.:Prologue:.

"Sir, the counsel would like to speak to you, immediately," a guard said sternly to Chiron.

It was in a flower-clad courtyard, with fountains and fluttering butterflies. Various buildings were standing randomly until the horizon cute them off, and birds chirped. Statues and dedicated structures stood everywhere I looked. It was a very elegant place, too beautiful for words. The only thing that didn't quite satisfy my eyes was the palace of the gods. It was gray and dilapidated, like a tornado came through. The golden symbols and designs were faded, and from the distance between me and the large palace, I could tell that nobody was in it.

Chiron grunted, considering the possible reasons for his calling-upon. "Yes, of course, Lieutenant."

"Good day, Chiron."

The guard saluted, and ran off in another direction. The direction in the palace of the gods. Leaving Chiron to himself, and nervously tap his hooves against the stone road. He laid his hand upon his forehead, and wiped his hands down his aged face, smoothing down his beard in the process. He finally agreed with himself that he really should follow orders, no matter how drastic they were. He galloped down a bending road that led around the corner, down other winding, thinner paths and eventually arrived at the front of a stone building that reminded me of the Parthenon, just smaller and it looked like it had recently been rebuilt.

Chiron stood nervously in front of the door, his hands folded while he stared at it's stone texture. Before he could react, the doors opened with a few muffled croaks. There to greet him was a man, regular sized and strongly built. He wore Greek clothing that wrapped over his shoulder where a plate of gold perched, holding it there. The cloth was cream colored, like a dingy white. There was a four foot sword strapped to his waist, sheathed in a metal casing. His hair was graying at the roots, but otherwise, it was a golden brown. Like caramel. He stepped forward, waving Chiron inside the large stone building.

"Greetings, old friend," the man said once Chiron clopped inside.

"It has been eons, Rabius," Chiron shook Rabius' hand and they emerged further into the building.

The only audible sound for a few minutes of walking was occasional echoes from further inside, and the clip-clop of Chiron's hooves. His hands were wrapped nervously behind his back, twisted around each other. On the other hand, Rabius was calm. At least he appeared to be. But I knew something was bothering him when I saw his eyelid twitch while he anxiously tried to shush it. He blinked and wrung his hands, desperately keeping his distress under lock and key.

The silence was broken when Chiron muttered,"When I am called onto Olympus, it's never for something exactly pleasant. I would like you to explain?"

Rabius was stricken by Chiron's straightforward question, like it was something he couldn't exactly explain. "Well, um..." He cleared his throat with a shaky hand. "I'm afraid that Olympus as once again reached a point of despair."

Chiron nodded, his eyes casted a look of grief, but confused grief. Like he didn't know exactly what to be saddened for. His eyes traced lines on the carved stone walls, which were plain in every way. His eyes narrowed, thinking sour thoughts.

"And, might I ask, what this time?" he asked Rabius in an anxious tone, like a whining child.

Rabius looked pretty uncomfortable under all of this pressure, which I thought was odd. He looked like such a put-together man. But even if I were one of the counselors of Olympus, I would have been voiceless answering Chiron's quizzical question. Rabius looked at the floor, he casually smoothed down his robes. Before long, he looked back up at Chiron's towering equine figure with a melancholy expression laid upon his face.

"All of the Olympians have..." His breath clogged his throat in mid-sentence. Rubbing his neck, Rabius wiped a few tears from his eyes. "Disappeared, dear Chiron." He finished his sentence with a cracked voice, looking off in another direction, afraid of what Chiron would come out with.

Of course, Chiron now just reflected Rabius' body language, expression, and tone of voice. The way he shuffled his hooves around the cold stone floor gave away his anxiety. I could tell his mind was racing, his eyes wandered from place to place, jotting around the room like he was searching for something. Obviously, he was completely speechless, too, and he was attempting to smooth it over by a thinking type of manor. For a moment, his eyes locked onto mine, giving a look I can't describe. Somewhere between distress, hope, and pleading. He mouthed my name, Lacey. My eyes widened, and I was about to whisper back, but he turned like nothing had happened.

Did he know I was here? How? I didn't even know how I got here. The thought creeped me out, and I shuddered. I thought I should probably get back, feeling like a major stalker, but my heart glued me to the spot. I was magnetized towards this very place, pulled simply by my own mind. My common sense told me to turn and run, because I had no idea where I was or who these people were at the time, but I was anchored by a feeling I had never felt before. Attached to this moment despite my free will made me panic. What if I never left this state? Doomed to live life here forever? Now, that was jumping to conclusions, but before I could find sense of this situation, my thoughts were interrupted.

"What is the information that you know?" Chiron asked.

"Hm." Rabius pressed a finger to his bottom lip, recalling something from the back of his mind. But the answer was plain to say,"We aren't fully aware of their whereabouts. They disappeared unexpectedly a few days ago. Including Poseidon and Hades, directly from their realms. Whoever did it this time has to be powerful. Very powerful."

Chiron hesitated his next words after opening his mouth. He closed it and pursed his lips, staring at the ceiling. "It couldn't be Kronos. It's simply not possible in his current physical state..." Chiron was more talking to himself then Rabius.

"We have tracked for any signs of unwanted visitors hear in Olympus, but no one has left or entered during the past week, and we received a message from Poseidon updating about the goings-on under the sea. Everything seemed alright with Hades, as well. No signs of anything, Chiron. Who or what we're dealing with is cunning. Unbelievably, to have struck upon the gods so suddenly, without warning, or evidence. We may not get through this one."

Chiron immediately shook his head, but then slowed when he saw the doubt full expression on Rabius' face. He licked his lips and breathed heavily through his nose, his chest rising and falling. "How can this be? The Great Prophecy occurred just about two years ago. It's completely uncanny!"

Chiron spread his left hand across his face, Mouthing words to himself this time, not me. I felt relieved. I let out a small sigh. Rabius perked up, grabbing the hilt of his sword and turning to look straight at me. I raised my hands in surrender, holding my breath while he unsheathed his sword. I sucked in my stomach, holding as still as a statue, hoping that might help in some way.

I opened them, after a few impatient seconds. Rabius was searching the corridor with his eyes, his dominant glare passing through me completely. Chiron glanced at me, urging me to be quiet. Rabius couldn't see me, I realized, but he could hear me. I wondered how that was possible, I mean Chiron could see me. I guess he was just cool like that.

Rabius was still scanning the hallway long after I had backed quietly out of the way. I was freaked out at how he couldn't see me, and by his sword. I cowered at the glint on the blade, sharper than a tack. He sheathed it, and backed over to Chiron, his eyes forward. He sure looked persistent.

Chiron cleared his throat unevenly. "Rabius, calm. I'm sure it was nothing."

Rabius shook his head, turning slowly. "You don't understand, this information is classified. Nobody knows except the heads of Olympus, we don't want to alarm anyone any further."

Chiron laughed. "You cannot keep a secret from the public forever. They will soon realize their gods are gone."

Rabius' face kept serious, hard as the rock that surrounded us. "Only until we come up with a logical explanation."

Chiron then nodded, and turned his head forward. The walk from there was long, fifteen minutes at the minimum. I became anxious, bouncing quietly on my heals while my gut continued to pull me through the rolling corridor, following these strange people. I looked at the boring walls, wondering where the heck I was when Rabius spoke. "Just ahead," he murmured.

I squinted, blinking at the end of the hall. Before long, I saw a large rectangle, similar to the front doors. We approached it after few extra minutes of trudging. I heard people discussing things from inside. Many people, arguing and spitting words at each other in retorts. Rabius looked up at Chiron, who nodded. Rabius let go of the golden hilt and reached out to the handle of the large rectangular doors, enough space for a giant to walk through. It swung open with a few second of shoving and difficulty.

They creaked and moaned before revealing a burst of light that stretched from the flickering bonfire in the middle of the room, down the long corridor where we just came. Nobody in the room seemed to notice us, they were people similar to Rabius. I counted twenty in all. They were bickering at each other from across a long dining room table. In front of them sat untouched plates of fruits, meats, breads, and cheeses. Bouquets of flowers decorated the table in areas, surrounded by fallen petals. Wine goblets that were half empty were sprawled randomly in front of each person.

Around the large room, there were floor to ceiling windows that looked out onto the ground below, which I couldn't decipher where. The clouds hovered just below in a fog of white puffs. Above that, blue sky spread overhead through the glass-window roofing. Designs decorated the walls, ones I couldn't yet read. Ancient Greek writing was painted or carved on the walls like a child was left in here alone with paint. They showed stories of Greek myths I once had heard, some I weren't aware of.

The screaming of the people in the center of the large room shook me awake from my daydream. They were using their hands to speak, arguing at each other over what seemed something important. Men and women alike surrounded the table, ceasing to hush their tones despite our arrival.

Rabius cleared his throat. Nothing happened. They continued to argue like gorillas.

"Olympus Counsel!" he shouted over the people, but they barely gave a sliver of attention.

"COUNSEL!" he shouted, cupping his hands over his mouth.

The counsel stopped abruptly, some in mid-curse. Their eyes locked onto the two men before me, confused expressions clad their faces. A few started murmuring to each other, like they forgot they were supposed to be mad. Chiron stepped a few clops forward, stepping down a set of marble stairs that led into the circular shaped room. They all sat back into their chairs shamefully, picking at their food, a few popping grapes and cheese cubes into their mouths nonchalantly.

"We are in the middle of a fatal crisis!" Rabius shouted, raising his arms angrily. "No time for childish fights such as these!"

The counsel took sips of their wine, not meeting Rabius' stern eyes.

He was about to continue on another tirade, but then Chiron shushed him by placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Let me handle this."

He walked forward with his four legs, his tail flicking absentmindedly. His eyes scanned the crowd of fuming but collected counselors. "Calm. Like Rabius stated, we cannot risk a disagreement at this point in time. Now, we are the only people running Olympus. We must be mature, like the gods expect us to be."

The counselors looked down to their plates, shifting their food from side-to-side with forks and spoons. They couldn't deny they were ashamed, and felt guilty.

"Now, let's discuss this without acting like two-hundred-year-olds," he said so seriously, that I stifled a snort.

Rabius padded down the steps, following Chiron to the end of the table. He stood at the head, while Rabius took the empty seat beside it. The whole courtroom was silent, while they picked at the food that was on their plate and nervously gulped wine from the priceless goblets. They all ate in silence, the only sound silverware scratching against plates and some of them chewing crunchy crackers. I stood awkwardly at the doors, reminding myself constantly that the couldn't see me. I forced the urge to turn and run out of my head. They weren't terrifying or anything, they were just intimidating. The aura of their power clogged my airways, leading me to gasp for breath.

The presence was so strong I wondered how I would react when I was in the same room with the real deal. I shook at the thought, settling down onto the first step. I eyed Chiron, hoping he would give me an answer, but he casually reached over and stole produce from Rabius' plate, which sent him smacking his hand. Chiron got one anyway, and took a bite out of a perfectly ripe and fuzzy peach.

Everyone finished in a matter of time, though no one spoke. Awkwardness was too thick now to penetrate, causing the counsel to keep quiet except for a few whispers. It seemed like an endless silence, which bored me greatly, until Chiron scuffed his hooves against the tiled floor. Everyone looked up, bright and perky, probably grateful that the uneasiness was now settled and smoothed over. I waited for something to happen, but Chiron just held the eyes of the counsel for various seconds before moving onto the next. He passed the eyes of Rabius, urging him to lead the counsel. What his job was for.

He clapped his hands, standing up from his chair, which scooted and scuffed the floor with a horrible noise to follow. "Ah, hello, counsel."

People turned away and rolled their eyes at the person sitting next to them, but Rabius didn't see. His eyes were focused nervously on the back wall of the courtroom. Whispers echoed, also, but I had a feeling that his heavy breathing blocked that out, too.

"We are here to discuss the tragedy that has once again settled upon Olympus," he said with a crackling voice. "Does anyone have any comments or questions before we begin?"

A women in the back raised her hand sheepishly. "We already know that there's an issue here. Just let us go back to discuss it with ourselves, first."

A few people nodded in agreement, eying Rabius like he was an ignorant child.

He looked uncomfortable, wiping his sweaty hands on his robes. "The gods would like us to be mature and discuss this all together, Lady Adeline."

"Yeah, well in case you haven't noticed, the gods aren't here at the moment," an arrogant young man piped up from across Lady Adeline.

"Yeah!"

"Precisely."

The counsel echoed agreements, snapping at Rabius all at once.

"I think he's just doing his job, unlike you children," another woman replied from the middle of the table.

Then, a few more second her opinion.

"No way, I think we just need to go investigate. We know nothing! Find evidence, discuss that!" someone yelled in protest, followed by louder replies.

Then, another fight began to boil.

Screams form the opposing sides erupted from around the room, bouncing off the tiles and into my ears. I covered them with my hands, wincing and curling into a ball. I had no idea that people less like one-eighteenth at powerful at the gods could get that loud when they needed to.

"QUIEEEEEET!" Chiron yelled, waving his arms in the air. His voice was two times as loud, so I cowered on the steps of the grand room, the yell still echoing around the room several seconds later.

Chiron nodded as if to himself. "Do as you must."

Many of them jumped up immediately from their chairs, which toppled backwards and skidded behind them. They stormed out of the room in a tight group, leaving a few remaining others. They looked at the remnants of the counsel, sighed, then got up calmly. The all sauntered out, including a peeved Rabius. I moved out of the way quickly, letting the group of angry counselors waltz out the door followed by a few mellow counselors. Rabius turned to Chiron. "Are you coming, or not?" he asked.

"I think I'll stay a few more moments and pack in as many of these delicious peaches as I can," He replied, waving a little with his fingers.

Rabius shrugged, then exited the now almost-empty courtroom. He closed the doors with a creak and a boom behind him, leaving me alone in the room with the mysterious Chiron.

At first, he acted as normal. Pecking at peaches and gazing out the window. Before he started talking. "Turmoil is among us, Lacey. We are all clueless. We aren't accustomed to this confused state, which is leading us all down a path that will eventually bring Olympus down and tumbling. I believe that was the plan of the culprit. Clever fellow, whoever he or she may be."

I thought he was talking to himself until he turned to me and started walking forward. "There are little things I can explain at this moment, young half-blood. You will soon find all of your answers. As soon as we find ours."

He edged closer and closer to me. He tossed the peach behind him and it splattered onto the tile. It seeped through the floor, completely gone. I gaped a little, but Chiron didn't notice or, if he did, pay any mind.

I opened my mouth to speak, but found that I couldn't at all. My voice was simply caught in my throat. I coughed, and reached for my throat when I was interrupted by Chiron, yet again. "I'm afraid voices don't work in dreams such as these, youngling. It is one of the many downsides of this feature."

I furrowed my eyebrows, taking in everything he was saying as far as I could into my brain.

"I know, it is quite confusing, everything is," he said. "But you will soon understand."

I stared at my hands. Surely this was just some odd dream I had came up with in my mind. How else could this be real? It was completely silly, everything that was happening. I simply created Chiron, Rabius and all the other things from my mind alone. I laughed at myself in my mind, since I couldn't aloud.

"This is indeed real, my dear," he said, stroking his beard thoughtfully as he stared intently at me like I was made of gold. "Like I said, you will understand everything quite soon enough."

I stared back at him, studying his face until he said. "You will wake."

I gasped from under my covers. My eyes shot open like blinds. I was greeted with the familiar color of my sheets, faded yellow that had once been bright. I sat upright, bolted to the bed. I was in a cold sweat, my pillow soaked in warm perspiration. I took the tail of my t-shirt and wiped my neck and forehead, catching up on my breathing. My mind raced, the vivid picture of the half man, half horse called Chiron was still crystal clear in my mind, causing me to shake.

It was just a dream, Lacey. Just a dream that your mind created. There's nothing to worry about, don't sweat it.

I laughed at myself and sat over the side of my bed, still trying to sooth my shaking body.

A/N. ~ How what that? Just the prologue to a new story I've been working on. Still, if I must remind you all, reviews make me warm a fuzzy inside (: I would TOTALLY appreciate if you shared your opinion to me by review. Tell me if I should continue or not! Anyway, be awesome. (:

~ Naomi Leigh, with love