The night descends.
The ruins of Rhodes Island whisper in the wind.
As if still documenting a war unknown to later generations.
Amidst the crumbling walls, the air is filled with the scent of dust and blood. In the distance, atop a towering tower, a cataclysmic battle erupts.
And Zeus has been secretly observing it all.
The air suddenly twists and shatters like a broken mirror. A shadow steps out from the void, black dragon hide boots treading on the shadowed remnants where Zeus lingered.
Ian made no sound.
He approached Zeus.
"Long time no see, Zeus. It seems you quite like transforming into birds. Is it influenced by my Animagus form?" Ian's voice appeared suddenly by Zeus's side.
At that moment, the King of Gods turned his head to see the figure he least wanted to see—the presence that had left them with a horrific psychological shadow before the Gods became the Gods.
The Raven.
In the form of a young boy.
Though these beings were able to find the path to divinity, it was thanks to the demonstration by this terrifying creature that allowed the Gods to discover a way to grasp the laws.
However.
The Gods are not grateful to Ian. After all, their Sky City was destroyed by Ian, and afterwards, they could only find the tallest mountain to reside.
Those living conditions were far worse than Sky City. Even today, Zeus mourns the beauty of Sky City, and many others like him feel the same.
"Why?"
Ian greeted him, and Zeus, in the form of a giant eagle, suddenly turned his head. His golden pupils shrank to pinpoints, unable to answer Ian's question, instead showing shock.
"You—"
The voice squeezed from the eagle's beak carried the tremor of thunder, yet unusually mixed with a trace of panic. The giant eagle flapped its wings in retreat, bronze feathers scraping against the statue's surface, sparks flying.
"What do you mean by me."
Ian Prince adjusted his tilted dome hat, spinning his magic wand in a beautiful arc between his fingers. He looked down at the divine bird with wings spanning over three meters.
"You must be afraid I'll charge your copyright fee, that's why you don't want to see me. Don't worry, although you imitate my bird transformation, I know you just worship me."
His eyes gleamed with a mischievous light.
"You've emerged again." The giant eagle spoke, deep and majestic, carrying an aura of unyielding divine authority, "I haven't heard your name in a long time."
This Divine King did not answer Ian's question.
Perhaps feeling guilty.
"Good morning, Mr. Zeus. Or should I say—good afternoon?" Ian glanced at the blood-red sunset. "Sleeping for too long makes it impossible to tell time."
Ian was clearly pretending here, remembering the reminder from Female Titan Claire, so he didn't intend to let Zeus know he was a time traveler on a time travel mission.
After all, according to Female Titan Claire, the power of the Time Machine originated from the Main God here, having stolen the Main God's power, so Ian felt it was better not to expose himself.
He liked to catch others' weaknesses, but that didn't mean he liked others catching his.
"Why appear at this time? What do you want to do?" The feathers on the giant eagle's neck all exploded, each piece flickering with blue-white electric light.
Zeus's voice rolled like distant thunder.
"I want to act wherever I please." Ian's tone was calm, yet infused with undeniable power. He rolled his eyes at the giant eagle.
"You can't govern me."
If it were anyone else speaking such disrespectful words, Zeus would have become furious, but before Ian, he couldn't summon the anger.
The best embodiment of daring anger but restraining oneself.
Even when Ian casually brushed off non-existent dust from his cloak, exhibiting clear disdain, Zeus directly became silent and dared not to retort.
He still vividly remembers the battle with Ian years ago. Although he became the King of Gods, leading a group of deities, he dared not boast too much before Ian.
After all.
The Gods know.
Ian is the ultimate end—this includes the Gods. The air froze. The giant eagle's claws dug deep into the bronze crown, creating spider web-like cracks on the statue's surface. In the distance, the roar of buildings collapsing echoed, while the living statue rampaged at the harbor. But at this moment, the space on this building seemed to be drained of time.
Finally, Zeus averted his gaze first.
Golden light erupted, the giant eagle's figure twisted and swelled. When the intense light dissipated, standing before Ian was a nearly three-meter-tall elder in white robes. Snow-white long beard hung to his chest, and lightning scars hid in the wrinkles. His white robe seemed simple but each fiber coursed with cloud-like luster, his waist girded with a belt of woven lightning.
The most unsettling were his eyes—no pupils, only miniature lightning bursts wandering the whites.
"State your intentions, Raven. This world is no longer your playground." Zeus's voice had sunken much lower, his fingers inadvertently rubbing the lightning at his waist.
He wore a pristine white robe, its hems billowing, a golden thunderbolt pattern embroidered on the chest, symbolizing supreme authority. Even if his scalp tingled, he could only bravely uphold his dominance.
Need to know.
Many Gods are watching now—just as during the first confrontation with Ian back then, even with inner fear, Zeus must display firmness to maintain his authority.