decision had too many flaws. Seeing how everyone reacted, Elizabeth retracted her opinion, muttering how she just wanted to be included.
Lucas turned to Elizabeth beside him, whispering about the obvious issues a stratocracy had. The potential for tyranny, the dissent of the civilians, and right through might. That is only taking into account the past. Elysian is meant to be a haven, a sanctuary. There would be a military to control, and the most glaring problem? The strongest in the city would always be an immortal, meaning the leader would never change.
Finally, Annabeth spoke, her voice low but unshaking. "Athens had its failings, but it gave its people a voice: an Assembly, chosen officials, the Council of 500, and trials heard by citizens. Everyone carries a stake. Everyone carries the blame when needed. It may be slow at times and have its problems, but an Athenian Democracy would be most suitable."
This was the one that resonated most with Lucas's goals, and it would also allow him to leave the city without compromising its government. As such, he accepted Annabeth's idea. The group nodded, accepting the decision, and began discussing the details of how to go about this.
However, Lucas didn't join in this part of the meeting. Instead, he turned his gaze inward. With the government decided, Elysian was truly complete, the final portion of the sequence six potion was digested.
He also discovered what exactly the acting method was, finally realizing why it only partially digested multiple times.
A Mentalist shapes the reality of others, weaving what could be into what must be.
A Mentalist uncovers the hidden, the lost, the unspoken, not by force, but by drawing truth from the depths of other souls.
A Mentalist leaves a mark upon the unknown, an anchor driven into the shifting mist of fate and memory.
Three simple truths, the core of what it means to be a mentalist.
He exhaled, the taste of the hearth's warmth still on his skin. It had taken him so long to digest this one.