In the heart of the frozen city, Cronos, as a tall middle aged man towered above the Gorgon daughter. Adamantia's eyes which would usually glimmer with life and fire were paralyzed with emotions that held no meaning.
She was aware of Cronos's grandeur. She knew the history behind the scythe and his power but upon experiencing it, it was difficult for her to fathom the scale of the truth.
With a gesture of amusement, Cronos approached the paralyzed demigoddess. "Adamantia," he began with a voice that sounded like grinding stone. "It is rather comical seeing you like this, don't you think?"
He finally peeled his glowing gaze away from hers and walked behind her but this time, he gently held onto her frozen forearm and turned her to face the shelter behind her. Fashioned after the Greek pantheons, her shelter seemed so lifeless now.
"You stand here protecting the same insects that reject your existence." Cronos smacked his lips, it seemed that he was now a shivering old man. But despite his hunched figure, the man's eyes held unfathomable amounts of power which demanded respect and authority.
"Tch, tch, tch. My children, you have not only failed humanity but failed each other. It is shameful to think that Olympus has fallen into such disarray that they allow these spineless creatures the audacity to believe that they are above us!"
Cronos slammed his scythe on the ground causing the Earth to rumble. Folding under their master's wish, the Earth ruptured and a mild fissure ran across the road towards a nearby fountain.
"To think that humans can deny us. DENY GODS! Zeus has failed me."
The Gorgon's eyes blazed, the only part of her that could move, and they bore into him with an intensity that would've turned any other being to stone. "No, calm down, Adamantia. Control yourself. Just focus and gather as much intel you can from him. He is being chatty, take advantage of that."
Just as she was calming herself, the teenage version of him began to circle her, appraisingly, as if looking at a potential prize.
"Join me," he proposed, his voice dripping with honeyed temptation. "Together, we can reshape this world. I've always admired your strength, your determination. You could have a place of power, a place of honor in the world I'm building. Think of it – a chance to mend bridges, especially with your father."
At the mention of Poseidon's name, her laughter rang out, echoing strangely in the frozen realm. It was a sound that was both chilling and defiant.
"Poseidon?" she mocked, her voice laced with venom. "It was because of him my mother, Medusa, met her tragic end. You believe that offering me a seat beside him would tempt me?"
Cronos raised an eyebrow, trying to maintain his composure. "Is revenge not what you seek? I offer you the chance."
Adamantia's gaze was unyielding. "The gods, including your brethren, have only wreaked havoc upon the world and stunted humankind's evolution. You, and the Gods. All of you are so pathetic. Why do you think that everything should owe you their gratitude? Upon imprisonment, humankind thrived. As Olympus warred, humankind thrived. And you still think that they owe you? You are just pissed off that they are reaching Godhood while staying mortal."
Adamantia continues to laugh maniacally, ignoring Cronos's callous expression. He was seething and she could careless of igniting his ire.
Obviously he needed her so it was highly unlikely that he would kill her.
She continued, "I do not wish for revenge, Cronos. I wish for a world where beings like you and the gods no longer meddle in the lives of others."
Cronos, slightly taken aback by her resolve, hesitated for a moment. "Even if you decline my offer, know that the gears of time are mine to control. When I choose to, everything will continue as it was, and you'll have to pick a side."
"Perhaps," Adamantia replied defiantly. "But remember this, Titan: not all powers can be controlled by time. And there are things even you should fear."
With that, she stood her ground, unfazed by his hollowed gaze. She was ready for whatever the future – or past – might bring. As she laughed, the frozen lights of the neon billboards and cars, began to glow bright until the bulbs had overheated and burst.
"To think you believed you could recruit me," she laughed, her voice echoing oddly in the frozen realm.
In a flash of rage, Cronos lunged forward and delivered a powerful punch to Adamantia's midsection. She doubled over, her laughter cutting short with a pained gasp. Without missing a beat, he swung the bottom of his scythe, driving it into her back. The force threw her to the ground, shattering the concrete around her, creating a spider-web of cracks.
Adamantia was unable to move, but her eyes – those defiant eyes – swiveled to meet his. Despite her vulnerable state, a smirk crept on her face.
"Is this the might of a Titan?" she coughed, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. "Even now, you can't silence me. If you were a God, you would unfreeze me and challenge me fairly."
Cronos glowered, his fingers gripping the handle of his scythe so tightly they turned white. "You think your audacity will save you?" he hissed, the wrath evident in his voice. "You're making a grave mistake. When the end comes, you'll perish alongside these weak humans you adore so much."
With that chilling promise, Cronos turned on his heel, his cloak sweeping behind him. As he walked away, the suspended droplets from nearby puddles fell, and the sounds of the city roared back to life. Cars honked, the hum of conversation filled the air, and the rhythm of modern life resumed, oblivious to the monumental showdown that had just taken place in its midst.
Pain radiated through Adamantia's body as she slowly pushed herself off the cracked ground, cursing under her breath. "He just woke up and he decided to choose violence."
Adamantia giggled as she stood up, her arm draped over the pulsating spot where Cronos's fist had connected with her gut. "To think they are so high and mighty but they act like children who didn't get their toys. Fucking lunatics."
Just as Adamantia was about to return to the shelter, a figure emerged—Ahmanet. Her eyes, dark and mysterious, scanned the scene before her before deep concern etched her features.
"Adamantia…" she murmured, rushing to her side. She offered her hand, helping the demigoddess to her feet.
Ahmanet's senses tingled as she felt the residual energy emanating from the spot where Cronos had stood. "I felt the disruption in the fabric of reality," she whispered, her voice laced with concern. "The energy... It was him, wasn't it? Cronos."
Adamantia nodded, grimacing from the pain. "He wanted me by his side. Tried to tempt me with promises, but I would never join his cause."
"First Poseidon and then Cronos?" Ahmanet's cat-like eyes glimmered with annoyance. "Just what the fuck are they thinking of doing? If they start a war, then they willnot spare anything. No wonder they are trying to recruit you."
"Still, it doesn't mean anything. They must have ulterior motives. My mortal riches and connections won't serve them any good. Yes, I am a warrior and am able to fight well, but they can probably recruit Hercules as well. Why do they want me?"
Ahmanet was quiet, shifting Adamantia's weight so she could easily lean against her. The two walked to the stairs of their shelter and sat down. Adamantia hissed but soon relaxed, lying her back against the steps as she looked up into the sky to spot a flock of colorful pigeons flying by.
"They are going to destroy Earth, Ahmanet. They don't care about the system that humans have created after so long. Cronos just wants to reestablish the old order while Zeus will fight tooth and nail for his precious Olympus. For all we know the fight will wage for infinity and all mortal life will cease to exist."
"I will inform my father of this. The Egyptian Pantheon must know-"
"Know what? That the Greek Gods are planning to initiate another war that will bring the universe to its knees? It will entice your Gods to do the same. And who knows, the Norse Gods might get a wind of this as well and join in."
Ahmanet was deathly silent. She couldn't fathom to imagine a hodgepodge of so many Gods and Goddesses fighting against one another. Not only will it destroy Earth but they will rend all of existence. Time, space and the universe itself.
Before Ahmanet could respond, the two girls felt another presence. It felt overwhelming, as it grew closer to the two. Like being directly exposed to the sun, their skin felt hot to touch and the two knew who was approaching the two.
A flash of golden light interrupted them. From the ethereal glow stepped out two Greek gods: Apollo, with his sun-kissed skin and golden lyre, and Ares, the god of war, his armor glinting menacingly.
Both gods regarded Ahmanet and Adamantia with mixed expressions of concern and recognition. Apollo, with his ever-calm demeanor, spoke first, "Adamantia, we felt the ripple in the cosmic balance, was Cronos here?"
"Yes, he was attempting to recruit me to this cause." Adamantia groaned, attempting to sit up straight.
Apollo's golden eyes widened, turning to regard Ares whose attention was on the nearby stop sign where Cronos's energy was the strongest. He knew that the man's power was unstable since the space, time ripple was unstable at that point.
Ares, his voice gruff, added, "This doesn't bode well for Zeus. Cronos is already stretching his legs, once he becomes comfortable and gathers his Titan brethren, he will target Olympus. His powers are increasing. It's a threat to all pantheons, not just ours."
Ahmanet narrowed her eyes, her distrust for the Greek gods evident.
"What do you want?" she asked, her tone cold.
Apollo sighed, "We want to ensure that his influence doesn't spread. Cronos aims to rewrite the order of things, to bring back the reign of the Titans."
Adamantia tried to stand tall, though the weight of her encounter with Cronos bore down on her. "And why should we trust you? Every time the Greek pantheon is involved, it's trouble."
Ares snorted, "This isn't about trust, Adamantia. It's about survival. Cronos's ambitions threaten all, including your precious humans."
Ahmanet, sensing the tension, interjected, "Perhaps it's best we talk inside." She gestured towards the shelter.
As the four of them made their way towards the entrance, it was clear that uneasy alliances were forming, hinting at the monumental battle that was yet to come.