Chapter 3:

“I now call this emergency council meeting to order!” boomed the solemn voice of Zeus.

An emergency council meeting had been called because Apollo had a prophecy that concerned the future of the gods, even more so for Zeus since it affected his Olympus ruling.

“Why have you called us here, brother? I have better things to do like judge the souls of the dead rather than to be here discussing matters that more so concern you than us,” stated Hades, for he could not care less about some prophecy that one of Zeus’ children had to spew about.

People believed that Hades hated Zeus because he was given dominion over the Underworld, but he hated Zeus for totally different reasons. One reason was present, sitting to the left of his arrogant brother, the one he loved above all else, the one that was so close yet so far from his touch, his true fated one... Hera.

Along with the others, Hades witnessed how Hera had changed in the past three and a half years. Though they did not know the reason, he knew the reason for the change. He wanted nothing more than to be with Hera and their daughter, but he also knew that that was something out of reach too. Before he could dwell on the thoughts any longer, Zeus spoke, bringing him back to the present.

“Well, dear brother, one would think that you would enjoy some time on Olympus, seeing as to how you live in the Underworld. A place that is dark and gloomy, surrounded by the stench of death, a place that no one would want to visit nor rule.” As Zeus ended that sentence, he had a smirk tugging at his lips, for he knew how to push Hades’ buttons to rattle him up, but before he could receive the rewards of his antics, Hestia, ever the calm level headed sibling stepped in before things could get ugly.

Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth and Family, known for her fiery red hair that seemed to contain the fire of the hearth itself and eyes that seemed to be the perfect mixture of red and orange, the calmest out of the group of siblings, was not to be trifled with. Though she showed tender care for her family, she also tended to show them who the eldest was when needed.

“Zeus, I believe we should direct our attention back to the situation at hand if you will.”

“I’m sorry, for you are right, dear sister. There are more important things to discuss,” he replied, casting once more a dirty look Hades’ way before continuing.

“It would seem as though there is a new prophecy that has been given that concerns the future of Olympus. Apollo, if you would, please repeat what the prophecy states.”

“It is time for a change to befall the three realms. Bringing the reign of a tyrant King who gluttons himself with desires of the flesh and ignores his duties and his people to an end. For there is a child born from light and darkness, which will be the future of all, the true ruler of Olympus. Through this child, both Heaven and Hell will coexist together eternally.”

“What does that mean?”

“Who could they be talking about?”

“Do we already know this child? Have any of us seen this child?”

As questions arose of who this new mysterious ruler could be, Hades’ eyes met Hera’s as they both shared a look of panic for the briefest moments. They both had an idea of who the mystery person could be.

“QUIET! Now, I know that we all have the same questions about this child,” Zeus spat with venom, “but I will not see it happen. We all know that I am the one true ruler of Olympus, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that it doesn’t change.”

“But father, do you really believe that you can defy what the Fates have already deemed to be so? After all, it is they who....”

“Enough!” interrupted Zeus. “My dear Athena, I have done it before. Let us not forget of me swallowing your mother Métis, who carried both you and your brother, for he was also prophesied to overthrow me and become the new ruler of Olympus. I will not have some nobody come in and take claim to MY throne, and whosoever would be foolish enough try will be sent to Tartarus by that of my master bolt. Is that understood?” Zeus directed the last portion of his sentence to every being in attendance.

There were murmurs of yes and head nods to answer their King, for they already knew that if someone were to not agree, there would be a punishment rewarded to them.

“Now, if there is nothing else to discuss, I will call this emergency council adjourned,” and with that, Zeus’ lightning bolt lit the skies of Olympus, and thunder soon followed, officially calling the meeting to an end.

All the minor gods and goddesses flashed out, leaving behind the fourteen Olympians, well minus Zeus, for he had better things to attend to down in the mortal realm.

“I wonder if this child could be another one of Zeus’ bastards?” questioned Poseidon.

Poseidon was the King of the Seas. His domains, including the ruler of the seas, earthquakes, storms, and, what some people did not know, horses. He had brown hair like Hera and his mother, Rhea, which was brighter because of the sun that he mainly kept in a man bun, for it was shoulder length. He had sun-kissed skin that others envied and a body that women dreamt of being dominated by, and though he did indulge them whenever he could, he still would not be able to beat Zeus in a body count. They were always in competition with each other, sometimes for fun and other times out of seriousness. He loved both brothers and had been closer to Hades in the past. However, things had taken place, including Zeus and Hera, that changed said relationships, so his bond with Zeus strengthened as the one with Hades weakened.

The King of the Seas was not too happy of the thought of one of his younger brother’s children ruling over him, but if the little brat could overthrow his aggravating, conceited baby brother and teach him a lesson, one that he could laugh and bask in, who better than one of his own.

“Well, if it is Zeus’ child, we should all be cautious, for we could end up with yet another tyrant king on our hands, and gods know that we wouldn’t want that again,” claimed Demeter.

She was the Goddess of harvest and agriculture; she was also Persephone’s mother and conceived with Zeus’ help. She had long, flowing waist-length hair that seemed to become a lighter shade of blonde any time the rays of the sun touched her tresses. She had gorgeous golden brown eyes and a beauty mark on the upper left side of her lips.

During the rest of the conversation that involved the child that could or could not be conceived by Zeus, Hera was lost in thought. She did not know what to make of this new prophecy, and though she was afraid that it concerned her daughter, she was also excited. Yes, she knew that her child’s life was in danger, but she couldn’t help but feel happy at the thought of possibly being reunited with her once again.

“Look, nothing will get done today with us just sitting here gossiping about a child that we have no clue about. I say that we, for the time being, drop this discussion and carry on with our responsibilities,” said Athena.

With everyone agreeing with the Goddess of Wisdom, they started to flash out one by one to their respective domains, all except two. Hera was still lost in thought and unaware of what transpired around her when she was interrupted.

“Hera? Are you okay?” questioned Hades.

“Oh, um, yes, I’m fine,” a startled Hera answered. “Where have the others gone to?”

“They all left to head back to their domains and responsibilities. Are you sure you are alright? You seem a bit distracted.”

“No. I mean, yes, yes, I’m fine.”

“Hera.”

“Do you think it’s her Hades? Do you think that our child is the one being prophesied?” Hera asked in a carefully hushed tone to not be heard by someone who may be lurking around.

“I’m not sure, but if I am honest, a part of me wishes it is.”

“Me too, oh Hades, I miss her so much.” Hera began crying at the possibility of having their daughter back in her arms.

“So do I, Hera, but we have to continue to be strong, and if she is the prophesied one, then we have to protect her at all costs.” Hades wanted nothing more than in this moment to wrap his arms around Hera to wipe away her tears and comfort like he had done so many times in the past, but he restrained himself. He could not let what they shared between each other be seen by others, for they would be risking their lives, and if they had a chance to be reunited with their daughter, he would not risk her life.

“You’re right, Hades, as usual,” replied Hera with a wet chuckle and a smile that so rarely graced her face anymore, clear her face of any tears.

“I know I am,” stated Hades with a playful smirk that earned him another chuckle and a playful hit to his arm by Hera.

“Well, I guess we should get back to work then, huh?” questioned Hades though a part of him wanted to stay right there with her for all eternity.

“Yes, I guess we should,” answered Hera rather sadly.

Before Hades flashed back to his domain, he looked Hera in the eyes and conveyed everything he was feeling, for he knew she would understand, which she did. She could see the anxiety and fear swirling around, but she also detected something else in his eyes, something that she hadn’t seen in a while; hope. And when he saw the realization that she had understood what he was trying to convey, something they both needed, he flashed out, leaving her behind with the same glimmer of hope; but not before the eyes of someone lurking close by watching the scene they had just witnessed between the two.