Chaos in the Pantheon

“She’s beautiful…” A voice, a masculine voice, cooed out above you.

“Pietro, don’t. We’re in enough trouble with the Pantheon as it is.” Another voice, a different male voice who was strong yet somehow… soft, rang forth.

The first man scoffed, “I am offended, Sam, that you think that. I’m just pointing out he has good taste. Not a big fan of the mortals, you know. He made an exception for her.”

The world, whatever the world was, was beginning to come back to you. You felt the warmth of blankets beneath you and cushioning, telling you that you were resting on bed of some kind. The sun was warm against your skin though, confusing you from the rain that you’d just been rescued from.

The last thing you remembered before nodding off was the shadow of a man approaching. Sleep had overtaken you and you had slumbered. Now you were waking, blinking a few times as you tried to make sense of the world around you. It was picturesque for sure, an open room with marble flooring, white pillars around you. The open windows had gauzy white curtains hanging from them, flowing as the wind picked up. Outside, from what you could see, was green and healthy. It was a different world entirely.

“Hey, she’s waking up!” The man who had scooped you up hurried over, watching as you rose from the sheets beneath you. You’d been changed into a far more flowing dress, the red ties still latched to your attire but these clothes were dry. They were a terribly soft and, you assumed, expensive material. Then again, you had a strong feeling you were not in Greece.

The other man came over, his deep brown eyes looking kindly at you, red robes hanging off his body, “Good morning, Y/N. Glad to see you decided to wake up,” a playful smirk danced over the man’s features, bright smile growing after.

Another man danced over behind him and moved with speed you weren’t accustomed to, “I was worried Sam’s spell would be too strong. Welcome to Olympus.” His silver hair almost glittered with the sun and his own smile was soft and sincere.

Already this felt like too much, “This cannot be real… Olympus? And who is Sam?” You stared at the men curiously, not having considered the obvious.

The man in red robes grinned, “You know me better as Eros, I’m sure. And you know Pietro there as Hermes. Mortals never understand we’ve got actual names.” He chuckled towards Hermes, or Pietro, rather.

The silver-haired man dressed in shorter robes came over and sat beside you. Now you noticed the wings on his sandals, wings that flitted and moved as he did, “Forgive Sam, he doesn’t interact much with mortals. He had to kidnap his own girlfriend,” Pietro gave a wink towards Sam who rolled his eyes.

He threw his arms up, “Man, why you gotta bring that up? I told you my mom was pissed at her! I had to sneak her in,” Sam turned away and walked towards the other end of the glorious room, leaving Pietro next to you.

You shook your head, “Let’s say I believe this, and I’m not sure I do since I’m sure I may have lost my mind, why am I at Olympus?” You had emphasized your own presence. There were so many others who would have been better suited. There was Jessica, the woman with incredible strength who had been endowed abilities after proving her worth to Athena. Matthew Murdock, the man who had been so fearless in battle despite his lack of vision Ares had bestowed him with powerful weapons. Heroes of the gods, and here you were twiddling your thumbs.

Pietro glanced over at Sam who had turned back around. You’d noticed, for the briefest of moments, large wings etched into the dark skin that was visible where his robes didn’t cover. It was best not to ask, “Shall we-?”

“No. It’s not our place,” Sam sighed as he came back, kneeling before you with a sort of compassion in his eyes you understood would belong to a god of his title, “This is a waypoint, so to speak. A resting area in what will likely prove to be a journey, Y/N. It’s not either of our places to tell you why you are here, but there is someone who can explain the problems of your earth.” He was watching you carefully, reaching out to take your hand as he spoke. His skin was warm and his voice reminded you of something sweet… he was alluring in a strange kind of way, and you realized he was romance. It wasn’t Eros you were attracted to, but he was attraction. He was romance. He was love.

Pietro smirked, “You’re doing it.” The god had been friends with Sam long enough to know when he was using his own powers unintentionally. Pietro suspected, though didn’t say, that it might have to do with why you were present to begin with. He was planting a seed of sorts as he had made it clear all that happened would be of free will.

There was laughter as Sam stood, “I’m sorry. Habits. Listen, you have a journey ahead of you, and as much as I’d like to chat, you appear to be awake and well. Hermes, as you know him, will be your guide.”

You stood was Pietro did as well, shaking your head, “Will I be able to fix the chaos of the world below? You’re both acting so cryptically! I simply want answers!”

It was rare that a mortal spoke ill to any god or goddess and immediately Sam understood why his friend had been so smitten, “You will get them. Hermes is taking you to, ah… Apollo. He’s a little gruff at times. Don’t let him fool you though, he’s a softie. But give him this.” Eros pulled a large bow from under the bed you’d been on, a detailed and intricate black bow that looked far too beautiful to be used for any kind of combat.

Carefully you took it, “Shall I tell him it’s from you?” Your eyes raised to Eros as you began to follow Hermes towards a large exit in the room leading towards the outdoors.

Eros shrugged, “He’ll know. Goodluck, Y/N. We all need it.”
____

Riding with Hermes while awake, you found, was a more daunting task than while asleep. He had offered to carry you once more but it had felt awkward to be held in the arms of the traveler, “Are you comfortable this way?” The two of you had found it easier to wrap your arms around his neck while he held around your waist, using his own powers to help you float effortlessly with him as he guided you.

You shook your head, “In complete honesty, not really, though I feel we’re limited in our options here. I’ll survive.” You huffed lightly, holding the bow in one hand and holding to Hermes with your other.

He insisted that the ride to Apollo’s temple would be quick though you were skeptical of this. It was such a strange feeling to have met two of the gods already but to hear them refer to one another as friends. Of course, they were friends and family so it did make sense. Part of you had wanted to shake Eros and demand he help you fix things but he was not a god who you sensed was part of the problem. Pietro had scooped you up for a reason and you suspected he would help you in all of this mess.

It was admittedly a beautiful flight to where Apollo lived, the space before you wide open and filled with lush green grass. The sky above was blue and perfect with the sun shining down. It was beautiful. But you could see a dark and foreboding sky that lay in the distance, bolts of lightning visible from your placement in the sky.

He felt your eyes on the sky, “Unrest exists here also. Apollo is considered more of a... peacemaker, if you will. He doesn’t wish to take a side, though I suspect this situation has forced him to do so. You’ll see. We’re here.”

Pietro was careful as he made his gentle landing, allowing you to let go once your feet, covered in sandals, were pressed against the thick grass. And indeed, before you was a glorious, stone and marble temple. It was incredibly large and intricately engraved. It was stunning.

“You can’t drink the wine, Rocket! You’re seven!” A loud, booming voice echoed out, startling you somewhat as you followed Pietro who was rolling his eyes.

“Like I give a shit! You try being seven for two-hundred years!” It was a young voice but unreasonably loud that followed suit, causing confusion to wash over your features.

Pietro sighed, “Of course. Demeter has been staying with Apollo during this. He’s somewhat of a mediator as well. However, he keeps with him a hero of his own. He found him as a child, devout, praying to him, and took him in. But… he prefers him as a kid, so he’s kept him that way. It’s a weird dynamic.” He shrugged, walking up the large stone steps with you in tow.

You thought of your times in Greece and suddenly felt so… confused. Gods and goddesses were supposed to be so different from mortals, and yet here they were acting exactly like people you were friends with or lived near. It was oddly grounding.

“Clint! It’s Pietro!” Hermes called out as he walked in, the glory of the inside of the temple not quite settling in yet. It was a home that the wealthiest of the senate could never have dreamed of, and you were here.

A man came breezing through, blonde facial hair trimmed close as his black sandals hit the floor with purpose, “I swear on my own head, if we end this battle it’ll be for no other reason than to get those two out of my home!” He was about to launch into a tirade, though froze once he saw you. And, of course, the bow in your hands, “Eros… Finally made good on his word.” You looked at the bow and quickly handed it over, Apollo (or, Clint) smiling as he took it, “Made from stone only found near the river Styx. Only little bugger smart enough to grab it.”

He was grinning, watching over the bow, before you cleared your throat, “Apollo? I hate to interrupt your fascination with this gift from Er- I mean, Sam, but I truly must know what’s going on.” Your tone was pleading, and likely the only reason Apollo wasn’t getting angry. That and the bow, of course.

He took a breath and nodded, glancing at Hermes, “Guessing you wanted me to tell her? Demeter sure as shit can’t.” He smirked widely, walking to where you were and placing a warm, calloused hand on your shoulder, “Come with me, Y/N. We’ve got much to discuss. But first… call me Clint.”

--

You had followed closely behind Clint as he made his way into a rather large living space, couches and chairs filling the bright and warm hall. There were wine glasses throughout the space and food lying about, food that never went bad. It was a home you’d read stories about and never truly believed you might see.

Clint had guided you to a large, ornate couch, Pietro sitting beside you protectively. Clint had taken a chair adjacent to the couch so he could speak. A small child came in, stomping somewhat as he made his way to another couch, scowl on his face. Along with him strode an incredibly tall man, who you assumed was Demeter. His form was slender and his face passive, eyes looking dark with hair a soft brown. He looked peaceful.

“You tell ‘er yet? Groot thinks Sam should have.” He motioned to the taller individual, one that you felt had a terribly strange name, all things considered.

“I… am Groot,” the man nodded his head solemnly, your eyes raising somewhat, confused as to whether or not it was a formal introduction.

The child rolled his eyes, “No, she was forced up here by her town. No one hurt ‘er, Groot.” The child grabbed a glass that was suddenly filled with wine, beginning to drink at an unreasonable pace. It was confusing.

Pietro nudged you slightly, “Worry not, Printesa. That is Rocket, he’s older than he looks, remember? Also, unfortunately, the only one who can understand him.”

After Rocket had downed another glass he put it down, full once more, “Listen, sweetheart. We don’t have a lot of time. Clint, you gotta tell her.”

Your eyes were wide as you waited, eager and scared, trying to absorb sitting in a room with those you had worshipped for so long. Those you had idolized. They felt human but they still felt so very powerful. They were gods and you were a mortal sitting in a room with them. It was hard not to feel so very overwhelmed.

Clint leaned in gently, reaching out to take your hand warmly, soothingly, “There is chaos in the Pantheon, Y/N. Your world is experiencing the effects of this chaos and the fighting that has begun amongst us. While some of us wish for peace, this is not what all want and some of the Pantheon are quite… spiteful. Every statue that is destroyed, every temple, there are gods and goddesses who lash out. In return, as you have experienced, there are consequences. Your world has had to pay the price for our fighting.”

Your face turned, sadness falling upon it. The idea that the Pantheon would have so much strife felt surreal. There were stories of disagreements and of course Zeus’ own infidelities, but they were stories, “So why is there fighting, Ap- I mean, Clint. Why would those of you who have so much sway take so little care for those of us below?”

There was a sly smile on his face, “See, this is why we like you, Y/N. You haven’t gone unnoticed by the Pantheon, which… well, has been part of the concern. We selected you because you are a favorite amongst the Pantheon. Hermes has always adored you, Artemis and Dionysus have found you endearing, And Ares…” He took a break, holding your hand more firmly as he kept direct eye contact, “You are here because Poseidon has become at odds with his brother, Zeus. He is at odds because he wants to protect his closest friend Ares. And Ares… well, Y/N… Ares is in love with you.”

It was quiet as he spoke and when he finished a pin could have dropped in the extravagant room. You could feel the energy Apollo was moving into you, his powers suddenly clear. He was trying to calm you. Snatching your hand away, you sat up straight, “There is no way to believe this, Clint! First you bring me here, this world I’ve never even thought to experience, and tell me I am a favorite amongst gods and goddesses I worship! And then you tell me a god is in love with me? Ares, of all gods? The god I have always worshipped!”

Your voice had raised, surprising the room and you stood, “I am Groot,” the god spoke once more and you wanted to strangle him, annoyed at this suddenly.

But Rocket spoke, “He said you gotta believe it. It’s how Ares fell in love, Y/N. He saw how devoted you were, and frankly… he saw how good a person you are.”

Hermes stood with you, a hand on your shoulder, “Y/N, you’re here because you’re the only one who can usher peace. We didn’t bring you here to deliver you to Ares, but we did bring you here to help. We need you. All of us. Will you help us? Will you help those you love below?”

You inhaled sharply at his last words. If nothing else, you had to save your family. Your friends. Those you cared for. And if that meant taking on the Pantheon? Maybe it was the hand on your shoulder, but a wave of courage suddenly rose within you. Your eyes narrowed and you looked at Clint, “Where do we begin?”