Winter Solstice

The celebration of Harvest, the Month of Poseidon or simply the Winter Solstice was upon the world.

The people of Greece celebrated The Haloea (a festival for Demeter and Dionysus) including a procession for Poseidon. The Haloea is thought to have been a time for merriment. There is also a women's rite in connection with this holiday: Women are provided with wine and food, including cakes in the shapes of sexual organs.

At the peak of darkness, the people perform the Rite of Hades, wishing for wealth, well being of their loved ones, and requesting a longer life.

The followers of the Cult of Divine Oblivion offered their prayers by donating to the poor and sick. The Cult had a witch which was taught by Hecate herself and under her guidance, the blood sacrifice rite was performed. The rite saw the sacrifice of a drop of blood from all followers which was then collected poured in the River Styx. It was believed that doing so would increase their chances of reaching the ferryman Charon after their deaths.

On Mt. Olympus, all the gods and goddesses arrived. Soon Olympus was filled with divine power and blazed in all its glory. Dionysius was the most popular amongst them which was no surprise.

They slowly made their way to the council, main seats had already been filled by Hera,  Demeter,  Apollo, Artemis, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, and Hestia.

"Greetings fellow Olympians, how has the celebration of Solstice going?", Dionysius walked up to his seat holding a cup of Ambrosia.

"Behave Dionysius, the hour of Hades is upon us.", a strict voice cut Dionysius enthusiasm.

"Oh come on Apollo, enjoy a little. It is after all a festival. I don't think Lord Eidenai would heed such celebration.", like a spoiled child, Dionysius retorted.

"Besides it's been a long time since Eidenai scaled Mt. Olympus. Who knows if he'll attend this Winter Solstice.", Dionysius chugged down the entire cup in one go.

"Still it's not our place to presume anything about Lord Hades. You should be well aware of that.", a heavenly voice interjected their conversation.

"Oh, Lady Aphrodite you seem eager for his arrival.", Dionysius turned his attention to the Goddess of Love. Though his voice was respectful his eyes lacked them.

"We haven't met in decades of course I'm eager to meet him. We started on the wrong foot and I would like to correct that. It isn't wise to be on the bad side of Lord Hades don't you agree?", with a smile, she deflected Dionysius attempt at taunting her.

"A very wise decision Aphrodite. And it would do you a lot of good if you keep it in mind, Dionysius.", a regal voice drew the attention of the Gods as a man with a long silver beard and hair walked towards them.

*"GREETINGS LORD POSEIDON!"*

All the minor Gods greeted Poseidon with the highest of respects. With each step, Poseidon took it felt as though the Earth quaked and some cracks started cropping up which only brought more awe to the onlookers.

"You came late, brother. I was almost beginning to think you wouldn't show up", Hera spoke as she plucked a feather off of the Peacock laying at her feet.

"Ah, sister your words wound me. How could I not attend when my beloved sister Hestia is also present?", Poseidon replied with a dramatic face but there was a sharp glint in his eyes as he noticed Hera plucking the feather, "How have you been Hestia? Any news if Hades will scale Olympus?"

"I've been well brother, I heard you lost to that child Athena in a gamble", with a warm and teasing voice Hestia poked fun at his little brother.

"Eh, *cough* that was nothing. I let her win. How could I bully my niece?", Poseidon became embarrassed at the loss he suffered at the hands of Athena, "you didn't answer my question, is Hades coming?", Poseidon quickly changed the topic.

"... I don't know. I haven't talked to him in a long time.", Hestia's delightful expression fell a bit when she answered him. Hestia had taken the vow of eternal virginity because she thought that this was the best way to handle the numerous Gods chasing her, Poseidon and Apollo were the ones who were earnest in their pursuit. Alas, it was not to be.

"Is that so. But putting that aside, I have heard rumours of Zeus introducing a new Goddess who also happens to be his daughter. Know anything about this Hera?", Poseidon would not let go any chance to throw some dirt in Hera's eyes. But something unexpected happened.

"Poseidon?", a sweet voice called out to Poseidon.

"Yes, sister Demeter?", Poseidon looked towards the Goddess of Harvest who had a cold smile plastered on her beautiful face.

"Would you please shut up dear?", she replied with the politest of tones but her eyes were frigid.

"Huh?... *ahem* sure...", the confusion was visible on Poseidon's face. Demeter, who was usually always so reserved had been recently started changing, ever since Hades clashed against Zeus and injured him. A bad premonition started taking root in Poseidon's mind.

*ZzzZZz* Thunderstruck with extreme majesty and the throne besides Hera was clouded by smoke.

"Have all the Gods gathered? Then let's proceed with the gathering, shall we?", as the smoke cleared the empty throne was now occupied by a man in a pure white toga, with long white hair and beard.

*"Hail the King of the Skies, The God-King, All Hail ZEUS!"*

*"ALL HAIL THE KING!"*

All the Gods bowed in the massive presence of Zeus. This was no longer that weak, bratty young God he used to be. The current Zeus was powerful enough to rattle Atlas and corner him.

"You can show yourself now Thanatos, I know you are there.", as Zeus' words echoed in the hall all the Gods were perplexed but soon a pale figure stood behind the empty seat.

"Thanatos offers his greetings to the King of the Skies.", his tone was haunting and soothing at the same time, with a little bow the God of peaceful Death offered his greetings to the Host, ignoring the baffled looks of most of the Gods in attendance.

"When is Hades planning to grace us with his presence Thanatos?", Zeus talked with elegance and manners befitting his status of a God-King.

"Your mouth has improved over the years, you must be constantly practising it, aren't you little Brother?", a chill ran down the spine of all the Gods in attendance as the seat was no longer empty. The one who sat on it was considered as the single strongest God amongst them, the God who defeated the walking catastrophe Atlas during the Titanomachy.

He sat there in a pure black toga, long pitch-black hair and beard. He had a yellowish-red glow in his eyes as his head rested on his fist.

'King of the skies... more like King of the Whores', a flicker of disdain arose in Hades' thoughts which were extinguished immediately, 'let's not allow my emotions undermine my reason, this little shit has consolidated quite a large quantity of power. Nyx was right we must raise his threat level.', Hades analysed how much faith juice has Zeus pumped himself up with and how much of it he has made his own.

"How I use my mouth is not something you can decide. I will do whatever I wish to do.", although Zeus' voice was calm thunder rolled in his eyes.

"You must have the power to do whatever you want otherwise you'll uncover that life rarely goes as one desire. Or should I remind you again what happened the last time your mouth crossed the lines?", a thick aura of fear and death started oozing out of Hades. In response, Zeus let his aura loose.

When it seemed that a fight was sure to break out Hestia's voice broke their stalemate, "ENOUGH! Would you two stop acting like children or do I have to call Mother."

Both brothers reigned in their aura, "*hmph* No need I have much more important tasks at hand than to fight with him.", Zeus folded his arms and closed his eyes as he controlled his powers.

"*heh* Tasks like what? Fucking a tree? Really at this point, I wouldn't be surprised if fucked your own sculpture.", Zeus' eyes opened and his face started to contort in anger at Hades' jab at him.

"I said ENOUGH! There won't be a third time. We are gathered here for celebrating a festival I will no longer tolerate any more petty fights.", Hestia stood up in anger as she forcefully separated their auras by her own.

After this debacle, the meeting proceeded without a hitch and soon Athena and Ares were made part of the council and given their own seats.

"*ahem* And now I would like to introduce you all to the newest addition to the Olympus, my daughter Persephone.", as Zeus introduced her, a beautiful woman, with wavy golden hair walked out and observed the crowd with her green emerald eyes. Her heart-shaped face glowed with life and entranced everyone. Momentarily her eyes locked with Hades and after some time she moved on walked to Zeus' side.

"Let the feast begin."

And so the Winter Solstice came to an end and Hades prepared to descend the mountain but a voice stopped him.

"So you plan on leaving without meeting me again brother?", a soft melancholic voice called out to him.

" I thought you wouldn't wish to talk to me so I thought it best to leave, lest a scene ensues.", Hades replied without turning back.

"You still won't even look at me? Do you really hate your sister that much?", Hestia slowly walked towards him.

"... if there is nothing else, I must leave. I still have a lot of mortal souls to manage.", Hades just walked away, his hands trembling ever so slightly.

" Persephone wanted me to introduce her to you. Will, you meet her?", Hestia composed herself quickly and asked Hades about this just as he was about to walk away.

"... If she can find the Narcissus she can gain an audience...", saying so he faded away leaving Hestia alone.

" Pity, such a pity. I feel quite sorry for you Hestia. Where once Eidenai treasured you with all his heart now won't even look at you.", a heavenly voice brought Hestia out of her blank stare.

"It would be wise if you didn't interfere in my affairs, Aphrodite.", Hestia replied with a sharp tone.

"How can I not? I'm the Goddess of love—", Aphrodite's words were cut off before she could finish.

" And I'm the Goddess of the hearth, I don't require your ' interference ' in my matter.", Hestia walked away without sparing Aphrodite a glance.

Aphrodite just stood there for a while seemingly calm and stable but soon a look of lust arose in her eyes, "*ahh*hm* My Eidenai I wasn't wrong, you are the most desirable, my own, my precious", her expression grew more vulgar by the second and her face grew red.

Aphrodite lusted after what she could never claim. She was the Goddess of Love and she gave her love to all indiscriminately but there is a thin line between love and lust. Just like the other Gods, she grew corrupted by her powers and importance, she started indulging in pleasure and with time her appetite only grew.

Part of it was also resentment that she was forced to marry that hideous freak Hephaestus.

"... one day... one day you'll be mine", Aphrodite whispered seductively, biting her lip hard enough that it started bleeding icor.

As this event transpired back at the throne room Zeus sat quietly.

" What do think Zeus, did Hades grow stronger again?", Hera's voice rang in his head and after a while, he replied, "Yes, he's gotten considerably powerful, if I had to guess, he just slightly above what Atlas was during the war. But it's still a conjecture we have to factor in his divine weapons and Hellfire."

"He reached past Atlas' strength this quick! This rate of growth is frightening. If he keeps going at this pace he'll be scratching the realm of Primordials. What if —", Hera's voice was cut off as Zeus replied calmly, "You need not worry, he'll not reach the realm of Primordials. Well, it's not a matter of his ability but the fact that if he does reach that he'll have to come into the vow of non-interference just like the other Primordials. The vow was put in place to maintain the balance of power. I'm almost tempted to let him become a Primordial but it won't be good in the long run because I too wish to ascend to that level so I must eliminate him now."

"So what we need to do is stall for time till Ares reaches his level?", Hera's voice noticeably loosened up, " Yes, we must bid our time. That boy has already grown enough to go toe to toe with me if I don't use the thunderbolt and he still hasn't become a full-fledged Aberration yet.", Zeus replied with absolute confidence.

"By the way dear, what tree was Hades talking about?", Zeus started sweating as he realised Hera would not let this go and he incessantly cursed Hades.

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Yo fellow drinkers tell me how you like the development of the story so far and leave some suggestions and do leave a review if you like it.

Alright, imma pass out now.

Bye.