Divine Ascension: Reborn as a God of Power-Chapter 44: The Schism of Olympus (Part 4)

(5 days till the start of the War...)

The underground hall bore no resemblance to any corner of Olympus. There were no golden columns or gleaming marble. Only old black stone, marked by runes that almost no one remembered. A purple flame burned in the center of the round table, casting shadows that seemed to move on their own. The meeting place had been provided by Hecate, who resided in the Underworld, as Olympus was no longer safe for gatherings.

Hesperia leaned with both hands on the table. Her robe, dyed in shades of blue and black, seemed to float in the heavy air.

"Hades already knows. I showed him the recording of how Zeus made a deal with Demeter to get Persephone out of the Underworld. He was furious, so you could say the plan was a success."

The silence lasted a couple of seconds.

Hecate, sitting to her right, nodded calmly, as if she had foreseen everything.

"I saw Hades today. At first, he had a hard time accepting that his brother would dare to betray him like this, but in the end, he came to his senses. He knows his brother crossed the line and wants to make him pay, but it seems that for now, he won’t do anything. Don’t worry, I know him well... he may act in the future, but one thing is certain: he won’t lift a finger for Zeus. In fact, it’s possible to recruit him to our cause. Now is the time to do it. However, I still fear that, as King of the Underworld and having lost his temper, he will make a stupid decision that will jeopardize our plans."

Dionysus, who was reclining in his chair with a glass of wine in his hand, let out a long sigh.

"Well, if he’s going to go crazy, at least let it be after he’s chosen sides, right? A neutral Hades is already an improvement. But an Hades angry with Zeus is like winning the lottery."

Aphrodite crossed her arms, staring at the purple flame.

"And even if he seeks explanations, Hades isn’t going to run to Zeus to talk about it. A god’s wounded ego doesn’t forgive so easily. And if Hesperia is right, that recording doesn’t leave much room for interpretation."

Hesperia leaned over to unfold a scroll on the table. As she touched it, golden lines lit up, revealing floating names and symbols.

"This is what we have so far. Of the main ones, Athena seems loyal to Zeus. Hermes, for his part, seems to disapprove of what is happening, but he is not going to risk his position without support or strong allies. Apollo and Artemis seem to be on Zeus’ side for now, however, Artemis’ moral compass is well placed, sooner or later she will end up seeing what the rest saw coming a long time ago, and Hera seems to fervently support Zeus, that will be a problem."

It was then that Aphrodite intervened.

"Don’t worry about Hera, the leader told me he’s working out a plan for her, but we still need time."

Aphrodite interjected wearily, her usual radiant and colorful silhouette looking haggard, as if she had just gone through a breakup, which, in fact, she had. However, she continued speaking.

"Ares is still his father’s war dog. There’s no chance of convincing him, and as long as there are fights, he’ll be happy. And Hera, well... even though she hates Zeus, she can’t let go of the power he represents. I don’t know if she’ll ever seriously stand up to him."

Dionysus clicked his tongue. "And Apollo... he’s going to wait and see who’s winning before joining the ’right’ team. He’s good at surviving."

Aphrodite looked at him harshly.

"And you, Dionysus? Because I’m here for my reasons. Zeus took someone very important to me away from me. I have no doubt why I’m fighting. But you... what are you really looking for?"

Dionysus held her gaze, then lowered his eyes to his cup.

"I’m sick of it. Fath... Zeus never took me seriously. He saw me as a mistake, an accident, something that was thrown at him. You want reasons? I have plenty. I just hide them better than you do."

Before anyone could respond, a soft tremor shook the ground. A warm breeze swept through the room. Hestia appeared, walking slowly, without making a sound. She carried a small lit brazier in her hands.

"I’m with you."

Everyone turned to look at her, the only one who didn’t seem surprised was Aphrodite. Even Hecate, who almost never lost her composure, seemed surprised.

Hesperia took a step toward her. "Are you sure? You’ve stayed on the sidelines for ages."

Hestia nodded, her voice remaining calm.

"You can’t protect the hearth fire if the gods destroy everything from within. I’m no warrior, but I can try. After all, I know how to fight. And that’s something you’ll probably need right now."

Aphrodite just nodded slowly. "Your presence changes everything. Those who doubt us... will start to look at us differently."

The purple flame flickered. The air grew thick. The magical orb on the pedestal, which until now had been dormant, began to glow with a dull blue light. Swirls of smoke swirled inside it.

A hooded silhouette appeared through the mist. Tall, motionless. Its face was covered in shadows, as if the light itself avoided touching it. The leader of Nemesis.

Her voice sounded clear and without echo, as if she were speaking directly into each of them.

"Good work, Aphrodite and Hesperia. The balance is beginning to shift."

Aphrodite bowed her head slightly. "What’s the next step?"

"The recording you showed Hades must be spread. Not to the people, not yet. To the gods who doubt. Hermes, Artemis, even Hephaestus. They must see it."

The figure turned slightly, as if observing each one in turn.

"Hecate, use your hidden paths. Aphrodite, activate your ties among the lesser gods, see if there is anyone left for us to recruit. Dionysus, I have a special task for you. Organize a party and invite several of the lesser gods that you and Aphrodite know. And don’t worry, a party won’t raise any suspicions on Olympus. After all, no one there expects anything serious from you. Use that to your advantage."

Dionysus raised an eyebrow. "Thanks... I guess."

Hestia spoke calmly. "What about me?"

"Hestia, you will be our signal. As long as you are with us, we can show that this is not a capricious act of rebellion. It is justice, and besides, you represent the most important order, the family. And that, even if Zeus has forgotten it, still carries weight."

Aphrodite looked at everyone. "We’re missing one."

The sound of the sea filled the hall. A deep murmur, like waves breaking in the distance. The runes at the back of the room glowed with a greenish light, and a damp opening formed between the stones. Poseidon crossed the threshold with a steady gait, trident in hand. His scale armor glistened with traces of salt water, as if he had just emerged from the depths.

"Sorry I’m late," he said in his deep voice, which echoed softly off the walls. "I was busy... moving my pieces. My marine legions are already in position. If this is going to heat up—and we know it will—I’d rather be ready."

He approached the table, this time taking a seat. His presence filled the space like a silent storm, barely contained.

Hesperia looked at him intently. "So you’ve made your decision?"

Poseidon nodded without hesitation. "Yes, I’m with you 100%. There’s no turning back now."

A brief silence fell, as if everyone were processing the weight of his words.

"I went to Olympus to have one last talk with Zeus, and let’s just say it was... revealing," he continued. ’And by ’talk,’ I mean shouting, threats, and pounding on the floor. We haven’t understood each other for millennia, but this time was different. I felt that there was no brother or king in front of me. Just a frightened tyrant, determined to cling to power at any cost."

Hecate watched him with interest. "What triggered it all?"

Poseidon looked at the purple flame as he spoke. "I asked him directly about Persephone. He didn’t deny what he did to Demeter, he didn’t even try to justify himself. He said he didn’t have to answer to anyone, least of all me. That was when I realized there was nothing left of him. The brave warrior who once freed my brothers and fought against Kronos is gone. Now all that remains is a sad shell of what he once was."

Aphrodite rested a hand on the table. "Then we are complete."

Poseidon nodded. "The ocean will move when you need it to. I am not the first to rise up, but I can be the one to lead the way."

The purple flame flickered once more. The air grew thick, as if something were breathing in the center of the room. The magical orb activated again. The hooded figure emerged from swirls of dark smoke.

His voice, clear and firm, broke the moment:

"Then it is decided, each of you has made your choice. The next time we meet... there will be no turning back."

The orb slowly darkened and the smoke dissolved.

For a moment, no one spoke. Only the crackling of the purple flame filled the air.

Aphrodite was the first to speak, barely above a whisper.

"So it has begun."

Dionysus raised his cup and twirled it between his fingers before smiling without joy. freewebnoveℓ.com

"And it will end in flames."

Hestia looked at the flames, her expression serene.

"Then let them burn for something worthwhile."

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