From a distance a large black mountain could be seen. Taller than any mountain surrounded by a prevalence of lush vibrant greenery filled with strange beasts. Just below the mountain a big stag as big as a horse with antlers the size of tree branches so huge that birds rested on them could be seen lying next to a wolf just as big. Looking up the mountain it was impossible to see the peak that was obscured by clouds. White clouds so much that they seemed to give off their own light and so dense they almost seemed solid.
What lay below though was pale in comparison to what lay above. Past the dense white clouds three peaks rose. The peak at the center taller and mightier than the other two and surrounded by tall and grand statues that appeared to be carved from the rock of the steep slope of the mountain. Twelve of them to be precise all standing at 200 metres tall and fierce their faces radiating confidence and pride.
On the flat top of the peak were twelve grand structures. Castles so grand they dwarves the chateau de Chambord, each one of them different from the last.
Two castles bigger than the rest stood at the centre of the assembly of castles. Of the two castles, the one on the right was slightly bigger than the other big one to the left.
The castle on the right had bright white immaculate marble walls that demanded attention. The castle had a regal, bold and a majestic appearance. Running along the edges and corners infused into the wall were blue crystal pillars that upon being hit by the sun they projected streams of lightning bolts all round the castle. The castle appeared to be the epicenter of multiple lightning strikes although if one looked up the sky above was calm and blue. This gave the castle a beautiful yet intimidating look.The roofs of it were all made of the purest gold that reflected golden rays on the clouds below the peak turning them golden. This made the whole area look like a dragon's lair filled with piles of golden and treasures. The golden rays' intensity and the brilliance of the immaculate white walls were enough to blind a man. But alas, those that lived here were no men as this was Olympus. Home of the gods.
In the third castle to the right of the big white lightning castle was another intimidating castle. Just one look at it was enough to send shivers down ones spine. It was surrounded by a strong domineering aura. The castle was made of a bone white material decorated in deep blood red depictions of warriors clashing, war horses dragging chariots with more warriors and some more warriors dead on the battlefield. A few metres from the castle Gates standing tall and confident on their pedestals were two huge golden statues of wariors in full Corinthian armor, looking out as if on guard. Both of them had a red spear with a golden blade in one hand and a circular shield with a red Greek meandros design around the edge and a huge red upside down V in the center on the other hand.
Their armour was identical except for one thing. The plume of the statue on the left ran from side to side whereas the other's on the right ran from the front of the head to the back .The plumes were golden and shaped and sharpened like blades though.
Today though,inside this castle something was happening for today was the day the Lord of the castle would claim his son. Ares the god of war was claiming his son Droy.
Below the castle floor of every castle was a temple with an altar for the Lord of the castle. This was where the sacrifices from their worshipers and children would be received and their prayers heard. Inside the third castle's temple was Ares.
Ancient Greek Corinthian columns rose from the ground holding the roof of the temple with fire torches on each one of them lighting up the place.
Ares was standing at the center of the temple by the altar that was a raised cylindrical block of the same bone white material as the castle walls with the identical battlefield depictions blazing with a raging fire on the altar.
'I can let him die in the mortal world and claim him in hades but with Persephone gone to mommy dearest for the summer Hades might be in a sour mood, not to mention our last disagreement in the last meeting, urghh, but it is what it is.' Ares thought as he mind shrugged.
At their temples the gods would also claim their their children. If a child wasn't claimed he would live on Earth and would die like a mortal unless they somehow came to know their true identity and Parenthood. A god would usually claim their children at their puberty stage as this was the stage most would start seeing through the veil of the world and most prone to danger.
Each god was a patron of one or more cities filled with their children and family and those favoured by the gods. Once a child left the mortal world they would stay at their godparent's patron city.As the day for Droy's death had come Ares had two choices.
Initiate Droy's death earlier and claim him... or take a bet on Hades his most recent enemy, but ofcourse he would go for the former.
"Hound of the dark
Heed my world and face my spawn
Pry the world and find my mark
Droy Frost the Son of Wrath"
Just after saying this words,in front of Ares emrald flames rose burning violently and a slight vibration shook the temple. From the flames a big black wolf had emerged. Emrald flames were burning on its neck like a mane and at the tip of its tail.
Looking at the huge wolf Ares knew something was wrong for the hound that had come wasn't the common low level one. The common ones would usually be bigger than a wolf but smaller than a pony .This one though was the size of a pony. It's completely pitch black eyes shone with intelligence but the most alarming feature was the mane of flames typical of a guard of the underworld. Furthermore the hound had appeared quite fast as if it had been waiting for a summon.
'Does Hades have something to do with this?' Ares thought.
However Ares was not angry nor did he send the hound back as he was proud his son would leave the mortal world like a true warrior at the hands ...or better the claws of a strong beast. At the same time since Droy's death would occur in the next few hours or so he had no time to prepare another summon as it would take long.
Ares spread his arms out and with them the blazing flames on the alter rose then quickly descended into the beast's gaping maw. The flames consumed the darkness in the beast and lit up it's inside. Three diagonal slits like claw marks appeared on each side of the beast's body showing the blazing inferno within that would increase in intensity as air entered it's body through the slits. Despite the blaze in it, the beast stood there as if not affected in the slightest.
"GO!" Ares bellowed and with that the summon was over In a blaze of red flames the beast was gone and in the castle Ares was once again alone.
"Finally the Wrath Comes back to Sparta."
With that said Ares walked out of the temple with a smile on his face and headed for the throne room at the top of the castle.
****
Just as Ares finished the claim ritual.
Deep underground in another castle were two thrones. One was empty but on the bigger one of the two was a man in elegant black silk robes that reflected the emrald flames of the torches. He had pale white skin that contrasted deeply with his black clothes. On his right hand he was holding a long black staff with double tips that glowed red. A bident. He had a pleased look on his face and when he spoke his voice was hoarse like he had not spoken for a long time.
"Finally a worthy Child of Darkness"