The Tale Of Hades

Part One: Sticks of Olive

Hades scowled as he strode up the white marble steps of Mount Olympus, gleaming in the mid-morning sun. While Mount Olympus was technically open to all the gods, Hades knew he wasn't welcome. He also knew that after today, everything would change. For better or worse, he did not yet know.

Finally reaching the top, Hades focused his attention on the two figures huddled in front of the throne of the agora of the gods. Mount Olympus, with its stark white décor and open floorplan, was not to his liking, and he didn't enjoy being here. I'll have to change some things, he began to think, before his thoughts were interrupted.

"Brother!" boomed the taller of the figures. His graying black hair flowed in locks down the sides of his face, mingling with the short, curly beard that adorned his stern, yet smiling face.

Hades smiled in turn. "Zeus," he cried, "how have you been?" Looking at the second figure, he inquired, "And how are you, dear Poseidon?"

Poseidon responded with a growl. Though not as tall as Zeus, Poseidon was taller than Hades and his massive chest and arms were wider than either of his brothers, making for an imposing figure. He too had long hair, but his was nearly entirely white and reached to his shoulder blades. Combined with a beard that was long enough to rest upon his stomach, Poseidon looked positively wild.

"You'll have to do better than that if you want to be king," Hades replied.

"Remember we're not drawing for who shall rule over the gods," Zeus interjected, "but for what realm we shall be lord of."

Hades shrugged his shoulders. "True," he said, "yet it is also true that it would be very difficult to rule Olympus from the seas or underground." He let that sink in as his brothers shared a look between them before continuing, "Anyway, let us begin."

Zeus held out his hand. Resting in his palm were three sticks made of olive wood, a short one, a medium one, and a long one. "These are what we'll be using," he said, "the shortest stick is to represent the underworld, the mid-length one the seas, and the longest the sky." He then closed his fist around the sticks and held it out so they could be drawn.

"Why are you the one holding the sticks?" Hades asked, his tone bordering on anger, "Why not an impartial judge?"

Zeus pursed his lips in annoyance, dropping his hand "Because there is a matter between we three," he said, "and I am the king. Your king."

Hades glared at him, certain there was foul play afoot. He consented, however, and Zeus once again held up his hand. "Poseidon," Zeus said, "you are to draw the first lot, then Hades"

Poseidon did so, and withdrew his hand to reveal that he had drawn the medium stick, and was thus to rule over the seas and oceans of the Earth. He narrowed his eyes and grimaced, clearly hoping that he had drawn the longest stick.

Hades' fingers twitched as he reached out his hand to draw. He hovered over one, then the other, and back again. He desperately wanted to rule over the skies, and Mount Olympus, and his entire future resided on this very moment, this single short tug upward, this small piece of olive wood. He drew.

Hades instantly knew that he had ruined his chance when Zeus' face lit up as Hades withdrew his stick. He looked down, seeing the smallest stick in his hand, and his mind went blank. Then, it was engulfed in flame.

He crushed the stick, sending slivers of the wood in every direction. "NO!" Hades roared, "I demand another chance!" He jabbed his finger at Zeus. "You cheated," he screamed, "you cheated so you could keep your throne!"

Zeus' eyes stormed. "You have the audacity," he thundered, "to accuse me of cheating while standing in front of my throne, in my home, in my kingdom?"

Hades realized he made a mistake, but did not back down. He looked at Poseidon, only to find that his brother had disappeared. "It is only your kingdom," he shouted, "and your throne because you have cheated! And it is not your home! Olympus is no one's home!"

Zeus did not respond verbally, and instead summoned the fearsome lightning bolt that had led the gods to victory during their war with the titans. But by the time had drawn back his arm to throw, Hades had already disappeared.