The Flame

Prologue

The sound of Zeus' voice resonated around Olympus like the thunder that was beginning to be heard across the land. Lightning flashed at differing intervals, falling to the earth without rain. The night was black and consumed with light all at the same moment, haunting in its beauty. 

"They never listen!" Zeus roared as he flung yet another lightning bolt into the earth. His anger only seemed to grow the more he abused the earth. Almost as if each flash of lightning pained him more than it pained those on earth. 

The Gods and Goddesses were gathered in a large circle just inside of the columns that stood in a semi-circle on the top of Mount Olympus. They stood quietly, gathered into one area for the first time in a millennia and holding their breathe to see how the temperamental Zeus would continue. 

"Their reign will be ended! They do not deserve the gift that they have been given!" Zeus' rage was palpable in the air, something that any mortal would fear. It could be felt the same as one could feel water passing through their hand. It shifted like a tide. 

Hera approached her raging husband with the quiet grace the Gods associated with her. Floating rather than walking. She placed a calming hand upon his shoulder as she whispered something in his ear that the others could not hear. 

"Why don't we call upon Lucah and Raine, my love?" She was speaking quietly. Threateningly, and with a hint of knowledge that would be fearful for any lesser than Zeus. 

He nodded once. Stomping his foot and raising his hands into the air. "Lucah! Raine!" His voice held within it a sense of power that was undeniable and had the power to alter the very make-up of the universe. 

As soon as the words had been uttered, two teenagers appeared on Mount Olympus. Seemingly undisturbed by their sudden appearance as they eyed their parents with respect  and a hint of malice. It appeared as if they were expecting to summoned in such a fashion.

Lucah, son of Zeus, stood at an alarmingly tall height for a human, holding his shoulders steady as he regarded his father. He had been hoping for moment like this for years, longing for a chance to earn his place among the Gods of Mount Olympus. His brown hair was drenched to the point it almost appeared black despite the lack of rain. His blue eyes shown with happiness despite his grim expression. 

Raine was every bit as regal as her mother. She had blonde hair and dark green eyes, she was pale skinned and tall. She was proud of where she came from and was raised with Lucah as her neighbor, both had been made aware of their unusual situation early in life. Both wanted nothing more than to stand beside their mother and father on Mount Olympus. 

Lucah and Raine held mutual respect for one another, and that mutual respect had morphed into something resembling love as their relationship developed and they discovered facts about one another throughout the years. Both were aware that they could be together as a power couple, one resembling their parents, but only if they proved themselves to the Gods. 

"Yes, father." Lucah attempted to match his voice to the regal voice of Zeus, managing only to lower it an octave and amuse Zeus. 

Zeus smiled at his child. Despite his shortcomings, Zeus knew that Lucah would love to help with father and would willingly do anything to earn his affection. Zeus appreciated that in a child. 

"I would like you and Raine to gather the other demigods. Once you have done so, you will all find that it would be in your best interest to end humanity." Lucah smiled when Zeus completed his sentence, teeth flashing in the night with a danger that mimicked his father's lightning. 

"Of course father," The child stated respectfully before continuing, "but what is the reward for accomplishing this goal?" Zeus' eyes widened, recognizing his son as something more than a small human child in need of direction. 

"You and Raine will have the places you so desire on Olympus. I will make you God and Goddess, and you will have a spot at this table. The others will have the earth to themselves, and are free to do as they wish with that. As long as I approve of their actions, of course." Zeus informed his son with a wave of his hand. Acting as if he had not dropped a bomb on the group of Gods.  

Lucah's smile become bloodthirsty and crooked. He had found his in. "Of course, father." 

A gasp came from one side of the room, this gasp originating from the Goddess of Love. Aphrodite could not believe her eyes. She could not believe that the love between Raine and Lucah was not enough for the human boy to realize that mistakes of his choices. She could not believe the Gods had the audacity to think the solution to a problem they created was ending billions of lives. She did not understand how a boy who was half human was willing to end his race.

"Zeus!" Aphrodite's voice could be heard all over the mountain. "This is unacceptable!" She approached her brother with rage evident in her eyes. "You cannot simply end lives because it is what fits you best. It is not acceptable, did you not learn that from our prior experiences?" Aphrodite was beginning to believe Zeus was no longer fit to rule. He was no longer the ruler she knew, instead he had become bloodthirsty, overwhelmed with power. 

"You have no right to speak, Aphrodite." Zeus eyed the lesser Goddess before him with disdain. He knew that her sympathy stemmed from her very being, she was created to make and feel love. But he could not and would not bend. He was tired of disrespect. "I will end humans' reign and the children will aid me in doing so. My decision is final." 

Aphrodite turned from him, looking to Hades for help. He nodded once, signaling his agreement with her. She knew that she had an ally, and she knew that this meant war. As she glanced around the circle she made eye contact with her husband, Hephaestus, receiving another nod and a knowing smile. She noticed Dionysus next, then Demeter, Artemis and Persephone. Aphrodite knew it was crazy, they all did. But none of them were willing to sit back and observe as the other Gods mercilessly killed billions of humans, their children included.