Prologue: A Chaotic Sight

Consider what the gods have wrought: War, famine, betrayal. During my Golden Age, there were no such concerns. It was a tranquil time ... until the gods decided to wrest control forcibly.Chronos, Hades II, Early Access, 2024, Supergiant Games, © Supergiant Games.

The Realm of Chaos was the creation of all things in the lands of Greece. Here is where the birth of the true Primordials were. It was here that Chaos had helped mold the land for every deity that had come forth after. It was through Chaos that all of these things came to pass.

If the Great War had been any indicator at the correctness of Chaos’ decision to remove themselves from affairs of their offspring, the more recent events on Olympus and below were proof enough.

Though their home realm was in a place beyond time and space as the gods on Olympus knew it, the void of blackness and ever-shifting platforms was as peaceful as it was thoughtful to Chaos. This is where Chaos pondered existence. Not just their existence, but of the gods, the Titans, the Primordials, and the mortals that were surely to come. After all, Chaos saw mankind long before the twin sons of Iapetus had formed such an idea in his head.

They saw this because Chaos was far more than a silent observer in a realm that had long since spun out from their original creation. They had seen the grand design of so much more. Visions of other Progenitors and gods had been what they had seen. These were other domains and realms fighting for dominance. Stories of wars, heroes, loss, and victory had flashed before Chaos near the beginning of all things.

Their ever-changing, formless body was only the vessel by which they had witnessed these events. Unlike the Fates, who weaved destiny into reality, Chaos had chosen to limit their sphere of influence. While they could use their power to force a future upon reality, it was their restraint of which they were most proud. True morality in power was knowing when and when not to act. Chaos was still learning when to act, but they were surely aware that for the beings in the living realm of Greece to grow, Chaos would need to step back.

This was the only way for their golden string that might bind up all the branches on the trees of existence. Until such time, the Progenitor of Greece had decided to be ever-watchful, ever-seeing into the window of unfolding events without using their prodigious power to change events.

It was the duty of their creation to will their destiny into reality.

Chaos opened up a window into the living realm. Their gaze was drawn to events unfolding on Mount Olympus.

Zeus stood beside Hera beneath a tree that somehow covered the view of the stars that stretched out in the evening’s sky...

Zeus’ eyes were already wandering despite giving vows to Hera, by Chaos’ estimation. Chaos observed Leto, who wanted to do better than her forebears. There was also Aphrodite that would have potential for Zeus’ roving attention. Her every movement caught the light even as she was swaying in the audience. Her beauty would become a beacon for Zeus eventually. Chaos knew the stirrings of Zeus’ lust would become an all-too-familiar pattern that repeat itself over and over.

Time in Chaos’ realm barely marched onwards, but in the world outside, days came and went.

This is where the Progenitor’s fell upon Poseidon. As the second son of Cronos and Rhea, brother to Zeus and Hades, he had been given his own domain to rule, and as the water loving being, he ventured into the deepest ocean. That was where he had chosen his rule. The endless abyss of a seabed brought this deity unrivaled joy.

In this joyous underwater existence, Chaos saw the sea king accompanied by his sea-monster (called Cetus by the sea god) and Pontus, supposed Primordial created by Gaia but not Chaos.

If Chaos were a lesser, more petty being, they would have taken offense. As it was, Chaos saw Gaia’s attempt at trying to create a Primordial to be interesting, if not somewhat endearing as Gaia was simply trying to be like the Progenitor. In that way, Gaia was similar to her late husband, Ouranos, in that Gaia was reaching far beyond their station.