The Fates had shown themselves to Zeus and Hera warning them that It was coming.
They advised the two rulers to converse with the twin archers and the fleet footed Hermes for the answer. So they held a meeting that same night.
~o0o~
As always the council bickered over everything and nothing. But as much as they argued they couldn't ignore the abnormal presence of Hades and Hestia. They were not apart of the council which only caused to fuel the fire even more, ignorance of the omen getting the best of them.
"Zeus, I have not the patience for any more of your shenanigans! You invite our brother who is only to be upon Olympus to retrieve and return his bride and yet he sits among us as if he were an Olympian! You defy your own laws, brother!" Poseidon growled his sea-green eyes glowing with rage and power. He had a usual comb over but today his black hair was windsweptand and his toned skin was now red from frustration. He had begun to notice a sort of anxiety and rebellion in the ocean for awhile and he was afraid that this was the start of a riot. He had to find the source of this behaviour and put a stop to
The rest of the council agreed adding their own side comments to this "absurd" meeting.
"I could be creating another lyrical perfection instead of sitting around here putting my wonderful talents to waste!"
"The Underworld has been buzzing with complications! Explain my presence immediately!"
"I have a large amount of work to finish. I still need to give Chiron a letter from Jenicka Ramirez."
"What do you mean Jenicka Ramirez? Her family cut off all contact long ago, leave my former Hunter be, dwarf!"
"Shut it!" Hera stood, if there was any indication of something being wrong one only had to look at Hera. She was missing her crown which usually lay atop her head proudly and her brown hair was a mess. Few scoffed at her and others rolled their eyes, either way the council went quiet.
Hera sat back in her throne slouching a bit and let off a tired sigh finally raising some concern.
She became self aware and quickly regained her composure, she nodded to Zeus to continue.
He nodded back in response and stood, his blond, gray streaked curls bouncing,"Olympus is in peril. This is a force that is greater than Kronos or Gaia-"
"So we're dragging the Θρίαμβες back into our problems, I assume." Demeter rose a brow. The goddess thought highly of the heroes, her braided, copper hair shadowed her defensive, cedar eyes. "They have done enough for us, I think it's time we begin to respect the wishes of Jessica Ramirez."
Zeus shook his head with a subtle nervous look,"We don't intend to involve any of the veterans. Even if we wanted to, they would not be able to fight this battle. They would not stand a chance. The heroes we need must be the greatest and strongest of them all. They must be able to collect themselves an return to Olympus before It grows stronger."
The gods murmured in confusion, they went silent as Hermes, unconsciously, floated off his seat, winged shoes flapping and his dirty blonde hair covering his red elfish ears, he stated with quite a bit of offense,"Why do they need to gather? Can't it all just be easier and have one of us go get them all? If this thing is so dangerous we should send someone who's the fastest and knows how to collect deliveries. We need a messenger. Or better yet the god of messengers."
Hera hissed making Hermes catch a nervous glint,"Unless, you want to put yourself in danger, you blundering idiot. The world would be better off if the pick up would be done on its own."
Aphrodite rose a manicured finger to speak. Her blue eyes directed at Hera, she spoke with mock politeness,"Exactly what are we preparing for, my queen?"
It was time to get to the point and so Zeus did,"It has returned."
Another wave of silence passed through the room as the two rulers let it sink in.
"It. Wait, you mean...It. But-but-! How's that possible? We destroyed It, like, a thousand years ago! " Apollo cried out.
"We didn't destroy it. We merely overpowered it, but it still is not enough, Apollo. And like before, once It comes for us. It shall be stronger than-than we," Athena had spoken up; she, of course, understanding all this. She blew a strand of black hair, that had somehow gone loose from her ponytail, out of her silver eyes.
Hera found a sudden interest in the marble floor,"We must go into hiding." All eyes were on Hera. What? Go into hiding? What did she mean?
Zeus nodded,"Our presence will attract It and we know just how destructive it can get when I'm the presence of an immortal. Apollo, Artemis, and Hermes, the three of you have recently been reporting the presence of some rather unusual mortals."
Hesitantly the three nodded; as swiftly as a bolt Athena was struck with realization,"Did it ever occur to you that they could be likeminds of our own?"