CHAPER TWENTY-FOUR
Odin had finished his construction and called a meeting of the gods. They all sensed to coming threat as well as the beacon that called to their enemies. Multiple pantheons had united if only to speak and be heard by one another. Viscus and Enamor headed the meeting around a great circular table fabricated custom within the demi-plane formed on neutral soil for everyone to meet and feel somewhat safe.
"I know many of us have conflicting portfolios and arch enemies of old. We need to set those differences aside if we are to survive the coming storm. We all have roles to play and will be a historical part in the Athyxian Pantheon. My divine servant, the Watcher will record all history of Athyx so none of you will ever be forgotten." Enamor began the meeting with his opening speech.
"We have all seen the destructive forces possessed by the god of madness. To this day he can haunt the dreams of mortals as well as the dreams of gods as powerful us. We know he has power far beyond our own and that is why we MUST unite with a plan to defeat him." Viscus added.
"Zeus a son of Kronos who has led his pantheon to victory over him once before. Odin is possibly the greatest tactician of war sitting before us. I think we should listen to their insight on how to handle this best." Enamor tried to encourage the demi-gods to participate to raise moral a bit more. Zeus and Odin looked to one another to decide who should speak first. Odin nodded to Zeus.
"Kronos is a savage. As you all know already he eats the bodies of his foes and grows in power. He possesses divine power which is unique for a titan and will have to relinquish his power to cross the barrier which he may or may not do. If he does then we may stand a better chance against him. He has no mercy and if not controlled by the Forgotten One he would still kill all of his male children for he has a personal fear of being overthrown of his power. Even though he knows he cannot be killed permanently because of his evolutionary level of power he has reached his fear remains that it could be lost somehow. He is by far the most powerful being ever simply because his rejuvenation abilities cannot be stopped unlike a god of greater divinity status. We know by stealing the god's divine energy that we can end that capability. Kronos is beyond those laws of the multiverse almost as though he is the true creator." Zeus finished and returned the nod to Odin.
"Knowledge of our enemies may seem to lower our morale and hope but we need to keep our minds open. Where there are strengths, there must also be weaknesses. No matter how powerful a being might be, we all know that even gods can fall." Odin said as he looked around the massive circular table. Its size would have prevented communication between mortals given the size that the table had to be to accommodate so many but a god's senses were limited only by their level of divine power. Some could see and hear for a mile while the more powerful gods seemed to have much larger limits that covered the size of worlds.
"I know everyone's secrets," a wicked voice spoke. The demi-god appeared to be a one-eyed and one-handed undead being.
"Keeper of Secrets, what can you tell us that will aid our plans?" Odin asked.
"Crossing the barrier has hindered my abilities to some degree. I know that by growing our power while we are here will strengthen our abilities. As Enamor and Viscus claim we should set our differences aside at least temporarily while we plan our survival or else there will be nothing left for any of us to rule when the Forgotten One who before I lost my level of power, I learned his true name is Insanium." The Keeper of Secrets claimed. Every last god leaned forward with great interest.
"What more can you tell us about Insanium?" Odin asked the undead demi-god.
"My power has waned and I do not recall much more other than he is ancient beyond what we classify as ancient and at a level of power that classifies him as a True God." The Keeper of Secrets answered.
"A True God? We only learned of Over-Deities within the last few millennia! There is something beyond that level of power?" Odin gasped.
"Yes," the Keeper of Secrets replied.
"This gives us something to work with. We know that Insanium cannot invade us without sacrificing his power. We are safe within the barrier of the seed of life so long as it remains intact. Do we know if it can be brought down?" Odin's tactical mind was working hard.
"The power source is a great relic that upholds the divine laws that we must follow while here. The Marble of Godly Doom." Enamor answered.
"Why is it called the Marble of Godly Doom?" Odin asked curiously.
"Where do you think the power you sacrifice goes when you cross the barrier? It absorbs it and is empowered. The more power we feed it the stronger it gets." Enamor again answered.
"That is an artifact of great power. What is stopping one of us from using it to become the supreme deity of the pantheon?" Odin wanted to cover his bases as he glanced around the table at all of the possible wicked deities that he knew was wondering the same thing.
"No god can touch the relic or they will be destroyed," Viscus hissed.
"Can it be destroyed?" Odin continued to ask his questions as they came to him.
"Not by any divine means. We have placed a guardian to protect it that is of divine nature to keep any mortal intruders from tampering with it as we are certain they can." Enamor replied.
"Okay, so how do we know if the relic can stop Insanium if his power level exceeds any level of power we are familiar with?" Ra asked.
"We don't know! He may be able to walk right through." Enamor answered.
"What we do know of Insanium is that he is a god of madness, nightmares and horrors beyond even our coping. He invades our dreams and causes nightmares and madness to fall over Greater Gods and I think there is record of him effecting Over-Deities. That being said, Insanium operates through fear and madness. He isn't the direct approach kind of deity. He will taunt us and play with our minds if given the chance. I would not expect a direct assault from him. Only his minions will attack and even they plan on trying to take prisoners if possible." The Keeper of Secrets shared his knowledge.
"So for the moment we need to keep our minds clear and focused on the problem we will be facing. The seekers are coming. We will face them and not worry about Insanium until after we have defeated them. We have hope and a plan will be implemented that will guarantee our success." Odin spoke charismatically.
"Do not underestimate the tactical prowess of Kronos, mighty Odin." Zeus warned. Odin nodded his approval.
"We will not underestimate any of our enemies. We will simply remain confident through any failures we might face and do our best to turn the tides of madness back into the Void." Odin kept the moral high with his speeches.
"What is the plan?" Ra asked.
"The Dark World does not support life. It supports races of undead where those of us requiring such worshippers can seek refuge and grow in power. It can be our second to last line of defense." Viscus offered.
"Good," Odin nodded.
"Viscus and I can create avatars to patrol the galaxy for invaders." Enamor offered.
"Okay," Zeus approved.
"What of us?" Apollo asked speaking out of turn in accordance to chain of command. Zeus shot a curious glare at the demi-god of the sun.
"We have to wait until we see what Kronos is up to. We don't want to divide our forces too much in case we need to all work together. We WILL have to fight. All of us!" Enamor said.
"I expected as much!" Apollo replied.
"Apollo, would you like to patrol with the avatars?" Zeus asked. Apollo looked to his beloved Aphrodite who returned a fearful look.
"I would. There are some I want to remain safe even if it means the loss of my own life." Apollo admitted. Enamor and Viscus looked to Zeus.
"Anyone in my pantheon who feels the need to aid the avatars may do so. Just remember that patrols are nor a line of defense." Zeus yelled as he looked down the line of his family and colleagues.
"I would rather be on the hunt than remain cowering back in New Olympus!" Hades griped.
"Create your Underworld godly realm, brother." Zeus offered a suggestion.
"I would not like to waste energy on something that might be destroyed at any time." Hades retorted.
"Set aside you sibling rivalries as Viscus and I have done in order to deal with the obstacles ahead." Enamor instructed.
"Justice will be served. If we follow the plan that we all decide on the future holds the possibility of balancing itself once more. It is my purpose to drive this prophecy and restore balance to not only our pantheon but to the multiverse." The Justicar assured all who were still listening.
"What of subterfuge and infiltration tactics? How close has anyone gotten to Insanium?" Na-Dene asked.
"I cannot answer that my dear," the Keeper of Secrets replied with frustration.
"We know our limits will lessen as we grow in power," Odin said.
"Yes, but there are limits to the power that we can achieve here. The two brothers failed to share that information." The Keeper of Secrets could see into the hearts and minds of those he focused on and retrieve any secrets kept but his power was limited at the moment.
"This is true," Viscus said with distaste.
"My brother and I agreed that in our experience an Over-Deity does not need a world to reside over and gain power from followers so at that moment it would make sense to leave the pantheon and seek further evolution elsewhere." Enamor explained.
"So, to prevent a power struggle you deemed it reasonable to banish anyone more powerful than you two?" Ra asked.
"To protect our creations, yes." Enamor admitted.
"How many have you banished so far?" Odin asked with hopes that they might have more powerful allies somewhere out there.
"No one yet," Viscus answered honestly.
"This world is still very new, and we all have only just awaken from our slumbers." Enamor said.
"What of the mortals?" Odin asked.
"Therein lies an issue. We can have no direct contact with them unless they come to us. We can send servants to the material world. We can appear once every two-thousand years and speak to them giving them updated dogmas. We can defend them against other divine entities. We cannot otherwise interact with mortals directly." Enamor answered.
"What about indirectly, such as through visions or dreams?" Aphrodite asked curiously.
"Yes,, that can be done. But there is no telling how the mortals will translate the messages we give them in their visions or dreams." Enamor answered.
"What about our clerics?" Ra asked.
"We can speak through our remote locations, such as temples or other shrines in our names." Viscus answered.
"First, the creation the avatars for patrols. Second, godly realms. Third, temples and followers. Does that about sound right?" Odin addressed the primary issues needed to be dealt with.
"Yes, and e temples leave behind some sort of relic in your names for your followers to defend themselves and remember you for eras to come." Enamor suggested.
"This meeting is adjourned then! Everyone in my pantheon…" Odin began.
"Everyone in the Athyxian Pantheon," Enamor corrected.
"Excuse me. We are all together now. Yes, everyone in the Athyxian Pantheon go and do what needs to be done and prepare for WAR!!!" Odin roared and the gods all cheered before dispersing by means of innate magical teleportation.