Authors Note: Two weeks are finally up! Or more like four days lol. Enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 16: The Fates traumatize a bunch of gods
Tartarus was not having a good week. First, Gaia for some reason has not contacted him for like two weeks which was really starting to worry him. The pods were finally occupied, if you can call fetus looking things no bigger than his pinky finger 'occupying' them. And no development at all to be seen. More monsters were breaking out of his alliance, the recent one being Typhon. Damn that over bloated mother of monsters, half of his army was now gone because of her. And worst of all, the hellfire, his hellfire. The only powerful substance his realm ever had the fortune to manifest, is now...resisting him? Tartarus really wanted to destroy something, fast.
The doors of the throne room opened, revealing a trembling Kylotes who was wearing fresh bandages on his hands and his hair was fully burned off. He approached Tartarus and kneeled, waiting for him to address the issue at hand.
"Kylotes, what's the status on the hellfire." Tartarus said through gritted teeth.
Kylotes continued to tremble as he looked up at his master. "Nothing has changed Milord. The fire, it's getting unresponsive day by day. This is worse than the time when we first tried to harvest it, at least then we could control its intensity. Now, it's acting as if it's trying to...break free."
Tartarus was silent on hearing this, but slowly his breathing became heavy as he clenched and unclenched his fists. He then got and walked across the room, hauling the cyclops to its feet as he dragged him outside.
"I am its master. I'm the only one worthy to control it and now it's trying to break free?!" Tartarus muttered, not bothering to open the doors to his forge as he literally crashed through them, making it come off its hinges. Inside the forge, the hellfire was burning inside the furnace, and also melting it. The intensity of the flame was quite low though, not one would expect the source of smelting to be. Tartarus then approached the furnace, staring intently at the flame which began to burn a bit brighter as he approached, only to dull immediately. As if it were mocking him.
Tartarus the brought out his hand, staring at it and then at the white colored flames. Kylotes, wondering if his master was going to do what he thought he was going to do spoke up. "Milord? Shouldn't you at least wear those protective gauntlets, what you're going to do might be a bit rash."
"And have them melted on top of my skin and have them stuck, just like it happened to you?!" Tartarus snapped, yelling at the cyclops. "Grow another eye, this is basically the only way to assert dominance on this...thing!" Tartarus then plunged his hand into the flames, ignoring the high-pitched yelp coming from behind.
At first, Tartarus thought that the hellfire may try to do something like pull back from him but it stayed where it was. Thinking he might have a high pain tolerance as he couldn't feel remotely anything from his outstretched hand and wondering if something went wrong, he pulled his hand back and was then faced with the answer to his previous questions. Because instead of his hand, there was a glistening black skeleton hand in its place which fell on to the floor and crumbled into a grey colored ash on contact. Tartarus just stared at the ash on the ground and back at his now cauterized arm while Kylotes scrambled towards him, with a bowl of Phlegethon water in his hands. Kylotes took the hand and dipped it into the bowl, followed by a sizzling noise. After a few minutes, Tartarus removed his hand, which looked like a burnt stub with a bit of bone sticking out. He started trembling and then let out a roar of fury which shook the walls.
"DAMN YOU, YOU PIECE OF SHITE!" Tartarus yelled, grabbing a boulder breaker with his good arm and smashing the furnace. "DAMN YOU MORAI!" he yelled smashing the many equipment shelves on the walls. "AND DAMN YOU CHAOS!" Tartarus shouted, decimating everything in his part and then threw the weapon outside of the room into an unsuspecting dracaena and instantly killing it. He was breathing heavily now, sweat dripping from his body and a faint blood red aura surrounding him.
"Kylotes! You're in charge of the castle until I return. And prepare a substitute for this!" Tartarus shouted, waving his stubbed arm.
"M-Milord-d, where are you going that-"
"DO NOT QUESTION MY WHEREABOUTS YOU INSOLENT MAGGOT!" Tartarus shouted trudging down the hallways and cursing a mile a minute. He then reached a room which had inscriptions written in the walls, the language written being unknown. In the center was a golden structure resembling an arc that faced upwards. As soon as Tartarus entered the room, he began to chant something which resulted in the arc like structure to start glowing. A black vortex of sorts began to form in the center of the arc, which soon turned in to what seemed like a portal. Tartarus then entered it and was greeted by a distortion segment of kaleidoscope movements and then turned up in an empty room. Tartarus composed himself, getting his anger in check when a serene but sharp sleepy voice spoke up, breaking Tartarus's composure.
"Imagine my surprise...when I woke up just for a moment...to see you here...my dear..." the voice said, which belonged to a woman relaxing on a chaise. She had long flowing black hair, reminiscent of tiled soil with little leaves on the hair and a smile that had a loving, and sinister, feel in it. She appeared to be asleep as well.
Tartarus stumbled back on seeing her, shock, lust and a hint of anger evident in his eyes. "Gaia?! What in your name are you doing over here in the Void?!" he asked.
The woman now identified as Gaia, the primordial goddess of the earth, cracked an eye open and smiled. "Would like to join me?" she asked, patting the chaise.
Tartarus just looked dumbly at her, with a bit of drool coming out of his mouth but then steeled himself. "D-Don't try to play your games now! Why are you here, and why have you not contacted me for like the past two weeks?!"
Gaia sighed. "Questions, questions, questions. I don't like questions Tartarus, surely you already know that? And what in your name happened to your right arm?"
Tartarus blinked as he stared at his arm. "Uh...fight with a couple of drakons gone wrong. I hope the damage isn't permanent."
Gaia raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing the tale but hid it well. "I...see. Never liked that arm anyways, didn't help at all during our activities. So, are you here to ask Chaos for a new one?"
Tartarus scoffed, until he thought about it. "Can you do that?" he asked, but only received a light shrug in return. "I was going to ask Chaos to give me full ownership of the hellfire. It originated in my realm; I deserve total control over it. I-"
"Oh stop yapping, do you see me complain to Chaos that I should have full control over precious metals instead of my wretched grandson up there? No. What about my granddaughter, who has total control over plants, has her domains of agriculture and fertility and is sometimes also referred as the goddess of the earth? Am I complaining? No! But is it irritating? Yes! So stop whining already, you're a primordial for crying out loud. Act like one." Gaia chided.
"But you still have full control over your realm and its resources. For me, the bloody hellfire is acting like its own entity. It's a mess." Tartarus argued.
Gaia frowned, sat up on the chaise and opened both her leaf green colored eyes, and laughed. "You are losing control over the one resource that gives your realm a name among us primordials, the one thing we all wish we had? This is too good; I can already imagine Erebus's face on finding out!"
"Which is why I'm here in the first place." Tartarus snapped, the blood red aura surrounding his body once again. "I did ask Chaos centuries ago if it was possible for me to have like a domain over it, but no! 'It'll be fine, no one will be powerful enough to wield it. Oh don't worry, I won't make sure to create a being like that, yada, yada, yada.' Screw you! And you still didn't answer my questions."
Gaia sighed as she laid down on the chaise again. "You really just told the creator of the universe to screw itself, fully expecting it to grant your request? How adorable, I hope you aren't like that with me my dear. We wouldn't want, let's say...another tragic incident involving my lover now, do we?" Tartarus gulped. "As for why I'm here, I was hoping to run by some primordials. Haven't seen anyone other than you for quite some time now. I was actually hoping for Nyx, or maybe Erebus but he gives me the creeps."
Tartarus frowned. "That's...oddly specific. But why?"
Gaia shrugged. "They're good company, and who knows, maybe I can finally convince Nyx to loan me some of that beautiful Umbra Ore. The possibilities, the creativity! You remember the Umbra Ore, don't you Tartarus? Heck you even tried to steal it once, when we all met up that time. I've never seen more emotion on Erebus's face before when he caught you red-handed."
Tartarus visibly shuddered. "Don't remind me please. But yes, having the Umbra Ore would be quite nice." Tartarus said, as his thoughts wandered to the cube which he had been vehemently after for almost three years for. "I wouldn't mind getting that at least." he thought.
"You know, speaking of not wanting to lose powers and stuff and all. I noticed something peculiar, which actually made me wake up from my rest for a few moments. Imagine my shock and surprise, when I felt someone use earth manipulation on my realm. And as far as I know, no one should have that power really. Unless I managed to skip through some important events while napping which warranted this." Gaia said, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Do you know who the person is?" Tartarus asked.
"No, I honestly don't have anyone to check on this as well. Whoever it is though, is quite good. An amateur, but a skilled amateur, if that makes any sense at all. Above average, let's go with that. But the signature, it feels familiar...very familiar." Gaia replied.
Tartarus nodded. "I would actually like to speak with you on some matters regarding our plan. I have some improvements which I would like you to go over. In the meantime, I shall seek an audience with Chaos."
"Hello! This is Chaos's spoke person!" A cheery and squeaky voice called out. "I'm sorry to inform you that Chaos will not be taking in any appointments today, though that has been the case since the last fifty years or so. Would you like to book an indefinite appointment though?" the voice asked.
Tartarus was looking around blindly, wondering where the voice was coming from. "Uh, whoever you are. Can't I just see Chaos for one moment. It'll hardly take any time at all." he asked.
"But that's the problem sir, he isn't here. He's gone out visiting a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. It'll be quite a while before he comes back. Not to mention, he's kind of mad at you for insulting him just now. Okay bye! Peace." and the voice went away.
Tartarus just stared dumbly at a wall in front of him and then charged at it, screaming, punching and kicking it. Gaia cracked an eye open to stare at him and sighed. "Even Ouranos didn't act like a toddler for crying out loud." she thought and then vanished. Tartarus then stopped his barrage on the wall remembering that someone else was in the room but turned around to find Gaia not there. However, someone else did show up in the form of an Iris message, which wasn't an Iris message.
"Milord!" Kylotes wailed, behind him debris and the outside scenery clearly visible. "The hellfire!"
Tartarus was really confused at the scene in front of him. "What in Chaos's name happened to the hellfire now. And why are you outside?"
"The hellfire is gone! I don't know how milord, but it suddenly started glowing until hellfire available everywhere in the castle started moving out. The barracks, forge, and the mystic labs, they are all gone! The hellfire had decimated all those places until it combined into one and...and went out. That's why I'm outside, because where I was, was the forge. It was horrible!"
Tartarus, too emotionally spent to do anything, slumped down on the ground against the wall as he put his head in his hands. He was definitely not having a good week.
The last time Hestia was in a big blowout party with a scale so massive was the one that took place in the one-year anniversary of the gods defeating the titans. And it seemed like Zeus was pretty adamant on making sure to have the best inauguration party ever, with the amount of streamers and food everywhere. Pretty straight forward seeing that his three children and his 'still in denial of being a favorite' nephew were being part of the council, boosting the number from seven to eleven. Poor Hera was not happy on hearing this be true (confirmation from the Fates being the last straw) and recently took hold of one of Zeus's latest lovers, Io her name was, who for some reason Zeus turned into a cow. The last thing Hestia heard about her was that Hera was keeping her guarded by some guy who supposedly had eyes everywhere. Her world never ceased to surprise her.
She began to walk along the town square, smiling when she saw Apollo enchant a growing crowd with his new hit instrument the lyre. It was better than the keras, the trumpet like instrument never suited him anyways. A five-year-old Hermes was zipping around the crowd with his new winged shoes, collecting drachmas and persuading them to buy multiple helmets with small wings attached on its sides. Both Apollo and Hermes had become fast friends, though it was a no brainer with the two of them being the biggest mischief makers in Olympus. She then reached her home, where Perseus was looking over a map and talking to Artemis by an Iris message.
"I've heard a rumor from Celyn saying that a deer had mysteriously pooped out of a shadow in the forest, startling a woodcutter. It was last seen traveling with a herd, somewhere in Ceryneia. That's like...north of Olympia I think. We can go there sometime and properly hunt it down if you want." Perseus said.
Artemis nodded. "We'll leave in like two days after the inauguration then. See you tomorrow in Olympus, bye!" Artemis said, waving the connection off. Perseus let out a sigh as he laid down on the sofa. "Hey mom, what's up?
Hestia smiled as she took a seat next to him. "I was wondering what gifts I should give you once you join the council. I wonder if you're not opposed to fire powers."
Perseus groaned. "Mom, even if you give me your healing powers, I'll probably excel in them so much I'll put Apollo to shame."
"I honestly doubt that, Apollo is already putting the local healers to pure shame. Alright, you have two choices. My fire powers, either to heal or to harm. You have to choose one." Hestia said, using her no-nonsense voice.
Perseus sighed. "Can I get summoning homemade meals instead, it won't be too drastic either."
Hestia shook her head fondly. "You're too modest for your own good son. But fine, I will give you the power you ask for."
"Thank you. It's just that, I am already content with my shadow and earth powers. Having fire powers will be a bit too much. Like what's next, water powers from Poseidon? All the gods blessing me? Chaos coming down and giving me some over powered stuff? I'm good, thank you very much."
"I can always give you water powers sonny." Pontus suddenly piped up inside Perseus's head. "And they'll be the best! For they will be from the original of course. You can control any single thing with water within it, imagine the possibilities-"
"Nope, no way. I don't want them at all!" Perseus told Pontus telepathically. "And stop getting in my head!"
"Perseus? What's wrong, why are you frowning?" Hestia asked.
"Hmm? Oh I...was just thinking of how I'll be like if I you know get all those blessings and powers from the other gods. It's crazy let me tell you, really crazy."
Hestia nodded. "It must be. You know, I find it quite interesting that the fates decided to have tomorrow as the day for your inauguration. You do remember what's tomorrow, right?"
Perseus grinned. "Only because you would tell me that story every day when I was a kid. How I came to Olympus with help from the Fates and all that."
"That is correct. Tomorrow is the day where you first came into my life, it's kind of like...your birthday, though I'm pretty sure your birthday is something else. The night on that day was quite unique as well, the moon was actually red that night. Quite weird." Hestia said, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"And I came in some cube thingy, right?" Perseus asked.
"That's correct, Athena was the one who got you out as well. As for the cube, it is made of a newly discovered metal which the Fates dubbed as Nexus Platinum. Though nothing has come of it really, it's just been in cube form for a long time now." Hestia said, her eyes suddenly lighting up. "Why don't I take you to see the cube, and the Cyclops as well? You can have them make some weapons for you as well, you might finally get a balanced sword like this."
"You know, you already sold me with the cube. A balanced sword is just the cherry on the top. Let's go." Perseus said, getting up from the sofa to get his sandals. Hestia gave a light chuckle as she went to grab her shawl and soon enough, the two gods had flashed over to the Elder Cyclops forges. On entering the forge, Perseus suddenly got a weird feeling in his stomach, and a certain pull. The forge was quite today, the only occupant being Brontes, who was staring at a sort of screen where a bunch of people were shown to be dancing around a blazing fire. He noticed the two immortal's presence and got up to greet them.
"Hello ma'am, didn't expect to see you here today. And who is this fine lad along with you?" Brontes asked.
"Brontes, this is my son, Perseus. He's the one who came from the cube." Hestia said, noticing the slight frown on the cyclops face when the cube was mentioned. Perseus, this is Brontes. He is one of the Elder Cyclops, the first of his kind. He and his brothers helped us defeat the titans all those years ago and our are main weapon suppliers." Hestia said, introducing the two.
Brontes snorted. "I may be a weapon maker, but you don't use any of our creations. Even a dagger would be fine."
"But I'm not a fighter." Hestia said, and then whispered to Perseus. "He has made weapons and armor for every single god except me, thinks it's a disgrace for not making me anything."
"Not a fighter?! Bah!" Brontes said, munching on some food from a bucket. "You should have seen your mother on the battlefield back then. One full swipe with her hand and BOOM! A full platoon of monsters disintegrated into dust. It was legendary!"
Hestia blushed. "They were overpowering my siblings, I had to do something!"
"That still makes you a fighter." Brontes said, extending the bucket to them. "Want some?"
"Uh...no thanks." Perseus said, noticing the grease and oil covering the food, definitely not the cooking kind. "What is that anyways."
"Kernel. I was watching the locals up on Lemnos and got hungry. They were doing some celebration thingy I believe. Bunch of weird pirates. So anyway, I'm guessing you're in need for a weapon huh, godling." Brontes said, wiping his hands. "You have come to the right place let me tell you. The only place actually that makes weapons for the gods really."
"Uncle Hades has his own forge though." Perseus pointed out.
"Bah, are you really comparing me and my brother's expertise with that of a couple of dead souls? Inexcusable! Tell me, young god. Tell me what you wish for me to make and I will do so in a heartbeat!" Brontes said, grabbing a hammer.
"We still have plenty of time for that." Hestia said. "We are actually here to see the cube. Perseus was curious about it so I thought of bringing him here for you to show him. Where is the cube though? I'm surprised it's not out here." Hestia said, looking around.
Brontes grunted, walking to a door at the far end of the room. "The reason the cube is not out here ma'am is because I stored it away. A heap of...scrap metal...that thing was. Not at all worthy of my time at all. Complete waste. I had half a mind to chuck that thing into Nyx's realm with a note saying 'Keep it, Lady Nightie!' But I doubt that would have gone well." he grumbled, taking out the cube. The weird feeling inside Perseus continued to grow, the pull becoming stronger. Perseus suddenly realized that the pull was coming from the cube, which really confused him. Brontes then walked back to Hestia and Perseus and placed the cube on the table in front of them. "Here you go. One useless cube like object with zero uses at all."
"This is the cube?" Perseus asked, as he stared at it. "It's smaller than I expected. And I came in this thing?" he asked.
Hestia smiled. "Yes, you came in that. And yeah, now that you mention it, it does look kind of small. Or maybe you were a small baby, no you definitely weren't small." Hestia mused.
"So, this thing came from Nyx's realm..." Perseus muttered, picking the cube up, the feeling and pull becoming very strong. "I wonder what it really does and why am I getting this weird feeling..." he thought, his knees starting to buckle. Hestia noticed the slight discomfort on his son's face and held his hand. "Perseus, is something wrong?" she asked.
"I'm not sure...this cube is really strange- WOAH!" Perseus shouted, the cube starting to shudder, with ridges and lines forming on its surface. The cube suddenly pulsed with its familiar purple light, as the glowing symbol of Nyx began to show up. Perseus dropped the cube, but it still continued to pulse brightly, and a loud humming noise starting to be emitted out as well. Brontes, fearing an explosion of sorts, shouted. "MA'AM! Raise shields now!" he said, ducking behind a wall. Hestia quickly raised a shield while Perseus raised an earth barrier as well, shielding everyone present. However, no explosion occurred, and Perseus slowly let his barrier down while Hestia kept hers on. Brontes poked his head from the wall and slowly approached the two who were staring at the cube. The cube was still pulsing and humming, and looked like it was slightly moving towards Perseus.
"That thing didn't react like this until my brother got that spear over" Brontes muttered, staring at Perseus. "And now, it's basically doing the exact same thing. But only when you came in contact with it. Grab it again." he said.
Hestia was about to protest on this but then Perseus touched the cube again, this time the pulsing again becoming brighter and brighter on contact. Suddenly, in front of all of them, the cube let out a shudder and then started to disintegrate. Only thing was it didn't look like it was actually doing that. The cube started to break into small particles from top to bottom and then started to take the shape of something. In a few moments, a pair of vambraces were formed by the cube. They looked to be made of the same material and color, with glowing blue lines across them. Perseus had a strange look on his face as he stared at the vambraces, Hestia looked at them curiously while Brontes was spluttering, his large eye as big as a dinner plate.
"The cube...turned to vambraces...by his touch." Brontes muttered as he stared back and forth at Perseus and the vambrace. He then let out a cry as he took a metal sheet and started to bang his head repeatedly on it.
"Three years! THREE YEARS! And all it took was for this kid to touch the cube for it to do something! How! I wasted my months on something that could have been fixed in less than a minute?! WHY!"
"Brontes! Calm yourself, please! Being angry will not help." Hestia said as she sent soothing waves over to the cyclops. Brontes visibly calmed down, but was still breathing very heavily as he stared at the vambrace. "I hate you...I really hate you..." he muttered.
"These look really cool" Perseus said, picking up a vambrace and putting it on. "But why did the cube turn into these two and not something else? Would have been cool if it turned into a sword, or maybe like that gauntlet where- WOAH!" Perseus shouted, as a sword blade suddenly came out of the vambrace. But it didn't come out like that one gauntlet Perseus wore when searching for a sword. Instead, it came out by the same particles as seen before forming a blade which was attached to the vambrace. The blade had the same blue glowing lines which extended from the vambrace along the length of the blade.
"How did you do that?" Hestia asked as she inspected the other vambrace.
"I don't know, I just thought of that gauntlet I wore one time and...wait. No way, it can't be..." Perseus whispered, as he suddenly had a thought. "What if..." Perseus then thought of a shield, and suddenly, the blade disappeared only to be replaced by a circular shield. It wasn't the same shield as Perseus thought of but it was still one, and an awesome looking one at that.
"I don't believe it!" Perseus cried as he looked at a confused Hestia and a flabbergasted Brontes. "Mom, give me the other vambrace." Perseus said, and then wore the brace on his other hand. "A sword and a spear." Perseus thought and immediately, he vambraces gave him just that, a sword and a spear materializing in each arm, leaving behind two black bands bearing the symbol of Nyx, two crescent moons facing outwards joint by a full shaded circle, purple in color. Hestia quickly noted that the spear looked exactly like the one she saw last time when she was in the forge, only much fancier. Perseus then threw the spear at a wall while he imagined the sword to turn in to a shield again. He let out a laugh on seeing this and on noticing the highly confused expressions on Hestia and Brontes's faces, he quickly explained.
"I got a weird feeling and a pull when I entered the forge, turns out I was because of the cube. I think it's linked to my mind or something because whatever weapon I imagine, the vambrace turns into that! Like not the exact copy but just the general concept of it. This is so awesome, oh man. Ares is going to freak out so bad on seeing this!" Perseus said as he raised his arm to where the spear was. The band on his left arm glowed and the spear came flying back to him, changing into a vambrace immediately. Perseus then changed the shield on his right arm to a sword and tested it out. "It's incredibly well balanced as well, like...it was made for me." Perseus muttered.
"So you mean to say...that you can basically think of a weapon in your mind, and the vambrace can make it?" Hestia asked. On seeing Perseus's nod of confirmation, and the right vambrace turning into a bow, she sighed. "Definitely not what I was expecting out of this trip." she muttered.
"Wait, so I can't make any weapons for the kid at all?!" Brontes asked and then groaned. "Like mother like son I tell you. Unbelievable."
"Well, you did make his bow so that's something." Hestia said, patting the cyclops arm. "Would like to at least go over those vambraces now? I'm sure you can get something-"
"No...I'm tired ma'am. Just get those stupid things away from my sight please." Brontes said as he stared at the metal sheet he ruined with his head.
"Okayyy, Perseus let's go home. You have a long day tomorrow and you need your rest. Come on." Hestia said, ushering her son out.
It was a day of celebration for Olympus, for the council of gods would be welcoming four new gods in their ranks. Not just that, but they will also be a part of the said council as well. Anticipation was through the roof as minor gods, godly spirits and creatures were trying to secure a spot in the massive throne room. Luckily, there was a lot of places to fill, even with the newly added four golden thrones though it didn't help Athena who planned the entire event and thus had to scramble around making sure everything was in order.
"Mellie, herd the satyrs in that corner, Hebe help me out here! Daphne, make sure no one crosses this line and- HYPNOS! Stop sleeping for ten seconds and please make those stupid wind spirits drowsy, please! Oh, Hades I want you to be the seat allotter, no buts just do it. I'll pay you. Okay, we need to have some formation everyone so listen up! What! What do you mean you have control over wealth...oh shit. Just, I'll ,uh... kill some bad people for you, how about that? Hmm? No, we are not getting in those centaurs in here unless they were those disposable diapers, I don't care. Hey, hey! HEY! Come back here with my cape Cletus, you stupid satyr! GAH!"
Zeus, we could have had a nice private celebration you know, but no. You had to go all out. And that to so early on a Sunday?!" Poseidon said, letting out a yawn.
"The Fates gave the guidelines, so I'm just carrying them out." Zeus grumbled, wondering how he was going to get his lover, Io, out. "And the Fates did say 'all our welcome' so I did just that."
"I doubt all meant everyone up on Olympus and everywhere else." Demeter said, eating her cereal. "And did anyone of you'll have your breakfast or no."
"Everyone shush! I think it's the Fates." Zeus said, staring at the flash of light emerging at the center of the throne room. Sure enough, it was the Fates, wearing ceremonial robes and hoods that covered their faces. In their hands were plates which was emitting some kind of incense. The throne room immediately quietened on seeing them, some even fainting at seeing their presence for the first time.
Clotho looked around and sighed. "Zeus went overboard again?"
"Zeus went overboard again." Atropos confirmed.
"I don't blame him honestly." Lachesis grinned, taking in the fearful looks of the attendees. "It's always hilarious seeing people freak out when they see us.
"Alright now where are those gods dammit, we're on a schedule here everyone!" Atropos shouted tapping her foot impatiently.
"They are over here! Just suffering a bit from cold feet, nothing to worry." Hestia said, dragging her petrified son over while Leto and Maia were doing the same thing. Soon, the four were up in the center where everybody was able to see them. Hermes was shaking like a leaf and immediately hid behind Apollos legs. Apollo tried to sport a confident smile but it came off more like a grimace. Artemis was holding Perseus's hands really tightly, still in her twelve-year-old form while Perseus just stayed still, gulping periodically. Today was the day, the day everyone was waiting, and dreading, for. Clotho then broke out from her fate trio and approached the four gods.
"Some stuff to go over with you all. You just have to say 'I accept' when we tell you to, and that's it. Then there will be some lightshow and stuff, oh and pain. Lots of pain. But it'll go in a few minutes so you'll be fine. Also, you will basically be in your semi-true form, the main form which you will always take in your prime. Though you can of course change it, with practice. Same with true form, you need practice on controlling that as well. We don't want any of you'll decimating places now, do we?" Clotho said, giving out a creepy chuckle which no one other than Apollo reciprocated, with a nervous grin. "Oh, and this one is for you specifically Perseus. We will be revealing your birth mother to the public once your turn comes up, just getting that warning out of the way." Perseus nodded and gave a faint nod in response. "Though...don't expect any of us to know your full parentage, something tells me it's going to be shrouded. Well, that's it for the mandatory pep talk. All the best, and don't get stuck with a crappy domain." And then Clotho walked back to her sisters.
"We shall begin with the proceedings...now! Hermes, son of Zeus and Maia. Please step up!" Atropos shouted, smirking internally at seeing Apollo bringing the god forward.
"Hermes! Do you swear your allegiance to Olympus, promise to be a faithful and just member of the council, and be the forerunner of your domains to the best of your abilities?" Atropos asked, waiting for the gods' answer. When Hermes didn't reply, she sighed. "Just say yes at least. What is up with all these gods always freaking out." She said, shaking her head. Hermes audibly gulped and managed to speak. "Y-Yes!" he squeaked out.
"Good. Now, embrace your fate..." The three Fates then started chanting in a mix between ancient Greek and an unknown language. Hermes then began to glow a white color as he got lifted up, and then suddenly cried out in pain as he got engulfed by light. The gods visibly winced, remembering their process as well. Harsh winds suddenly entered the room as the chanting grew louder...and then it stopped. The light surrounding Hermes died down to reveal a thirty something year old man, wearing a Greek chiton, winged helmet and sandals, he was carrying a staff topped with wings as well. The man slowly floated down as he checked his body with a look of mild horror on his face.
The Fates then straightened themselves as they began to speak together in one. "All hail Angeliafóros Hermes! God of Messengers, thieves, travelers, speed, trickery...and a bunch of other stuff that's too much to list. You are the messenger of the gods, and the patron to anyone who uses the roads. Now, take your place among the gods!" They shouted.
Cheers and yells of approval filled the room as the crowd welcomed their new god. Hermes walked a bit unsteadily as he approached his throne, which was next to Ares. He sat down, and let out a sigh of relief as a bit of power washed over him. "Much better..." Hermes said, still retaining his salesman voice though it fitted him this time. "I was expecting my form to be a bit...younger. But this will do. And why is my throne so plain looking?"
"You can customize it later twerp." Ares said while picking his teeth with a knife, as he gestured to the scenes of carnage and war etched on the sides of his throne.
"Ah...I see." Hermes said nervously.
"Moving on!" Lachesis shouted, "Apollo, son of Zeus and Leto. Step forward!" she shouted, making Apollo jump in fright. He trudged forward, with a big smile plastered on his face that made the crowd swoon. "Oh wipe that stupid smile, you look constipated." Lachesis said, as she cracked her knuckles. "This one is going to be good."
The Fates once again began their dialogue with Apollo replying with a cracked 'I accept'. The Fates then began their chanting once again as Apollo, like Hermes, started to float up while glowing a golden color and was then consumed by a bright light. The chanting then got louder as the light turned a brilliant golden in color and Apollos cries were heard. The sun started to shine brightly as the late morning rays entered the room, practically making everyone cover their eyes. Soon enough, the light then died down, revealing a slightly older Apollo but with a healthy tan, shoulder length flowing blonde hair and wearing a one shouldered chiton. He was carrying a golden lyre, with a set of daggers on either side of his waist. As he gently floated down, the Fates once again readied themselves but weren't prepared for what happened next as Apollo strummed a chord on his lyre, releasing a shockwave of wind from him.
"Awww yeahhh. Now this is what I'm talking about! I literally feel more than awesome!" Apollo shouted, striking a pose. And immediately falling on his face due to imbalance.
The Fates collectively sighed as they gestured for a group of satyrs and nymphs to carry him to his throne. There was some delay as the satyrs were apprehensive for carrying a god, while the nymphs promptly fainted on hearing the proposal. In the end, Apollo was brought on his throne and let out a little moan on feeling the power flow.
"Now, we shall continue with you before you rudely interrupted us." Lachesis muttered as the Fates let out the domains. "All hail Phoebus Apollo! God of the sun, archery, poetry, young men, song and music, shepherds and cowherds, medicines, diseases, and most importantly prophecies. And other stuff which is too much to list out. You shall ride the sun chariot across the day and provide the world with the beautiful melodies of music and poetry. You shall undertake to healing, or harming, the world as well. With the gift of the prophecy, you shall have your own oracle in the land of Delphi, undertaking the words of Zeus and other higher beings, like ourselves, to narrate the fate of mortals, demigods, and immortals. Take your seat...which already did so congratulations." More cheering and screaming erupted from the crowd, Apollo's fan club being the most prominent. Apollo gave a lazy wave as he relaxed on his throne.
"Alright, Artemis, daughter of Zeus and Leto. Please step forward!" Clotho announced. Artemis gave a small squeeze to Perseus's hand as she finally let go which he tried to return but his arm was sadly broken, though he was too polite to mention it to the offender. The same process was repeated, with Artemis accepting and the chanting began. Like the others, Artemis began to glow and float up, this time with a silver color. The light show happened once again, with the sky darkening and tons of wild animal noises and Artemis's cries were heard which Perseus was pretty sure was not him hallucinating. The light then died down to reveal a beautiful young woman with long flowing auburn hair, an athletic figure dressed in silver hunting gear and a silver bow and quiver slung on her back. Perseus only had to take one look to have one thought cross his mind. "Holy shit she's beautiful." As Artemis descended down gracefully, the Fates once again doing their part.
"All hail Phoebe Artemis! Goddess of the moon, hunt, archery, wilderness and wildlife, young children, maidens and childbirth. You shall roam the mountains and the forests as the patron of the wilderness, but also to patron hunters and hunt down dangerous beasts as well. You are now the patron of young children and maidens, their protector and shall assist woman at the time of labor. Lastly, you shall draw the moon chariot across the night sky, while also performing a special phenomenon with the help of your brother. And that phenomenon, you shall know soon...and its god."
Cheering and applause soon followed, though a bit muted than the previous two times. The loudest were the nymphs and satyrs, who were happy to get another deity to represent them. Artemis looked over to Perseus and gave a shaky smile. Perseus returned it, though his mind was swimming right now. "Did she always look lovely with her hair down? Or am I used to her ponytail? Wait, what about that smile, its brighter than Apollo's. And those...BAD PERCY! Get those bloody thoughts out now!" Perseus was too distracted though as all three Fates had to call for him.
"PERSEUS STEP FORWARD NOW OR I'LL TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE NIGHT IN ATHENS!" Atropos yelled out loud, breaking Perseus from his trance who then immediately jogged forward. "About time..." Atropos muttered. "Perseus, adopted son of Hestia...and the birth son of Nyx. Are you ready, or are you going to be submerged in your thoughts again?" she asked. Perseus ignored the not so hushed whispering that broke out in the crowd on hearing his real mothers name, and looked at the curious Clotho, Lachesis who was wearing a gleeful smile on her face and rubbing her hands together and Atropos who looked bored and impatient. "I'm ready."
The Fates once again did their part, and one 'I accept' later, the chanting began. Perseus then began to float up, his signature dark blue aura flaring up. His vision was then obscured by light and suddenly, images flashed in his eyes as his body rocked with pain. He saw shadows everywhere, and the shadow plane. He saw the dusk sky and what looked like him fighting some mortals and comforting others with the sky slowly turning into dawn. He saw the mountains and felt a connection with them. He saw himself hunting alongside Artemis and what looked like a dozen of other people following them, all wearing silver attire. He saw an assortment of weapons and different combat styles and then a white colored flame which consumed him. And finally, a blood red moon which slowly turned into what looked like a glowing white ring in the sky, the surrounding sky turning dark...but very well into morning.
As this was going on, a spew of white colored flames entered the room, making everyone freak out. It then launched itself at Perseus, totally consuming him. The other gods and goddesses drew out their weapons and shields, thinking this was an outside force interfering. But the Fates didn't seem to move a muscle at this, so they figured it might be part of the process. Though that didn't stop them from putting away their weapons. Oddly enough, while Perseus did cry out in pain during the process, he immediately calmed down when the fire consumed him. The fates then stopped chanting, expecting to see the god descend down only to find that wasn't the case. They looked up, only to get an actual shock of their lives on seeing Perseus still floating in the air, covered in...
"Hellfire." the three Fates whispered together, as they watched Perseus finally descend down on the floor. The hellfire then disappeared, leaving behind a slightly older Perseus, his aura still flaring. He was dressed in pitch black armor, but not the heavy kind as it looked a bit minimalistic but perfect for someone with Perseus's figure. His vambraces had also appeared in his hands which were adorned with fingerless gloves, with his bow slung over his shoulder. He was wearing a black coak that was long enough to reach his ankles and combat boots. The blue in his hair which was visible only under sunlight was even more prominent now, same with the blue in his eyes. Perseus was breathing heavily as he checked himself when he noticed that his fingers were prickling. He inspected his hands and momentarily stumbled back when he saw a hint of white flames appearing and then disappearing. The Fates shook themselves out of their stupor as they addressed Perseus to everyone present.
"All hail Lykofós Perseus! God of eclipse, shadows, twilight, weapons and combat, hunting, and mountains. You are now the god of the eclipse phenomenon, undertaken now by Apollo and Artemis. You have a bond with the shadows and can move freely around the shadow plane with ease. A mastery of different weapons and combat has earned you it's domain. Hunt alongside Artemis in taking down the various beasts of Greece and beyond. You are the Twilight Avenger, protector of those innocent during the twilight zone. Protect them during this time for you are one the main links between gods and men. Mountains are your domain which corresponds to your hunting, and because of your terrakinesis." Clotho said offhandedly, the three finishing their dialogue.
They then cocked their heads to the side as if they were listening to something and immediately paled. Lachesis then cleared her throat and began to speak. "You are also the god of hellfire, a mystical energy source that is leagues powerful than Greek fire and something immortals have vied for. Use it well, for there was no other deity deemed worthy enough to wield it by Chaos itself. Until you Lykofós Perseus. Take your place among the Olympians!
And. That's. A. Wrap! Well the domains are out! Did you guess any, were you surprised by some, or completely blown away? I really hoped you guys like them and I'll happily answer any questions you'll have. Unless, its spoiler territory l but I'll try. Also, I've updated chapter 1 and 2 with a minor stuff and that's Perseus's string. It was black and sea green but now it's just black and dark blue. The only reason it was sea green was because I planned for Poseidon to have an integral part in Perseus's life but I decided against it. Also, if you're wondering how the Hellfire managed to burn off Tartarus's hand but just leave burn marks on the Fates in chapter 2, then its because of intensity. Tartarus was the one who first had like somewhat control over it and it depends on the being. Hellfire...is basically its own entity in a way which I will delve on. And I'm going to end this a/n here. Oh and last but not the least, who can spot the pop culture reference. Bye...\/