Ancient Greece was once a world populated by titans, great drakons that could take the form of man; cyclopes, one-eyed monsters that emerged from bubbling volcanic oceans; and giants, enormous beasts whose sinewy musculature was covered in coarse fur. These creatures warred with each other throughout the millennia.
But the Earth was also inhabited by humankind, beings who had emotions instead of power and the potential for greatness. The supernatural deities enjoyed influencing the fortunes of man. And ERIS relished sowing the seeds of war among them.
These manipulations play out on the isle of Crete, where the lives of a handful of mortals become intertwined when KING RHADAMANTHYS steps down and chooses another to succeed him rather than his blood-thirsty son, ERYTHRUS. Rhadamanthys, who has always governed by the decree wisdom before weapons, has seen his son''s bloody nature manifest itself and fears Erythrus does not have the temperament to lead a kingdom.
As he steps down, Rhadamanthys has chosen his kin, MINOS II, as the new king. To Erythrus, his father gave the smaller kingdom of Phaestus. But that will never be enough for the ambitious Erythrus.
Rhadamanthys also wants to join his family''s bloodline with that of the House of Oenopion by having the eldest daughter, MEROPE, marry Erythrus. Merope secretly despises Erythrus and opposes this union vehemently. As the noble families gather for the symposium, Erythrus arrives, seething in quiet rage and drinking too much. Merope''s brother, TALUS, is also in attendance. As is KYROS, a lowly apple merchant destined to play a part in this sweeping saga.
During the festivities, Eris convinces TITAN EPIMETHEUS to turn the wine into drakon''s blood, fomenting dissent and chaos among the revellers. Eris reveals herself to Erythrus and encourages insurrection and rebellion. With the power of a deity behind him, Erythrus orders his soldiers to take all the nobles prisoner and to cut down any who oppose. In the ensuing violence, Talus is attacked. Kyros comes to his aid and fends off the soldiers as the two make their escape. When Kyros looks back, an epic battle rages as far as the eye can see. And through all the fire, blood, and death, Kyros sees Erythrus''s gleaming eyes and smug smile.