The God of Underworld-Chapter 20: The Sky

Zeus sat on the steps of Astraeus’ temple, his golden eyes fixed on the vast night sky above.

The stars twinkled in the darkness, shining like countless tiny flames against the void.

He had always thought the sky was his domain, that he was meant to rule over it.

And yet, tonight, it felt so distant—so far beyond his reach.

His fingers clenched into fists.

’I was too weak.’

Atlas had crushed him. Despite wielding the mighty lightning bolt forged by the Cyclopes, despite the raw strength that should have set him apart, he had still lost.

Hecate’s words only hammered that truth deeper into his soul.

The way she had simply looked at him—no attack, no magic, just a simple gaze—and his body had frozen as though chained by an unseen force.

He had never felt such paralyzing terror before. If he had faced someone like her in battle, he would have lost without ever lifting a hand.

’Damn it.’ His jaw tightened. ’If I don’t get stronger, I’ll never be able to stand against Cronus. Against Atlas. Against anyone who truly matters in this war.’

He exhaled sharply, forcing the thought aside.

"You seem troubled."

Zeus flinched slightly, turning to see Astraeus approaching, his long, regal robes flowing like the night itself.

His presence was calm, serene, yet undeniably vast—like the sky he presided over.

Zeus scowled and looked away. "Leave me alone."

Astraeus chuckled. "Brooding beneath my sky, staring up at my stars... It’s hard not to notice. Let me guess—your mood has something to do with Hecate’s visit?"

Zeus snapped his gaze to him, eyes narrowing. "How do you know that?"

Astraeus smiled knowingly. "I know everything that happens under my sky."

Zeus blinked, momentarily stunned. His sky? He, too, was a god of the sky—he should have that power. Yet, he had no such ability.

His confusion must have shown on his face, because Astraeus let out a soft laugh. "There is more to the sky than simply blasting everything with lightning, young one."

Zeus gritted his teeth but said nothing. For the first time, he truly began to wonder—how much did he not understand about the domain he was supposed to rule?

Astraeus smirked as he watched Zeus scowl, his irritation bubbling just beneath the surface. "Come now, don’t look so serious. You remind me of a storm cloud—always rumbling, never listening."

Zeus gritted his teeth. "You’re really getting on my nerves, old man."

Astraeus chuckled. "Good. Annoyance breeds curiosity, and curiosity leads to understanding. Now, follow me."

Before Zeus could respond, Astraeus raised his hand.

Instantly, the world around them shifted. The sky blurred, stretching infinitely in all directions.

The ground beneath Zeus’ feet melted away, and in the next moment, they stood in a completely different space.

Zeus’ eyes widened as he took in the sight before him.

They were surrounded by stars—millions, no, billions of them. Bright constellations sprawled across the cosmic expanse, some familiar, some completely alien.

Enormous celestial bodies, burning with brilliant flames, floated in the distance. Strange, swirling masses of light and energy pulsed all around them.

It was as if they had stepped beyond the mortal world, into the very heart of the heavens.

Zeus swallowed hard.

’This... this is the sky?’

Astraeus turned to face him, a gleam of amusement in his eyes. "Tell me, Zeus—what do you see?"

Zeus hesitated, then answered. "Stars. Light. Fire. Floating rocks."

Astraeus nodded. "Good. Now, let’s see what you can do with that knowledge. Come, spar with me."

Zeus’ expression darkened. "Fine."

He raised his hand, and in an instant, his lightning bolt materialized in his grip, crackling with untamed power. freeweɓnovel.cøm

He leveled it at Astraeus, determination burning in his gaze.

Astraeus, however, remained perfectly calm. He raised a single hand, and suddenly, the space around them shifted.

The stars pulsed.

A great wave of light surged from Astraeus’ body, and from the distant celestial spheres, great arcs of solar fire erupted.

Blinding streams of plasma spiraled through the void, dancing at his command. The very fabric of space trembled.

Zeus barely had time to react before Astraeus moved.

A flare of burning light shot toward him. Zeus dodged, but another one followed immediately, then another.

He raised his lightning bolt to counter, but the sheer heat of the solar flames forced him back.

"Is this all?" Astraeus’ voice echoed through the vast expanse.

Zeus gritted his teeth and retaliated. Lightning surged from his weapon, splitting through the darkness like a wrathful god’s judgment.

But before it could even reach Astraeus, the very gravity around them shifted.

Zeus’ eyes widened as his own lightning bent—warped—around Astraeus before dissipating into nothing.

"What—?!"

Astraeus smiled. "I told you. There is more to the sky than just lightning."

Before Zeus could respond, the stars themselves seemed to move.

One moment he was standing, the next he was being dragged downward, crushed under an invisible weight.

His knees buckled, and he gasped as his body felt like it was being pulled into the core of a dying star. The immense pressure pressed down on his chest, suffocating him.

"Gravity," Astraeus said casually, as if he hadn’t just pinned Zeus to the ground with nothing but sheer force. "A fundamental power of the heavens."

Zeus clenched his jaw, straining to lift his body. But Astraeus was far from done.

Another flare of burning plasma shot toward him, engulfing him in searing heat.

Zeus roared in pain as he struggled against the weight pressing down on him.

His divine body resisted, but the power Astraeus wielded was beyond anything he had ever faced.

Finally, with a flick of his wrist, Astraeus released the pressure. Zeus collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath, his body covered in scorch marks.

Astraeus stood over him, smiling in amusement. "You rely too much on your lightning, boy."

Zeus glared up at him, panting. "Shut... up..."

Astraeus chuckled. "Come now, don’t look so defeated. You wanted to get stronger, didn’t you?"

Zeus clenched his fists.

Stronger.

Yes.

He had to get stronger.

Astraeus extended a hand. "Then let me teach you what it truly means to rule the sky."

Zeus stared at him for a long moment—then, reluctantly, he took his hand.

He grunted as Astraeus pulled him to his feet. His body still ached from the overwhelming forces he had just endured, but his mind was racing.

He looked at Astraeus warily.

"Why?" Zeus asked, narrowing his eyes. "Why do you want to teach me? What do you gain from this?"

Astraeus merely smiled, his gaze distant as if he were watching something far beyond what Zeus could perceive. "Because change is coming."

Zeus furrowed his brows. "Change?"

Astraeus gave a slow nod. "The world as you know it is shifting, young god. The balance of power that has ruled for ages is crumbling. Something new is on the horizon."

He turned his gaze onto Zeus. "And you, along with your brothers, stand at the center of it."

Zeus felt a chill run down his spine. He wasn’t sure what Astraeus meant, but something about his words unsettled him.

He clenched his fists. "Then why not side with Cronus? He’s the one in power. If you’re so interested in this ’change,’ wouldn’t it be better to stand with the victor?"

Astraeus chuckled. "You assume the victor has already been decided. The war is not yet over, Zeus."

He crossed his arms. "Besides, I never said I support you or Cronus. I simply wish to see what happens next. For that, I want you to be prepared."

Zeus frowned. "So I’m just entertainment to you?"

Astraeus shook his head. "No. I’m offering you the chance to reach your true potential. You were born with authority over the sky, but all you do is throw lightning like a child wielding a club."

Zeus scowled, but Astraeus continued.

"I don’t expect you to master the sky on the same level as me—not yet, at least. But I can turn you into a true master of the heavens. One who can rule over the land and the seas." He smirked. "After all, what is a king of gods if he cannot control his own domain?"

Zeus’ breath hitched at the words. King of gods? The very idea made his blood stir.

He looked down at his hands.

He had been defeated. Humiliated. He had always prided himself on his strength, but against Atlas, against Astraeus, against even Hecate, he had been powerless.

He clenched his fists.

No more.

He lifted his gaze and met Astraeus’ eyes.

"Fine," Zeus said. "Teach me."

Astraeus’ smile widened. "Then let us begin."