The Path to Victory

Chapter 11


All too soon it was time for the three sons of Cronos to head out to battle and hopefully overthrow the tyrannical rule of their father. While Hades and Poseidon mainly sought consolation and reassurance in each other, Zeus chose to seek it in the company of his three sisters. Hera was still his favourite, and he had already decided to make her his steadfast companion, should the Olympians triumph in battle.

The evening before they were to set out, Zeus felt restless and agitated. So many things could still go wrong, and he was aware of the possibility that none of them might return if the battle did not end in their favour.

Zeus had been pacing his chambers for what felt like hours when there was suddenly a knock on his door. He stopped pacing and asked his visitor to come inside, expecting to see either Poseidon or Hades, who wanted to go through the details of their attack plan one more time.
Instead, his visitor turned out to be Hestia, who had come to bring him a hot meal and wine.

Food was the last thing Zeus was hungry for, but he was confident that his sister would be able to help him with something else…

Clothes were discarded within minutes and Hestia could only oblige her brother. After all, who would deny the Olympian leader of anything, even if one wished to do so? Though she greatly enjoyed coupling with him, thoughts of Hera nagged at her mind. Hestia could not lie about such a thing, and though no one had said it outright, Zeus had wordlessly chosen Hera as his favorite and thus taken her to bed the most often. How would she express her anger?

Just as Hestia wondered such a notion, a knock came to the door.

“I am otherwise engaged,” Zeus responded, a frustrated growl clear in his voice. “Come back later!”

“And why are you in such a way?” said Hera beyond the door.

Eyes wide Hestia looked up at Zeus, who grimaced in annoyance and the realization that he could not avoid the following confrontation.

Hera, not stupid whatsoever, opened the door and stood staring at the spectacle. She did not want to be surprised at the discovery, but she was still speechless nonetheless. “I should have known. Zeus, you are a despicable individual.”

Before Zeus could counter her statement or do anything at all, Hera left his chambers and closed the door with an audible smash, signaling her state of mind fairly well. Cursing under his breath, the leader of the Olympians pulled out of his sister and leapt off the bed, not even bothering to get dressed before leaving in pursuit of the goddess he intended to make his consort.

“Hera, wait!”

She could hear his voice calling out behind him, and against better judgment, Hera slowed down and even bothered to throw a glance over her shoulder. Zeus was running toward her, naked, with his half-hard phallus bouncing before him in a fashion that would have been rather comical if not for the situation.

“Why should I?” she asked coldly when he caught up with her. “I thought you were “otherwise engaged”, brother?”

“Hera.” Zeus’ large hand descended onto her neck, his hold firm. “There is no need for anger. There is always a place for you in my bed. Perhaps you would care to join us…?”

Hera gritted her teeth at the audacious proposal and the lascivious tone in his voice. “I think not,” she hissed, struggling to escape his hold, which only tightened further.

“Oh Hera… I can throw her out, if you really want me to,” Zeus then offered. “You know that you are my favourite sister.”

Hera sighed, exasperated at her brother’s behavior. The grip he had on her was almost intimidating, and he was forcing a certain amount of control over her, but at the same time, the young god was begging. He may have been the most powerful, but he was still like a child compared to the others. No wonder Hades begrudged him so much.

“Finish what you started, Zeus,” she finally said. “Then come to my quarters alone. Based on your sexual appetite, you’ll likely still want more.”

Zeus smiled, trying to restrain his relief. He did genuinely love Hera, and she was indeed his favorite sister, but his relief was out of keeping her under his manipulation.

“Don’t you know I want you as my consort when all of this conflict is at an end?” he asked her, his grip going loose against her neck and becoming an affectionate caress. Hera looked up at him, and though she was still angry with him, a glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes. She still desired him in her bed, and she did desire to be his and only his.

“When the danger of our father is gone, you and I shall rule the heavens, my darling.”

“If you’ll have victory,” Hera corrected him. She knew that it was dangerous and downright stupid to take anything out in advance, and knowing that if the battle went ill, she might never see Zeus or any of her brothers again.

“Of course we will have victory,” Zeus said smoothly. “I will come back to you. You can take my word on that.”

Hera allowed her youngest brother to pull her into an embrace, and as he held her close, she felt tears burn hot behind her eyelids. She wanted so badly to believe everything he said, but doubt continued to nag within her heart. Their father was a formidable enemy, and he had a lot of allies. Granted, so did the Olympians, yet Hera feared the outcome of the inevitable clash.

Zeus kissed the crown of her dark head before holding her at arm’s length. “I will visit you later. Be ready for me, sister,” he said, smiling.

*

At the same time, Poseidon was visiting his elder brother’s quarters. Hades never visited his brother, he was not so obtrusive. He rather allowed the younger god – and others – to come to him. Solitary as he was, Hades was indeed the unnoticed, unseen god.

“Does the coming battle frighten you?” Poseidon asked out of pure curiosity, sitting with his brother on the bed and embracing him from behind.

Hades, who had been silent for most of the visit, finally spoke. “Somewhat. A final stand will do that…”

Poseidon held his brother closer and nuzzled the back of his head. He was inspired to brush the long hair aside and kiss the junction between shoulder and neck. “I will protect you.”

Hades gave a joyless chuckle. “My protecting sentry of a brother…”

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” Poseidon steadfastly claimed, leaning his chin against Hades’ shoulder.

“Do you promise?” Hades knew that it was wrong to demand such a promise, but at the moment he really could use some reassurance.

“I promise,” Poseidon replied, feeling the tautness of his brother’s frame, indicating that Hades was indeed terrified. “Stay close to me, and we will be just fine.”

“If you say so, brother.”

Hades could not help but wonder how their brother was coping with the overwhelming stress and anxiety. Zeus had tried to pretend as though the impending battle did not affect him at all, but the layer of pretence was easy to penetrate, even for Hades. He was glad that the responsibility of leading his kind to victory did not rest on him, and he could only imagine the pressure Zeus had looming over him.

“Should we go check on our brother?” Hades inquired, feeling almost sympathetic toward Zeus.

“Oh, he is most likely busy enjoying the company of our fair sisters,” Poseidon replied, scoffing. There was no need for further elaboration on the subject. “Shall I spend the night here with you?” the younger god asked instead, caressing Hades’ slender arms through the fabric of his robes. “It will be a while before either of us will get to sleep in a bed again…”

Hades briefly wondered if the offer had anything to do with sexual satisfaction. After all, should the battle end in tragedy, they may not get another chance. However, pleasuring one another for the sake of such a trivial reason also felt… wrong. It somehow felt empty and overindulgent.

“Fine,” he said, all the emotion gone. “I would do well with someone else at my side tonight.”

“Would you like us to make love?” Poseidon asked. Hades was uncertain if his brother was offering such as a form of comfort, or to satisfy himself.

“No,” the elder god answered. “I only seek your company tonight. A little reassurance is all I require.”

Hades was unable to tell if his brother was disappointed. He could not see the younger god’s face and did not hear or feel a change in his disposition.

“As you wish,” he heard Poseidon say, whispering at his ear. “I shall warm you tonight.”

They slowly undressed and settled themselves underneath the covers, Hades fitting easily into the curve of his brother’s body. Warm skin against his was a comforting sensation, and he allowed himself to enjoy it, despite the anxiety coiling in the pit of his stomach. Poseidon’s arm lay loosely thrown over his waist, and Hades took his brother’s hand, placing it over his own chest, right above his heart.

“Goodnight, brother,” he said in a throaty whisper, fearing his voice would fail him if he said anything more.

“Goodnight, Hades. And please do remember I am here should you need me.”


TBC...