Poseidon's Atlantis Adventure

THE ACRID SMOKE STILL HUNG HEAVY OVER THE BATTLEFIELD AS Poseidon surveyed the smoldering ruins of the underworld of Mount Olympus. The scars of war remained on the land, despite their victory over Cronus. Poseidon’s eyes narrowed with determination as his brothers joined him atop the cliff.

“It is time,” Zeus declared, his voice booming like thunder over the desolate valley. “We must rebuild this world that our father sought to destroy.”

The battle won over the Titans, Rhea, mother of the Olympians, welcomed her victorious children into the magnificent palace on Mount Olympus. Wearing a blue tunic bejeweled with gold braid around her waist, her red, braided hair glorified with golden threads, she looked radiant.

As the warriors entered the dining hall, Rhea greeted them with overflowing platters of food and barrels filled with wine. “Let us celebrate your triumph! Sit and recount your story.”

Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus trudged in exhaustion to the table laden with food and drink. While they feasted, the trio shared their heroic tales of their daring battle against their deceptive father, Cronus.

When the Olympians had eaten, Rhea pulled a golden bowl from the center of the table. The moment of truth has arrived to determine the ruler of each part of the world and the king of all. Shocked, the Olympians looked at one another. None had expected such division. Only their mother, who married their tyrant father and their champion, conducted the ritual, as it was fair.

Rhea lifted her arm gracefully above her head while grasping three jet-black tokens engraved with unknowable symbols within them. “The Fates have blessed these lots for your guidance. Select one, and it will reveal your destiny.”

She held out the golden basin so high that none could see inside it as she commanded each warrior to dip his right hand into its depths and take one lot.

“The seas and waters shall be yours, Poseidon,” Rhea proclaimed. “To nurture life and create new lands and growth wherever your waves may reach.”

Poseidon nodded, though uncertainty still stirred in his heart. He gazed out at the gray, tumultuous ocean, feeling the pull of its mysterious depths.

Rhea turned to Hades. His piercing black eyes alight. “Lord of the Underworld, the dead shall live in your domain.”

Hades’s pallid face remained impassive, obsidian eyes betraying nothing. He would rule the realm in solitude and shadow, ever loyal to his family, despite his isolated fate.

Rhea, tears in her eyes, turned to Zeus. “The heavens and sky are yours, my son. And because of your bravery to free your siblings and ensure the freedom from the Titans, you will also rule as the rightful king of gods and mortals.”

Poseidon bristled, the sea raging in tandem with the storm in his heart. But he held his tongue for now, the injustice brewing bitterly as gall within him.

He was prepared to challenge his brother’s rule. For now, he kept his own counsel, his desires as unfathomable as the ocean’s depths.

Poseidon turned and surveyed the shimmering expanse of the sea. The tang of salt hung in the air as waves crashed against the shore, sea foam swirling around his feet.

This domain would be his to master, to shape as he saw fit. His weathered hands flexed as he imagined the creatures he could create, beasts that would prowl the ocean’s shadowy depths and guard its treasures. Mysteries awaited him in those uncharted waters.

Poseidon waded into the surf, the icy waves invigorating him. He would explore every cove and trench, build splendid palaces beneath the waves. None could challenge him here.

Looking back at the towering figures of Zeus and Hades on the beach, he felt a twinge of regret. They had stood together against Cronus, but already fractures split their bond.

Poseidon dove beneath the surface, powerful limbs propelling him through the murky water. He would bide his time and gather his strength. When the day came to confront Zeus, the sea would rise to his command.

For now, he lost himself in the current’s restless pull. The ocean welcomed its new master as he delved into its secrets, his desire for independence as boundless as the sea.

Poseidon emerged from the depths, saltwater streaming down his muscular frame as he strode onto the beach. In the distance, he could see Zeus standing atop Mount Olympus, thunderclouds gathering around him. Poseidon’s eyes flashed with anger at the sight.

He  had not forgotten how their mother’s favorite son, Zeus, with her proclamation, would hold dominion over the world and the skies. Poseidon clenched his fists, rage simmering within him. He thought his might and strength, like his father’s, gave him the ability to rule, only to have Zeus snatch that right from him.

Sand swirled around Poseidon’s feet, reacting to the intensity of his emotions. The sea churned in sympathy with its master’s turmoil.

How dare Zeus presume to rule the world? We should have ruled together as equals. Instead, Zeus was king while relegating Poseidon to the waves and shadows.

I have all the water and its creatures. The dead of the world belong to Hades forever. And Zeus gets to be king.

Jaw tightening, Poseidon strode back into the surf until he was waist deep. The cool water helped calm the anger burning through his veins. He would bide his time … for now.

Poseidon lifted his trident, feeling its power thrumming in his hands. One day he would remind Zeus what he could command with a strike of this weapon—tidal waves tall as mountains, maelstroms that could swallow navies whole.

When that day came, Zeus would realize his mistake. The seas bow to no one. And neither would Poseidon.

Poseidon’s knuckles whitened as he gripped his trident, the metal creaking under the pressure. With a snarl, he turned and stalked out of the waves, his footprints burning into glass in the sand.

“I will not kneel at your feet, brother,” Poseidon growled under his breath. “You claim dominion over this world, but your reach is limited,” he retorted. “The seas are mine to rule, now and forever. Test me at your peril.”

The roaring ocean swallowed his words, but Poseidon knew Zeus would hear them soon enough. Let the thunderer sit atop his mountain and watch the storms gather on the horizon. Poseidon’s realm was vast and wild, impossible to tame.

With a rush of power, Poseidon summoned a wave to carry him away from the shore. The cresting water bore him swiftly over the open ocean as schools of fish darted out of his way. The familiar roll of the sea calmed his anger, letting his mind clear.

What use was rage when patience and cunning would serve him better? Poseidon was no fool. Directly challenging Zeus would gain him nothing. But the oceans hid endless secrets beneath their waves. In time, Poseidon would discover how to shift the tides in his favor.

For now, he would explore the breadth of his dominion. The sea welcomed its rightful master. And soon, Zeus would come to understand the folly of believing he could control forces beyond his reach.

Poseidon dove beneath the surface, reveling in the muted hush of the underwater world. The gods’ politics were inconsequential down here.

As he swam deeper, the sunlight filtering through the water faded to an inky blackness. Strange creatures lurked in these hidden depths, monsters, and wonders unseen by mortal eyes. Poseidon studied them with curiosity, noting their powers and potential weaknesses.

One beast gave him pause: a massive leviathan with rows of razor-sharp teeth. Its size rivaled the Titan Cronus himself. Yet it bowed its majestic head in deference as Poseidon approached, recognizing its master.

Poseidon rested a hand on the leviathan’s snout, a plan already forming. He wouldn’t need to challenge Zeus directly with these titanic creatures under his command. At the right moment, Poseidon would rise from the sea and shake Olympus.

Patience and cunning, he reminded himself. Poseidon smiled, savoring the thought of the thunderer’s surprise when the ocean’s depths revealed their secrets. The sea god’s reign had just started.

Poseidon returned to the surface. His anger toward Zeus momentarily subsided as he contemplated the forces stirring in the deep. They quickly reignited his wrath.

He strode along the shoreline, his fists clenched. How dare Zeus presume dominion over him? Had they not all played a part in overthrowing Cronus?

Poseidon recalled with bitterness the moment he had drawn the lot, assigning him lordship of the seas. A paltry consolation compared to the skies and Mount Olympus.

“One day, brother, you will regret underestimating me,” Poseidon growled under his breath. The waves crashed higher in response to his fury. “Well, at least I can create new lands. Even Zeus cannot do that.”

Thunder rumbled in the distance, as if Zeus accepted the challenge. Poseidon’s lip curled in a sneer. Let the posturing begin. Their battle would be epic, but Poseidon had eons to develop his plans.

For now, he would walk among mortals to seek allies. Dissatisfied individuals would support Poseidon over Zeus. A kingdom could not stand without loyal subjects.

Poseidon’s stride became purposeful as he moved inland, away from the sea. The time gathered his strength and let darkness work its subtle influence. When the moment arrived to unleash the ocean’s wrath, Poseidon would be ready.

Olympus gods underestimated the power of the deep, leading to regret. This, Poseidon vowed.