Five years of work had finally come to an end.
Metis observed the liquid contained in a small glass jar.
Its color constantly changed.
Sometimes it appeared gold.
Sometimes silver.
And at times it acquired a strange blue glow.
Zeus contemplated the mixture in silence.
“Is it ready?”
Metis nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
That small amount of liquid represented years of research.
Years of travel.
Years of danger.
And now it could change the fate of the world.
“Then it’s time.”
Metis looked up.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Once we do this, there’s no going back.”
“There never was.”
The Titaness smiled slightly.
That answer was exactly what she had hoped for.
“What’s the plan?”
“To reach Cronus.”
“The difficult part.” —Put the potion into their drinks.
—The even harder part.
—And free my siblings.
Metis gazed at the god before her.
Five years ago, those words would have sounded like an impossible fantasy.
Now they seemed inevitable.
—I suppose you really are going to do it.
—I always was going to.
Zeus carefully took the jar.
The future was drawing ever closer.
Demeter.
Hera.
Hades.
Poseidon.
Soon they would be free.
For the first time in a long time, he felt nervous.
Not for himself.
But because this was the moment he had awaited since his arrival in this world.
Metis seemed to notice.
—You’re worried.
—Only a little.
—That’s new.
—They’re my siblings.
Metis’s smile softened.
—You will save them.
Zeus looked at her.
—Are you so sure?
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve never seen anyone as stubborn as you.” Zeus chuckled.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It is.”
Silence returned.
However, this time it was different.
They both knew it could be a long time before they saw each other again.
And they also knew that the danger Zeus would face would be enormous.
Metis took a step toward him.
Then another.
Until they were face to face.
“Come back.”
“I will.”
“It wasn’t a suggestion.” Zeus smiled.
“Understood.”
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then Metis made a decision.
A decision she had been avoiding for years.
And kissed Zeus.
It was brief.
Gently.
But enough to leave them both motionless for a few moments.
When they finally parted, the Titaness looked away.
Something extremely rare for her.
“Consider it an incentive to return.”
Zeus’s smile widened.
“Now I have even more reason to win.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
“Too late.”
Metis rolled her eyes.
Though she couldn’t hide a small smile.
Zeus carefully put the jar away.
Then he looked at her again.
“When I return…”
“I know.”
“Nothing will ever be the same.”
“I hope so.”
Then he turned and began to walk.
Toward his destiny.
Toward Cronus.
Toward the start of a war that would change the world.
Metis watched as his figure disappeared into the distance.
And for the first time in five years, she felt fear.
Not for herself.
But for him.
Because he knew the next move would decide the fate of gods and Titans.
And because a part of his heart already belonged to her.
Meanwhile, Zeus moved forward without looking back.
The jar was ready.
The plan was ready.
And his siblings had waited far too long.
The time had come to set them free.