Kronos sat upon his throne, scythe resting across his knees, golden eyes sweeping the hall. His generals waited in silence, each one brimming with power, but it was the silence itself that mattered to him. It showed deference. Respect. Fear.
Kronos' eyes landed on the outlier, Oceanus. They had never gotten along. Ever since Kronos stepped forth and killed their father, Oceanus had hidden in his waters, avoiding Mt Othrys and Kronos because he feared his power. To see him before him was an unexpected surprise.
The gaze of Kronos caused Oceanus to flinch, lowering his head.
"Why have you come before me, coward? Kronos said at last, his voice a grind of stone, smooth but jagged, contempt clear in his voice.
Oceanus' eyes glimmered with ocean green light. He kept telling himself that the mockery of Kronos was insignificant compared to the livelihood of his children and his power.
"The oceans are dying; that upstart Poseidon has led the seas to destruction. We have had our differences, brother, but now we must put them aside and deal with Olympus. So in this war, you will have my support."
The hall fell into a murmur. Even Krios, silent behind his ram's mask, lifted his head to study their eldest brother. Kronos studied Oceanus, one he had always had contempt for, a Titan averse to killing, and instead hid within his waters to avoid all conflict, even stepping aside when the gods took power. To hear steel in his voice was a surprise, a welcome one.
"With your powers and your army holding down Poseidon, I can take care of Olympus. After that, you can claim your oceans." Kronos declared, his confidence in dealing with his traitorous children already allowing him to think the war was already won.
Hyperion's eyes flared at the thought of battle, sunlight spilling across his armor in his excitement. "Say the word, and I will bathe Olympus in my flames, raze it to ashes."
Kronos allowed himself a smile. Hyperion was predictable, useful in his hunger for destruction. "Not yet, we must first gather all our forces before launching battle. Especially if we must also deal with Elysian."
Kronos spoke the name with disdain, almost like the word was an insult. He had approached a mere demigod, offering him an alliance, only to be rejected; the rejection was an insult, a mockery of his power. He would ensure the death of that demigod and everything he cared for. Though he must admit, Elysian wasn't weak; it held a cohort of powerful minor gods, and even his daughter Hestia, this daughter was one whose strength even he couldn't see through.
Hearing the name Elysian, the Titans offered their own views on how to deal with it. Especially since Hecate was known for her charms and warding, meaning the defences would rival even Olympus, making siege very difficult. Hestia's existence also made a siege untenable, for while she would avoid conflict, if Elysian were attacked, she would defend it, and with her unknown strength, even the Titans couldn't guarantee winning.
Hyperion argued about targeting the minor gods, drawing them out and killing them, weakening Elysian. However, while such an idea might weaken Elysian, Koios rejected it, instead suggesting they try to control Elysian. The minor gods joined the city due to their dislike of Olympus. If they could control Elysian and have the minor gods join them, it would make the war much easier with the added strength. But this is where they were stuck, unable to think how they could control Elysian.
It was then that another voice rose, softer, silkier, not a Titan at all.
"I have a solution."
The interruption of their conversations annoyed the Titans. Hyperion already had his hand on his sword, ready to cut down whoever it was that spoke out. The Titans were the leaders, the superior race; having someone lesser interrupt them meant they lacked deference. Hyperion needed to remind the army about the hierarchy.
From the far end of the chamber, a woman stepped forward.
Her mortal form seemed small beneath the towering columns, but she held herself with confidence, ignoring the killing intent directed at her from the Titans and focused solely on Kronos. She had shadow-dark hair tumbling over her shoulders and eyes flickering with knowledge and ambition, and wore a royal purple dress.
Medea.
"My lord," she said, bowing low.
Kronos tilted his head, intrigued. This descendant of Helios had joined him when he was still recovering, pledging her allegiance. He was curious to see what idea she had, and if it wasn't worthwhile, Hyperion would kill her, reminding those below of their place. "Speak."
Medea smiled faintly, the kind of smile that hid a thousand calculations. "The boy Lucas. You know of him?"
"The child of Hecate," Kronos said, voice edged with impatience, the child who ignored his invitation, not once, but twice. His hatred for this child was great. "What of him?"
Medea smiled, hearing the venom in Kronos' voice. "Elysian is his creation, and while he has created a democracy, he is the spiritual leader of the city. If you bring him to heel, Elysian will follow."
The Titans shifted, exchanging looks. Even Hyperion's flame dimmed in thought. But Kronos didn't; instead, the plan brought up old wounds, almost as if Medea were mocking him.
Seeing this, Medea quickly explained her idea.
"We can control the child through his father."
The sentence caused Kronos to pause his outburst; instead, he leaned forward. "His father?"
Kronos was intrigued; the parents of demigods were mortal, blending into the mortal world and making it too difficult to find without clues. For Medea to put forward this plan, even knowing this, she must have a clue. And indeed she did, for Medea explained.
"A mortal named Steven. A scholar. Recently, he revealed himself to the mortal world, drawing attention with discoveries of the Athena Parthenos. He shares the same last name as Lucas, lives in the mortal territory where Hecate usually visits, and has an understanding of the divine surpassing what you would expect from a mortal. I believe this man to be Lucas' father."
Kronos' golden eyes burned brighter. "If we take the father…"
"Then you take the son," Medea finished smoothly. "And through the son, you take Elysian. No war, no conflict, just another group of powerful minions added to your army."
At last, Kronos laughed, a low, terrible sound that rattled the braziers and hurt the ears of the monsters in the surroundings.
"Very well, witch. Steven will be taken alive. See it done. And I will make sure our agreement is fulfilled."
Medea bowed deeply, the smile never leaving her face. "It will be as you say, Lord Kronos."