Chapter 69 - Divine Cold War! [11]

ATHENA OLYMPUS

In the grand Assembly of the gods, we all fixed our gazes on the floating human projected on the screen. It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over us, drenching us in fear and uncertainty. The room was filled with a tense silence, every god intently studying the image before us.

Hades, sitting on the throne of the king of the gods, his legs casually crossed, stared at the screen with a bright smile on his face. The contrast between his demeanor and the gravity of the situation was infuriating.

Standing beside Hades, I couldn't understand his reaction. "What's in this man's head? How can he smile if it is clear that this is an irrefutable manifestation of the presence of the King' Force..." I thought, my outrage simmering beneath the surface.

Nyx, seated nearby, pointed at the floating man on the screen, her voice trembling. – A-That, that's...

Helios, standing in the center of the assembly, raised his voice with veins bulging on his face. – This is what I am talking about! It is more than clear that the King' Force is present! The gods need to take a stand! Today he has a man with the power of the King' Force, tomorrow he may have an army of them! EITHER THEY FALL, OR OLYMPUS FALLS! – his words echoed through the hall, sowing fear and worry among the gods.

Morpheus, pale and anxious, watched as Tristan decapitated Roland and destroyed the Union army. – Helios is right, we must destroy this Treadway! – he agreed, his voice trembling.

Dice, sweat dripping down her forehead, whispered. – Olympus will fall if this Treadway stays alive... 

Dionysius, holding a glass of wine, sighed heavily. – Well, that was enough to sober me up, – he muttered, raising his glass. – MORE WINE!!

Prince Erebus, his eyes fixed on the screen, spoke with urgency. – This power will destroy us. We must work together! I agree, we need to end these humans! We've seen enough... 

Nyx, sitting with her head bowed, glanced at me. [These idiots, they want to die, he already told us not to do anything...] she communicated telepathically, her frustration palpable.

Aphrodite, with her head down, and a perverted smile on her face, saw an opportunity. Her face flushed, eyes shaped like hearts, she had the perfect opportunity to strengthen her reputation in the face of Hades, and keep the Treadway alive for the time being, the game was hers!

As Nyx looked at me, I returned her gaze an then focused on Aphrodite. [This snake is up to something...] I wondered

Nyx noticed Aphrodite's expression and sensed her intentions. It was clear that Aphrodite was planning something, though what exactly remained uncertain. I knew I had to accept that Treadway might become my husband, and I couldn't do anything to stop it.

Hades, sitting with his hand on his chin, looked at Erebus. – Didn't you hear what I said? Do you want me to repeat it? – His voice was low but audible to all. A clear threat. He was someone who could finish us off with just one thought.

Nyx, head down, sweated profusely. [That's why I broke up with that donkey Erebus, a donkey who only thinks about martial arts and that sect of his... What do you intend to do?] she asked me.

[Let's wait for now, we have to understand what's behind Hades' decision and know Aphrodite's plan. For now, let's observe. Let's avoid unnecessary confrontations.] I responded, my eyes never leaving the screen.

The gods sat down; their heads bowed. – No, most high... – we whispered in fear.

Only the late Hera I, the queen of the gods, was a good politician and put Olympus in her pocket. I've never been a politician; I'm a diplomat. I make deals, solve problems, and avoid wars. If there's no way to avoid it, I'm the first on the battlefield. But being queen of the gods would require me to be the mother of the gods, the queen of the world, and to bow down to a mortal—that's my problem.

Aphrodite, clearing her throat, returned to her usual appearance and opened her venomous mouth. – Your magnanimity, my uncle. If I may, I would like to say to all the Olympians here that they should not be afraid of a simple human. It's okay that he can float and has some golden tattoos, and then what? Are we going to leave our rationality, our glory, and grandeur to get our hands dirty with a mere mortal? – her voice became sweeter with each word, employing Sound Art technique.

Her light and beautiful speech, her soft and melodic voice, could snatch the heart of any man. I didn't know who I was more disgusted with, her or the men.

A doubt arose inside me, "Did she think this strategy would work?" I thought, then looked at Helios and Hermes in the center of the room. It was clear that even the walls knew she did speak without an agenda.

Pheme, the gossip of the gods, looking at Aphrodite, opened her mouth. – Aphrodite is right, we are superior... – she continued.

Minutes later, half of the gods were already asleep, and even Hades was yawning. The woman talked too much.

– Great-aunt, I believe Uncle Dracula has already understood, we can look at the battle... – I said, looking at her.

Looking at the gods in disbelief, Helios looked at me and then at Hermes. [Not possible! How can they be indifferent to our destruction?!] he asked me.

Hermes, noticing the concern on Helio's face, placed his hand on his shoulder and sighs. – Exactly...

…

At the Treadway' camp in Miragea, I sent an owl to watch over the mortal. They were preparing for an attack; it was clear from the noise.

A visibly muscular woman with golden armor covering her body, light brown hair, and a fierce burn on her eye stood in front of a hundred thousand soldiers. It was the famous Cassilda. Raising her sword, she shouted, – FOR KING ARTHUR!! FOR THE QUEEN MOTHER!! FOR OUR FREEDOM!! – her face was red with determination.

Cassilda, Cassandra's friend, was a great general, one of the few Amazons who had no children and never married.

Her soldiers raised their swords and shouted. – BY THE ONE TRUE GOD!!

They all rushed towards the battlefield with bloodlust in their eyes. I could feel the energy of the Light in them; it was clear.

And the Treadway looked at the owl I controlled, perched on a tent behind him. He reached out his arm, and the owl caught fire. The bastard realized it was me. – I missed you too. See you soon, old Athena! – he said with a smile.

…

The pain was intense; I could feel the fire sting my eyes. I closed them in an attempt to calm the pain, but it was relentless. Wretched human!