Zeus, from the world of Chaos, crossed the barrier between worlds and stepped onto this Olympus, so familiar yet so strange.
He keenly sensed the changes.
The divine power in the air seemed to have just undergone a violent disturbance, a faint hint of indescribable chaos lingering.
What surprised him even more was that he could almost effortlessly sense the presence of his own counterpart—'Zeus'—but that presence was rapidly fading, becoming blurred. It seemed deliberately concealed, or drawn away by something, finally vanishing into a corner of the world.
Immediately after, his perception reflected a target that interested him even more—'Hera'. The sister he knew so well was alone in her palace, emanating an aura of long-suppressed resentment mixed with inexplicable irritability.
In this world, 'Hera' was the Queen of Heaven?
Zeus smiled.
His handsome, powerful face showed clear interest.
He suppressed most of the fluctuations of his divine power, retaining only an aura commensurate with the authority of the Thunder God and King of Gods—this was easy for him, as essentially, they shared the same source of power.
Holding his thunderbolt scepter, he entered Queen Hera's palace as if returning home.
'Hera' was in a daze before a jewel-encrusted silver mirror. The face in the mirror was still beautiful and majestic, but it couldn't hide the loneliness in her eyes.
When she sensed the familiar and powerful thunderous aura approaching, she turned in surprise—Zeus hadn't taken the initiative to come to her palace in a long time.
The Zeus before her seemed a little different.
Not in appearance—the handsome face and upright posture were the same.
Was it his demeanour? There was less of the chilling calculation and exaggerated lust, and a touch more straightforward, wild passion?
Or his overall bearing? He seemed more solid than usual. Perhaps he had just resolved some serious matter?
Before she could think further, Zeus had already approached her.
He didn't speak, just gazed deeply at her with eyes that shimmered with thunder and starlight. Then he reached out and grasped her wrist with a strength that couldn't be denied, yet, strangely, with a warmth long absent.
"Zeus?"
'Hera' was a little confused, but more than that, a chord of long-dormant anxiety and hidden expectation was struck within her.
Zeus still didn't explain. He simply leaned in and kissed her lips.
This kiss was commanding and passionate, filled with a possessor's hunger, yet strangely, it didn't feel degrading.
It was completely different from 'Zeus's' usual perfunctory performance.
'Hera' tensed for a moment, then involuntarily melted into it.
She hadn't felt this in so long; it almost reminded her of the passion of her courtship with Zeus, before she was queen.
The mind's defences crumbled swiftly under the assault of this long-lost fervour.
That night became one of the rare 'wonderful' experiences in 'Hera's' entire long life.
The 'Zeus' beside her was exceptionally attentive and focused, as if she were the only one in his eyes. The tender intertwining, an indistinct figure overlapping with a blurred image from the depths of her memory, made her long-arid heart feel as if it had been touched by a sweet rain. Zeus emitted a thick, powerful aura, far more potent than ever before.
The next morning, 'Hera' awoke on the divine couch. The space beside her was empty, leaving only the lingering aura of thunder and the masculine god.
She sat up, holding the silk coverlet, a faint blush and languor on her face.
"How rare..." she whispered to herself, unconsciously tracing the cold sheets beside her with her fingertips.
So attentive... It was like going back to the past.
The icy resentment in her heart seemed to have had a corner melted by last night's fervour. Though it would soon freeze over again, for this moment, she felt a trace of solace she hadn't experienced in ages.
'Zeus's' departure didn't particularly surprise her; he was always like that, never one for lingering tenderness.
But just as 'Hera' was about to fully let go of this delicate emotion, another loud disturbance and the sound of 'Zeus's' footsteps echoed from outside the palace door!
This time, the disturbance was clearly filled with rage.
'Hera' looked up in surprise, watching her husband, the King of Gods 'Zeus', enter with a grim expression.
"Zeus?" 'Hera' was even more puzzled. She gathered her long hair and asked unconsciously, "You... did you forget something?" She thought he had returned to retrieve something.
'Zeus' heard this, and his stomping footsteps slammed to a halt!
His originally gloomy eyes instantly bulged, staring at 'Hera'. Then he suddenly swept his gaze across the entire bedchamber, his eyes as sharp as the keenest eagle, detecting every trace of abnormal presence.
The air was thick with an extremely familiar divine power of thunder!
Furthermore, mingling with the unique fragrance of the Queen of Heaven's palace was a distinct scent of passion.
And 'Hera's' posture at this moment, her complexion, the lingering soft light in her eyes that hadn't yet fully faded... All of it pointed to an incredible, unthinkable fact for him!
Just as he was plunged into a panic and rage that threatened to shatter his mind, a message came from the source of wisdom within him, instantly connecting all the clues:
The anomalous spatial fluctuations he had noticed last night, the chaos caused by the birth of Alaya Noah, the pure thunderous aura left in the palace now, belonging to another 'Zeus', and 'Hera's' unusual reaction...
Someone! Taking advantage of his absence, lured away by Alaya Noah's message! Had impersonated him!
With almost the same divine power and authoritative aura as his own! Entered his palace!
Slept with his queen! His wife!!
He, the Olympian god 'Zeus', was always the one toying with others' wives and abducting others' daughters!
When had anyone dared to cuckold him?
Like this! So boldly! So blasphemously!
He felt such unprecedented shame and humiliation!!
"ARRRGH——!!!" A roar of absolute, violated fury tore from the throat of 'Zeus'!
Terrifying lightning exploded around him, instantly blasting the exquisite decorations of the palace to shreds!
'Hera' was stunned by the sudden outburst of rage, completely at a loss: "Zeus? You..."
"SHUT UP!!" 'Zeus' was like an enraged, maddened bull. His bloodshot eyes glared furiously at 'Hera'. There was no tenderness in his gaze, only shame and a murderous intent that threatened to consume everything.
He wasn't even in the mood—or rather, was utterly repulsed—to question or punish this 'transgressor' who might be right in front of him. He had only one thought—find the bastard who dared to impersonate him, the one who had placed this humiliating 'crown' upon his head!
Tear him to pieces! Torture his soul with the cruelest thunder for ten thousand years!
He could no longer remain in this palace, filled with betrayal and the lingering essence of another man. He abruptly spun around, transformed into a thunderbolt of destruction ten times more powerful than usual, and blasted through the palace dome. Charging into the sky with a fury that shook heaven and earth, he began a frantic search for the 'thief' deserving of a thousand deaths!
Leaving only a bewildered 'Hera' standing alone in the ruined palace. Her brief moment of 'bliss' had plummeted into instant, chilling fear and profound confusion.
Was yesterday's passion truly just an illusion? And whence came her husband's rage, which at this moment seemed intent on destroying the world?