Chapter 3: The Shadows Deepen
As the ages passed, the other gods began to emerge. Gaia, the Earth, Uranus, the sky, and their children, the Titans. The world was becoming more defined, more tangible.
Erebus, however, remained aloof, content to dwell in the shadows. He observed the burgeoning world with a detached curiosity, a silent observer on the periphery of creation. He had little interest in the affairs of the Titans, their petty squabbles and power grabs.
He did, however, take a keen interest in mortals. He saw in them a reflection of John Smith, a fragility and resilience that both fascinated and disturbed him. He watched them struggle, love, and die, their lives flickering briefly in the face of eternity.
He found himself drawn to Hecate, the Titan goddess of magic, crossroads, and the night. He saw in her a kindred spirit, a being who understood the power and the danger of the shadows. They developed a cautious, respectful relationship, sharing secrets and insights into the workings of the universe.
But a shadow was growing, a threat to the stability of the cosmos. Uranus, consumed by paranoia and fear, imprisoned his own children, the Titans, within the depths of Gaia. This act of cruelty ignited a rebellion, led by Cronus, the youngest of the Titans.
Erebus remained neutral, unwilling to interfere in the affairs of his kin. But he knew that the conflict brewing between the Titans and their father would have profound consequences for the entire universe, consequences that would inevitably touch even the darkest corners of existence.