Claim Thee Throne

Alec's POV

My eyes followed the goddess draped in ochre shawls and the earthly toga. Her dark brown hair cascading down her back had me in awe. For a moment I thought she was a Goddess and then it hit me, of course she was. I slapped myself on the head, the sound of it falling on the ears of the person sitting beside me.

"Why did you just do that?" a hollow voice asked from behind me. I had completely forgotten that I was in the presence of known company who had made it their business to observe me even I flexed a muscle.

I turned my head to see the imposing physique of James Lowell, the Cohort Commander of Thundering Pegasi standing right behind me. He took a seat beside me and began staring at the central tier where all the Olympians had already taken their thrones. He seemed to survey each and every God but after a few minutes his eyes came to rest on the Goddess that I had been smitten by.

"Who is she?" I asked my voice full of curiosity.

James curved his lips in an upward smile. He turned to look at me, observing the look in my eye he simply shrugged and then said, pausing a little before answering, "That" he said pointing at the Goddess and then turning his head to look into my eyes, "is Hestia, Virgin Goddess of the Sacred Fire and the Hearth."

I barely heard the rest of the words. My mind seemed to have gotten stuck on two words, 'Hestia' and 'Virgin'. True, that I had read my part of Greek History and Mythology but I must have skipped when it came to Hestia after all she wasn't a part of the twelve Olympians and yet, I wondered why she and Hades were sitting with the other Olympians in the central tier.

It seemed strange to me that the positions that were exclusively reserved for The Dodekathon had been so easily expanded to include the outcasts of the Olympian Family, or were they outcasts no more? Whatever it was, it was nothing more than circumstantial and opportunist politics. That's what it all was, Blatant Politics.

I moved my gaze from the primary tier a few levels up, keeping a keen eye at spotting my own father. It wasn't long before I found him. It appeared that he had robed himself in living shadows, the darkness emanating of him was so thick that no matter how much anyone tried hacking it with the severest of swords they wouldn't be able to cut through it. Such was the power of my father, Thanatos, God of Death.

I silently prayed to him to draw his attention to me. It wasn't long before his eyes found mine. Although dark, they seemed to smile at me. We didn't have a typical father-son relationship but we both held a lot of respect for each other, especially I for my father.

Hestia's POV

I took my seat between Hephaestus and Hades.

I greeted Hephaestus plainly while he looked at me dumbfounded. Clearly he had not seen me in this form in a very long time and had probably forgotten how I actually looked. Suppressing a snicker I turned my gaze to my brother, Hades, Lord of the Underworld.

"You look beautiful Hestia. "He said with a smile across his pale and sallow face.

I simply smiled.

I hadn't taken this form in a long while. I tugged at my veil to cover my head properly allowing a few wisps of hair to peek from the corner. For the first time in centuries I felt liberated. I looked to the far end of the chamber. Zeus was bemused while Poseidon winked at me with a smile etched on his face.

My sisters were a completely different story and I wouldn't want to waste precious time describing their expression. All I can say is that they hadn't aged well.

A smile crept to my face and I did my best to hide it as Zeus called for attention and order in the House with an echoing thunder clap reverberating through the skies.

"Greetings members of the Council of Olympus" Zeus said in his booming voice his electric blue eyes surveying all of us as he spoke the words. He then turned his gaze to the higher levels, "Welcome, Gods and Goddesses of Olympus." He said looking at the hundreds of minor gods and immortal personifications seated in the higher levels.

"Thank you for gracing us with your presence and for giving time to this council that has been summoned much before its schedule." Zeus was supposed to be showing regret but there was none there, he still thought of himself as the monarch of Olympus, well that was about to change some time in the future.

Standing up from his throne Zeus conjured a podium to address the gathering in mass.

"I'm sure you all would be wondering why the council has been summoned before its designated time." He sighed, that was never a good sign.

"It's my duty as the God of the Heavens and Skies to being to your notice that I have observed several breaches in the last few months in the energy shield that envelops our planet." The entire Coliseum broke into whispers and there was commotion all around, "Silence" Zeus' voice boomed again and within the next few moments the commotion broke down to ever so silent whispering.

"The energy shield was first made by my grandfather, Ouranos. He created the shield to protect it from any extra-terrestrial influence." He said gravely.

The gods and goddesses although keeping straight faces smirked at one each other some even breaking into laughs, drawing Zeus' death glare that shut them up. "Do you have something to ask Nemesis?" Zeus asked the Goddess of Retribution who I believe was sharing an inside joke with Hecate, Goddess of Witchcraft and Crossroads.

Nemesis donned her usual mask of indifference and stood up from her seat, pondering over her thoughts as if finding the right words to voice her question. After much contemplation she spoke, "My Lord Zeus, I believe that extra-terrestrials only exist in Science Fiction. That's what they are, a figment of imagination." She said with a smile tugging at her lips.

For the first time that evening Zeus smiled, "My dear Nemesis, I thought you'd be more wise than the others gathered her." He jabbed at her wiping the smile of her face. Removing his gaze from her, he flashed to the centre of the Coliseum to address the entire gathering as a whole.

"As you all know before life there was Chaos. Chaos created the Universe and us within it. If he created Gaia, a celestial being that could support life is there any proof that he didn't create other celestial beings like her that could support life as well." He said, addressing the now silent gods and goddesses listening to him with rapt attention.

"This was Ouranos' belief that he passed on to me when I assumed control of the throne of Heavens. Ouranos believed that there could be others just like us who'd one day seek to expand their territory and for that purpose he created the shield to prevent them from entering our dominion." Zeus finished.

The entire coliseum had now fallen completely silent taking their time to analyse what Zeus had just said and then a hand rose up in the air. I turned my gaze in the direction where Zeus was looking at. Summanus, Minor God of thunder and lightning, although he was of roman origin Summanus held much influence over the skies just a little less than Zeus. To be honest, Zeus underestimated Summanus' strength and this I knew would come to bite him at a later day.

I put these thoughts to the back of my mind when I saw Zeus motion to Summanus to stand and speak his mind. I too was interested in what he had to say. If there had been a breach then Summanus was bound to have observed it.

Summanus stood tall at his seat. He had the form of a warrior. He was garbed in armour with I thought to be was made of silver and titanium, not easily destructible along with a cape that seemed to resemble storm clouds.

His chiselled, sharp featured face betrayed no emotion and his eyes flashed a different colour of lightning like clockwork, blazing amber, electric blue and destructive violet. He was a formidable looking god, Zeus was lucky to be on good terms with him.

He bowed his head and then looking around him he spoke in a loud thunderous voice, "As Lord Zeus says the sky shield has been breached." He looked at Zeus and then continued, "I'd like to stand as a witness to one such occasion when the shield was being breached." His eyes then became hazy as if he was recounting a memory and then in a low voice he spoke, "It happened a few weeks ago when I was riding my chariot over the hurricane that recently hit China. I was trying to decrease its intensity in order to lower the destruction. However, no matter how much I tried the storm continued to rage." He paused for a moment and then inhaled deeply, "I thought of coming to Lord Zeus for help and even turned my chariot to do so…" he sighed, "that's when I saw it" Summanus' eyes were now deep forest green, "A swirling mass of black cloud coming down from the skies. A concentration of energy equivalent or greater than the entire Olympian council put together." Upon those words several Olympians got up from their seat and began cursing and abusing Summanus. They couldn't bear to hear the fact that there was something out there more powerful than them.

Zeus however asked Summanus to sit down over Ares' and Dionysus' protests of killing Summanus at the spot to set an example. Zeus silenced them as well. I wonder what is going on his mind, there has to be a reason for the calling of this Grand Council. Calling all the gods to inform about this breach couldn't have been enough reason. What was he playing at? What was going on his mind as of now? I simply had to figure it out.

I turned to look at Hades, who was twirling one of his rings in his hand. It was a simple band of platinum, human-made. "Is that the ring…?" I let the sentence trail.

Hades simply nodded.

Maybe he was thinking of his son, the one who was recuperating in the infirmary at Fort Olympus. "How is your son now?" I asked, with genuine concern in my voice.

"Which one?" he shot back at me, not meaning to I'm sure. Hades simply snarled at everyone when he was not in the mood. I treaded back on my attempt. He had recently lost two of his eldest mortal sons. Nico had been gravely injured by a monster whereas his other son was missing in action. I knew that Hades wanted either of the two to take immortality and rule the underworld when he stepped down. However, he wasn't counting on losing both his heirs at the same time, Nico would recover but no one knew when. His human half was nearly dead but his godly half was still intact and keeping him alive.

Such was the curse of demigods.

I sighed, Zeus had finally taken to the podium once again and I had this feeling within me that he was about to say something that I had come to this Grand Council to hear.

"I won't take much of your time" Zeus said getting straight down to business, he then continued after taking a deep breath, "In the light of recent events I have decided that it'd be safer for those hidden behind the Veil to close the borders of their respective nations and realms until the danger passes by us."

The entire coliseum broke into an uproar. What was Zeus thinking? Had he lost complete sense?

As if reading my mind Poseidon and Hades both got up from their respective thrones. Their faces contorted with anger and annoyance, "Are you out of your bloody mind?" Hades seethed. "Do you know what repercussions we'd have to face if we close our realms?" Poseidon shouted from the other corner.

To my surprise Athena joined in, "Father…" she hesitated, "My Lord, please reconsider. The humans give us our strength. If we close our borders, it'll greatly reduce our power."

Ares too got up from his seat, "You are wrong Athena. Not all of us will suffer a decline in our power only those whose strength directly depends on the humans."

"In which you are included, God of War." Athena shot back right at him.

"There'll always be war, anger and fear." Ares spat at her, "and I'll get my strength. You however being cut-off from civilization will not only lose power but the humans as well will lose their creativity, intelligence and wisdom." He paused and then with a smirk on his face added, "That's the negative of being a symbiotic goddess."

"YOU" Athena screamed, a spear materialized in her hand but before she could throw it at Ares, Poseidon who was standing next to her caught her by the arm to restrain her. "Don't do anything foolish Athena. Think for a minute, you are the wisdom goddess." He mused at her.

Athena contemplated for less than a moment before the spear disappeared. She glared at Ares and then took a stand beside Poseidon. That was another shocker, Athena and Poseidon taking a stand together. Zeus glared at his brothers and his favourite daughter.

If Zeus didn't remedy his mistake fast, there was going to be a civil war in the heaven. This was something which Zeus would not be keen on especially judging the fact that his enemies packed more fire power than him. Zeus was livid and scared; his worst nightmare was becoming a reality, Poseidon and Hades standing against him, together. What added fuel to the fire was the fact that his loyal daughter Athena, stood along with them. Athena, who herself was a force to reckon with.

Zeus sighed and decided to make one last attempt to sway his brothers, "Why don't you understand? If we don't protect ourselves then how will we protect the mortals?"

"How do you expect us to protect the mortals from within our realms?" Poseidon asked stating the obvious.

"Like we have done over millennia, influence their decisions through thoughts and dreams." Zeus supplied coolly.

"What?" asked fair headed Apollo, standing tall against his father, his body blazing with the son's glare. "How will that protect them?" he asked his hands in the air.

Hera stood up in support for Zeus, "We cannot directly interfere with the lives of the mortal. We never have and we never will." She zeroed in on Apollo. "There is a lot of difference between protecting and influencing Father" said Artemis addressing Zeus but her eyes remained focussed on Hera.

Hera however remained indifferent to Artemis' death glares knowing full well that she couldn't do anything. Zeus on the other hand was leaving his cool seeing his own children standing against him, Apollo and Artemis had always been overly fond of Humans.

I sat on my throne observing the rift that was already pulling the Olympians apart and out of the corner of my eye I observed the minor gods deciding upon which side to choose, those who chose the winning side had lots to gain but they didn't know what was about to hit them.

Zeus had noticed this as well. The minor gods had already begun to taking sides, infuriated he sent out a resounding thunderclap through the Coliseum. Calling for silence, the sky overhead rumbled with thunder several times before silence echoed through the coliseum.

"I never expected for it to come down to this." Zeus said glaring at Poseidon and Hades. He inhaled sharply, "I banish you from Olympus" he spat at them and then turned his gaze to all those who were standing in the higher tiers showing support for the banished brothers, "All of you." Zeus shouted, "You don't deserve asylum in Olympus. Rot in mortal world for all I care." He screamed at them.

Several minor gods stood up in anger, cursing Zeus and abusing him. Few of them disappeared, no doubt returning to their own realms never to be seen again by Zeus.

This was it. Zeus had gone too far in his attempt to save his own skin. I wouldn't allow for this to continue, not at all. I balled my hands into fists and got up from my throne.

Finding my voice for the first time in front of the council I was surprised when my own words left my mouth, "Zeus, How dare you?" I shouted at him.

The commotion died down. Everyone's attention was now on me. Zeus looked at me in surprise, his anger evident but I wasn't going to give in today.

"How dare you banish Poseidon and Hades from Olympus?" I asked him voicing my question again.

"Take your throne Hestia. Don't concern yourself with such matters, leave it to the Olympians." Zeus said waving me off as if I was a common house fly.

"Zeus!" I screamed, "Don't turn your back on me."

"I am your king." He thundered his electric blue eyes flaring with dormant lightning.

"You are no king of mine." I said my voice clear and finally finding its ground. The sacred flame whirled around me and in a blinding flash of light I joined him in the centre of the Coliseum.

"You have no right to be the king of the Gods. It was never your right to lead." I seethed at him.

"How dare you Hestia?" Hera screeched from behind Zeus her eyes burning with the fires of purgatory, "Apologise to Zeus" she looked at me, "Now" she seethed.

I simply smiled, "The trophy wife finally speaks." I said and with a snap of my fingers I make her disappear in another flash of light.

Zeus stares at me, amazed and irate, "How did you do that?" he asks, slightly frightened.

The smile on my face widens, "I am older than all of you. More powerful and wise." I say with a purr.

Closing the distance between us, "I am the eldest living immortal child of Kronos. My power is unsurpassed." And with that with a wave of power and blinding speed I throw him across the arena and through the wall.

I stand there in the middle of the coliseum with gods, immortals and the chosen few mortals looking down at me. It was time now; there wouldn't be another to do this.

I raise my arms by my side and speak, "Revered gods and goddesses of Olympus, Immortal Personification, rulers of the hidden realms and Chosen Mortals there is something that I wish to say and I request you to listen to me." The commotion didn't die down but the stand that I took against Zeus surely had them listening to me.

"I know how important the mortal world is to us. The mortal world is a part of our life a reflection of our power and also the source of our life. If anything happens to the mortal world then we will all fade into oblivion." I stressed on the last few words.

By now I had their attention, something which Zeus didn't command rather enforced.

"It therefore becomes our duty to protect the mortal world from this unprecedented danger." I say with conviction gathering cheers from my audience and what I knew were future subjects.

A manic laughter echoed reverberated through the entire hall. I looked for the source of it but couldn't find it. "It's Zeus I heard" Poseidon's familiar voice, "He's lost his stability" said Hades gravely. Both of them had come to stand beside me, flanking me on both sides. I soon noticed that we were joined by Athena, Artemis, Apollo and Hermes.

Hermes was an honest shock. He was Zeus' favourite son. I was surprised that stood beside and not against me but then he was always known to pick the side he felt was right. He had an honest conscious.

"Father is terribly angry." Athena said, her voice lacking the usual conviction.

The laugh continued to echo throughout the Coliseum.

"It looks like he took a hit on the head." Hermes chuckled, "Maybe he's going to sprout another Athena." Apollo added, laughing outwardly only to be silenced by Artemis' slap.

The Seven Olympians surveyed the surroundings but saw no sign of their King. They spoke to soon.

In a blinding flash of lightning, Zeus appeared before them flanked on each side by a son, Hercules on his right and Ares on his left. Standing behind them were Hercules' and Ares' immortal sons and their other siblings, weapons drawn to protect their father's honour.

"Coward" Hestia said, toying with Zeus. Before Zeus could even give an indication Hercules charged forward with his sons. The ground shook beneath the feet of the defiant Olympians, not from the strength of Hercules but because of the power of Hades.

The ground split open to reveal a never ending crevice in which fell the God of Strength and guardians of the Olympian gates.

"That's why I liked Perseus." added Hestia, "at least he thought before acting."

"You will never be Queen." Hera screeched, hidden behind Zeus.

Hestia's face at that very moment changed to mimic the expressions of Kronos. Out of all her siblings she was most like the Titan Lord and it was more than enough to take Zeus's godlings aback. In a grave voice, slightly more than a whisper she said, "I claim my right Zeus. From now I am the queen of Olympus, beseech my command."

The sky overhead thundered. Not under the influence of Zeus but from the sheer power of Hestia's claim. Hestia put forward her hand in which materialized Zeus's sceptre of command.

"NO!" Zeus screamed calling for his lightning bolt to attack Hestia in his fit of rage but even before he could spring a flash. Hestia raised the sceptre out of which emanated a golden light that engulfed Zeus and the rest of his kin. When the light disappeared; except for the seven Olympians including Hestia no one else stood in the arena.

Neutral POV

All around them, everybody started to rise from their seats and then in a synchronized motion bowed with one knee to the ground. A majority of the gathering had stayed behind. Few of the minor gods who owed their allegiance to Zeus had disappeared with Zeus and some others who weren't there had decided to adopt the act of neutrality in what was now turning out to be a civil war in heaven.

Hestia acknowledged all her subjects and with a wave of her hand motioned them to rise, "Thank you for your respect" she said sounding obliged at their gesture. "I'd now request you all to go to your realms and prepare for the worst. Remember you shall be called when needed till then tend to those who need your help and guidance." The minor gods and personifications flashed away instantly.

The demigods who had been asked to attend the council were all that remained in the highest balconies of the coliseum. Hestia looked at them with compassion, born to mostly uncaring parents the demigods were forced into a life of blood and battle from early years. She wished to speak to the council of Fort Olympus.

"Hermes" Hestia called.

The winged foot, caduceus bearing god of messengers turned his attention towards her.

Not averting her gaze from the small group of demigods Hestia said, "Bring them to the Council chambers. I wish to speak to them." Hermes flashed away and in the distance so did the demigods.

Hestia then turned to face Athena, "We'll need a plan of action and also a way to restore the shield at the places where it has been breached." Athena nodded momentarily and she too twirling her shawl around her flashed way.

Hestia then turned to face Apollo and Artemis, "Bring to me the most powerful warriors from the Human realm. Train them, gift them immortality and bind them to Olympus to protect it." Apollo and Artemis shared a look, smiled at Hestia and then disappeared. The brother sister duo then whirled on the spot off to fulfill their assignments, Apollo in a flash of gold and Artemis in a flash of silver.

Hestia then turned to look at her brothers, Poseidon and Hades. She saw nothing except respect, honour and support. "Thank you for standing beside me" she bowed her head in gratitude.

"It's good you found your voice when you did." Poseidon said his voice full of mirth. "I agree" Hades said the trademark smirk lining his mouth.

"We have a lot of work to do, you both in?" She asked.

Hades and Poseidon exchanged glances with each other and then held out their hands. 'This was going to be interesting', Hestia thought to herself as she took the hands her brother offered and with a blinding flash of light the three of them disappeared leaving behind an empty Grand Coliseum of the Assembly of Olympus.

A/N:

Well this one took time didn't it? Longest chapter ever guys. There are two more chapters left for this story. After that, I start work on the second part. The reason I decided not to continue with this is because the second installment is DARKER. It is going to focus more on the assignments of the demigods and how they face the darkness around them and the darkness with in. I was thinking of completing 20 chapters for this one and I just might. I think the first part of the series should be done by coming Monday.