Chapter 8: The Decline of the Pantheons

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”

Socrates

Hyperion walked into the Underworld, which was as unusual as it sounded.

That could not be helped. Hyperion had traveled the world, met many amazing tales from around the world.

He met a divine being of war in a land called ‘Midgard’. This warrior told of his father and his two brothers slaying their Progenitor. Hyperion shook his head at that turn of event. Never on Olympus or in Greece would a Titan or their children kill their Progenitor. Hyperion did enjoy the one called Týr, so the Titan invited the Aesir to Olympus. He genuinely hoped that he would come one day.

Lands of India and Chinese Heaven had conflict after conflict. Though, by Hyperion’s estimation, India did so out of fun and declaring the strongest of their lands. Chinese Heaven had only just found peace and separated gods versus demons. Such a tenuous peace would not last. The two would inevitably fight again.

Egypt has its own issues. Hyperion had met a sun deity called Ra. His wise insights had given Hyperion much to think about when he visited. Ra had taught him that sometimes even the sun must dip itself into darkness to give the clarity of light. Though, Ra was not a perfect being, Hyperion had been a newcomer but he had seen the division and strife between the children Set and Osiris.

The insight from Ra was why Hyperion, creator of Greece’s sun, was in the Underworld, seeking the Fates. After deposing Ouranos and Cronos’ actions of devouring his own children, Hyperion contemplated the future. He reflected on those other lands and other divine beings more and more.

Those lands were at the beginning of the shaping of everything. While so much outside the Realm of Greece was the same, there was also madness. It was also the strangest sensation. When Hyperion saw the other lands, he saw the conclusion that would solve the problems of those lands with the greatest of ease, but when it came to his family ... Hyperion just could not.

Babylon had a King who slayed a dragon. With India’s divine beings battling for power and supremacy, there was cause for concerns. If those Realms ever worked out their issues, they could prove problematic for Olympus. Somehow, Hyperion doubted this would happen. Still, with Crono’s deranged rise to power and the consumption of his children, Hyperion could see Greece’s instability.

What was the point of being Titans if they lost rule of their dominion to the outside world? After destroying Ouranos, Hyperion felt that Coeus was right, and the Titans owed it to Gaia, and by extension Chaos, to make Greece as magnificent as possible.

While walking through the dead lands, the spectral form of Ouranos walked through the Underworld. Hyperion shivered at the ghost of his father. The Titan of Light could never shake the memory of Cronos castrating their father. At that moment, Hyperion realized no matter how powerful he or Crius was, they could never be the Ruler over the Titans when Cronos performed such a decisive act.

Upon climbing the steps in Tartarus to the Temple dedicated to Sisters of Fate, Hyperion was careful upon entering the sacred abode. He was wondering if it were better if he called the Sisters the Moirai like their mother, Nyx.

He doubted that they cared for whatever name they were addressed by. Hyperion returned to himself and glanced along the wall at a grand, beautifully woven tapestry. It showed the crowning of Ouranos by Chaos, images of Ouranos trying to harm the Fates, the Fates making a decree, and Ouranos falling to Cronos. Hyperion was awed by the astonishing work they had already accomplished and that there would be more to come. Even as the divine threads were shining, he saw his brother eating his own offspring in the tapestry. There was more that the Fates were working on, but for some reason, he could not identify what they were doing.

“Greetings, Hyperion, Lord of Light,” Lachesis said.

“Moirai, Keepers of the Celestial Tapestry,” Hyperion hailed with great deference to the power of the daughters of Nyx. If he learned anything from his travels, it was that respect should be given to those you want favors from. “I have come for your guidance in an unpredictable world.”

“In what way?” Clotho questioned. She genuinely seemed confused by his request. “If there is something you wish to know, simply ask, Light Titan.”

“What is to become of me and my brethren? What will become of the Titans under the reign of Cronos?”

“Under Cronos, you shall rise or fall, but you will do so together,” Atropos said simply. She did not turn from her tasks of cutting and organizing the threads.

“Our weaving holds countless possibilities,” Lachesis said as if contradicting her sister. She seemed upset by Atropos’ flippancy. “The future is ever-changing. The choices made by beings like yourself shape the course of destiny.”

“As with all beings, the path of the Titans comes with triumphs and failures,” Atropos added. What you do and what you decide shall determine if your reigns shall last forever or if they shall be cut short like Ouranos. Your choices shall echo through eternity, Lord of Light.”

“What of the other Realms? I have seen heavens at war, divinities battling one another, and Kings being crowned in other lands,” Hyperion said. “What should happen if those Realms come into contact with ours?”

The Fates looked confused as if they had not considered such a possibility. The three Sisters held hands. Their eyes glowed, seeing the infinite possibility of the future Hyperion could not. Their faces reflected shock, awe, anger, sadness, and joy, and a tear rolled down them. Before too long, the three let go of one another.

“It is too much, dear Sister!” Clotho cried.

“So many gods! So much destruction,” Lachesis agreed.

“That future is too great for us to see, for now, Hyperion,” Atropos admitted. There may come a day when a great King arises on Olympus, one who can harness your great flame.”

“The Flame of Olympus?” Hyperion inquired with surprise. “That’s impossible. The Flame consumes and melts all that it touches.”

“That does not mean it will always be so,” Lachesis countered. “With time, all things are possible.”

“Then what should I do?” Hyperion probed. He recalled the chaotic nature of the other Realms. He yearned to make Greece a land of order.

“Be wise; support your King. Do all you can, and the day might come when a greater King may arise,” Lachesis advised. She seemed to be lost in a nostalgic reminiscing of something that would be destroyed ... or that was not yet in existence?

While he wanted to ask about the other king, the Titan of Light thought better of it. They had given him more consideration than he expected. Hyperion bowed low to continue his display of respect. “Thank you, Great Moirai,” Hyperion said honestly. “For everything.”

The Sisters of Fate waved him away. This Titan had received what he came for, and so, he left with that information in hand.

Hyperion needed time to consider what he was told, but weeks later, as the birth of Cronos’ new child approached, Hyperion asked for a meeting with his brother king.

In the golden light of Helios’ sun, Hyperion met Cronos in a secluded glade.

Cronos approached Hyperion with a solemn expression. With all Hyperion had heard about his brother’s activities, he was not surprised that Cronos was starting to show signs of fraying. After all, it was universal that all living beings have conscience that make them regret their evil.

Cronos’ eyes reflected the weight of his past mistakes. The rings around his eyes warned Hyperion that Cronos had not been sleeping.

“Brother,” Cronos began, irritation oozing out. “Why have you called me here?”

“Cronos,” Hyperion replied with patience. “I didn’t know you had gotten so bad that you would be upset to hear my counsel.”

“It is not your counsel which concerns me,” Cronos replied. “Hera is close to giving birth. I am concerned that you have come here to prevent me from eating him.”

Hyperion bristled. Cronos had never been so obvious in his cannibalism. The nonchalance by which Cronos spoke worried the Titan of Light. “I cannot believe you mean to continue. This is not who you are.”

“You might do the same if the Fates had predicted your downfall!” Cronos exclaimed.

And just like that, the insanity of his brother’s actions made sense to Hyperion. He knew that his decision to meet with Cronos was the right one.

I have an opinion on that score. I have spoken with the Moirai.”

Cronos raised an eyebrow. To seek the Sisters was dangerous in nature. Had Hyperion gone there to try and defeat Cronos? Without surety, Cronos looked at his brother with caution. “And?” Cronos asked, prepared to summon his scythe. “What have the Fates said? Have they given another prophecy?”