The Five Demigods Who Saved Olympus | Book 1, 2, & 3

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"I never heard the bells chime." Hades said.

"So what, you think it killed her?" Athena asked from her daughter's side, her finger lighting grazing the cut along Amara's sliced neck.

"She's a Goddess, she can't be killed." Hestia spoke. They had all surrounded the five demigods once they reached the colosseum. Noelle had dropped to the floor after her attempt to revive them, going unconscious. Poseidon was worried when he approached and found his daughter. They all were to some extent worried for the five. With the exception of Zeus who was complaining about a massive headache that wouldn't go away from Hypnos's compulsion.

"Are our children dead or not?! Somebody answer me!" Demeter had asked for what felt like the thousandth time.

"No, Demeter, they're not dead." Ares spoke with a tiresome voice.

"They should've woken by now though." Aphrodite said.

"Would you all like me to go down there and check?" Hermes asked. Nobody had responded to him. Poseidon knelt down beside Noelle. He used his index finger to caress the back of her cheek. He hadn't seen her in what felt like so long, and in this moment she looked too peaceful to him. He wasn't pleased when Hermes, Ares, and Aphrodite revealed that Thanatos and Hypnos were behind all of it. He wanted to be the one to put an end to the both of them. But he was overall relieved that his daughter wasn't losing her mind.

"They've been called to Earth already. If they aren't arriving, their souls have either been lost forever or they're choosing not to come." Persephone spoke. Ares became worried at that. He began to chew on his nails, his eyes remaining on Donovan to see if he'd wake up. Hermes noticed his fear and decided he'd go check the Underworld. He flew himself to the surface, shaking the water off of himself before flying to the entrance of the Underworld. Meanwhile, the group in the Underworld were entertaining themselves while they waited.

"Goldfish." Zander said as he examined his cards. Amara sighed.

"Zander, we're playing war, not go fish." Amara said.

"I didn't say go fish, did I? I said goldfish!" Zander exclaimed, making the group groan.

"Hey, wasn't Noelle supposed to revive us by now? I feel like we've been in here forever." Donovan spoke.

"That's just how death feels. We've probably only been dead for a couple of minutes." Heath said.

"How long until we die permanently?" Amara asked, making Heath pause and think.

"I think maybe 10." Heath said calmly. Donovan sighed as he went to lay on his side.

"That's comforting." Donovan sarcastically said, motioning for Zander to play his turn. The sound of yelling gained their attention, making them all turn in the direction of the door of the throne room. Hermes burst through the door, flying around wildly as he tried to put a flame on his wing out and eventually hit one of the pillars. Zander winced and turned away, shaking his head.

"That did not look good." Zander spoke. Hermes shook off the pain and quickly limped over to the group, finding the group playing cards.

"Seriously? This is what you're doing in death?" Hermes questioned. He sighed and sat down in their circle to watch them for the time being. As for Noelle, after passing out, she ended up in the sleep realm. She looked around the unknown forest she currently resided in. The night sky twinkled at her, and fire from a campsite called her in that direction. She walked quietly, unsure of what she'd find once she reached the fire. She then heard the sound of someone clearing their throat, making her turn. There sat Hypnos, sitting on a log.

"Of all places in the sleep realm to end up in, it's here with you? Not where I passed out at?" Noelle asked.

"Well, your friend practically killed me. Which means you now visit me instead of where you last were in the real world." Hypnos said. Noelle sighed and lowered herself onto one of the logs.