Twelve

Ch 23: Meeting

"Does anybody need a nametag?"

Hermes's attempt at lightening the mood did nothing to ease the tension in the room filled with gods.

The goddess Gaia looked at him disapprovingly. "Get to the point, Hermes. I do not have the patience for your fools games."

"Aww, c'mon GreatGran."

Gaia was not at all moved by the boyish smile presented to her, so it quickly faded.

"Hermes, why exactly are we here?" Persephone questioned.

"Officially, the answer is that we appreciate the offers but we must politely decline your assistance in helping the zodiacs."

"Yes, yes officially, but what is it that you have to say, trickster?" Though to an outsider it may have seemed as if Hades was growing irritated with Hermes, Hermes knew that Hades simply wanted to get to the point."

"Well, as much as I respect Apollo," Hermes paused for Persephone's unabashed scoff, "I do not agree with his decision. I truly feel for these poor zodiacs. They have lived through millennia of pain and suffering with no purpose. As gods, we should be protecting the vulnerable. I feel so badly for them and believe that we should help them so much so that I swore a blood oath to them. I can not stand by while they continue to die when I have ready access to help. This cycle is coming to an end, but if things continue as they have been, I fear that it will not be a pleasant end for the zodiacs."

Persephone nodded emphatically. "We will help you. What Orion is doing is despicable and I refuse to turn a blind eye any longer"

Gaia chided the younger goddess gently. "It is rash to call it despicable. The foolish hunter wants simply to return to his soulmate's side. Would you not go to the ends of the earth to be with Hades?"

Persephone's anger wavered as she considered this perspective.

"But Grandmother, this is not natural. Orion is dead. What he is doing is wrong, and as the ruler of this realm, I can not allow it to happen."

"I did not say I agreed with or supported the Hunter. I only said that his motives are not so deplorable. I want the prat to stay dead for other reasons."

The sudden change in Gaia's tone elicited a chuckle from Hermes. "Now that we're all in agreement, there are a few things to go over. Firstly, we can not directly intervene, such as killing Orion ourselves. Scorpio must kill him, or else the cycle will simply start anew. We must only offer help through supporting the remaining zodiacs. Secondly, we will absolutely under no circumstances whatsoever, no matter what, in any situation, tell Apollo."

Persephone smirked. "Are you scared of him?"

Hermes stuck his tongue out. "No, Persephone, I am not scared of my brother. I could outwit him with my hands tied. But the problem is that he gets very inconvenient when he is angry."

Hades nodded in agreement. "Do you have a plan yet?"

"Partially. To begin, I do not think that you should go to earth unless is it very important. No offense, but you attract too much attention."

"Then what am I to do?"

"I think Persephone should interact the most with the zodiacs. They will trust her more readily."

"I think GreatGran-"

"Should kill the prat once more."

"No, GreatGran. Were you not listening to my rules earlier?"

Hermes was met with a wave of her hand.

"As I was saying, I think GreatGran should either occupy the twins or bully the zodiacs into their greatest potential."

"I do not bully, I am simply a strict teacher."

"The soreness that haunts my immortal body says otherwise," Hades muttered.

"Does my grandson have something to say?"

"Nothing, grandmother."

Hermes and Persephone shared an entertained look.

"GreatGran, you need to unlock Scorpio's true potential though. He is not fully awakened and he is the only one that can kill Orion."

Gaia nodded grimly.

"Currently, for the next six days, the twins will be distracted. That is our best window to provide assistance to the zodiacs. If we need more time, either Hades or Gaia can distract the twins for longer."

"So far, Cancer has been the leader, with Gemini as his support. Capricorn and Taurus just recently awakened and will likely be fully in tune with his celestial soul in a few days. Scorpio, however, is severely behind on his progress. His mortal soul and his celestial soul are dissonant."

"Do we know why?"

"The other zodiacs probably believe it is so because of trauma. I suspect that it might be because Scorpio is conserving his aura for the final confrontation."

"Hermes, shouldn't we leave as soon as possible?"

Hermes nodded absentmindedly, still working out the plan. "Yes, yes of course. Hades, keep in contact with us. Let's go, Persephone, GreatGran."

In a flash of light and a rush of air, three gods appeared in the center of the apartment living room. Hermes expected to be greeted by five optimistic zodiacs, but instead was met with four zodiacs consumed by a somber atmosphere. A quick glance around the room identified Taurus as the missing zodiac. Capricorn sat cross-legged, his face the picture of dejection. Cancer's mouth twisted into a grim line. Gemini and Capricorn looked to be in shock. Scorpio stood with his hands balled at his sides. He looked hollow and guilt shadowed his features; there was a red tinge to his knuckles that perfectly matched a scuff on the wall.

Hermes was trying to gather the words when Gaia cleared an authoritative throat. The single simple noise was filled with such ancient power that the four traumatized zodiacs were instantly attentive to the speaker.

"I assume the drop in numbers is due to a run in with the Hunter?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Capricorn eyed the newcomers skeptically. "Who are you?"

The younger goddess spoke. "I am Persephone. This is the Great Goddess Gaia. We are here to help."

"It's too late," Sci spat out bitterly.

Silence lingered, only to be broken by an irritated click of Gaia's tongue. "How far we have fallen."

Gaia stalked towards Sci and pointed an aged finger right between his eyes. A rumble shook the earth and Sci's eyes rolled back as he collapsed into the couch.

Hermes exchanged a pained glance with Persephone. "So much for subtle."