The room was spacious, decorated with an understated elegance that blended tradition and modernity. The marble floor reflected the golden light streaming in through the tall windows, which overlooked the Nile, its tranquil waters glistening under the rising sun. Long curtains swayed gently in the morning breeze, and dark wood furniture added a touch of sophistication to the ambiance.
In the center of the room, an immense bed with impeccable sheets remained untouched. Ikki hadn't needed it. The early morning had been entirely dedicated to the meditation that was happening in mid-air.
Now, he opened his eyes.
A long sigh escaped his lips as he emerged from his meditative state and landed at the foot of the bed on the floor. During those hours, he had reached a threshold in his understanding of the Nameless Manual, an achievement that, at other times, would have been a source of satisfaction.
But none of that mattered.
He ran a hand through his hair, brushing away any lingering tension, and walked to the balcony.
Cairo stretched out before him, but to Ikki, the city already seemed distant.
Tomorrow, he would leave.
He would continue his journey.
The wind carried the warm scent of the city, mingled with the fresh aroma of the Nile's water.
Ikki rested his hands on the balcony railing, feeling the cold texture of the stone beneath his fingers. He looked at the horizon, but his mind was trapped in the past, in the last days he had spent there.
Against his will, he had grown attached.
Walt, Carter, Sadie… Zia, they had become important to him, despite everything he had done and having lived the last few days facing the consequences of it, but the worst of all was Sadie and Zia's pursuit, he knew that both of them wanted him to be theirs. They loved him, a consequence of his magic that he could erase, but he couldn't, because he had simply messed up enough already.
He never asked to be loved this way, never wanted to bind someone to feelings that would only cause pain. But, in the end, it didn't matter what he wanted or how it happened. The marks he left on these two women were real.
Ikki closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh.
He needed an answer.
His mother wasn't there. The only other person who could advise him… well, after everything he had said he would be by his side as a father and do his best for him, right?
A prayer formed in his mind. It wasn't something he did often, but this time, he put intention and meaning into each silent word.
"Father… if you can hear me, I need your help…"
Considering that Zeus was the man who "slept" with the most women, he should have some useful advice, right?
So, he waited.
The morning silence stretched. The sun climbed the horizon, bathing the world in gold and fire.
And then, thunder roared in the cloudless sky.
And in the next instant, his father, Zeus, was there beside him on the balcony.
Not as a distant king atop Olympus, but as a tall, muscular man, wearing a navy blue pinstripe suit with gold buttons, looking like a tycoon who ruled his own world. His dark hair and beard had streaks of gray, like storms trapped in time, and his eyes, an electric, vibrant, dangerous blue, flashed like contained thunderbolts.
Zeus crossed his arms, looking Ikki up and down with an appraising expression. His eyes gleamed like contained lightning, and his brow furrowed when he noticed something strange about his son's appearance.
"You are… different." His voice boomed like distant thunder. "You look older than you should. What happened?"
Ikki, still leaning against the balcony railing, looked away towards the horizon before answering.
"Egyptian magic."
Zeus narrowed his eyes.
"Egyptians?" His voice carried a note of suspicion. "Since when do you have dealings with them?"
Ikki let out a long sigh and ran a hand through his hair, as if organizing his thoughts.
"This was after I left the Underworld," he began, his tone making it clear that it wasn't a short story.
Zeus remained silent, but his posture shifted subtly. He always seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, but now he was attentive, like a general about to hear a crucial report.
"I heard of a man named Julius Kane." Ikki continued. "He was trying to revive his wife, Ruby Kane. And, according to the rumors, he believed Osiris could bring her back."
Zeus let out a low growl at the mention of the Egyptian god of death, but didn't interrupt.
"It seemed absurd, but… I wanted to know more. So I went after him. On the way, I discovered he had two children, Carter and Sadie. In the end, I ended up facing Seth."
Zeus's eyes flashed intensely. "Seth, the god of war and chaos?"
Ikki nodded. "The same."
"And you defeated him."
It wasn't exactly a question, but Ikki confirmed with a nod.
"And after that?"
"I spent a month in the Nome, the Brooklyn House. That's how I met the Egyptians."
Zeus remained still for a moment, absorbing the information. His gaze fell on Ikki with a new weight, assessing not only what he had said but also what he might be hiding.
"You involved yourself more than you should have." He murmured, as if speaking to himself. Then, he looked up at Ikki. "And now? That still doesn't explain what happened to you. This appearance… Tell me, son. What else are you hiding?"
Ikki noticed the stiffness in his father's shoulders, the intense glint in his eyes, but, contrary to what he expected, Zeus took a deep breath and relaxed his expression. His stern features softened slightly, and he glanced towards the horizon, where the sun gilded Cairo.
"I don't want to fight with you." Zeus said, his voice still deep, but less charged. "I just… worry."
Ikki raised an eyebrow.
As if he could guess his thoughts, Zeus let out a low, slightly awkward laugh.
"I know. But I'm trying. You think it's easy, after so long being…" He made a vague gesture with his hand. "I know I messed up a lot. But I want to change. I want to be better for you."
Ikki was silent for a moment, thinking that this time his father was honoring his word, he was really trying his best to improve…
"I know you're trying," he finally said, without sarcasm.
Zeus looked at him with a small, corner-of-the-mouth smile.
"So, help me understand. What happened to you, son?"
Ikki sighed, ran a hand through his hair, and finally explained:
"Well, I kind of accidentally used magic that aged me while at the same time everyone connected to Egyptian mythology, a single day became a whole year."
That wasn't exactly how it happened, obviously, but it combined the explanation of his appearance with the magic.
Zeus turned serious again, but, instead of reacting with indignation, he frowned, worried.
"That… shouldn't be possible."
"But it was." Ikki replied. "And I was responsible."
Zeus was silent for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. Then, instead of reprimanding him, he placed a firm hand on his son's shoulder.
"Did you do this to protect someone?"
Ikki looked away.
"To fix something I broke."
Zeus squeezed his shoulder lightly.
"And did you succeed?"
Ikki hesitated, then gave a tired half-smile.
"I'm still not sure."
Zeus stood there, watching Ikki with that paternal look that still seemed so strange to him. The silence stretched between them, broken only by the warm Cairo breeze and the distant sound of the city awakening.
"Can you tell me how it all happened?" Zeus finally asked…
Ikki took a deep breath. If Zeus wanted to understand, then he was going to tell him everything.
"The magic I used…" he began, pressing his fingers against the railing. "It wasn't just an altered perception. Everyone who was under its influence lived a whole year in a single day."
Zeus stood still for a second. Then he blinked slowly.
"A whole year… in one day?"
"Yeah." Ikki grimaced. "They don't realize it. For them, that time passed normally. But, in reality, it was just one day."
Zeus ran a hand over his face.
"That…" He inhaled deeply. "That's much worse than I imagined."
"I know."
Silence fell again. Then Zeus frowned.
"Wait. If they lived a whole year…"
Ikki turned to him, already feeling a headache coming on.
"Yes. They created memories, bonds… feelings."
Zeus seemed to understand where this was going, because he narrowed his eyes.
"Son… what exactly do you mean by 'feelings'?"
Ikki looked away.
"…Zia and Sadie, two of my friends from the Egyptian side, fell in love with me."
Zeus froze.
"…What?"
"Yeah, so." Ikki ran a hand through his hair, uncomfortable. "It happened."
The god of thunder opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again. It was rare to see Zeus speechless. But, in the end, all he managed to say was: "So you bewitched the girls."
"It wasn't intentional!" Ikki retorted. "But yes, technically it was my fault."
Zeus took several deep breaths, clearly trying to process all of this.
"And you… do you like either of them?"
"Not like that." Ikki sighed. "Besides, it wouldn't work."
Zeus frowned.
"Why?"
Ikki cleared his throat.
"Because I'm already dating someone."
Zeus raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Ikki scratched the back of his neck.
"Artemis."
The silence that followed was almost comical. Zeus just stared at him as if Ikki had just said he started dating the moon literally.
"Artemis." Zeus repeated, slowly.
"That's right."
"My daughter."
"Correct."
"The goddess of chastity."
"…Yes."
Zeus tilted his head to the side.
"You."
"Me."
"Are dating Artemis."
"That's right."
Zeus blinked a few times. Then he put a finger to his ear, as if he thought he had misheard.
"Sorry, son, but… what?!"
Ikki sighed and crossed his arms.
"Look, I didn't expect this either, but it happened, okay?"
Zeus opened his mouth to say something, but then simply threw his hands up.
"This is… this is too much to process at once."
Ikki patted his shoulder.
"As you wished to be a present father. I must say, welcome to my life."
Zeus let out a long sigh, closing his eyes for a moment before facing Ikki again. He rubbed his temple, as if the entire conversation had just given him a divine migraine.
Ikki waited patiently. He already knew the shock would take a while to wear off.
Finally, Zeus lowered his hands and looked at him with a somewhat lost expression.
"Right. Let's go back a bit." He gestured in the air, as if trying to rewind the conversation. "How exactly did this happen?"
Ikki shrugged.
"It started slowly. We spent a lot of time together and… well, it happened."
"This… really happened." Zeus shook his head, incredulous. "My daughter, the goddess who rejected all men for millennia, chose you."
Ikki raised an eyebrow. "Well, when you put it like that, it does sound absurd."
Zeus actually laughed this time, a rare and unexpected sound.
"That's because it is absurd." He ran a hand over his face, exasperated, but he didn't seem angry. In fact, he seemed… impressed?
Ikki crossed his arms and gave a wry smile.
Zeus closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath.
"Is she… happy?"
Ikki relaxed his posture slightly.
"Yes."
Zeus was silent, as if processing this information more carefully than all the others. Then, to Ikki's surprise, he nodded slowly.
"Then I won't interfere."
Ikki blinked.
"Wait, seriously?"
Zeus sighed.
"If there's one thing I've learned, it's that forcing Artemis into something never ends well. And if she's truly happy… well, that's what matters."
Ikki let out a low whistle.
"Wow. Growth."
Zeus gave him a weary look.
"Don't push it."
Ikki just shrugged, feeling somewhat satisfied with his father's change…
Zeus took a deep breath, as if preparing himself for something difficult. He ran a hand over his face, hesitated, opened his mouth… and then closed it again. A long silence settled before he finally spoke.
"Look… Artemis is… complicated."
Ikki rolled his eyes and said, "Tell me something I don't know."
Zeus ignored the joke, scratching the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable.
"She spent eons rejecting any kind of romantic attachment. You might think you understand, but… this is new for her. Very new." He paused. "And I just… want to make sure you understand what that means."
Ikki narrowed his eyes, confused.
"What does it mean, exactly?"
Zeus cleared his throat. His gaze was anywhere but on his son.
"It means that… well, she doesn't have experience with certain things. Relationships." He waved his hand in the air, trying to find the words. "And you… well, you do."
Ikki blinked, holding back a smile.
"Are you giving me the sex talk?"
Zeus snorted, impatient.
"I'm trying!"
Ikki crossed his arms, amused.
"Wow. The almighty Zeus, the god who's had more affairs than anyone in history, is giving me advice on this?"
Zeus pointed a finger at him, narrowing his eyes.
"Listen here, kid, I know what I'm saying. I've seen a lot over the millennia, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that a man can be strong, he can be smart, but if he doesn't know how to respect the boundaries of the woman he's with, he's worthless."
Ikki raised his eyebrows, surprised by the seriousness in his father's tone.
"I know that."
Zeus relaxed slightly, but still maintained a firm stance.
"Good. Because if you screw things up with some nonsense… you may be my son, but I'm still Zeus."
Ikki smiled, shaking his head.
"Noted."
Silence fell for a moment, then Zeus let out a long sigh. Thankfully Ikki interrupted this subject, he was finding it somewhat uncomfortable. Well, he decided to move on…
Ikki was silent for a moment, absorbing those words. He never imagined he'd be getting relationship advice from Zeus, but to his surprise, it wasn't bad.
Zeus became thoughtful for a moment and then gave a half-smile.
"Of course, there's another solution too."
Ikki looked at him suspiciously. "Don't even start."
Zeus raised his eyebrows, with the most innocent expression possible. "What? Don't you want to hear all the options?"
Ikki passed a hand over his face. "If you're going to suggest what I think you are…"
Zeus patted him on the shoulder.
"I'm just saying, son, that many cultures – many indeed – consider it perfectly acceptable for a man to have more than one woman." He made a casual gesture with his hand. "Kings, emperors, even some demigods… it worked well for them."
Ikki looked at him as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Are you suggesting I form a harem?"
Zeus gave a half-smile. "I'm saying it's an option. If you like all three of them, if they like you, and if – and this is important – they agree… why not consider it?"
Ikki crossed his arms. "You do know Artemis would probably kill me for suggesting that, right?"
Zeus let out a low chuckle.
"Yeah, that's a problematic detail." He scratched his chin. "But on the other hand, if you've already managed to get Artemis to accept you as a partner, I'm not going to say it's impossible."
Ikki rolled his eyes. "That, that part of you really doesn't change, does it?"
"It only changed after I met your mother..." Zeus smiled, not denying anything.
"Look, I've lived a long time. I've seen it all. At the end of the day, what matters is that you and they are happy. If that means being with just one, great. If it means finding a way to reconcile everything, great too. But what you can't do is run away from this. You need to face the situation head-on and be honest with everyone."
Ikki sighed. "Honesty, huh?"
"Yes." Zeus patted his shoulder. "And if Artemis pulls an arrow on you, run fast."
Ikki laughed. "Thanks for the advice… I think."
Zeus seemed pleased. "I have my moments."
They stood there, side by side, watching Cairo fully awaken under the morning sun.
The silence stretched between them.
The warm wind blew gently, carrying the scent of spices and the vibrant city below.
Ikki was still reflecting on Zeus's words, trying to process everything. He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a heavy sigh.
"So, do you really think this idea… could work?"
Zeus crossed his arms, pondering. "It depends."
Ikki raised an eyebrow. "That's not very helpful, Dad."
Zeus chuckled. "I'm a god, boy, not an oracle. But I'll tell you one thing: relationships aren't about what the world considers right or wrong. They're about what the people involved agree on."
Ikki frowned, still hesitant.
"But it's not just about what I want. It's about what they want. And honestly… I don't think Artemis would accept something like that."
It was just out of curiosity, okay? It had nothing to do with anything other than that.
Zeus looked at him for a moment, his expression turning more serious. "Artemis spent ages rejecting any kind of romantic attachment, Ikki. You're already the exception. And that means any path with her will be uncertain. You're dealing with something new, both for you and for her."
Ikki clenched his fists slightly. "I know that."
"So, you need to ask yourself… what do you really want?"
Ikki hesitated.
He knew he liked Zia and Sadie, at least, guilt mixed with attachment, mixed with his nature as a man, made him consider such a hypothesis for a minute. But he loved Artemis. She was the one he had chosen.
"I…" He stopped, thoughtful.
Zeus watched him patiently.
Ikki sighed and looked at him.
"And you? Have you ever truly loved besides my mother?"
Zeus was quiet for a moment. His expression changed slightly, something passing through his eyes, perhaps weariness, perhaps nostalgia.
"Yes," he said at last. "More times than I should have."
Ikki hadn't expected that answer.
"You were always portrayed as someone who just… collects women."
Zeus laughed, but there was little amusement in it.
"I know what they say about me. And some of it is true. But love… true love… is different." He looked at Ikki, his voice growing quieter. "The problem with being a god is that things are never simple. The women I loved… some loved me back. Others didn't. Some understood what I am. Others hated me for it. And in the end… time took them all, but one thing never changes. It's Sophia that I loved and will always love..."
Ikki looked away at the horizon, processing that.
"Do you think I'm making a mistake by choosing just one?"
Zeus shook his head. "No. I think you need to do what you feel is right. But if you're choosing out of fear, or because you think you should… then yes, you might be making a mistake."
Ikki was silent.
Zeus placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Be honest with them. And with yourself. If you love Artemis and want only her, then fight for it. But if there's something in you that desires another path, don't pretend it doesn't exist. Pretending only makes everything more painful in the end."
Ikki took a deep breath. He hadn't expected to have this conversation with Zeus. Much less that it would affect him so much.
"I need to think..." he admitted.
Zeus nodded.
"Then think. But don't take too long. The choices we don't make… are the ones that tend to haunt us."
They stood there, side by side, as the city went about its rhythm below them. For a moment, Zeus wasn't just a god. He was just a father, talking to his son.
Zeus sighed, running a hand over his face. Things had changed too much… and too fast. Since he decided to make room for change, it seemed like everything around him was falling apart or transforming into something he barely recognized, but it was a very good change. He regretted not having done it sooner, the satisfaction of seeing everyone surprised by his new decisions and starting to see him with bright eyes as if he had become a worthy ruler was much greater than he imagined.
"Hey, Dad..." After staring at Zeus, trying to ignore everything they had talked about, Ikki called out, changing the subject. "Why did you let all the gods have a cabin at Camp Half-Blood?"
Zeus blinked, as if coming back to reality. He narrowed his eyes at Ikki, studying him for a moment, and then let out a sigh.
"It was for the demigods," he admitted.
Ikki raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You spent centuries ignoring the children of the other gods and suddenly decided to do something for them?"
Zeus gave him a stern look, but there wasn't as much force in it.
"I know we've been negligent." He paused, looking towards the horizon. "Demigods have always been the foundation of our faith. They are the bridge between our world and the mortal world. But for ages, we treated you as tools… not as children."
Ikki crossed his arms, listening intently.
"After I decided to change and become more just, I realized my negligence in this…"
Ikki tilted his head thoughtfully. "It's kind of ironic, isn't it? Demigods being the source of the gods' faith."
Zeus let out a short, humorless laugh. "Very ironic. But true."
Ikki was silent for a moment, absorbing those words. Then, something occurred to him.
"But what about before? I mean, when you had millions of worshipers, temples, sacrifices… were demigods still so essential to your strength?"
Zeus grew thoughtful, as if choosing his words carefully.
"Yes… and no."
Ikki frowned.
Zeus continued: "The gods are fueled by faith, by worship, by belief. The more mortals worshipped us, the more powerful we were. During Ancient Greece, when we dominated the human imagination, we were much stronger than we are now."
Ikki nodded.
"Makes sense."
He already knew about the Gods being fueled by faith, that's why he refused divinity. There was another path for him and it was a trap of fate as well…
"But," Zeus added, "demigods always had a unique role. They don't just believe in us. They interact with us. They carry our blood, fight for us, die for us. And that connection has always been different from the faith of ordinary mortals."
Ikki reflected on this.
"So when ordinary worshippers started to disappear… demigods became even more important?"
Zeus confirmed with a nod. "Exactly. When Rome fell and Christianity began to dominate the West, our influence waned. Many ancient gods disappeared completely because no one remembered them anymore. But we survived because there were still demigods, lineages, stories being passed down."
Ikki exhaled slowly. "So that's why you can't just ignore the demigods. They're your last anchor to the mortal world."
"Correct." Zeus looked at him with a serious expression. "That's why we need to protect them…"
Ikki became thoughtful.
In the end, the gods needed the demigods as much as the demigods needed the gods.
It was a mutual dependency… and for a long time, only one side was truly benefiting from it.
He frowned, thinking about what Zeus had said. Something still didn't make sense.
"If the gods need the faith of mortals, why don't they just take control of humanity?" He turned to Zeus, his expression calm. "I mean, you ruled in the past, right? If you started demanding worship again, you'd become stronger. What's stopping you?"
Zeus let out a short, humorless laugh. "Ah, if it were only that simple…"
He crossed his arms, looking out at the horizon before answering.
"We've tried. More than once."
Ikki narrowed his eyes. "And?"
Zeus inhaled deeply, as if deciding how far he would go with this conversation.
"The problem is that we're not alone." He made a sweeping gesture with his hand. "The Greek gods aren't the only gods in the world. We never were. Since the beginning of time, different pantheons have competed for space, for influence, for worship."
Ikki nodded slowly. "The other pantheons…"
"Exactly," Zeus confirmed. "If we simply tried to dominate all of humanity and force them to worship us, we'd be at war with the other gods. The balance between the pantheons is delicate. And we've had conflicts before."
Ikki didn't seem convinced.
"But aren't you the strongest? I mean, you still exist while many other pantheons have disappeared."
After fighting the Egyptians, he realized that the Greeks were stronger in many ways.
Zeus pursed his lips for a moment. "Yes… but that doesn't mean we can just act as we please. The world is vast, and there are forces we'd rather not awaken. There was a time when we tried to expand our dominion over all lands… and we discovered that certain boundaries should not be crossed."
Ikki raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
Zeus exhaled slowly, as if pondering whether he should say more. "There was a time when the Greek gods tried to supersede other pantheons, especially in the first centuries after Rome fell. But whenever we expanded too much, something pulled us back. Old deities, primordial forces, pantheons that never truly disappeared. Not to mention that humans themselves have an annoying talent for resisting when we try to impose our will."
Ikki narrowed his eyes. "So… it's a combination of divine politics and the fact that mortals don't like being controlled?"
Zeus let out a short laugh. "Basically."
Ikki was thoughtful for a moment. "And what would happen if a pantheon really tried to take everything for itself?"
Zeus turned serious.
"Then the others would unite against it. Do you really think the Egyptian, Norse, or Hindu gods would stand idly by while we try to take their territories?" He shook his head. "No. That would end in a war that no one can win. A war that could destroy not only the gods, but the world itself."
Ikki absorbed those words. He'd never stopped to think about the balance between the pantheons, but it made sense.
"So, in the end, you have to play by the rules."
"Or at least pretend we do," Zeus replied with a weary half-smile. "The truth, son, is that being a god doesn't mean we can do whatever we want. It means we have more to lose if we make the wrong choice."
Ikki was silent for a moment, processing everything Zeus had said.
"So, there's something else I wanted to ask," he said, looking at Zeus. "You gods… how exactly do you work? I mean, you're everywhere at the same time and all that…"
Zeus raised an eyebrow, but seemed pleased that Ikki was trying to understand. He replied: "The gods are… diffuse. We're part of the world, which means we can be present in multiple places at the same time, but not in the way a mortal would imagine."
Ikki tilted his head.
"So, if I said your name now, you would immediately know?"
Zeus sighed.
"It depends on the situation. When mortals speak our names, especially with reverence or need, it can draw our attention. The same is true when our domain is being invoked. For example, if lightning strikes someone and they cry out 'Zeus, help me!', I can feel it."
Ikki frowned. "But if a history teacher was talking about Greek mythology in a classroom and mentioned you?"
"I probably wouldn't pay much attention," Zeus admitted. "But if thousands of people started talking about me at the same time, especially believing in my existence? It brings us to the point that we are strengthened by faith…"
Ikki nodded slowly. "So, if you stay in one place, you assume the Divine Form and consequently, the real state of a God?"
Zeus confirmed with a nod. "Exactly. When we choose to manifest physically in a specific place, we assume our true divine form. But this comes at a cost. Our full form can be overwhelming for mortals and even demigods. That's why, most of the time, we prefer to maintain a more contained manifestation, like I'm doing now…"
Ikki crossed his arms.
Zeus gave a slight smile and said, "And, to be honest, it's kind of annoying sometimes. You have no idea how many things demand my attention at the same time."
"I think I can imagine." Ikki shrugged. He was silent for a moment, reflecting on the information.
"So, does that also mean that if a god wants to ignore someone, he can just… not pay attention?"
Zeus smiled sideways. "Exactly. That's why so many prayers go unanswered."
Ikki was silent, thinking that this was the reason why so many demigods were so sad…
Zeus was silent for a moment, observing the surrounding landscape. Then he let out a long sigh and ran a hand through his hair, as if he was about to admit something difficult.
"That's going to change," he said, his voice firm.
Ikki raised an eyebrow. "What's going to change?"
Zeus turned to him, crossing his arms. "I called a meeting with the gods and made it clear that this distancing needs to end. We can no longer ignore our children as we have for so long."
Ikki blinked, surprised. "You… did what?"
Zeus sighed. "I told all the Olympians – and the other gods who still care – that they should find a way to spend more time with their children. Find a loophole in the Ancient Laws, find a way to interact without violating the imposed limits. But one way or another, it needs to happen."
Ikki crossed his arms.
"And they accepted that?"
Zeus let out a short laugh. "Most didn't like the idea, but yes, they accepted it. Some because they really care about their children. Others because they don't want to be the only ones who won't do anything and will lose influence. And some just to keep me from bothering them anymore."
Ikki narrowed his eyes. "And those who don't care about their children at all?"
Zeus looked at him seriously. "Even they will have to do it. I gave them the option of choosing how and when, but I said I expected each one to at least try. No more pretending that demigods don't matter."
Ikki was silent, absorbing that revelation. He never imagined that Zeus, the king of the gods himself, would make a decision like that.
"Why?" He finally asked.
Zeus sighed. "Because we're paying the price for our neglect. Our own children hate us. If we continue to ignore you, soon there will be no one left to remind us that we still exist. The power of the gods has always come from humanity – and demigods are a fundamental part of that."
Ikki nodded slowly. "So in the end, it's a matter of survival."
Zeus shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe it's just time to finally be the parents we should be."
Ikki looked at him for a moment, trying to understand what he saw in the god's face. There was something different there, guilt and regret.
"Well," he said finally. "That's going to be interesting to see."
Zeus chuckled. "I can guarantee that."
Zeus was silent for a moment, then shook his head with a small smile.
"But you're changing the subject on purpose, I noticed..." He said, his voice carrying an almost playful tone. "Just because that doesn't mean I've forgotten the main issue."
Ikki gave him a weary look.
Zeus uncrossed his arms and watched him with a softer expression. "So, tell me, son… what are you going to do? Are you going to accept those girls, follow that path… or are you going to reject them and stay only with the woman you love?"
Ikki looked away, clenching his fists at his sides. He swallowed hard before answering, his voice coming out more bitter than he would have liked.
"I don't know."
The silence that followed was heavy. Ikki's gaze was lost on the horizon as a bitter thought crossed his mind.
"What would my mother think of this?" He murmured, almost to himself, but Zeus clearly heard.
The change in Zeus was immediate. The glint of arrogance and authority vanished, replaced by something dark and melancholic. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment, before facing Ikki again.
"Sophia would tell you to follow your heart," he said, his voice deeper and laden with emotion. "She was never the type to judge people. If she were here, she would have hugged you and told you to do what you think is right."
Ikki let out a shaky sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"Yeah…" He hesitated, feeling a lump form in his throat before murmuring, almost inaudibly, "I was a failed son."
Zeus immediately turned to him, his expression hardening. "No. Not for a second."
Ikki let out an empty laugh. "You don't even know—"
"I know enough," Zeus interrupted him. "I know you've survived things no boy your age should have to face. I know you lost your mother, were thrown into this cruel world without a choice, and yet you remained standing. I know you try to do what's right, even when everything seems to be against you."
Zeus's eyes were intense, filled with sincerity.
"If that's being a failure," he continued, "then what does it mean to be a success?"
Ikki was quiet.
Zeus sighed, relaxing his shoulders, and his voice came out softer when he spoke again.
"You are everything I wasn't, Ikki." He continued, looking towards the horizon. "I've always been impulsive, selfish… I took what I wanted, without caring about the consequences. I imposed my will without thinking of others."
He let out a dry laugh.
"And then you come along, my son, being the complete opposite."
Ikki frowned, not knowing exactly how to respond.
"You think too much before you act," Zeus said, shaking his head with a half-smile. "You care too much about the people around you. Even when you have the power to do whatever you want, you hesitate because you want to do the right thing."
Zeus's smile faded slightly, and his voice became more serious.
"That's something I never had, Ikki. That ability to put others before myself."
Ikki looked away, feeling a weight in his chest.
"But there's one thing about all this," Zeus added, and his expression became slightly somber. "You're kind… too kind for your own good."
Ikki crossed his arms.
"That's not a bad thing," Zeus explained, "But it means the world will try to break you. It doesn't know what to do with people like you. And one day, you'll find yourself facing a choice: continue being that person, even if it hurts you, or harden your heart to protect yourself."
Ikki was silent.
"I just hope..." Zeus said, placing a firm hand on his son's shoulder, "that when that day comes, you remember that your strength doesn't come from your power, but from who you are."
Ikki swallowedIkki swallowed hard, blinking away the tears that had welled up in the corners of his eyes. He took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure, and looked at Zeus.
"Thank you, Dad…" he said simply. There was no need for more words.
Zeus nodded, his gaze firm but carrying something resembling genuine pride. The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable, but Ikki decided to change it before it got too sentimental. He crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly to the side.
"Speaking of which… I'm bringing my Egyptian friends to Camp Half-Blood," he announced. "So, it would be good if you prepared everything to receive them."
Zeus raised an eyebrow, the seriousness returning to his expression.
"Are you sure about this?"
Ikki took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his decision as he gazed at the horizon. "Yes, after I revealed my identity and told them the truth about why I needed to leave the Brooklyn House, they ended up wanting to come with me… well, I agreed, but honestly, maybe it was just the guilt, or because I'm tired of all this…"
Zeus didn't say anything, just watched him intently.
Ikki continued, the bitterness evident in his tone. "If I hadn't gotten involved with this Egyptian business, Zia and Sadie would never have been dragged into it. None of them would have been stuck in a time loop, nor would they have lost everything they knew." He clenched his fists. "I can't just turn my back on them now."
Zeus sighed. "I don't think they blame you for that."
Ikki let out an empty laugh. "Maybe not. But that doesn't change what happened. I met them, and somehow, I've come to care about them."
Zeus raised an eyebrow, almost surprised.
"It's funny," Ikki continued, shaking his head. "I've never been the type to get attached easily, but now… now, I just can't ignore it. If there's something I can do, then I will."
Zeus crossed his arms, studying his son for a moment before slowly nodding.
"And the war against Kronos?"
Ikki frowned.
"You know as well as I do that this war isn't going to be small," Zeus said, his expression turning more serious.
Ikki hesitated, but then nodded. "Don't worry, I'll deal with all of that…"
In the end, he took another deep breath and then said, with a firm tone:
"So… can you take care of it?"
Zeus nodded. "Yes. I'll prepare everything so your friends are welcomed."
Ikki relaxed slightly, letting out a sigh. He looked at Zeus, a new thought forming in his mind.
"There's one more thing," he said.
Zeus raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Ikki hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What do you think about… well, about me?"
Zeus seemed taken aback by the question. He studied Ikki for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
"What do I think?" he echoed. "I think… you are more like your mother than you realize."
Ikki frowned. "What do you mean?"
Zeus sighed, looking out at the horizon. "You have her strength, her compassion, her unwavering sense of right and wrong. But you also have her stubbornness," he added with a faint smile. "And her tendency to get yourself into trouble."
Ikki couldn't help but smile a little at that. It was true. He did have a knack for finding trouble, even when he wasn't looking for it.
Zeus turned back to him, his expression softening. "You've faced more challenges than most demigods could ever imagine, Ikki. And you've overcome them with grace and courage. You have a good heart, son. Don't lose that."
Ikki looked down at his hands, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. He wasn't used to praise, especially not from Zeus.
He looked up at his father, meeting his gaze. "Thank you," he said again, and this time, the words felt truer, deeper.
Zeus nodded, a rare and genuine smile gracing his lips. He clapped Ikki on the shoulder, the weight of his hand reassuring.
"Now," he said, his voice regaining its usual authority, "Go and finish what you started. And when you return, we'll have much to discuss." With a final nod, Zeus vanished, leaving Ikki alone on the balcony, the warm Cairo air swirling around him.
Ikki stood there for a long moment, the words of his father echoing in his mind. He looked out at the city, a new sense of determination settling in his heart. He had a journey to continue, a war to fight, and a complicated situation to resolve. But for the first time in a long time, he felt like he wasn't alone. He had his friends, he had Artemis, and now, in a way he never expected, he had his father.
He took one last deep breath of the Cairo air, then turned and walked back into the room, ready to face whatever came next.