Chapter 6: Titanomachy (2)
A week after the proposal, as expected, Zeus garnered the most support.
Surprisingly, Hera's faction came close to rivaling his, nearly breathing down his neck.
While most of her supporters were goddesses, considering that goddesses often held sway over male gods, this demonstrated Hera's considerable influence.
Among them, the most notable name I recognized was Iris, the goddess of the rainbow.
It seemed Iris was already acting as Hera's closest confidante.
In the original myth, Iris was Hera's messenger, so this wasn't entirely unexpected.
Moreover, Hera had recruited Demeter and Hestia, bolstering the martial strength of her faction, making it the most formidable after Zeus'.
Next was Hades, true to his reputation for grimness, attracting the gods most feared by others.
Notably, Thanatos, the god of death, and Eris, the goddess of discord, were under his command.
Of course, both were children of Nyx, the primordial night, so they weren't entirely loyal to Hades, but their synergy seemed exceptional.
As for me, Poseidon, I had almost no faction to speak of.
Part of it was because I didn't bother to gather one, and part was because, since becoming Poseidon, I didn't feel the need for one.
With all the seas and waters—the essence of life itself—within my grasp, why would I need to bother with petty followers?
Still, if I had to name notable gods in my "faction," there was Styx, the goddess of the underworld river, and her daughter Nike.
Also, for some reason I couldn't fathom, Metis, Zeus' lover and Oceanus' daughter, seemed to be half-aligned with me.
***
Under Zeus' leadership, a massive war began.
The conflict between our forces and Kronos' was evenly matched, and since gods are immortal and cannot be killed, the war dragged on endlessly.
"Waaargh!!!"
"Charge!"
Zeus, Hera, and Hades clashed most frequently with Kronos, and their battles were so intense that a distinct space seemed to form around them even in the midst of war.
Boom, boom, boom!
"You brats have gotten quite strong."
"That's just you getting old, geezer. Why don't you retire?"
"You, Hades!"
"Hades, are you using phrases you picked up from Poseidon again? You're so undignified in a fight."
"Hahaha, 'geezer.' That's got a nice ring to it."
The fight against Kronos was, unlike before, evenly matched.
Part of it was because Kronos was better prepared, but a big factor was that Zeus had grown as strong as Hades and Hera.
He was even starting to wield his lightning, albeit imperfectly.
"Poseidon, don't you need to join that fight?"
"Styx, I'm not that ambitious. Besides, this war's going to drag on for a long time. No need to exhaust myself right now."
Whenever Poseidon went to the battlefield, Styx was always by his side.
This later became a symbol of Poseidon—the male god who subdued even the mightiest river goddess.
"Styx, are you okay with this? I've heard rumors on the battlefield that you're already my plaything."
"Hehe, don't worry, Poseidon. I don't care about that. I'm just grateful you're keeping your promise to me."
"Ugh…"
From Poseidon's perspective, the rumor wasn't bad, but it did bother him slightly since it diminished Styx's dignity and achievements as a goddess.
Still, their relationship was based on a fair deal, thanks to a promise they'd made.
"Since you're looking out for my sister Asia's husband and sons, I'd bow to you even if I had to grovel. In war, family means nothing, but how can I ignore my sister's grief?"
At Styx's request, Poseidon was sparing Asia's husband, Iapetus, and her sons, Menoetius and Atlas, from serious harm.
Even now, he was casually fending off Atlas, who was charging at him.
"Poseidon!!!"
"Stop yelling, will you? You're so loud I'm starting to hear things."
"You bastard!"
Clang!
Their fists collided, producing a sound like clashing metal.
"Urgh!"
"Still too weak. Come back after some more training, kid."
Poseidon, channeling his divine power, sent Atlas flying with a single punch.
"Argh!"
"Man, those comics from my past life were pure science."
He'd just mimicked a move from a comic, wrapping divine power around his fist to blast Atlas away.
In the original myth, Atlas and Menoetius were formidable Titans, but in this war, they were no match for Poseidon, whose divine name was nearly fully realized.
Plus, at Gaia's request, Poseidon had been training with adamantine pillars, continuing his proven regimen.
If Zeus or Hades fought those two, they'd likely sustain serious injuries, so Poseidon took it upon himself to deal with them, sending them flying without causing major harm.
If he wanted to, he could've ripped their sinews out and left them immobile, but he held back because of Styx's request.
***
The war between Zeus' forces and the Titans dragged on for over a decade.
The world was left in ruins, and Zeus concluded that prolonging the conflict further would benefit no one.
"Prometheus, can you prophesy a way to end this war? Continuing it will only bring ruin to us all."
At Zeus' question, Prometheus unfurled a map and pointed to a location.
"Victory in this war is better known to another. Go to this place and meet the great and radiant Mother Gaia."
"Oh! Of course, her!"
With that, Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon set out to find Gaia.
Hera, as the leader of the second-largest faction, had to stay behind to command the battlefield alongside Hestia and Demeter.
The three gods, evading the Titans, arduously reached Gaia's temple deep within the chasm of the Omphalos, the navel of the world, and asked her:
"Lady Gaia, please tell us how to end this war."
As Zeus, representing them, spoke to Gaia's stone statue, a massive tree sprouted and transformed into the form of a woman, appearing before the three gods.
"You must seek those who are Titans yet not Titans, those who harbor great anger toward the Titans now. Only with their aid will you achieve victory in this war."
The three gods Immediately realized who Gaia meant.
Rumors of the Hecatoncheires and Cyclopes, imprisoned by Kronos in Tartarus, had circulated even during the war.
Some of the Titans allied with them had suggested freeing these beings to join the fight.
However, Tartarus was a place they couldn't yet access freely, so they had given up on the idea.
Moreover, Kronos' forces kept a tight watch over Tartarus.
"So, the war's end will be decided there," Zeus said.
"The problem, Zeus, is that Father Kronos is guarding that place thoroughly," Hades replied.
"Hades, with the combined strength of us brothers here, that shouldn't be an issue," Zeus countered.
"You idiot. If Kronos realizes we're gone, he'll launch a full-scale attack. Hera's power alone won't be enough to hold them off."
"Hah! You think I didn't consider that? That's why we'll take ambrosia and nectar with us. If they become our allies, we can end this war with a single surprise attack."
Hades and Zeus bickered the entire way to Tartarus.
After ten years of constant fighting, this was hardly surprising, but to Poseidon, they both looked like fools.
'Here they go again. Hades and Zeus are so alike… Thank the gods Hera's not here.'
'More importantly, this tedious war is finally nearing its end.'
Poseidon was more excited about the world that would unfold after the war than their squabble.
Gaia's prophecy had all but guaranteed the war's end was near.
When the three brothers, still bickering, arrived at Tartarus, they saw Kronos' soldiers guarding the entrance, as expected.
"Is that Campe guarding the front?" Zeus asked.
"The problem isn't just that giant, but the horde of other monsters," Hades noted.
"If we're not careful, Kronos will catch on too quickly," Poseidon added.
After much deliberation, the brothers devised a plan: two would distract Campe and her army, while the third would open Tartarus and free the Hecatoncheires and Cyclopes.
***
The operation began.
Poseidon and Hades, tasked with drawing attention, started causing a commotion on one side.
Boom!
The attack began with a surprise strike on Campe.
With a dragon's body, a human torso, bat wings, and multiple animal heads, Campe quickly noticed Poseidon and Hades' assault and charged at them.
"You brats, Kronos' children, dare to rebel against him? Blue hair, you're Poseidon. Black hair, Hades."
Campe easily blocked their attacks and deployed her army to cut off their escape.
"You won't leave this place alive. Once I capture you, Kronos will reward me handsomely."
Campe pressed them as if she'd already won.
Her misjudgment stemmed from not knowing the true strength of the three brothers, having only guarded the Hecatoncheires and Cyclopes in Tartarus.
Hades and Poseidon played along, exaggerating their struggle.
If things went according to plan, they could eliminate Campe without Kronos noticing and free the prisoners.
***
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
The sounds of a massive battle echoed through Tartarus but didn't escape beyond it, thanks to Gaia's divine power containing the fallout.
Meanwhile, Zeus watched the fight between Campe and his brothers, waiting for his chance.
With the giant and her monstrous army surrounding Tartarus, entry was difficult, so he waited for his brothers to draw them out further.
As Campe moved her forces to fully engage Poseidon and Hades, Zeus swiftly darted to the bronze gates of Tartarus.
Using a key made from a fragment of Kronos' divine power, which Gaia had secretly stolen, he unlocked the entrance.
Rumble!
The bronze gates of Tartarus opened, revealing the Cyclopes, one-eyed giants, and the Hecatoncheires, with their hundred arms and faces, seated within.
"You must be Zeus. Mother told us about you," said a Cyclops.
"She said you're the hero of the gods who'd save us…" echoed the Hecatoncheires, their hundred voices resonating as one.
Zeus flinched at the sight of the one-eyed giants and the cacophony of the Hecatoncheires but quickly regained his composure, knowing they were essential to ending the war.
"Yes, I'm Zeus. Please, help us."
"Hmm. For a chance to strike back at our hateful brother Kronos, we'd do anything."
"The problem is, our strength has waned after so long in Tartarus."
At their words, Zeus presented the ambrosia and nectar he'd prepared.
"Here is ambrosia and nectar, aged for ten years. I'm sorry to ask this of you right after your release, but the war is urgent. Hera is struggling to hold the front line. Please, help us."
"Oh, you've even brought precious ambrosia and nectar? What's there to refuse?"
"Exactly. As the Cyclopes say, we've been dreaming of landing a blow on that brother of ours."
Fueled by their hatred for Kronos, the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires had no reason to refuse Zeus' offer.
Even if Zeus had refused them, they'd have fought to wound Kronos, even at the cost of being thrown back into Tartarus.
"Then eat and drink. First, we need to deal with Campe."
"Campe, that giantess, is one of our hated enemies too."
"But please don't kill her. The food she occasionally gave us was like a drop of sweet honey."
"Even so, she's still Kronos' lackey."
"But we don't all have to be like Kronos."
A brief debate arose among the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires about Campe's fate, but they ultimately decided to spare her.
Zeus nodded at their decision and hurried to Poseidon and Hades, who were stalling for time.
"Poseidon, Hades, no need to hold back anymore!"
Hearing Zeus' call, Poseidon and Hades exchanged relieved glances and launched a full assault on Campe.
"You damned monster, you underestimated me!"
"Well, it wasn't that bad, but now we can go all out."
Campe faltered, startled by Zeus' voice from behind.
'Was this a diversion tactic?'
Though tasked with guarding Tartarus, Campe had heard enough rumors to know the significance of these three brothers.
She hadn't expected all three to leave the front lines.
'This is a crisis. I can't hold out against all three for long.'
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Campe sent out her messenger bird.
Her only option was to hold the brothers as long as possible and alert Kronos before the freed prisoners could regain their strength.
"Don't think I'll go down easily!"
With Zeus joining the fray, Campe fought even more ferociously.
Her only hope now was to get word to Kronos as quickly as possible.