Queen Of Hell & Paradise (Immortal gods: Book 1)

Chapter 29- Influx of Souls: Highest Council

Hellooo my peeps! Lol

After this chapter, only fifteen are left! Yay!!!! Does anyone have any guesses as to what the next chapters will be about?

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Hades

My relationship with my brother has always been tumultuous.

It is inevitable, I think, for sibling rivalry to exist between us. Our own mother favored Zeus above the rest of her children, so it wasn't particularly difficult to harbor ill feelings toward him. However, it also doesn't help his case that his personality is not exactly the warmest or most kind.

Zeus has always enjoyed feeling superior (which in itself was bound to make him some enemies) no matter the price. Adding to that the fact he ruled everyone except the fates, it was no wonder he grew to be quite vain and swollen-headed.

I suppose you could attribute part of the blame to our mother- although her actions came from a good place. In her desperation to find a way to save her last child from her husband, she unconsciously drove a rift between him and his siblings. She demonstrated favoritism by sparing him his life.

At some point or another, I am fairly certain my siblings have asked themselves the same question I have: why was it that he was worthy of saving and the rest of us were not? It is not a question brought on by bitterness or resentment- it happened too long ago for any of us to even remember. In fact, had it not been for the written records left behind by mankind- the one thing they got right- I am certain we all would have forgotten.

However, when the incident is brought up, I am certain the same thought passes through our minds. Perhaps this is why I feel irritation bubble inside me when I lay eyes on him.

"Hades? What a lovely surprise! It's been so long, I thought you were dead!" he jokes, elbowing Poseidon and eliciting a small laugh from him. I frown, taking a seat on one of the thrones.

...Or it could just be the fact Zeus is (as Samantha would say) an "asshole".

"I've been busy running my kingdom, Zeus. Although I suppose you'd be the last to understand that, seeing as your wife does your job for you," I jab with a widening grin. This time, it's Zeus' turn to frown. His face begins to turn a bright red while Hera sends me a sharp glare.

Satisfied, I take a look around. Seven of the twelve seats in the court arena are vacant, only five of them are occupied. They're proof of the various sessions that have taken place prior to today's meeting. They belong to each one of the original twelve olympian gods and goddesses: Aphrodite, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Hephaestus, Aries, Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Hermes, and Dionysus.

In the Olympian system, there exist two levels of jurisdiction: the high court, and the highest council. The high court consists of the twelve gods and goddesses that helped found Mt. Olympus. Any issues directly related with earth and humanity are heard during meetings held under their supervision. These matters can range from mild to severe- such as natural disasters or a decline in religious beliefs (which can alter the course of our future as gods).

The highest council, on the other hand, consists only of five members- all rulers of one of the three realms in existence. Had I been married, my consort would become part of the council and add to the five existing members. Our gatherings are much less recurrent than that of the high court since the severity of the issues presented are of much higher frequency.

Zeus materializes his gavel and bangs it on his podium three times.

"As presider over the highest council, I now call this meeting into session," he announces, turning to the four other members present. He looks at me, suddenly grinning maniacally.