"The twins are here," Hera said coldly to Zeus.
She still carried her hatred for the twins. Once, driven by jealousy, she had tried to kill their mother. Yet they were born safely, hidden and protected by Amphitrite's mercy, and they grew into the gods of the Olympians in their own right. Seated as equals. Daring to sit beside Hera herself.
And now, that hatred burned anew. Not only because of the past, but also because Hera believed that Artemis and Apollo would once again choose Zeus's side. Just as they always had before.
Zeus straightened on his throne, lightning coiled lazily around his fingers. He's smiling, confident, almost indulgent. He had always assumed the twins would stand with him. The twins had always supported him in the past, especially when Olympus prioritized unity over individual conscience.
What Zeus didn't say aloud is how badly they needed them.
