Percy Jackson: The God of Magic - chapter 158 - The Outer In Me. (Patreon)

I had won, killing Zeus and Hera, destroying once and for all the threat they represented, but at what cost? Using my power had accelerated the awakening of what I wanted to evade, I didn't know when, but I knew that soon I would no longer be in control, at most I had a month, and that was if I was lucky.

"You won," Odin who had teleported to what was left of Olympus a couple of minutes ago said, catching my attention.

"Yes," I said, looking in awe at the destruction my fight with Zeus had left, according to Odin millions of humans had died, because of the natural catastrophe we had generated during the fight.

"Hestia is quite upset," Odin added, looking at Hera's half-eaten corpse.

"I can imagine," After all, I hadn't told her any of this.

"Hades and the other gods of the underworld are going to resurrect much of the population that was destroyed...I'll help them, then we'll make all mankind forget what happened...." Odin said with a small smile, "It's not the first time we do this, and maybe... it won't be the last time,"

"Okay," I chuckled, "I'll go see Hestia... I owe her an explanation,"

"Sounds like a good idea," Odin agreed with a nod, "You should tell her... about that too," the old god added, and it didn't take any further details to know what he meant.

“That I will," I owe her that much.

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[Asgard]

With nothing else to do, I teleported to Asgard, where Hestia was waiting for me with her arms folded and a firm look on her face. She was not happy at all with what I had done, going to fight Zeus without telling her.

"Adam, I'm really upset!" Hestia declared, her cheeks red, "First you almost died, then you almost died...again, and now...you do something crazy again?!"

"I understand your concern, but I had to do it..." I replied, looking into her eyes, trying to get the words to tell her that.... my days were numbered.

"You have an army, friends... people who would die for you! Why did you go to fight alone! Why did you have to do everything alone! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!" Hestia declared through her tears, her tears hurting me more than Zeus and any of his attacks, "Why... why do you insist on doing everything alone..."

I softly moved my hand to her face, gently wiping away her tears, she didn't deserve to cry, not for me, not for anyone, "Pride? Stubbornness, stupidity... I really don't know, but this time... I did it because I didn't know if I would have another chance to eliminate Zeus, and the threat he represented."

"What do you mean?" Hestia muttered, grabbing my hand, pressing it softly to her face, "Adam.... is there something you haven't told me?"

"Yes, it's something... recent," Lying to her would only save her from pain momentarily, "I... I think I'm going to die soon,"

"What?" Hestia asked, her eyes pleading for this to be a lie.

"The part of me that I inherited from my...father, is stronger than I am, and when that part awakens it will consume me and then it will consume this world...." I replied, "I have seen... how powerful that power is, I used a part of it to destroy Zeus.... and I know for a fact that no one will be able to stop me when I am consumed... so... before that happens... I will die,"

"I... no!" Hestia cried in tears, "I refuse to let you die!"

"Hestia... I love you, and there is nothing more I desire than to be free with you... free to enjoy this world, but... I will not risk you... my father is very powerful... and it is best to prevent him from achieving his goal," I embraced her, kissing her head gently.

"You are the new Greek king... you must..." Hestia said, trying to come up with a solution.

"No... being king was never my.... goal, I'm not exactly worthy of that title... you on the other hand, deserve to rule... you who has never strayed from the path of goodness," Hestia was the only goddess worthy of such a title, Zeus should never have ruled... Hestia was always the best choice, she was always... the only choice.

“Me?” Hestia asked in disbelief.

“Of course,” I smiled, hugging her once again, “Don’t worry about anything… you were born for this…”

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[Nyarlathotep POV]

Adam had done it, he had finally defeated Zeus, the main objective of his goal… and now that I had allowed his plans to be completed, it was time to push mine forward, I had after all, allowed him to be on the human realm for long enough, but play time was over, he had a duty to fulfill, one that he would do… whether he like it or not.

The preparations were ready, the altar to open the gate out of Azathoth was complete, all there was left to do, was Adam, with his outwardly connection to all the realms, and my power… he would break the barrier between the dimensions, letting the Outer Gods claim their rightful place in the universe, destroying everything and everyone.

I could almost taste the cries of agony and despair every single living being would sing for me, a true melody that would soothe me for eons to come, what a delightful future… and all I have to do… is bring Adam here, and force his transformation… erasing the human part he so hard has clinged to, an easy task… he already was at the edge of his transformation, I could feel it, and if his form against Zeus was anything to go by… all that was keeping him in place was, pure and sheer will… and… if there is something fragile in a human mind, is their will… they always break like bones under my jaws… fragile little thing, that always amounts to nothing.

“Soon… you will see the Outer in you… I won’t even have to kill Hestia… you will do it yourself,” and what a sight that would be, Adam killing his own soulmate, truly a sight to behold.