Poseidon PoV:
The bright golden light slowly faded away, revealing that the majestic eagle had morphed into a figure that, to my considerable disappointment, was not Liam Neeson. Instead, standing before me was a remarkably youthful man, exuding a vibrant energy that contrasted sharply with the legendary actor's familiar presence. He possessed a strikingly handsome visage marked by sharp, regal features that seemed chiselled from marble.
His hair, cascading down to his shoulders, was the deepest shade of black, reminiscent of the night sky. It had an almost ethereal quality, glimmering softly in the ambient light. He wore a well-groomed beard that accentuated his strong jawline, lending him an air of charisma and sophistication. Amusingly, his physique resembled that of a Greek god—broad shoulders, a sculpted chest, and a tapered waist that suggested both strength and agility.
His eyes were brilliant sky blue, sparkling with a vivid intensity that reflected the very essence of the heavens. As they moved, their grace was akin to a gentle breeze, exuding a sense of tranquillity and power.
Zeus stepped forward, a confident smile playing on his lips—a smile that many women might call charming, especially considering the soft blush that flushed Hera's cheeks. His piercing gaze wandered slowly over each of us as if he were committing every detail to memory. After a moment of scrutiny, he released a heavy sigh, the sound rumbling like distant thunder. When he finally spoke, his voice resonated with an undeniable power, reverberating through the air. "I know that you all have questions," he began, his tone commanding attention, "and I promise to address as many as I can. However, there are other important matters I must explain to you first."
Hades, still stewing in his earlier jealousy, was seemingly even more annoyed by Zeus' dramatic appearance as he swiftly cut Zeus off with a voice so cold even I cringed. "And who are you?" Hades' face was filled with apathy as he gazed at Zeus.
Zeus let out a deep, audible sigh, the weight of the moment hanging heavily in the air, as Hestia gently pulled on Hades' arm, her expression one of stern disapproval. Straightening his posture, Zeus spoke, his voice unexpectedly soft and melodic, a stark contrast to the earlier thunderous tone that had echoed in the room. "I am Zeus, your youngest brother, the God of the Winds," he declared, a hint of warmth mingling with the formality of his title. His gaze swept the gathering, seeking out Metis, who offered him an encouraging smile before returning his attention back to us. "It is truly a pleasure to finally meet you all after such a long time,"
An uneasy silence lingered, leaving me momentarily stunned. Thankfully, Hestia broke the tension with her warm and affectionate voice. "It is lovely to meet you too, brother," she said. Her expectant gaze encouraged the rest of us to respond, each in our own way. Hades, however, spoke with a distinctly sour tone, as if he had swallowed a lemon.
Seemingly encouraged by our mostly warm greetings, Zeus squared his shoulders, gathering the courage to delve deeper into his thoughts. "First and foremost, welcome to Mount Ida," he declared, his voice echoing slightly in the cool, crisp air of the mountain. The lush, verdant surroundings, dotted with ancient trees and vibrant wildflowers, seemed to embrace us as he added, "This will be your home as well for the foreseeable future, at least until we find a way to escape our father's oppressive grasp."
His gaze fell upon Metis, who met him with a reassuring nod, a silent testament to their shared resolve. Zeus continued, his brow furrowing with concern. "As it is, our father will stop at nothing to unearth our whereabouts, wreaking havoc upon the world in his relentless search." The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, mingling with the scent of pine and earth. "The only path to true freedom lies in our ability to unite and overthrow him. I'm not demanding your aid, but know that any support you can provide would be met with my deep gratitude."
His voice tapered off, tinged with a quiver of vulnerability that was puzzling, considering he was an adult addressing what appeared to be mere children. Yet, within that tremor, I sensed an unspoken plea for help.
Sensing his downcast demeanour, a wave of sympathy washed over me, prompting me to step in and offer a glimmer of hope. "Hey, don't stress too much," I said with a reassuring smile. "While I can't promise the same from everyone else, I'm more than willing to lend a hand." I feigned a bashful rub of my neck, letting out a small chuckle to ease the tension. "After all, you did save us from being digested by my father, so I suppose I owe you a favour or two!"
A playful grin spread across his face, and I could feel the warm wave of support radiating from our sisters, their smiles bright and encouraging. In stark contrast, Hades stood off to the side, his brow furrowing into deep lines of contemplation as he gazed into the distance. I locked eyes with him, trying to channel the innocence of a baby seal with my wide, pleading eyes and a pouty expression. His lips quirked into a scoff, but despite his initial resistance, I could see the corners of his mouth beginning to surrender to my amazing charm.
"Fine, I suppose someone has to keep you idiots safe." His voice dripped with sarcasm, yet there was an undeniable flicker in Hades' all-black eyes that suggested a deeper layer of emotion—was it concern, or perhaps a touch of protectiveness? Or maybe I was reading too much into it; after all, those dark, fathomless eyes can easily mask a whirlwind of sentiments.
Zeus stood before us, his regal presence commanding the room. His eyes shimmered with a blend of pride and gratitude that seemed to radiate warmth. "Thank you, all of you," he declared, his voice resonating with strength. I promise you, we will see this through together."
As his words lingered in the air, Metis gently cleared her throat, drawing the gathering's gaze towards her. There was a subtle gravity in her demeanor, and when she spoke, her voice was both tender and laced with an undercurrent of sorrow. "Let us put all talk of war aside until tomorrow," she said, her tone almost wistful. "For now, take the time to reconnect. You may find that such moments are scarce in the days ahead."
The discussions of war and conflict would fade away as tears and laughter filled those small, cavernous halls.
That night would become a cherished memory, one I would revisit with a mix of longing and nostalgia throughout the ages. The warm glow of the cosy fire flickered in the dimly lit room, casting playful shadows on the walls while a gentle breeze whispered through the open window. In that tranquil moment, the little family gathered together, blissfully unaware of the challenges and heartaches that lay ahead. Their laughter filled the air, ringing sweetly like a melody, contrasting sharply with the dark clouds of uncertainty that would eventually encircle them. I found myself envious of their innocence, a precious state untouched by the tumult and strife that would come to define their future.