ALL NOVEL Chapter 18: Chapter 18: A Divine Summons
The transition back to Earth was disorienting yet strangely comforting. The siblings found themselves standing on the grounds of the Riddle estate, the familiar scent of frostbitten air mingling with the faint aroma of the nearby forest. Despite their newfound strength and wisdom, an unease settled over them as they returned. The world felt smaller somehow, though no less dangerous.
It wasn't long before the stillness was shattered. The siblings barely had time to settle in before a shadow descended upon the estate—a shadow that carried with it the unmistakable weight of power.
Alex was the first to sense it. He turned sharply, his wand drawn, as the shadows coalesced into a towering figure clad in black armor. His pale, chiselled face and glowing eyes left no doubt as to his identity: Hades, the God of the Underworld.
"You've grown," Hades said, his voice deep and resonant, his gaze sweeping over the siblings. "But you've also forgotten your place."
Tom, ever the composed one, stepped forward, meeting the god's gaze without flinching. "We haven't forgotten," he said, his voice calm yet firm. "What do you want?"
Hades smiled faintly, though it carried no warmth. "Zeus's birthday approaches. A grand feast is to be held on Olympus. You are expected to attend."
Bella crossed her arms, a defiant spark in her eyes. "And if we don't?"
The air grew colder as Hades's expression darkened. "This is not an invitation. It is a summons. Refusal is not an option."
Alex exchanged glances with his siblings. They could all sense the underlying threat in Hades's tone. Whatever this feast was about, it wasn't just a celebration.
The Ascent to Olympus
The next day, dressed in their finest enchanted robes, the siblings found themselves escorted to the gates of Olympus by Hades himself. The journey was unlike anything they'd experienced. They ascended through clouds on a chariot of black obsidian, pulled by spectral horses whose hooves left trails of silver flame.
Olympus was breath-taking, its golden spires and marble halls gleaming under a sun that never seemed to set. The air was thick with magic, and the sounds of laughter, music, and clinking goblets echoed through the grand corridors.
Zeus, seated on an enormous throne of gold and ivory, greeted them with a booming laugh that made the walls tremble. "Ah, the children of both mortals and the divine!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with mirth. "Welcome to my feast!"
Navigating the Party
The siblings quickly realized the gathering was more than just a birthday party—it was a political battlefield disguised as a celebration. Gods, demigods, and other divine beings roamed the halls, their conversations laced with hidden agendas.
Bella caught the eye of Athena, who nodded approvingly at her. Alex found himself cornered by Poseidon, who grilled him about their recent encounter with Jörmungandr. Tom, meanwhile, sparred verbally with Hermes, each trying to outwit the other in a game of riddles.
It wasn't all tense. The food was divine—literally—and the siblings found themselves marveling at dishes that seemed to shimmer with otherworldly energy. Bella even managed to coax a laugh out of Apollo with a clever remark about his music.
A Divine Challenge
The evening took a turn when Zeus rose from his throne, raising a goblet high. "To our guests from the mortal realm!" he proclaimed. "Let us see how they fare against the trials of Olympus!"
The room erupted into cheers, though the siblings exchanged wary glances. They hadn't signed up for trials, but it was clear refusal wasn't an option.
The trials began with a test of strength, where Alex faced off against Ares in a sparring match. The god of war underestimated Alex's cunning, only to find himself pinned by a well-placed spell and a clever manoeuvre.
Bella was challenged to a race by Hermes, who was shocked when she managed to hold her own by channeling her newfound thunderbird magic.
Tom's trial was one of wisdom, pitted against Athena in a debate. Though the goddess ultimately won, she acknowledged Tom's sharp mind with a rare smile.
Revelations and Warnings
As the night wore on, the siblings found themselves cornered by Hades once again. "You did well," he admitted, his tone begrudgingly respectful. "But don't let your success blind you to the reality of what lies ahead."
"What do you mean?" Alex asked, his voice low.
"The gods are watching you," Hades said. "Some with admiration, others with envy, and a few with fear. You walk a dangerous path, one that may one day lead to open conflict."
Before they could press him for details, Zeus called for their attention once more. "A toast!" he declared, raising his goblet. "To the children of Earth and Sky! May they always remember the power of Olympus!"
The siblings raised their glasses, though the weight of Hades's words lingered. They had survived Olympus, but they knew this was just the beginning of a much larger game—one where the stakes were nothing less than the balance of power between gods and mortals.
As they descended from Olympus at the night's end, the stars above seemed to glimmer with both promise and warning. They were no longer just mortals caught in the world of the divine—they were players in a game that could reshape destiny itself.