Enjoy the chapter!
——
As the silence stretched throughout the meeting room, every deity stared at Aetherion with a baffled and amused expression.
Some looked at his ruined clothes.
Others glanced toward Hera, whose face still carried a deep frown.
The contrast between the two was comical.
Finally, Metis decided to intervene.
She released a quiet sigh before speaking.
"Just take your seats already. Let us begin the meeting."
Her voice carried a slightly tired tone, though there was a hint of fondness in her eyes as she looked toward Aetherion.
Hera simply huffed and walked toward her seat.
Aetherion followed behind her, wearing a bashful, awkward expression.
As he approached his chair, however, a familiar voice suddenly called out to him.
"Well, well. Looking quite stylish there, brother."
Aetherion turned his head.
Poseidon.
The God of the Seas was leaning back in his chair, a mocking grin plastered across his face.
Aetherion raised an eyebrow.
Then he smirked.
"Of course. I always look stylish."
He paused deliberately.
"And naturally, I always look better than you."
As those words left his lips, his torn clothes began to glow.
Threads of divine energy spread across the damaged fabric, weaving the shredded pieces back together.
Within moments, his attire had completely restored itself, looking exactly as it had before his unfortunate encounter with Hera in the forest.
Aetherion casually adjusted his sleeves.
"There. Perfect."
Poseidon's mocking grin immediately disappeared.
His expression twisted into irritation.
"You—!"
"All right. Enough."
Metis's voice interrupted him before he could continue.
"Let us begin the meeting."
Poseidon clicked his tongue and reluctantly held his silence.
However, as he leaned back in his chair, he noticed something that only irritated him further.
Zeus.
His brother was staring at him with an enormous, mocking grin.
The amusement and mockery in his eyes was unmistakable.
Poseidon's eyebrow twitched.
'That bastard…'
Meanwhile, Metis rose from her seat.
The glowing holographic map above the round table shifted slightly, illuminating the faces of everyone gathered around it.
Her expression became serious.
"Our first battle has ended in victory."
The room gradually fell silent.
"However, the war is far from over."
She slowly looked around the table.
"We must now establish our next course of action. This victory was merely the beginning, and if we wish to achieve the same result when this war reaches its conclusion, we cannot afford to become complacent."
Aetherion settled comfortably into his chair beside Hera.
Despite his relaxed posture, his attention remained fixed upon Metis.
The others listened just as carefully.
Themis.
Rhea.
Hades.
Zeus.
Every deity present understood the importance of what she was saying.
Their first victory had been significant.
But defeating one of the Great Titans was not the same as defeating Kronos himself.
Not even close.
Metis continued.
"Our primary concern now should be determining how we intend to defeat the remaining Titan forces and what steps we must take to achieve that goal."
It was something everyone already understood.
Yet no one interrupted her.
After all, this was Metis.
The Titaness of Wisdom, Knowledge, Planning, and Crafts.
Few beings in existence could rival her intellect.
And when it came to strategy, everyone knew that she rarely spoke without having already considered several possible outcomes.
Aetherion simply leaned back in his chair, allowing her to continue.
Metis raised her hand.
The holographic map shifted once again.
Several locations glowed across its surface.
"Let us first consider what happened during our previous battle."
She began recounting the events.
The decor on the multiple different battlefields
The defeat of the enemy forces.
The death of Pallas, one of the Twelve Great Titans.
And the confrontation that followed between Aetherion and Hyperion.
Although Hyperion had attacked Aetherion and Asteria, both had managed to escape, leaving the Great Titan alive.
Metis carefully reviewed the outcome before turning toward the gathered leaders.
"And that brings me to my proposal."
The room became even quieter.
Metis placed both hands upon the table.
"I suggest that we spread out across Gaia's world and begin recruiting more allies to our cause."
Several deities exchanged glances.
Others lowered their gazes, considering her suggestion.
But many immediately appeared interested.
Metis continued.
"Our first victory has demonstrated something important."
She looked around the table.
"We have shown the world that Kronos and his forces are not invincible."
Her voice grew firmer.
"We have proven our strength. We have demonstrated what we are capable of."
She paused.
"And most importantly, we have shown that there is a genuine possibility of overthrowing the Titan King of the Cosmos himself."
Kronos.
The name alone carried immense weight.
For countless years, the King of the Titans had ruled over the cosmos with overwhelming authority.
To many immortals, opposing him had seemed unthinkable.
Defeating him?
Impossible.
But now…
That belief had begun to change.
And Metis's words did carry merit.
Because the people who stood neutral, there were many.
And why?
It was one simple fact: they did not believe in the rebellion.
They knew that even though they hated Kronos and hated his rule, they did not dare to defy him, and as such, they chose to stand neutral, not wanting to receive the anger and rage of the King of the Cosmos.
But now it was different.
Metis's words seemed to ignite something within the gathered deities.
Excitement spread throughout the room.
Quiet murmurs became animated discussions.
Some nodded enthusiastically.
Others began exchanging ideas.
Eventually, Hades spoke.
"I agree."
His voice was calm and composed.
Yet a faint smile appeared upon his usually stoic face.
"Now that we have demonstrated our strength, there may be others willing to join us."
Hestia nodded warmly.
"I believe so as well."
Her gentle voice carried a hint of excitement.
"There are surely many beings who have suffered under Kronos's rule. If they see that we have a genuine chance of winning, perhaps they will finally find the courage to stand with us."
Several deities voiced their agreement.
Then, a firm female voice echoed throughout the meeting room.
"Would it not be better to focus on attacking Kronos's forces now?"
The voice belonged to Themis.
Her expression was stoic and serious as she voiced her opinion, drawing the attention of every deity gathered around the round table.
Murmurs immediately spread throughout the room.
Some found her suggestion reasonable, while others appeared doubtful.
After all, they trusted Metis.
She was the wisest among them, and many believed that her judgment was rarely wrong.
Metis, however, seemed entirely unbothered by Themis's suggestion.
In fact...
A small smile appeared upon her full lips.
"You are right, Themis."
She nodded slightly.
"It is precisely as you say."
Several deities exchanged confused glances.
Had Metis just agreed with Themis?
Then why had she suggested focusing on recruitment in the first place?
Noticing their confusion, Metis continued.
"While our forces are out recruiting, I believe it is entirely possible for us to attack the enemy's forces as well."
Her smile widened slightly.
"In fact, I believe that would be the ideal approach."
She raised her hand, gesturing toward the glowing holographic map above the round table.
"We will divide our forces into recruitment teams. Each group will travel to different regions, establish contact with potential allies, and persuade those willing to oppose Kronos to join our rebellion."
Metis paused, allowing everyone a moment to consider her words.
Then she continued.
"However, recruitment will not be their only objective."
Her eyes swept across the room.
"While traveling through these regions, our teams will also launch strategic attacks against the enemy's forces whenever a suitable opportunity presents itself."
Several deities widened their eyes in surprise.
Even Aetherion raised an eyebrow, a hint of astonishment appearing upon his face.
Metis smiled.
"By doing so, we can accomplish two objectives simultaneously."
She raised two fingers.
"First, we will strengthen our rebellion by recruiting new allies."
She lowered one finger.
"Second, we will gradually weaken Kronos's forces by eliminating enemy units and disrupting their operations."
Her smile broadened.
"In other words, we will strengthen ourselves while weakening our enemy."
She paused.
"A win-win situation, wouldn't you agree?"
For a moment, silence settled over the meeting room.
Then—
Murmurs of approval began spreading among the gathered deities.
Some nodded thoughtfully.
Others smiled, clearly impressed by the simplicity and effectiveness of the strategy.
Even those who had initially doubted the proposal began to see its advantages.
Eventually, everyone agreed.
Themis, who had been the first to question Metis's original suggestion, released a quiet sigh.
A faint smile appeared upon her lips.
"You truly are the wise one, Metis."
Metis simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Then she turned her attention toward another figure seated at the table.
"Aetherion."
Hearing his name, Aetherion straightened slightly in his chair.
"Yes?"
"You will lead one of these teams."
Aetherion raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Metis continued.
"Your group will consist of Hades, Hestia, Nike, and Kratos."
She glanced toward each of them as she spoke.
"Together, you will travel across Gaia's world and seek out powerful nature gods, immortal creatures, and members of the various divine races who may be willing to support our cause."
Her expression grew more serious.
"However, as I mentioned earlier, recruitment will not be your only responsibility."
She gestured toward several locations on the holographic map.
"Whenever an opportunity presents itself, you are also to attack Kronos's forces stationed throughout these regions."
Aetherion considered the arrangement.
It was a formidable group.
With himself, Hades, Hestia, Nike, and Kratos working together, they possessed considerable strength.
Each of them brought something valuable to the team, making the arrangement entirely sensible.
Nevertheless...
They had no way of knowing what awaited them beyond their territory.
Kronos's forces were scattered throughout the world, and there was no telling what dangers they might encounter.
For all they knew, one of the remaining Great Titans could be waiting for them.
And that possibility alone was enough to warrant caution.