Divine Ascension: Reborn as a God of Power-Chapter 39: Synomosia

In a part of Olympus, while no one was watching and the only light illuminating the night was the light that Selene cast upon the world, a secret meeting was taking place in Aphrodite’s house.

There, the air was heavy with incense, with a thick scent of myrrh and night-blooming flowers. The smooth, pink marble columns reflected the dim moonlight. In the center of the hall, Aphrodite waited beside an enchanted mirror, an ancient artifact that now served as a secure channel for untraceable communications.

The meeting was informal, but the tension was palpable. Not all the members of Nemesis were present—that would have been impossible. After all, the movement had grown too large in secret, bringing together hundreds of great or lesser deities. But that night, only the most well-known names were present. The visible faces of the revolution, at least for those who were part of the movement.

Dionysus was the first to arrive. He slumped into an armchair, barefoot, a glass of wine between his fingers.

"Is this still a revolt or has it become a social club?" he muttered in his usual tone, although his gaze was much more serious than usual. ’Aphrodite, darling, would you be so kind as to refill my glass? I can’t be sober for this,’ added the god, much to the annoyance of the goddess, who reluctantly agreed.

Shortly thereafter, amid a whisper of mist, a figure arrived. It was the goddess Hecate, who stood watching, as always, sizing up everyone in the room. Shadows with eyes seemed to tremble in the corners of her cloak.

A little later, a smaller but equally important figure entered through the door, one of the Hesperides, Hesperia.

She arrived silently and almost imperceptibly, joining the other gods who were already there. Her presence was like the twilight that gave her her name: calm, but inevitable. She was dressed simply, as if she did not want to stand out, although her mere presence was enough to turn heads. Aphrodite greeted her with a slight smile.

"Thank you for coming," she said. ’I knew you would."

"I couldn’t stand on the sidelines and operate from the shadows as usual,’ Hesperia replied. "Not anymore. Not with what’s going on. Zeus has gone too far this time."

The house shook slightly, as if a silent thunderclap had run through it from below. Aphrodite turned her gaze toward the entrance.

"He’s here."

Poseidon entered without a word, his expression grave, like someone who had already made a decision. He wore a dark blue cloak, splattered with sea spray. Each step seemed to weigh heavily on him, not out of doubt, but because of everything being there meant. When he spoke, it was not to greet anyone.

"Good evening, rabble. Let’s get this over with before I change my mind."

Aphrodite nodded. She knew that Poseidon’s presence changed everything. The fact that one of the three great gods had shown up there, even in secret, gave Nemesis real weight, a threat that Zeus could not ignore if he found out.

"That’s exactly why we’re here," she replied. "This meeting isn’t the whole movement. Not even close. Nemesis hasn’t been just an idea among resentful gods for a long time. The truth is, there are many of us. And although some can’t show up and others don’t dare yet, the movement is still gaining strength every day. But tonight, those of us who are here know why I orchestrated this meeting."

Aphrodite paused. His gaze drifted for a moment to one of the windows half-covered by silk curtains. Selene’s light continued to shine on the clouds, but in his mind, the scene was different.

---

The memory still burned. It was that very morning, at the assembly on Olympus...

The meeting had gone like any other. Long discussions about the affairs of the mortal world, minor disputes between second-tier deities, updates on domains. Nothing out of the ordinary. Zeus listened from his high throne, saying little, with that impassive expression that many mistook for wisdom.

Just when everyone thought the session was over, he stood up.

"Before you leave," he said in a calm but firm voice. "There is one last provision I want to make clear."

The murmurs ceased. It was unusual for Zeus to speak at the end of a meeting. Most of the time he did so at the beginning, with his customary speeches. But this time, he waited.

"From this moment on," he continued, "all the gods of Olympus must submit a monthly report of their activities. Not only their interventions among mortals, but also which deities they meet with and what topics they discuss."

Silence fell immediately. Then, like a wave, the reactions came.

"Excuse me?" Apollo blurted out from his seat, frowning. ’Is this a joke, Father?"

"It’s not a suggestion,’ Zeus replied. ’It’s a necessity."

Hades sat up straight in his seat. ’And who decides what information is relevant? Who evaluates these reports?"

"I do," Zeus replied without batting an eyelid.

Ares clicked his tongue in annoyance. "This is a witch hunt. You’re looking for someone."

Zeus didn’t deny it. He just raised an eyebrow, as if he didn’t need to justify the obvious.

"There are signs," he said. "Meetings that shouldn’t be happening. Words that shouldn’t be circulating. If Olympus is to remain standing, I need to know who is truly committed to its stability."

Hermes refrained from saying anything, but his gaze met Aphrodite’s for a second. A barely perceptible gesture: this is not going to end well.

And everyone knew it. Although Zeus didn’t name it, everyone understood. This was about Nemesis.

---

Back at Aphrodite’s house, the memory faded like incense smoke.

"That decree," Aphrodite said in a low but sharp voice, "was not a warning. It was a declaration of war."

Poseidon, who had remained silent until then, sat up slightly.

"And it was deliberate," he added. ’He waited until the end to let it out. He wanted to gauge our reactions. To see who gets angry, who stays silent, who leaves first."

Dionysus set his cup down on the table. ’He’s paranoid, well, as usual."

"No," Hecate murmured. "He’s losing control. And he knows it."

Aphrodite nodded. "That’s why we called this meeting. Not to plan an immediate revolt. Not to kill him. Not yet. Tonight, those of us here are the visible face of something much bigger. Nemesis is no longer a network of rumors. It’s a movement with hundreds of gods, from all levels. Some are hesitant, others are waiting... but all are watching."

At that moment, the enchanted mirror glowed again. The hooded figure appeared amid waves of light, his voice distorted, filling the room.

"The time of masks is ending. Zeus fears us, and rightly so. But his fear only hastens the inevitable."

Poseidon crossed his arms. The shadow of an ancient grudge was etched on his face.

"Then we must ensure that the inevitable comes sooner."

Dionysus leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. This time there was no cup in his hand.

"It won’t be long before all this comes crashing down. Not with measures like today’s. Zeus keeps pulling at the thread, and he won’t stop until it breaks."

Aphrodite nodded. Her voice grew more tense.

"We’re on the brink. And we know it. All it takes is a small spark for everything to explode."

"Conflict is inevitable," Hecate murmured, lowering her gaze slightly. ’And if it is, we’re going to need more than pretty ideals. We’re going to need real strength."

Poseidon nodded slowly. "Manpower."

"Exactly," said Aphrodite. ’Gods willing to fight. Or at least to hold up the structure when everything falls apart."

Dionysus raised an eyebrow. ’And who do you have in mind? Because not everyone is willing to risk everything."

Aphrodite waved her hand vaguely.

"There are many names on the table. But one stands out, and I can vouch for him: Akhon, the God of Power."

The silence that followed was brief but heavy.

Hesperia tilted her head slightly. "Akhon..."

"He has become very powerful in a very short time," continued Aphrodite. ’He has also made a name for himself as a protector in the mortal world. And best of all, he is not sympathetic to Zeus."

Dionysus snorted with a crooked smile. "And you think he’ll want to join a war of gods?"

"We don’t know," replied Aphrodite. "But we can’t leave that possibility unexplored."

Poseidon looked at Hesperia directly. "As far as I knew, you live in the same territory as him. You have a cordial relationship, don’t you?"

Hesperia took a few seconds to respond.

"We’re friends. I trust him as he trusts me."

"That’s exactly why he would be so valuable to have on our side," said Aphrodite. "If he joins us, many others could follow him."

Hesperia sighed.

"I can talk to him. But it’s going to take more than pretty words to convince him. He’s going to want to know what we’re going to do and what will really change if he joins us."

Poseidon nodded gravely. "Tell him the truth. That this is no longer a movement, it’s a rebellion. And that when everything comes crashing down, we need gods who are on the right side of history."

The hooded figure in the mirror spoke for the last time, his voice echoing like a distant bell.

"Convincing him won’t be easy. But if he can see what’s at stake... he may become more than just an ally. He may be a key piece. We need gods like him, young, strong, and fearless."

The reflection faded and the room was plunged into darkness once more. No one spoke for a moment, until Aphrodite broke the silence.

"Hesperia... he trusts you more than any of us here. If anyone can do this, it’s you."

The goddess of twilight nodded once, firmly.

"I’ll talk to him."

New novel chapters are published on fr(e)ew𝒆bnov(e)l.com