The Optimus Maximus, the Temple of Jupiter in Rome. It was one of the grandest structures in the entire city if not the entire empire, a vision in white with three rings of colonnades that traced the temple on every side. And if not the grandest, it was at least the most celebrated, and there were thousands of people already milling about for this annual event to pay respects to the king of the gods and pray for another year of prosperity and endless blessings.
It was a sky blue day, perfectly befitting the nature of the sky god that the Romans had come out en masse to worship. Only wisps of white clouds dared to streak the heavens, and the sun beamed down unobstructed over the massive temple. Luckily, the day had an uncharacteristic bite of a chill to it, otherwise everyone would no dou
