Chapter 38: The Call
The Olympians watched as Pandora walked outside the room. She was led out by Hermes, who had returned and asked Epimetheus to wait outside.
Hermes introduced Pandora to the Titan, Pandora was a bit surprised but accepted her situation quickly, it was the will of her creator's after all.
Epimetheus was quite confused by the whole situation, but all his doubts disappeared when he saw the young mortal, he was instantly friendly and enthusiastic about their meeting.
The doors closed as the two took a walk, to familiarize themselves with one another.
Meanwhile, the Olympians only stewed in silence, all sound muffled by the tension Zeus was emitting.
" Hermes. " The King of the Olympians called out.
" Awaiting orders! Aye-aye! " An energetic voice heeded.
" Use your divinity... "
" Yeeeess? " The young Olympian was very much eager.
" Connect me to.. " Zeus drawled, referring to Hermes' ability to instantly connect two objects by altering the "Road" between them.
" To? " Hermes asked excitedly, almost hopping in place.
" The Hydra. " The Bearer of Lightning demanded.
At his words, the tension thickened significantly. Before, you could cut it with a knife, now? The slightest twitch of a finger can inflict cracks in space!
The Hydra's name had a certain... stigma..
To the world, an indomitable spawn of Chaos that fell a pantheon, stole time, and to the knowledge of some very esteemed Gods, the one who banished a creature whose very existence rebelled against reality itself.
Known for bearing many titles,
..Jailer of Time... The Ten-eyed Warden.. The Primordial Arbiter.. Beast of Awakening.. among so many more.
Every title regaled their labors, with many of the major pantheons having bestowed a title, immortalizing the five-headed beast's exploits within their divine records.
But to the Olympians?
Nothing but a reminder of their weakness. It's a surprise Zeus... yes, that very one, would even dare think of this! For what purpose!? Who drew his ire this time?
The divine siblings shivered, some even blanched slightly. Oh, they would never forget that sight. Gods grew naturally with age, but even as hundreds of years had passed, they still felt a deep rooted apprehension against the beast.
It was primal, instinctive.
Like a snake wary of the eagle soaring above.
The 2nd generation Olympians did not react so severely, for ignorance was truly bliss. It certainly took their attention however, a chance to bear witness to the famed primordial? Front row tickets, please!
Athena felt the most interested, practically leaning out of her throne, her composure barely contained in her eager intrigue and curiosity. Artemis was also quite interested, she was the Goddess of the Hunt, yet she wondered what it would be like to witness a true Apex even among divine, however? Even Ares and Apollo had stopped glaring at each other and regained their serious expression.
Hermes had paled.
" Oh... " He said, deflated like the winds were taken from his sails.
" Do it. " Zeus affirmed, his face stoic.
" Y-yeah.. roger.. " Hermes muttered as he started channeling his divinity, revealing the roads that weaved within the world. The "Roads" that connected every living being through a path paved, and the ability to manipulate it, unraveling, twisting, shortening and lengthening it freely, traveling along as he pleased.
And as the hall's ceiling opened, controlled by Zeus, revealing the deep, boundless sky, Hermes lit a small spark of light! Conjuring a bright white wormhole that went on for what seemed like forever. It was misty, like a path undiscovered, yet the more Hermes exerted his power, the clearer it became.
And... it connected.
This was quite the shock, as they had not even seen the beast apart from rumors of it's frequent travels and sighting reports made by Poseidon's subordinates. The Olympians looked on apprehensively, wary of any danger at a moments notice.
They watched, and they watche-
" F W O O o O o o M m ! ! " A giant gale of energy exited the wormhole. It shone a myriad of colors, blending and twinkling like mischievous starlight.
It swirled like a raging tempest, roaming the premises until it dove into the sea that bordered the Mountain.
The Olympians gripped onto their thrones, feeling that dreadful aura once again.
" B O O M ! " They heard the waves buckle under the mysterious presence's form, creating an uncharacteristic boom instead of a splash.
" ▂▂▃▃▂▂▃▃▂▂▃▃ " A low rumble rang, sonorous and guttural, a choir of five heads.
And as the Olympians stared, some even openly gawking, a head revealed itself, rivaling even the Mountain's paradoxical height, it was as if the Mountain's concept of "insurmountable" was nothing but a child's spell.
And one more, and another, and another, and another, five heads looking inquisitively at the relatively tiny and dare they say, puny, Gods.
" Olympians... Hisss.. State. Thou. Purpose! " Five heads spoke one after another, creating an unbearably creepy and terrifying sight, especially for the younger Gods.
Apollo was gawking at the beast's sheer size and aura. Hephaestus was reeling at the monster's power, his eyes gleaming in caution. Hermes had started scooting farther and farther in nervousness. Artemis widened her silver eyes in trepidation, having difficulty comprehending the Chaos-borne's monstrous form.
' A true apex... ' She thought.
Athena... she had long fearlessly abandoned her fear, and instead spent every molecule of her being on the being before her.
Two pairs of curious eyes widened greatly, putting even an owl to shame, - quite ironic, really - greedily burning the image into her mind. Her hands were no longer idle, writing away at some ridiculously long papyrus she got from who knows where, recording every single detail, making hundreds of illustrations every second.
Ares was grinning as he felt the rolling waves of sheer, raw, power he felt from the creature. How exciting! His heart was thumping and his hair stood at attention! A real challenge! As he was just about to charge in however, Poseidon mercilessly knocked him into the ground and restrained him.
" ...Hydra.... As the ruler of this world! I declare that you will heed my call! " Zeus arrogantly yelled, his voice rumbling.
' W-what? ' The Gods thought incredulously, realizing Zeus had technically just offended the beast seconds after THEY summoned it.
" ... " Five heads turned to the screaming King, expressions marred in indignation.
The reason why Zeus was so blatant however, was that the Hydra now was merely a projection, a specter, a ghost.
Why, you ask?
What? Did you think Zeus was stupid enough to summon the actual monster into his home?
Yes? Well... he didn't.. so that counts for something.
" Hiss! We. Will. Fill. That. Box. " They continued cryptically, as if they had foresaw their request.
" ..Very well... " Zeus finally went quiet.
" Hephaestus, the box. " The King called out, asking for the indestructible box he had ordered the divine blacksmith to create.
" Uhhh... sure.. " The God of Fire reluctantly held out the box, uncertain of what was going to happen.
Zeus took the box, it was obsidian black in color and was gilded in gold. The lightning bearer opened the empty box, and magnetically made it hover over to the Hydra.
" Now, if you would please. " Zeus said, with an almost imperceptible ounce of respect this time.
--- To Be Continued ---
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