Cronus' system: Against the gods

Chapter 163 I, your Grandpa

The oppressive aura in the room calmed down as Jefferson's mood returned to normal. His eyes looked hollow, as though he'd just faced his worst fear.

"I..." Jefferson began, but his voice faltered. His gaze flicked to Rex, lingering as if to say something more, but he stopped himself. He turned abruptly, his shoulders rigid, and started to walk away.

"Hold it, Jeff!" Hercules called out, stepping forward and placing a firm hand on his back. His usual commanding presence softened, his voice carrying a rare gentleness. "You don't have to let the past haunt you."

Jefferson froze, but he didn't look back. He stood motionless for a moment, his head slightly bowed. Then, with a deep breath, he straightened his posture, wiping at his eyes with a trembling hand before stepping forward again. A brilliant flash of purple Aether encased his body, and he lifted off the ground with effortless grace.

Rex's jaw dropped as he watched Jefferson ascend. "Wait, he can fly? Since when was that a thing?" he muttered, squinting at the dazzling energy trails Jefferson left behind as he disappeared into the sky.

Hercules sighed and turned back to Rex, the weight of something unsaid clear in his expression.

"So," Rex began, pointing a thumb at the now-empty space Jefferson had vacated, "you wanna explain what the hell that was all about? I've seen temper tantrums before, but that...." he gestured to the chaos in the room... "was a whole other level of bottled-up rage."

Hercules' face grew somber as he sat down on the nearest intact chair, his massive frame making it creak under his weight. "Jefferson wasn't always like this, you know. That anger you saw, it's not something he picked up overnight."

Rex crossed his arms. "Let me guess, Zeus? I dropped his name, and it was like throwing a grenade into a bonfire."

Hercules nodded. "Yeah, Zeus. Because Jefferson... Jefferson's his son."

Rex blinked, taken aback. "Wait. What? Like, actual son-son? As in, he's the offspring of the literal king of gods?"

"I thought as much harbinger! You guessed right the other time! He's another mistake of my son!" Cronus quipped@@@@

"Wow....so does that mean he's your grandson?!" Rex yelled excitedly in his thoughts

"Affirmative, harbinger!" Cronus replied

"Since I have your blood running through me Cronus, that means I'm indirectly his grandpa also right?!" Rex chuckled

"......" (A/N: This means, no reply! Poor lil Crony is frustrated)

"That's right," Hercules said, his voice heavy. "And that's just the start of it. Jefferson's story isn't one he shares easily, but you deserve to know why he lost control back there."

Leaning forward, Hercules rested his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor as he spoke. "When Jefferson was a boy, about twelve years old, his village worshiped Zeus. But their prayers, their offerings, it didn't matter. Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire

Zeus didn't care about mortals, and he showed it in the worst way. Jefferson's mother was the village priestess, someone who believed in Zeus more than anyone else.

But one day, Zeus descended... not as a savior, but as a monster. For reasons no one could understand, he struck her down in front of Jefferson and everyone else."

Hercules raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that, kid? He's not exactly in a chatty mood right now."

"Yeah, well, when's the best time to tell someone something they might not want to hear?" Rex said, clenching his fists as a determined gleam lit up his eyes.

"Answer: when they're already feeling like crap. That way, if it makes them angrier, they can just blame Zeus. And if it makes them feel better—" Rex shrugged, a crooked grin spreading across his face. "Well, then I'm the hero of the day, aren't I?"

Hercules laughed, a deep, hearty sound that broke through the somber atmosphere. "You're a bold one, I'll give you that. Alright, I'll help you get there. But don't say I didn't warn you."

"Go there with this little trinket," Hercules said, tossing a teleportation crystal toward Rex with casual precision. His expression carried a mix of confidence and cluelessness as he added, "I'm pretty sure you know how to use it, 'cause I have no idea. Just... don't break anything important."

Rex caught the crystal with ease, turning it over in his hand. The faint blue glow pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, as if it was alive. He raised an eyebrow at Hercules. "You're giving me this and you don't even know how it works?"

Hercules shrugged, grinning. "That's what you young'uns are good at, right? Figuring out shiny toys. Just don't blow yourself up, yeah?"

Rex rolled his eyes but couldn't help the grin tugging at his lips. "Right. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Herc." He held the crystal firmly and tapped its surface with his thumb. A soft hum resonated as it scanned him, its light brightening with approval. Without hesitation, Rex crushed the crystal in his palm.

A burst of luminous energy enveloped him, a sensation like being wrapped in liquid lightning. His body felt weightless, and for a split second, the world blurred into streaks of color and motion before solidifying again.

When the light faded, Rex found himself standing on the rooftop of the God Tower.

The rooftop stretched wide, its smooth black surface glinting faintly under the glow of the sun. Gusts of wind howled around him, carrying with them the faint hum of energy fields surrounding the tower.

The view was breathtaking, offering an unobstructed panorama of Astral City—a glittering sea of lights and life sprawled below, while stars scattered like diamonds across the night sky above.

But Rex barely noticed any of it.

Jefferson stood near the edge of the rooftop, his back to Rex. His broad shoulders were hunched, his usual imposing presence weighed down by something invisible but heavy. The faint shimmer of Aether energy flickered around him like an aura, crackling occasionally like a storm barely held in check.

Rex hesitated, suddenly unsure of what to say. The sight of Jefferson like this, so vulnerable, so... human was jarring.

"You're braver than I gave you credit for, kid," Jefferson said without turning around, his voice low and rough. "Most people wouldn't dare come up here without an invitation."

Rex swallowed, forcing himself to take a step forward. "Well, good thing I'm not most people, huh?" His attempt at levity fell flat in the oppressive atmosphere. He sighed, shifting uncomfortably. "I figured you might need someone to talk to. Or at least someone to yell at who isn't a god."

Jefferson laughed humorlessly, though it was barely audible over the wind. "You think I'm in the mood for a heart-to-heart?" He finally turned his head slightly, just enough for Rex to glimpse his face. His eyes were red-rimmed but steely, his jaw clenched as if holding back a flood of emotions.

"Honestly? I have no idea what mood you're in," Rex admitted, his voice softer now. "But I do know that whatever it is!" Rex pat his chest proudly "I, your indirect grandpa can fix it!"

"Oh shit!" Cronus facepalmed