55 The Son of Time

"Listen carefully, Julius Andreas. I am about to tell you the significance of this Baetylus to the prophecy of the Oracle for that pea-brain of yours."

Adam said this in the most commanding tone – which really isn't necessary anymore, since Julius was all-ears towards him. He too was just so curious to hear what the fuss is all about this prophecy of Dodona. Even Tobias was silent, despite being just released from the mental torture of the other Mythos present in the hideout.

Then, the blondie continued, "But before I tell you this, let me ask you a question. What do you think is the difference between reincarnation and rebirth?"

Julius decided to play along and just give him his goddamn honest thoughts on the matter of his concern. "They're basically just the same, right? But I think rebirth is the more preferable choice between the two."

Adam smiled wickedly. "A fine answer, Julius. And yes, rebirth is definitely more preferable, since it is the perfect reincarnation. Aren't you curious why I'm asking this to you?"

'Of course I am, you dumb blondie!' He wanted to shout this at the man, who's just toying with him and getting more and more amused at his obvious anticipation of knowing the stupid prophecy. He just glared at the guy, who eventually gave in to his wordless admonition.

"What if I tell you, that your father is a reincarnation of the God of Time? What will you do?"

'But that is absurd!' He wanted to scream at the guy for such an outrageous statement. But before he said it, his mind countered him, telling him that what the guy was saying actually makes sense, if he correctly put two-and-two together from his earlier statement about his father travelling back into the past.

Which means only one thing – one impossible thing that he cannot just dismiss as a lie – he is a child of the reincarnation of Cronus. He's always been cognizant about this, ever since the prophecy from the Oracle of Delphi called him as 'The Son of Time', yet he never acknowledged it, never accepted it as his truth, and never took it in the most literal sense.

Not even Rexis, Sayo, nor Tobias said it to him out loud, despite them thinking it all the same. He really appreciated that, because that meant that they were respecting what he reckons about the absurdity of the entire thing. Besides, it's something that doesn't really age well with him. But no matter how much he tried to dismiss this as just a random metaphor, the fact that he's hearing it straight from the guy who is anything but ordinary, only made it an even more reliable information.

He doesn't want to believe it, but it's slapping him in the face now. He is, the Son of Time – the Son of Cronus.

Adam continued. "What will you do then, Son of Time?"

He didn't want to appear surprised, but it seems that the expression showing in his face was betraying what he wanted. "Shut up." It was the only coherent thing that he can manage to respond.

The blond guy chuckled, and began his tale. "The first Mythos born in our Era is your father – Alexandros Andreas. He is the Mythos, or modern day reincarnation of Cronus – the former Supreme Ruler of the Universe. The God of Time inside him eventually tried to take over his body at some point during his younger years, but your father is too stubborn to grant him total control and refused to adhere to his commands. It seems that your father's resistance isn't futile, though, since he was able to manifest some of Cronus' powers, without him fully gaining access to his chosen vessel."

Julius stayed silent, egging him to go on. "My father, on the other hand, is the Mythos of his godly brother, the Celestial Titan, Hyperion. They met possibly through a link in their thoughts, but my father was wise enough to listen to the Titan inside him and carry on their goals, in exchange for something else."

"And that is?" Julius asked.

He laughed. "Haha, too excited, aren't we? Let me finish first." He paced around the room, enjoying every minute that Julius' attention was to him only. "In Cronus defense, he is, after all, the Titan cast into the most secure and deepest pit of Tartarus, so his thoughts are clouded more, and my father says it might be the reason why Alexandros was able to somehow hold him down."

"Then one day, when Alexandros accidentally learned about his power to create a portal to the past, he seized the opportunity to go there, and somehow ended up finding the Oracle of Dodona before it was destroyed. There, he learned about the prophecy of Cronus and the other Titans' unstoppable rebirth in the Modern Day, courtesy of his own child. This was around the time when you were born, Julius. The stupid mortal leaped once more in time to prevent this from happening, leaving trails just about everywhere, for you to figure out in case the divination of Dodona will manifest. He utterly failed on this, however. And look where he is now."

Julius' rage was apparent, "IS THAT THE REASON WHY YOU MURDERED HIM, YOU BASTARDS?!"

The amused expression in Adam's face changed into a more serious one. "You are mistaken, Son of Time. That wasn't us. He was dead when we arrived there to retrieve the portal he created." The way he said it contained a sharp tone of denial. "Why would we want a death of one of us? When our goal is to ascend altogether to godhood?"

But Julius won't take any of it. "You're expecting me to believe you on that?! Eat shit, you fool!" He was frantically flailing around his bind, desperately trying to free himself from it, and make the blond have a taste of his own medicine. He so wanted to crush his skull and tear him from limb to limb, just for him to take out his anger. "THAT WAS 12 MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"

The binds were getting loose now, making Isaac's eye twitch in question. He didn't like the fact that someone's escaping from his hold. Carl took this as a cue for him to step in, and he launched a sphere of water which enclosed Julius, further restraining his movements.

"YOU SICK BASTARDS! LET ME OUT!" The area around Julius vibrated, the space and air before him began to feel heavy and stale, as if his heavy feelings were mirrored in his surroundings.

"Not yet, Julius, you haven't heard the best part yet." Adam's amused tone returned, not feeling even a bit of remorse to Julius' reactions. "I haven't told you about the Baetylus and its significance to the prophecy's contents."

"JUST WHAT IS IT THAT YOU FUCKERS EXACTLY WANT?!" Julius swore without filter. He's just too mad to even think properly now.

"Ascension to Godhood, you piece of jerk." Adam calmly replied. "Our goal is Apotheosis."

Julius was stupefied. These sick bastards….they wanted to be gods….

Apotheosis, or ascension to godhood, is the glorification of a subject to divine level and most commonly, the treatment of a human like a god. It has meanings in theology, where it refers to a belief, and in art, where it refers to a genre.

In theology, apotheosis refers to the idea that an individual has been raised to godlike stature. In art, the term refers to the treatment of any subject (a figure, group, locale, motif, convention or melody) in a particularly grand or exalted manner. Julius is sure that Adam was referring to the former, not the latter.

"This will complete the rebirth of the Titans in the Modern Era, and with them under our control, we will be able to rule over everything, not just that goddamn Olympus."

Adam walked even more closer to Julius, meeting his eyes and bringing his face close to his to emphasize his next statement. "And that can only be accomplished with your help, Julius. You are the key to that goal. Once we get hold of the Baetylus, we can have all of that power to ascend to the throne in the heavens. Think about it. If you work with us, you will have the power to control everything – everything."

For Julius, the methods of these guys were too extreme, and not really pleasing in the most basic sense. He hasn't even explained the fuss about the prophecy and the Baetylus just yet, so how come he is expecting him to cooperate with them that easily? Maybe they're not as smart as they think they are. And just then, the last person whom Julius expected to hear talking, said something that completely ruined Adam's mood.

"Haha – hahaha, you strangers make me laugh." Tobias sounded so mocking in his statement that everyone else was shocked by his confidence upon saying it. "Julius will destroy everything in the world before you even get that chance."

It was Adam's turn now to look astonished. "What do you mean?"

Tobias once more let out a confident little laugh, before saying, "If you think only you modern men had a prophecy up their sleeves, then think again."