Cry of Chaos

2 ::Atticus:: 2

   There are many gateways all over the world that lead to Olympus. The one Hermes took me to was through Hephaestus' forge. "Alrighty!" he announced, reaching for the handle on the forge's metal, bolted door, "Off we go!" His fingers hardly brushed the handle's surface before I felt myself being sucked up by what seemed like a vacuum. Next thing I knew, I was alone in a open hall with high ceilings and golden pillars. The sky above was visible , much like the ceiling in the mess hall at Hogwarts. Glancing down at the white, polished floors, I couldn't help but frown at my own, grungy appearance. Dust covered me from head to toe. A little piece of me freaked out when I noticed a giant spider crawling on my leg. With a sigh, I whacked it off with my hand, listening to its cry as it collided with the sacred floor, turning into dust. A booming voice echoed loudly, calling for me; "Atticus Evergreen, son of Artemis, come forward." Taking a breath, I walked forward, down the hall. The hall lead to a large, grand room with golden thrones that towered over me. Torches with silver flames lit the room and the very air vibrated from the immense power of the gods. Ignoring all but one, I knelt before Zeus, putting one arm on my knee. His sky blue, raging eyes narrowed, "Rise, demigod." So I did, obeying his order and rising to my feet again. Only then did I dare to glance around the room at the other Olympians. Surprisingly enough, Hades was there, staring me down with his dark, hollow eyes. I nodded at him, "Hiya... Still mad at me?" His only response was a low growl that rumbled in his chest. I looked away, "Yup, still mad." Believe it or not, I've gone to the Underworld on multiple occasions. Without invitation, of course. I looked at my mother who glared at me like I was a piece of gum stuck to the bottom of her sandals. Was it my appearance? She huffed, "How disrespectful it is to be in our presence looking like a pathetic creature." Definitely my appearance. Hermes chuckled nervously, "Um, sorry," he told her, "I picked him up from the Labyrinth so... There's not much that could be done about his looks." Ares leaned forward in his throne, his red eyes ablaze, "The Labyrinth? Did you kill the Minotaur again?" he asked excitedly. I nodded and he clapped his hands together, "Nice job, brat. I wish you were my kid instead of Miss Bi-" A cold glare from Artemis silenced him immediately. Zeus sighed, clearly annoyed by his brethren, "That's enough now. Behave yourselves." A quiet "psst" attracted my attention and I glanced at Aphrodite. She winked at me before looking at Zeus. I rubbed the back of my neck before looking at the king of the gods as well, his eyes narrowed, "I'm glad you excepted your mission."

 "What mission..?" I asked uncertainly. Hera frowned, crossing her arms, "You're questioning him?" I crossed my arms as well, trying to match her attitude, "That's exactly what I'm doing."

 "Slow down, boy," Hades warned, a hint of amusement in his cold voice, "I don't want to see you back in my domain anytime soon." I smirked, "Oh, come on, you love my company." His response was only a shrug. Zeus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "I see... Will you except the mission?"

 "Again I ask; What mission?"

He looked at Hermes who jumped, "H-hey!" he stammered, pointing at the god, "You never told me to tell him or explain it to him!" Hephaestus grunted, no longer wearing his blackened apron but instead wore what the other gods wore; a white chiton embroidered with gold, "And this is why I shoulda brought him here, not some jumpy doofus."

 "HEY!"

Leaning forward, he said, "To put it simply, since I ain't explainin' it, we actually need your help, Atticus."

      I raised an eyebrow, "My help? Can't you guys handle your own problems?" Athena growled in annoyance and anger, "You say it as though we are weak." I shrugged, "I mean, you guys are immortal and all powerful. What good can a mortal weakling do?" Artemis sighed, rolling her eyes, "You finally agree." Love you too, Mom, I said to myself, frowning. Apollo looked at his sister, "Easy now, sis. Don't be rude. Even you know how much we need him." She said nothing to counter his statement. Which meant this was a big deal. Zeus stared me down, "We would do it if we could," he told me, "However, we are needed for other things."