Latch (Jared Cameron)

Chapter 41

Jared Cameron was astounded by the sights around him.

Sure, he had been to Olympus once before, but he had been teleported straight inside the palace. He had not been able to see just how luxurious and grand it truly was on the outside, surrounded by a garden full of golden plants, of all things.

As they stepped inside, the grand doors to the palace being opened by two nymphs, Jared was looking around in surprise. Aella looked at him, giggling slightly. Rarely did anyone really marvel at the beauty of the palace anymore, everyone too accustomed to it to care.

Of course, they were dressed up for Olympus, Jared in a white suit and Aella in a royal blue dress, flowing down to her feet, where a pair of silver heels had taken the place of her socks. Aella knew, though, that compared to the Gods and Goddesses, they would not compare.

Aella grabbed Jared's hand, Jared squeezing it as they approached the throne room, the big golden doors right in front of them.

"Are you ready?" Aella took a deep breath, nodding.

"I think so, yes." Another nymph opened the throne room doors, Aella and Jared striding in with their heads held high.

All the Gods were in their thrones, as expected, looking down at the couple. But, this time, being a more formal meeting, the big three were in their positions, their thrones far from the others with Zeus in the middle. They were the only Gods standing, and wearing traditional robes, unlike the suits they usually wore.

"Aella, Jared, welcome back."

Aella and Jared both bowed before the gods, standing straight only when Zeus sat down, waving his hands for Poseidon and Hades to sit as well.

"Uncle Zeus. It is nice to see you again."

"As it is to see you. I must congratulate you and your friends on the victory against the Volturi, I'm sure that you were all rather concerned about the outcome."

"Thank you, Uncle. Yes, the outcome if there had been a battle was very unsettling."

"Enough with the small talk, Zeus, Aella is alive and well and we have a decision to make. Can we get to it?" Hades complained, not really happy with discussing what could have been. He had mentally prepared for Aella's death, but it still hurt, the idea of losing his daughter in that way.

"Yes, Hades, as you wish." Zeus cleared his throat, raising his voice. "Now, Aella, we gave you a month of deliberation and we trust you have made a decision."

Aella glanced at Jared, who just stood and smiled at her. He trusted that whatever she decided, even if it meant them breaking up, would be good for her.

"Yes, I have."

Zeus smiled. "Wonderful. And what will it be, then?"

Truthfully, Aella pondered on the decision for more than she should have. It did not take her too long to discover what her father had meant, the loophole he found.

Hercules, like many others parented by the gods, was a demi-God, a half mortal, half god being that lived primarily in the mortal world. They had godly enhancements and abilities, but could be normal, even with the blood running in their veins.

Hercules, though, was an exception, being son to two gods, Hera and Zeus. However, he was raised in the mortal world with his abilities and was pretty mundane for years.

So, what Hades had suggested to Aella, was simple. Ask to become a Demi-God. She would not be losing too much, still being Princess of the Underworld, and still allowed to see her father, but many of her gifts would have to be surrendered, only the gifts of her father being kept to her. She could also live in the mortal world and marry a mortal, that mortal being Jared.

So, Aella took his advice and she used the loophole to her advantage. "I would like to ask permission to become a full Demi-God."

Zeus' smile faltered, not expecting her answer. Even Jared was shocked by the request, his head snapping to Aella. There were murmurs among the gods, Persephone holding her mother's hand whilst sharing a look with her husband. This could dictate whether they lost their daughter or not.

"Now, little girl, I do not recall that being one of the options." Apollo snapped, Poseidon glaring at him.

"Silence, we agreed that Zeus, Hades, and I would do the speaking." Poseidon turned back to Aella. "I will say, my niece, that becoming a Demi-God was never an option."

"No, but it is a possibility, is it not?"

Zeus hummed. "You would lose the gifts given to you by others, such as Poseidon, or even mine."

Aphrodite snorted to herself. "She wouldn't lose mine." She muttered, everyone ignoring her.

"I'm aware and it is a sacrifice I am willing to make."

"Very well then. Brothers, shall we vote?" The two others nodded, standing.

"Poseidon, on the matter of Aella's godship, where do you stand?"

Poseidon cleared his throat. "I rule against allowing Aella to become a Demi-God. It was not one of the options given to her, and she has a lot of potential as a goddess to give it up."

Zeus nodded. "Hades?"

"I rule in favor, obviously." He drawled, raising an eyebrow.

Zeus chuckled. "Well, I suppose that I am to give the final decision. Aella, I must ask, is this what you truly want?"

"Uncle, in living in Forks, I have realized that all I wanted to do, I could do better living in the mortal world. I need to be there, not only to be with my soulmate, but to help others, I trust you understand."

"I do. And that is why I am ruling in favor of you becoming a Demi-God. Aella, I hearby grant you your wish. Please, step forward."

She tentatively let go of Jared, stepping forward and closing her eyes. She relaxed, hearing Zeus snap and feeling something wash over her. She opened her eyes, sensing some lose, but not too much, seeing the light signifying her lost powers head back to their creator's, everyone who had blessed Aella as a baby. Aphrodite had been correct, her gifts remaining well within Aella's body.

Aella turned to Jared, grinning, her fiancé breathing out in relief. The decision was made.