Chapter 8: The Descent of the Bloodline

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

— Socrates, as recorded by Plato in Apology (c. 399 BCE).

Hyperion had traveled the world, hearing many amazing tales in realms far and wide.

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, by way of Týr, to Olympus. He genuinely hoped that he would come one day.

The lands of India and the Chinese Heaven had conflict after conflict. Though, by Hyperion’s estimation, India did so just for sport, and for the bragging rights of being the strongest land. Chinese Heaven had only just found peace and separated gods from demons. Such a tenuous peace would not last. The two would inevitably fight again.

Egypt had 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 divine, Ra was not a perfect being. Hyperion had been a newcomer, yet he had been able to see the division and strife between the children Set and Osiris.

The insight from Ra was why Hyperion, creator of Greece’s sun, was now in the Underworld, seeking the Fates. Hyperion had begun contemplating the future after the Titans had deposed their Sky Father and his newly crowned king of a brother began devouring his own children. His travels and experiences, contrasted with his own realm, led him to reflect on those other lands and divine beings more and more often.

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 visited these other realms, his insight was able to solve the problems of those lands with the greatest of ease. When it came to his own family ... Hyperion just could not.

Babylon had a King who slayed a ferocious beast called a dragon. If India’s divine beings ever stopped battling each other or power and supremacy, there was cause for concerns. If those other 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 Olympus’ instability.

What was the point of being Titans if they lost rule of their dominion to the outside world? After deposing 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, he saw the spectral form of Ouranos through the Underworld. Hyperion shivered at the ghost of his parent. 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 had 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 did.

He doubted that they cared for whatever name they were addressed by, as long as it was respectful. 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 he saw that there would be more to come. As the divine threads shone, 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?” Clothos 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 possibilities of futures that Hyperion could not. Their faces reflected shock, awe, anger, sadness, and joy, and a tear rolled down all of their collective cheeks. Before too long, the three let go of one another.

“It is too much, dear Sister!” Clothos 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 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. This led to weeks passing by. Only when the birth of Cronos’ new child approached, Hyperion asked for a meeting with his brother king.

In the golden light of his son, Hyperion met Cronos in a secluded glade in the Mortal Realm.

Cronos looked at 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. Actions toward his mother and their siblings in Tartarus aside, consuming three of his sons was by no means a mortal prospect. After all, it was Hyperion’s opinion that there were universal truths that he had discovered on his travels.

One such truth was that all living beings had a conscience that made them regret any evil actions. Very few beings were devoid of goodness.

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 become so paranoid that you would be upset to hear my counsel.”

“It is not your counsel which concerns me,” Cronos replied. “Rhea is close to giving birth. I am concerned that you have come here to prevent me from eating the baby, should it be another son.”

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,” Hyperion said diplomatically. “I have spoken with the Moirai.”

Cronos raised an eyebrow. To seek the Sisters was a dangerous prospect. While on one hand, there was no law or decree from Cronos that his Titan siblings could not seek counsel from the Sisters of Fate. It caused a hesitant panic to run up Cronos’ spine.