Crete.
We sat around the large bonfire that mother and everyone else made for us to celebrate, feasting on some proper food after ten years. Something that I took full advantage of, given that I've been physically starving for all that time and only satiating my hunger through Cronos-no, Kronos's essence.
I still don't know why Zeus insists on that new name. As far as I know, it means nothing, but everyone has taken to calling him that, so I guess I'll leave it be for now.
Looking to the side, I spotted mother still trying to come to terms with the fact that we really did come back and that all of this was not some cruel illusion.
The fact that she has such a hard time accepting things, despite having planned nearly all of this in the first place, showed just how much of a shadow that bastard on Othrys left on her mind.
Then again, she will never have to worry about that titan ever again in this life.
Because there is simply no way for Kronos to ever defeat me after tonight. Especially since my Zenkai has already allowed me to adapt to his time manipulations to a certain extent.
If I wanted to, could fly over to Othrys right now and drop an Omega Blaster on his head, wiping out the entire mountain from the face of Gaia, despite this world's state of conceptual existence at the moment, according to mother.
The only thing stopping me is the consequences that would arise from such an action.
The Ourea never move from their place of birth, because they are the mountains themselves.
If they choose to move, there is no doubt that their allegiance would bolster any force they choose to back. As the sons of Gaia, even older than the Titans, their power is without question.
However, if one of them dies all of a sudden, and Othrys will die if I drop my Hakai-enhanced Omega Blaster, they will most likely awaken and support the Titans in the war.
Personally, I would be fine even with all of their efforts combined. I have that much confidence in my power.
But my siblings and Mother? They most definitely will be affected by this. They might even die and be sent to Tartarus. And that is something I will not accept.
That is why I am waiting for the perfect opportunity to take out all the Titans in one fell swoop, as the Oni used to say.
'Now that I think about it, is it strange that most of my advanced vocabulary, social etiquette, and all knowledge in general, comes from those overly talkative Oni that were my guards in Hell who never took no for an answer?'
I shook my head as Zeus started to enact the speech I saw him practice beforehand with Mother, trying to rouse the spirits and morale of our allies.
Hundreds of Oceanids, countless Nymphs, lesser Titans, beings like the rest of my siblings who were born different from their parents, even some monsters, so many different beings were gathered here that they could easily form an army on their own.
And given what Zeus was saying, it seems that is the direction he is taking things, but in a little different way than what I imagined.
From what I understood from his speech, he seems to wish for our allies to work as our logistical support. Our Spies, our eyes and ears, our supply of Nectar and Ambrosia, and many other such supporting roles.
Meanwhile, we would handle the real combat against the Titans alongside the other minor Titans who were willing to join us on the battlefield.
It made sense. Many of those gathered here are not capable of matching a lesser Titan in combat, let alone the first generation that made up the top of Kronos's army.
So they would be better used in Logistics.
I felt my thoughts halt as two familiar, furry heads rubbed against my thigh with purrs and chuffs.
I felt a smile form on my face as I scratched the heads of the two lions. My mother's sacred animals and my childhood companions in this world, even if it was only for a few months.
Although looking back, it wasn't just these lions either.
Back then, when mother secretly took me to her private grove sometimes, all kinds of animals were always attracted to me for some strange reason.
Deer would always prance around me without fear, with their little ones even daring to sleep in my lap, despite the clear presence of the lions, their natural predators, by my side.
Boars would burrow their heads affectionately into my side, while Bears would roll over like overgrown dogs and let me scratch their bellies.
Leopards, Jackals, Wolves, Goats, Hares, and so much more would always gather around me whenever I stepped out of Othrys on those rare occasions.
I thought it was because Rhea, the Titan of Motherhood, was my mother. But she denied my theory, saying that it was my 'natural energy' that attracted the animals to me. Whatever that means.
Finally, Zeus ended his speech with the vow that he would be better than Kronos and that to fight the Titans, we would need weapons to overpower them.
A plan that he came up with after consulting Hera and Mother. And truthfully, it is a sound plan.
While my brothers have the raw power advantage and the edge of martial arts that I taught them to the best of my ability, the edge that a weapon provides in a battle of equals is not to be underestimated.
And the only ones who can forge said weapons are the original three Cyclops and the Hundred-Handed Ones that Kronos locked away in Tartarus.
I watched as Zeus was dragged away by a few nymphs and Oceanids for private 'discussions', much to Metis's chagrin, if the woman's expressions are anything to go by.
Similarly, Poseidon was also at the center of a large group of Oceanids, whom he was already charming to the best of his ability.
But I don't get it! What is so good about wooing women? Why waste time on something as trivial as mating when you could train to become stronger in the same time? all this effort for something as basic as siring children?
Not to mention that those women look weak, so the children born from them would probably be weak as well, so wouldn't that mean they are working towards a net negative all around?
I really don't get it.
Fortunately, it would seem Hades shares the same thoughts as I, since he has retreated to one of the darker spots around the fire and has been keeping to himself most of the time, and only deigns to speak when spoken to.
Although I don't get why he is glaring enviously at our brothers.
...My family is really weird. Must be a Titan/God thing.
"Are you not going to join your brothers in the merry making?"
I felt my smile stretch a bit more as Mother sat down beside me, finally done discussing whatever it was that she and Hera were talking about.
"No. Mother. I think I would rather spend time here and wait for you."
I watched her warm smile.
"You could have simply asked to talk to me. Hera and I were not discussing anything serious."
"Hm. I could. But I won't."
She chuckled and combed her fingers through my long hair fondly.
"You haven't changed one bit."
I grinned at her words.
"Of course not. Remember what you said back then? That you love my personality? How could I change what you love that easily?"
I saw the unshed tears in her eyes at my words and the way she struggled to keep herself from crying right then and there, if only to not show any weakness in front of our allies.
Of course, I was not the only one who spotted it either as Hestia moved over and sat down on the otherside of Mother, taking her hand into hers. That mysterious fire that materialized for her back in Othrys radiating a strangely calming warmth from within her.
We remained like that for a long time before Mother finally spoke up again.
"What do you think of Zeus's plan for your uncles?"
"I agree with him. But not because I want weapons from them."
"Hm?"
I stared into the flames as the memories of the past decade, and the many years from my previous lives, flashed through my mind.
"I know what it is like to be a prisoner with no fault of your own. And I would not wish such a fate on anyone."
"That is why I wish to assist Zeus in retrieving the Cyclops and the Hekatoncheris. Not because they are useful, but because I wish for them to be free."
She remained silent at my words before bursting out laughing, much to my confusion.
Even more confusing was the warm gaze that Hestia gave me.
'Did I say something wrong?'
Unfortunately, nobody deigned to answer my questions, so I could only swallow it and remain silent.
Soon, after our uncles are freed, it will be time for war.
And this time, it would be me who imprisons that bastard who made me break my vow all those years ago.
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Zeus: (Click for Image)
Poseidon: (Click for Image)
Hades: (Click for Image)
Hera: (Click for Image)
Demeter: (Click for Image)
Hestia: (Click for Image)
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