The echo of Orion's footsteps trailed down the long corridor of Nyx's temple, his fingers tracing lightly along the obsidian-black walls. His bow rested on his back; each step felt heavier than usual —not because of exhaustion, but anticipation. Today was the last day before the Gathering.
He stepped into the main hall, its vaulted ceilings steaming high above like a cavern of stars, lit by floating purple fire. Heracles stood at the centre, arms crossed, watching him with a smile.
"Would you look at that," Heracles said, walking up "The boy grew into a blade."
Orion chuckled and offered a fist bump, which Heracles accepted with a solid thud. "Thanks. You think I'm ready?"
"I can tell that you have been working hard," HEracles replied. "You move differently now. Walk differently. You're sharper." Then, lowering his voice slightly, he added, "Still got some work to do... but I'd stand next to you in a fight."
Orion smiled at the compliment. "So, did you complete your mission? Did you track Sekhmet?"
Heracles shook his head. "No. But I did find something else." He paused, letting the tension build up before continuing. "She let something slip... something big. But I'll wait until the others are here."
Before Orion could respond, the heavy doors to the chamber swung open.
Nyx entered first, regal and composed, wrapped in a dress of swirling shadows. Eris followed, her hips swaying with purpose and mischief, and Ker brought up the rear like a silent warden, her red eyes scanning over the room.
Orion stood straighter at their approach. "Good morning."
Nyx's dark eyes fixed on him. "You're not the same boy who walked into my halls seven days ago," She said.
"Your aura... It's stronger. Steadier."
Eris smirked and leaned in, brushing her hand against his arm. "And your body changed too," She whispered, winking.
Orion blushed, rubbing the back of his neck as Nyx rolled her eyes. "Eris," she sighed, exasperated.
Five minutes passed in light convocation, filled with small jokes and updates- until Nyx's calm shattered like glass.
"WHERE IS THIS DAM MONKEY!" she roared, her voice shaking the pillars.
A heavy gust of primal wind slammed the doors open.
Something massive walked in.
Silver.
Towering, feral and ancient, Silver form was a contradiction- part man, part beast. His muscles rippled beneath battle-worn grey fur, his claws long and cracked from centuries of war. Ble tribal markings ran across his chest and arms, pulsing with eerie life. His eyes, blue and burning, glared at everything in the room as if daring it to challenge him.
Behind him strolled Wukong, staff over his shoulder, grinning like a man who just left a tavern brawl.
"Sorry I'm late," Wukong said cheerfully. "Took me a while to tame the big dog."
Nyx crossed her arms, her shadow flaring. "You're lucky I don't gut you right now."
He ignored her, turning to HEracles with a smug smile. "Well, if it isn't the guy who thought he could outdrink a centaur and arm-wrestle a Titan in the same night."
Heracles stepped forward, cracking his fist. "Still better than the overgrown mutt who got kicked out of heaven twice."
They both laughed and slammed hands together, pulling each other in for a firm embrace.
"Still ugly as ever," Wukong muttered.
"Still as chaotic," Heracles shot back.
Wukong spun round to the group. "Alright. Let's begin. With silver here, we've got two seats on the Table locked in."
Orion furrowed his brows. "Wait-what table?"
Wukong tapped his staff on the ground. "The main council room for the gathering. It's set up with eight seats. Four gods, four monsters. Each main seat-holder can bring two subordinates behind them. Everyone else fills the outer room- observers, guards, schemers. You know. The fun crowd."
Nyx added, "The seats are typically consisting, especially on the gods' side. They rotate sometimes, but the powerhouses usually remain. The monster side, however... that's more chaotic."
Orion nodded slowly, trying to picture it.
"Now," Heracles said, growing serious, "about Sekhmet."
Everyone turned towards him.
"I found her. We fought. I pinned her- barely- but during the exchange, she laughed. said this Gathering would change the course of all realms forever. I tried to get more, but she slipped away."
Nyx's jaw tightened. "That does sound like something Ra would orchestrate."
Wukong's tone dropped. "Then we will need to be prepared. No more stalling. The Gathering begins tomorrow at noon. Everything needs to be ready."
Everyone in the room began scattering- Eris, Ker, Heracles, all heading in different directions.
As Orion turned to leave, Nyx stopped him with a gentle hand.
"Don't worry about how you'll get there," she said. "You'll be coming with me."
He nodded slowly, not sure about what tomorrow would hold.
The gathering awaited.
The real game was about to begin.