The next day, the Titan Ocean.
With the help of an engineering corps wielding technology far beyond its era, the once-ruined Atlantis had been completely restored.
Vast pillars of light rose from the ten royal island-states, cleanly dividing sea and land.
Within the still-majestic Interstellar Mountainous City, Poseidon once again ascended the grand altar. He activated the Magecraft array, stepped into the star sea, and caressed the massive silver metallic cocoon with obsessive reverence.
The power supply of the entire Interstellar Mountainous City, as well as the development of every combat unit in the Echidna armory, drew heavily from this mysterious stellar legacy.
Thus was Atlantis known as the Age of Light.
The only regret was that he had originally planned to use his daughter, Rhode, as a humanoid external vessel for the cocoon, allowing her to enter the star vessel itself, unravel its secrets, and fully take control of this ultimate trump card.
The interference of the Argo Expedition, however, forced him to halt the plan and allow Areopagus to take Rhode away, concealing the existence of the stellar relic.
After all, even if he succeeded in overthrowing his brother Zeus, Areopagus would still be the faction he needed to guard against the most.
As Poseidon sank into contemplation, a subtle tremor rippled through space Magecraft. With a casual gesture traced through the air, an olive branch from Areopagus—symbolizing peaceful alliance—flickered in alternating light and shadow.
At last… it's coming.
A cold gleam flashed through Poseidon's eyes, his expression blooming with barely restrained anticipation. He immediately sealed the star gate and leapt down from atop the grand altar.
A bronze chariot drawn by three sea-horses rose from the foaming waves, lifting smoothly into the air to catch the sovereign of the oceans.
As Poseidon guided the chariot past the outer edge of the Machine God Corridor, he called out solemnly to his son Triton.
"Triton. Once you receive my command, you know what to do."
"Yes, Father King!"
The merman prince braced himself on his trident and bowed respectfully, watching as Poseidon rode the tides into the distance.
From Triton's vantage point, the surface of the Titan Ocean below was packed dense with massive deep-sea fleets and countless autonomous weapons, lined up in full readiness.
Click.
At the same moment, deep within the dimly flickering star sea, a faint, muffled crack echoed from inside the metallic shell.
Behind Triton, within the silver-white recesses lining both sides of the narrow Machine God Corridor, twelve strange mechanical lifeforms radiating divine presence cast interwoven shadows.
...
Two days later, at the foothills of Mount Olympus, four figures with their auras fully restrained gathered quietly within a hidden valley, exchanging nods of acknowledgment.
Though Hera, Athena, and Poseidon bore little goodwill toward one another, an alliance built purely on interests was all the more direct and stable.
What displeased both Hera and Poseidon, however, was the presence of an unexpected fourth god within the valley.
Hera frowned slightly, her displeasure clear.
"Who is he?"
Athena replied calmly to the Queen of Heaven.
"Hypnos, the god of sleep. Son of Nyx, the goddess of night. To ensure nothing goes wrong, his authority over sleep will be indispensable."
Hera's expression darkened as she let out a cold snort.
"Our operation should not involve outsider gods. Every extra participant adds another layer of risk. Don't you think you're being far too disrespectful to us?"
Athena glanced at the perfume pouch hanging from Hera's waist, her brows knitting as she shot back sharply.
"If you could truly muddle your husband's mind so easily, would Poseidon and I need to go through all this trouble?
And another thing. I am not your subordinate. Don't lecture me in that tone."
The blow struck straight at the heart.
The proud and arrogant Queen of Heaven was so furious she nearly spat blood on the spot.
"Haha, it's always better to be overprepared than underprepared. I've seen Hypnos's abilities for myself. He really can improve our odds. Besides, he's already managed to lull Zeus into slumber before. He's reliable."
Sensing the situation turning sour, Poseidon hurriedly plastered on a smile and stepped in to smooth things over, painting a glowing picture of the future after "giving their brother a helping hand."
"As long as we can successfully restrain Zeus, Athena, my dear niece, you can take the opportunity to separate the consciousness of your mother, the Goddess of Wisdom Metis, from his mind and finally reunite with her. As for my long-suffering sister, once Zeus loses the authority of the sky and his position as God King, his urges as a progenitor god will diminish as well. With your capabilities, you can naturally keep him at your side and enjoy his exclusive favor."
Hearing this, Hera raised an eyebrow. Clearly weighing the pros and cons, she let out a cold snort and dropped the issue.
Soon after, led by Hera, the three figures reined in their presence, suppressed their divine power, and ascended toward the Queen of Heaven's temple.
...
Meanwhile, on Areopagus.
Rarely taking matters into his own hands, Samael had carefully prepared a breakfast combining Mesopotamian flavors with Greek sweet-and-sour dishes, a small reward for Medusa and Themis for their years of tireless effort.
Cutlery glided over plates, cups clinked softly, and a warm, gentle atmosphere spread between the three of them.
The ancient serpent merely sampled the food before ending his meal early. For him, simply watching the two goddesses' table manners was already a rare pleasure.
The ever-composed and elegant Themis remained her usual self, eating unhurriedly and with poise.
Medusa, on the other hand, was clearly unaccustomed to being watched and looked a little stiff.
Once both goddesses had eaten their fill, Samael smiled, picked up a napkin, and handed it to Medusa, gesturing lightly at the corner of her mouth to indicate a smear of sauce.
The goddess of vengeance let out a small "Oh," snapping back to herself as she hurriedly wiped her lips. A faint, embarrassed flush rose on her cheeks.
So much time had passed, yet she was still this shy.
Amused by the scene, Samael pressed his lips into a soft smile. After gauging the time, he clapped his hands, his expression turning serious.
"Athena's side has already begun to move. It's about time we set off as well."
"Set off? Where to? Olympus?"
Medusa looked surprised. Recalling the strategy they had agreed on earlier, she felt a flicker of confusion.
Supporting Athena's ascension under a legitimate banner, slowly boiling Olympus like a frog in warm water and replacing it bit by bit, was far more reliable than charging in head-on with Areopagus.
Had Samael changed his mind?
"No rush. We've prepared for so long that Zeus is practically a sure thing. As long as Poseidon doesn't play dirty, it won't be our turn yet. But there's a place we should have gone to long ago. For the sake of this day, an old friend has been waiting far too long."
With his hands clasped behind his back, Samael smiled faintly, his words heavy with meaning.
"You mean…"
Realization dawned on Medusa, and she sprang to her feet in delight.
"Yes. The Caucasus Mountains."
Samael answered without hesitation, rubbing his fingertips as memories of the past surfaced, a smile spreading across his face.
"Alright, let's go. We shouldn't keep Prometheus waiting. That grand show on Mount Olympus would be far less interesting without him."
With that, the ancient serpent stood, took Medusa by the hand, and headed out of the hall to summon the Greek heroes who were standing by.
Atalanta, Heracles, the twin swordsmen, Caenis, the god of medicine, and other former companions sensed the call. One after another, they paused what they were doing and swiftly gathered at the source.
Samael only hinted that this was the beginning of a new adventure, and the group immediately urged him on, every one of them eager and ready.
Adventure ran deep in their blood. Staying idle had never been an option.
Besides, they had long wanted to test out the different styles and grades of the Sacred Cloths they now wore.
Soon, roughly a hundred people had assembled. Samael led them in a grand departure toward the Caucasus Mountains.
Left behind on Areopagus to guard against any contingencies, Themis stood in the temple corridor, gazing after her lover as he receded into the distance, until he vanished from sight.
Go on, my love. You are bringing new order to this world, bringing new change. I believe you will make everything better.