The still somewhat green Pallas and Perses were already looking impatiently toward Crius, their eyes full of anxiety, fearing that their silent, imposing father would voice a refusal.
Helios and Selene likewise looked to Hyperion with the exact same gaze—filled with expectation and longing.
Crius and Hyperion both fell into silence.
They were Titans seasoned by the world's vicissitudes and knew all too well that no matter how good a promise sounds now, the future remains uncertain.
Back then, Kronos had also been high-spirited—confident, brave, ardent, humble—and yet later he began to strike at everyone, using siblings and friends as stepping stones.
This son of Kronos looked even more courageous and decisive than Kronos, with a breadth of mind that drew the gods' praise.
But for that very reason, another concern arose in their hearts: if such a god were to become God-King, wouldn't it be even harder for everyone to check him in the future?
Zeus did not press them, nor did he add further chips to the table. He understood well the principle that excess is as bad as deficiency.
He simply waited quietly for Crius and Hyperion's reply. That composure and steadiness were, in themselves, persuasive.
For a moment, too many gods were watching them, and the vast starry temple fell into deathly stillness, with only the strange starlight flickering in the silence.
Crius and Hyperion exchanged a look once more, and in the end chose to support Zeus.
As things stood, one path was unknown—but at least it appeared bright.
The old path was truly dim and already a dead end.
Now they could only place their hopes on the son of Kronos truly being what he appeared to be—a god consistent inside and out, and one who would begin and finish what he started.
Hyperion posed one last question: "Honored Zeus, do you already have a method to deal with the God-King?"
This was what they cared about most; a war with no end point could not win support.
Zeus nodded, his tone earnest and firm. "A thorough plan is already in place—only the right moment is needed."
The starry temple sank into silence again, but this time there was a trace of relief and expectation within it, and a resolve that was taking shape.
After a long moment, Crius spoke slowly, his elevated, majestic voice echoing through the holy, radiant hall of stars: "Honored son of the Queen, your generosity commands the gods' respect. We are willing to follow your direction."
"But Theia, Hyperion, and I have all sworn oaths of fealty to the God-King. We will not personally take the field. Please understand."
His tone was candid, drawing a clear line. "Nor will we help the God-King. In this war, we shall remain neutral."
"However, our children have not sworn to the God-King. Their futures are theirs to choose. If you have need of anything, you may freely command them."
"I believe they will be very willing to obey your orders, fight for your sacred enterprise, and win the glory of their own future."
No sooner had Crius finished speaking than Astraeus—the mighty, burly starry giant—strode forward and knelt on one knee before Zeus, his voice steady and resolute: "Noble lord of the future, Astraeus is willing to fight for you. Your will is my will!"
The one who had seemed the most composed of the second-generation Titans—Crius's eldest—turned out to move the fastest.
Pallas, Helios, and the others likewise dropped to one knee and pledged their allegiance.
The power of the starry gods had, in that instant, gathered completely at Zeus's side.
Zeus said solemnly, "I, Zeus, son of holy Rhea, promise the gods: I will drink nectar together with you and share the honors of the world together with you."
"I will never monopolize the supreme and most noble honors of the cosmos!" His voice rang through the starry sky as he swore a sacred oath.
Crius and the other Titans also rose to stand and bowed their heads to Zeus in respect.
Smiling, Zeus said, "Please be seated, gods. Next, I will build a god-mountain taller than Mount Othrys."
"For now, it will be the place where I face the God-King in open battle. In the future, it will be where I feast and drink with the gods and share our honors!"
After Zeus departed, only the three of them remained; Pontus's son Thaumas stayed for the time being with his sister Eurybia.
Pontus would by no means dare to take part in this dreadful war. Even if he could not reap great gains in the future, staying steady mattered most; preserving himself was his first priority.
His ties with the sky-god lineage were, after all, somewhat distant. He only dared choose enlightened self-preservation and as much neutrality as possible.
Only now did the wise Metis finally speak, unable to hold back, her tone tinged with complexity: "You really are generous. If you divide authority the way you've promised, once you become God-King, how much control will you have left?"
Zeus smiled, refusing to take up that topic, and instead changed direction: "Mother, which mountain do you think should be chosen as our future dwelling?"
Rhea pondered briefly and answered with a smile, "This is something the future God-King should decide. It is your honor and your responsibility."
Zeus laughed heartily and said in a deep voice, "Good!"
"Then let it be Mount Olympus!"
Metis, feelings complicated, narrowed her eyes and said, "Mount Olympus is rather unremarkable, not grand enough—and it's too close to Mount Othrys. Shouldn't we reconsider?"
Zeus laughed loudly, his mirth open and carefree. "I want it close to the God-King. If it's near and yet he cannot suppress us, then the God-King's seat ought to be occupied by another!"
"As for grandeur—that doesn't matter. It's only a mountain. A dead thing is made noble by gods, not the other way around."
"Where the God-King dwells—that is the true god-mountain."
Moved, Metis looked at Zeus and said nothing more, giving a slight nod.
She was wisdom—but not courage, confidence, boldness, and ambition all gathered into one God-King.
Rhea nodded repeatedly as well. As Queen, she understood best that for a God-King, all honor exists because of the God-King, and not the reverse.
Zeus said to Rhea, "Mother, please lead Hestia and the others to Mount Olympus."
"Metis and I will go ahead to choose the site on Mount Olympus. We are about to welcome the first great battle."
Rhea nodded heavily, her multicolored, flowing tresses dancing with the motion, then set off to summon Hestia and the others.
The holy Mother now truly possessed a bright future and hope.
Zeus glanced at Metis, raised an eyebrow, and smiled. "Dear bright-eyed Metis, let's go see our future home."
Shy, Metis's heart skipped a beat. She dared not look at Zeus; she turned and sped toward the world within. A sweet wind ruffled the lake of her heart and brought her sweetness.
The goddess of wisdom looked forward very much to the new home.
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