MTL NOVEL Chapter 9: Chapter 9: The Ascension of Twins
### Chapter 9: The Ascension of Twins
The air atop Mount Olympus crackled with divine energy as Apollo and Artemis stepped into the grand hall of the gods, their newly forged weapons gleaming with an otherworldly light. Apollo's golden curls cascaded over his shoulders, shimmering like the sun itself, his crystallized jewel-blue eyes blazing with a radiance that rivaled the celestial flames of *Helios's Judgment*, the bow slung across his back. Beside him, Artemis moved with the grace of a predator, her silver hair flowing like moonlight, her sharp silver eyes glinting as *Selene's Fang* rested at her side, its dark iron pulsing with lunar power. The twins had come to claim their birthright, and the pantheon would bear witness.
The hall was a marvel of divine architecture—marble columns veined with gold soared into a ceiling of swirling storm clouds, lit by flashes of Zeus's lightning. Thrones of every shape and material lined the chamber: Zeus's massive seat of storm-forged gold, Hera's peacock-adorned throne of emerald and twilight, Poseidon's coral-crusted chair dripping with seawater, Athena's sleek obsidian perch etched with owl motifs. The gods and goddesses of the ancient Greek pantheon lounged or stood in attendance, their immortal eyes fixed on the newcomers—some with curiosity, some with suspicion, others with barely concealed envy.
Zeus rose from his throne, his towering form crackling with thunder, his gray eyes sparking with pride and a hint of something darker. "My children," he boomed, his voice shaking the hall like a tempest. "Apollo and Artemis, born of Leto, forged in fire and defiance. You've climbed my mountain, armed with Hephaestus's craft. Speak—why do you stand before us?"
Apollo stepped forward, his golden curls catching the stormlight, his voice a symphony of Sound and Divinity. "Father, we come to claim our place among the Twelve. We are no mere godlings—we are Olympians by blood, by deed, by power. Make us true gods, and let the pantheon know our names."
Artemis matched his stride, her silver presence a counterpoint to his gold. "We've hunted and fought, built and burned. We seek thrones of our own, titles to match our might."
Hera, seated beside Zeus, leaned forward, her emerald eyes narrowing, her peacock crown glinting like a blade. "Bold words from Leto's brats," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "You think slaying my Python earns you a seat? You're nothing but upstarts, gilded and silvered by your father's whims."
Apollo met her gaze, his jewel-blue eyes unflinching, his domain of Courage surging. "Python was a challenge, Hera, and I turned it to ash. I'll face any trial you set—and I'll win."
Artemis smirked, her silver bow gleaming. "Call us upstarts if you like. We'll prove our worth."
Zeus raised a hand, silencing the brewing storm, his smirk returning. "Enough. They've earned this moment—Python's fall, the Oracle's rise, the mortals' hymns. Let's see their power unveiled. Olympians, bear witness!"
---
The hall trembled as a surge of divine energy erupted from the twins, their domains unfurling like banners of light and shadow. Apollo stood tall, his golden curls blazing as the system chimed in his mind:
"Domain manifestation initiated. Titles pending. Current count: 35. Amplification via Divinity active."
One by one, his domains flared into being, each a thread of power that wove into his radiant form, visible to the gods as shimmering glyphs and auras:
1. **Sun**—A golden halo crowned him, its heat bending the air.
2. **Music**—A lyre of light strummed in his hands, its notes echoing through the hall.
3. **Prophecy**—His jewel-blue eyes glowed, visions of fate flickering within them.
4. **Healing**—A warm aura pulsed, mending a cracked column with a touch.
5. **Archery**—*Helios's Judgment* sang, its arrows hovering around him like comets.
6. **Poetry**—Words of beauty danced in the air, captivating even the sternest gods.
7. **Fire**—Flames licked at his fingertips, fierce and controlled.
8. **Time**—The storm clouds slowed, bending to his will.
9. **Knowledge**—A scroll of light unrolled, its wisdom palpable.
10. **War**—A spear of golden energy formed, sharp with intent.
11. **Light**—His skin shimmered, illuminating the hall.
12. **Energy**—Sparks crackled around him, raw and untamed.
13. **Fate**—Threads of destiny wove through his aura, bending at his command.
14. **Beauty**—His presence intensified, a perfection that stole breath.
15. **Mathematics**—Patterns of precision glowed beneath his feet.
16. **Astronomy**—Stars twinkled in his curls, mapping the cosmos.
17. **Justice**—A scales of gold balanced in his hand, unwavering.
18. **Travel**—Space shimmered, letting him flicker across the hall.
19. **Inspiration**—A muse's whisper stirred the gods' hearts.
20. **Sound**—His voice deepened, resonating in their bones.
21. **Illusion**—Phantoms of light danced, deceiving the eye.
22. **Purity**—A white flame burned, cleansing the air.
23. **Victory**—A laurel crown hovered above him, unshakable.
24. **Agriculture**—Vines sprouted at his feet, lush and golden.
25. **Alchemy**—Metals shifted in his grasp, transmuting at will.
26. **Memory**—Echoes of the past whispered around him.
27. **Dreams**—A haze of visions clouded the air, vivid and strange.
28. **Radiance**—His glow intensified, blinding and warm.
29. **Precision**—Every movement was flawless, calculated.
30. **Exploration**—A map of unseen realms glowed in his palm.
31. **Harmony**—The hall's chaos stilled, aligned by his will.
32. **Resurrection**—A faint pulse of life flared, defying death.
33. **Cosmic Law**—The fabric of reality bent, acknowledging his rule.
34. **Sight**—His gaze pierced veils, seeing all.
35. **Courage**—A lion's roar echoed, bold and unyielding.
The gods gasped, some leaning forward, others recoiling. Poseidon's trident stilled, Athena's owl hooted in awe, and even Hera's scowl faltered, replaced by a flicker of unease. Apollo's power was vast, a tapestry of domains that rivaled the eldest Olympians.
Artemis followed, her silver aura unfurling with equal grace:
1. **Hunt**—A phantom stag darted around her, swift and wild.
2. **Moon**—A silver crescent crowned her, its light cool and fierce.
3. **Wilderness**—Wolves howled, their shadows pacing at her side.
4. **Archery**—*Selene's Fang* gleamed, arrows of ice hovering.
5. **Chastity**—A shield of purity shimmered, unyielding.
6. **Exploration**—A silver path stretched into the unknown.
7. **Precision**—Her movements sharpened, lethal and exact.
8. **Victory**—A silver laurel gleamed, mirroring her brother's.
Her domains were fewer but no less potent, a focused blade to Apollo's sprawling flame. Together, they stood as sun and moon, gold and silver, a matched pair of divine might.
Zeus clapped his hands, thunder echoing as he declared, "Apollo, God of the Sun and Prophecy, I name you *The Radiant Oracle*! Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt and Moon, I name you *The Silver Huntress*! Take your thrones—Olympians true!"
Two thrones rose from the marble—Apollo's a golden seat ablaze with sunlight, Artemis's a silver crescent cradled by vines. They sat, their beauty and power undeniable, and the hall erupted in a mix of cheers and murmurs.
---
But beneath Zeus's proud grin, a shadow stirred. He watched Apollo's thirty-five domains flare, each one a testament to a power that rivaled his own in scope, and Artemis's lethal precision, a quiet threat in its own right. His gray eyes darkened, lightning flickering within them, and his massive hands tightened on his throne's arms. The tales of his own rise flooded back—how he'd overthrown Cronus, his father, with cunning and force, how the Titans had fallen to his thunder. Now, here were his children, bold and blazing, their ambition a mirror to his own youth.
*They're too strong,* he thought, his mind whispering like a storm brewing in secret. *Apollo's domains—thirty-five! Prophecy, War, Time, Fate… he could see my moves, challenge my rule. Artemis—her arrows could pierce my storms. Together…*
His smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of paranoia, a godly fear rooted in the cycles of Greek myth. He'd toppled a king to become one. What if they—his own blood—did the same? The thought gnawed at him, hidden beneath his thunderous facade, as he watched them settle into their thrones.
Hera noticed, her emerald eyes glinting with malicious glee. "What's wrong, husband?" she purred, leaning closer. "Afraid your precious twins might outshine you? They've already defied me—how long before they turn on you?"
Zeus shot her a glare, his voice a low growl. "They're my children, Hera. They'll honor me."
"Will they?" she taunted, her peacock feathers rustling. "Look at Apollo—Prophecy in his eyes, War in his hands. He's a threat, Zeus, and you know it."
Poseidon chuckled from his throne, his trident tapping the floor. "Paranoid already, brother? They're just kids—shiny ones, sure, but kids."
Athena's cool voice cut in, her gray eyes fixed on Apollo. "Not kids. Gods. Apollo's mind rivals mine, and Artemis's aim rivals any warrior. They're Olympians now—equals, not subjects."
Zeus's paranoia deepened, his storm clouds thickening overhead, but he masked it with a laugh, loud and booming. "Equals, yes! My blood runs strong. Let them shine—I'll guide them."
Yet inside, his thoughts churned. *Guide them? Or bind them? They mustn't rise too far… not yet.*
---
Apollo and Artemis sat on their thrones, oblivious to Zeus's growing unease—or perhaps sensing it through Prophecy and Hunt, yet choosing silence. Apollo's golden curls gleamed as he surveyed the pantheon, his jewel-blue eyes glinting with triumph. "We're here, sister," he murmured, his voice a thread of Sound only she could hear. "True gods at last."
Artemis nodded, her silver eyes scanning the gods—Hera's fury, Poseidon's amusement, Athena's calculation. "Aye, brother. But the game's just begun."
The system chimed:
"Objective complete: True godhood achieved. Titles granted: The Radiant Oracle (Apollo), The Silver Huntress (Artemis). Faith nodes: 250 and rising. Next step: solidify Olympian influence."
Apollo smiled, his beauty a weapon, his power a promise. Zeus might watch with pride—or paranoia—but the twins were ready. The Sun and Moon had risen, and Olympus would never be the same.