The Monarch of Lightning-Chapter 2 - 1

I gasped awake, air flooding my lungs like I'd been underwater too long. My heart hammered, disoriented, still grappling with fragments of a memory—a bus ride? Or maybe a train. I'd drifted off, just trying to catch some rest. But here I was, jolting back to consciousness on a cold, rough surface, the smell of earth and hay filling my nose.

DING!

A glowing screen popped up right in front of my face, nearly making me jump out of my skin.

Congratulations! You have been reborn as Zeus, the sixth son of Chronus and Rhea

I blinked, squinting as the words scrolled in neat, game-like fonts across the screen. Zeus? My mind reeled. I remembered reading stories about this sort of thing—characters in books and shows getting "reborn" with a system, one that would guide them in their new life. But this? This was ridiculous. Me? Zeus? That womanizing drama queen? Oh you got to be kidding me.

Welcome! You have been chosen by [Information Redacted] to live out the life of Zeus.

You have arrived in the 18th millennium, The Golden Age under the rule of the Lord of Time, Chronos.

"Why is that information redacted?" I asked myself, but it seemed that the system could hear and understand me as it responded.

The one that braught you here, wishes to see how a mortal could survive as a god, a test. Survive and more information shall be granted to you. In your new life, you shall recieve quests. Complete the quests, earn rewards and have fun.

"Alright, so I assume that I have a quest?" I asked, wasn't really happy about being part of some test.

[You have recieved a Quest]

Your Tyrant of a father has eaten your brothers and sisters, rescue them before they fade.

Fading in: 30 years

Original Rescue: 25 years

Reward: (???) (+1,000P)

I swipe away the screen and

"Show me my stats." I called as a new screen appeared.

Zeus, 6th son of Rhea and Kronos

A young god of Lightning

Points: 1,000

"This is not what I expected to see, I thought there was going to be stats I would have to level up." I muttered looking at the three written lines. "System, give me a rundown of what exactly I am seeing here."

What you are seeing is your profile, as a god you do not have the same system as mortals. A profile shows information of ones character. Through completing quests and other activities you will recieve Points, a currency that you can use for many different things, from purchasing items in the shop, to unlocking new system features. The Greater the act that you preform the greater the points you get in return.

"I see, can you pull up a list of locked System Features?" I asked.

Affirmative

The windows all closed as another popped up showing a list of several differnt things. Some of them were way out of my price rage

These are the current locked features available for unlocking. Use your points wisely to enhance your divine potential.

Divine Eyes (Locked) - Cost 500 Points

Description: Grants the eyes of God, able to see the truths of the world.

Inventory (Locked) - Cost 500 Points

Description: Access a personal storage space outside of time and space. Store items safely without limitation.

System Shop (Locked) - Cost 1,300 Points

Description: An online shop where you can purchase abilities, domains, clothing, armor, weapons, and more.

Save/Load (Locked) - Cost 10,000 Points

Description: Grants the ability to save your place as if you are in a game and return to that spot.

God Eater (Locked) - Cost 100,000 Points

Description: Grants the ability to consume other gods and gain their domains.

"Divine Eye and Inventory, purchase them." I said as I pushed myself off the stone platform I'd been lying on, still trying to make sense of everything.

Would you like to insert the Divine Eye's now?

"Yes." I confirmed as I walked to the entrance, a breeze swept in, bringing with it the scent of fresh pine and damp earth. Outside, the world was still and wild. The sun seemed to be setting over the horizon. I stepped onto the rocky ledge, looking out at the sprawling view below. I felt a small pain in the back of my eyes as my vision became a billion times better, even as it was getting darker I was able to see very clearly.

I was able to see everything clearly, no detail excaped my sight. I glanced toward Mount Othrys, watchin the Titans as they gone about their day, I saw this beautiful Titaness walking through a garden and couldn't help but grin. I watched as these two lions lumbered toward her as she petted them.

I turned my sight over to the land sprawled around me, my eyes adjusted as I looked around myself.

Mountains stretched as far as I could see, their peaks jagged against the night sky. The stars hung impossibly close, each one blazing brighter than I'd ever seen in the city, like diamonds scattered across a velvet backdrop. A silver moon cast everything in an ethereal glow, turning the world into something that felt ancient, untouched. Below, lush forests blanketed the landscape, uninterrupted by roads or buildings, the untamed world stretching endlessly before me.

I sighed as I sat down on the cliff edge, letting the cool night air settle my nerves. I had to admit, this view was stunning. If this was a world far before civilization, then nature had never looked so alive, so untouched. The sky looked like a painting brought to life, a part of me longing to reach out and touch it.

A soft rustling sound broke the quiet. I turned, feeling my muscles tense instinctively. Approaching me, walking in tandem, was a woman and a ram. The woman was first of all tall and muscular, plus she had these long elfish ears. The ram looked to be as large as a horse, it had a very wolly coat and was wearing several golden jewlery.

Alright lets see who exactly you two are. I thought as I tilted my head as I glanced at them.

Amaltheia the Golden Ram

Amaltheia, the golden ram that resides on Mount Ida, her milk is said to be the sweetest and can grant strength and immortality to those that drink from her udders. She is one of Zeus's caretakers and hates him.

Adrastea, Mountain Nymph

Adrastea, a mountain nymph of Mount Ida and one of the Elder Nymphs. She has the strength to uproot mountains, she and her sisters bang drums to hide Zeus from Chronus. She is one of Zeus's caretakers and hates him.

Oh great, my two caretakers hate my guts. Could this get any worse? I wish I kept my mouth shut as the system went haywire, I saw someone else following behind the two.

She towered over the others, her presence commanding, with long, black hair cascaded down her back in dreadlocks several golden jewlery were dangling in them. Her skin was a soft brown tone, and she really knew how to make herself look good as she wore a flowing green chiton dress, a brown cloak drapped over her shoulders.

WARNING: HIGH-LEVEL ENTITY APPROACHING

A sinking realization hit me as her power radiated in waves, the very earth seeming to respond to her presence. I didn't have to use my divine eyes on her to know who she was, but what was she doing here?

Gaea the Primordial of the Earth

The primordial Earth Mother, the goddess of life itself. She believes that Zeus will grow up to be just like his father.

Gaea's gaze bore into me, grounding and steadying. "You seem... unwell, child," she said, her voice like the rumble of stones shifting deep in the earth. She seemed conserend but I could tell she could care less.

I scrambled for words, my tongue fumbling as I forced myself to respond. "Just... had a bit of thinking, Grandmother." I managed, clearing my head, first thing first I needed to get in these three's good favor, if I knew anything about Zeus. It was that he was one pain in the ass to deal with. "I come to realize that I need to apologize to the three of you for all the wrong I have done to you until now, I swear that I shall become a god that the three of you will be proud of!"

I got on the floor and bowed, puting my head on the ground trying to show that I meant what I said. After a few minutes Gaea spoke and told me to get up. Looking up I could see that there expression were nutrual, but sneaking a glance at their profile I could see that it changed, they wanted me to actually prove with my actions that I meant what I had said. Adrastea was conflicted if she should even trust my apology.

Adrastea cleared her thoat and spoke up. "The time has come for you to start training, young lord," she said softly. "The fate of your family lies in your hands. Your mother wished to be here but she has been kept busy at the Kingdom."

Amaltheia gave a deep, knowing bleat, and Adrastea turned to her, nodding. "Amaltheia has provided milk for you. It will make you alot stronger. Take it, and prepare."

"T-thank you, lady Amaltheia. And to you too Grandmother and Adrastea. I shall do what I can to get stronger." I bowed to the three as I realized that I had a very golden oppurtunity infront of me. "Grandmother, if I may be bold. I would love if you take the time and train me for what is to come, you have been alive far longer and are so much more wiser than I. I could use your knowledge and wisdom."

Silence fallowed and I thought I said something wrong but Gaea huffed and told me to get some rest as we would start early the next morning. Relief flooded me as I thanked the nymph and goat and ran back into the cave to get some sleep before my training began.

<------>

The cave was silent, save for the soft breathing of the young god asleep on the stone bed, his chest rising and falling in a rhythm that seemed almost peaceful, a sharp contrast to the tension that hung in the air. Gaea, Amaltheia, and Adrastea stood together near the entrance, their eyes fixed on Zeus as he lay there, vulnerable in a way gods should not be.

Gaea ran her long, slender fingers through the young god's white hair, her gaze softening for a moment as she touched him. Her fingers were delicate, but there was an undeniable weight to them, as if the earth itself bent to her will. She looked down at him thoughtfully, her voice low, almost murmuring.

"He is not under any spell, not under any influence, yet... his soul is different," Gaea said, a note of wonder in her voice. Her eyes flicked to the other two, seeking their thoughts. "It feels as if he's... not truly himself. Before his soul was like a storm whenever he had his outbursts it would spark with electricity."

Adrastea, standing a little further away, crossed her arms and looked down at the sleeping god, a soft frown on her lips. "And now? Is it any different?"

"Yes, the boys soul is now like a golden sphere of energy, almost like a sun, I do not know how this will change the young god you have raised all these years." Gaea replied.

"You've asked him so many times to have you train him," Adrastea said. "And for so long, he always refused. But now, after everything—he dares to ask you for training, why did you agree, Mother?"

Gaea raised an eyebrow, turning her full attention to the nymph. "The only reason I agreed to it," Gaea said, her voice rich with layers of meaning, "was because I want to see the new boy in the body of my grandson. I shall train him, teach him what he needs to know. If he ever shows signs of returning to his old ways I shall abandon him."

Amaltheia, still in her goat form, bleated softly, almost as if in agreement, but the sound was high-pitched and awkward compared to the quiet atmosphere. Gaea rolled her eyes, exhaling a sigh of mild frustration.

"Amaltheia, please return to your normal form at once." she said, her voice patient but firm.

The golden ram gave a small snort before her form shimmered. The goat's massive body seemed to melt and twist, shifting and reshaping until a tall, graceful woman stood where the creature had been moments before. Her golden hair cascaded around her shoulders, her features ethereal and divine. Amaltheia's form was now that of a stunning woman, tall and poised, her body lithe and powerful, her skin radiant as if touched by the very sun itself. Amaltheia runs her hand over her hair as two goat horns grew following her hands.

"There, happy now, mother?" Amaltheia teased, her voice now smooth and melodious, a far cry from the bleating of moments ago.

Gaea simply nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Much better," she said, before turning her attention back to the god. "Now have you been doing as I asked?"

"Yes, mother." Amaltheia nodded bowing slightly. "I have been adding alittle of Nectar and Imbrosia into the milk to inhance his body."

"Good," she replied as she took a small pouch from her robes and handed it to her goat daughter, "Add this into his milk tomorrow."

"What is it?" Amaltheia and Adrasea asked looking at the leaves and bark inside the bag.

"Those are from the Yggrasill tree." Gaea responded as she covered Zeus in a blanket to keep him warm. "Can you believe that it took me thousands of years to grow that tree and then it is claimed by those knuckleheaded Norse as theirs? Anyways, crush those into poweder and mix it into the milk, I wanna see what happens when a young god consumes apart of that divine tree."

They stood there in silence for a moment, watching as Zeus rested, his features softer in sleep, his expression no longer the storm of arrogance and pride he had worn since his birth.

Amaltheia sighed softly. "He was such a rude, brash god when he first arrived. So full of himself. It was hard to even have a conversation with him. But now..." She trailed off, shaking her head. "The change in him is so sudden. It's like he's not the same person at all."

Adrastea nodded slowly, her arms still crossed as she observed the god. "I thought the boy would take time to adjust, but this is—unexpected. His eyes used to burn with the fury of storms, glowing like the lightning he commands. But now... they've calmed. They're quieter. More thoughtful. He even called me 'Lady Adrastea' earlier, and he addressed you, Gaea, as 'Grandmother.'"

Gaea's gaze softened, though it held a flicker of something older, a sense of seeing something unfold that had been long anticipated. She placed a hand over her heart, her voice gentle as she spoke. "I've watched my children grow, the Titans were my pride and joy. And yet as they grew older they become pridful, arrogant, their refusal to listen to their own mom to live in peace. But... perhaps it's time for a new pantheon to rise and rule these lands. This one may grow into someone qute special."

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Amaltheia tilted her head, a wisp of a smile pulling at her lips. "You think he'll be different now, then?"

Gaea nodded, her gaze steady. "Yes, I do. And yet, we will just have to wait and see, he doesn't realize how differenent he already is."

Adrastea stepped closer, her voice thoughtful. "He asked you for help today. He was humble. That alone is a sign."

Amaltheia looked down at the god again, her expression shifting from playful to serious. "I just wonder if he truly understands what's at stake. This new softness, this... gentleness in him, it's new."

"Than let us wait and see just what kind of god he becomes."