The earth blazed as a vast host of giants lumbered across it, each wielding a massive burning log as tall as an ancient tree.
From atop Mount Olympus, the gods watched the giants' slow approach. Even the Hecatoncheires, the hundred-handed ones, had gathered on the mountain.
"After all these years, the fragments of Sefar have come back to life…" Zeus's voice rumbled like thunder through the divine hall.
"There are one hundred fifty Gigantes in total, led by Alcyoneus and Porphyrion. They are hauling Mount Thessaly, Mount Pelion, and Mount Ossa. If they stack these mountains, they could climb to Olympus," Athena, the goddess of wisdom, said softly, her keen eyes fixed on the scene below.
Thousands of years ago, the terrifying White Death left behind remnants... mere fragments that birthed these colossal beings.
They were soldiers of pure destruction, created to annihilate civilization and now marching against the gods once more.
Had the Greek gods still possessed their mechanical bodies, they could have easily handled these offspring of Sefar's remnants. But now, stripped of their physical forms, even their divine power struggled against these giants.
"We can summon Heracles. He wields a fraction of divine power and retains a mortal body. With his aid, we can face the Gigantes," Athena said to her father, Zeus.
Zeus pondered briefly before nodding. "This task is yours. Find my son. He will prove his strength."
His gaze shifted to a distant horizon. "Have him go to the Phlegraean Fields. There, we will meet the Gigantes in battle!"
Athena departed at once to seek Heracles in the mortal realm.
Watching from the shadows, Apollo continued plucking his lyre, his thoughts unreadable.
Suddenly, he smiled faintly and murmured to himself, "This time, it won't just be Heracles who comes."
…
"Is this Thebes?" Morpheus remarked, gazing at the city ahead, where people bustled at the gates.
"Why the sudden sentimentality?" Medea asked from his side.
Since that night, time had passed, and Medea had buried what she'd overheard deep in her heart. Until she could decide what to do, she resolved not to act rashly.
Artemis nodded slightly. "Medea's right. You look like you're about to wax poetic or something."
Morpheus let out a short laugh. "I'm just marveling at the resilience of someone who loved another, yet endured knowing they had children with someone else."
Artemis blinked, while Medea's eyes widened. She whispered sharply, "Don't say things like that!"
"It's fine. That person's long gone. What's the harm in talking about it?" Morpheus's words irritated Medea. She reached out, clamping her hand over his mouth, feeling his warm breath tickle her palm, which made it itch slightly.
"One's dead, but the other's still very much alive... and high above us!" she hissed.
Morpheus caught the faint scent of her hand and playfully licked it, prompting a yelp from Medea. She yanked her hand back, cheeks flushed, and glared at him. "Stop it, got it?!"
"Alright, alright, I won't say more," Morpheus conceded with a grin.
Artemis finally caught on to their conversation. "You're talking about Amphitryon, Alcmene's husband, right? I recall he was Thebes' king... well, former king, since he's passed."
Knowing Artemis's true identity, Medea nodded cautiously, a touch of reverence in her tone. "Yes. It's better not to talk about it, since Alcmene was… chosen by that one."
"It's fine. He wouldn't care about such talk," Artemis said with a smile. "I can guarantee it!"
A moon goddess's assurance didn't fully convince Medea. If Zeus took offense, they'd all suffer.
"Fine, we'll ask him directly if we ever meet. I doubt he'd get mad over something like this," Morpheus said, glancing around before grabbing a passerby. "Excuse me, where does Heracles live?"
Medea's jaw dropped.
Not only was he not backing down, but he planned to ask Zeus about it to his face?!
Talking about it openly could not only anger Zeus but likely infuriate Hera, too. Zeus's affair with Alcmene, resulting in Heracles, was a sore spot for the goddess-queen.
So reckless. Utterly reckless!
Morpheus, having learned Heracles's location, waved to the girls. "Come on, let's find Heracles!"
His reason for seeking Heracles in Thebes was straightforward. Morpheus deduced the Gigantomachy was imminent. Though massive, this war barely affected mortals, as the giants aimed solely for Olympus, ignoring humans.
Heracles would be summoned by the gods to join the fight, so sticking with him was the best way to get involved. Waiting a bit would naturally lead to participation.
But in the myths, weren't the Gigantes born from Gaia after Uranus's severed parts spilled blood onto the earth? How does that work here? They can't all be creations of the Machine God Gaia…
Pondering how this world's history diverged from his knowledge, Morpheus led the two girls toward Heracles's home.
***
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