Apollo's Prophecy (Book One)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Welcome to a new chapter! Short author's note (for once). I just wanted to let you know how much it means to me when you interact with this story! If you've been enjoying so far, please don't forget to vote, comment and maybe even share it with your friends! I'm considering making this into a series so getting more eyes on it would be amazing. Enjoy and have a great weekend! - Amy

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     Apollo and Danika sat in their Olympus bedroom, waiting for the rest of their most trusted deity friends to arrive. Persephone and Hades were already sitting beside them on the couch with Artemis pacing in front of them. Hermes, Aphrodite and Hephaestus appeared within seconds of each other, taking their own seats.

     "Who else are we waiting on?" Athena asked when she materialized behind Danika and Apollo. She leaned onto the couch with her arms.

     Apollo didn't turn to look at her. "Just Poseidon."

     Athena crossed her arms. "So most of the Olympians will be here. Would it not be better to have this meeting in the throne room?

     "No," Apollo shook his head. "I can't trust our father or the others with this information and they'll know if we hold a meeting there and exclude them.

     Aphrodite walked up to Apollo. "I really don't think Eros is involved," she frowned.

     Apollo sighed. "I don't either, but the fewer people that know about this conversation, the better chance we'll have of singling out whomever it is. That's why Dionysus wasn't invited either."

     Aphrodite nodded and sat back down, holding Hephaestus' hand.

     Poseidon walked in through the door and frowned at the sight. "I take it this is really serious."

     Apollo frowned at his uncle. "It is," he said before walking everyone through what his oracle had revealed to him. Most were shocked by the revelation. They quickly conversed amongst each other, sharing their thoughts on who they believed was innocent.

     "I can account for Demeter," Persephone spoke. "She hasn't left Olympus for months to prepare for the harvest season." She looked at Apollo. "She also has no qualms with you or Danika."

     "I know." Apollo replied. "I don't believe it's your mother either, but I don't want her to know about this either. You know how she can be when it comes to our father."

     Persephone's face scrunched up. "Please don't remind me. She probably would've sent me to the mortal realm as a baby if it meant she would've had a real chance with him."

     Danika giggled at Persephone's face. She'd learned that Demeter had grown obsessed with Zeus' attention and still held out hope that the King of the Gods would leave his wife for her.

     "And Hestia?" Athena asked.

     Apollo shook his head. "We have an amicable relationship." He turned to Danika. "I forgot to tell you this, but not long after Daphne died, I proposed to Hestia because I thought she was also lonely. Hestia denied me, wanting to remain a virgin goddess, but helped me work through my sadness. As a result we've formed a lovely friendship. I do not believe it was her."

     Danika smiled. "That's very sweet of her." It took her months, but she finally understood that while the gods were technically related, they were born in a very different way than humans, meaning inter-familial relationships were very common, especially when it came to aunts, uncles and cousins. "So all that's left would be Zeua, Hera and Ares?"

     "Yes," Apollo frowned.

     "I do not believe it was Zeus," Athena spoke.

     Artemis walked closer to her. "I have to agree. If Zeus wanted Danika to die he would've voted for her to be banished to the underworld."