Gaia, outside of Mt Delphi

After pinning the Oracle's murder on Takashi, Zeus waits to encounter a clone of Ares running to the sign marker.

"Father! It's good to-

He stops from seeing a mix of sadness and anger on his face.

"What happened?"

"The Oracle has been murdered."

Ares grips his spear with flaring golden-red aura.

"What?! Who could have done such a thing?"

"Takashi Watanabe."

The aura died down from the unexpected answer. His spear almost dropped to the ground.


"Y-You can't be serious."

"He ran his blade through her heart."

Ares' eyes widened. He couldn't believe it.

"That can't be! He saved the Trojans. He couldn't have done it!"

"People can hide their intentions well. I don't know why he did it."

"This isn't right, father. He would never do this!"

"Son, I know you have an attachment to him, but he needs to be captured and held accountable for his crimes."

"Father, wait. Let me find him. He can explain his side of things."

"He will just lie to you."

"Please", he pleaded.

"He has the power of Kronos on his side which makes him unstoppable against mortals. He would be stupid to fight against a god head-on. If you want to find him, go ahead. But make sure to bring him to me for additional questioning. I will let the other gods know to bring him in alive."

"Of course. Wait, who is Kronos?"

"He was your grandfather. Takashi somehow acquired his powers."

"Have you mentioned him before?", as he tilted his head.

"I did. He just died a long time ago so you probably don't remember."

"I'm going to find him now."

Zeus taps his son on the shoulder. He smiles that the effect of Mnemosyne's lamp is taking something from his mind. His free hand cradles the lamp behind his back. He didn't remove the entire memory of Taki's meeting with Ares, but a small detail that could lead to his downfall.

Ares goes off to find Takashi.

It's best I find him first. They won't go easy on him, the god of war thought.

He runs up the mountains to the scene of the crime to determine where Takashi had run off to. He sees the former Oracle covered up with a blanket to give her dignity. He consoles the new Oracle who's crying over her body.

"I'm so sorry."

She latches onto him and buries her head into his breastplate.

"Let it out. Let it out", as he pats her head. He hears a musical note come in from above and Apollo lands on the ground near the former Oracle. He's almost blinded by the nonstop tears sprinting down his face. He wipes the tears away to hold the former Oracle's left hand.

"Hello, brother. I'm sorry this happened."

The aroma of different wines enters the room before the respective deity. To the deities' ears, the steps almost didn't match Dionysus. Usually, they would be staggered going down the steps from all the wine he drinks. His steps are focused. He makes it to the final step while holding a see-through goblet of water in his hands.

He pushes back a part of his tangled, messy light brown hair to reveal his tear-soaked face. He walks over to hold the right hand of the former Oracle. He maintains his grip on the goblet.

"She didn't do anything wrong", as his hand trembles.

"I know."

They put her hands together. Apollo and Dionysus embrace each other as their tears hit the ground. After some time, the goblet cracks from Dionysus' grip. Their golden auras almost suffocate the mortals in the room. They pulled it back in.

"Where is he so I can dispose of him?", Dionysus asked with a menacing scowl.

"Leave me some of him to take care of", the god of music requested.

"Our father said to take him in alive", Ares interjected.

"Then we will administer justice after his trial. Taken alive? It doesn't mean we can't hurt him. I won't take a sip of wine until he is dealt with."

"You said he helped with saving the Trojans? Then why did he do this?", Apollo asked Ares.

Ares looks down in silence for his response. Dionysus looks to the new Oracle for questions. He remembers to soften his eyes, knowing the anger will not help his case.

"Dear, please tell me what you saw."

"I-I can't", the new oracle clutched her torso.

"Just a small detail will be enough. Which direction did he go?"

Her mind replays the death of her friend and Apollo plays soothing music on his flute to lull her to a peaceful sleep. He catches her falling body with a musical note. The note takes away to her room.

"Dionysus, stop it. She needs time to process things."

"You're right. I just never been this sober before. It's so different."

"I will attend her burial", as Ares stands up. He bowed to both of them.

"When you find him, let us know."

Ares nods and runs off.

"We will have to do the ceremony for her when she wakes up. I will handle it", Apollo told the god of wine.

"I want to stay behind for that. I always took it for granted", as he stared at the ground. Apollo lays a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"I will send news to my sister in case Ares-

"In case he fails or goes soft?"

"Let's wait on what he says and go from there."

---

Takashi startles awake as the deaths of Hestia, Artemis, and Apollo run through his mind. He wipes the cold sweat from his forehead and catches his breath. According to his watch, almost two hours have passed.

He pulls out the rubber ball from his tote bag. He grips it tightly several times to calm down. He closes his eyes and takes deep breaths in and out like Heracles taught him.

Hestia and the others are alive in this timeline.

He's calm enough to think on what to do next.

Think about "when" we are. If I ended up at Mt Del-

His mind is interrupted by the tragic death of the Oracle by his blade. His knuckles turn white from squeezing the ball.

"Breathe. Breathe, Taki. What do we know? My improved abilities came with me so that includes what Aphrodite did to me. What else?", as he took out some papyrus, ink, and a quill.

He notices all of his fingers are intact as he touches them. No metal. He takes off his shirt and takes out his phone. He puts the camera setting up and he sees the scars from before are on him, but he's not as muscular as he was before. Training shouldn't be a problem to get that body back.

Wait. What happened to the hour hand blade? Could Zeus have taken it as his own?

He stops himself from using his aura for detection to prevent alerting the other gods to his location. He thinks back of the time period he's in and his jaw drops. Perseus and his family are grieving Medusa's death. He wishes he could be with them right now, but he can't afford to endanger them.

"All my messages have been sent so my loved ones have an idea of where I am", as he writes with a hushed tone.


This gives him a measure of peace, but he questions if Penelope still loves him. He finds a new group message from her. He's hesitant to play it, but he decides to listen.

He hears their voices and his daughter cooing in the background.

 "

Agapimenos! Whatever you're facing, you will overcome it.

You are an invincible superhero. Your powers are insane! We also saw the pictures you sent us. I'm glad they are helping my best friend get home.

Come back soon and we will eat and drink like there's no tomorrow!

Taki, let's go fishing!

I will take that fish and season it just the way you like it. I pray you are eating well.

Son, I heard about what you went through. It must be tough over there. Just know that I will always love you and I appreciate your words. I'm proud that you are my son.

Baby brother! I'm going to punch you in the shoulder for making me worry about you. Just kidding! I will beat you in our family cookoff contest when you're ready to start.

Taki, we love you and we are rooting for you to come back soon. We want to hear everything from you: the good and the bad. It's good that we got to hear from you.

Kissing sound

"

The message ends with Takashi finding the motivation to continue. He doesn't have the time to sulk when he needs to get home.

Once I have both powers, I can make everything right. I will bring back the Oracle and everyone else.

Something else came to mind. Ares was the only god he had met up to this point that's on his side. And Zeus let him escape instead of chasing him down. He thinks that Zeus will align the other gods against him. He needs to play it safe with the sunlight outside the cave.

He remembers what Helios did to him when he took flight with Icarus. He will have to leave when it's nighttime.

But where to? And how can I possibly withstand Zeus' electricity if he pops up?

He grips his rubber ball and gets an idea. He gets the map of Gaia out and circles the spot for Athens. He estimates his location as being south of Mt Delphi.

"Okay, we have a location. But how should I get there? What if another god tries to stop me? Fighting is out of the question. I hope it's someone I know."

He remembers something Ares told him and writes it down. He can't remember the exact wording, but he puts multiple question marks after it.

                 Who is the deity that Ares mentioned? The one more powerful than Zeus???

He has his list and will figure out a way to make it to Athens. He lays a cloth down on the floor and starts doing exercises that he had learned. He finds himself able to do the clapping push-ups because of the muscle memory, but not as many as he could do last time.

"That's okay. Let's keep going. I will use everything that I have learned to beat Zeus."

He continues to work out and uses zone and FF to skip his recovery period. He takes some food out of his bag and eats to nourish himself. He "sends" a voice message to his loved ones during a break.

     "Hey, I'm sorry for not making it back the day I promised. Zeus was the real culprit. He killed our father, Hikari, and he stopped me from making it back home. I had to reset to save my family over here and things had gotten worse.


Zeus killed the Oracle and pinned it on me. Don't worry. I'm hiding for now, but I have a plan. I will use everything the past me left me so I can do better. Penny, you must be in a lot of pain. I'm so sorry, my bronze goddess. I will make it up to you every day when I get back. I think you heard my love poem and I will say it to you in person. Thank you for your words. Love you all."

He ends the voice message and goes back to working out. He finds some large rocks and his body imitates what he has learned. It was still a struggle to lift the rocks, but he will get there. He will take advantage of the extended stamina that the love goddess gave him.

Meanwhile.....,


Zeus gathers the rest of the Olympians for a meeting. Demeter doesn't show since she's mourning her time away from her daughter.

"In case you didn't know, the Oracle was murdered", Zeus announced.

The other gods are shocked by this. Athena shows genuine shock with the permanent scar Perseus gave her on the nose.

Artemis jumps out of her seat with a raging aura for her twin's suffering. 

"Who did it?"

"A man named Takashi Watanabe."

Her aura dies down out of bewilderment.


"The same one who saved the Trojans?"

"I know. It seems out of character for him to do that, but he used his blade to kill her."

"Did the guards say what led up to that point?", Athena asked.

"They said that he was out of his mind when he said something to the Oracle."

"What did he say?", as Hermes took notes.

"That I killed Kronos."

The gods show confusion as the name wasn't familiar to them. Zeus takes advantage of this.

"Kronos is my father along with Hera, Hestia, Poseidon, Hades, and Demeter."

"He said you killed him?", his wife asked.

     "He's a lunatic because our father loved us dearly. I would never hurt him. He's actually from another world but has somehow gained my father's powers. He can travel instantly from one place to another and control aspects of time by speaking a word. He also has strange swords. He has a long blade and a short blade that are emerald in color.


He must be stopped before he kills another person. That's why I want you to bring him in alive. He will say anything for you to trust him, so don't let him speak. I will hold his trial and administer punishment."

"Is he really that much of a threat to deal with? Isn't he just a mortal?", Hera assumed.

"He is, but the longer he is allowed to toy with his powers, he might become equivalent to a god himself. It would be harder to stop him."

"Leave it to me, father. I will hunt him down", Artemis asserted.

"Sister, let's work together since he can be anywhere", Athena offered.

"You will take one section and I will take the other. If I see him and escapes, I will let you know", she plainly stated. She doesn't trust her just like before.

"So be it."

"In case you don't find him, we will use the Oracle's funeral to bring him out", Zeus proposed.

"Why would he come for that?", the messenger god asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Because killers like him love to see the pain he caused to others", the goddess of wisdom explained.

"Then the matter is settled. Hermes, I will give you his facial descriptions. Draw his face and post it everywhere so he has nowhere else to hide. Also, add on that anyone who helps him will receive the same punishment, regardless of who they are. We need to isolate him from getting any help", the king of the Olympians commanded.

"It will be done before the end of the day."

"Meeting adjourned."

The gods leave from Mt Olympus. Artemis' totem lights up and she answers it. She almost drops her totem because of what was said. She runs out of the temple with her divine speed to that location. Droplets trail behind her.

---

Hours later.....

Day turns into night as Takashi is dripping buckets of sweat from his intense workouts. He checks the cavern lake for any monsters and it's safe. He takes out some bathing oils and takes a quick bath.

"Zone. Fast forward", as he tapped his abs to skip through his recovery period.

He stretches himself and puts on some clothes to leave for Athens. He throws on a hooded cloak and hides his sword underneath it. He scans the outside for any threats with his eyes. Nothing is present. He quietly leaves the cave while keeping his eyes peeled for threats.

He stays away from the lakes he sees in case Poseidon appears. He also stays away from the traveled roads and sticks to the forests. Flying is also out because he can be sniped out of the sky even with his new form.


He just has to walk to a cave to hide from the sun. It would be a slow process, but he can't risk it. He also stays away from cities to keep them safe. Who knows what kind of damage the other gods will do?

He makes some progress heading east to Athens. He sees some people walking down the road and he keeps to himself. Who knows if they can be gods in disguise?

He sees the forest opening up to some land. The sound of groaning and landed attacks has him look to the left. A young man is on the ground with a gang of thieves over him. Taki contemplates whether to get involved in this.

"Is this all you have?", one of the thieves asked.

"I don't have anything else to give you. Please, I won't tell anyone. Let me go."

"What if you're lying to us? Maybe you have more at your home."

"I'm just a fisherman. I don't make much money. Please let me go."

One of the mugger hits him in the ribs as the others hold him.

"Shut up. And how do we know you won't tell anyone? Maybe we need to rectify that", as he brought out a knife.

"Stop."

Fortunately, no movement from the muggers or the victim. He uses his speed to hit all four of the muggers in the balls, throat, and face. He also takes away their weapons and gets rid of the hold on the young man.

"Zone. Play", as he tapped the fisherman.

The victim opens his eyes and finds that the muggers have been frozen in some way. He also sees a hooded stranger that startles him.

"Take back what's yours and go home. I will take care of them."

The young man gets up, takes back his stuff, and runs away in confusion. Taki uses this time to get away to avoid letting his face be seen by anyone. He gets a good distance away to another part of the woods.

"Play."

The muggers collapse to the ground in pain. They cover the spots where they were hit.

"What in Tartarus just happened?", one of them groaned.

"Where did our mark go?"

Taki continues to make his way towards Athens.


Footsteps from behind has him get behind a tree with a readied blade. He uses the reflection of it to see who or what was making that sound. No one is there as the steps can no longer be heard.

He grabs a rock near his feet and throws it into another direction. The rock hits the ground, but no footsteps are heard afterwards. He keeps walking. He checks his watch to find out that he has a few hours before the sun rises. He takes out his map and finds a nearby cave for rest.

He makes his way ever carefully to the cave and uses his aura to sense if any big creatures are in there. So far nothing and he walks in. He pitches his tent inside the cave for sleeping. He sets an alarm on his phone for 7 hours from now or 12pm to start his day.

The crunch of bootsteps sends a chill down his spine.


Could it be the same person? If it was a god, why isn't he dead now?

"Takashi, turn around. Slowly", Ares warned.

He listens. He sees it is a clone of Ares and the god of war doesn't know how to feel about him.

"A-Ares, please listen. I didn't kill the Oracle."

"Your blade went right through her heart."

"But I didn't do it. Someone used my blade to frame me. I know who it is."

"Who is it?"

"Zeus."

"What blasphemy are you saying?", as the god grips him by the collar.

"I'm telling the truth. Please hear me out."


Ares removes his grip and sits down on a rock.

He puts his spear down and Taki tells him everything using a bit of his aura to show what had happened. Ares couldn't believe it, but it was all true.

"My own father. He did all of this, even the Trojan Horse?", as the god was coming to terms with it.

"And he gave that idea for Eris to implement. He pulled a lot of strings to try and get my set of powers."

Seeing the deaths of Hestia, Artemis, and Apollo made the god of war furious. Also, knowing the truth of his mother and Athena sent him over the edge.


He breaks his spear with his strength. He then embraces Takashi with a warm hug.

"You've been through so much. I'm sorry for what my father did to you."

Taki needed to hear that as he hugged him back. He stops himself from crying to ask Ares a question.

"Nephew, you mentioned a deity that could stand up to Zeus in terms of power. Who is she?"

"I don't remember saying that."

"You said you knew somebody. She might turn the situation into our favor."

"I can't think of her for some reason."

"What about a list of goddesses who can overpower Zeus?"

"No one else comes to mind, but mother. I know you're not lying to me, but her name nor her role is coming to me."


Taki's mind comes to a horrible realization.

"Mnemosyne's lamp of memories. Did you speak to Zeus before coming here?"

"I did. He took away my memory of that deity", as he realized his father's tap on the shoulder.

"Damn it."

"I will send a copy of myself to Aphrodite. She should know if Zeus hasn't gotten to her first."

He splinters off another copy of himself wearing light armor and that copy runs off in the direction of Aphrodite's temple in Corinth.

"The good thing is that you were able to keep the lengthened stamina she gave you. The more you train, the better you can utilize your new form. I know that there will be a funeral for the previous Oracle. Do not even try to show up."

"Zeus would be counting on it, but I won't give him that satisfaction. I'm going to Athens and will do some physical training along the way."

"Then I will join you. The other gods will be looking for you so I will give you a disguise to conceal you. I know Athena will be watching her city carefully. Why are you going there?"

"I have a friend there who could help me make something. This will help against my battle with Zeus."

"It's good that you are thinking things through. I won't tell the others that I found you. I will say that you went to Troy. Let me have your sword."

Taki trusts him and gives him his blade. Ares puts some of his aura on the blade and he cuts his breastplate down to the skin. Taki's eyes widen and wonders why he's doing this. The god doesn't even wince from doing it. Ares wipes the blood off the sword and hands it back to him. His wound heals up.

"To make it convincing that we fought."

"I appreciate everything you're doing for me. Are Briseis and the others okay?"

"They are. They don't believe that you would even hurt the Oracle."

"How did they know about that?"

"I told them, but Hermes has laid out posters with your face on it. We need to alter your appearance to help with the disguise. We will figure it out when you wake up."

"Okay", as he strongly embraced him again.

"Good night, Ares."

"Good night, uncle."

Ares stands watch as Taki sleeps. He sleeps peacefully now that he has allies, especially a god, on his side.

I will make more so we can overcome Zeus together. He may be powerful, but he has to have a weakness. He should have one.