Brother of Zeus

Prologue

—X—

Rhea felt beads of perspiration forming on her forehead, trying her best to pass it off as the warmth of the room. As her husband rose from his seat, he forcefully banged the handle of his scythe on the table, demanding the attention of the gathered guests.

"Thank you, all of you, for joining us in this feast, a celebration in honor of my beloved wife and the newest additions to our family," he proclaimed, casting a meaningful glance toward Rhea, his smile masking his true intentions. 'He always possessed a captivating charisma when it suited him,' Rhea thought to herself, signaling for the servants carrying the bundles to place them in her outstretched arms.

Her husband's gaze shifted greedily toward the bundles, only to redirect his attention back to the crowd. "However, as some of you may know, a prophecy has foretold that one of my offspring will betray me and attempt to usurp our reign. Being your devoted king," he sighed, a glimmer of madness flickering in his eyes, "I must prioritize the kingdom's welfare above all else. Therefore, I have made the decision to eliminate this perceived threat before it can sow any discord."

A malicious grin played upon his lips as he reached for one of the bundles, his eyes filled with anticipation. However, a frown creased his brow when he looked down upon the small bundle, containing nothing more than a tuft of black hair. Turning to his wife, he whispered with a mix of confusion and suspicion, "Are they always so quiet?" His gaze shifted inquisitively between the two bundles before ultimately shrugging it off. "It matters not, either way."

As Kronos leaned closer to Rhea, she couldn't help but fear that their ruse had been exposed, her breath catching in her throat. But to her relief, he seemed oblivious. The stones concealed within the bundles had been enchanted by the mist of Hecate, creating illusions that deceived even Kronos himself. They had done their best to make the illusions lifelike, although breathing life into stones proved impossible. Now, they could only hope for the best...

Once again facing the crowd, Kronos theatrically displayed the bundle, garnering the attention of all before devouring it whole, his expression devoid of remorse. With no hesitation, he repeated the act with the second bundle, consuming it without a second thought. Rhea watched with a gleeful sense of satisfaction as the successful switch unfolded before her eyes. However, Kronos's smile soon faded, replaced by a frown as he glared suspiciously at his stomach...

—X—

Perseus surveyed the cavern and its surroundings, his keen senses catching a faint rustling sound behind him. "Gotcha," he thought, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. Instead of impulsively spinning around, he opted to continue as if nothing had happened. However, his heightened hearing detected a sharp intake of breath.

Reacting swiftly, he spun around just in time to redirect his brother's advance and send him crashing to the ground beneath him. "Stop it, Perseus! It's no fun when you always win," his twin-brother complained. "Oh, come on, brother. It's not my fault that you're tragically inept at hiding and sneaking. You've always had a flair for the dramatics, Zeus. Besides, as your older brother, it's my duty to be better than you," Perseus playfully taunted, mocking his twin.

Zeus growled in frustration, his voice laced with defiance. "We're twins, Perseus! Adrasteia herself said we were born at the same time." Both godlings dusted themselves off, their gazes sweeping across the rugged expanse of their grandmother's form. The cave they called home nestled on the slopes of Mount Ida, nestled in the heart of eastern Crete. The relentless heat challenged even their divine endurance.

Peering from the cave's entrance, Perseus caught a fleeting glimpse of the vast Aegean Sea to the North, while a small village at the mountain's base represented the sole beacon of civilization in their line of sight.

Suddenly, a woman's voice carried down the mountain to the two sons of Kronos. "Perseus, Zeus, come back to the cave. It's time for lunch!" Adrasteia's call resounded through the air. The brothers exchanged glances before racing up the mountainside, their feet carrying them swiftly toward the familiar entrance of their abode.

Adrasteia, one of the nymphs of Mount Ida, had been in the service of Rhea, while her sister, Ida, needed a little more persuasion from Rhea's authoritative "discussion" before joining. Together, Ida and Adrasteia lovingly raised the two sons of Kronos as their own. Though the godlings had been alive for five years, their accelerated aging process due to their divine nature made them mentally and physically twelve.

Perseus, with his raven-black hair and an athletic yet lean physique, possessed mesmerizing gold eyes speckled with green. His high cheekbones lent him an air of royalty, and his face seemed chiseled from bronze-tinted marble. Adorned in a white khiton with gold linings that complemented his rare eye color, he stood out in a crowd. The only other bearer of gold eyes was his father, Kronos, leaving Perseus unsure of his thoughts on the matter.

On the other hand, Zeus boasted a more sinewy build, his agile frame exuding strength and power for his twelve-year-old form. His eyes sparkled like electric blue, radiating an almost ethereal glow. Despite their physical similarities, both brothers possessed handsome bronze-toned skin and well-sculpted facial features.

As they reached the cool sanctuary of the cave, Adrasteia fussed over a tear in Zeus's white khiton, her disappointment evident. She quickly suppressed any further remarks and proceeded with the two boys to where her sister had prepared ambrosia and nectar. Zeus merely nodded in acknowledgment to Ida, while Perseus approached her and planted an appreciative peck on her cheek, expressing his gratitude.

Taking their seats at the table, opposite each other, the brothers watched as their foster mothers went about their tasks. Although the two brothers appeared similar on the surface, their personalities couldn't have been more distinct. Zeus possessed a showboating nature, while Perseus maintained a playful and laid-back attitude, though both were authoritative when the situation called for it.

After they finished their meal, Zeus turned to his brother and asked, "So, fancy a training session?" Perseus didn't need to respond; they both knew the answer. With that, they dashed toward the weapons rack, each grabbing a wooden sword...

End of Chapter

Welcome to the story, I hope you enjoy the following chapters as well.