V I C T O R I E S

P R O L O U G E

I sat in my strange cloudy heap as I drank the delicious yet mysterious drink in my hand. I was still not sure what was made of; I have never tasted anything like it, but it was sweet yet spicy at the same time, and I liked it, but it would not be something I'd drink once more.

I swirled its' golden honey like content, watching as it forms a slight tornado in the champagne glass. I watched as the other Gods, mainly Ares and Aphrodite dancing together. I could see from the distance that their son, Eros was watching them with a stern face.

I rolled my eyes and continued my drink. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Zeus downing his drink in one go with a frustrated look on his face. Something must be wrong. I contemplated going there to ask him if there was anything wrong, but it seemed like a waste of energy. I know he will not answer me, and simply grunt at me like a old wild beast as he always does. I looked around the party, he invited us all Gods to attend this party, but of course there was a reason, there has always been a reason, but Zeus has not yet announced it.

I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, causing me to throw my head back and look up at the one and only, Hades, also known by his mortal name, Theo Berrycloth. I turned and got up from my seat-- well, heap. "Hades?" The atonishment was evident in my voice. He smirked at me, "Yes, love, I am here."

"Why are you here?" I asked, taking in every aspect of his face. He has come in his mortal form, his messy black hair and lean but masculine body had not changed one bit. "Take a picture, it will last longer." He joked, and I immediately looked up at him. "Why are you here Hades?" I asked once more. He did not answer me, just gave me that annoying smirk. "Fine, be like that." I said, pouting my lips and sat back down, my back facing him. I felt his rich laughter rumble behind me, "Come on love, you know I was joking."

"Then answer the question." I mumbled. He chuckled slightly, deciding to answer my question. "I have come here for the same reason as you, Zeus had invited me."

"Zeus hates you, why would he invite you? You came here uninvited here, didn't you?"

"You know me so well love." He laughed once more. I got up and faced him again, "Why?" He chuckled mischievously, taking a step closer to me. "I wanted to see you love, I missed you. Is that a crime?" I told him that it was and that he was not allowed up here. He laughed once more, for it to be cut off by the Posieden, also known as Caelum Tumbler-- his mortal name. "Come on Hades, stop bothering the lady."

I mentally thanked him. "Ah, God of the sea, I have heard so much about you, how are you old friend."

"We are not friends, and never will be." Posieden sneered, then looked at me, his face softening, "Nike, would you like to accompany to the mortal world?" He asked giving me his famous puppy eyes. I smiled at him and told him I would love to. This party was starting to get boring anyways. "I'll come with." said Hades, a stern expression on his face, giving Posieden the stink eye.

The Posieden was about to disagree, when he thought better of it. He reluctantly agreed to let him tag along. I am not sure wether the Posieden fully agreed for Hades to come with us. As to not make things akward as they already are, I told them I would find Hephaestus, Vulcan McQuoid. They did not pay me much attention, and continued there little squabble.

As I roamed the palace if Zeus, watching the Gods dance and drink, laugh and have fun, my eye caught on a certain someone, whom I was looking for. I watched as Hephaestus stood, looking over the party with a tired and bored expression. I walk over to him and gently tapped him on the shoulder. "Hephaestus?"

He snapped his head to me, suddenly alert. "Nike?" He asked, looking puzzled for a while. Then snapped out of it and looked at me with his usual bored expression. "What do you want?"

"Want to come with me, Posieden and Hades to the mortal world?" I asked bluntly, hoping he would say yes for me to avoid akward tension. "No." He said, continuing to drink the honey-coloured drink. Where did mine go? I distinctly remember Hades taking it from me, and drinking it. "Please Hephaestus, I can't stand those two at each other's throats all the time!" I pleased, looking at him.

He looked over at me, then at the two doppelgängers, then back at me again. "Please." I said once more for good measure. He looked like he was about to shake his head, but instead said, "We are not going to the stupid chicken shop." I smiled at him and thanked him for coming. I went back to the doppelgängers with Hephaestus following me. I let the doppelgängers know that he was coming and they rolled their eyes at the same time. I smiled and changed into my mortal form, and so did the rest of the boys.

My wings got hidden inside my back, as the boy's hair shortened, and changed colour. Our dresses also got changed into the "casual wear" as mortals call it. We all clicked our fingers and I could hear the honking of cars and mortals talking once more. "Let's go!" I say giggling, and they all smiled at me, following me.