Outside

Once our uncles were free, we began our hasty exit from the underworld. My siblings and I were leading the way out. The cyclopses were briskly walking with their heads bent to avoid the jagged rocks of the ceiling above. On the other hand, the Hecatoncheires were on all fours, crawling out of their prior prison.

The trip out was only graced with the sound of shuffling feet and the scraping of skin on soil.

Eventually we began to see a bright light that overwhelmed the glowing lights in the tunnel. With the bright new light coming into view, hope started to swell within me with each step I took towards it. Reaching the outside of the dreary ambiance of the underworld was a welcome change. 

Though the light was bright, it was subdued by the shade of the trees overhead. Thus creating a welcome ambiance. I turned back at our uncles, who were following us, and noticed their squinting eyes. It was obvious that the darkness they had been trapped in for a long time had affected them. Now they had to adapt to the light of the world they had been deprived of for so long. 

One by one, my uncles departed from the cave after my siblings and I had already left. Even though they were still squinting, they had broad smiles on their faces. They were all happy. They were all happy to be free.

My Hecatoncheir uncles had each of their heads looking around in a child-like manner as each of their many hands wondered around the new environment and explored it. Even my cyclops uncle, with a large scar on his face, had tears of happiness in his eyes. It was touching. Watching it made my heart feel light. We were the cause of this happiness. 

After some time of allowing my uncles to adjust to the light, I decided to ask what was on my mind, "How long have you been in the underworld?" 

All my uncles froze, and in an instant, all eyes were on me.

Then one of the Hecatoncheires spoke. All fifty heads spoke in unison: "It has been so long...so, so long. I do not remember. We do not remember. However, we remember who trapped us. We remember the hatred and malice we felt. Most importantly, we remember that our precious freedom was stolen from us."

I took a deep breath. I did not expect that answer. It was a painful answer. I looked at all my uncles, and none of them disagreed with the Hecatoncheir that spoke. It seemed that its answer was the answer shared by all my uncles. I looked back at the Hecatoncheir that answered and slowly nodded in understanding.

My siblings did not allow for any further questioning and immediately passed me to look at our uncles. 

"I believe we made a deal." Poseidon began as he looked at them with steely eyes.

"You have a duty to fulfil your end of the deal." Demeter emphasised.

"However, we first need weapons, which you MUST get for us so as to fulfil a portion of your end of the deal." Zeus finished.

Honestly, I thought that maybe that was a bit demanding, but if it was what was meant to be done, I had no right to interfere. Even if we, the younger generation, were rudely demanding something from our elders. I had no right to interfere. They knew what they were doing. Right? Zeus would not take a forceful approach for no reason. He was always right. Right?

I looked up to see my uncles' hard visages. I felt a chill run down my spine as one of my cyclops uncles moved to step forward. However, before he could make a move, Hades and Hestia hurriedly moved forward. 

" Uncles. Please, we ask you to remember your promise and remember we are blood." Hestia hurriedly said.

With her words, a soothing feeling washed over me. When I looked up again, my uncles faces had become softer. They all appeared to have calmed down. It seemed Hestia had an ability to calm souls. It was marvellous! 

"We ask that you aid us as you promised and help us get weapons." Hades requested with a calm face.

Luckily, Demeter, Poseidon, and Zeus did not interfeer when Hestia and Hades spoke. I think they thought that the two were emphasising their point and remained calm because of this.

There was a pause, followed by a soft chuckle from the shortest cyclops.

 "Interesting. Very interesting. You all have interesting personalities and interesting powers." He said, as he gave a pointed look to Hestia. " Very well. A promise is a debt. Ain't it brothers?" He turned to the cyclopses and hecatoncheires. 

His statement was met with murmurs of agreement. 

" Aight, I vote we cyclopses  make the weapons for the males and the Hecatoncheires make the weapons for the females."  The cyclops with the scar said briskly. 

My uncles paused for a short while as they considered the proposal. After some contemplation, the idea was agreed upon. Without further delay, our uncles gave us a quick look and went in separate directions after saying they would be back.

Undaunted by the uncertainty of whether they would return or not, Zeus looked at all of us. "Then we will train until they return." Zeus declared.

With his declaration began days and nights of training against each other and honed our individual special abilities. It was an arduous yet fulfilling venture