The Challenge

Twenty-seven

It was odd to be in the sacred garden of Olympus with both Ares and Freyr, but not Thor - who still wasn't allowed to join her- Namira thought to herself.
It felt wrong, she felt out of place. It didn't help that the two Gods had embraced whatever bond was between them and could barely keep from touching, kissing. It was cute, if it didn't remind her of the fact Thor wasn't there.
It was that pang of jealousy she felt over the two Gods sharing this moment that had her understand how intense that one week must've been for Thor when reasonable thought had been removed from his system.

Ares looked to her then, consciously making the effort to put her between him and Freyr, "Apollo and Demeter have agreed to help, Hecate refused to involve her magic."
He paused, then smiled, "However, in her stead I managed to convince Persephone, Attis, Chloris, Corymbus, Gaia, some dryads and the some new nymphs that will remain here in the Hesperides, Piapus, Adonis, Aphaea, Antheia,Eirine, Thallo, Karpo, Philomelus, Plutus, Promylaia and Tritptolemus to help us."
Other than Persephone, most were lesser Gods, but all had a connection to harvest, flowers, vegetation or nature in general.

Ares had gone above and beyond to ensure they had the best chances of succeeding, recruiting so many more Gods and Goddesses than Namira could've imagined.
Ares explained all of the roles they played and the basics of their appearance so that Freyr and Namira both would have enough knowledge to recognise them.

The God of War allowed them a moment of vulnerability as he spoke softly, "I am, always, keen to help out, but perhaps you'll manage more without my direct power. My power is in strategy, tactics and instinct... but it is not one of nature and growth as theirs, or yours, is. Perhaps it doesn't help as much as I'd like to think it does."

Namira studied him a moment, then shook her head, "Your power... it's not of destruction, not in the way I thought it was, it is strength, feral power. It is potent and strong and has definitely added to my strength as well. I want you to take part in this, I need you to."
They'd accomplished so much together she wouldn't just cast him aside with the offer of new, different aid.
Ares nodded, accepting. They watched as one by one the Gods, Goddesses appeared followed by a group of dryads and a group of nymphs who clearly felt more confident banding together among the deities.

Namira greeted each as they came through, her eyes trailing over all of them as she summoned forth a few of her holden apples, quartering them before offering one to each of them, allowing a growth of their power as a gesture of good well and a reminder of why they were doing this, what was at stake and why they needed to succeed.

The assembly of powerful deities, nymphs, and dryads formed a circle around the ancient tree, each radiating their unique energy. Apollo, with his golden lyre in hand, stepped forward, his radiant presence illuminating the surroundings. Freyr stood beside him, his aura exuding the vitality of nature as he added to Apollo's sun power and added rain.
Demeter and her daughter Persephone, representing the cycle of life, added their graceful energy to the mix. Attis, the Phrygian god of vegetation, and Chloris, the nymph of flowers, intertwined their powers, creating a harmonious dance of growth.

Corymbus, the spirit of the fruit-bearing tree, Gaia, the Earth Mother herself, and a host of dryads lent their ancient wisdom and grounding force to the convergence. New nymphs, born of the essence of the garden, joined the cosmic dance, their youthful vigour infusing the ceremony with vitality.
Piapus, the god of fertility and protector of gardens, Adonis, the epitome of beauty and desire, and Aphaea, the goddess of the blossoming vine, added their essence to the mix.
Antheia, Eirine, Thallo, and Karpo, representing the aspects of spring and the blooming season, weaved their energies into the intricate tapestry.
Philomelus, the god of agricultural abundance, Plutus, the divine embodiment of wealth and prosperity, and Promylaia, the nurturing spirit, brought forth their gifts to enhance the potency of the ritual. Tritptolemus, the god of agriculture, held the knowledge of planting and harvest, offering his ancient wisdom to the gathering.