The air across the realm throbbed with residual divine energy. Olympus was wounded—but the gods, too, were ready to fight in a new way.
As Athena's bold mandate echoed through the shaken halls, each Olympian found their paths diverging from divine dominance toward alliance with mortals.
In temples across the world, priests bowing before statues received word of the divine looking for champions.
In sacred groves and hidden monastery, words traveled swiftly: The gods need you.
*
*
*
In a distant, scarred wilderness, the descendant of Zeus—Alcides—fought a monstrous boar.
Athena watched unseen, her owl avatar perched on a blackened oak. As the boar charged, Alcides raised his sword.
Her divine voice echoed in his mind: 'Son of Zeus. I need your power.'
Alcides killed the beast with a measured thrust that nearly faltered after hearing a sudden voice from his mind.
