Omniscience in Marvel

162: Reveal and Birthright 2

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Lucas sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I assure you, Aethon, you have one father and one mother on Earth."

Aethon tilted his head. "Then… outside? Are my parents in Heaven or something? Damn. I knew I was special as fuck, but… this—"

Before he could delve deeper into his own fantasy, Lucas ran out of willpower and smacked him hard on the head.

"Ouch!" Aethon yelped, clutching his head. "What was that for?"

"For being an idiot," Lucas deadpanned.

Thena, who had been silent up until now, sighed. "I should have hit him first."

"Heh, I'll have you know my intelligence even trumps that of Tony Stark," Aethon said, rubbing his head with a proud smirk.

Lucas scoffed. "That's just because of your divine heritage. Take that away, and Tony beats you 11 out of 10."

"Now that's just mean." Aethon pouted, causing Lucas to chuckle.

"You're taking this well enough," Lucas noted.

"Of course." Aethon puffed out his chest. "We can't have a god such as myself losing composure over every little thing."

Lucas stared at him in mild disbelief. Where the fuck did this kid get this arrogance from?

Thena smirked. "Clearly not from me."

Lucas shot her a dry look before clearing his throat. "Anyway… your mother and I are part of an ancient race known as the Eternals."

"Huh?"

"Your mother and I—"

"No, I heard you. I just meant… like… huh? You and Mum?" Aethon asked suspiciously, narrowing his eyes at them.

Thena arched a brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Aethon studied them both for a few seconds before shaking his head. "I don't see it."

Lucas twitched, a vein already popping on his forehead. "You brat—"

Thena sighed dramatically. "I should have left you at home."

Aethon grinned. "But then who would listen to Dad's long-winded explanations?"

Lucas took a deep breath, restraining himself from smacking the kid again. "Stop interrupting me unnecessarily."

"Hmm. Alright. This young god will hear you out." Aethon crossed his left leg over his right, placing his hand on his jaw like a noble entertaining a court audience.

Thena pressed a hand to her forehead. "He's insufferable."

Lucas sighed again, but there was amusement in his eyes. He's just putting on a front. He's trying to create a fake sense of composure.

Fine. Lucas wouldn't call him out on it. But that didn't mean he wouldn't make him sweat.

Lucas leaned back, his voice calm but firm. "The Eternals are an evolutionary offshoot of humanity, gifted with incredible powers to guide and protect mankind throughout the ages."

Aethon listened attentively, but Lucas could already see the gears turning in his son's head. He smirked. "Do you remember that time you asked why people prayed to gods when, if they truly wished, they could achieve anything themselves?"

Aethon quirked an eyebrow but nodded. He didn't see the connection, but he remembered vividly.

Whenever they drove through cities or visited different regions, they always saw people gathered at temples, mosques, or churches, asking for blessings, miracles, or guidance.

One day, he had asked Lucas why people did that.

Lucas' answer had been simple: Humans always look to those they deem greater than themselves when they are lost.

"You said they were praying to the wrong person," Aethon recalled.

Lucas nodded. "They were praying to me."

Aethon opened his mouth, a sarcastic remark ready to go, but he held back, waiting for the explanation.

Thena, who had been silent so far, smirked slightly at Aethon's expression. "For once, he's speechless."

Lucas continued, "Your mum, uncles, and aunts have all guided humanity at one point in time."

"You mean… like, you're old?" Aethon asked, giving him a skeptical look.

"Ancient would be a better word," Thena corrected, crossing her arms.

Aethon turned to Lucas. "How ancient are we talking about?"

Lucas simply raised a single finger.

"Ten thousand years?" Aethon guessed.

Lucas scoffed. "Consciousness-wise, perhaps. Physiologically? Over a million."

Aethon blinked, the number hitting him like a truck. "Huh…" He fell silent, absorbing that information.

Thena chuckled. "Finally, something shut him up."

Aethon shook his head. "No, no. I'm just processing. This means—wait, you two have been around since the dawn of civilization?"

Lucas nodded and tapped a few holographic buttons on the car's dashboard. A glowing, rotating map of Earth appeared, marked with various points in history.

He tapped a location, and the first image zoomed in on ancient Mesopotamia.

"Let's start from the beginning—when they returned," Lucas said, pointing to the cradle of civilization. "In Mesopotamia, your uncle Druig had a hand in shaping human society."

Aethon's eyes flickered with interest.

Lucas continued, "His abilities allowed him to influence minds, and he often guided early civilizations through their rulers. To them, he was a figure of power and mystery—a god who could read their thoughts and sway their decisions."

Aethon's eyes widened. "Uncle Druig? He's so grumpy, though! I can't picture him ruling over people."

Thena smirked. "Oh, he didn't rule them. He controlled them."

Aethon shuddered. "That's even worse."

Lucas chuckled. "Trust me, he has his moments." Recalling the current Druig and the past innocent Druig, Lucas couldn't help but lament internally.

Thena, who had been sitting quietly, let out a small scoff. "Moments? Druig spent centuries sulking in corners because he thought humans were too stupid to be left alone."

Aethon turned to her, eyes wide. "Wait—so he always had that brooding thing going on?"

Thena smirked. "Oh, it's worse than you think."

Lucas laughed before continuing. "But that's not all. Your aunt Makkari traveled far and wide across the ancient world." The hologram shifted, displaying trails across continents. "Her speed allowed her to interact with civilizations from Egypt to the Americas."

"Wow. Is that how fast she moved?" Aethon asked in awe as he saw the readings on the holographic display. "How is she so fast?"

Lucas chuckled but didn't reply.

"She's always been that way," Thena added. "Makkari is faster than she lets on, too. I've sparred with her, and trust me, she could take anyone down before they even realized she moved."

Lucas nodded. "People often saw her as a messenger of the gods, someone who could appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. Her speed became legendary, and many cultures developed myths about swift deities because of her."

Aethon nodded slowly, captivated by the history unfolding before him.

Lucas pointed to Egypt next. "This is where Ajak made her mark. She was the Prime Eternal stationed on Earth and served as a healer and leader among the Egyptians, teaching them medicine and acting as a bridge between humanity and us."

"Station?" Aethon asked.

Thena crossed her arms. "It means she was in charge, at least officially. Though if you ask me, she was more of a mother hen."

Lucas smirked at Thena's reply. It wasn't exactly what it meant but it'll do for now. "That she was. The humans saw her as a divine healer and mediator, someone who could communicate with the heavens and bring them blessings."

"She was a doctor?" Aethon asked, fascinated.

"Yes, in a way. She kept her abilities hidden but guided them in matters of health and spirituality. And your Aunt Sersi…" Lucas tapped Greece, where ancient Greek statues and grand temples appeared. "She loved humans more than anyone."

Thena let out a small sigh. "That one has a habit of getting attached. Too attached."

Lucas grinned. "Her powers allowed her to transform matter, and she often used this to help early societies build, grow crops, and develop art. To them, she was a goddess of creation and prosperity."

Aethon smirked. "Aunt Sersi does love making things look… fancy."

"She'd turn this whole car into a golden chariot if you let her," Thena muttered.

Lucas smiled, then zoomed in on more locations. "Now, your uncle Ikaris was seen as a protector. He watched over civilizations, often in times of conflict. He could fly and had immense strength, so people thought of him as a warrior god, a guardian from the heavens."

"So he was their Superman?" Aethon asked, impressed.

"In a way," Lucas agreed.

Thena gave a short laugh. "If only he had Superman's personality. Ikaris took his role a little too seriously sometimes."

Lucas smirked but said nothing and moved on. "And then there's your uncle Phastos." The map shifted to early technological centers. "Phastos has always been fascinated by human ingenuity. He inspired inventors, architects, and engineers throughout history, always sharing just enough knowledge to advance them without revealing too much."

Aethon looked in awe at the projection. "So… all of them had a role in guiding humanity?"

"Yes," Lucas replied, his tone more somber. "But they never interfered directly. We never wanted humanity to become dependent on us. Our role was to help them find their own strength and path."

Aethon took a deep breath, taking it all in. "It must've been… hard, watching them struggle and not stepping in."

Thena's expression softened. "It was. Especially when we saw them suffer."

Lucas nodded. "But faith, resilience, and self-discovery, they're things that have to come from within." He paused, then said, "And finally, there's one more Eternal you need to know about."

Lucas reached out to the hologram and expanded it to ancient Greece once more. The image showed statues and temples dedicated to a familiar name: Athena.

Aethon raised an eyebrow. "Athena… as in the goddess of wisdom and war?"

Lucas nodded. "Your mother, Thena, inspired the legend of Athena."

Aethon turned to Thena, eyes wide. "Wait… Mom, you were Athena?"

Thena inhaled sharply at the question as her fingers twitched slightly before she clasped them together, as if steadying herself.

The weight of centuries pressed against her chest. A past filled with battle cries, triumphs, and sacrifices.

For a moment, she didn't answer.

Her gaze drifted to the hologram, where the grand temples and statues dedicated to Athena stood tall. The stone faces of mortals, carved in devotion, stared back at her.

A reminder of the countless warriors who had prayed for her favor, of the dying men and women who had whispered her name with their final breaths.

Lucas watched her silently, knowing this wasn't just a story to her.

Thena leaned back in her seat, arms crossed. "I fought for them when they needed it. The name stuck."

Lucas added, "She was a warrior, a strategist, and one of the wisest even. People saw her courage and strength, and they began to worship her as the goddess Athena. She didn't care much for the title, but she used it to guide them when they needed it most."

Aethon was silent, looking at the image of the goddess statue with newfound reverence. "So… Mom was Athena?"

Lucas placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yes. Your mother's wisdom and strength inspired an entire civilization, and her legacy lives on in their stories. She may not speak of it much, but she has always been a guiding light for humanity."

Aethon sat back, processing everything. "I… had no idea. All of you—Mom, my aunts, and uncles… you're all legends."

Thena smiled softly. "Legends fade. But what we did for humanity remains."

Lucas nodded. "And now, Aethon, it's your turn to carry on that legacy. You're part of this history, and one day, you'll have the chance to protect and inspire just like we did."

For once, Aethon's usual arrogance was replaced by humility. "Thank you, Father. I'll do my best."

Lucas smiled. "I know you will. Remember, true greatness lies not just in power, but in how you choose to use it."

Aethon hesitated for a moment before asking, "But Dad…?"

"Hmm?"

"You've been talking about Mom, my uncles, and aunts, but… you haven't mentioned yourself."

Lucas chuckled snidely. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Yeah, that's why I asked."

Thena sighed, giving Lucas a knowing look. "Just tell him."

Lucas smirked and leaned back. "When you get home, read through all the versions of the Bible in the library."

"What!?" Aethon cried out, aggrieved. "Why? You know I don't like reading those religious texts."

"I know. But if you want to reach a conclusion on who I am, what kind of God I was and still am, you'll have to read it."

"Ugh." Aethon groaned but didn't argue further. 'I could even research the others,' he thought to himself.

After a period of silence, Lucas asked, "Now, do you know why we are known as Eternals?"

Aethon thought for a moment before replying, "Because you're all immortals?"

"Hmm. Yes… and no," Lucas began. "The reason we are Eternal as Heaven and Earth is because we do not live for ourselves. Therefore, we are Eternal."

Aethon gave Lucas a hard stare before saying, "That sounds so much like your geezer friends."

Lucas laughed. "I have a few geezer friends. You'll have to be specific."

"You only have two geezer friends, Dad. The one-eyed one and the Chinese one."

Thena smirked. "You forgot the sun goddess."

Lucas chuckled. "Those? They're Odin and Yu Huang, The All-Father and Jade Emperor."

Aethon's jaw dropped. "What!? Like the Norse Odin and Chinese Jade Emperor?"

"Yup. Even your mom's friend Amaterasu and her siblings."

Aethon blinked in disbelief. "We've been meeting gods this whole time?"

Lucas grinned. "Yup. Now, how about we go introduce you to your Grandma?"