Lyra stood frozen, enjoying the fresh breeze, and suddenly a ghostly figure appeared, it was Hades.
She had barely escaped his realm, yet here he was in her world, under her village's moonlight.
Hades stepped closer, his dark eyes gleaming with intensity.
"Lyra, Zeus knows about you and he believes you know too much about our family, he sees you as a threat."
Lyra's heart sank like a stone.
"What does Zeus want with me, I'm just a mortal girl, What could I possibly know that threatens him."
Hades' expression turned grim.
"You know of his unstable temperament and our family dynamics – my mother Rhea, my brothers Poseidon and myself, Zeus fears you'll expose our secrets, Lyra, the Secrets of the Olympus' throne and our existence."
Lyra's eyes widened slightly.
"i wasn't even aware of this stuff until you told me, I only know because you told me your secret, Hades, you did." She stated.
Hades nodded gravely.
"Yes, I shared them with you because I trust you Lyra but Zeus doesn't know you and He will stop at nothing to silence you permanently."
A figure emerged from the shadows, it was Athena, Greek Goddess of Wisdom, Zeus' daughter and Hades' niece.
Her gray eyes narrowed at Hades.
"Uncle, what's this I overhear, father seeks to harm this mortal girl?"
Hades turned to Athena.
"Yes, Athena, Zeus suspects Lyra knows our family secrets and he plans to eliminate her to protect his throne and his ego." He said.
Athena's expression turned thoughtful.
"I'll help protect her, Uncle but father's temper clouds his judgment often and this mortal girl doesn't deserve death for merely knowing stories."
Hades nodded slightly.
"Thank you, Athena, you were always the smarter one. Your wisdom and intervention may just save her life, maybe another ally would strengthen her protection."
He turned to Lyra, his expression softened.
"Lyra, you must meet my brother – Poseidon, god of Seas, he owes me a favor and may help shield you from Zeus."
Lyra locked eyes with Hades.
"I appreciate your warning and Athena's offer but I won't hide from Zeus, I've faced death once, when I jumped off that cliff and into your realm, Hades but I won't run from this now."
Hades' expression darkened.
" Lyra, this isn't courage, it's reckless stupidity and I am afraid that you will get yourself killed and I can't lose you." He said
" Zeus wants you dead."
Lyra turned to walk away as she said.
"I'll be in the city market tomorrow, selling bread as I always do. If Zeus wants me, he'll find me there."
Lyra walked away from Hades and Athena offer, walking alone on the dirt path, the village felt cool and calm under moonlight.
As she turned a corner near the old oak tree, a figure emerged from the shadows – a tall, handsome young man with bright blue eyes.
Lyra gasped softly, surprised.
"Michael, What are you doing out here so late?" She asked.
Michael smiled warmly.
" I couldn't sleep, I heard rumors of a ghostly figure near the cliff, so I thought I would investigate but found you instead, Lyra – safe and sound after you disappeared."
Lyra's cheeks flushed slightly.
" Just a wild night, Michael, I will tell you about it someday."
Michael leaned against the ancient oak tree, Lyra standing close beside him.
Moonlight filtered through branches above, casting dappled shadows on their faces.
" So, where did you disappear to?" He asked softly, eyes curious about her.
Lyra hesitated, unsure how much to reveal the truth.
" Nowhere special, I just needed time alone but seeing you now, I realize how much I missed our village and friends like you."
Michael smiled warmly.
" We missed you too, Lyra, Especially me – I have been worrying about you constantly."
Lyra's heart skipped a beat at his words.
" Really, you were worried about me."
Michael nodded, stepping closer.
" Yes. I always have, Lyra, since we were children playing near this oak."
Michael's eyes locked onto Lyra's, his voice low and gentle.
"I think I've felt something more than friendship for you for a long time now, Lyra."
Lyra's cheeks flushed softly, her heart racing with surprise.
" Michael, I, I had no idea," she said .
Just then, a faint rustling sounded from nearby bushes, it was Hades who stood hidden, watching and listening.
His eyes narrowed slightly at Michael's confession.
Michael took Lyra's hand, his touch made her feel safe and warm.
" Maybe this is sudden but I value honesty and my feelings for you are real, Lyra." Michael confessed.
Hades' expression darkened further – Jealousy simmering beneath his calm surface.
Zeus' Palace, the Olympus Realm.
Zeus sat upon his throne, flanked by his council of gods:
Poseidon his brother and Hades' brother too.
Hera, Zeus' wife and queen.
Demeter, his sister and Hades' sister.
Ares his son and Athena's brother.
Apollo and Artemis his son and daughter with Leto
Zeus' expression was grim.
" Brothers, sisters, and offspring our family's secrecy has been breached.Hades told a mortal girl, Lyra, about our family dynamics and my birthright.This is treasonous behavior from my own brother and we can't allow it." Zeus stated.
Poseidon leaned forward, voice calm.
"Let us not rush to judgment, Zeus, What exactly did Hades share with this mortal girl." Poseidon asked.
Zeus' anger flared.
"Everything from Mother Rhea saving us from Father Cronus' belly to me swallowing Metis' potion to spare my life and Hades' resentment towards me." Zeus replied.
Hera's eyes narrowed.
" This Lyra girl must be extraordinary for Hades to risk our family's secrecy. What do we know of her, Zeus."
Zeus glanced at Apollo and Artemis .
"My children discovered Lyra's village and family are mere mortals, Lyra herself is merely a beautiful girl who somehow captivated Hades."
Ares sneered.
"Hades always had a soft spot for pretty faces, We should destroy her before she exposes us."
Demeter placed a calming hand on Ares' arm.
"Violence should be our last resort. Perhaps we can reason with Hades and this Lyra girl ." She suggested.
Zeus shook his head firmly.
" Demeter, your gentle heart clouds your judgment, Hades defied me and this mortal girl is leverage,
We'll bring her here and force Hades to choose between his loyalty to me or his fascination with her." Zeus said .
Poseidon frowned.
"Brother, consider the Fates' warning: avoid direct conflict with Hades, his Underworld powers rival ours."
Zeus waved his hand dismissively.
"The Fates also said my throne is secure unless a mortal helps overthrow me, this Lyra girl could be that catalyst if she lives."
Artemis spoke up,"Her death would satisfy Father's concern but what of Uncle Hades' wrath if she dies can any of you face it."
Zeus' expression turned cold.
" Hades will obey me or face Olympus' combined wrath."
Athena , who had entered silently, now stepped forward from the shadows.
"Father, I totally disagree, Lyra is innocent; killing her would be unjust."
Zeus glared at Athena.
"Explain your defiance, daughter." Zeus asked.
Athena stood tall, meeting Zeus' glare with calm wisdom.
"Father, Lyra is indeed innocent, a mortal girl who stumbled into Uncle Hades' realm, her only crime is knowing our family secrets— secrets Uncle Hades himself revealed to her."
Zeus' expression darkened further.
"Hades' actions are treason. Why defend her, Athena." Zeus asked.
Athena's voice remained steady.
"Because I've met Lyra, Father, She's brave, loyal, and kind. She values Olympus gods, punishing Uncle Hades for his actions, not Lyra for his words." Atheba done word of wisdom.
Ares snorted in disgust.
" Spare us Athena, your naive morality play."
Athena turned to Ares, eyes narrowing.
"Better my morality than your bloodlust, brother"
Zeus slammed his scepter on the ground, silencing them both.
Just as Zeus opened his mouth to speak, the palace doors burst open – Hades stood in the entrance, his eyes blazing with fury and suspicion.
He held his helmet in one hand, and a flickering torch of underworld fire in the other.
The flames cast eerie shadows on his face.
"You convene council without me, brothers and sisters."
His low voice echoed through the throne room, silencing everyone instantly.
Zeus' eyes narrowed slightly, but he remained seated on his throne.
" Hades, we were discussing your recent actions."
Hades took a step forward, his torch held menacingly.
"My actions are my own concern, Zeus but since you've involved others. I'll share my thoughts with all of Olympus."
Poseidon placed a cautionary hand on Zeus' arm, as if warning him to remain calm.
" Hades, we're concerned about your relationship with a mortal girl," Poseidon said calmly.
" Zeus believes she poses a risk to our family's secrecy."
Hades' gaze swept the room, his eyes lingering on Athena briefly before focusing on Zeus.
"Lyra is no threat to Olympus, brothers.Your king's insecurity is the real danger here."
Zeus' face reddened with anger, but Hera intervened before he exploded.
" Hades, explain your interest in this girl. Perhaps we can understand your actions." Hera asked.
Hades' expression turned cold.
" Lyra is different, her spirit, her heart , Is unlike any mortal I've encountered and my feelings for her are none of your concern."
Ares snorted.
"Feelings? You mean lust, Uncle Hades."
Hades turned to Ares, his torch flashing menacingly.
" Be careful, nephew. My patience with you is wearing thin.".
Ares took a step back, but Zeus stood up, slamming his scepter down.
" Enough, Hades, You will not threaten my son in my palace."
Hades' eyes blazed with fury, but he remained calm, voice low and deadly.
"I'll say this once, Zeus and the rest of you Olympus gods can listen, No one touches a hair on that girl, Lyra is under my protection now, harm her, and you'll face the full wrath of the Underworld."
With that, Hades turned and walked away.