Dreams and perceptions

The land before me was razed. Stumps on the ground were the only remnants of the forest that proudly stood on the land I was standing on. The grass was charred and depressing to look at, and the sky above was bleak.

Before me, I saw several gigantic, bleeding bodies engaged in combat with several of my siblings.However, I could not move to help. I was frozen in place, and despite my futile attempts to move, I could only watch. It was horrific to watch.

This was but one of the many dreams that plagued me in the long, dreary night after my brother's sudden announcement. I could not seem to awaken from the dreams that crushed my heart and winged my soul. I could not even participate in the dreams. I was just a helpless spectator.

The night passed by, leaving me alone and helpless in the haunting dreams of what could be. Through all the scenes of the dreams, I saw fierce and daunting fighting. Most of the dreams showed gruesome scenes painted with blood of both crimson and gold. 

When I awakened in the brisk morning, my heart was palpating like I had just done a very serious exercise. My body was shivering and wet with sweat. My mouth and throat were dry. The saliva I swallowed only served to further dry my mouth and throat. These signs were all proof that the night prior was truly agonising and tension-filled. They were all proof that I truly had those dreams, and today was the day when the validation of those dreams would begin.

I slowly stood up, prepared myself, and made my way from the makeshift shelter with my weapon buckled on my belt. I strode out with the grace I had grown to learn from my elder sisters in the little time we had spent together. The cold breeze slapped my face when I arrived outside. I found Hades and Hestia standing outside and talking to each other in low tones.

Even from afar, I could perceive my siblings weapons, which glimmered in the faint light of the day that sprinkled us. Hades' weapon was safely strapped to his back, whereas Hestia's was hanging from her belt. They looked splendid with their weapons. Upon realising my presence, they stopped talking and looked at me with small smiles on their faces.

"Good morning, sister." Hades greeted me softly.

I smiled lightly and greeted him back. I also passed my greetings to Hestia. I integrated myself into their chatter. They were talking about life and what they believed life truly meant.

Hades looked at life as a means to the afterlife. He saw everything done whilst alive as a means of lightening or increasing the burden in our souls after death. To him, life is a sacred thing wherein the choices we made whilst alive were determining factors in how we would reside in the afterlife.

On the other hand, Demeter thought that we were alive to make the earth florish and the land in which we stand beautiful. According to her, we were supposed to use our lives to make the world a better place. We therefore loved useless lives if we did not better the earth.

Honestly, both of their perspectives were interesting to listen to. They made me think. I had not yet thought of my perspective on life, and I sincerely thought that maybe it was time for me to start thinking about life and, more importantly, what it meant to me.

I had fleeting perceptions, but no solid ideas. I had started thinking, but before I could get any solid ideas of my own, Zeus' voice broke my train of thought.

"Good morning, Hades, Hestia, and Hera." Zeus' warm voice spoke out.