A sharp, blazing sunlight.
Whether because the Four Brothers of the Wind were taking a rest day, the sky was clear without a single cloud, and not even a breeze stirred.
“Wow, today is such a perfect day for surfing.”
Poseidon began preparing inside his palace deep in the sea near the island of Euboea.
Hh-hmm-hmm.
Humming, Poseidon took out his personal surfboard he had once asked the Cyclopes to make for him.
“Mm… nice. With this, I’ll be the ruler of these waves.”
Imagining himself surfing, Poseidon left the palace to go near the island where the nymphs lived so he could enjoy the waves.
That was until something suddenly appeared and tackled him from behind.
“Ghhk!”
Wincing in pain from the sudden attack, Poseidon soon realized who had jumped on him, and he let out a deep sigh.
The person who tackled him paid no mind to Poseidon’s reaction and grabbed him, shaking him violently while shooting out words like bullets.
“Poseidon, something amazing has happened. Metis unnie is pregnant, did you know? Zeus’ very first child is going to be born. I’m jealous because even we don’t have children yet, but at the same time it’s kind of good since it’s a child of the sea, and Eurynome unnie is extremely excited too after hearing the news. The moment I heard it, I ran straight to tell you, Poseidon.”
Seeming accustomed to this kind of thing, Poseidon simply endured the shaking until the identity of the one rattling him became obvious.
It was Amphitrite.
As Poseidon’s wife, she was a nymph and goddess who now ruled the primordial sea Oceanus.
Poseidon felt his mind grow hazy at the rapid-fire, rap-like stream of words pouring out of her.
‘Just what kind of “amazing” thing is it this time….’
A moment later, he grabbed the extremely excited, red-faced Amphitrite and calmed her down.
“Hey now, Amphitrite, take a breath and speak. You’re talking so fast I couldn’t understand a single thing.”
Only then did Amphitrite calm down a little and explain the news more coherently.
Metis was pregnant.
Olympus was preparing a festival to celebrate the pregnancy of the King of the Gods’ first child, and invitations were being sent out to every god.
Zeus had cheated many times, but he had never had a child.
So this event was practically a festival for the sky gods.
Amphitrite had received invitations addressed to Poseidon, Amphitrite, and Eurynome, and had brought them herself.
‘Hmm… so now comes Athena’s birth and Metis’ death….’
High gods had no concept of death, but in myth, Metis was essentially absorbed by Zeus, becoming the embodiment of his wisdom—dead in all but name.
This event became an example showcasing Zeus’ cruelty, cold judgment, and what the existence of a “king” truly meant.
‘Mm… so Metis will soon be eaten by Zeus.’
Amphitrite seemed excited by the pregnancy of Metis, her friend, a sea-nymph and Goddess of Wisdom.
But even if one didn’t know about Metis’ death, logically speaking, this wasn’t really something to celebrate wholeheartedly.
“I get that you want to congratulate Metis, but from the perspective of our sea faction, we need to be cautious.”
“But Poseidon, Metis unnie is still one of our sea nymphs.”
“She’s still ultimately Zeus’ woman. It’s not something we need to go congratulate in person. Ah! Hades will be thrilled though. He’ll probably pray a stupid child comes out.”
Poseidon had no intention of getting involved in this matter.
He knew destiny dictated that Zeus would swallow Metis just like their father Kronos had done, but he had no intention of stopping it or interfering.
‘Gaia’s prophecy… Zeus will learn about it soon enough.’
Gaia, who didn’t have any fondness for Zeus, would gleefully deliver that prophecy.
“Still, it’s Metis unnie’s pregnancy, and it’s the first child of Zeus, the King of the Sky. Shouldn’t we at least congratulate her?”
Even in the face of Poseidon’s cold reaction, Amphitrite still seemed eager to congratulate her beloved older sister.
Poseidon couldn’t say he didn’t understand her reaction.
Metis was a sea-nymph, meaning that in modern terms she held “dual citizenship.”
And honestly, which god didn’t have complicated family ties?
Also, unlike Hades, Poseidon wasn’t on bad terms with Zeus.
“You’re right, my dear wife. It is his first child. Fine, then—you can prepare the gift, alright?”
Accepting Amphitrite’s reasoning, Poseidon decided to send at least a present.
And since Amphitrite was good at selecting such things, he left the gift preparations entirely to her.
‘Though I’m not sure this is something worth celebrating….’
Amphitrite, despite her slight unease, was grateful Poseidon accepted her suggestion.
As thanks, she kissed him on the lips and smiled brightly.
“Thank you. Really, there’s no one like you. I’ll prepare the clothes, so you just come with your body. We have to leave soon, so get ready.”
Poseidon watched her swim away rapidly and happily—until he noticed something off.
“Huh? Clothes? What clothes is she talking about? Wait… was she saying we’re going in person…? I… didn’t think this was something I should personally attend….”
He stared silently at the surfboard in his hand—and quietly returned it to the storage room.
It was a slightly sad day.
* * *
Meanwhile, Olympus was preparing a grand festival as if to announce it to the entire world.
Metis was being treated effectively as Zeus’ wife, and the child in her belly was Zeus’ firstborn and likely heir.
A magnificent celebration was being prepared.
—We have enough ambrosia and nectar, right?
—Yes. But we don’t have enough ingredients for the other dishes.
—What? Then why are you being so calm! Go beg Demeter if you have to!!
While everyone was busy preparing for the festival—
Deep inside the most silent and heavily guarded chambers of Olympus, Zeus and Metis were speaking.
“Zeus, I still can’t believe there’s a child of yours and mine inside my belly.”
“I feel the same, Metis. It still doesn’t feel real. But one thing is certain. Our child will be strong and wise, inheriting both your wisdom and my power.”
“Then let’s ask Gaia about this child’s fate. And… how about inviting Gaia to the festival?”
“Gaia?”
“Yes. She would know what kind of child this will be. Besides, Olympus can’t stay on bad terms with Gaia forever.”
“…….”
* * *
Following Metis’ suggestion and persuasion, Zeus went to find Gaia.
Gaia spent half the year in the ocean these days, and the other half on an island that was within Poseidon’s domain.
Her whereabouts were so regular that she was easy to locate.
“Lady Gaia, I wish to hear the prophecy of my child’s fate. And I would be honored if you would grace our child’s celebration with your presence.”
Gaia frowned the moment she saw Zeus, but she did not drive him away.
Just seeing Zeus’ face displeased and irritated her.
But thanks to the children currently in Metis’ belly, Gaia would soon witness Zeus suffering—something she welcomed greatly.
So she willingly recited the prophecy for Zeus.
Wishing for his misery.
“Your child will be very wise. A girl with owl-like eyes, possessing your strength and Metis’ wisdom. But your second child with Metis will be a strong son who will take your throne. A powerful god who will unite humans and gods alike and open a new era. That child will seize the throne from his father and usher in a new age.”
Zeus fell silent after hearing Gaia’s prophecy.
To think that he would receive the same prophecy that Kronos, his father, once heard.
In a daze, Zeus returned to Olympus and shut himself away.
While Olympus buzzed with festival preparations, Zeus was alone in deep, consuming anxiety.
How could he escape this fate?
Would he have to do what his father Kronos had done?
Or should he allow himself to be overthrown?
He spiraled endlessly.
When Zeus vanished and didn’t greet guests or oversee preparations, the gods of Olympus began to sense something was wrong.
Zeus, who had been full of energy welcoming early-arriving guests, suddenly disappeared.
All gods, nymphs, and magical beings realized it.
Something was wrong.
* * *
The first person to realize the severity of Zeus’ change was Metis.
Ever since Zeus had returned from meeting Gaia, he had not visited her even once, so she immediately understood something in the prophecy must have been terrible.
Metis secretly sent a letter via her attendants to Prometheus and soon learned the truth.
If she gave birth to twins, Zeus’ kingship would be threatened.
“What should I do? If it’s the Zeus I love… he would probably act like Kronos.”
She understood his turmoil, but she would rather die than allow her soon-to-be-born child to be killed.
Metis immediately sought out the goddess Rhea.
She asked the goddess who had once been in the same situation for help.
“Mother, I don’t want to see the child inside me be swallowed by Zeus. Please, help me.”
“If it’s Zeus… he will surely make the same choice as Kronos.”
Rhea found it strange that Metis, who should have been basking in celebration on Olympus, had come to her. After hearing the circumstances, she was horrified.
“Oh… so even Zeus cannot run from fate. Wait a moment, child. I need to understand this more clearly.”
Rhea then went to see both Prometheus and Gaia and heard the full prophecy.
Both prophets—each possessing the greatest prophetic ability—had stated the same fate without a single deviation: Zeus’ second child would become King of the Gods.
“Metis, child… this is not a prophecy that can be avoided. Two beings with the greatest prophetic power have spoken the exact same fate.”
“Then… Zeus will do whatever it takes to harm the children.”
“And… a child who unites all gods and humans… that means even the positions of Zeus’ siblings would be in danger….”
Rhea and Metis felt an even deeper dread at the part about uniting all gods and humans.
“Mother, please… I want to protect my children. Zeus will surely try to stop the birth of the second child. And Lady Gaia and Prometheus mentioned only a ‘second child’—they didn’t explicitly say whether the child inside me is one or two. But I can feel it. There are definitely twins inside my womb.”
At Metis’ words, Rhea fell into heavy thought.
If the child wasn’t twins, there would be no problem.
But the instinct of a goddess carrying her children was nearly infallible.
And divine children could not be detected before birth…
After long contemplation, Rhea finally made her decision.
“Then… go to Poseidon. He is Gaia’s husband, and a god of the sea where Zeus has no authority. If you can persuade him, he can protect you.”
And she gently embraced Metis.
“No matter how I think about it, there is no other choice…. If Zeus learns of the prophecy, even Hades will surely try to kill your children…. So persuade Poseidon. That is the only path for you and your children to live.”
Metis hesitated at Rhea’s words.
Indeed, Poseidon could protect her.
But would Poseidon accept her?
According to the prophecy, the children in her belly were a threat even to Poseidon.