The golden gate of Olympus stood before Harry and his companions, its towering, gilded structure gleaming as if forged from the pure essence of sunlight itself. The intricate carvings of gods and mortals adorned its surface, each one appearing to shift and move under the light, almost alive.
"Are we ready?" Harry asked, his voice steady despite the weight of what lay ahead.
"As ready as we'll ever be," Daphne replied, adjusting her cloak. Her cool demeanor belied the tension in her posture.
"Let's just hope they're not too trigger-happy," Hermione murmured, her gaze fixed on the gate.
Fleur smirked. "And if zey are? Zen 'Arry will simply show zem why zey should not 'ave been."
With a deep breath, Harry placed his hand against the shimmering gate. It was warm to the touch, pulsing with latent energy. As if recognizing his presence, the gates swung open silently, revealing a pathway of marble steps that seemed to ascend into the heavens.
The group stepped forward together, their resolve firm.
The air beyond the gates was unlike anything they'd experienced before. It was dense, not with pressure but with power—a tangible aura of divinity that made even breathing feel like an act of defiance. The surroundings were awe-inspiring, with sprawling gardens filled with golden trees, crystalline fountains flowing with liquid starlight, and a palace of unparalleled grandeur in the distance.
And waiting for them, seated on thrones of light and majesty, were the twelve Olympians.
Zeus takes the form of a frail old man of low stature and sunken eyes. He has a small tuft of spiky grey hair on the very top of his head, thick eyebrows and a goatee. Zeus dons a classical Greek clothing, a white sash tied to his waist and a piece of cloth covering his entire lower half. Sometimes, Zeus can also drastically increase his muscle mass, turning himself disproportionate at will. In his Adamas form, Zeus' height increases exponentially, and his muscles turn inside out, making his entire body stretched beyond what is normally possible.
Poseidon takes the form of a tall and muscular man, his face usually completely apathetic and devoid of any emotion, with golden-blonde hair as well as light blue irises and black pupils. He donned an ornamental patterned golden choker and dark blue clothing with a golden border that covers the entire upper half of his body, revealing his abdomen and chest. Around his biceps, he wore a pair of golden rings. Poseidon wore a pair of seaweed-colored fingerless gloves, with a blue band on his wrists, whilst around his waist was a white coat with golden circular patterns, one which split in two at the front with a single cloth going down like a loincloth.Additionally, beneath the coat were a pair of baggy pants that matched the cloth on his arms, tucked into a pair of seaweed-colored boots with designs similar to those of ancient ruins in the ocean depths. He was always seen carrying around his primary weapon, a highly stylized trident as long as his body.
Apollo is an attractive man with flowing long light pink hair that reaches down to his torso and a body of good physique.Like many of the Gods of the Greek Pantheon, he wears items related to Greece such as a laurel wreath, buskin sandals and toga. The toga though has elements of clothing more akin to a kimono such a sash around his torso (Obi) and flower designs on the outside of the chest area with it being opened to show his chest. He is decorated with jewelry with him wearing a necklace extending down his chest that resemble the sun and its rays, a chain that is a part of his sash and a decorated chain around his right leg. Underneath his Divine Weapon, he wears black gloves that only cover his thumbs, index and middle fingers, leaving his ring fingers and pinkies, and the area around them, exposed.
Hermes is a tall, handsome man dressed in a butler uniform. He has a mop of neatly combed black hair and tattoos of unknown design above his left eye and under his right eye. He wears white gloves and has a small mole on the right side of his chin.
Ares is very tall and extremely muscular. He has blond hair and gray eyes. Ares wears only a loincloth and a cape and has a helmet decorated with intricate carvings.
Aphrodite is a tall, slender woman, who possesses a face of unearthly beauty and has her shoulder length blonde hair decorated with flowers, as well as large blue eyes. Her figure is extremely voluptuous, with very large breasts and wide hips. She wears traditional Greek clothing that just barely covers her nipples, behind, and privates as well as multiple item of gold jewellery such as arm bangles and beads.She is attended by her golem-like manservants who she uses as her chair and carriers of her large breasts.
However, as she meets the Group with the Gods, she shows that she doesn't really need those carriers. The Other Gods like Hephaestus, Artemis or Hera just look similar to their fellow Gods and also look like the embodiment of their respective Divine Domains, which they reign over.
At the center sat Zeus, his frail, elderly form belying the raw power that radiated from him like a storm barely contained. His sunken eyes regarded the newcomers with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. Beside him, Poseidon exuded a calm yet menacing presence, his trident resting lightly against his shoulder. Apollo, with his radiant beauty and flowing pink hair, smiled serenely, though his eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity.
Ares leaned forward, his massive frame practically vibrating with barely restrained aggression, while Hermes stood at attention with a sly grin, his sharp eyes flicking over each member of the group. Aphrodite, resplendent and otherworldly, observed them with an inscrutable expression, her attendants standing silently at her sides.
The other gods watched in silence, their divine forms embodying their respective domains, each one a testament to their overwhelming power and authority.
"Mortals," Zeus spoke, his voice a rumbling echo that seemed to come from the very fabric of the world. "You stand before the gods of Olympus. State your purpose."
Harry stepped forward, undaunted by the weight of their presence. His companions stood close behind, their eyes scanning the Olympians with equal parts awe and caution.
"I've come to learn," Harry said, his voice steady. "To understand the origins of magic and master it."
The gods exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from intrigue to skepticism.
"Learn?" Poseidon repeated, his tone disdainful. "A mortal seeks to understand what even the gods barely comprehend? Arrogance."
Apollo chuckled softly. "And ambition. Perhaps foolishness, too. But I like the spark in his eyes."
Zeus leaned forward slightly, his sunken eyes narrowing. "You reek of deathly power, boy. Are you a servant of Thanatos? Or perhaps… Hades?"
At the mention of the two gods, the Olympians visibly tensed. Even Aphrodite's serene demeanor faltered for a moment.
"I serve no one," Harry replied, his tone sharp. "The power I wield isn't borrowed. It's mine."
"Bold," Hermes remarked with a sly grin. "I like him."
"Impudent," Ares growled, his fists clenching. "Let me deal with this whelp."
"Silence, Ares," Zeus commanded, his tone brooking no argument. The god of war glowered but fell back into his seat.
Zeus turned his gaze back to Harry. "You come here, brimming with defiance and ambition, asking us to share our knowledge. And why should we grant your request?"
Harry met the god's gaze, unflinching. "Because I'm willing to prove myself. If your knowledge is as vast as you claim, then you should have no problem putting me in my place."
Zeus's eyes gleamed with amusement. "You challenge us?"
"I challenge the strongest of you," Harry said, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "If I win, you share your knowledge with me. All of it."
The Olympians murmured amongst themselves, their reactions ranging from laughter to outrage.
"You think to challenge a god, mortal?" Poseidon said, his voice cold. "You wouldn't last a moment against me."
Zeus raised a hand to silence the others. "No, brother. This one… he asked for the strongest. That would be me."
Zeus rose from his throne, his frail form shuffling forward. Despite his apparent fragility, the air around him crackled with latent power, as if the sky itself were waiting for his command.
"You think you can face the King of Olympus and live to tell the tale?" Zeus asked, his tone both mocking and curious.
Harry smirked. "There's only one way to find out."
Hermes stepped forward, his butler-like uniform impeccable despite the tension in the air. "Then it is decided. A duel between Zeus and this mortal. The stakes: knowledge of the divine."
The gods formed a wide circle, their thrones repositioning themselves as if the palace itself were alive. Harry stepped into the center, his companions watching from the sidelines with bated breath. Zeus followed, his small frame dwarfed by the sheer force of his presence.
Hermes raised a gloved hand, his sharp eyes flicking between Harry and Zeus.
"Begin," he said, his voice ringing through the air like a bell.
Zeus surged forward, his frail appearance vanishing as his body expanded in a blur of muscle and sinew. He launched a thunderous punch, the force enough to crater the marble beneath them. But Harry was gone, his movements faster than the god's eyes could track.
Harry reappeared behind Zeus, his unbuttoned shirt billowing as he leaned into a powerful roundhouse kick. His foot connected with Zeus's midsection, sending the god hurtling across the courtyard. The other gods gasped, some even rising from their seats.
"You're slow," Harry remarked, his voice calm, almost bored.
Zeus growled, his form distorting again as his muscles grew even larger. He closed the distance with blinding speed, throwing a barrage of punches that blurred into streaks of motion. Harry, however, weaved through the onslaught with precision, each movement fluid and deliberate.
The mortal didn't just evade—he countered.
With a swift step forward, Harry ducked under a haymaker and drove his elbow into Zeus's ribs. The impact echoed like a cannon blast, forcing the god to stagger. Before Zeus could recover, Harry grabbed his wrist, twisted, and flipped him onto the marble floor with a force that cracked the surface.
"This is your king?" Harry said, glancing at the other gods, his tone dripping with mockery.
Ares growled, his hands twitching as if itching to intervene, but Athena's steady hand on his arm kept him in place.
Zeus roared, his pride wounded. He lunged again, his fists blazing with electrical energy. This time, Harry met him head-on.
The collision of their strikes sent shockwaves rippling across the courtyard, toppling golden statues and shaking the very gates of Olympus. Yet, it was Harry who gained the upper hand. His strikes were precise, devastating. He moved with a mastery that transcended mortal combat—a lethal grace forged in countless battles.
A sharp uppercut sent Zeus sprawling backward once more.
"Enough games," Harry said, his tone cold. He stepped forward, unrelenting.
Zeus responded with a desperate flurry of blows, each one imbued with divine energy. But Harry countered every attack, twisting Zeus's strikes against him. A disarming move wrenched Zeus's arm backward, followed by a brutal knee to the abdomen.
The gods could hardly believe their eyes.
As the battle raged on, Aphrodite leaned forward in her throne, her gaze fixed on Harry. Her lips curved into a smile that was equal parts intrigue and desire. "This mortal… he's magnificent," she murmured, loud enough for Artemis to hear.
The goddess of the hunt, typically stoic, found herself nodding in agreement. "He moves like a predator. Every motion calculated, every strike deliberate."
Aphrodite tilted her head. "And he's handsome, wouldn't you say? Such confidence in the face of gods…"
Artemis frowned, though her cheeks betrayed a faint blush. "Don't let him hear you say that."
"Why not?" Aphrodite replied, her voice teasing. "I doubt he hasn't noticed our admiration."
Harry, in the midst of catching Zeus's fist mid-strike, threw a smirk toward the gods, his piercing gaze lingering just a moment too long on Aphrodite and Artemis.
Zeus growled in frustration, stepping back. His body began to glow, an ethereal nebula of swirling stars and lightning enveloping him. His divine essence expanded, filling the space with an oppressive energy.
"This ends now," Zeus declared, his voice booming with the authority of a king.
Harry stood still for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, the air around him darkened. A suffocating black aura erupted from his body, tinged with hues of deep violet. It writhed like living shadows, chilling the air and sending shivers down the spines of even the gods.
"What… is that?" Hera whispered, her voice trembling.
"That," Athena said, her sharp eyes narrowing, "is death incarnate."
The gods exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence wavering. Even Zeus hesitated, his nebula-like aura flickering under the oppressive weight of Harry's deathly presence.
Harry took a step forward, the ground beneath him cracking under the force of his power.
"You wanted a fight, Zeus," Harry said, his voice low and menacing. "Playtime is over."
The courtyard fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a storm waiting to break.
The courtyard was silent, save for the crackle of divine energy dissipating into the air. Zeus's nebula-like aura flickered out, leaving the King of Olympus on his knees, panting heavily. Across from him, Harry stood tall, his black, deathly aura coiling around him like a living shadow. His piercing gaze locked onto Zeus, who gave a weak but incredulous laugh.
As Harry let his aura fade, the gods watched with newfound respect—and a hint of wariness.
Athena, ever the scholar, broke the silence. "What you wield, mortal, is not ordinary magic. It is divine magic, the energy that stems from the very essence of existence itself. It is tied to realms, concepts, and domains—life, death, the sea, the sky."
Hermes, brushing dust off his jacket, added with a sly grin, "And unlike the mortal magic you're used to, divine magic isn't learned—it's earned. It comes from a connection to something far greater."
Harry crossed his arms, intrigued. "So you're saying my 'deathly powers,' as you call them, are tied to some divine force? To Death herself?"
"Precisely," Apollo said, his voice smooth. "Your aura reeks of Thanatos, or perhaps something even older. That you wield it so effortlessly is... unsettling."
Harry took a step forward, the gods flinching slightly as his presence loomed. He raised a hand, conjuring a small orb of black energy. It pulsed softly, its surface rippling like liquid shadow.
"This," Harry said, "is a fragment of what I can do."
The orb shifted, expanding and contracting as if alive. With a flick of his wrist, Harry released it into the air. It hovered for a moment before splitting into countless threads, each weaving through the courtyard with terrifying speed. Wherever the threads touched, they left no damage—only an eerie sense of stillness, as if the air itself held its breath.
Aphrodite shivered. "It's as if it swallows all life."
"Not just life," Artemis said, her eyes narrowed. "It's consuming essence. Memory. Time itself."
Harry closed his fist, and the threads snapped back into the orb before dissipating entirely. "Death isn't just an end," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "It's a transition. A force that binds all things."
Zeus, now standing shakily, wiped the blood from his lip and gave a toothy grin. "Enough philosophy, mortal. Let's finish this."
Harry smirked. "You're still standing? I thought I was supposed to be the stubborn one."
The two squared off once more, but the outcome was already clear. Zeus charged, his muscles rippling with newfound determination, but Harry moved like a phantom. He sidestepped Zeus's attacks with ease, countering with strikes that sent shockwaves through the courtyard.
A devastating uppercut from Harry sent Zeus sprawling once again. Before the god could recover, Harry was upon him, pinning him to the ground with a single hand. The King of the Gods struggled, but the mortal's grip was unyielding.
"It's over," Harry said, his tone final.
Zeus stared up at him, his chest heaving. Then, to everyone's surprise, the god let out a booming laugh.
Harry released Zeus, stepping back as the god climbed to his feet, still chuckling.
"By the Fates," Zeus said, rubbing his jaw. "I haven't been beaten like that in centuries. And by a mortal, no less!"
Harry raised an eyebrow. "You're taking this surprisingly well."
Zeus slapped Harry on the back, nearly knocking him off balance. "What's the point in sulking? You bested me fair and square. And besides," he added with a grin, "there's no better way to understand someone than through battle."
The tension in the courtyard eased as the gods exchanged glances. Apollo smirked, Artemis relaxed her grip on her bow, and even Ares looked less inclined to charge.
Zeus extended a hand, his smile genuine. "You've earned my respect, Harry Potter. And perhaps, the respect of Olympus itself."
Harry took the hand, shaking it firmly. "Glad to hear it. Now, about that divine knowledge you promised…"
The gods gathered closer, their initial hostility replaced by curiosity. Aphrodite and Artemis lingered near the front, their eyes never straying far from Harry.
"You truly are remarkable," Aphrodite said, her voice soft but sincere.
Artemis nodded, though her expression remained guarded. "Few mortals would have survived, let alone won. You've proven yourself."
Harry gave a small smile. "Thanks. But this isn't about proving anything. I came here to learn, not to fight."
Zeus clapped his hands together, the sound echoing through the courtyard. "Then let us begin. But first…"
He gestured toward a nearby table laden with ambrosia and nectar. "A victory like this deserves a celebration."
The gods cheered, and Harry found himself swept into their revelry. But even as the laughter and conversation filled the air, his mind remained focused. He had taken the first step into the world of divine magic, and he wasn't about to stop now.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting Olympus in a golden glow, Harry sat surrounded by gods and goddesses. He had proven himself worthy, but his journey was far from over.
"This," he thought, "is only the beginning, and I thought I knew something of Magic."