The Plot of Zeus

The region of Colchis, nestled between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, had been the domain of the Sun God's family since the time when Cronus, the king of the gods, ruled.

The palace where the Sun God's family resided was located at the easternmost edge of Colchis, right by the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Night had fallen—

This signaled that Helios, the Sun God, had finished his work for the day.

Phaethon descended from the sky, landing just outside the Sun God's palace. He walked toward the entrance of the grand temple, supported by twelve towering columns.

The divine warriors guarding the temple recognized Phaethon. Though they didn't bow to him, they also didn't stop him from entering.

As Phaethon stepped inside, his gaze wasn't drawn to the countless gold and jewels embedded in the columns.

At the deepest part of the palace, Helios, the Sun God, had just finished his duties and was seated on a throne adorned with emeralds. He wore a bronze-colored robe, and behind him radiated a blazing solar disk, emitting such intense heat and light that neither humans nor ordinary gods could approach him.

On either side of Helios' throne were two other thrones, belonging to his sisters—the Moon Goddess Selene and the Dawn Goddess Eos.

However, at this moment, neither the Moon Goddess, who had already appeared in the night sky, nor the Dawn Goddess, were present in the temple.

Standing beside Selene's throne were three goddesses of the seasons, created by the powers of Helios and Selene: Thallo, the Goddess of Spring; Auxo, the Goddess of Summer; and Carpo, the Goddess of Autumn.

Next to Eos' throne stood twelve Horae goddesses, each representing one of the twelve hours of daylight.

These fifteen goddesses were not only Helios' daughters but also his subordinate deities. However, they hadn't directly inherited the Sun God's divine bloodline, so like Phaethon, they didn't possess the golden eyes that were the hallmark of Helios' true descendants.

As Phaethon entered the temple, Helios looked at him with surprise and asked, "My child! Why have you left your mother and come here?"

"Great Father!" Phaethon stopped at the foot of the steps leading to Helios' throne, his expression serious.

"Today, while I was in Rhodes, three strangers from Greece mocked me. They said I wasn't truly your son, but the child of my mother and some unknown man. I've come here to ask you for one thing, Father—something that will prove I am your legitimate son."

Upon hearing this, Helios dimmed the solar disk behind him.

He then stepped down from his throne, walked over to Phaethon, and embraced him, saying, "My child! I would never deny that you are my son. To prove it, I will grant you any request, even if you wish to become the ruler of Colchis."

Colchis was the most important domain of the Sun God's family.

When Hyperion had been the Sun God, Helios had ruled Colchis.

Now that Helios was the Sun God, the ruler of Colchis was his eldest son, Aeëtes, born to the sea goddess Perseis.

If Phaethon were to become the ruler of Colchis, it would indeed be undeniable proof that he was the son of the Sun God.

However, Aeëtes was already the ruler of Colchis. Taking the throne from him would surely anger Perseis and her three children: Aeëtes, Circe, and Pasiphaë.

This offer showed that Helios' love for Phaethon surpassed even his affection for his eldest son, Aeëtes.

For a moment, Phaethon was moved by this overwhelming display of fatherly love and considered abandoning his dangerous desire to become the Sun God for a day.

But in the next instant, he regained his resolve.

Zeus had already begun his suppression of the Sun God's family. Even if Phaethon didn't drive the Sun Chariot, Zeus would find another way to kill him.

Since running away wouldn't solve anything, the only option left was to face the challenge head-on and break free from his seemingly inevitable fate.

Taking a deep breath, Phaethon spoke with a grave expression.

"Great Father! I want you to swear that you will fulfill my wish."

"My child! I am not only the Sun God but also the God of Oaths and Foresight! I swear by my divine authority as the God of Oaths that I will grant your wish."

"Then, Great Father—please allow me to drive your Sun Chariot and take your place as the Sun God for a day!"

Hearing Phaethon's request, Helios' eyes widened in shock, and a look of regret crossed his face.

He shook his head, unable to stop himself from raising his voice. "My child! I truly want to grant you any wish, but this request is beyond your current abilities.

Even with my power, which surpasses that of many gods, driving the Sun Chariot is still incredibly dangerous.

When I reach the end of my journey, even my wife, Perseis, often worries that I might overshoot her embrace and fall into the depths of the sea.

My child! I cannot take back my oath, but you can still change your wish. Abandon this reckless idea and ask me for something else. As long as it doesn't endanger your life, I will grant you anything."

"Great Father! I will not change my wish!" Phaethon gritted his teeth, standing firm in the face of his father's near-pleading.

"As the son of the Sun God, I was born with the power of a mid-tier god. And with my divine essence of light, I should, in theory, be capable of driving the Sun Chariot in your place."

Seeing that Phaethon had made up his mind and wouldn't change his wish, Helios' face darkened with sorrow. "My child, I will prepare the Sun Chariot for you. Now, go outside and wait."

"Father…"

I'm sorry for causing you so much pain and difficulty, Phaethon apologized silently in his heart as he turned and walked toward the exit.

Once outside the palace, Phaethon glanced up at the bright moon hanging in the night sky.

But when his gaze fell to the steps below the temple, his eyes widened in astonishment.

A young girl, dressed in a purple gown, was walking up the steps toward him.

Her long, silver hair cascaded down her back, and her perfectly symmetrical face was as flawless as a divine creation.

She looked no older than eighteen, her noble aura tinged with a youthful innocence. Her figure, though graceful, still carried a hint of girlishness.

Her golden eyes, glowing with divine light, marked her as a true daughter of the Sun God.

"Circe!"

Phaethon couldn't help but smile as the silver-haired, golden-eyed goddess approached him.

"It's been a while, and my little sister has grown even more beautiful."

Circe, the goddess, stopped in front of Phaethon and looked at him with cold, emotionless eyes. Her voice was icy as she said, "Don't call me by my name so casually. You, without the golden eyes, have no right to call yourself my brother."

"Wha—"

Phaethon's eyes widened in shock. "Even though we have different mothers, we still share the same father. I always thought that the reason I wasn't close to you, Aeëtes, or Pasiphaë was because I felt insecure around you all, since I don't have the golden eyes. Do you also believe I'm not Father's son?"

"If you understand your place, then don't attempt something you're incapable of," Circe said coldly before walking past Phaethon and entering the Sun God's palace.

Phaethon stood there, staring blankly into the night, and muttered to himself, "Could it be… that I really am not Father's son?"