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The journey to Olympus felt both endless and far too short.

The towering gates loomed ahead, carved from shining bronze and silver, their edges etched with the intricate stories of the gods. As you passed through them, your eyes widened, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the divine realm. The streets glimmered as though paved with sunlight, and every column, every surface, seemed to hum faintly with power.

You clung to Persephone's hand like a lifeline.

Your gaze darted around, taking in the towering spires of marble and gold, the faint wisps of clouds curling around the buildings. Everything about Olympus was larger than life, and yet it moved with an order that felt both deliberate and chaotic.

Demeter glanced over her shoulder, her golden eyes catching yours briefly. "Keep moving," she called, her tone firm but not unkind. "They're waiting."

The three of you ascended a long, winding staircase, the air growing heavier with divine energy the closer you came to the heart of Olympus. When you reached the final landing, you were met with a set of enormous golden doors.

From behind them, the sounds of raised voices filtered through, the muffled shouting growing louder with each step.

You froze, your grip on Persephone's hand tightening.

Her thumb brushed over your knuckles reassuringly as she leaned closer. "Breathe, ____," she whispered.

As if sensing your fear, Demeter stepped back toward you. Her hand moved to gently rub the top of your head, her touch a quiet comfort. "It'll be all right, little one," she said softly, her gaze meeting yours for a fleeting moment.

And with that, she turned and pushed the doors open.

The brilliance of the room struck you immediately, the overwhelming glow of divine auras reflecting off every surface. The glow was overwhelming, so radiant that you instinctively raised a hand to shield your eyes, squinting as the intensity pressed against your senses.

The air felt heavier, charged with an otherworldly energy that seemed to hum through your very being. Slowly, your vision began to adjust, and the brilliance settled into clearer shapes.

When your vision cleared, your eyes widened further, taking in the sheer magnificence of the room.

The Council Hall of Olympus was vast, a space that seemed to stretch endlessly upward, its towering columns carved from gleaming white marble veined with gold.

The ceiling was high and domed, its surface painted with vibrant, moving depictions of the gods' triumphs. Light poured in through enormous windows, refracting through crystal fixtures and casting rainbow-like patterns across the room.

At the center of it all was a long, golden table, its surface flawless and glowing faintly as though it held the essence of the sun itself. Around it sat the twelve Olympians, each radiating a presence so powerful it made the air thick and difficult to breathe.

You couldn't help but stare.

Zeus stood at the head of the table, his towering form unmistakable as his sharp eyes, like molten amber, were fixed on Poseidon and Hades, the three locked in quiet conversation. Poseidon's sea-green robes rippled faintly as though caught in an invisible tide, while Hades' darker presence seemed to drink in the light around him.

On the opposite side of the table, Hermes hovered slightly above his seat, his winged sandals fluttering as he exchanged quick words with Athena, whose steady, calculating gaze remained fixed on him. Artemis stood beside her, her silver bow resting at her side, her sharp features unreadable.

Every god was larger than life, their divine energy filling the space in a way that made you feel impossibly small.

You barely took a step inside before the heavy doors behind you slammed shut, the sound reverberating through the hall like thunder.

The sudden noise made you flinch, your body tensing as every Olympian turned their attention toward you. Their gazes landed on you like the weight of the sky itself, sharp and curious, some tinged with curiosity.

You tensed, your heart pounding as the weight of their attention settled on your shoulders. Your feet remained planted, but subconsciously, you took a small step back, your hand letting go of Persephone's to clutch at the hem of Demeter's dress like you had when you were younger.

The familiar texture grounded you for a moment, but it wasn't long before she gently nudged you forward. Her hand moved to your shoulder, her expression softening. "Shoulders back," she whispered, soft but firm. "You'll be fine."

Swallowing the lump in your throat, you obeyed, though your legs felt like they might give out beneath you at any moment as your eyes darted around the room, trying to avoid the piercing gazes of the gods.

Demeter stepped forward, her golden robes swaying as she addressed the room. Her voice was steady, but the tension in her shoulders betrayed her unease.

"This is ____..." She paused briefly, her gaze sweeping across the table, settling on Zeus before continuing. "...the personification of the seasons."

The room fell into a stunned silence, save for the faint rustle of Hermes' wings. Every eye was on you, their expressions a mixture of shock, curiosity, and disbelief.

It was Hermes himself who broke the silence, tilting his head as his lips curved into a sly smile. "He's a bit small to be causing all this havoc, isn't he?"

Heat rose to your face, and you looked down quickly, your hands curling at your sides in embarrassment. You shifted uncomfortably, mumbling an apology under your breath, though no one had asked for one.

The comment wasn't cruel, but it stung, mostly because it was true. Though you were physically twenty, you barely reached Persephone's waist. Her petite frame still towered over you, making you feel small, fragile, and impossibly out of place among the divine.

And her being one of the shortest in the room didn't help your case.

You tightened your hands into fists, unsure of what to say or where to look, feeling out of place among their overwhelming presence, until you felt a warm hand brush against yours.

Persephone stepped closer, her touch subtle but reassuring as her gaze flicked toward Hermes. "He's small, yes," she said, her voice light but edged with a quiet warning. "But don't let that fool you."

Hermes raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening, but he said nothing more.

Demeter's hand remained firm on your shoulder as Zeus' golden eyes turned to you. His gaze was heavy, like the weight of thunderclouds before a storm. For a moment, you couldn't breathe, the sheer presence of him pressing down on you.

But then Persephone's hand squeezed yours, grounding you, and you found the strength to lift your head, meeting Zeus' gaze with all the courage you could muster.

Zeus' golden eyes bore into yours, heavy with expectation. His presence was overwhelming, his towering form radiating authority as he gestured for you to step forward. "Come closer," he commanded, his voice calm yet unyielding.

Your heart pounded in your chest, and your legs felt like they might buckle beneath you, but you obeyed. You released Persephone's hand reluctantly, taking a shaky step forward, and then another, until you stood alone in the center of the room, all eyes fixed on you.

Zeus studied you for a long moment before speaking again. "Explain yourself," he said, his tone even, but there was an edge of steel beneath it. "What are you, and why has the mortal world suffered under your storm?"

You hesitated, your hands trembling slightly at your sides. The weight of his question pressed against you, but as you opened your mouth to speak, the words didn't come immediately. Instead, your thoughts churned, dragging you back to the beginning.

"I... I don't know where to start," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

Zeus raised a brow, his gaze unrelenting. "Start from the beginning."

You swallowed hard, nodding, and closed your eyes briefly to gather your thoughts. When you spoke again, your voice was steadier, though the weight of emotion clung to every word.

"I don't remember being born, not in the way most beings do. I woke in the cradle of my tree, wrapped in vines and petals, surrounded by quiet." Your gaze drifted downward, your fingers curling slightly as you spoke. "From the moment I opened my eyes, I felt... different. Not like the nymphs or the spirits around me. They were lively, full of joy. But I..."

You paused, struggling to find the right words. "I felt like I was watching everything from behind a veil. I didn't laugh or cry. I just... absorbed. I observed."

The room was silent, the weight of your words hanging in the air.

"Demeter cared for me," you continued, glancing briefly at her before returning your gaze to Zeus. "She taught me about the world, showed me how to weave garlands, how to listen to the wind. But even then, I always felt... out of place. Like I didn't belong, even in the world she created for me."

Your voice grew quieter, more reflective. "As I grew, I started to notice things. How my emotions weren't my own. How they shifted with the seasons. In spring, I felt light and curious, like the world was full of endless possibilities. In summer, I burned with frustration and anger I couldn't control. Autumn brought a heavy sadness, and in winter..." You hesitated, the memory of that emptiness clawing at you. "In winter, I felt like I wasn't even there. Like I was fading."

Zeus' expression remained unreadable, but his eyes stayed locked on you, waiting for more.

You let out a shaky breath. "I didn't mean to cause the storm," you said softly. "I didn't even know I could. I just... I felt so much, and I didn't know how to hold it in."

Zeus was silent for a moment, his piercing golden gaze heavy as it bore into you. The quiet stretched, filling the space with an almost suffocating tension, the divine energy in the room pressing against your chest. Finally, his voice came again, quieter but no less commanding.

"Do you know where you came from?"

The question struck you like a physical blow, forcing your breath to hitch. Your hands twitched at your sides, your fingers curling into your palms as your gaze dropped to the shimmering marble beneath your feet.

You shook your head slowly. "No," you whispered. "I don't."

Zeus' expression didn't change, his features remaining carved in sharp, stoic lines. He looked as though he were about to move on to the next question, his gaze flickering briefly to Demeter and Persephone.

But before he could speak again, you found yourself continuing, the words slipping from your lips unbidden, your thoughts trailing outward like threads unraveling.

"But..."

The single word hung in the air, catching the attention of everyone in the room. A ripple of energy passed through the Olympians, their gazes sharpening as they turned back to you. Zeus' brows lowered slightly, his eyes narrowing in curiosity as he gestured for you to go on.

You hesitated, your fingers tightening at your sides as you searched for the right words. "In the quiet moments... I feel things," you admitted, your voice trembling. "I see things, too, sometimes. Or maybe I just... know them."

Aphrodite sat forward interested, her pale blue eyes sparkling as though she were already unraveling your secrets. Apollo, seated with his usual effortless confidence, tilted his head, his curiosity evident. Even Hera's stern features softened slightly, her amber eyes focused intently on you.

Zeus said nothing, waiting, his silence pushing you to continue.

"It's hard to explain," you said slowly, your words halting as if you were trying to piece together a puzzle. "There's this... warmth. It feels soft, like sunlight filtering through leaves in spring. Gentle, but strong. It reminds me of Persephone."

Your gaze flickered briefly to the goddess beside you, who straightened slightly, her lips parting in surprise.

"And then there's another feeling," you continued, your voice growing quieter. "It's heavier, but steady. It's comforting, but it carries... weight. Like the earth itself. It feels like Demeter."

Demeter's breath hitched audibly, her golden eyes glistening as she stared at you, her hands clenching into loose fists at her sides.

You swallowed hard, your voice faltering as you pushed forward. "But there's something else, too. It's faint, like a shadow in the distance. It's cold... sharp, like the edge of a blade dipped in ice. It's not bad, exactly, but it's different. Distant. It feels like..."

Your voice trailed off, subconsiously drifting towards Hades.

The room grew heavier, the weight of your words pressing into the silence like a storm building on the horizon. Several pairs of eyes turned to the Lord of the Underworld, whose dark gaze was fixed firmly on you.

He didn't speak, didn't move. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—something deep, something ancient—that sent a shiver down your spine.

You quickly looked away, your heart pounding in your chest. "I don't know what it means," you said, your voice barely above a whisper. "I just know it's always been there. All of it."

Zeus' gaze lingered on you for a long moment, his expression unreadable. The silence in the room stretched once more, heavy and tense, as if the very air held its breath.

Finally, Zeus leaned back in his throne, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. "And do you feel this now?" he asked, his tone deliberate.

You hesitated, glancing toward the floor before nodding slowly. "Yes. It's faint, but it's there. It always is."

Zeus let out a low hum, his gaze flickering briefly toward Demeter and Persephone before settling back on you. "I see," he said, his voice carrying the weight of his authority.

The gods exchanged uneasy glances, the gravity of your words settling into the space like a gathering storm. The room remained silent as his golden eyes bore into yours, his expression sharp and unreadable. He straightened slightly in his throne, the faint crackle of static humming in the air around him.

"Tell me," he began, his tone quieter but no less commanding. "Where have you spent your life? How were you raised?"

You shifted uncomfortably as you tried to gather your thoughts. "I grew up in Demeter's domain. She... she raised me. Taught me about the seasons, the earth, the cycles of life."

Your gaze flickered toward Demeter, who gave you a small nod of encouragement. You continued, your voice growing steadier. "I grew up among the fields, the nymphs, the forests... but I never left. She wouldn't let me."

"And did you ever question why?"

You hesitated, your gaze dropping to the floor. "Yes," you admitted. "I didn't understand at first. I thought... I thought she was afraid."

Zeus leaned forward slightly, his tone curious but edged with suspicion. "Afraid of what?"

Your voice trembled as you spoke, the words heavy on your tongue. "Afraid of what I might be. Of what I could do."

His gaze remained steady, sharp and unyielding. But as the silence stretched, you found yourself continuing, your thoughts unraveling like threads.

"But now... now I think it was more than that. I think... " You paused, your hands fidgeting at your sides. "I think she wasn't afraid of me or what I might become. She was afraid of what could happen to me. She shielded me, not because of my power, but because she knew what the consequences might be if something went wrong."

You swallowed hard, glancing briefly at Demeter once more, whose expression had softened, her golden eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"She didn't want history to repeat itself," you continued, your voice quieter now. "She didn't want to lose me the way she felt she lost Persephone—taken, misunderstood, caught in something bigger than myself."

Zeus was silent, his golden gaze flickering briefly toward Demeter, whose head dipped slightly as though she were silently confirming your words.

"I see," Zeus said finally, his tone less cutting now, carrying a weight of contemplation. "So it wasn't fear of you, but fear for you."

You nodded slowly. "Yes."

The room was still, the other gods exchanging glances, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and unease.

Zeus' gaze lingered on you, his expression unreadable. "And now?" he asked after a moment. "Do you believe she was right to shield you?"

You hesitated, your heart pounding in your chest. "I-I don't know," you admitted. "Maybe. But I also think... maybe if I'd learned what I was sooner, then none of this would have happened."

His gaze remained steady, and for a moment, the room felt as though it were holding its breath. Zeus then straightened in his throne, his sharp features casting shadows across his face as he shifted his attention to the rest of the gods.

"What this spirit has caused cannot be ignored," he said, his voice firm, carrying through the chamber like thunder. "The mortal realm has suffered greatly. A storm unlike any seen in history. Crops destroyed, rivers frozen, countless lives lost to famine and cold."

His words struck like a blow, the weight of them sinking into your chest. Your breath hitched, and your heart felt as though it had dropped into your stomach. The edges of your vision blurred as sadness and guilt wrapped around you like a heavy cloak.

Your voice trembled as you spoke, barely able to meet his gaze. "I apologize. I.. I didn't mean to—"

Zeus held up a hand, silencing you. "Enough."

You flinched at the word, your shoulders hunching slightly.

But then his tone shifted, softer, though no less resolute. "You didn't know," he said, his voice quieter now, almost reflective. "And that is precisely the problem."

You looked up hesitantly, confusion flickering across your face.

Zeus's golden eyes locked onto yours, and for the first time, there was something other than judgment in his gaze. "You are not at fault, ____."

The words hung in the air, their weight heavy but surprising. The other gods exchanged glances, a few murmurs rippling through the chamber.

Zeus' gaze softened just slightly, though his tone remained firm. "You didn't ask to be born. You didn't choose this power, nor did you wield it intentionally. You are as much a victim of this chaos as the mortals below."

A flicker of hope sparked in your chest, but it was faint, weighed down by the devastation his earlier words had brought.

"But..." Zeus continued, his voice sharpening again, "this does not absolve you of responsibility. You must learn to control what you are. To understand your power."

You nodded quickly,