SWNOVELXO Chapter 16: THE FIRST WEAPON
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Soulis: "What do you plan to use to weave this web? If you'd like, I could tan the threads of space itself and offer them to you as a gift."
Cronus: "There's no need for that." Soulis shook his head gently and turned his gaze to Gaia, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
Soulis: "I have a better choice."
Gaia: "We will do as you wish, Your Highness." Gaia, Mother Earth, responded with calm authority. "But I hope you won't give us cause to regret this alliance, even for a moment."
As her words faded, Gaia extended her hand. A faint shimmer appeared, coalescing into a strange-looking vessel.
Soulis: "Fascinating..."
The bottle had an unsettling elegance—shaped like a womb, its divine patterns pulsed with life, and a radiant golden-green gemstone sat embedded in its center, exuding an aura of infinite vitality.
This was the Aquarius of Life, a relic that symbolized creation, growth, and regeneration. Though Gaia herself lacked the ability to create life, the Aquarius was a gift from the cosmos, enabling her to nurture vegetation and bring forth gods.
Gaia: "For the next thousand years, it is yours to use. But be warned, Soulis—while it holds the origin of life within Chaos itself, any life taken from it will inevitably return to the world. The cycle cannot be broken."
Though reluctant, Gaia passed the Aquarius to Soulis, her fingers lingering momentarily on its surface.
Soulis: "I understand. I'll heed your warning."
Soulis accepted the artifact, his gaze lingering on its intricate patterns. "Still, I've noticed something. This origin of life can be absorbed by mortals, can it not? After all, isn't that how you created plants?"
Gaia: "Indeed. Mortals can absorb its essence, but all life eventually decays. In death, it strengthens the Aquarius, renewing the cycle. Life begets death, and death begets life."
Soulis nodded thoughtfully before turning his attention toward Gaia's abdomen, where Cronus and his eleven siblings stirred. Under his penetrating gaze, the fabric of space-time wavered, and a sphere of gold and silver light emerged—the source of Cronus' temporal power.
Cronus: "This will only last five hundred years," came Cronus' weary voice. "After that, it will return to me, whether I wish it or not."
Soulis: "That will suffice." He carefully stowed the orb of temporal power.
Time and space were the cornerstones of creation. While the Aquarius represented life, Cronus' essence accounted for 30% of Chaos's temporal energy. To Soulis, this combination was more than enough.
Cronus: "Now, prophet," Cronus' voice took on an edge of urgency. "Swear to the world. If you reveal the true meaning of the prophecy—how I can overthrow my father—then when I ascend as the new God-King, I will honor my agreement with you."
Gaia: "I swear it too," Gaia added, her tone unwavering.
Soulis concealed a wry smile. He knew that fate and the world's momentum would eventually reveal the prophecy's truths to them, even without his intervention. Yet timing was everything. A moment of foresight could yield monumental rewards.
Soulis: "Very well. Let me explain."
He paused, his voice steady as he began to unravel the prophecy.
Soulis: "Uranus became God-King not through mere power but by fulfilling the world's will. He was the first to procreate among the gods, embodying the masculine divine. Through his children—the Titans—he became the archetypal father figure, crowned by the cosmos to rule the heavens, seas, and earth."
Cronus: "So how do we strip him of the world's favor?" Cronus interrupted, his voice sharp with anticipation.
Soulis: "His power is tied to his identity as a male god and father. He embodies masculinity and patriarchy. To sever his connection to these powers, you must strike at their source."
Soulis' expression darkened, his tone solemn.
Soulis: "You must use the sickle to cut away his symbol as a male god and father."
Gaia stiffened, realization dawning upon her.
Soulis: "Without that symbol, Uranus will no longer be a male god. The divine masculine will abandon him. Without it, he will no longer father children, and the patriarchy he embodies will crumble. He may remain the master of the skies, but he will no longer hold the throne as God-King."
For a moment, the room was silent. Gaia, Cronus, and the other Titans were stunned.
Gaia: "The sickle... it was forged within my flesh." Her voice was cold, her lips curling into a bitter smile. "So, this is destiny. He placed the instrument of his downfall within reach, not realizing he was sowing the seeds of his own destruction."
Soulis: "Destiny is but a mirror, Mother Earth. He paved the way for his downfall, but it is you who will decide the timing."
Cronus: "And we will strike when he least expects it," Cronus declared confidently.
Soulis: "Exactly. Wait until he believes the prophecy has been averted. Only then will your blade deliver the final blow."
Gaia nodded curtly, her gaze hardening.
Cronus: "One last thing, Soulis."
His voice took on an imperious tone, a glimmer of his future kingship evident. "As the prophet who has guided us thus far, answer me honestly. With this sickle in hand, can I fulfill my destiny? Can I overthrow the tyrant and create a legacy greater than his?"
Soulis hesitated briefly before replying.
Soulis: "You will succeed, Cronus. You will overthrow your father and claim the throne. But..."
His eyes bore into Gaia's, as if addressing both her and the future God-King.
Soulis: "Nothing lasts forever. Your reign will not be eternal. One day, when life and death exchange places, you will understand what I mean."
Cronus narrowed his eyes. "What are you saying?"
Soulis: "Whatever you gain, you will one day lose. Such is the nature of all who wield power."
Gaia: "Is this a warning, prophet?"
Soulis: "It is the truth."
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