Chapter 13: The Summit of the Gods

Chapter 13: The Summit of the Gods

Damon and the other demigods stood in the centre of the labyrinth, their breaths still heavy from the battle. The glowing orb in Damon's hand pulsed with an otherworldly energy, growing brighter and brighter until it engulfed them all in a blinding light, knocking them off their feet with a sharp blast of power.

When the light subsided, Damon and the others found themselves standing on solid ground once more. But the labyrinth was gone. Damon looked around, his eyes widening in awe at what they could see.

"What is this place?" Naia asked, also amazed at the sight of it.

The sky above was a brilliant azure, and the air was filled with the scent of ambrosia. Towering marble columns and golden statues surrounded them, each a testament to the power and grandeur of the Olympian deities laid out in beautiful order.

Damon's fellow demigods looked around in equal amazement. Brick, Naia, and the others stood speechless, their earlier animosities momentarily forgotten in the face of such divine splendour.

A figure stepped forward, his golden blond hair catching the sunlight. "About time you all got here," he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

Damon and the others looked as the man before them stood tall and confident, his aura radiating power with a blue spark in his eyes. "I've been waiting for ages."

Damon recognized him instantly, having seen him at the temple of Athena. The other demigods exchanged uneasy glances, aware of the rivalry that often simmered beneath the surface.

Suddenly A booming voice broke the silence, one filled with power that demanded their attention. "Welcome, demigods!" Zeus, the king of the gods, stood before them, his eyes like thunderclouds and his presence commanding. "You have passed the first trials and survived the labyrinth. Many do not make it this far."

Damon and the others looked at Zeus in awe. He was huge, towering over them like a giant as he glowed in a godly aura, leaving all of them speechless.

The other gods began to gather, each radiating their own unique power and presence. Hera, with her regal beauty and a crown of stars, stood beside Zeus. Her eyes were sharp, appraising each demigod with a mixture of pride and expectation. Poseidon, with his trident and sea-blue eyes, had an aura of oceanic majesty. His presence was as calming as it was powerful, the air around him carrying the scent of the sea.

Athena, wise and formidable in her armour, stepped forward with her owl perched on her shoulder. Her gaze was intelligent and piercing as if she could see into the hearts of each demigod. Apollo, radiant with a golden glow, his lyre in hand, exuded an air of grace and artistic prowess. His twin sister, Artemis, stood beside him, her silver bow slung over her shoulder, her eyes fierce and protective.

Ares, the god of war, radiated an aura of raw power and aggression. His armour gleamed in the sunlight, and his gaze was fierce, a constant reminder of the battlefield's ruthlessness. Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, stood with an enchanting smile, her presence soothing and mesmerizing with her looks mesmerizing with a glowing radiance of beauty.

Hephaestus, the god of fire and forge, was sturdy and strong, his hands calloused from his craft. His eyes, however, held a warmth that spoke of creation and ingenuity. Hermes, the fleet-footed messenger of the gods, stood with a playful glint in his eyes, his winged sandals ready to take flight at any moment.

Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, home, and domesticity, radiated a serene and comforting presence that contrasted with the more commanding or aggressive demeanours of the other Olympian gods. Her hair, a rich auburn, fell in gentle waves around her shoulders, often adorned with a simple circlet of laurel leaves. She wore a flowing, modest robe of soft whites and warm, earthy tones, reflecting her connection to the hearth and home.

Dionysus, the god of wine, pleasure, and revelry, exuded a vibrant and intoxicating energy. His appearance was a blend of wildness and charm, with tousled dark hair crowned with a wreath of ivy and grapevines. His eyes sparkled with a mischievous gleam, their deep, wine-coloured hue hinting at both his joyous and chaotic nature.

"The gods... They are real." Damon said under his breath. Taking in the amazing sight that each god projected.

He was not alone, the demigods stood frozen, their eyes wide with astonishment. Their hearts pounded as they took in the scene. The gods were real, and their power was palpable. It was one thing to know of them, to hear the myths and stories, but to stand in their presence was something entirely different.

"You have shown strength, bravery, and skill," Zeus continued. "But these qualities alone are not enough. You will now be claimed by your divine parent, if they find you worthy, you undergo one final test to prove you are worthy to fight in the Tournament of the Gods as their representative in the battle.

Suddenly the man with golden blond hair stepped forward, his eyes sparking with electricity before he spoke.

"Why should we fight for you? Surely as gods, you have more than enough power to fight your own battles." He said, standing his ground before the gods themselves.

"You insulant pup. You dare address us with such ease?" Ares said, looking down at the daring demi-god.

However, Zeus raised his hand for Ares to back down, seeming to have a smirk on his face.

"Calm down Hades. He is but a child unfamiliar with our customs. He will learn in time." Zeus said, causing Ares to step back, still glaring down at the demi-god.

"All will be explained in time. But first, let us commence with the next steps." Zeus said, getting a simple shrug from the man as if he didn't care.

One by one, the gods stepped forward to claim their children, doing as Zeus had asked, causing the demigods to wait in anticipation whether they would be claimed or not.

Poseidon was the first to step forward. Approaching Naia and placing a hand on her shoulder. "You have made me proud, my daughter," he said, his voice like the rolling waves, causing Naia to smile feeling proud.

Ares strode over to Brick, a fierce grin on his face. "You fought with the ferocity of a true warrior," he said. "You are my son, and you will make a formidable competitor."

Athena claimed another demigod, her eyes shining with approval. "Your intelligence and strategy were impressive," she said. "You are indeed my child."

Apollo stepped forward to claim a demigod with a harp, his voice like music itself. "Your talent and grace have earned you a place among us."

Artemis claimed a demigod with a bow, her voice firm and proud. "Your skills in the hunt are unmatched. You are my daughter."

The demi-god that had dared challenge Zeus himself watched with a satisfied smile as each demigod was claimed, not seeming as worried as the others. Suddenly Zeus himself stepped forward to place a hand on the man's shoulder, the young demigod straightened, his pride evident.

"You are certainly my son," Zeus said, having known from the start.

The other demi-gods were shocked to see that Zeus had claimed him as his son, knowing now that he was the son of the king of the gods.

One by one, the demigods were claimed, soon leaving only Damon standing alone. He felt a knot tighten in his stomach as the gods looked at him, then at each other before finally, Zeus stepped forward, a smirk on his lips.

"It would seem Hades has once again chosen not to grace us with his presence," Zeus said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Typical of my brother to neglect such matters."

The other demi-gods exchanged shocked glances. The realization that Damon was the son of Hades, the god of the underworld, hit them like a thunderbolt. The atmosphere grew tense, filled with a mix of fear and curiosity as even the other gods seemed to look down on Damon.

The son of Zeus's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded Damon. "Interesting," he muttered, a hint of a challenge in his tone before also looking at Naia, knowing that they were the only two others that could challenge him being the children of the strongest gods.

Zeus turned his piercing gaze on Damon before he spoke. "You, son of Hades, will not be claimed here." He said, causing Damon to panic for a second, unsure of what would happen to him now.

"Instead, you must journey to the underworld to meet your father. Only there can you prove your worth to him." Zeus said.

With a wave of his hand, Zeus summoned a swirling vortex of shadows. The portal opened before Damon, its dark depths seeming to beckon him.

"Go now child," Zeus said, seeming almost concerned for him.

"Good luck, Damon," Naia said softly, her earlier suspicion replaced with genuine concern.

"Yeah, don't die down there," Brick added, his tone gruff but not entirely unfriendly.

Damon nodded to his fellow demigods, then stepped into the vortex. The world around him shifted, the bright light of Olympus replaced by the dim, eerie glow of the underworld.

Damon watched as the portal behind him vanished, now finding himself standing at the gates of the underworld, the River Styx flowing silently behind him. The air was heavy with the scent of decay and the faint whisper of lost souls.

"So, you have finally come." A deep voice said, getting Damon's attention.

Before him stood Hades, the god of the underworld, his presence both intimidating and commanding.

Hades was tall and gaunt, with skin as pale as moonlight. His dark robes billowed around him like shadows come to life, and his eyes, deep and unreadable, held the weight of countless centuries. Cerberus, the three-headed hound, stood beside him, each head growling softly, its eyes glowing with an eerie light as the beast snarled at Damon, its black fur standing on end.

"Damon," Hades said, his voice a deep, resonant echo. "You have come far to reach me. But your trials are not over yet."

Damon felt a chill run down his spine as he met his father's gaze.

Hades' eyes gleamed with a mix of pride and challenge as he watched Damon, feeling no fear come from him. "You must prove your worth to me, not just as a demi-god, but as my son. Only then will you be ready to face the final test and take your place in the Tournament of the Gods."

Damon took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. He had come this far, and he would not falter now. The underworld awaited, and with it, the chance to prove himself once and for all.