I Am Zeus-Chapter 50: To Asgard 2

The dawn sky over Olympus was pale gold, the first light breaking over marble towers and quiet olive groves. Cool breezes drifted through the high colonnades, carrying the scent of morning rain far below in the mortal world.

In Zeus’s private halls, servants moved quickly, folding deep indigo robes and fastening golden clasps across his broad shoulders. His golden hair fell down his back like rippling sunlight. Lightning flickered softly beneath his skin with each quiet exhale.

Hera stood beside him, her dark hair pinned into a braided crown, streaks of gold wire woven between the strands. Her crimson robes shimmered faintly with embroidered feathers that caught the dawn light with each shift of her body. She adjusted her golden sash with slow precision, her dark eyes unblinking as she watched her reflection in the polished bronze mirror before her.

"You look radiant," Zeus said quietly, his voice deep and rough with sleep still lingering at its edges.

Hera didn’t respond at first. She pinned the last golden comb into her hair before turning to him, her face calm, expressionless.

"I always do," she said softly.

Zeus studied her for a moment before nodding once. He reached for his scepter resting against the table, its lightning-shaped crest glowing softly in the dim morning light.

The doors to their chambers opened quietly, and Metis entered. Her lavender robes pooled softly around her feet, her dark hair falling loose over her shoulders. She bowed her head to them both, her quiet eyes steady.

"You leave now for Asgard?" she asked.

Zeus nodded, stepping forward. "We do. The naming ceremony begins at high noon. Odin will be waiting."

Metis looked to Hera then, her gaze warm but distant. "Safe travels, Hera. May your return be swift."

Hera’s lips curved faintly, though the smile did not reach her eyes. "Thank you, Metis."

Zeus reached out and touched Metis’s shoulder lightly. "Guard Olympus in my absence," he said, his voice carrying quiet authority.

Metis inclined her head slightly. "Always."

Zeus turned away without another word, his golden robes swirling softly as he walked towards the outer halls. Hera followed him, her sandals silent against the marble floors. Behind them, Metis watched, her pale fingers curling slightly in the folds of her robe.

Outside, two golden chariots waited, each pulled by white steeds with wings of bronze feathers. Servants bowed low as Zeus and Hera stepped into the first chariot. The horses snorted softly, their bridles ringing with thin silver chains. Zeus took the reins with one massive hand, his golden eyes narrowing as he looked towards the horizon.

"Ready?" he asked.

Hera said nothing, simply folding her hands in her lap, her dark eyes fixed on the rising sun.

With a flick of his wrist, the chariot surged forward, the winged horses leaping into the pale sky. Wind tore past them as Olympus fell away beneath, golden towers shrinking into small silent pillars atop the vast mountain. The world blurred below them – silver rivers curling through green forests, distant mortal cities waking to their quiet dawns.

The ride was silent. Hera watched the sky ahead, her face calm as carved stone, her dark hair whipping around her shoulders in the cold wind.

Finally, the rainbow arc of Bifröst came into view ahead of them, its fractured lights glowing softly against the morning sky. The chariot soared down towards it, landing lightly on the shimmering bridge before slowing to a halt at the gates of Asgard.

Golden towers rose around them, carved with runes that pulsed faintly in the dawn light. Banners of red and black drifted from high battlements. Servants in dark tunics bowed low as Zeus and Hera stepped from the chariot onto the smooth stone floors of Gladsheim’s entry hall.

They were led through tall iron-banded doors into the main gathering chamber. The hall was vast, lit with flickering braziers of blue flame. Spear racks lined the walls, and carved wolf-head columns rose to meet the dark timber beams above.

As they entered, a faint shuffling sounded to their right. Zeus paused, glancing sideways just in time to see a small boy dart behind a pillar. A thin string was stretched across the walkway before them, tied to a bronze jug balanced on its edge.

Hera frowned faintly, but Zeus chuckled softly under his breath.

"Children," he murmured.

Before they could step forward, Odin’s deep voice rang through the hall.

"Loki."

The small boy stepped out slowly from behind the pillar, his thin frame wrapped in a dark green tunic tied with gold cord. Long black hair framed sharp green eyes that flickered with mischievous defiance.

"Yes, Father?" he asked, his voice careful, chin tilted slightly upward.

"Do you think it wise," Odin said, his single eye narrowing beneath his iron brow, "to prank the King of Olympus on the day of your brother’s naming?"

Loki’s mouth curved faintly into a thin smile. "It was only a test, All-Father. To see if he noticed."

Zeus laughed then, a deep, rumbling sound that filled the echoing hall. The thin tension in the air faded at once.

"Let him be, Odin," Zeus said, waving a massive hand dismissively. "They are boys. Tricks and pranks are their language."

Loki’s eyes flickered to Zeus, a spark of admiration hidden beneath his arrogant grin. Thor, taller and broader despite being only slightly older, came stomping forward from across the hall, his blond hair tied roughly back, thick arms bare beneath his leather sparring harness.

"Loki!" he shouted, grabbing the smaller boy by the back of his collar. "You’re going to get whipped one day for all these tricks."

Loki twisted out of his grip, straightening his tunic with quick, graceful fingers. "Only if they catch me."

Thor scowled, but Zeus only chuckled again, shaking his head as he stepped forward, Hera silent at his side. Odin rose from his seat atop the wide iron and gold throne, his massive frame draped in a heavy black wolf-fur cloak.

"Welcome, Zeus. Welcome, Hera," he said, his deep voice carrying the quiet force of old storms. "You honour Asgard with your presence."

Zeus bowed his head slightly, the golden strands of his hair falling around his stern, handsome face.

"And you honour Olympus with your invitation," he said. His golden eyes flicked sideways to Loki and Thor still bickering quietly beside a spear rack. "Your sons are strong."

Odin’s single eye softened faintly as he turned to watch them. "They will need to be."

Hera watched Loki quietly, her dark eyes unreadable as she studied the thin boy with mischief in his gaze and quiet fury hidden beneath his mocking smile.

They were led forward then, deeper into the gathering hall. Servants in dark linen moved around them, lighting fresh braziers and scattering thin petals of dried rowan and mistletoe across the stone floors. The naming ceremony would begin soon, and with it, the weaving of fate’s next threads.

Zeus walked tall and silent at Hera’s side, his robe trailing across the runed stone like dusk falling across a quiet sea, as the gods of Asgard gathered in solemn witness to the birth of a new power.

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