The God of Underworld
Chapter 116 - 15: The Meeting

Chapter 116: Chapter 15: The Meeting

Atop the peak of Mount Olympus, where the sky brushed against the divine marble columns and the air shimmered with divine energy, a rare event was unfolding—one that sent ripples across realms both divine and mortal.

A meeting of the gods had been called. But this time, it wasn’t Zeus, the King of Olympus, who had called.

No, this summons came from Athena—the goddess of wisdom, strategy, and war.

Word of her call traveled faster than Hermes on his swiftest day, echoing through every mountain and vale, whispered by the winds, and etched into the firmament of the divine tapestry.

Gods and goddesses of all ranks, from the mighty Olympians to the obscure river deities, paused whatever quarrel or pleasure they were indulging in.

For when Athena, the wisest of all deities, had called, none dared ignore her.

Even Zeus, seated upon his throne with thunder curling lazily around his fingers, blinked in surprise.

He had called for this meeting several times, summoning all who bore the ichor of the divine to heed his command.

And more often than not, only half of Olympus responded.

The others ignored him, citing "divine matters," sulking grudges, or simply avoiding another of his long-winded declarations of authority.

But now, within mere hours of Athena’s summons, the halls of Olympus were teeming with gods.

They came.

Astrea, the most indifferent out of all Olympians, preferring to go her own way and not participate in whatever is happening in Olympus.

Artemis, one who is far more interested in chasing after a divine beast to hunt than attend Olympus meeting.

Ares, who would usually be far too busy training his children and supporting wars, also decided to come as quickly as possible.

Poseidon, who hated Athena the most, also came to this meeting. Because he knew, as much as he hates the goddess of wisdom, she wouldn’t call for a meaningless meeting.

So something of great importance might’ve happened.

Even the minor and lesser gods crowded into the amphitheater.

This alone speaks just how much influence Athena, as the Goddess of Wisdom have compared to the King of Gods.

If Athena wasn’t Zeus’ most beloved daughter, he would’ve already sent her to Tartarus for being a threat to his rule.

Athena stood at the heart of the chamber, dressed in bronze and white, her shield Aegis gleaming, her gaze sharp enough to silence even Poseidon before he could make a snide comment.

She raised her voice—not loud, but clear, each word carrying the gravity of millennia.

"I have called you here," she began, "not for politics, not for squabbles of domain, not for pride."

The gods leaned in. Ares rolled his neck and crossed his arms. Hermes stilled.

"I have called you because I was attacked by the Giants."

A murmur spread like wildfire. Gods looked to one another, confused and concerned. Giants attacked Athena?

Have they finally decided to come out from wherever they are hiding and start the war?

Ever since their declaration of war and attack on Olympus, they remained silent.

"I am no stranger to combat," she continued. "Nor am I unfamiliar with foes who seek to strike down Olympus. But the Giants are far more powerful than I initially thought...I was utterly defeated."

Gasps erupted across the chamber. Even Apollo’s usual glow seemed to dim.

"Not only that. They are practically born to be oir antithesis. Their bodies are greatly resistant to divine attacks, and they can easily shrug off whatever I throw at them."

She let those words sink in, eyes scanning the room. "And worst of all, no gods can kill them. According to them, having been born to be a literal god slayer, they cannot be killed by any divine beings."

More murmurs. A few of the lesser gods looked downright terrified.

Zeus leaned forward now, thunder crackling faintly in his throne. "...are you really sure? What if I vaporise them from existence with my lightning?"

Athena turned to him. "...I don’t know. But the giant really did come back to life after I killed it. So for now, it’s safe to assume that they cannot be killed by gods either."

A stillness fell over Olympus, heavier than any thundercloud.

"I only survived because of the arrival of father, Apollo, and Hermes," she said. "It ran away after sensing them."

Poseidon slammed a fist on his knee. "What madness is this? Nothing withstands the full fury of Olympus!"

Athena nodded. "That is what I thought. But what I have fought proved otherwise. These giants aren’t mere rebels, they are a threat to our existence."

She let the term echo.

Hephaestus frowned deeply. "Like a poison forged for gods..."

"Yes," Athena said. "Our strength only makes them stronger. They are not just a threat—they are the harbingers of the end of Olympus."

Panic now spread, like the beginnings of a storm.

The gods muttered amongst themselves.

Some demanded to know where the Giants came from.

Others accused old enemies of creating them.

Athena raised her hand, and silence fell.

"There is hope," she said. "Since we cannot kill them, we can seal them. But that would only delay the inevitable. However, perhaps there is a chance we can kill them...with the help of mortals."

Now the gods were confused. Zeus raised an eyebrow. "This again? If gods cannot kill them, what makes you think they can? Just because that traitor told you so?"

"Yes," Athena replied. "Prometheus is the titan of foresight, and I’m not that stupid to dismiss his prophecies. He believes the future lies in humanity. I have thought long and hard since then, and I believe he is right. Humans, born of no divinity, unaffected by divine pride or nature, are not hindered by the anti-divine aura the Giants exude."

"Are you suggesting," Poseidon growled, "that mortals fight battles we cannot win?"

Athena met his gaze unflinching. "I am suggesting that they are essential to winning the war. The Giants cannot be killed by gods—but they can be killed by mortals."

A deathly silence.

"That is absurd," Apollo scoffed. "A farmer with a pitchfork defeating a being that withstood Zeus’ lightning?"

"No," Athena said. "Not as they are now. But if they are trained, if they are guided, if they are armed by us, then yes."

"You would have us train mortals?" Poseidon sneered. "Teach them our ways, our secrets? Make them little Olympians?"

"Yes," Athena said firmly. "But not all mortals. Only those with courageous heart, with the will to resist faith, and the ambition to burn brighter than any stars...yes, those mortals called ’heroes’, only they can be of help to us. For they are not lesser than us."

"That’s blasphemy," Hephaestus muttered.

"No, it is the truth," Athena countered. "It is pride that blinds us. The Giants were made to destroy us. But we are not only gods. We are stewards of the world. We protect it. And if humanity is the sword that can strike where we cannot, then I say we forge that sword."

Many gods looked uncertain. But a few nodded slowly.

Apollo’s voice broke the tension. "And if we refuse?"

Athena looked to the gathered host. "Then Olympus will fall. The Titans were chained by us. But the Giants are chaos incarnate. They will not be imprisoned. They will only be slain. And if we cannot do it—then we must empower those who can."

Zeus stood at last. The king of gods, usually unshaken, now looked solemn.

"Then perhaps," he said, "we begin preparations for war."

A war that would not be waged by gods alone.

But with the help of mortals.

The world would change.

The age of gods reigning from above was ending.

The age of gods standing beside humanity was about to begin.

And in the shadow of Olympus, the Giants stirred.

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