Zeus left the strange valley with many thoughts and a faint hint of displeasure from being scrutinized.
Hades watched as Zeus's figure disappeared into the sky, and the gentleness in his eyes quickly faded, returning to the calm and cold unique to Hades.
The goal of this first contact was achieved—to sow in Zeus's heart a mysterious and powerful impression of 'Orphos'.
"He was more... impatient than expected." Metis's voice sounded behind him; she had appeared nearby through the secret connection between the Underworld and the earth.
"Unpolished," Hades said lightly.
"But precisely because of this, he needs 'guidance' more, and he is more suitable for drawing firepower. Mother Gaia chose him, perhaps because of this almost reckless courage and pure sense of destiny."
"What about Koios?" Metis asked. "The awakening of Zeus may not be hidden from him for too long."
"No problem. It is more beneficial for us to let Koios 'discover' Zeus, and even make him think he can 'control' the child of prophecy."
A flicker of calculation appeared in Hades's eyes. "The murkier the waters of Olympus, the better. We just need to ensure that in the end, it is we who catch the biggest fish."
As Hades expected, Koios, with his keen perception of 'life force' and his expanding intelligence network, quickly detected the thunderous power growing stronger with a will to resist emanating from the direction of Crete.
This time, rather than seeing Orphos merely as a 'brother' who could share secrets and plan together, he sought out Hades again with a gesture of displaying his strength and solidifying the alliance.
"Brother Orphos!" Koios's divine power transmission was filled with uncontrollable excitement. "The 'banner' we have been waiting for has appeared! Right on Crete! That power... it cannot be wrong, it is Zeus! He has awakened and is growing rapidly!"
Hades (Orphos) expressed 'surprise' and 'excitement' at just the right moment: "Indeed! Elder brother is clever and perceptive. It seems the prophecy is becoming reality step by step. How should we respond?"
"Naturally, we will contact him, guide him, and hold him firmly in our hands!" Koios's tone was firm.
"He needs power, he needs allies, and we can provide everything! Brother Orphos, come with me and let this young 'child of prophecy' see what truly deserves his reliance! Let him understand that we are the most solid cornerstone of his future throne!"
Hades showed a slight willingness to cooperate: "What my brother says is very true. It is time for Zeus to understand that overthrowing tyranny requires not only bloodline, but also wise decisions and powerful allies."
A few days later, Koios and Hades, disguised as Orphos, descended upon Mount Ida in Crete.
Their arrival did not conceal powerful fluctuations of divine power, like two majestic mountains suddenly appearing before the young Zeus.
Zeus felt these two majestic presences—one was a growing power, full of life force and a desire to expand (Koios), and the other was a quiet and profound power of plants and lava that seemed to resonate with the entire earth (Orphos).
Awe arose in his heart; he clenched his fists, and the power of thunder secretly surged within his body.
"Zeus, my poor nephew." Koios spoke first, a smile on his face mingled with pity and superiority.
"I am your uncle, Koios, the god of growth. This is the favorite of the Earth Mother, Orphos—the god of plants and lava. We already know your origins and destiny, and we are here to help you."
His words were direct, with the unique and undeniable authority of the Titans, as if Zeus's fate was arranged by them.
Zeus's gaze swept over Koios and finally settled on Orphos. Compared to Koios's blatant ambition, the plant god he had encountered before seemed calmer, but that unfathomable feeling remained.
"Help me?" Zeus's tone was provocative. "How can you help me? How have you, like me, survived in the shadow of Cronus until now?"
Koios's face darkened slightly, but he quickly regained his smile: "Patience is accumulating strength and waiting for opportunity. Now that the time has come, we are your strongest support! Look!"
With a wave of his hand, his power exploded; the surrounding mountains and forests grew wildly at a visible speed, vines turned into sturdy ropes, and trees twisted to form natural barriers, demonstrating his strong control over the power of 'growth'.
"With my power, I can give you endless resources and build a strong fortress! And brother Orphos," he pointed at Hades,
"he controls the lava deep in the earth and can forge divine weapons for you! The two of us are the most reliable support for your future divine army!"
Zeus looked at the power displayed by Koios, and a flicker of surprise appeared in his eyes, but more so a displeasure at being offended.
He didn't like the feeling of being used as a pawn and being directed. He targeted Orphos, wanting to see how this deep god would position himself.
Hades (Orphos) received Zeus's gaze and understood his thoughts. He stepped forward, not showing a great display of power like Koios, but simply stepped lightly on the ground.
Suddenly, the earth beneath his feet trembled slightly; a fiery breath burst from the depths, and a crevice opened nearby, from which dark red lava slowly flowed, but was restrained by an invisible force and did not spread indiscriminately.
Hades (Orphos) was silent, his eyes calm and deep, as if sending a silent signal to Zeus: his power was not for boasting, but to provide the most reliable support at critical moments.
The ensuing conversation turned into a delicate game.
Koios tried hard to depict a future plan led by himself, with the support of Orphos and Zeus as the banner, attempting to place Zeus in a seemingly exalted position that was actually controlled by him.
Zeus tried to show his assertiveness and value, unwilling to be completely turned into a puppet.
Hades (Orphos), on the other hand, perfectly played the role of a silent and key 'helper'.
He occasionally proposed resources, forging, and even the use of earth veins for secret mobilization, each suggestion hitting the mark and showing his irreplaceable value, but he never diverted attention from Koios, let alone showed excessive closeness or made demands on Zeus.
In the end, the meeting concluded in a 'friendly' atmosphere. Zeus 'agreed' to ally with the two powerful Titans/Gods to overthrow Cronus. Koios left quite satisfied.
In his temple, Koios proudly planned: "Zeus, this young man, still needs polishing. But with the help of brother Orphos, we can achieve great things! After overthrowing Cronus, we will gradually... Hmph."
In the Underworld, Hades removed his disguise and said lightly to Metis: "The seeds are sown. Koios's ambition will push Zeus to grow faster and provoke even more of Cronus's wrath. Zeus's wariness of Koios and his curiosity about 'Orphos' will be the key to our future intervention."
"Next," Hades's gaze fell into the depths of the Underworld, "we only need to wait..."