sharing this here too.
consider. consider for a moment.
zeus fearing the cycle as a living entity. zeus fearing the cycle continuing in the early years of his rule. the metis prophecy, circumvented and producing athena instead of a son. ares's birth, perhaps the most logical choice for the next cycle, but instead all that chaos and bloodshed was directed elsewhere, and not at the throne.
consider for a moment zeus thinking he was safe after all. that there was nothing to fear. consider him delighting in the birth of his children. in two in particular, who he showed gifts and attention upon at every opportunity. who he elevated onto the Council himself, radiating pride.
consider now the mistake he would see that to be. consider how the "living" cycle latched onto his favorite son. consider how that would have gagged him. thinking he was safe, only for it to be false, and the bitter, bitter irony that would be.
consider how the Titans rose. followed by the Giants. a cycle repeating itself.
like cycles are being cycled through. like Fate was warning him.
and like any good king, and with the heavy heavy heart of any father, he sent his son (his pride, his threat) to his death.
glances at 'zeus fearing the cycle as a living entity' whistles innocently and gestures at 'apollo was conditioned to fear the bolts as a living entity'
i rest my case.