Chapter 3: Chapter 3 – Mischief of the young gods
Tall Pillars that seemed to reach the skies stood upright at both ends of the hall, in perfect symmetry. Engraved on them was the most sophisticated designs ranging from flora to beasts and different sentient beings. If one stared long enough at these pillars they would find an epic saga unfolding before their eyes. Such was the power and beauty of the engravings.
Crystalline torches made to look like roses, with green and purple flames lit the surroundings. They were placed intermittently on both sides but one wouldn't be able to find a single flaw or feel displeasure in their placements.
Looking down at the floor one would be astonished. For what covered the floor was neither material nor stone but clouds. The purest and whitest of clouds lay beneath the feet of any who stood in the hall.
In this majestic hall, the focal point was not the pillars nor was it the floor of clouds but it was a circular stone table at the far end of it. The table was slightly elevated from the rest of the room which made it clear that it was meant to be the centre of attention. The engravings and designs on the table outmatched even the pillars. All the images on it were in constant motion as if every carving was a representation of a living being. 5 plain seats were placed around the table and on each sat a person with a unique aura that could put the sophistry and beauty of the whole hall to shame.
Placed in a corner of this hall was a crude pedestal. It was obvious with a single look that the one who placed it here held little to no significance for the object placed on it.
On the pedestal was a glowing orb. This orb was the topic of discussion and argument of the 5 fearsome individuals at the table for today. And this unseemly orb was the soul of Adam.
Standing around this orb were four kids who had managed to sneak up to it without the consent of the five at the table.
"Big sister Athena, we really shouldn't be here!" one of the boys in the group said timidly. His skin was fair and pale, almost like a sculpture. Anyone who saw him would come to the same conclusion. He was the cutest kid they had ever seen. It was almost impossible for him to not grow into a beyond handsome man.
"I said its okay, so it is. Trust me. Have we ever gotten in trouble and not gotten out of it? I have always saved us. And ill do it this time too. Don't worry so much you little scaredy cat." The girl called Athena spoke up. There was a crafty glint in her eyes and it seemed as if no one could rebut her once she spoke. It was almost as if logic itself sided with her.
"Eros, you are a man. I agree with sister Athena on this. You have to be more forthright and bold." The other boy of the group spoke up. He was bold like the sun and brilliance shone from him.
"There are also times when only sister Athena gets away but we get punished, brother Apollo." The last girl of the group pitched in. just like her twin brother Apollo, she also had a sense of boldness but there was a sharpness in her gaze that made anyone who looked at her feel like prey.
"Ahh, we are already here so what's the point of bickering now?" Athena said hoping to change the topic before it got out of control.
"sister always knows what to say… but it's fine, let us see what the adults are arguing about" the sharp-eyed girl caved in.
Hearing the last voice of reason also side with Athena, Eros could only pout and slightly complain "Big sister Artemis!" before caving in himself and resigning himself to his fate.
"So what is this thing?" Apollo asked.
"hehe, this brothers and sister is the soul of a mortal!" seeing them all hooked in, she couldn't help but gloat a bit.
"The soul of a mortal!" All three of them repeated in unison and they're eyes couldn't help but start inspecting the orb. The glow in their eyes only intensified the more they looked at it.
"Sister you are amazing! How did you know?" Eros couldn't help but compliment in admiration. He then turned to look at Athena and asked puzzled.
"hehehe, I know everything, you know?" unable to hold back after being complimented she puffed her chest out and put her hands on her hips and said. "I heard father say it. So it must be true"
This answer seemed to be able to convince the other two as well and all three nodded in understanding.
"So what do you all say? Let's make him our first champion! The adults will never let us get anyone if we don't." Athena couldn't help but vent her frustration and say. They were young and hadn't even learnt the extent of their power. It would be foolish if anyone let them take in a champion. "it's our only chance!"
"big sister whats a champion?" Eros the youngest was puzzled by this new word "do we eat it or play with it?"
"hahaha" All the three older kids couldn't help but laugh at how cute and ignorant the little Eros was.
"A champion is someone who protects your honour! Fights in your name and in return you bestow them a bit of your power to show your acknowledgement of their deeds and capabilities" Artemis repeated word for word of what she was told by one of their elders.
"that's so cool!" Eros's eyes began to twinkle.
"Isn't it? So who wants to go first?" Athena asked.
"how do we do it though? I mean… how do we impart our power to this soul?" Apollo couldn't help but ask. They were too young and hadn't been told anything about the specifics just to avoid any such circumstances.
"hehe, leave it to me!" but how could the crafty little Athena give up so easily. " let me give it a try. Its just giving power. How hard can it be? We are also god's!" putting her palm on the glowing orb she felt a warmth surge through her. Feeling around the soul with her mind, she eventually managed to tap into its memories. "oh you made something interesting, didn't you?"
"Sister, is he a good candidate?" Artemis couldn't help but ask.
"He's smart! Also very interesting." Athena was always more fond of smart people and this soul seemed to be just to her liking. "I'll use my power to make your creation a reality!" Her eyes twinkling like the stars.
Delving into her primal core she slowly tore a small part of it and sent it into the soul. "Ah!" she was instantly jolted with immense pain but she continued with the process with all her concentration. She took a whole hour in total. By this time she was sweating profusely and just as she was about to collapse, she yelled "done!" Taking a step back she sat down on the fluffy floor exhausted.
The other three were staring at her intently the whole time and seeing her fall back they rushed to her. They were too worried to disturb her before, but now they barraged her with a multitude of questions.
Hearing them ask her question's non-stop. So excited while she was soo exhausted, she immediately stopped them. Taking a breath and stabilizing herself for a while. she finally spoke up "Alright! It hurts a bit, but you just have to tear a bit of you primal core and give it to him. That seems to do the trick! I've already left a bit of power in there to help guide all of yours. So it shouldn't be as hard for you, as it was for me."
Nodding their heads all three of them seeing how exhausted she was didn't bother her too much and got to work. Three soft "Ah!" cries were heard and within 10 minutes all three had stepped back from the orb like soul.
If any of the adult gods were here and witnessed what had just happened, they would lose their minds in anger. The primal soul was the essence of their power. How could it be given to a mortal so easily? Not only that, how could the body of a mortal be able to house the contrasting powers of four different gods. Not exploding from the power of one would be a great feat.
The kids were still young and their powers immature, which gave them a chance to regrow their lost core but if any other adult had done what they did… it would be permanent damage to their power. Which god would be so foolish?
The soul orb flashed white, green, pink and finally golden. The colours fused with each other and became a whirlpool that quickly grew to encompass the whole orb. Just as quickly as the whirlpool grew it shrunk and receded to the depths of the soul. If one blinked they would have missed this whole phenomenon.
Not realizing what they had done the four kids were happily chatting with each other. Revelling in their recent accomplishment.
Behind them, the 5 adults had finally come to a conclusion. Getting up from their seats, they slowly made their way to the pedestal.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone