“Caesar is hiding deep within the lava of Mount Vesuvius, where you cannot reach him,” Sporus repeated for Cleopatra once we returned to Medusa’s Island. Cleopatra was silent as she listened, finishing the last touches on the energy potion while we saw on makeshift benches from the ruins around a fire kindled by Umbra. “He is simply waiting for you to fall asleep.”

“The fire-proof potion,” Cleopatra said, using a ladle to pour the cauldron’s steaming remains into glass vials.

“Yes,” Sporus said, staring emotionlessly into the crackling fire. Being surrounded by the sea made the night extremely cold with the wind. I kept my hands close to the flames for warmth. “Valerius has made plenty for him to hide within its fiery depths. He will outlast us.”

“No,” I said. “I refuse to let him win. We will find a way. Cleopatra has made an energy potion for us that will help us stay awake.”

“What’s the point in that?” Sporus scowled. He seemed really tired and irritated. “Do you know how to make a fireproof potion?”

“No,” Cleopatra admitted, working tirelessly to continue filling vials. “Perhaps we can steal the ones he made?”

“Impossible,” I said. “I’ve already looked into the futures. They are nowhere to be found in Antiquitus. Either he has drunk them all or keeps them with him beneath the lava. Regardless, drinking the fireproof potions will not be an option.”

“Then there is no hope,” Sporus said, sighing.

It was hard to refute it. From the futures I could see, based on decisions I could theoretically make, there was no future where we would win. None of my solutions would work. With Cleopatra’s potions, we could stretch out our days to a week, maybe twelve if we were lucky. But even then, there was nothing we could do to face Caesar head on and take the Orb of Morpheus, sleep or no sleep. He was shielded by lava, and that shield was impenetrable.

The crushing weight of defeat and dread were almost impossible to shake. To distract myself, I let my mind sift through the millions of alternate futures, not selecting one to follow but merely to observe. In some of the futures, I hung from a bolt of lightning in the sky over Mount Vesuvius, struggling to find any way to defeat him. In these futures, I was all alone. Millions of Romans, mostly slaves and citizens, along with Caesar's army, waited for me at the base of the volcano and all around it, even standing on the lip to guard it. Just me against all of Rome.

Impossible.

I sighed with depression in these futures, instead letting my eyes wander to the Gulf of Naples not far from Vesuvius. The crystal blue waters glimmered under the pale sun. It looked cold and refreshing. I had forgotten how close it was to the volcano.

Water. Volcano.

WAIT.

I resumed from the overview of the futures, standing abruptly to my feet. I startled Sporus and Cleopatra, who stared at me with confusion. Umbra was fishing for food nearby, oblivious to my revelation.

“Umbra!” I shouted, teleporting him to us much to his frustration as I paced, the new futures exploding in my mind. “Grab the shrine of Jupiter!”

I refused to explain as I took in this new angle of what was possible. Umbra grumbled but complied, diving into the dark waters to retrieve the shrine.

“What is it, love?” Cleopatra said. I almost didn’t hear her.

I was halfway through the rankings for my Jupiter blessings. I had already become extremely powerful with Jupiter, and I hadn’t thought of what the max achievement could be with his blessings. The moment I thought of it, and saw what was possible fully maxed out with Jupiter, hope rekindled like a roaring flame within me.

“Jupiter is the key,” I said, barely in the present as I watched everything unfold. “If I complete all of Jupiter’s trials, I will unlock the ability to summon and wield storms at will.”

“Like a hurricane,” Sporus said, nodding in agreement. “I’ve only heard that power as a rumor. No one has been able to max out their divine blessings.”

“Because most die?” Cleopatra asked. Sporus nodded.

I could understand why. Almost every divine quest I requested to increase my blessings had almost killed me every time. But If I powered through the last five trials, I could unleash the Gulf of Naples onto Mount Vesuvius. Caesar would have no option but to leave its fiery embrace, unless he wanted to become an obsidian statue. Though my future insight would cut off once I made contact with him, we would at least have a chance.

I relayed this to them as Umbra returned with Jupiter’s shrine, dripping with water and seaweed.

Sounds risky, Umbra said after he placed it down. And fun.

“How long will it take?” Cleopatra said, finished filling the vials.

This is where the futures became really tricky. Each challenge would be daunting and some took more time than others. Immediately I could understand why no one to our knowledge had maxed their divine blessings. If I didn’t have my Historical Insight to know there was a chance at survival, I don’t think I would’ve risked it. And this wasn’t factoring in any Chrono Loop that would radically alter some of them if, or once, they occurred. I could only estimate the time it would take.

“At least a week, if not more,” I said, confident in that answer, though the implication depressed me. Cleopatra would have to fall asleep the next couple of days, or the babies would suffer. “If we take too long though, we will all pass out.”

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“Good thing I made these,” Cleopatra said, handing each of us vials of the golden energy coffee potion she made, pouring a separate one into Umbra’s mouth for him. Umbra huffed from the immediate impact it had on him. “Drink them at least once a day. You will undoubtedly pass out if you don’t. The long term side effects are unavoidable, but this is the best we’ve got. It’ll be dangerous the further you push yourself on this.”

Item: Café Aeternum (Legendary)

* Description: A potent blend of rare and mystical ingredients, this brew was crafted by Cleopatra to stave off sleep for days. Coffee infused with the essence of phoenix ash and the power of dragon’s breath, it not only keeps the drinker awake but sharpens their senses, fortifies their stamina, and quickens their reflexes. The potion’s deep, golden hue shimmers with an otherworldly energy, making it a rare and coveted elixir for those who dare to defy sleep.

* Effect: Grants complete immunity to sleep for 24 hours. Enhances perception, granting a 15% boost to reaction speed and a 10% increase in stamina regeneration. However, if not rested within 24 hours of consumption, the user will begin experiencing hallucinations of time, which will only intensify the longer the user doesn’t sleep. In addition, the Café Aeternum will decrease in potency with each passing day, making it harder to avoid sleep.

* Weight: 0.15 kg

* Worth: 50,000 Denarii

I downed the Café Aeternum in one swig, which Sporus did the same. Just like Umbra, we both experienced what felt like a cosmic slap to the face, instantly spreading our eyes wide open as if we snorted narcotics. Everything came into greater focus as my heart started pumping faster from the insane amounts of caffeine. I could see the grains of stone in Jupiter’s shrine, how moist the seaweed was wrapped around it, the slight bags underneath Cleopatra’s eyes as she watched me.

“Wow,” I said, blinking several times, feeling so jittery that my words seemed to jiggle. “That is powerful.”

Cleopatra blushed. “I hope it compares to the brew in America.”

“Trust me when I say this, that is the most powerful coffee, even energy drink, I have ever had.”

I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack, Umbra said, prancing around us like he didn’t know what to do with himself. Although Sporus remained silent, his widened eyes and sweating forehead confirmed he felt the same.

“Time manipulation?” Sporus said, handing Cleopatra back the now empty glass vial.

“It has to do with the Phoenix Ash mixed with some of the other ingredients and sleep deprivation,” she said, taking my vial as well. “Can you see the effects, Maximus?”

I nodded, apprehensive about having to face it. “Time, like with my Saturn’s Hourglass, will either slow to a snail’s pace or speed up too fast for our minds to handle. We might have moments where what feels like a moment going by is more like hours, or the other way around.

“This could be lethal for us. If time slips and we don’t take another Café Aeternum in time, then the fatigue will catch up on us. I can see it happening if we don’t pack some potions later on.”

“I’ll make sure that you’ll have enough,” Cleopatra said.

“At least now we have time on our side, sort of,” I said, trying to reclaim some optimism.

“I will most likely have to sleep tomorrow night,” Cleopatra said, which killed any brief hope I felt.

I sighed. I could see it happening. It would happen.

“We’ll have to restrain you when the time comes,” I said. “Caesar will possess your flesh once you fall asleep. I will not let him use you.”

Cleopatra smiled, encouraging me once again.

“So, what are we waiting for?” Sporus said, standing to his feet. His Arcus Noctis bow tightly gripped in one hand. He was ready to see Caesar eliminated.

“We should get started,” I said, approaching the shrine of Jupiter with Cleopatra’s hand in mine. Once we were close, I prompted the shrine.

Message from Jupiter: Greetings, Mortal. I, Jupiter, Lord of the Sky, inquire of your desires. What do you seek of me?

* Seek a Quest: Undertake a divine trial to ascend in the power of Jupiter.

* Revoke the Blessing: Renounce my favor and walk your path untethered from the skies.

* Another Wish: Voice your request, and I shall weigh its worth beneath the gaze of the storm.

I sought a quest with my mind, and the next Jupiter quest appeared.

Storm Over Olympus: Embark on a dangerous journey up the treacherous slopes of Mount Olympus, where you must ascend to the peak without flying to the top. Battle against nature and her children as you traverse crumbling cliffs and deadly heights.

Jupiter’s Blessing Rank 6/10: Your armor becomes charged with electricity, dealing 70 damage to attackers who make physical contact and reflecting 20% of incoming damage back to the source.

Accept this quest?

Yes, I thought.

Quest Accepted!

I took a deep breath as the red lettered text vanished. “It’s done.” I updated them on the Olympus quest and what we would need to do.

“Is it the actual home of the gods, or just Olympus?” Sporus said.

“It’s the mountain range in Greece.” He, along with everyone else, looked confused when I said that. “So, Olympus. But the gods will throw some challenges to us, and it will take at least eight hours of hiking.”

Cleopatra frowned at that.

“I know,” I said, “I’m not expecting you to hike that much since you’re pregnant. You’ll stay here with Umbra. There shouldn’t be any danger here that I can foresee, but I want to be careful. Keep each other awake.”

Sporus groaned. “Does that mean we’re traveling by lightning?”

“Unless you want to walk?” I joked, which Sporus rolled his eyes to. I unsheathed the Achilles’ Spear and handed it to Cleopatra. “Keep this. I’m going to borrow the gladius.”

“As long as you come back,” she said, drawing me in for a kiss.

“Ready?” I asked Sporus.

Sporus sighed, wrapping his arms around my waist, holding on a little too tight. With a flash, I summoned my Pilum of Mars and a bolt of lightning from the sky, sending us flying to Mount Olympus.