Crowned in the realm of death

After months of healing and reflection from his near-defeat at the hands of Crius, Zeus wandered across the earth not with the blind arrogance of a boy, but now with the rising ambition of a future king.

He sought allies, not out of weakness, but out of strategy.

One bright morning, his journey led him to a tranquil riverbank, where the sunlight danced across flowing water, and the wind hummed with quiet divinity. There, resting gracefully upon a smooth stone, was a woman of rare beauty.

Her posture was relaxed, yet dignified. Her silvery robes fluttered gently in the breeze.

The river's reflection only enhanced her serene, almost sacred charm.

She was like a sculpture carved by the gods themselves

and yet, her eyes held more than beauty. They shimmered with depth, calculation, and ancient knowledge.

Zeus, ever bold, approached.

"Greetings, my lady. I am Zeus, God of Thunder, son of Rhea and Cronus. May I know the name of one so radiant?"

The woman turned her gaze to him, her expression shifting quickly

from guarded caution to amused delight.

She had heard that name before.

Zeus, child of Rhea. 

The name is tied to a prophecy whispered among ancient goddesses.

A child born of Cronus would one day overthrow him and claim the throne of Olympus.

But she suprised that he didn't hesitate to mention his parent name, this shows zeus airhead nature and lack of awareness.

Her wariness did not fade, but it transformed into opportunity.

She smiled a sweet, seductive curve of her lips that masked the gears of her mind turning.

 "I am Metis, Goddess of Wisdom, daughter of Oceanus," she replied, her voice like flowing honey.

"And perhaps… fated to meet you."

Her eyes sparkled with playful affection, her tone flirtatious, her presence intoxicating.

She moved closer, pretending to be swept by attraction, as if the first spark of love had ignited in her heart.

But beneath the surface of that radiant smile…

was steel.

For Metis was no fool.

As the Goddess of Wisdom, she did not fall prey to emotions like love not truly.

Instead, she used them, shaped them like clay in her divine hands.

She knew that Zeus young, rising, ambitious might one day become King of the Gods.

And what better path to power than to stand beside him?

Not just as a lover…

But as Queen.

Zeus, dazzled by her beauty, intrigued by her charm, saw only a lover with a sharp mind never suspecting the schemes behind those enchanting eyes.

Thus, he welcomed Metis into his growing circle of allies…

and lovers.

Along his journey, others joined him too.

Some, like Leto, were drawn to his fire, his charm, and genuine desire to protect and uplift.

Leto truly began to admire him, perhaps even love him not just for his power, but for the man beneath the thunder.

But not all hearts were so pure.

In the world of gods, love and power are often intertwined

And Zeus, knowingly or not, walked deeper into the game of crowns.