Chapter 1

Cold chill.
A cold chill, as a result of the power, emanates from the gods as they sat around the round holy table. Although far apart as they were, the walls felt tighter as if they were closing in on them.

The only noise in the room was the harsh breathing of the angels that served as personal messengers to the gods. There was no fire, no heat. Nothing but cold, freezing air and silence that forbids people from breathing.

The space was filled with empty void of life, deflated to nothingness like the space in between planets of only stars and orbits, light with a tint of darkness.

Each God had taken a seat in Oceania, the centre of the world of Neptune, the home of all the gods.

The meeting was held by Zeus, the king of all kings and the god of all gods. He sat on the high seat in the middle of the table with his son at his right hand, and his wife at his left.

There was not a smile on anyone’s faces as they sat around the round table thinking and contemplating. Demeanor edged from the fear of war.

The life of the people of Neptune was being threatened by Hades and they were at a loss on what to do to stop him.
Hades, the god of Hell and fire.

“The question is, if indeed the prophecy is true, can it be somehow averted?” Apollo asked. His eyes shone like the sun, his skin glowed like fiery clay, his red lips were curved in a frown.

He seemed to be more affected with the turn of events than any of the gods because the people believed greatly in him and he loved them sincerely.

“I don’t care whether the prophesy is true or not. I do not care for it to be averted. I only want Hermes dead and I want him dead before the first festival. This throne shall never be contended. Let the prophecy be damned!” Zeus growled. His voice causing the walls to close in even more on the other gods.

He hit his staff on the ground in fury, his eyes did not leave the golden altar that was set in front of him.

All of the six Gods sat on the round table their eyes never leaving Zeus. Demeter, Apollo, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Ares and Hestia.

Abel the son of Zeus who was at his right hand was less concerned with the happenings of the gods. The war was not his to worry about and he did not like to worry about it.

He watched with little concern whilst stopping himself occasionally from yawning. His father had never sent him out on a war before he won’t now. But anyway, he still could not understand why he was asked to be in the meeting.

Indeed, he was a God, but of what use was he if he knew not how to fight.

He had been quiet through out the meeting What was he to contribute? He had no place among them, they had never made it more clearer than they did now. Only his friend Apollo spared him a glance when he walked in. But he was here for his father and he wouldn’t let their arrogance discourage him.

He was the youngest of all the gods and had much to learn from them. His father would always tell him the best way to learn was to listen. He was to listen only and maybe one day he would be sent on to war. His feelings about this were that of ambivalence.

He had lived his life like a tree in the wind from birth, waving opinions wherever the wind sent him. The wind, his father.

“You say it like it’s a mere play for children. No one of us can step into the gate of hell and return. Except those of the original blood and you know that.” Aphrodite said.

She flipped her white hair back exposing her veined neck. The gown she wore flowed down her legs and her skin was as white as snow. She too was worried and like others she didn’t have a plan.

“I’ll go then.” Ares stood, courageous as always. His arrow slung on his shoulders and his sword glistened on the table. The god of war never chickened out of a battle. He was the god of war after all. “I’ll bring him to you on a platter of gold my Lord for I AM ARES THE GOD OF WAR AND I ALWAYS WIN.”

“Don’t be stupid Ares.” Demeter admonished. Her pretty lips curved in distaste. “This is not a war with Demons, this is going to hell. This is no time for courage abreast with foolish pride.”

“Enough of this bickering.” Zeus bellowed. He had no time for this, the prophecy must be stopped by all means yet his fellow gods seemed not to understand the severity of the matter. If they did they would not be here waist his time with meaningless things.

“My son will go.” Zeus breathed out the order sending a wave of shock down the very walls of the room of which they were all sited.