Divine Ascension: Reborn as a God of Power-Chapter 43: The Schism of Olympus (Part 3)

"The Council of Olympus, has broke up. Olympus... is on a schism.."

That’s what Hermes said as the Hesperides reacted with surprised faces and their mouths formed a perfect O, while I could only think one thing:

"The Council has broke up? What the hell do you mean by that?"

"It means we’re screwed and Olympus in general is fucked," said Hermes as he approached us with the most worried look I had ever seen on his face.

"What do you mean by a Schism? Do you mean a fight between gods? That’s happened a thousand times before," said Erytheia, although her voice trembled a little. She always spoke boldly, even when she was afraid, but this time her gaze sought answers with a different urgency.

Hermes sighed, ran a hand through his messy hair, and shook his head.

"No. It’s not another fight. This... this is something else. It’s as if the very foundations of Olympus are shaking. Some gods are siding with Zeus, others are standing up to him. And those who don’t make up their minds quickly, well, they’ll have to decide or they’ll be considered enemies of Olympus." fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

Aegle frowned, lowering the jar of nectar she was holding. "And why now? What changed?"

"My old man," he replied dryly. "Apparently, he’s decided that being King isn’t enough for him anymore. He wants absolute control over Olympus and everyone. To give you an idea, he wants reports on everything we do, who we talk to, what we think. As if we were soldiers instead of deities, all because the clowns at Nemesis made him ultra paranoid. Oh, and anyone who doesn’t obey is an enemy, simple as that."

I crossed my arms, trying to process what he was saying. "And what does that have to do with us? Sounds like something I’d say, ’thanks, but no thanks.’"

Hermes looked at me for the first time since he arrived. This time there was no trace of mockery on his face, not a hint of the mischief with which he usually said everything. Only seriousness. One I didn’t know.

"Because it’s no longer a question of whether you want to get involved or not. Sooner or later, all the gods will have to choose a side, Akhon. There will be no other choice. No one will be able to remain on the sidelines. If you remain on the sidelines, you will automatically become an enemy of Zeus."

A chill ran down my spine. The Hesperides felt it too. I could tell by the way Erytheia lowered her gaze for the first time, by the way Aegle bit her lip, as if holding herself back.

"And you?" asked Erytheia, "Which side did you choose?"

Hermes hesitated, lowered his gaze... and then said it, as if the mere act of saying it out loud was difficult for him.

"I joined my father."

The surprise was immediate. Aegle dropped the jar of nectar. Erytheia took a step back, visibly shaken. I didn’t say anything... I couldn’t.

Hermes raised his hands, almost as if trying to protect himself from their reactions. "I had no choice. If I stayed out, I risked disappearing. Zeus didn’t say it, but he made it clear: neutrality is treason. If you’re not with him, you’re against him. And I... I have issues, responsibilities. I have children, ok? I can’t afford to be a target."

The confession hung in the air like a stain.

"At least I came to warn you," he added, more quietly. "Because you still have time. But not much. One week... and then the truce is over and the shitshow begins."

"Well... shit." I said simply, however I noticed something or better said someone was missing during the conversation. "Hey, where’s Hesperia?"

(Meanwhile, elsewhere on Olympus...)

The field was silent.

Demeter was on her knees, her hands buried in the damp earth. She wasn’t sowing, she wasn’t talking, she wasn’t crying. She was just there. The flowers around her were wilting, as if her sadness was seeping into their roots.

The wind picked up suddenly. It wasn’t natural. She knew it right away.

"What do you want?" she said without turning around.

Lightning struck the nearby hill. And in the glow it left behind, Zeus appeared, majestic as ever... and so out of place in that dying field.

Demeter did not get up. She did not turn around. She only spoke, in the most tired voice in the world.

"If you’ve come to ask me to join your madness, save it. I’m aware of what’s going on and I have no intention of participating. Kill each other if you want, but I have no interest in joining you. Besides, I want nothing to do with you or your disputes or whims."

Zeus took a few steps toward her, carefully. His tone was softer than usual. He knew that intimidation wouldn’t work to convince her, so he changed his tone to a softer one, almost... human.

"I understand you, sister, believe me, I understand you. But this isn’t just about me, this is much bigger. And you know it. If Nemesis succeeds, anarchy will reign among the gods."

She laughed, although it was more of a dry, humorless laugh.

"And what makes you think I care about what happens to Olympus, or even more so, what happens to you? Have you forgotten what you did? Do you think I’ll just help you like that? After everything you took from me? You were the beginning of my departure from Olympus, don’t forget that."

The silence between them was thick. Zeus lowered his gaze for a moment. And when he spoke again, it was in a tone she didn’t recognize.

"I know I can’t ask for your forgiveness... Not after what I did, I don’t deserve it. But I came to offer you something."

Demeter frowned, without turning around.

"And what could you possibly have that would interest me?"

"Persephone."

That made her jump to her feet. She finally turned, her face contorted with anger and pain.

"Don’t play games with me, Zeus. If you’ve come to make empty promises about my daughter, I swear that this land will never bloom again as long as I live."

"I’m not playing games. Listen to me."

She hesitated, knowing she shouldn’t trust him. But just the thought of having her daughter back with her, her baby, made her heart beat as if it were about to break, so she listened to him.

Zeus took a step closer.

"I can bring her back to you, and not just for six months, but for the whole year."

"Impossible." The word came out like a whip. "That was part of the deal I made with Hades. You know as well as I do that it was an agreement sealed between gods. The balance—"

"It’s broken, there is no balance left. Olympus is crumbling, and with it, the rules. And what is at stake now gives us room to negotiate... even with Hades. So I think in this case it wouldn’t hurt anyone if the agreement were ’flexible.’"

Demeter stared at him for a long time. She didn’t trust him, she couldn’t, she stopped doing that a long time ago when he... but she also knew him. She knew when he was lying. And this time, he wasn’t.

"Why?" she whispered. "Why are you giving me this right now?"

Zeus held her gaze. There was something genuine in his voice.

"Because I need your power and perhaps some of your influence. But more than that... because I owe you something. I know this doesn’t make up for anything, I know, but it’s all I can give you. And maybe, for once, it will be enough."

Demeter lowered her gaze, her hands trembling.

"If you’re lying... if this is just another way to manipulate me..."

"It’s not."

Silence returned. And this time, it was different.

Finally, Demeter nodded slowly. The pain was still there, it would never go away. But if there was even the slightest chance of getting her daughter back, she couldn’t refuse.

"Then... I’ll do it."

Unbeknownst to them, a presence had heard the entire conversation. Camouflaged among the distant trees, almost blending into the landscape, the figure of Hesperia watched in absolute silence. Her breathing was barely a whisper, and her light, usually warm and vibrant, was contained beneath an enchanted veil that made her almost invisible.

When she saw that she had everything she needed, she closed her hand tightly. In her palm floated a small golden sphere, luminous and pulsating, which held the complete sequence of the conversation between Demeter and Zeus. A fragment of truth captured to be delivered.

Without wasting any time, she vanished in a dark blue flash.

She reappeared in the Underworld, right in front of the dark gates of Hades’ Palace. The change in atmosphere was abrupt: the air was denser, charged with a cold that penetrated to the bone.

The sentries stationed at the entrance did not stop her; after all, they already knew her. Hades had allowed the Hesperides to cross his domain if they needed to... but it was not common to see them there.

A shadow materialized beside her.

"He is in the hall of mirrors," said a faceless spirit.

Hesperia nodded slightly and made her way through the dark corridors until she found the King of the Underworld contemplating a circular fountain that showed distorted images of the world of the living.

"Lord Hades," she said, her voice soft but clear.

Hades did not turn around. He knew exactly who she was.

"Have you come on your own, or has someone sent you?"

"I was sent," she replied with a small smile. "Although I’m glad I came."

Hades raised an eyebrow, curious.

"What do you mean, Hesperia?"

She lifted the golden orb and held it in front of him. ’You might want to see this. It’s a conversation between your brother and... Demeter."

That caught his attention.

"Her?"

"Yes. Demeter wants to break the pact she made with you, it seems."

"That’s impossible, she wouldn’t dare."

"No? Why don’t you see for yourself?" she said as she offered him the Orb.

Hades took the Orb with unexpected delicacy. He held it between his pale fingers and, with a whisper in an ancient language, activated it.

The orb floated in front of them and projected the scene into the air, like a golden mist taking shape: Zeus, Demeter, the dry field. The words echoed clearly in the room, as if the moment were being replayed live.

"...I can bring her back. Not six months. The whole year..."

Hades held the orb tightly as the image faded. His eyes remained fixed on the empty space where, seconds before, Demeter’s figure had accepted the deal.

A heavy silence fell over the room.

"Demeter accepted..." he murmured, his voice dull. "Zeus offered my wife as if she were just another pawn on his damn chessboard."

He squeezed the orb until its surface cracked.

"That bastard has no limits."

Hesperia took a step back. Not out of fear, but out of respect. The energy in the room had changed. The torches flickered, as if an icy wind had just swept through the Underworld.

"So... are you going to do something?"

Hades looked up. His eyes, usually dull as ash, were burning.

"Yes. I’m going to take sides."

He turned, his cloak dragging across the marble with a sharp sound.

"That brother of mine crossed the line. He dared to play with the only thing I still love and respect. This time... I will be against him, and he will know why you don’t mess with the King of the Underworld."

And without another word, he disappeared in a flurry of angry shadows.

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