SON OF ZEUS
Ϟ
ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Poseidon was feasting with his daughters at his palace when he saw Thetis – the Nereid – and he fell in love with her to madness. He couldn't contain his love for her that words of his unruly passion reached Zeus.
Zeus was determined to help his brother solve this riddle of love that he threw a great feast at mount Olympus in which the old man of the sea and his daughters attended.
Zeus and Poseidon sat close to each other and Thetis approached; Zeus heart melted away for her and the two brothers were at war.
Zeus and Poseidon made advances at Thetis simultaneously for years, until Themis – goddess of divine law – prophecy was known. Then, both brothers withdrew their advances and Poseidon was heartbroken.
Poseidon vowed to make Zeus cry for his betrayal and Zeus and Poseidon never set their eyes on each other. Poseidon withdrew to the depth of the sea.
**
At Pella, Macedon, Olympias was walking with her entourage through the woods, then she noticed a dazzling Oak tree.
"Look, ladies! Isn't she so beautiful?" Olympias remarked with her angelic voice.
"Yes, my queen to be! But she wasn't there when we passed earlier or was she?" a fair maiden among the entourage asked.
"I don't think so!" Olympias said, pondered for a while, plucked its fruit and devoured it as they walked away.
**
Later that night – the eve of her marriage – Zeus laid in bed with her and as she became aware of his presence, Zeus stood up, walked towards the window, pointed at her stomach and thunderbolt struck her. Zeus disappeared. She shouted with extreme pain and then awoke from the dream.
**
Nine months later, Zeus threw a great feast at mount Olympus and all the god's were in attendance save for Poseidon.
"My brothers, sisters and Children! It's good to have you celebrate with me!" Zeus orated with a deep macho tone that exudes glory and grandeur.
Cheers erupted from the host of god's, the most gleeful was Apollo, who couldn't contain his joy.
"Today, my little secret for a while with Artemis, oh, is she here?" Zeus feigned a puzzled face that made Artemis to shoot her hands up and all laughed.
"This secret, today is now known. My son Alexander is born. This is no era of demigod as my brother, Poseidon has put an end to that after our feud. But I know Alexander – my son – would be great and I would call him King of Kings!" Zeus said and paused for a while.
"Cheers to the King of Kings!" Dionysius shouted raising his glass and all responded. Then the feast continued.
News of the feast reached Poseidon, and Artemis involvement in nurturing the child in secrecy and Poseidon stirred the waters of Ephesus violently till the people appeased him by setting Artemis temple ablaze.
**
In the ancient palace in Pella, Macedon, Alexander was sitting on a stool in front of Queen Olympia with guards and maidens waiting on them.
"Arrgh! Mummy careful!" Alexander protested as a sharp pain pricked him, when Olympias tries to untangle his hairs.
Olympias flashed a grin at him and continued.
"Mum can you tell me the story of Achilles and Hercules again, please!" Alexander pleaded with pitiful eyes.
"Don't you get tired of the same story?" Olympias said with a tone of grace and poised sonorous whisper. She stared at Alexander's longing eyes for a while and said;
"Okay. How about I tell you about another hero?"
"Okay. Mum; who?" Alexander inquired joyfully.
"You, my boy!" Olympia said smiling softly.
After she was done with the story;
"So, you mean mum that I am the son of Zeus? And his blood flows in my veins! But am I a demigod?" Alexander inquired with bright eyes.
"Son of Zeus – yes! But the era of demigod ended with the feud between Zeus and Poseidon. But you my boy would begin a new era called – the King of Kings!" Olympias said peering into Alexander's innocent eyes.
"Wow; mum!"
"Always remember that you are great! You are more, even more – the son of Zeus!" Olympias continued and paused.
Alexander was spirited and waited for more;
"Did I hear the horse's neigh? Now off you go to your horse riding lessons!" Olympias said tickling Alexander as he pounced up, hesitated, then Olympias chased him down the portico playfully.
**
Alexander accompanied Leonidas to the racing ground and his father – King Philip – was there also. As they reached the arena, Alexander saw soldiers sprawled on the floor with broken arms, legs and neck – of a single sentry.
Alexander poked Leonidas and asked,
"What happened to them?" Alexander whispered.
"Sissies! Trying to mount an untamed horse! I know the king – your father – would be disgusted. Well, I am here to save the day!" Leonidas said buoying with confidence and pride.
"Aren't you afraid? What if the horse is really wild? How are you going to do that?" Alexander said staring expectantly at Leonidas.
"Just watch and see boy!" Leonidas said tapping Alexander on the shoulder as he responded to the beckoning of King Philip.
Then, Leonidas tried to mount the horse, after a rigorous attempt, he eventually mounted the horse and the horse galloped at top speed towards the barricade and crashed into the barricade. Sending Leonidas in mid-air, with swift acrobatic moves, Leonidas managed to land on the floor without getting hurt and the whole arena was silent.
**
Later that day, the horse was in the stable feeding on hay, when Alexander sneaked in. The horse flashed a careless glance at Alexander and continued eating.
Then, Alexander saw something, the horse has a shadow like a mounted horse. With that Alexander understood the horse's predicament and a voice whispered to Alexander to mount the horse.
Then, Alexander approached the horse gradually, robbed its mane for a while and then placed a foot at the side briskly and swiftly swing the other towards the other side.
Then with a pinch, the horse started moving and Alexander spent the day practicing every maneuvers he could think of.
Then he stopped;
"You look stubborn at first, but you later allowed me burden you with my weight. So I would call you Bucephalus – ox-head – together we would ride or die as friends and companions!" Alexander said stroking Bucephalus tenderly.
News of Alexander's taming of the horse got to King Philip and his heart greatly gladdened.
****
Alexander was with Leonidas in the woods of Archelon learning, when he heard news of Macedonians troops return. With joy, he hastily charged to the palace to hear of his father's bravery only to be greeted with his father – King Philip's – death and he was broken.
**
In 336BC, at the age of twenty; Alexander was crowned king. Being very young and needed to prove his mettle, he pondered for days. Then news of an unlosable knot, oxcart in the courtyard of Gordium in Phrygia reached him and he marched to know his fate.
When he got to the courtyard, every other contestants – prince, kings and queens that tried failed.
Then it got to young Alexander's turn, the people jeered at him for his looks – ever youthful like Apollo – and then he approached the oxcart.
He stretched his hand forth to untie the knot, but hesitated, then a voice whispered to him. Without doubt, he swiftly pulled his sword from its sheath and slashed the cord in two. Then, silence pervaded the courtyard until Alexander and his companions mounted their horses to leave; then the people cheered them as the sounds of their horse hoofs erupted.
**
Alexander charged to battle with his spear and Bucephalus and his soldiers; they put the people of Persia to the sword and he stacked the bodies in piles as his conquest began.
**
After each of Alexander's conquest, having tasted a woman – Roxana – he always withdrew. He would take Hephaestion and himself into his chambers for hours and days alone.
There, before them Zeus, would appear sitting on a stool as Alexander would play the lyre in praise of Zeus, recite poems and danced with Zeus. While Hephaestion wrote down the poems and enjoyed the whole encounter.
As Alexander grew, he became closer to Zeus and Hephaestion compared to any. And since this was done in secrecy, his soldiers considered it as him having affair with Hephaestion, since they couldn't understand his indifference to his fair wife – Roxana.
**
Zeus spent most times away from Mount Olympus, each time he came, he was quick to leave. All in Mount Olympus taught that Zeus was too fond of a mere mortal, he begoted, but each time Zeus left Mount Olympus, he would make Apollo to be in charge of affairs. This didn't go down well with some older god's.
**
At the depth of the sea, Poseidon sat on his throne with rage, then Dionysius approached.
"You sent for me uncle!" Dionysius said bowing low.
"Yes; I did. Is my brother still obsessed with that pitiful mortal?" Poseidon asked standing up striking his trident on the floor as flashes of energy burst.
"Yes. He no longer care about anyone in Mount Olympus. Alexander this and Alexander that! He can't think of anything else."
"Oh, poor child that must be hard on you!" Poseidon said rubbing Dionysius's shoulder tenderly.
Dionysius was crestfallen.
"But come to think of this, who did he leave in charge of the home of our fathers?" Poseidon asked mischievously.
"My younger brother – Apollo!" Dionysius retorted.
"Oh, baby-faced Apollo! That is mean to you! Why?" Poseidon asked.
"He said that my alcoholic binge in the city is unbecoming!" Dionysius said slumping on a sofa.
"Don't worry my child, I have a plan! All you have to do is follow it through and you would become the ruler of Mount Olympus!" Poseidon said assertively.
Then he whispered into Dionysius ears, Dionysius's eyes glowed and they both made a covenant at the bed of the sea.
**
Alexander charged to battle with his troops against the people of Persia again, led by King Darius. After a fierce battle, with Alexander's troops running riot. Then Alexander dashed for Darius, who reciprocated, both men struck each other's horse and they fell on the floor. Then they arose and fought gallantly. Alexander charged towards Darius, who was dummied by Bucephalus and he impaled Darius with his spear and the battle was won.
****
Battle after battle, Alexander was victorious on land, sea and anywhere he set his eyes upon. Then he set his eyes on Indian, with his troops tired and homesick, some resisted his orders but later agreed to go with him.
The Indian's elephants tasted the earth dust as this was one of the most ferocious battle ever fought by Alexander and his troops resulting in great casualties from both troops, but Alexander wroth a costly victory with the loss of his gallant soldiers and the greatest of his loss – Bucephalus; died and Alexander was in deep pain. Alexander became reclosed and spent his days binging and playing the lyre.
Then his troops revolted and asked for their return back home. Alexander resisted for a while and later granted their wishes and agreed to return. At a feast hosted in honour of his troops, he withdrew to play the lyre in the woods.
**
At the wilderness of the father's in Arocus, Hades stood before a great pit, invoked a jar, opened the jar and poured its content into the pit, shouts of pain, growl and sickening laughter erupted and after a while sound of bones joining, joint cracking and flesh bubbling erupted from the pit and Hades bowed and gave a great cry of exhilaration.
**
At the woods where Alexander played the lyre, Zeus was dancing, then Apollo and Athena emerged. Zeus was startled;
"Greetings father, greetings mortal!" Apollo and Athena chorused.
"Greetings my children!" Zeus said smiling, instantly Alexander bowed.
"Father, can we speak to you in private?" Athena said flashing a glance at Alexander.
"Okay!" Zeus said as he took a stroll with his twins.
At a safe distance;
"Father, the titans has been woken by Hades!" Apollo said apprehensively.
"How?" Zeus shouted.
"Hades has been furious for a while, so he decided to visit the labyrinth of torment at Shamir – the palace of the blood keepers – where he was held captive for seven days, he stole the blood of the titans – your father – and he has awaken Cronus!" Apollo said with great fear.
"Cronus! Oh, No; this cannot be!" Zeus exclaimed wide eyed.
"So Dad, what do we do?" Athena and Apollo asked in unison.
"I must return to Mount Olympus!" Zeus shouted.
Zeus flashed his glance at Alexander, Alexander understood, then Zeus stretched his hands upwards and his thunderbolt appeared in his palms.
Zeus shouted and flashes of lightning erupted in the sky and the three god's disappeared.
****
At Mount Olympus, the palace was filled with god's waiting on the verdict of the great god – Zeus. Zeus sat on the throne as Venus read the scroll for all to hear, when Venus was done;
"god's from the ends of the world, greetings!" Zeus said in his majestic macho tone.
"Greetings, the great Zeus!" all chorused.
"Today, we are at war like when I, Poseidon and Hades formed the world!" Zeus said shaking his head in reminiscence.
"We built it up and now one of us – also a builder – is trying to pull it apart! Today is a day of calling for act of bravery not cowardice, acts of love not hatred because the very foundation on which Mount Olympus is built is being threatened. Our father – Cronus – is in full strength at Arocus waiting to raise an army of titans and beast against our world. So today fight we must for everything that we hold dear in this realm and the realm below!" Zeus orated.
Silence rocked Mount Olympus as Zeus stared at the soul of each god present.
"Ares! Step forward!" Zeus shouted.
Ares stood with his full might.
"Ares – my son! You would fight Hades at the gate of the underworld and seal him with the keys of damnation!" Zeus said handing Ares a bunch of golden keys and Ares bowed.
"Apollo and Athena head the other god's to guide the realm of mortals and Mount Olympus!" Zeus said.
"Dionysius, my love! Take charge of the kingship of Mount Olympus. I trust you would do just that!" Zeus said touching the shoulder of Dionysius as he walked in the midst of the god's.
"Father – me! Why me?" Dionysius cowered.
"You are ready – my boy!" Zeus admonished.
"I would go and visit a brother!" Zeus said smiling.
"But father – how can you convince Uncle Poseidon to fight by your side after this long years?" Athena asked.
"Don't worry, he is still my brother! At least let me try!" Zeus said.
With that Zeus eyes glowed like lightning sparks and thunder erupted as he vanished.
**
Poseidon was in his palace sitting on the throne, he heard shouts of pain, rustled feet's and rancor at the palace.
Instantly, the door burst open, and his guard was sprawled on the floor in front of him. Then Zeus walked in;
"Is this how you want to welcome a brother after this long years?" Zeus asked.
"I thought my brother has lost his touch with his voyage with his mortal son!" Poseidon said laughing uncontrollable.
"It's good to see you brother! I am sorry about the past; please forgive me!" Zeus said emotionally.
Poseidon exhaled and stood up;
"You broke my heart and made me a laughing stock among the god's!" Poseidon said striking his trident on the floor as Zeus was captured in a great whirlwind.
"Now you are at a realm, where I am god and sole ruler! You see karma loves to wait!" Poseidon said as his eyes blazed with rage.
"I am so sorry about that – please brother forgive!" Zeus shouted as he struggled to wrestle the force of the swirling water.
"You are sorry! Do you really mean that?" Poseidon shouted laughing in disgust.
"Please brother – I am sorry! If you kill me now, all will be lost; father is alive!" Zeus shouted in pain.
"Who – Cronus?" Poseidon asked as the whirlwind stopped and Zeus gasped for breath.
"Yes! Hades woke him up few days ago and he resides at Arocus with the host of other titans and beasts!" Zeus retorted.
"Oh, I guess your evil has brought back the old Hades. But what has Hades done?" Poseidon said as he slumped on his throne.
"I know, I haven't been a good ruler of all the realm but please help me bring back order and I promise to make things right! If you still want to kill me; then, I would willing accept! But now the whole realm is in trouble. Please I need you to fight beside me like old times!" Zeus said staring at Poseidon.
Then he stretched his thunderbolt;
"Like old times – brother!" Poseidon said as he struck the tip of his trident to the tip of Zeus thunderbolt and they both vanished.
****
At Mesopotamia, Babylon, Alexander was binging with his troops on their return home, he drank to stupor and later retired to his bed as he was struck by great fever from excessive alcohol.
**
Dionysius was pacing restlessly at the palace in Mount Olympus. Then he heard a sound, as he turned, he saw a dark whirlwind erupting and as the wind died down, Themis – the seer appeared.
"Greetings Dionysius!" Themis said bowing low.
"Greetings Themis!" Dionysius retorted.
"What have you done ruler? You allowed the treachery of Poseidon to possess your heart. Now, hear this, Zeus would return and you would continue to be a fugitive; hiding in brothels, pubs, club house and loath-able places of the realm of mortals. Your banishment would last forever!" Themis was to continue as Dionysius reached for his throat, choked him and Themis quickly evaporated. Instantly, Dionysius fell on his knees and wept bitterly.
**
At the underworld, with volcanic larva and smoky mountains; Hades and Ares stood face to face.
Hades charged towards Ares and both god's was locked in battle that lasted for long spells. Finally, Hades with apt trickery thrust Ares to the floor with his body covered with blood and a dagger stuck at his side.
"I thought the god of war could do better than this! Come on Ares, you disappoint me!" Hades said as he spat on Ares.
"You think!" Ares shouted, instantly pulling a chain that knotted with Hades right leg, swirled Hades severally and thrust him into the bottomless pit – sealing it with the key with Hades screaming in anguish.
**
Cronus, his legion of Titans and ferocious beasts were waiting for the god's led by Zeus and Poseidon.
At the battle of Arocus, many god's fell along with Titans. As Zeus slayed the last of the beasts, Cronus shouted and flames engulfed Zeus and Poseidon. Instantly, Poseidon quenched the flame and the two brothers stood in front of their father – Cronus.
"You heartless children! Today, would be your end!" Cronus shouted with a monstrous voice.
Zeus signaled Poseidon and they both struck their weapon on the floor and nothing happened. Zeus and Poseidon looked at each other bamboozled;
"Surprised! Here all your powers is futile. You must face me fist for fist and might for might!" Cronus jeered as his monstrous voice crescendos.
Then, Zeus and Poseidon attacked Cronus, after an intense battle with Cronus, they were wounded severely.
Then, Cronus shot fireballs at Poseidon, Zeus blocked it and in the process, he broke his left arm.
As both brothers laid on the floor motionless thinking about the fate of the whole realm, Cronus gloried at the moment.
Together, the two brothers joined forces and attacked Cronus with all their might and in the process struck Cronus a fatal blow that broke him into parches and later into dust.
After the death of Cronus;
"You saved my life – brother!" Poseidon said gratefully as he gasped for breath.
"No – thank you! For accepting my allegiance!" Zeus said.
"I am sorry brother!" Poseidon said shamefully.
"Sorry, for what?" Zeus inquired.
"I mean it, I am so sorry!" Poseidon said regretfully.
Then, Poseidon narrated his betrayal, as he was narrating it, Zeus thought flashed to his encounter with Themis before departing Olympus, Themis warnings and how he banished the thought and tears flowed freely from his eyes.
"Brother, I am sorry! Today is the tenth day of the poisonous gourd from Olympus, I sent to your son Alexander! Remember, it is incurable; for mortals – its two days, demigod's – nine days and god's – eleven days for inevitable death!
I am sorry for my mistake, Alexander is truly more than a demigod. I am …" Poseidon was to continue soberly,
"Brother, why – why?" Zeus shouted tearfully with rage, a great whirlwind erupted and he vanished from Arocus.
**
On 323BC, as Zeus entered the bed chamber of Alexander where he was bedridden, with his glory, the six sentries on guard was struck dead with lightning on his entrance. Zeus flashed his gaze at the left wing of the room, he saw Alexander arm stretched towards him muttering;
"Help me father!"
And Zeus rushed to his side, embraced him passionately and in his arms; Alexander gave up his spirit. Zeus wept bitterly as spikes of lightning pervaded the sky above Alexander's death bed.