It was an insistent tug that pulled at those old enough to remember... the strongest felt to those closest to Othrys. Rhea had felt it days ago, pulling her out of the reclusive home she'd kept herself in since the rise of her children. It was an insistent tug that pulled at those old enough to remember... the strongest felt to those closest to Othrys. Rhea had felt it days ago, pulling her out of the reclusive home she'd kept herself in since the rise of her children.
She knew, you see... she knew something was coming, and it could only be him. She'd been waiting... though the portents and omens all pointed to doom... doom for someone, at least. It tugged at them, this force, like a magnet pulling back those that would remember, who'd understand what this meant... and what it could mean for the future.
~Strife: Strife felt something and looked at Harm: "Hey, something... something weird's happening. Do you feel it?" ~Harmonia; Harm looked at him, mildly alarmed. “ Weirder than... this?” She looked back at Rhea who was humming lightly now, murmuring about her babies. ~Cronus: It was longer than even he thought he'd been down there, in the hell of Tartarus. Mount Othrys was overrun and forgotten, the temples and palaces of his brothers and sisters almost totally gone. But his was still there... ~Thanatos: Thanatos who was speaking to Hades near the Olympian courtyard felt a foreboding force pulling at the core of his very being like it was going to pull his inwards out. He'd felt this force before. Somewhere. He suddenly looked bewildered and stated: "There is. I think I should investigate Othrys.” ~Cronus: It was in a powerful state of disrepair, but the throne was there, crooked at the top of cracked and splintered marble stairs. So long, yet he knew exactly how to find it. He didn't even remember how he got there. ~Rhea: She laughed softly, looking to both the children in front of her (they were someone's children, after all) and reached to pet Strife's arm lightly. "They'll all be coming now... you'll see. it's almost time." ~Harmonia: "Huh... yeah. We umm... might have to.. go." ~Strife: Strife looked between Rhea petting his arm and his girlfriend: "It's like feels spooky." Wait what did Rhea say? "Who is coming?" ~Hades: Hades felt the pull. Loud and insistent, it threatened to drag him back to Othrys itself if he didn't go out of choice. He looked at Death, nodding slowly. "I should too," he stated. ~Strife: Strife: "Yep--Lets get out of here..." ~Cronus: *he ran his fingers gently over the complicated bas-relief work on the sacrificial altar, the centerpiece of his once glorious home. The faint rustling of the wind was all he could hear* ~Dite: Dite: She was finally starting to figure out the scroll when she felt it, deep in the pit of her stomach. Why would she even be thinking of Othrys now? it was better off forgotten... but she couldn't. it tugged at her. ~Thanatos: Thanatos was alarmed that his King wanted to go. He wondered if he felt it too? "Stay close my lord. It may be a trap." ~Cronus: *but there, there was her voice. Thin and reedy, barely a whisper, but he'd always been able to hear it, no matter where she was. At least, before Tartarus, that pit of Oblivion.* ~Rhea: "No! No.... you must stay! He needs to be welcomed. Oh, it's all very bad..." ~Styx: Styx stopped mid-sentence and stared at her son. "Something..." Her sentence remained unfinished, broken by the feeling curling in her stomach. It reached into her and called to her. ~Hades: Why Othrys though? What was there? A ruin? A former kingdom? Certainly nothing of interest...and yet it was tugging at his essence like a chain. Whatever was happening, he was going to find out. ~Cronus: *he'd wondered if Zeus had tossed her in, after him, betraying the woman who set his whole rise to dominance into motion. It would fit, if he had.* ~Cronus: *But no. She was here. She'd been here.* ~Dite: *There was no harm in checking it out, at least... though that was simply mental justification for the desire to go there…. the need to go now. Whatever game this was, she was unpleased, but she'd go.* ~Hades: He eyed Thanatos. A trap? They'd need to know he was here first. "I doubt it," Hades replied and left, obeying the silent command to go to Othrys. ~Strife: Strife began to become nervous: "Welcome who? Uh...uh..." He grabbed Harmonia's arm, "I think we should go." ~Cronus: *he turned on his heel, the soft crunch of decayed leaves echoing softly as he headed out of the temple* ~Harmonia: "But...we have.. plans." *her arm tightened around Strife's as she stepped a bit behind him, watching Rhea from behind his shoulder. ~Thanatos: Thanatos followed his lord, wondering if someone had not already seen Hades feeling a great....dread. ~Cronus: *She was not far. And... she was not alone.* ~Rhea: *She reached out and grabbed his shoulder, her grip much stronger than her withered look appeared... though the longer they stood there, the less ruined she looked. From withered crone to once regal queen, she was transforming slowly. She reached out and grabbed his shoulder, her grip much stronger than her withered look appeared... though the longer they stood there, the less ruined she looked. From withered crone to once regal queen, she was transforming slowly. ~Hades: Hades appeared, looking around the crumbling mount. He saw two figures, vaguely familiar but he couldn't name them. Then another, speaking to them. Her name was much easier to remember. "Mother." ~Thanatos: Thanatos apparated beside of Hades a second later and beheld the same site. Rhea? He wondered what Neikos and Harmonia were doing here? ~Cronus: *Just over the next hill. He could hear more of them now, coming. But which ones? Who was still on Othrys?* ~Rhea: *she just smiled down at them, straightening up, the glint in her eyes the only real reminder of the madness that lived inside her head* ~Styx: Styx appeared on the mount. With a sweeping gaze she took in her brother, her nephew, Harmonia, Rhea, and to her surprise, Hades. "My King?" ~Strife: Strife's eyes widened as Rhea transformed from decrepit to beautiful. And then a voice startled him into looking in his direction. Bewildered he exclaimed: "Hades!" ~Harmonia: *she just muffled a quiet yelp and leaned in to Strife... they always went after her, whenever her father did anything. it wasn't at all right. She glanced back over her shoulder as Strife called out, wondering if Hades was behind this. ~Cronus: *As he crested the low, rolling hill, his eyes immediately fell upon his wife, the architect of his downfall, Rhea* ~Rhea: Rhea looked up as she heard those words she longed for so often, so long forgotten here on her home. She smiled her son, nodding... it was right that he was here. ~Hades: He hadn't meant to say it, the word tripped off his tongue. Being summoned to Othrys to see his mother couldn't be anything but ominous. ~Cronus: *those standing around her he only vaguely noticed. His attention was entirely upon her* ~Thanatos: Thanatos acknowledged his sister without word and looked back toward his nephew, "What--" However, his words were lost when out of the corner of his eyes emerged....Cronus. ~Dite: Dite was the last to appear, arms crossed over her chest as she expected some further annoyance by Apollo or someone similar, her composure faltering momentarily as she took in the sight. ~Hades: For a moment, he eyed Neikos, but Hades' attention was quickly diverted to another figure standing there: Cronus. Father. The one who'd tried to cheat them out of their destiny. ~Cronus: *the mention of his name seemed to catch his attention for a moment. He'd not heard it aloud in a long, long time, his step faltered a moment as he looked around at the slowly gathering group* ~Hades: A cold flush ran over his warm skin and he stood silent, boring holes into the god in front of him. Not again. ~Dite: She was war, sure... but she was a mother, and the vision of her daughter there was enough to instantly worry her. The sight of Hades was second on her list of worrisome... ~Strife: Strife saw the dude he didn't recognize at this family reunion and looked back at Rhea whispering low, "This him? ~Styx: Styx took her eyes off Hades when Thanatos began to speak but didn't finish. She followed his eyes and her eyebrows lifted, her eyes widened. Wasn't this getting interesting? ~Dite: by the time she managed to take in Cronus' arrival... it seemed less like Apollo and more like real trouble. ~Cronus: *his eyebrows knit themselves carefully, as his gaze, which slid over each of the gods in attendance, finally settled once again on Rhea* ~Rhea: She nodded to Strife, her smile warming as she took in the sight of Cronus... her husband, her king.. ~Cronus: "My house, it seems, is in disarray, though you are all here." “Or, at least, many of you..." ~Rhea: "My king... I knew you were coming. I've been waiting." ~Cronus: "Waiting? You have been here, then, all along?" ~Thanatos: Thanatos did not know what to say, or whether he should speak, but this could perhaps be a dangerous rendezvous. ~Cronus: *he begins to approach Rhea again, his steps slow but deliberate* ~Rhea: "I have. I knew you were coming. They are here to see you, my lord." She released her grip on Strife, stepping closer to Cronus, waving her arm at those gathered. ~Styx: Styx steadily moved so she was closer to her brother wanting nothing between them should something happen to which they would need to leave quickly. ~Cronus: "Our sons, they spared you..." ~Rhea: "I am their mother. They are good sons!" ~Strife: Strife didn't know whether he should stay frozen in place as Cronus approached... He whispered into Harmonia's mind, "Stay behind me. If anything happens. Run. Get away from here." ~Hades: It didn't matter who was there, Cronus was back. They'd put him away for good, and yet here he was, fresh out of the ground like a spring flower. "What are you doing here?" he growled at his father. ~Cronus: *his attention is stolen away by Styx* "And you... You escaped the Void as well? Or you were never there..." ~Harmonia: She nodded silently, having moved to once more be behind him, her head pressed close to his shoulder as she watched. Why was Hades here? ~Cronus: *but that voice, he knew all too well* "I hear Hades, but where are his brothers, those three who saw fit to rule as one once did." ~Styx: Styx locked eyes with Cronus, haughty in the face of danger. "I was never there. I chose the winning side." ~Cronus: "Tell me then, Styx... What did you win?" ~Cronus: "You abandoned your brothers and sisters, your mother... What high office did you receive for your pains?" ~Styx: "A place of honor for myself and my children. They are all that matters." ~Dite: She was content for once to not be noticed, really, remaining instead on the outsides of this gathering, watching as Cronus met those who put him away... though Hades' presence was a bit disturbing. Very, very disturbing, truth be told. ~Cronus: *he nods slowly* "Then you chose well. I am happy for you." ~Hades: Hades glanced at Styx, then back at Cronus. "Zeus and Poseidon were dethroned." And so was I. "Ask their successors where their bodies lie." ~Thanatos: Thanatos was cursing silently in his head after Hades had diverted Cronus' s attention away from Rhea and now Cronus was questioning his sister. This was dreadful, terribly dreadful. He kept his posture and decided to watch and if action was needed... ~Dite: She glanced at Strife and Harm for a moment, not at all understanding why they were here. >>Neikos... both of you. Go.<< ~Cronus: *Hades' statement draws a wry smile from the elder god* "Dethroned... Well, it could always be worse, my son." ~Hades: "I'm aware of that," he replied coldly. ~Rhea: She glanced sharply at Hades... that was not at all part of the plan. "What? bring them here. you will all welcome your father! and your sisters, too." ~Cronus: *he finally bridges the gap between himself and Rhea. He hand comes to rest on her shoulder* ~Rhea: Rhea looked up at him earnestly. "My lord, I wanted them all here to greet you...I was waiting." ~Cronus: *he looks at Harm and Strife questioningly, as if he's searching his mind to see if he should know their names* ~Cronus: “They will come, wife. When it is right, they will come." ~Hades: "They cannot be brought back," Hades replied, eyeing his mother. "Were they here, I'm sure my brothers wouldn't want to miss this." ~Harmonia: She looked at Cronus surprised as his gaze fell on her, offering what was an attempted at a less-than-terrified smile. But she stayed quiet.* ~Strife: Strife glanced in Dite's direction and would have been very happy to leave if fear hadn't frozen his feet to the ground. He then found Cronus looking at him and Harm and without really thinking exclaimed with a nervous laugh, "Hah--Welcome back!!" ~Cronus: "...thank you, young one." "You are still bitter, Hades. I've known those who've been defeated to harbor such long-lived grudges, but not victors." ~Harmonia: She poked strife in the side lightly... they were so in trouble for this. somehow, this was going to be there fault. ~Cronus: "Thousands of years, as the world's time passes, and still angry." ~Hades: Turning his attention back to Cronus, Hades frowned. "You think I should forgive you? You don't belong here, Cronus. Your time has passed." ~Dite: Spoken like a dethroned king... ~Cronus: "Perhaps yours has passed too, my son. Yet, you are here." *he notices Dite* "But yet still a King?" ~Hades: Hades shot Aphrodite a look. "It wasn't your place to overthrow me," he growled. ~Cronus: "Kind of you to notice." ~Dite: *She offered Cronus a smile, glancing from him to Hades* ~Thanatos: Thanatos silently spoke his thought to Hades, "Lord, perhaps you should make amends with your father. He could be a valuable ally." ~Hades: He glared at his father. "What did you come back for? Your kingdom?" Although the more important question was how he'd gotten back... ~Dite: Though I was speaking more to your son... who's still bitter, it seems. ~Cronus: "My kingdom, it seems, is no longer there to be ruled." *he looks around the abandoned mountain* ~Cronus: "Though I am only just returned, I could not help but notice that your kingdom is also, regrettably, in disrepair." ~Rhea: She looked around slowly, as if just noticing the temples had gotten as decrepit and run down as she had. "They forgot..." ~Cronus: Tell me, Hades, do the mortals still worship you? What have you and your brothers done with the kingdom I left behind?" ~Hades: Turning his head, Hades fixed Thanatos with a stare that betrayed just how bad a comment that was to make, especially now. He was about to respond, when another comment, voiced this time, caught his attention. ~Cronus: "The very kingdom that cost me my freedom for untold generation?" ~Styx: Styx turned her eyes from Cronus to Dite. "Vile pretender." She sneered quietly. Now was not the time for her issues with Dite. ~Hades: "Things change," he said sharply. ~Dite: They let it grow stagnant. If things had changed, perhaps they'd still rule. ~Cronus: "A valid point, Dite." ~Dite: Quite unlike your golden age, Sir. ~Cronus: "But to assuage your fears, my son... I've no designs on war or a forgotten kingdom. The Underworld is yours, with my blessing." ~Cronus: "If you can take it back, that is." *he smiles grandly* "I have the utmost faith in your abilities." ~Hades: "And so the reins were given to Love, War and a Smith to correct the fatal flaws in our rulership?" Hades sneered. "I don't laugh, Aphrodite, but I might make an exception. “I can take it back. I plan to." ~Dite: *she shrugged lightly, keeping the cool facade on her features, stepping a bit closer to the group." "The reins were taken by those willing to act, Hades. I must say, I wasn't expecting to see you for a while. ~Thanatos: Thanatos knew by Hades glower that his advice would not be considered, and yet he thought strategy would have been the better course than brawling. ~Helios: *Helios couldn't sleep. Helios ...couldn't sleep. He was pretty sure he was going as mad as Apollo, because never, not ever, in the history of his time serving the passage of celestial bodies, had he not been able to sleep.* *Not when it was right, and he needed it so badly. And there was a beautiful damned muse sleeping next to him! Didn't that make everything right in the world?? Apparently... not.* ~Cronus: "I see you as well, Thanatos. The ages have been good to you, it seems. Still in the company of Hades; I hope it has not made you bitter as well?" ~Helios: *And worse, was the burning in the moon titan's belly. Something alive that hiss and spit with a heat like nothing from his experience as the sun. And it was pulling him somewhere, beyond Rhodes.* *Helios did what he always did, at least when left to instinct. He capitulated. And he wasn't even surprised when his body took form in Othrys. But the assembly that awaited him... that was plenty startling.* *And he couldn't even see...* “ ...oh shit.” ~Hades: Hades smirked slightly. "I'm aware of that. Perhaps I was missed." ~Thanatos: Thanatos bowed his head, "No sir, not bitter. I've toiled too long to let bitterness ensnare me." ~Dite: *the timing.. the timing was just so strange. She canted her head a bit as she thought back on recent events.* Lord Cronus... if I may ask. Have you just returned? or was it recent? ~Cronus: "You are as wise as I remembered." ~Dite: Only a bit, Hades... only a bit. ~Cronus: "It is so hard to say, Dite. If I have been returned for any time, it has not been long at all. Tartarus held me fast. I do not know why it let me go." ~Hades: "If a bit was all that was needed...I hope you buried my brother deeper than you buried me. For your sake." ~Dite: "Interesting..." She turned from him to Hades, and smiled beautifully. "OH, don't worry, Hades... I'm much better at what I do then others seem to think. ~Cronus: “Though I know I saw things, and heard things, from the ages passing down." *the old god seems to shiver a bit* "I cannot explain it." ~Dite: She looked to Helios, standing confused to the side, and reached a hand out to him, making sure he realized who was there. "Helios." ~Helios: *Helios stood at the edge of the stone ruin, and listened, and wondered why he yielded to traitorous instinct, anyway? It inevitably got him in trouble, like witnessing the return of a monarchy his father all but gave his livelihood to suppress.* ~Cronus: "Helios... Of all of us, I was sure you lived on." ~Rhea: She too looked at Helios, very confused as she saw him... She remembered him warm, and bright... ~Cronus: "Though you seem... different." ~Helios: *When Dite acknowledged him, the titan tipped his chin, and waved a hand, as if to dismiss her greeting. But Cronus's words made him still* ~Rhea: "Not so bright..." ~Helios: ....Ah... Lord Cronus. *he rushed a hand through his pale curls* ...I'm.. no, I'm alive, still. In flesh, at least. ~Rhea: *she glanced again to Hades and Thanatos, head tilting* "But you are..." ~Thanatos: Perhaps the magic that held the Titans had slowly unraveled and had came undone with removal of the three kings. Thanatos looked toward Helios.... How many were being drawn here? And for what purposes? ~Hades: Indeed she was. Why else would she be running around, organizing meetings for War? Hades kept his amusement to himself, throwing another look at his mother. Mad as a crow, and she still forgave Cronus. It had to be love. ~Cronus: "Everything, it seems, is upset." ~Hades: "His powers are inverted, the same as ours." ~Styx: Styx finally spoke to Dite. Arrogance and hatred that couldn't be removed by a spell in her voice... ~Cronus: "Really?" ~Styx: "Apparently not, usurper. In such a short while you have managed to make our world turn upside down and have done nothing to rectify it!" ~Helios: *If there was ever a moment to miss his former self, now was it. Helios felt hollow, and vulnerable, and the fact that Cronus knew that so easily, was unnerving.* ~Thanatos: "A spell gone wrong. An act of vengeance." ~Helios: *Helios snapped sharply at Hades* Yes, thank you. I'm sure we're all aware of my handicap ~Cronus: "I wondered... I can see it, on you all." ~Styx Styx smirked. "A sign of inexperienced leadership. This would never have happened in your reign or in your sons." ~Dite: *She rolled her eyes lightly, shaking her head at Styx* Please. I didn't do this. but I'm the one who bothered to find out what did. And it will be rectified the next New moon. ~Helios: *The moon titan drug his palm across his eyes, fought for sight, and said more calmly* Lord Cronus, you are... um, well, it seems. ~Cronus: "It seems I am." ~Helios: *Well.. as in not locked up anymore. Helios jerked his arm to his side. Was this what he felt when the world turned off its center of balance?? Cronus's release??* ~Helios: *Helios hesitates, then continues* ..and you think that is.. right? As it should be? ~Styx: "Of course you were the one to bother. It is YOUR kingdom now isn't it. Do nothing and you risk revolt. Do not think this saves you from that." ~Cronus: "I find it... strangely fitting." ~Cronus: "This world is in even more chaos than when I was banished from it." ~Helios: *Helios compressed his lips tightly, nodding to show his acknowledgement. Perhaps it wasn't right... but yes, fitting. A fitting additional to the madness that already swarmed around them* ~Dite: It's a transitory period... I'm sure you remember those, Cronus. ~Cronus: "But do not fear, mighty Helios. All is cycles. It will go back the way it once was" ~Cronus:*he smiles wanly at Die* "All too well..." ~Helios: *The moon titan glanced at the squabbling group before the throne, and took a hesitant step forward, moving into the sound of Dite's voice. The goddess may not be his biggest fan, but she was familiar and solid amidst the uncertainty* ~Dite: She nodded again at Helios as he saw him move close. "New moon, Helios. You'll be back to normal soon." ~Thanatos: Goddesses were catty. Thanatos hoped that the world would not end before his sister and Aphrodite stopped bickering about this. He addressed Aphrodite, "On the next new moon? Did you find Apollo's error?" ~Harmonia: She frowned, as it seemed that people knew a lot more than she apparently did, and.. she was ok with that. She tugged lightly on Strife's sleeve, wondering if maybe... this was the time to go. If they'd be allowed. ~Dite: She glanced up at Thanatos, and just smiled. "I know what he did." ~Helios: ...normal... what level of normal are you referring to? *And what did a New Moon have to do with it? Helios had never understood the workings of his sister, and being forced into hr position hadn't helped much* ~Hades: Hades watched the pleasant slices of conversation between his father and Love. As much as he loathed the idea of being anything other than a jailer to Cronus, he loathed the New Rule more. Maybe Death's suggestion was worth investing in after all...
~Strife: Strife was immersed in just watching all this. He started to understand Ate's like of Days of Our Lives.... ~Dite: You'll be the sun once more, Helios. As you should be. ~Cronus: *as the gods talk, slowly, almost imperceptibly, the dead mountain begins to turn green again, the trees start to look less gnarled* ~Thanatos: Thanatos to Dite: "You've done well to find out. And Apollo?" ~Helios: *Helios's spine stiffened, and the savage thinness of his tired frame abruptly growing larger. He stared hard at Dite, pupils milky and unsettled* ...you wouldn't torture me with false hope, would you? ~Cronus: *as the gods speak about their strange fate, Cronus shifts his attention to Harm and Strife* "And where do you come from?" ~Dite: I cannot promise anything, Helios... but if things work the way they ought, this little... snafu will be rectified. *She glanced to Thanatos* He's fine. And currently under protection, lest anyone try anything. ~Harmonia: mm.. From? ::She looked up again, flashing a deer-in-the-headlights sort of smile. it was a good question.:: Olympus? we were just... I'm Harmonia. ~Hades: Hades looked at greenery, watching and feeling the life flood back into it. Not a pleasant sensation for a god of the dead. ~Strife: Whoa. They were being spoke too. "I'm Neikos. I'm from...Errr. My mom Eris was from the Underworld and moved to Olympus because that was the place to be. Harmonia is my girlfriend yea..." ~Harmonia: My mother is Aphrodite, my Father is Ares, son of Zeus? ~Dite: She glanced sharply as Cronus addressed her daughter, curious as to his interest. This would be much easier if they were not here. ~Cronus: "Then you are my children as well, after a fashion." “What do you think of what the world has become? " he almost says 'my world', but manages not to* ~Harmonia: *she just bit her lip... it was not the right time to mention she as way too bony to taste good at all...too many scary stories her brothers told her popped into her head* ~Helios: *Apollo... He was protected? Helios blinked abruptly, his lean frame slumping. Gods, he was tired. The titan idly listened to Cronus shift his attention, and his insides quaked. Because this was Cronus. The Cronus of his father's stories, both terrible and awesome, and of such imminence that Helios wondered if it came to it... if he could do as his father had* ~Hades: He raised a brow at the mention of Neikos and Harmonia being Cronus' 'children'. All the more unlucky for them. ~Cronus: *yet Cronus seemed at the same time more and less than his legend. Perhaps that stay in Tartarus altered him, or maybe the mysterious affliction the other gods suffer from has affected him as well* ~Hades: "Hunger. I should've known..." ~Strife: Strife thought that was a loaded question. "Well, it's all fuckered but I think it's suppose to be like that with exception to that whole switch dealio because well....I wasn't made to keep the peace and be a peacock magnet. I was made to rock n' roll. Since when did a hippy sitting around singing anti-war songs rock? Anyway...Balance is what counts. ~Cronus: ... ... yes... “You are wise, in your way. I think..." “You should visit me here, when I finished rebuilding my temple." ~Harmonia: So yes, she was standing in a courtyard with her long lost great grandparents... but He just said Balance was what mattered.. he was so sweet. "I don't remember a lot of it from before. but I think change can be good?" ~Helios: ...you... you intend to rebuild?? ~Cronus: "Should I live in ruins, Helios?" ~Hades: Considering you shouldn't be here, yes ~Cronus: "It seems this mountain is abandoned. You all live on Olympus, I suppose?" ~Dite: *He intended to do what? OH, that was great. Though there was little hope he'd wander right back to Tartarus, of course... she'd never had issue with Cronus, but any wild cards were to be avoided right now* ~Cronus: "Aside from you Hades. You most likely sleep among the ashes, I am sure" ~Helios: *Helios twitched, but the sightless film to his eyes kept it form being apparent* ...no, Lord, but I was.. wondering about your intentions. Like.. your intent to rule ~Cronus: *he quirks an eyebrow at Helios' statement* "Would you all allow me to rule?" ~Cronus: "it seems you have too many rulers right now." ~Strife: Strife thought: ~Score! Strife and Harm ...Everyone else ~ ~Helios: *oh good... a corner to back into* ...umm... ~Cronus: "If it is the will of my children, and their children, that I reclaim my old mantle..." ~Helios: Helios: I don’t think anyone has ever asked me whether I desired to be ruled before... ~Strife: "I dig it. I'll totally visit." ~Cronus: "I would do it, out of duty." ~Harmonia: He wasn't nearly that scary at all... and she was so going to mock Dei and Bos about this. She stood easier, still leaning against Strife but a lot more relaxed. They, at least, had been invited back. ~Hades: He narrowed his eyes at his father. Why couldn't the old fool stay where he belonged? "It isn't. That's already been made clear." ~Helios: *Helios paused, narrowing his eyes. This? This was Cronus? He certainly didn't seem comparable to the power hungry force of will that dominated his father's memories...* ~ Dite: She glanced at Hades, a brow lifting. "It was made clear long ago, by those who are no longer in power" ~Cronus: *he nods solemnly* "A good point, Dite." ~Cronus: "But I fear this is an age where children throw off their parent's rule. I have no wish to return to Tartarus." *he pulls Rhea a little close to him* ~Hades: Hades: Pity. That's where you're going ~Rhea: She looked up at him hopefully, her voice whisper soft. "Will you be staying, my lord?" ~Cronus: *he gazes intently into Rhea's eyes* "Yes. Yes, I will." ~Helios: *And for the first time, Helios notices the slender goddess at Cronus's side. Not that she wasn't noticeably, but her presence was so light, and so much a part of this place, that the titan had all but missed her.* ~Thanatos: Thanatos sighed and looked at Styx with a pitiful look. Hades had returned and he would stand by him, but he wished his lord were not so obstinate. How long would it be that other Titans would not emerge from Tartarus? Could the wars begin all over again? ~Rhea: She smiled, relaxing slightly as she leaned in, letting him pull her close. there was doom ahead, she knew... she told the children... but she'd waited. and he was here now. And it was right. ~Styx: Styx returned Thanatos' look with agreement. Cronus could, as he had mentioned earlier, make a formidable ally and the last thing they needed was for Dite to charm him with her eyelash fluttering. ~Cronus: *it is unmistakable now. Mount Othrys is coming back to life, almost in the same way that Rhea is invigorated* ~Dite: It seems your home, at least, agrees with your return, Lord Cronus... even if your child does not. ~Cronus: "Yes. I will stay here, and rebuild my Temple. You are all welcome here. This is your ancient homeland as well." ~Cronus: "At least some things remain the same, Dite." ~Styx :Styx moved to stand next to Hades, speaking to him in a quiet whisper. "My king. Do you not see what she is doing? You are being made to look a fool with your hatred." ~Dite: And rightly so... .Not all things need to change. ~Hades: Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores, father ~Cronus: "But I cannot blame him. I too brought my father low. Perhaps since he has now fallen, he might come to understand the cycle of things." ~Hades: Hades turned to look at Styx and smirked. "Let her." “I understand the cycle well enough. Overthrowing Zeus was their fate, I don't challenge that, but overthrowing mine was not" ~Cronus: "Yet it happened, all the same." ~Hades: "It can be undone. Why do you think I'm here?" ~Thanatos: Whispering to Hades on the opposite side of him from Styx, "Lord, he restores his kingdom. How long until he has a court again. I urge you to please think of your options." ~Dite: She shrugged lightly... Hades had never really been the target, more like collateral damage... taking him down was a tool toward the obvious goal. ~Cronus: "I do not know, Hades. Why are you here?" ~Dite: “Perhaps it can be undone... we'll see. It's of little import, really...” ~Rhea: *she nodded lightly, agreeing with pretty much anything Cronus said, pleased at the idea of her home rebuilt to it's former glory. Sure, those who once played and lived here were gone, but that was ok... ~Hades: "I am, Than," he replied in hushed tones. "I know what I'm doing." ~Cronus: "I think... I think I would like to walk with my wife now. I look forward to talking with all of you again, soon." ~Hades: "If I wasn't meant to return to my place, fate wouldn't have dealt me such a hand." Hades looked across to Aphrodite. "We will? That isn't your decision to make." ~Harmonia: *They were so visiting again.* ~Strife: Strife noticed that Thanatos sure was whispering a lot in Hades ear. Damn. He almost felt sorry for guy. ~Styx: Styx nodded at Hades words, "Of course, my king. She will only damage herself in the end." ~Strife: He wasted no time after Cronus said he was going to take a walk, " We'll come. Until then! Bye!" ~Cronus: *carefully he steers Rhea away from the gods, off towards their own, ruined Temple* ~Dite: * she just smiled.* I'm the oldest of the Fates, Hades... Time will tell. ~Cronus: *it was with incredible ease he turned his back on his children, like he did not fear them or their power at all* ~Rhea: *There really was nothing but him...and she let him lead her away easily, for whatever he had in store. she had waited... it had to mean something.* ~Thanatos: Looking at his sister again he sighed, "We need to talk...We'll need to speak to the others." ~Dite: *She watched them go, then turned her attention fully on the others there, trying to determine what brother the group together. they were all old enough to have been present before.. .save Strife and Harmonia. they being here made no sense.* ~Hades: Rolling his eyes, Hades turned away from his mother and father, albeit warily. His palace was in a kingdom he no longer owned. He needed to go....somewhere. ~Dite: *She watched them go, then turned her attention fully on the others there, trying to determine what brother the group together. They were all old enough to have been present before.. .save Strife and Harmonia. they being here made no sense.* ~Styx: She nodded at Thanatos, "I can not go back to my river. The shades...we should return to Zeus' temple. There no one will disturb us." ~Thanatos: Thanatos' gaze traveled over to Aphrodite again. Now more than ever he was worried for Hades because now they had lost the element of surprise. ~Dite: Well... while it was lovely to see all of you... I was in the middle of something... *She patted Helios lightly on the arm.* New moon, Helios. You'll be flying normal hours once more, doing what you do best. ~Thanatos: Thanatos to Dite: "We will all be looking forward to the New Moon. The others need to be informed. Will you be sending Hermes and Iris out with the news?" Thanatos silently to Styx: "Is Zeus's temple safe for...*he glanced over to Hades* him?" ~Dite: Neither of them is particularly adept at delivering messages, really. When a more exact approximation of what may happen is known, People will be aware. ~Styx: "Yes. My children guard it, and they will tell no one." ~Dite: *she just smiled... thinking that she really needed to figure the scroll out now, and fast, once she started writing checks she couldn't cash* ~Thanatos: Thanatos bowed his head to Dite, "You will have my gratitude." ~Dite: And you mine, Thanatos... your help is greatly appreciated. ~Dite: But I shall leave you to your reunion. *she stepped past them and moved over to Harm and Strife, placing a hand on Harm's shoulder.* And you are going home. ~Hades: The sooner they were off Othrys, the better. Hades looked between Styx and Thanatos, raising a brow as Thanatos thanked the gracious queen. Shaking his head, he disappeared back to Olympus. ~Thanatos: Silently to Styx: "We must make sure. Hades was not the King they served." ~Styx: She simply repeated. "They are my children. They will tell no one." Then Styx followed her king. ~Thanatos: Thanatos sighed as Hades disappeared and Styx after him. There was too much taken for granted. ~Strife: Strife smiled at Dite sheepishly. Were they in trouble after all? ~Dite: She shook her head lightly, transporting all three of them back to her own temple* ~Thanatos: Thanatos glanced back toward Neikos and Harmonia wondering for what reason those two had been here for but he was not in the mood to question anyone and pardoned himself from that task, teleporting back to Olympus.