Apollo was enjoying his time in London, seated in the Royal Albert Hall, listening to a recital. The mortals played with passion, and for once, he allowed himself the comfort of silence. But as he closed his eyes, something stirred.
It was subtle at first, a ripple beneath the mist. But he felt it. The veil began to pull back, allowing him to see what had been hidden from him for centuries. His eyes narrowed in anticipation.
And then he saw it.
The prophecy.
His expression shifted: shock, surprise, then terror.
Without a word, Apollo vanished in a flash of golden light.
...
Olympus stood radiant under the afternoon sun, golden arches gleaming. Dryads and nymphs wandered its gardens in leisure, basking in its false tranquility. When they saw Apollo appear, they welcomed him, calling him to join their revelry.
He ignored them.
Not a glance. Not a word. He stormed past with urgency, his face locked in fear.
Whispers followed him. The nymphs watched him disappear through the halls, and unease spread. If even Apollo, ever joyful, ever bright, could carry fear in his eyes, what danger was coming?
Some fled. Others gossiped, their voices like wind-stirred leaves.
Apollo quickly entered the council chamber. The throne room was mostly empty.
Apollo reached the throne room and threw the doors open.
Inside, only Hermes and Dionysus were present, lounging in their thrones. Dionysus sipped from his goblet, eyes half-lidded in disinterest.
"Summon the others," Apollo said, breath tight.
Hermes raised an eyebrow. "Why? What is-"
"NOW!" Apollo roared.
Hermes blinked, startled into silence. Then he vanished in a flicker of light, carrying the summons.
Apollo turned toward Dionysus, who sipped his drink and didn't move.
Their eyes met.
Dionysus said nothing.
Apollo narrowed his gaze, suspicious as to why Dionysus was here in the first place, then turned away and sat on his throne, hands clenched. Waiting.
...
By nightfall, the chamber was full.
Twelve thrones lined the circle. Hestia stood near the hearth, arms folded. Ares leaned casually against his seat, smirking. Athena sat straight-backed, thoughtful. Poseidon had arrived in cargo shorts, sandals, and an unbuttoned floral shirt. Hera scowled at him but said nothing. Dionysus was still lounging, unconcerned from both the atmosphere and the death glare from his father.
Seeing no reaction, Zeus turned towards Apollo.
His eyes locked on Apollo. "Why did you call for council?"
Apollo glanced around seeing the eyes of all the gods on him, he took a breath before revealing the purpose for his summons.
Apollo stood. "Centuries ago, I felt a prophecy form, but it did not come from my oracles. I tried to find it, but it was hidden, veiled beyond reach. Today, that veil broke. I saw it. I heard it."
Hermes let out a small laugh. "A prophecy hidden from the god of prophecy? Come on, Apollo, is this some kind of poetic tantrum?"
The council themselves seemed to agree as eyes flickered to him, filled with frustration at being summoned for a small joke.
A few others chuckled.
Apollo didn't react. He simply spoke.
"Born of dusk and whispered flame,
Of secret root and veiled design,
Shall rise when gods refuse to see,
A path that ends divine decree.
The marked shall climb through death and flame,
To raise the lost from dust and name."
The chamber fell silent.
Even Hermes' smirk faded.
Across the room, Dionysus slowly turned his head toward Hestia. Her gaze had already found him.
Zeus exhaled. His knuckles tightened on his throne.
Ares was the first to break the silence, grinning madly. "Hopefully there will be battle"
All the gods ignored him, instead they focused on Athena who spoke out.
"This prophecy speaks of breaking the divine decree. It seems to challenge the authority of Olympus."
Artemis crossed her arms.
"To raise the lost from dust and name... that sounds like the awakening of a hidden enemy...the giants, maybe? Hades did speak of how Gaia wanted the resurrection of one of them decades ago."
"Lies" Zeus bellowed "That bastard wants nothing more than to give me a headache, the giants are long dead. Trapped in Tartarus"
Hephestaeus entered the conversation "The mark will rise from death..and raise the lost...maybe it talks of a child of Thanatos, returning and the giants or even the titans?"
Hera sneered "Thanatos wouldn't have a child, his duty is all he has, even if there was, they are just a mere child of a minor god, couldn't be that important to fate. Maybe the fire and dusk speaks of you and Nyx and you're deflecting?"
Hephestaeus didn't raise his voice, turning to Hera "Mother-"
Hera cut him off, almost hissing "Don't call me that!"
Then Athena asked, "How long was it hidden from you, Apollo?"
Apollo considered the answer.
"Long ago, the solstice after Zeus' brunch with Rhea, where we had a party"
There was a pause.
Hera's eyes widened.
It seemed to catch the attention of Zeus for he turned towards her, gently asking.
"Is everything alright?"
Hera was absorbed in her thoughts, searching for a memory before finding it.
"That night, Hecate disappeared for hours. She left the feast and returned only when the moon had started dipping. Maybe this is related to her? Born of dusk and flame? It must be a child of hers."
Athena added. "A child of Hecate currently resides at Camp Half-Blood. He's connected to my daughter. To the child of Zeus. He walks beside both."
Poseidon stood abruptly. "Then this is it. This is the other prophecy, the one we feared. The child of the Big Three will bring Olympus to ruin... and now this? A hidden child of Hecate currently feeding her lies? Twisting her into a weapon against us?"
Zeus went to speak but Poseidon continued.
"This is your fault Zeus! We made a pact and you went against it, now look at the consequences. You should have killed her long ago, since you couldn't do it, allow me"
Ares smirked. "Maybe we also kill the Hecate kid. Solve two problems in one sword swing."
Artemis glared at both of them. "You'd start a war over children based on assumptions?"
"Wouldn't be the first time," Hermes muttered.
Zeus raised his hand. Silence fell again.
"Summon Hecate," he said. "She will explain herself. If she does not... she will be punished. As for her child? We will judge if he should live or die afterwards."
No one spoke.
Hestia's expression did not change. But the hearth's flame behind her flared.
Dionysus simply watched, thinking of Lucas.