As Beauty Unfolds

Prologue Part 2

One by one seven powerful beings entered a cozy little bar tucked away in an alley on main street. 

A man stood behind the counter, cleaning each individual wine glass till it sparkled. 

Two men sat at the bar. 

Another fiddled around with an electric guitar as he sat on a stool in the middle of the room. 

To his right, a man looked out the blurred yellow glass of a window that only let in a filtered amount of light. 

The quiet space was interrupted by the last two men, who walked in just as the man behind the counter poured himself a dark red glass of wine. 

The taller man at the door took off his hat, revealing deep red hair that gleamed under the hazy lights. 

"Is everyone here?" He asked, causing the members of the space to turn towards him. 

Seven of the many Gods kept one another company from time to time, each for his own personal reasons. 

The man who had asked the question was their faithful leader, better recognized as the God of War. 

The man in skinny jeans, a striped turtleneck who had just set down his guitar was the God of Music. He liked to have the company of his own kind, though he would never admit that himself.

Doing a full 180, the man who had been looking out the window was the mysterious and often busy God of Death. He always came to the meetings, though none of the other Gods knew why he participated. He hardly ever said a word. 

One of the two men sitting at the bar had stopped whispering, revealing the face of the curious God of Mischief. He was always in search of new gossip among those he knew. 

The Wandering God stood firmly next to the God of War, not making eye contact with anyone. He was still trying to find his place in the world--and in this group of people. 

As you might have already guessed the man who wore black from head-to-toe (black dress shirt, black pants, black shoes) and sipped his alcohol with such pleasure was the God of Wine. He took pride in keeping his little bar and hosting the six other Gods. 

The God of Temptation giggled from his spot next to the God of Mischief. Much like Mischief, he never wanted to be left out of what he deemed to be "good fun".

(With all the lengthy introductions out of the way, time will begin once again.) 

The God of Music looked from person to person before turning back to their leader saying, "I believe so."

The two gods who stood at the door took a seat on the other bar stools, facing the others around them. The God of War cleared his throat. 

"Well, I'm sure you are all aware of why we have gathered--" before he could finished his statement the God of Temptation could no longer hold back the thoughts of every God in the room. 

"We did hear right, didn't we? A new goddess has been born?" He exclaimed, barely able to contain himself as he gripped the front of the stool tightly. 

The God of Wine swirled the liquid in his glass, obsessed by the contents. 

"I heard that it was just a dirty rumor being spread by the spirits." 

Their leader ran his fingers through his hair with a deep sigh. "For once, it is not. This is the real deal. 

Everyone's eyes landed on him. The temperature in the room seemed to raise a few degrees as the tension fogged the air. A new god or goddess hadn't been born in thousands of years. Goddesses were even more rare, because they were only brought forth if needed by the people or as the product of a relationship between a goddess and a god.  

"She is indeed a goddess." he said, speaking the statement into being. The Gods began to exchange glances before the God of Music spoke up.

"If it really is true, then what role does she play? How could she have possibly been brought into existence, especially after so many years of--"

"Beauty." 

The room fell silent. One of their quietest members, the Wandering God had just confirmed the fear they had avoided for so long.

"I'm sorry, but would you mind repeating that?" the God of Music asked, hardly believing the reality himself. 

"She's the daughter of Beauty." the Wandering God replied, looking wilted on the stool on which he sat. 

The God of Wine dropped the glass in his hand, the shatter ringing within the space. 

"I thought she didn't love anyone." the God of War said in alarm.

The God of Temptation slammed his hands on the counter top, causing the others to jump. He sneered. 

"Guess we were all wrong." he said through gritted teeth as anger began to rile up inside of him. He stared at his hands before asking the obvious question, "What are we gonna do about this?"

The God of Wine shook his head as he went to grab cleaning supplies for the mess he had made. "Is there anything we can do?"

"You know we can't let this go." The God of Temptation growled, his hands balling into fists. The others nodded in agreement.

"I...have a proposal." interjected the God of Mischief. 

The God of Music rolled his eyes, scoffing slightly. "This should be good." he mumbled, looking down to pick at his fingers. 

The God of War gave the God of Music a warning look. He then turned to the God of Mischief. "What do you suggest?"

The God of Mischief smirked, threading his fingers together. "Why, if we can't have Beauty, I say we just take her daughter. How does that sound?"

They all turned away at this statement. The Gods did not agree on many things, or have equal desires. But there were two things that they all craved more than anything. Beauty, and revenge against her. She had broken them all. 

The God of Temptation was the first to speak. "I don't hear any objections." 

The God of War stood. "Very well. All in favor?"

Before anyone could speak the God of Death walked out of the bar without a word. They all stared as his shadow passed the window before disappearing altogether. The God of Wine made eye contact with their leader. 

"I don't believe he will be joining us on this one."

The Wandering God held up his hand, as if to answer before saying aloud, "Don't worry, I will discuss the matter with him." he said. After all, the two were on a wavelength much different than the rest of the members. 

The God of War nodded slowly. "Very well. If there are no verbal objections then our mission begins. We will steal away the daughter of the goddess of Beauty."

-End Scene-