The waves washed ashore up to the girl's ankles but didn't touch the fabric of her clothing. A mass of light blue and black linen which wrapped over her shoulders with short sleeves. It was kept tight with small wraps and a white belt hidden under folds. She faced the ocean to watch the sun slowly set. She was alone until she heard a strange gust of wind which originated and contained itself not ten feet from her back. Upon turning around she saw the face of someone she had met a few times before. He wore a similar outfit to her, though his only reached down to mid-thigh, was sleeveless, and was white in color.
"Elio, what brings you here?" she asked.
"Evening, Dawn. I've been told to pass on the message that everyone is to meet at Mount Coronet."
"What for?"
"A meeting."
"What about?"
"I cannot say."
"When shall I go?"
"There are already many waiting, so it is best to not keep them so."
"I see. Then I will arrive soon."
Elio said nothing more only nodding at Dawn and she returned the gesture. She looked ahead and something began to rise from the water. Four seahorses, as large as any land horse, emerged from the water with their backs to the beach. Each with a rein strapped to their heads and torsos and they pulled a chariot large enough for multiple people to stand on. Despite the size of the animals and cart, the water had few ripples. Dawn approached the chariot, hopping into the back and gripping its front. The seahorses began to pull her forward and down. As quickly as they rose they sunk. Leaving Elio alone before he quickly took his leave.
Mount Coronet was the largest mountain. On top of which was a great temple made from marble so pure the faint blue veins could only be seen when within arms reach. Its history spanned farther back than some of the Gods who currently stood within its walls. Two of those Gods ran through the main hall with their arms out to their sides to imitate wings. They dodged and weaved between different Gods, causing some to laugh and others to scowl. When the two spotted someone familiar, they headed straight for them.
"Hello, Dawn!" said one of them.
"Hello, Rosa. Nate," replied Dawn. She looked past the young twin Gods, both of whom wore knee length tunics made from grey fabric, and scanned the room. There were many Gods that she knew and just as many she didn't. "Do either of you know why we are here?"
"We do not know. Though Hilbert told us it must be for something important if this many Gods are here," said Nate.
"I hope nothing bad has happened," Dawn said nervously. Rosa was about to say something to calm her friend, but she noticed what Dawn was holding in her hand.
"Say, Dawn. What is that?" she asked as she pointed to the long golden pole Dawn held beside her. The more Rosa and Nate looked at it they realized it was a spear. However, unlike all the other spears they had seen, it had three tips instead of one.
"Oh, my trident. My mother had it made for me," said Dawn with a smile. She moved the trident, which was almost a foot taller than her, so it was ahead of her. Nate and Rosa stared in awe.
"Rosa, Nate! Come here!" called a woman. She spoke in an authoritative tone that caused the young twins to snap their heads towards her. The three Gods eyed a woman who looked back at them. She was tall and her hair was tied in a high ponytail making her even taller. Beside her was a young man who matched her height and face, with much shorter hair that jutted out on the sides. Their garments matched the young twins in length. Her tunic was black with a white belt to hold it in place and his was white with a black belt. She raised a hand and gestured with her finger for the twins to go to her. Rosa and Nate apologized for having to leave Dawn so abruptly before heading over. "About time."
"Sorry, Hilda."
"No need to apologize, Nate. We just want to keep you two close in case we need to leave quickly," said the man with a smile. He was tall enough that Nate and Rosa's heads could touch the bottom of his chin.
"What would make us have to leave soon?"
"You never know," said the man warily. Nate and Rosa nodded.
"'Hilbert, take them somewhere else," said Hilda. Hilbert frowned at her.
"What are you going to do?"
"Do not interfere."
The two clenched their fists and faced each other. Nate and Rosa held their breaths and froze. The air about them suddenly got hot. Even some of the Gods felt the change. One of Hilbert's eyes was coated in a bright yellow light for but a moment and he relaxed himself. Sighing, he turned to Nate and Rosa, getting between the two and grabbing their hands. He led them away from their older sister.
"What is Hilda going to do?" asked Rosa.
"Something foolish," Hilbert said with no pleasure.
Hilda waited until her siblings were out of sight before turning back and seeing Dawn. The young Goddess was alone and standing beside a wall. Hilda approached her.
"So, your mother has given you a weapon," she said. Dawn turned to her with a jump, not expecting anyone to approach her.
"Oh, Hilda. How are you?" she asked. Hilda ignored her and instead eyed the trident. She looked it up and down before sneering and grabbing the golden polearm. She effortlessly snatched it out of Dawn's hand. "Hey!"
Dawn tried to reach for it but Hilda pulled it back. When Dawn lowered her arms Hilda held it in front of her as if it was hers. She looked over the trident again. This time her smile seemed genuine.
"May certaintly is a brilliant craftsmen. A shame her talents are wasted for the likes of you," said Hilda, her false smile returning.
Dawn tried to speak but stopped her words when she saw her trident begin to change. The solid gold weapon started to shrink and soften in Hilda's hand. She looked and saw it bend near the top and droop. Then instantly it completely melted into a puddle at the Godesses feet. Hilda stepped back. Once she was no longer touching any of the gold, the small pool began to condense and rise back to its original shape just as fast as it melted. Dawn quickly took hold of the trident and pulled it close to her.
"Do not touch my trident," said Dawn. She spoke with confidence which was quickly lost when Hilda began to stand over her. She glared down at the young Goddess causing her to freeze in fear. A fire ignited at Hilda's feet. It hastily ascended her legs to her torso and up to her neck. When it spread to her head her hair burned, turning into fire and rose, adding another half a foot to her height. The heat of Hilda's new cloak forced Dawn to retreat, but her back pressed against a wall. Her face was coated in sweat. There were a few Gods who had been watching the two and now there were a few more after Hilda engulfed herself. Even some of them began to sweat.
No one tried to stop Hilda or protect Dawn. No one said a word, until someone yelped. However they weren't reacting to Hilda or Dawn. They yelped when water began to pour in from every large window high up on the walls. Each window was large enough for more than one person to squeeze through at once and there was more than a dozen of them. And every one was like a waterfall with how much water came through.
The water was rising fast and it was extinguishing Hilda's fire. Once the water was up to her calf, all of Hilda's fire was out, except for her hair which had completely turned into the element. Hilda made a noise that revealed her ire and turned from Dawn. The water began to drain as fast as it filled the room. Despite the only fire from Hilda was on her head, which was slowly turning back to hair, steam rose from the ground whenever she stepped in any remaining water.
Nate watched the water drain until there were only some small spots of water left. He turned to his brother. "What was that?"
"That was Johanna the Sea Goddess' doing. She saw what Hilda was doing to her daughter and got involved," explained Hilbert. They were on a farther end of the room yet even he could feel faint heat from where Hilda had been.
"Why would Hilda be rude to Dawn?" asked Rosa.
"She has a grudge against Johanna."
"But why?" both twins asked.
"Because a long time ago, before either of you were born, she challenged Johanna and lost," said Hilbert. Both Nate and Rosa were shocked.
"Why did they fight?"
"I do not know. I was not there. Hilda will not tell you, so do not ask."
The twins nodded and Hilda walked up to the three. There was no fire in sight, yet they could still feel great heat radiate off their sister.
"That was pointless," said Hilbert.
"Quiet," said Hilda. Their two younger siblings remained silent and neither older ones spoke anymore.
"Who is missing?" said a tall blonde woman. Dark blue fabric covered most of her body starting at the shoulders and stopping at the tops of her feet. There was a large fold in the middle with a girdle hidden from view. Her arms were bare and her sandals had two bands over each foot and a wrap around her ankle. She walked down a large flight of stairs at the front of the room and Elio was beside her. His eyes darted around the room as he spoke.
"Quite a few. About a third of the Gods are not present, Miss Cynthia."
"Are any of the New Gods missing?"
"Yes, the Gods of Joy, Strife, and the Dead are not present," said Elio. Cynthia sighed.
"Be sure to seek them out and tell them what I say."
"Yes, Miss Cynthia."
The two stopped in the middle of the stairs. From their position they could see over the entire room. Cynthia took a breath.
"Attention!" she spoke clear and loud. Her voice echoed off the walls. Even those on the far side of the room could hear her precisely. Every God ended their conversation and looked up at Cynthia. "You are all wondering why I have summoned you here tonight. I must inform you that Wake, the God of Sea Storms, has been killed."
Some Gods let out gasps. Some, such as those that knew the water God, began to tear up. One God spoke up asking aloud what happened.
"We do not know. However, one thing that is known for certain, is that he was killed by another God." Many Gods in the room began to shout. Cynthia had to raise her voice to quiet them. "That is why-"
She stretched her arm behind her, gesturing to the top of the staircase which touched the ceiling. A thick fog hid the real top and from the fog emerged two sets of legs.
The two beings, one a woman and the other a man, walked in tandem down the steps until they were standing side by side with Cynthia. Elio had moved back to give them room. The woman wore a light grey tunic that wrapped around her shoulders and reached to her ankles. The man's garment was a darker grey and much shorter, only reaching to his knees. He also had a thick dark brown cloak tied on one shoulder that he draped behind him. A sword was sheathed on his hip and he carried a large shield specially made from grass. Despite its material it was as hard as any metal.
"-Gloria and Victor will be in charge of finding whoever is responsible for the death of Wake!" Cynthia announced. Once more the room erupted in yelling to which Cynthia did not silence. She had known how they would all react. She knew most would have no qualms with Gloria, but Victor was a well-known and infamous God. Cynthia also knew there were few who would be willing to investigate other Gods. There were even fewer she could trust.
The room slowly calmed until the yelling turned to talking and the talking turned to murmuring. Cynthia took the opportunity to speak up.
"That is all."
Cynthia turned and marched up the stairs, disappearing in the fog. Elio followed. Gloria and Victor descended and joined the rest of the Gods on the ground floor. Many of the Gods began to disperse from the temple while some approached Gloria and Victor. The ones who stayed had questions about Wake and what the two had planned for their investigations. However they all directed their questions towards Gloria, almost as if Victor wasn't standing there at all.
Victor felt a heat and turned his head towards the source. He saw four Gods, with two of them engulfed in flames. He approached them.
"You!" he said when he was close. The random shout startled the group and the flames quickly diminished.
"What is it, Victor?" asked Hilbert.
"I want to speak to you, in private," said Victor. Hilbert looked at him curiously before his eye glowed. He turned to his siblings.
"Hilda, take them home. I will be back soon."
"Are you sure?" asked Hilda. She glanced at Victor as she spoke. She and her brother had never once had a pleasant interaction with him.
"It is fine."
Hilda nodded then grabbed the hands of Nate and Rosa. A fire erupted around her which spread to them. It was warm but not hot enough to burn. Suddenly Victor and Hilbert could no longer see the three and instead only saw fire. The fire disappeared as if snuffed by the wind and no trace of the three remained. Hilbert turned to Victor and followed him when he gestured to do so. He knew what was to happen and wasn't looking forward to it.
So new story, let me know what you think. I've taken influence from several sources for this, but the biggest one is probably Noragami. If you've ever watched/read it you'll likely see familiar elements here and there. Peace.
~~~Sikoh