The Crowns of the Gods.

Crowns of the Gods

"So let me get this straight," Bayo asked, "first, we're sisters, second, we're the most powerful beings in the universe, but only when we're together, and third, we are the crowns?"

"Yes, darling, you are," Persephone affirmed.

"Why did that woman fling us into the cosmos?" Blair questioned.

"Because, child, your very existence is ruining everything I worked so hard to achieve. You've disrupted my plans for my children, who were meant to be the most powerful entities in the universe, until you came along and ruined everything."

"Rhea, you've finally decided to show your face after all these years," Zeus interjected softly.

"My dearest child, I saved you so you could rule alongside your father once he realized your power."

"No, I was meant to rule with my wife and siblings by my side."

Rhea was taken aback by her son's words. "I can convince Cronus to forgive you for imprisoning him if you tell me where he is, my son."

"In the final days of the war," Blair spoke, her eyes glazed over, "he broke free from his prison and vowed revenge on you," she pointed accusingly at Rhea, "you were his downfall, his own sister and wife. He no longer desires to rule; all he wants is you, to make you suffer his fate, trapped for eternity with him in his hell." Blair collapsed to her knees and lost consciousness.

"Macaria!" Persephone rushed forward in fear. "Darling, my sweet baby, wake up."

"I'm fine, Persephone. That was strong, almost as if he was speaking directly to me," Blair said.

"He was," Luna confirmed. "I could see him speaking."

"I could feel his anger," Bayo said, her voice tinged with concern.

"That's better than tasting his pain," Jinx remarked dryly, scraping her tongue as if to rid herself of a bitter taste.

All eyes turned to Rhea, who attempted to flee but was abruptly halted by Luna's stone prison.

"You are the cause of so much pain, death, and destruction. You don't just get to leave. You took us from loving homes, loving families," Blair's voice thundered, her eyes darkening with shared anguish. "You deserve to be trapped in that hell with him. Darkness and him, your only companions."

"Blair," Hades interjected softly, "you cannot be judge and jury alone. We must all decide her fate together."

"No. She causes pain. I cannot abide by that."

"He's right, sister. We must decide as one. You, me, Luna, and Bayo. We are the council of the crowns, and we must decide together," Jinx said firmly, placing a reassuring hand on Blair's shoulder.

"Fine. Aphrodite, Apollo, put her in the quartz stocks. At least I know she can't break out of those."

Hand in hand, the girls walked with determination to the thrones that had awaited them for years, the weight of their decision heavy in the air.

"As we sit here, it's a commitment to keep Olympus together, to keep our family united," Blair declared solemnly. "We can leave as needed to tend to our human lives. Here and now, we promise to our family and ourselves to act with justice, not out of anger. We must keep this promise or face the consequences of standing before this council."

"What exactly are the consequences?" Luna asked her sister, her voice wavering slightly.

"Someone we love from our human lives will die and be sent forever to the underworld," Blair stated firmly, her gaze unwavering.