Divine Ascension: Reborn as a God of Power-Chapter 41: The Schism of Olympus (Part 1)

The white marble hall at the summit of Mount Olympus was not usually occupied outside of official meetings. It was spacious, open to the sky, surrounded by Ionic columns that seemed to hold up the heavens themselves. However, at that moment, an unauthorized meeting was taking place.

"This cannot happen without debate," exclaimed Dionysus, frowning. ’It is an affront to everything our autonomy stands for."

"Autonomy? Or is it fear of accountability?’ retorted Apollo, arms crossed and a defiant smile on his face.

Aphrodite, dressed in a golden peplos, stood firm in the center of the chamber. It was she who had called the emergency meeting, outraged by what had happened hours earlier.

"Zeus wants to control us, not protect us," she said, looking around at those present. "And what’s worse, he’s doing it out of fear. He didn’t say it, but we all know who he fears. Nemesis. He’s afraid of losing his throne, but to avoid that, he’s just giving us more reasons why he should lose it."

"Perhaps he’s right," murmured Hermes from the sidelines, playing with the edge of his cape. ’I’ve heard some things from friends with less influence than us, but they all agree on the same thing. Some of our people no longer answer to Olympus..."

"That doesn’t justify this measure,’ interrupted Aphrodite, her voice firm and cold. "Olympus is not a prison."

"And since when do you defend freedom, auntie?" Artemis snorted.

The murmurs grew and tensions were running high. After all, it was a combination of the desperation of the situation and the rebellion it could provoke. So, to restore order, Aphrodite raised her hand.

"Listen. What I am proposing is not rebellion, but rather dissent. Zeus has crossed a line, and we need to set limits. And we must decide, here and now, how to respond."

However, before anyone could even respond, out of nowhere and unexpectedly, the sky darkened slightly. A white lightning bolt struck a few meters from the center of the room, and Zeus emerged from it along with Hera, the queen’s expression looking slightly more concerned.

His silhouette loomed like a mountain among mountains. His stormy blue eyes scanned the room attentively. In the presence of the King, everyone stopped talking and moving, their expressions now mostly nervous.

"How curious," he said in a deep voice. "A meeting to which I was not invited. Perhaps my invitation was lost."

Aphrodite did not back down, but the sparkle in her eyes faltered.

"This is not a trial, Zeus."

"No," he said, walking slowly toward the center. "It is an attempt at resistance and contempt. What do you plan to do? Or rather, what do you all plan to do? Do you want to turn against me? Betray me? After all I have done for you."

"It’s not betrayal, Zeus, but concern," Aphrodite corrected. "Your imposed decree violates the agreements that were made after the Titanomachy. That cannot be taken lightly."

Zeus turned to her. The smile on his face was kind, almost paternal. But everyone knew what it hid.

"Dear sister, your concern is unnecessary. After all, if none of you have done anything wrong, why should you be afraid?"

A heavy silence fell. The message was clear.

"From this moment on," he continued, as if reciting a heavenly edict, "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."

"That turns Olympus into a surveillance camp," said Hestia, who until then had remained seated in a chair. "Or are we going to need permission to even leave Olympus?"

Zeus did not respond, but his eyes flashed.

"This is not about control, it’s about safety. I care about you, I want what’s best for you and for Olympus. However, some of you seem to have forgotten what loyalty means. And when the foundations of Olympus crack, someone must reinforce them."

"With chains?" asked Aphrodite.

"With order," he replied, now serious. "And with force if necessary."

Zeus slowly turned in place, addressing everyone present.

"Obeying this measure is a sign of loyalty. Refusing it is a declaration of treason. Do not force me to act accordingly."

The silence stretched like a string on the verge of breaking.

It was Athena who cut it.

"I will accept the measure," said the goddess, who until that moment had been silent and seated, emotionless, as if she were merely stating a fact that was inevitable. "Olympus needs order. And although I do not approve of how it was imposed, I recognize its necessity. If we do not control the cracks, they will soon become chasms."

Everyone turned to her, her face a mask of stone. She didn’t even look at Zeus. She just stood there, as if the war had already begun and she was simply choosing the flank that seemed least vulnerable.

Zeus nodded once, satisfied.

Ares was next. He stepped forward, his expression serious and warlike.

"I too stand on the side of order," he said. "Chaos already has enough followers in the mortal world. We don’t need any more among us."

At the time, almost no one noticed, but saying these words was the hardest thing the God of War had ever done in his life. When he turned to look at Aphrodite, she looked at him with a sombre and sad expression, as if he had broken her heart.

Apollo didn’t speak immediately, but walked over to stand next to his sister Artemis, who had already moved unobtrusively to Ares’ side.

"I don’t like this, and you know it," Apollo said. "But if balance depends on sacrificing a part of our freedom... perhaps we have no choice."

Hermes shrugged, walking slowly toward the group forming.

"I didn’t come here to choose sides," he muttered. ’But if I have to... I guess I’ll side with the old man. Not that I have much choice."

On the other side, Aphrodite took a deep breath. She turned to Hestia, who had remained close to Dionysus.

"We cannot accept this,’ she said clearly. "Olympus has always been strong because of its diversity. Becoming cogs in a wheel is not strength. It’s weakness in disguise."

"I agree," Hestia said calmly. "I have tended the hearth fire since before this chamber existed. And I know when someone is trying to extinguish the flame of the soul out of fear. I will not submit."

"Neither will I," said Dionysus, finally rising. "I may seem carefree, but I’m not stupid. If this continues, the next thing will be telling us who we can talk to, who we can love, and what we can feel. I will not tolerate it."

At that moment, a colder wind swept through the room and two more presences emerged from the doorway of the upper chamber.

Hades and Poseidon.

The first was dressed as if he had just emerged from the Underworld, wearing dark robes and a bored expression. The second was majestic and energetic, like the ocean before a storm.

Zeus turned to them with gravity.

"You are late."

"We were not summoned," Poseidon replied. "And yet the air here is so thick with tension that even the corals at the bottom of the sea can feel it."

"What is going on?’ Hades asked, frowning.

"What is going on," Zeus said, raising his voice so as not to be misunderstood, "is that Olympus is divided. And it is time to make a decision. With me, or against me."

Poseidon raised an eyebrow.

"With you... or against you? Brother, when did we go from being leaders to being jailers?"

Zeus looked at him silently, the muscles in his jaw tensing.

"Is that a criticism?"

"It’s a reality," Poseidon replied. ’If you want my answer: no. I’m not joining this surveillance craze. The last time someone demanded loyalty and blind obedience, we ended up in Kronos’ stomach."

An icy silence filled the chamber.

Everyone looked at Hades, waiting for his decision.

But the King of the Underworld only raised a hand lazily.

"Don’t count on me. Not for you, not against you. My domains are elsewhere, as are my concerns. As long as you don’t interfere with the dead, you can destroy each other if you wish."

Zeus stepped forward, his expression hardened.

"So you’re turning your back on me too, brother?"

Poseidon held his gaze without wavering.

"No. I’m telling you that if you want to become a tyrant, don’t count on me to uphold your throne."

The thunder that echoed then was contained, but it vibrated in every column. Zeus did not respond immediately, but his fury was palpable. His fingers clenched, and for a moment, an electric spark ran through his arms.

Hera approached him, placing a soft hand on his shoulder. "Not now," she whispered, barely audible. "Not in front of everyone."

Zeus turned slowly, looking once more at each of those present. His eyes were now glaciers shrouded in storm.

"They’ve said it. They’ve made it clear, very well. All that’s left is to hear the opinion of those who are not here, and then I will truly know who is on my side... and who is not."

And with a flash, he disappeared.

The room was divided. And at that moment, everyone understood that Olympus would never be the same again.

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