Ch. 3 | Integration

After ironing out their strategies, the six gods agreed that Hades should be informed of their plan. Athena asked the god of the underworld whether such a venture would interest him and he eagerly joined them. No one objected-a powerful ally was gained and, even better, one that had no love for Zeus.

Slowly, the team of seven began to become integral parts of Rome and its culture. As this transition began it was clear that it would be impossible for them to have the same values as their Greek counterparts; instead, they began to develop different aspects of their personalities due to the overwhelming differences between the Romans and the Greeks.

With obvious dissimilarities, the immortals took on divergent forms. Firstly, Poseidon's Roman aspect became known as Neptune. Although he may not have been one of the most loved gods, one could not underestimate his power. Neptune was religiously worshipped due to many Romans fearing the power and mystery of the sea.

Ares was next; he morphed into a being known as Mars, and was a revered god among the mortals instead of the hated persona that his Greek form held. Preferring his form as Mars over Ares, he rarely deferred back to his Greek aspect, only being seen as Ares in Olympian council meetings. He was part of the legendary Capitoline Triad, and was the embodiment of Roman military strength.

Quickly in succession the rest of the gods began to take Roman forms, preferring them to their Greek counterparts. Athena, a loved Greek goddess, was also apart of the Capitoline Triad once she shifted to Minerva. She was the battle-hardened goddess of wisdom, strategy, and magic, and was often believed to whisper into the dreams of Roman leaders, helping them plan out the next move in their great expansion.

Next came the twin brother and sister, Artemis and Apollo. Artemis was now worshipped as Diana, but Apollo kept his Greek name. Cults began to form for these two deities as the Romans began to understand the importance of the sun and the moon. Thanking Diana for giving them rest at night and blessing Apollo for giving them light during the day.

One of the most major personalities changes was that of Hades. Once a bitter Greek, he became a powerful and fair ruler of the afterlife in Rome as he transcended to his new form, Pluto. Pluto was one of the gods who no longer changed to his Greek form since he was not on the Olympian council and no longer attended the winter solstice. He was no longer hated, as the Romans did not fear death, and was instead viewed as the mighty god who gave mortals the chance to gain a place amongst the gods in the afterlife.

Last, but certainly not least, was Perseus. A clear change could be seen in him as the betrayal continued to weigh on his identity. Although his namesake did not change, he no longer represented family, which shocked many of the other gods. However, in his Roman form, Perseus was worshipped along with Minerva and Mars in the Capitoline Triad. These three immortals embodied everything a Roman citizen could ever wish to attain in their lives. He, like Pluto, never shifted to his former identity.

A new council was formed where the seven deities governed the Roman council. There was no ruler to this council, and with the odd number they were always able to make a decision. The disputes were still present, but when a decision was made no one on the council would go against the wishes that were set out.

They each began to devise their own plans to ensure that Zeus would be overthrown. They fabricated great tales of his unparalleled arrogance and paranoia. Minerva told of his destructive ways as king of the Greek gods. Reports were recounted of how Zeus betrayed Perseus, and he soon became a taboo in the Roman culture as too many feared the gods wrath if they were to dare utter his name. A decision for the other Olympians in the wrong could be made as time passed, but the king's fate was sealed the moment he murdered Metis.

Talk began on the council of how the rebels would go about taking complete control over Greece to make certain that the most powerful empire in the world belonged to Rome.

OoOoO

Zeus' arrogance played well into their hands. As the king looked over at Athena, his favorite daughter, sitting on her throne, he smirked. "These upstart Romans are just a minor nuisance-the Greek city-states will band together and crush them like we crushed the Persians not once, but twice. And," he added with a grin, "this time, we will not have a traitor amongst our numbers. Am I right, daughter?"

It took all of Athena's willpower not to strike her father, but she knew that it was not the right moment. Instead she masked her features and simply nodded. However, a dark chuckle from Apollo made Zeus pause.

"Apollo! What do you find so amusing?" Zeus bellowed. Lightning crackled in the sky. Phoebus Apollo rolled his eyes at his father's theatrics, but could only look ashamed as Athena sent him a withering glare. "Father, I was just thinking about how easily the Romans will be crushed by their Greek superiors." Apollo said easily. He had always been a good liar. Zeus seemed to find this acceptable as the sky quieted and he moved onto the next uninteresting matter the all-powerful council was to discuss.

OoOoO

Perseus and Minerva were walking through their mother's garden together as they had done so many times in the past. Both were lost in their own thoughts, making no attempt to converse with each other. The silence was comfortable though, as they enjoyed the ease they only felt when they were together.

Finally, Minerva seemed to pop out of her reverie as she glanced worriedly over to her brother. Although Perseus' physical appearance had not changed, anyone could clearly discern the guilt that his eyes still held. She cursed herself for the thousandth time for being unable to lessen the pain her brother felt even though no blame could be put on his shoulders. But her brother's nature would never change, as he still felt responsible for the rift that was created between his family when it once fell in his domain.

Minerva took a different approach to dealing with her grief. She did not blame herself or her brother-no, the only being that was to be blamed in her eyes was Zeus. Minerva had waited centuries to get her revenge, and the time was approaching rapidly.

The satisfaction she felt when she wove the despicable tales of Zeus was not enough anymore. But even she could not have imagined the outrage that the Roman people exhibited towards Zeus. But, looking back on the event, she could understand, as Perseus was a god that commoners could closely relate to.

A variable that she could have never predicted, however, was Thalassa. When Perseus was at his worst the comfort of the surrogate mother was always treasured. With both her and Minerva consoling Perseus, the two began to drive away his grief and replace it with a need to avenge Metis. His self-loathing temporarily put aside, Perseus began to take action. He took after Mars, who was the swiftest in gaining the Roman's attention. Minerva could only hope that after Zeus was given the retribution he deserved her dearest brother would not return back to the hopeless state that had already shattered her heart.

Beta: AmericanBeautyAmericanPsycho