"I'm not certain, but judging from what Aphrodite said, there may indeed be a connection."
The Fates could only see fragments of destiny and detect inconsistencies within the current flow of time—they were not omniscient.
They could only deduce possibilities based on events that had already transpired.
All signs pointed to Bolos as the variable that caused the disruption in fate.
"I knew it—this scourge should never have been left alive! Hera has doomed me!"
Zeus was now full of resentment toward his wife, Hera.
In truth, he also blamed Themis, the Goddess of Justice, but as she was the mother of the Fates, Zeus refrained from speaking it aloud.
The Fates said no more. Their task was simply to inform Zeus; how to proceed was his burden, and they could not assist him further.
At present, Zeus lacked the capacity to search for Bolos because, upon the earth, Typhon was ever scheming, waiting for an opportunity to assault Mount Olympus.
Bronze Age humans delighted in killing; war raged across the land, and this abundance of bloodshed was the perfect nourishment for Tartarus, who desired such human souls.
But this chaotic state of the world also greatly enhanced the power of the hundred-headed dragon, Typhon.
Under Typhon's command were numerous monsters, demons, and sea beasts.
Claiming himself their leader, he stirred the mortal realm and even declared his intention to seize Zeus's throne as The King of the Gods.
He went so far as to proclaim that he would marry Queen of the Gods Hera.
Zeus could not tolerate this. If it weren't for his fear of Typhon's backers—Mother Earth Gaia and the Abyss Tartarus—he would have led the gods to destroy Typhon long ago.
"I have no choice but to ask Hades to make another sacrifice," Zeus decided.
He summoned Hermes the Messenger God and said, "Go tell Hades that I shall grant Lady of the Night Nyx's youngest daughter, Hecate, the Authority over the Moon of the Underworld, to aid him in managing the Underworld and ruling over the souls of the dead."
"Also, inform Poseidon that Hecate shall become the Goddess of Opportunity and the Path. Whether in sky, earth, or sea, all crossroads shall fall under her Authority."
Zeus couldn't understand why Nyx favored this youngest daughter so much.
Only by granting her these Authorities would she agree to help him resist the potential intervention of Mother Earth Gaia.
He had a vague sense that this maiden Hecate might become a very powerful Divine Being in the future.
"Also inform the many river gods sons of Oceanus that the human souls who have died recently should be temporarily retained with their Divine Power—do not let them descend into the Abyss."
"This time, if Tartarus supports Typhon, I shall withhold the promised souls and never offer him another."
Dealing with Nyx required bargaining with Divine Offices granted to Hecate.
But with Tartarus, Zeus had not completed their transaction. If the Abyss broke the agreement, then he would be cut off from any future souls.
"Go, Hermes. When you return, the final battle between the gods of Olympus and Typhon shall begin."
...
Hermes departed swiftly.
Meanwhile, on the overseas island, The Goddess of the Hearth Hestia slowly emerged from within the Tree of Life.
From within, she had obtained the Book of Foundation, a tome detailing the usage of faith power and the roadmap for future divine paths.
Angel, Archangel, Archangel Commander, Vice Sovereign of Heaven—these roughly corresponded to Divine Being, Supreme God, regular Sovereign, and Primeval Ruler respectively.
Learning the ascension path of the Path of Faith already delighted Hestia, but beyond that, she had also gained knowledge of how to attain the title of "God of Imagination."
This system was truly bizarre, allowing one to ascend from mortal to Divine Being.
The Authority of the God of Imagination left Hestia in awe:
What one imagined could be made manifest.
A fantasy kingdom could descend into material reality.
A prophesied future could be enacted and become truth.
Though not yet at Sovereign level, it already bore the power to steer the currents of fate.
Within the Tree of Life, Hestia had immersed herself in the core of the Occult System and progressed from Sequence 9 "Spectator" to Sequence 3 "Dreamweaver."
However, to advance further to "Seer," "Author," and finally "God of Imagination," she needed to complete corresponding rituals in the mortal world.
The rituals for Sequence 2 and Sequence 1 posed no challenge for Hestia, who could enter every household through the hearth and listen to the voices of mortals beside their fires.
Only Sequence 0 left her uncertain. She did not yet know how to achieve it.
When Polo heard her thoughts, he smiled and asked,
"Right now, the world stands at the height of conflict between Zeus and Typhon. What outcome would you desire for this battle?"
The ritual for ascending as the God of Imagination—or Visionary—was:
To align the progress of an era with one's own vision, then absorb extraordinary traits at critical moments during this era's evolution.
"I wish..." Hestia hesitated briefly before continuing,
"Zeus has disappointed me, but compared to the hundred-headed dragon Typhon, I still hope Zeus will win in the end."
"And though the Bronze Humans love battle and bloodshed, I still hope they won't go extinct like the Silver Humans."
Her expectations for the future were exactly what Bolos had anticipated.
He nodded and said, "Then go, my messenger. Before the final war begins, complete your advancement to Sequence 1 and assist Zeus."
"The final outcome shall be just as you envision."
"Bolos, my Lord, I go now. This shall be the last time I aid Zeus. From now on, I shall walk only under your guidance."
Hestia bowed respectfully to Bolos, then departed from the island.
The Queen of the Seas Amphitrite watched her go and remarked somewhat regretfully,
"I thought that once she emerged, you'd take her to bed like you did with me."
She vividly remembered when she had exited the Tree of Life, the staff was suffused with the law of lust.
Unable to dispel it, she and Bolos had remained in her Divine Temple for more than half a month—until her son Triton discovered them.
"What's this, Your Majesty the Queen of the Seas? Are you suggesting a little fun with Hestia?"
"Don't tease—I truly want to see how the ever-aloof elder sister of The King of the Gods looks when her clothes have fallen away."
After Hestia left, a rare trace of seduction appeared on Amphitrite's cold and regal face.
"Well, I can't be sure she'd be willing to let me see that. You know, I never force a goddess."
"Then what are you doing now, my... Lord?"
Bolos had already pulled her into his arms. "Just picking up where Hestia interrupted us—helping The King of the Seas fulfill his rightful duties."
"Poseidon will... surely thank you for this."
Amphitrite moaned with delight.
With nothing urgent left to do—just waiting for Hestia to attain Sequence 0 so she could complete her own ritual—she might as well stay here and enjoy Bolos's company.
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