"The humans have overstepped their boundaries."
"Perhaps we should wipe out half of them again to put them back in their place?"
The king of the gods have his brother a quizzical look.
"That wouldn't do anything," his son, Ares grumbled. "They need to be taught a lesson they'd never forget."
"What do you suggest?" Poseidon asked, leaning back into his twenty foot throne. "Ever since they were given fire, it's been one problem after the other."
Ares said nothing, looking over at Zeus for an answer.
Sat in his golden throne, holding the most powerful weapon in the world, Zeus chose to not use his power to force a decision. He had been the one who assembled the council of twelve in order to address the trouble humanity had been giving them, but he wanted to leave it to the others to decide.
"Humanity is a gift that was entrusted to us," Athena spoke up. "I suggest we avoid doing anything rash."
"Forget that," Ares growled. "Gift or not, they have no right to go against us."
Athena sighed, reclining back into her seat, also looking over at Zeus. The King of the gods pursed his lips, evading the questioning stares from his two children.
"Kill them or spare them," Zeus said, bringing his hand to his chin. "What shall we do?"
"Kill them? What do you mean by that?" Athena said in surprise.
Zeus shut his eyes, recalling all that had transpired in the last years. The humans had risen against them, rejecting their ways and choosing to stray away from the gods. Who did they think they were?
"I wanted to stay silent on the matter, but it appears there are only two options to choose from," Zeus said. "Humanity has mocked us for long enough. I think we should kill them. All of them."
Athena gasped, her mouth dropping open, while murmurs flew around the throne room.
"Father, I think you should rethink-"
"You dare question me?" Zeus snapped, staring her down.
Athena averted her eyes, looking over at Poseidon for help, but even he was sold by the idea.
"It would be a good idea, brother" he agreed. "We can always start over."
"It may be boring though, Uncle," Apollo sighed, lazily swinging his arm over his armrest. "Let's take our time with them. Really teach them a lesson before they die."
"Even better," Poseidon grinned, clapping his hands together.
He looked over to the other gods, who mumbled in approval. Athena sneered, shooting up to her feet.
"Do as you like," she spat. "I swear, you will all regret it."
And with that, she disappeared in a cloud of angry, grey smoke.
Zeus hardened his eyes. She was always like that whenever she didn't get what she wanted. They had told him that side of her had come from him. He had replied with a blast of pure lightning.
Rising to his feet, Zeus stomped the ground with his bolt.
"So be it. Humanity will be destroyed."