Humanity

In the palace of the gods, Apollo patted his hands on Artemis' shoulders, dragging her towards their thrones while he nodded to his worried mother and set aside the purple necklace safely.

Meanwhile, Hades and Poseidon exchanged gleaming glances after witnessing everything.

The God of the Underworld whispered. "The tales certainly didn't lie, brother."

"I never questioned it." The God of the Sea laughed. "After all, he is our nephew."

Hades turned to face Apollo as he ascended to the golden throne. "He is powerful."

"He's more than just powerful, Hades." Poseidon retorted, and they fell silent, their gazes fixed on Zeus, their wayward brother.

"Time is going to turn chaotic." Hades wisphered, his voice was only heard by Poseidon.

Poseidon actually sighed, reclining on his chair, his hands on his chin, silently watching everything with his brother…

In the throne of the Goddess of Harvest, Demeter slumped in her chair, complaining to Leto. "I should have guessed at that time itself. Amaterasu herself didn't faze him…"

"He knows, Demeter, what he is doing." Leto said lightly, soothing her.

"Leto, you are his mother!" Demeter ranted. "Do you really think that? He just made an enemy of my sister, the Queen of the Gods. Hera is not going to leave it at this. And guess who has most control over Olympus other than my brother?.."

Leto patiently listening to the rant of Demeter. And it is really surprising to see how much Demeter cares about Apollo….

Hestia returned to the throne of the Goddess of Hearth, her fiery eyes fixed on the ascending Apollo. As a goddess of family, she can faintly see a flame burning within Apollo through the blood connection between them.

And it was almost like a supernova. Warm. Benignity. Scorching. Callous. But it is also restrained and chained.

Apollo was a contradiction and an enigma, that's for sure. She couldn't even see through him completely.

If the supernova in him was no longer restrained, and exploded unrestrainedly. Hestia wasn't really sure how many would be able to bear it.

She worries about her home, her siblings, and her future. She just worries about everything.

Someone has to in their chaotic family, or else everything may be lost by the time others realise and look back, when it is too late.....

Ascending, Apollo took his auric throne. His countenance was placid as ever. His eyes sweeping to the sides, Aphrodite looked at him with brilliant eyes, and Ares gave him a glare, though slight jealousy was hidden within. It was palpable to Apollo, then Hestia, who was still poignant as ever.

His gaze went towards Hera, not stopping at all, then Helios, who still stood behind the main throne of Zeus, though now he looked very uncomfortable.

Helios turned and looked at him as he made his gaze known, making the Titan God roll his eyes at him, having no surprise at all, though his lips were raised, forming a semblance of a smile.

Apollo's concealed his divine gaze again, using his authority, looking at Zeus, who finally sat on his throne. He just peered at his father for a second before looking away. Zeus was different. Well, Poseidon and Hades were also different from other Olympians, but even they weren't matched to the level of Zeus.

'Skyfather…' Apollo thought of that title reclining in his seat, while purposefully ignoring the glares from his sister, who was most likely angry and worried. 'What makes them so special? After all, not everyone can be like Odin…'

Boom!

Zeus slammed his hand on the armrest heavily. Thunder boomed across Olympus, demanding silence. And then there was silence.

Then he spoke, his voice loud and clear. "Before the celebration for my son and daughter, there is an important matter that needs to be decided upon."

A cloudy projection formed in front of the gods, slowly materialising and unveiling a human woman and a human man.

"Humans." He continued. "Prometheus has recently requested of me that we follow the examples of the other pantheons, and create them in our images."

"What good would they amount to anyway?" Ares asked, his red eyes fixed on the projection.

"They won't, certainly." Aphrodite chuckled. "But they sure will make an interesting past time for us."

Ignoring them, Hestia spoke up with her own opinion "I think we should do it."

"Humanity is an integral part of the earth as much as we are."

"You are wrong, sister." Poseidon retorted, sneering. "Don't compare us to them. Humans are weak, feeble, and fragile-minded."

"Atlantis." Demeter supported her sister, exchanging not-so-secretive glances.

"Atlantis!" Poseidon bellowed. "It is funny that you bring that. It is the very epitome of human foolishness! They dared to delve into the secrets of the cosmos out of endless greed, with no regard for the consequences. They nearly destroyed everything, incurring the wrath of De…"

"Brother." Hades placed his hand on Poseidon's shoulders, stopping him at the right moment.

Poseidon calmed down, swatting off Hades' hand from his shoulder. He continued, ignoring the heavy and disappointed looks directed at him.

"As our dear sister, Demeter, mentioned, Atlantis is the best example. Even if humanity amounts to anything in the end, like in the past, they will walk the same path, bringing destruction to earth and to themselves. It is carved in their instincts."

"I am against the whole idea."

Listening to all of the arguments, Zeus asked, his grey eyes focused on his brother. "Hades?"

Hades shook his head, remaining silent on the issue.

Then, Zeus turned to Hera, who outright ignored the king of the gods, her hands folded. However, her indifference was palpable enough to understand that she didn't give a damn about the puny humans.

Finally, the King of Gods looked at his son, who had stayed silent, deeply, suddenly asking. "What do you think, Apollo?"

"Humans.." Apollo ruminated, "Humanity has its flaws, as mentioned by uncle, Poseidon. Humans are indeed self-destructive. But they are not without their own strengths and advantages, that we can use. We, as gods, hold vast and volatile power. Each of our clashes may cause enormous destruction to earth."

"However, humans change everything."

"You don't mean make them…" Poseidon said, his chin on his hand.

"Yes, uncle." Apollo nodded. "Let them be our champions. They shall represent us and fight for us in the battle until war becomes unavoidable."

Ares said, his red eyes narrowing at Apollo. "What part of humanity do you still don't understand?"

"But, they are weak." Apollo continued, ignoring the god of war. "So let's grant them with power…"

"You are truly delusional." Ares sneered, interpreting.

"And you aren't a bright one, are you?" Apollo asked, with his brows raised in amusement. His words poked right at the sore spots of the God of war.

"You…" Fury filled the crimson eyes of Ares, as his grip on the armrest tightened, cracking it.

"Ares.." Zeus growled from his throne, immediately making the gods of war fall silent, slumping on his throne.

Apollo continued, his gaze sweeping the listening gods.

"Many other pantheons have already done this in different ways. We shall improvise and perfect it."

"Humans yearn for honour, glory, faith, power, and most importantly, hope. We shall grant them just that. And they will become our champions, and we will become unshakable pillars in their hearts. Then, they will serve us unequivocally."

"But, nothing comes without a price. Our power will not be a gift to humanity; it shall be the shackle bound to their souls forever more."

Apollo ended, reclining in his seat. The silence reigned in the palace of the gods.

"This method is dangerous." Hestia said solemnly, breaking the silence. "We have seen the potential of humanity."

"Nothing is not dangerous in the world of gods." Zeus said, finalizing. "I shall consider your proposal, Apollo, after the fate of humanity is finalized."

"I abstain." Hades declared. "The matters of the living matter naught to me."

Zeus nodded without any surprise and looked around for any more voices. All the gods were silent.

So, he finally called, "Now, I call for the vote on the creation of humanity."

"All in favour."

Apollo, Artemis, Demeter, Hestia, and Aphrodite raised their hands.

"All in disfavour."

Hera, Ares, and Poseidon raised their hands.

Finally, everybody turned and looked at Zeus, King of the Gods. He rose from his throne, and lightning flashed from his body, lighting up the entire world.

He decreed, and his voice boomed across Europa. "We have a majority. And so shall creation of humanity begin. A golden age is upon us."

"Now, the celebration for Apollo and Artemis is in order."