[Third Person Pov]
In Olympus, within the vast throne room of the gods, the massive golden doors suddenly burst open with the violence of a raging storm. The echo of the impact rolled across the marble halls like thunder, followed by heavy, deliberate footsteps that shook the very foundations of the mountain with every stride.
"Zeus, we have to do something about that brat!" Poseidon snarled as he stormed inside, sea-salt fury radiating off him in waves. His expression twisted into something truly grotesque, eyes blazing as if the oceans themselves churned behind them.
Zeus remained seated upon his throne, utterly unbothered. One leg rested lazily over the other, his elbow propped against the armrest as his cheek rested in his fist. He stared off to the side with a look of mild disinterest, as though Poseidon's dramatic entrance were little more than background noise.
"Do you hear me, brother?" Poseidon continued, advancing closer with every word. "Lucian's hubris has gone too far! Surely you witnessed what just happened! He showed no regard for our divine authority—none at all!"
Zeus responded by stretching his jaw into an exaggerated yawn, smacking his lips slowly afterward. His eyelids fluttered as he blinked languidly, before deciding it was far more entertaining to simply close his eyes altogether and feign sleep.
"Are you listening to me?!" Poseidon barked, fists clenched. "He needs to be taught a lesson!"
Zeus flicked one ear as if it itched, then the other, finally opening his eyes and turning his gaze toward Poseidon for the first time since his arrival. His tone was flat, almost bored.
"Oh… it's you. Since when did you get here?"
Poseidon's facial muscles twitched violently, his jaw tightening as his patience began to snap. "Did you even hear a single word I said?"
"Oh, I heard you," Zeus replied with a lazy scoff, waving a dismissive hand. "I was just wondering why I should care… or how any of this is my concern."
Poseidon froze, mouth falling open in pure disbelief. "Wha—" he choked. "Not your concern?! This is Lucian we're talking about! He disrespected me! He disrespected the entirety of Olympus!"
"No, he didn't," Zeus countered, letting out an unimpressed snort. "If he had shown that kind of disrespect toward Olympus—which, by extension, would be the same as disrespecting me—I would have smitten him where he stood. His words were, and I quote: 'Poseidon—God of the Seven Seas, Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of Horses.' That declaration was directed solely at you. Nowhere in that little speech did he mention Olympus, nor any other god. So don't drag Olympus into your problems."
"You're joking," Poseidon said quietly, struggling to believe what he was hearing.
"In all the centuries you've known me," Zeus replied sharply, rolling his eyes, "do I strike you as someone who casually jests?"
"Why are you behaving like this?!" Poseidon demanded, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "This is a serious matter, brother. Lucian is a threat. If we don't put an end to this now, who knows how it might all end?"
"Oh, I know Hades' brat is a threat," Zeus said coolly, leaning back against his throne with unmistakable arrogance. "I've been telling you—and everyone else—that for years. But did anyone listen? Of course not. If memory serves, you all turned against me. And if I'm not mistaken, you were the loudest voice advocating for his protection."
"Why must you be so spiteful?!" Poseidon snapped. "This isn't the time for that! What do you want me to say—that you were right and I was wrong?! Fine! I admit it! Your judgment was right, and I was wrong. There—are you satisfied now?!"
"Oh, hearing you say that does warm my heart," Zeus replied mockingly. "But there was no need. I already knew it. You were all simply too nearsighted to see the truth. However, that changes nothing."
Zeus straightened slightly, staring down at Poseidon with open disdain. "You ignored my warnings, and when the consequences come biting you in the arse, you crawl back to me begging for help?"
He rose just enough to loom over his brother.
"As I said, this is your problem. What happened today is nothing more than the result of your own actions. I am not a janitor meant to clean up after your mistakes, Poseidon. You brought this upon yourself."
Zeus turned away dismissively. "So if you truly want to do something about Lucian, go to his father. Go to Hades and speak with him. Don't come to me expecting Olympus to carry your burden."
"Unbelievable…" Poseidon muttered under his breath, his voice thick with disbelief. "Are you really going to let your vindictive nature get in the way of the greater threat here? All of this—all of it—just to get back at me because I didn't side with you?"
"The greater threat?" Zeus nearly laughed, the sound sharp and humorless. "And you had the audacity to accuse me of jesting. Oh, please. There are far more dangerous forces at work in this world than Lucian. Need I remind you?"
The silence that followed was heavy—oppressive, even. It stretched on, thick with unspoken dread. Poseidon did not need to be reminded; he knew exactly what, or rather who, Zeus was referring to. The very thought made his stomach churn.
Zeus shook his head slowly, disappointment etched deep into his features. "Are you not a god, Poseidon? This cowardice is unbecoming of someone of your stature. To be so unsettled by a mortal child—a child who hasn't even reached adulthood, no less—honestly…"
The words dripped with ridicule and disdain, each one striking like a blow. Poseidon's jaw clenched so tightly it ached, his fists curling at his sides as disbelief gave way to simmering fury.
"It's not Lucian that worries me," Poseidon growled through gritted teeth. "Not entirely."
His stormy eyes locking onto Zeus. "It's Hades. That's why I came to you. We both know how much our brother loves that boy—don't pretend otherwise. Before Lucian was born, Hades barely left the Underworld. He only emerged when duty demanded it, and even then, he vanished again for ages at a time."
Poseidon's voice lowered, heavier now. "But since Lucian's birth? He's been coming out more and more. The Underworld no longer holds him the way it once did."
He took a breath, steadying himself. "So believe it or not, Lucian is a threat. Not because of his mortality—but because of the influence he has over Hades, and what that influence could lead to. I don't doubt for a second that if something were to happen to that boy—by your hand or mine—Hades would turn the Underworld upside down to exact his revenge."
Poseidon's eyes burned. "And if that doesn't unsettle you—if that doesn't instill even the smallest measure of fear—then you are a far greater fool than I ever believed."
He didn't wait for a response. Spinning sharply on his heel, Poseidon stormed out the way he had entered, his fury echoing through the hall. The towering doors of the throne room slammed shut behind him with a thunderous finality, leaving Zeus alone once more.
Zeus slowly settled back into his throne, the grandeur of Olympus suddenly feeling hollow. His face twisted with revulsion and distaste as he stared into the empty chamber.
"I am surrounded by nothing but cowards and disappointments."
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