Sotiria

Chapter 2

   Sotiria left the museum, feeling boredom creep in after her fit of mirth. Walking around once more, she studied her surroundings with an intensity that kind of creeped out people who noticed her. She went in a few clothing stores, drawn in by the bright colors, but it didn't interest her for long. Sighing, she grumbled to herself about how she missed Chaos. At least there she was never bored. There was always something captivating, something interesting. Oooh, maybe there was something she could do. After all, she had come here with the intention to meet with her siblings and the rest of her family. Now it was time to find them.

   Mount Olympus, the home of the Gods, was no longer on a mountain but hidden in the sky. It was wrapped in its own sort of dimension, but not quite. Sotiria frowned when she noticed the tears and rips in the dimension's fabric. This was very sloppy work. It was barely even cloaked. She had been able to locate Mount Olympus in a mere second, she would have to have words with whoever had constructed this. She flashed into the center of Olympus, appearing in a room full of thrones. A large bearded man and a woman sat in the two biggest thrones, Zeus and Hera. They jumped when Sotiria appeared. Zeus stood, enraged.

   "Who are you, mortal, and how have you come to be here?!"

   Silly boy, he thought she was a mortal. She smiled at him, patronizingly, and released the shield concealing her powers, letting them surround her in a terrifyingly powerful aura. Zeus and Hera cowered into themselves reflexively making Sotiria feel slightly guilty. She dimmed her aura enough so they could feel more at ease in her presence. 

   "I am sorry for scaring you. Good boy, good girl," she cooed, patting their heads. 

   They jerked away angrily. Zeus summoned a lightning bolt, presumably to throw at her. Sotiria took it away from him disintegrating it into her aura. Mmmm, yummy. 

   "Bad Zeus. That is not how you greet your great-aunt," she admonished, wagging her finger at him. 

   His face went white, as well as Hera's. 

   "No, it's not possible. You- you cannot be our great-aunt. Gaia and Ouranos have no siblings. They were the Creators," Hera stammered. 

   Sotiria frowned. Were they stupid, or just ignorant? By the looks of it, both. She regretted her thought almost immediately. They were just children, after all. Only about 3,000 years old. 

   "You are incorrect, child. Gaia and Ouranos are my younger siblings, and I have two more little brothers, Tartarus and Eros. Our parent is Chaos itself. Now, I would like to speak with Gaia and Ouranos. I need to yell at them for not telling you about me." 

   "Child? I am a GOD!"

   "Hush, boy. And I would also like to meet with whatever human invented churros. Churros are quite delicious."

   Poor Zeus' face was an ugly puce color. Sotiria wondered if she should be concerned, seeing as so far gods seemed to be fragile creatures. 

   Zeus was quiet for a few moments, thinking. 

   "I will summon the gods here to decide what to do with you. Stay here," he ordered Sotiria, brusquely. 

   Sotiria did not appreciate his disrespect, but shrugged it off. He would learn in time. After all, she had just gotten here. She couldn't expect them to welcome her, they hadn't gotten to know her yet. 

   One by one, the rest of the gods arrived, summoned by Zeus' command. She recognized all of them on sight, having watched them from birth. Poseidon, Ares, Hestia, Artemis, Hades, Demeter, Persephone, Apollo, Aphrodite, Athena, Hephaestus, Dionysus, Hermes, Nike, and Pan. Many of the minor gods and goddesses were not there, but this was good enough. The gods stared at her, mostly with confusion, some with trepidation as they took in her aura. Sotiria gave them all a bright smile, happy they were actually here up close. 

   "Awww, you guys are adorable!" Sotiria exclaimed.

   That earned her some very offended glares. 

   "Uh, excuse me?! Who the hell do you think you are!" Aphrodite snapped, stepping forwards. 

   "Oh yes, I am Sotiria, your great-aunt. Hello!"

   The glares were replaced by more confusion. Some looked to Zeus for confirmation, who nodded. Sotiria zeroed in on Hades, God of the Underworld.

   "Hades, come here and give me a hug." she told him.

   She didn't give him a choice, and went up to him. He didn't pull away, probably because he was too shocked. Then she turned to Persephone,his wife, also hugging her. Neither of them actually hugged her back but she didn't mind. That was the first time she had ever hugged someone. She thought it felt quite nice. Hades stepped close to Persephone when Sotiria released her as if protecting her. Sotiria leaned in close to the couple, whispering to them conspiratorially. 

   "Have you guys eaten churros before? They're awesome!"

   She had picked up a more modern vocabulary whilst exploring the human city, and she was very proud of it.