OLYMPUS
July 9, 1958, Wednesday was just an ordinary rainy and gloomy day for humanity. But for the selfish gods who had lost the concept of time, it held a special significance. Rainy days were always a delight for the king of gods, mighty Zeus. He enjoyed seeing the dark clouds invading the sky and illuminating them with his powerful lightning. Normally, on such days, he would be found sitting on his golden alloy throne, personally crafted by Hephaestus, on the grand terrace of Olympus Palace, watching the spectacle.
However, the interesting thing was that Zeus wasn't there on that day. His absence made it clear that there was something amiss. Maybe he was taken to his bedroom by Queen Hera for some intimate time. Or perhaps Zeus had grown tired of witnessing the effects of his power and grandeur.
In a way, Queen Hera was involved in the matter. But the situation played out differently from the possibilities considered in the scenario. In the time that felt like two months for humans but just a few days for the gods, Hera had prepared a beautiful surprise for her beloved and powerful husband. The surprise consisted of a dimly lit bedroom, a few cups of ambrosia, and scattered red roses on the sheets. However, it also included chains, handcuffs, and harsh words.
Although this might sound like a wild bedroom fantasy, the reality was quite different. On that night, the lightning would strike not out of pleasure and happiness, but out of anger. Hera had been complaining about Zeus's selfishness and how he had started losing the qualities fit for a leader in the secret meetings she organized before the execution of the plan. One of those meetings was held in the cellars of a ruined castle that was once of great value but now lay in ruins.
"The great Zeus is aging, and his thinking has become clouded," she told the assembled strike team. With her gray hair, the golden crown on her head, and her azure eyes shining like sapphires under the sun, she had their complete attention.
Ares could foresee that his mother would start yelling and screaming shortly, succumbing to a fit of rage. After all, Hera had suffered a great deal from Zeus, and a deep, silent anger had been growing in her heart towards her husband. Zeus, after retiring, was like those fathers who spent most of their time at home. He would constantly talk about nonsensical things, discussing mountains and valleys, and blaming his brother Poseidon for the devilish fish species that appeared in the depths of the sea.
As annoying as these conversations were, they formed the foundation of Hera's powerful strike plan.
"That's why," Hera continued, "I believe that Olympus needs a change in leadership. We need a fresh perspective."
Even though the gods in the strike team did not particularly like Zeus, they felt a sense of fear within them when they heard Hera's words. To overthrow Zeus?
The first reaction on this matter came from Demeter, whose relationship with Zeus was strained due to his consent for Persephone to be married to Hades. The Goddess, adorned with shades of green, looked very serious under her crown made of spring flowers.
"While I'd like to secretly support this idea, we also need to consider its possible consequences," she said calmly. "If we fail, Zeus won't let this slide. He'll make us all regret it. Again."
Ares frowned, and Dionysus nodded in agreement. The other members of the team chose to remain silent.
"I understand your concern, sister," Hera said understandingly. "However, as you yourself said, your heart burns with a desire to support this plan. Also, not only to you, my dear sister, but to everyone sitting here, I want to say that this change will bring positive developments for all of us. I promise you that."
"You speak beautifully, my Queen," said Hecate, feeling Demeter's angry gaze upon her. She was wearing a jet-black dress. Although she was not one of the Olympian deities, she held a crucial role in the plan as the goddess of the night, magic, and witchcraft. "However, perhaps explaining your words with examples could make your persuasion more effective."
"I agree," said Hestia, the last member of the group. When Dionysus was declared an Olympian god by Zeus, Hestia had willingly passed her throne to him. Now they sat side by side. "I wonder what benefit I would gain from this, sister. You know that I am content with my current state."
"Well, if you want examples," Hera said with a devilish smile spreading across her face, "let me provide you with some. First, you, Demeter, my dear sister. I know how deeply hurt you were about Persephone, our precious niece. It broke your heart to see her, the daughter of spring, taken by Hades, who is as dark-hearted as charcoal and knows nothing but evil..."
"Stop with the literature and come straight to the point, Hera."
"In short, my sister, Persephone can cease to be just the daughter of spring and forever sit at your feet. Thus, you can..."
"I will put an end to the drought I caused in winter, right?"
"Indirectly," Hera said, smiling, "To put it directly, you both will live happily ever after."
"Hera," Demeter said, taking a deep breath, "When you say all this, you are taking into account that someone in this group played an important role in Persephone's abduction, aren't you?" She looked directly at Hecate.
Hera remained silent, leaving Hecate to explain.
"There might be some inaccuracies in the stories," said the goddess of the night, "I was loyal to Persephone. Furthermore, Hades had no evil intentions; he was in love with Persephone."
Demeter seemed about to speak, but Hera interjected immediately.
"Ultimately, Hecate is here now and ready to make amends, my sister."
Taking a deep breath, Demeter turned her gaze to the ground.
"I don't know, but," said Ares, looking quite comfortable in his black steel armor, "I always thought Persephone was happy with Hades. Yes, she resisted a bit at first. She struggled to adapt to the warmth and darkness of the Underworld, but eventually, she got used to it. And, if you look at Hades from a distance, he's not an ugly guy, after all."
"Why are you here, then?" Dionysus said, "Are you going to hit our father with your shield?"
"In a possible plan," Ares said, looking disdainfully at the god of wine, "My shield will undoubtedly be more useful than your grapes."
"Enough of this arguing," Hera said, her voice low but sharp, "No one is more useful than anyone else here. Everyone has a role, and every role is valuable."
"That's beautiful what you've said," Demeter said, "Can you offer similar gifts to the others?"
"I have thought of something for everyone, of course. After all, I am a Queen."
"You are a Queen," Demeter began to walk slowly around the group, "Yes, you are a Queen, my sister, but you are also talking about a change in leadership here. These words of yours make me think that you harbor the idea of taking over."
"Please don't misunderstand," said Hera, trying to remain calm, "I have no intention of remaining as the Queen. The person I have in mind for Zeus's throne is not myself."
"I'm curious," Hestia said, "To be honest, Hera, you have nothing in your hands to offer me. I have no interest in power or any selfish thoughts. So, the only thing I wonder about is the candidate in your mind."
"You are right," said Hera, "I cannot offer you anything. But I know your thoughts, Hestia. Your fire will burn forever, of course, but what about humanity? Family? What will become of them?"
"Don't tell me Zeus doesn't care about humans," Hestia said, "You know he has had many children with mortals."
Hera's face contorted with anger. She clenched her fists.
"Of course," she said, forcing herself to a smile, "But, Hestia, you know that just fifteen years ago, they had a bloody struggle called the Second World War. Before that, there was the First World War and many more. And who was in charge of Olympus during all of these?"
"There were rules," Hestia said, but Hera interrupted her in such a way that she couldn't continue her speech.
"Rules, rules! You've made saying this a habit. It has become such a habit that you forget Zeus was the one who established the rule that gods should not meddle in human affairs. Do I need to remind you of that? Or does your sacred mind forget such memories quickly?"
As Hestia fell into a thoughtful silence, Hera smiled triumphantly.
"There will be no war," Hera said firmly, "No sickness. People will only feel the cold breath of death when they grow old. Thanks to Demeter's reunion with her daughter, there will be no winters without crops, no deadly cold. Ares will no longer be an oppressed child of his father."
"I'm sorry," Dionysus said with arrogance, "No war, and Ares will support that? It doesn't make sense to me, dear Queen."
"There will be no war," Hera reaffirmed, looking at her son Ares, "He and I have come to an agreement on certain matters. After the change in leadership, he will have new responsibilities."
"Like wearing the crown of a king?"
"You are overstepping, Dionysus."
"Then, I hope I'm not overstepping, dear Queen, but I am in favor of everything being openly explained to us."
"Be patient," Hera said with a hiss, "Ares, explain."
"I love war," said Ares, "But that doesn't mean I can't live without it. As my mother said, responsibilities can change. Goals can change."
"If I didn't know you, I would think you were reasonable," said Dionysus.
"I am now. Believe it or not, much has changed while you were preoccupied with your grapes."
"What will you do, then? Stop beating around the bush and tell us."
"I will be with Aphrodite," said Ares, "Without the need for secrecy, without arranging clandestine meetings. She will be my wife."
"War God Ares!" Dionysus stood defiantly in front of Ares. "Was that all you wanted? Is it that simple?"
"Simple?" Ares said, pushing Dionysus away by his shoulders, now on the offensive side.
"Aphrodite," Hera said, "She's the mother of Ares' children—Phobos, Deimos, and Harmonia. You know this."
"And what about Hephaestus?"
"Hephaestus hates both Ares and Aphrodite," Hera said, "And I also hate Hephaestus. Furthermore, Aphrodite never wanted this marriage to continue. Let me remind you all of something: this marriage, which took place without consent, was a deception orchestrated by Zeus." She looked at Demeter. "Moreover, when there's a change in leadership, Hephaestus can be easily controlled."
"I'm curious," Ares said, "Dionysus, what do you gain from all this?"
"I seek fun and entertainment. Besides, the rule of not meddling in human affairs seriously hampers my future plans. I intend to bring Dionysian-style joy back to humanity."
"Before you ask, let me tell you," said Hecate, "I am also pursuing unique innovations for myself. Of course, overcoming Demeter's baseless allegations is one of them. But my main goal is to ensure that magic and sorcery are used on Earth for 'beneficial' purposes."
"You will appoint your own envoys," Demeter said, "Granting abilities to humans, creating dark sorcerers out of them, right?"
Hecate said nothing, but her crooked smile served as an answer.
"With your own methods, you will create new demigods, do you realize that?" Demeter continued pressing.
"Calling them demigods would be inaccurate," Hecate said, "I will only create spokespeople who will do good deeds on behalf of humanity."
"Everyone," said Hera, "Will benefit from this, trust me. Together, we can achieve it."
"Still, you haven't mentioned who the chosen one will be," Hestia said. "Let's clarify this matter now."
"I think," said Dionysus, "We should first discuss the plan. Because once we overthrow Zeus, there will be a few more people to deal with besides Hephaestus."
"Athena," said Ares, "My father's favorite daughter will have a say in this matter."
"Also, there are the twins," Dionysus said, "We must consider Apollo and Artemis too."
"What about Poseidon?" Demeter said, and a heavy silence filled the room.
"Poseidon," said Hera, "Is part of a larger plan."
"He will be the king you have in mind for Olympus, right?" Hestia asked.
"Not exactly. Poseidon will be our king in a scenario where we couldn't take the throne."