Chapter 1: Old Gods of Asgard

The figure suddenly appeared on the street corner, right underneath the streetlight that shone weakly in the gloomy fog. The New York back street was deserted except for this new arrival, who stood patiently in a black trenchcoat. His smooth face bore hints of Greek ancestry, while his long black hair was slicked back on his head. His dark eyes darted around him, not nervous, simply taking it all in. What did he have to fear from the shadows after all?

A roll of thunder echoed behind him. A slow smile spread across his face as he turned. "Brother," he greeted the man now standing there. This man too looked Greek, and side by side, there could be no doubt they were indeed brothers. However this man was dressed in an impeccable gray suit. A short beard lined his face, and his eyes were as piercing blue as his brothers were black. "Hades," he grunted. "Why have you called me here?"

"Be patient Zeus," Hades soothed. "We wait upon a few more, and then we can begin the talks." Zeus turned away, grumbling unintelligibly.

"Well, if it ain't Bag o' Bones and old Thunderstick himself!" the cheery voice called out. A smiling Native American man stepped into the gathering. "How you guys been doing? When was the last time we saw each other?"

"The Southern Coast of this continent, March 1993," Hades replied smoothly. "Welcome, Azeban."

"Him?" snorted Zeus. "A poor man's Loki? Why are we bringing him here?" Azeban turned and stared straight into Zeus's face. The light flickered, and the shadows seemed to draw up behind him. "I am no one's Loki," he hissed. "I am far more deadly than that turncoat archangel. I could trap you in a never ending maze with horrors that would make you go mad with fear. I am Azeban, still feared by my people. Where are your worshipers, Zeus?"

"I'm going to kill you," snarled Zeus, unbuttonign his jacket.

"STOP! Both of you!" yelled Hades. Both gods looked at him, surprised. "We aren't here to dredge up old scores!" Hades snapped. "I have something. Something huge."

"Well, do tell," drawled another voice. All three gods turned to eye the newcomer. He was a big man. Not just wide, but tall. His hard cut face indicated South American roots, but his flinty eyes gave nothing away. A six-shooter hung on his waist, instantly recognizable from the black and gold designs. He wore faded blye jeans. The whole image of a man's man was spoiled by the shirt though. His shirt was a bright rainbow of tye dye, mixed into a cholor scheme so clashign and revolting it almost made you cringe to look at it. "Quetzocoatal," Hades greeted him. "Come, we're only expecting two more."

"You sure this is a good idea Hades?" Quetzocoatal asked, glancing around. "Last time this many gods were in one place Lucifer painted the walls with their blood and then killed an archangel for good measure."

"Lucifer is back in his cage. I checked," Hades soothed him. "This is very important."

"So you said," A cold voice cut through the night air. "Why did you summon me here?" Hades smiled, turning to the newcomer. "Perses. Thank you for honoring us with your presence."

"He's real?" wondered Azeban. "I thought he was myth. No offense," he added hastily.

"None taken," Perses grinned. "I tend to keep to myself."

"Hades, who's this last person we're waiting for?" demanded Zeus. "If it's Poseidon, you both die here and now."

"That would be me," a female voice announced. A tall blonde woman stepped into the loose circle of gods. "Akina, archangel and angel of water at your service."

"An archangel?" Quetzocoatal demanded, spinnging to look at Hades. "Are you trying to kill us?"

"Relax, boys," Akina sighed. "I'm off smiting duty today. I'm here to help you out with the scheme Hades cooked up."

"Alright, that's it!" Zeus exploded. "What the hell is this plan?"

"Fine," Hades pouted. "As you all know, we barely avoided the Judeo-Christian Apocalypse. We would have been wiped off the Earth. It got me thinking though...Lucifer wasn't wrong. This world needs cleansing. Just not his way."

"What are you trying to say Hades? That you want us to destoy the world?" grumbled Azeban. "We don't have the juice for that all ourselves."

"No, we don't," agreed Hades. "Fortunatley, I recently aquired the cordinates to a very…special prison. Ladies and gentleman, I have found Typhon's Rest."

"That's your plan? Open Typhon's Rest?" demanded Zeus. "For one, it can't be done. For another, are you out of your mind? The things in Typhon's Rest can end us with a single blow. This is suicide."

"I also have a ritual to open the prison door," countered Hades. "Before the prison fully opens, there will be a period of 24 hours where the gate is cracked open, and we can speak to the entities within. We will make them swear obedience to us, in return for the chance to do what they were created to do." The shadows on Hades' face seemed to deepen. "Purge this world in fire and blood. Then we will be able to do what we have always dreamed of. Restore Asgard, the home of the gods." Hades looked about him with a slow smile spreading across his face. "Who's with me?" Every god there muttered acceptance. "Excellent gentleman," Hades grinned. "We have work to do."