"W-Where are you?"

Finding someone in the palace at the underworld was like going through a maze. No one knows why the place is like that. Only Hades knew the secrets of his home. Iapetus was trying to find Melinoe, who suggested that they play Hide n' Seek. It's been fifteen minutes and he still couldn't find the girl. He was lost and the horrors of the castle were getting to him. He was about to call quits when someone, eerily, whispered "I'm right behind you." He screamed and turned around to see a silhouette in the dark. It walked forward to reveal the girl itself, surrounded by her butterflies.

"You lose~."

Iapetus swore one of these days he was going to have a heart attack. "T-There you are…"

Melinoe said "Let's play another game!"

"I think it's time to take a break."

"Yes, it's time."

Iapetus screamed again and stumbled backwards. He looked up to see Persephone. Great, the mother and child has come together. Just great.

"Melinoe, its nappy time. Great Uncle Iapetus also needs to rest."

The little girl nodded. "Ok." She turned to him and said "Thank you great Uncle." She went to her Mother and the latter carried her.

Persephone said "Great Uncle, thank you for playing with Melinoe. Thanatos is often busy so she often plays alone."

Iapetus stood up and said "Y-Yeah. I-I don't mind…" The only thing he minds is the little girl scaring the shit out of him from time to time.

Persephone bowed and went away. Melinoe was waving and said "Bye!"

He waved too, and when they were gone, he sighed and slumped to the floor. His brothers must be laughing at him by now.

"Getting old, aren't we?"

This time, Iapetus screamed so loud that everyone within a mile from the palace looked at the towering form and wonder what was happening behind those walls.

"Woah! Calm down bro! It's just me!"

Iapetus looked at Crius, crouching in front of him. He sighed and hit him in the head.

"Ouch! I almost got deaf by your scream, and now you're hitting me?" he said as he rubbed his head.

"What are you even doing here, Crius?" asked Iapetus. He stood up and straightened his chiton.

Crius also stood up. "You should know by now, it's either I want to check on you or Cronus is calling for us."

"Which is it?"

He grinned. "Both. Anyway, are those the mother and child that I just saw?"

Iapetus rubbed his forehead. "Yes."

"Bro, they're like flowers. Hyperion said it himself, they couldn't hurt a fly."

"They're dainty flowers, with poisonous thorns that can kill you with one prick on the finger!" exclaimed Iapetus.

Crius laughed. "From what I saw, she was thanking you for playing with her daughter."

"There's nothing to do in this place, and she kept on pleading me to play with her. I don't know what will happen to me if I deny her, especially if I make her cry. Just thinking about it…" He shivered and glared at Crius, who was laughing. "It is not funny!"

He wiped a tear and said "Haha- At least, you're somewhat in good terms with them."

"For the mean time, I just dread the day would come when they would find out that he's gone… I can already see my funeral, and what's worst, my body isn't there!"

Crius looked around. "You know what, I think we need to get you out of here and get some nice, fresh air. I mean look at this place! It's all dark and damp! Where are the lights?!"

"Let's just go. I rather feel the wrath of Cronus than stay in this place for one more minute."

She told herself she can do this.

She has been telling this to herself ever since she was escorted by the skeletons out of her sister's building and into the palace. Now, Hera stood in front of the throne room, calming herself. The doors opened, signaling her to come in. She took a deep breath and walked inside, as the doors behind her closed. Stopping at the middle, she tilted her head to look at the Titan sitting on her husband's throne. He has his eyes closed, and was thinking deeply.

Hera reassured herself before saying "Father, you called for me?"

Cronus slowly opened his eyes, and stared at the goddess. He smirked and asked. "My dearest daughter, how are you?"

She nodded. "I am well."

"Good. There are no problems with the regulations I have given?"

"It is a bit… restricting, but I and the other goddesses will get used to it."

He chuckled. "Do not worry, for the time will come when you shall all go back to your daily lives, like nothing had happened. For now, do bear with my… precautions. And soon, you shall have your own building."

Hera just nodded.

Cronus eyes narrowed and muttered "…But I think I need to be … stricter…" He stood up and went down the stairs. "Three days ago, I have received word that the gods… have some things in their possession, which there shouldn't be any." He walked around the room, and then he stopped at one of the paintings and studied it. "Do you know what those are?"

Hera stared at the stairs in front of her. "No."

"I shall give you a hint; it is very dangerous."

Hera felt relief wash over her. She silently thanked her grandson. "I do not know of what you speak of."

The titan was now looking at a landscape of the Olympians, which also included Hestia and Hades, who was still grim even in paintings. "I'll tell you then." He walked over to where she stood. "Weapons. Weapons that came out of nowhere. Does that give you any ideas?"

Hera did not speak but continued to stare at the stairs.

Cronus went to the marble table at the side and took his chalice with wine. "I checked the weaponry room myself, and the weapons we've confiscated are still there." He took a sip and turned to his daughter. "The thing that bothers me is, how, and where did they get them?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You are suggesting that I have given them those?"

"No. For I know that you don't have the capability to do that, nor the other goddesses." He glared at her. "But I know you have someone from the outside you could have asked."

Hera looked at her father from the corner of her eyes and closed them. "I must admit, I am shocked to hear these things. I know that they are humans, and they cannot just summon anything by their own." She smirked. "But remember father, whether you turn them into a human or an animal, they are still gods."

He chuckled. "Yes, I am aware of that." His facial expression turned grim. "That's why, they must be disposed of." He climbed the stairs to his throne. "I have a strong feeling you're the one behind, nevertheless, I shall ignore this one." He sat on it. "But I must warn you, if ever this happens again, and, if you are behind it, I will show no mercy, even if you are my daughter. If not, then you better warn your goddesses to never meddle with someone's business." Cronus smirked as he said "Harsh… consequences will be made. You may go now."

Hera bowed and left the room. As the doors closed behind her, she could hear her Uncles and Aunts' bickering at one of the near rooms. She sighed and made her way to the hallways, thankful that the skeletons weren't there to escort her. She just remembered how her children would bicker like that, even though it was annoying, she missed it. Sure, Athena, Artemis, and to her dismay, Aphrodite, who she really wished the one to be gone, were still there, but, it's not the same when her five sons weren't there to complete the daily routine

She smiled. Even though it was a long time, she sometimes couldn't believe she has accepted Zeus' bastard children as her own. Up until now, she still wonders if they have accepted her as their mother. She had ignored them at first, but that was impossible to do so since she saw most of them every day, so she became hard with them, but after a very long time, while also making a lot of memories, she grew fond of them. She hoped that the time would come when everything would be back to normal.

Hera stopped and looked at one of the paintings on the wall. It was the painting of the five boys. She hoped that her husband was taking care of them, then again, Zeus was the one who needed to be taken care of. Still, if something ever happens to anyone of them, she would make sure that Zeus will get it, even before her father gets to him. After hundreds of years, Zeus shall, again, feel the wrath of the queen of the gods.

Hera smirked and went her way. She turned to a corner and she saw someone that made her stop in her tracks.

Rhea was walking the opposite direction and saw her daughter. She stopped beside her and both of them were looking ahead. "…Hera."

She did not speak, only looked at the glass door, which showed the garden, a few feet away from them.

"Whatever you are doing… be careful." Rhea turned to the corner and was gone, leaving Hera to her own thoughts.

"Where is that son of yours? Then again, he should have met with us three days ago."

"Unlike you Artemis, my son is busy doing his daily job making humans fall in love~. Besides, he can't just poof here any time! That's why he takes a planner with him."

"Are you implying something?!"

"No. I'm just saying that he's busier than you. He doesn't just lie around all day, shooting arrows, no, he's doing his job like a responsible god he is."

"That's it!" Artemis chased her sister around the room while the latter was shouting "Help! Help me! I'm being chased by a psychotic beast!"

"Aphrodite, Artemis, stop it at once! You two are like children! Why can't you be like your sister here!" Demeter waved at Athena who was tapping her finger on the table.

Aphrodite went to her sister's side and clung to her. "Oh dahling~ save me!"

Athena muttered "I will be the death of you."

The door to the secret room opened to reveal Hera and Hestia, who took their seats. Hestia asked "Eros is still not here yet?"

They shook their head. Demeter asked Hera "How did it go with him?"

"I think I did well, he let me off…"

"Is there something wrong?"

She sighed. "It's just that… you do know of my son's condi-"

Suddenly, a flash of light appeared at the middle of the table, and they heard sounds of trumpets. They saw a silhouette, and the form became clear as the light faded. "Hey gals!"

Hestia covered her eyes with her hand. "Oh my…"

"Eros, cover yourself!" exclaimed Demeter.

"Why is our family like this?!" asked Artemis.

Athena muttered "You've only noticed this after thousands of years?"

"Sweety!" exclaimed Aphrodite, who stood up.

"Mumsy!" Eros rushed to her and gave her a hug.

Hera clapped her hands while saying "Alright! Alright! Let's get to the point! It's not like you don't see each other every week."

Eros turned to her and said "Hello grandmama. I see our wrinkles are still multiplying." He and Aphrodite smirked.

She glared at the two. Before this broke down into a fight, Athena asked "Eros, how did it go?"

He smiled and crossed his arms. "I did as what you've asked. I delivered to them safe and sound. And they said thanks by the way… and they're surviving."

Hestia smiled. "Thank you, Eros."

Aphrodite cleared her throat and smugly said "Did you all forget that I was the one who's behind all this? I think I deserve a few "Thank you, Aphrodite!" "You're truly a magnificent goddess!" "Sister, I will wash your back the next time we take a bath!... And I'll let you touch my breasts!""

The goddesses just ignored her. Artemis asked "Eros, how's my brother?"

"Oh my! You should have seen him! Apollo is handsome~. I mean, he's already handsome in his god form, but in human form, J-U-I-C-Y! And not just him, all of them!"

"What does my cupcake look like?!" asked Aphrodite.

"Dad is smokin' hot! He's less buff but the scar shows his masculine side."

Demeter smirked and said "Well, looks like you've enjoyed your visit."

"Oh great Auntie, you should have seen them, especially your brothers~! Zeus and Poseidon make me drool in my sleep, and Hades, he's not only handsome, he is mysterious and~ handsome!"

"That's not fair! Now I want to see them! Especially my cupcake~." whined Aphrodite.

Hera was curious and asked "How about Hephaestus?"

Aphrodite burst into laughter. "Hah! Human or not, that son of yours is still the same!"

Hera slammed her hands on the table and said "You insolent br-"

"Girls, girls, please!" Eros cut them off. "Haven't you heard of what I've been saying for the last five minutes? I said they were all handsome, even Hephaestus!"

Everyone gasped, except for Athena, she just raised her eyebrow.

"Lies! All lies!" shouted Aphrodite.

"Are you sure, Eros?" asked Demeter.

"Yes! I've seen him myself. At first I was like "You've got to be kidding me." and then I was like "No." and then, I was like "What has the world have come to?!"… nonetheless, my eyes weren't lying to me. Hephaestus, the ugly, lame, weak god of the forge, technology, fire, etc., etc… is handsome."

"Like A class handsome?" asked Artemis.

"Sweetheart, S class, like the rest of them."

The room burst into chaos. Athena was just pinching the bridge of her nose, and thinking that she was in a room full of idiots. And Hera?

She was smiling damn proudly.