The Council of Terra - Part 7

⛓Mother, Mother⛓

TW: 18+ | Slight Descriptions of Violence | Mature Language

Hestia Lorenz

PT 394, Dimension Y-496

Hestia was in the bathroom, which she’d locked. She looked into the mirror, attuning every feature of hers so that she wouldn’t be identified as the Hestia of this universe. To be safe, she bought a temporary blonde dye for her hair so she’d be unrecognizable from the only other obvious redhead in Olympus. She tied up her blonde locks in a messy bun atop her head, instead of the usual top knot ponytail she attempted.

She changed into a form-fitting dress that hugged her figure. Unlike most of her family, she’d always been very skinny. It was always something she loathed about herself. Skinny in the wrong areas, fat in the wrong areas. She thought she’d look odd compared to the average olympian person, who wasn’t opposed to showing off a bit of weight.

Thoughts of Enzo flashed through her mind as she traveled up the stairs to Zeus’ castle, which was actually aptly named, “The Heart”. It’d been so long since she’d felt things like this. She felt like a husk of a human for so much of her life. So then what was truly being human? Freedom? She shirked the thoughts that came to ensnare her. Mostly anger at herself for lying. For causing the injury of the only person Enzo seemed to truly care about.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs she saw that the castle doors were wide open. Zeus was either overconfident, stupid, or both. Hestia came to the conclusion that Olympus has, and always has been a protected area, so what do the gods have to fear?

The castle was a sight to behold. She felt like a doll inside of a ginormous labyrinth. Zeus’ color choices were somewhat bland, opting for a gray with yellow hues. The castle was silent, the only noise came from the occasional crackling of a fireplace. Hestia got close, taking in the wonderful heat in the frigid castle. When a voice called from the other room.

“Hello? Who is there? We weren’t expecting company today.”

It was Phobos. He was dressed in ceremonial Olympian robes. Hestia didn’t quite recognize him, but she realized it would be rude and suspicious if she asked his name.

“Wow, an Olympian I have never seen? I can smell the power radiating off of you. What’s your name? Who are you associated with?”

“I’m an idiot.” Hestia immediately scolded herself. “Uhm…I’m with Dionysus.”

“Dionysus? He’s always an enigmatic one. Let me guess, are you one of The Graces?”

Hestia nodded.

“Could stand to have a bit more meat on your bones. I suppose it doesn’t matter! Let us eat!” Phobos announced as he pulled Hestia into the dining room. The chairs and table were plated with a gold hue, and food was being carted out and served to the other children of the Olympians.

Upon the sight of the food, Hestia felt like she’d never been hungrier in her life. The smoke from the collection of steamed bread, meat, and soup floated into the air, creating a hazy cloud that filled the room with an amalgamation of delicious smells. She decided to blend in and begin to eat.

“Hello everyone, how’s the food? Did I do a good job?” a voice vibrated across the room, causing Hestia’s eyes to widen with awe. It was her. A perfect, spitting image of herself in all of her glory. This is the Olympian Hestia that reminded her so much of herself. She was beautiful, her orange hair was expertly groomed, it elegantly wrapped and flowed down her body. She dressed modestly, in a red cloak that kept her warm.

Everyone nodded and cheered for her in appreciation. Except for Hestia, who sat in awe with her mouth full. Phobos looked at her in wonderment. He nudged her to show some appreciation for the goddess who had slaved away in the kitchen for them.

“The food is really good, thanks!” Hestia responded halfheartedly.

Hestia took a good look at her Olympian double, when it hit her. If she was truly alive, and Olympus was a safe place for gods…

Maybe Mom was alive.

She was ready to burst from her chair and ask, but that would be far too suspicious. So she had to wait in the hopes that perhaps Rhea would come from the kitchen too. Rhea, who was able to supply her with the upbringing that she’d always wanted. That was as good a motivation as any.

“I’m sorry to announce that all the Olympians are out spectating the Tournament of The Gods today. I am the only Olympian who will be in attendance for your dinner today. Please come talk to me if anything is needed!” Olympian Hestia said.

She even spoke better than Hestia herself. She was fully sure of herself. Every word, every action. This was carried with her as she carried herself away and back into the kitchen.

Hestia was ready to run after her to ask about the current status of her life. “I guess I’ll have to find out once I replace her…” She thought.

The coming party was as awkward as ever. Phobos eyed her as she slunk around, trying to fit in with the young gods. Hestia didn’t know that much about actual Olympian history, nor about Olympian Hestia’s arrangements as a god. She figured since she was an outsider, she’d have to act like one herself. All she knew about Dionysus was from some popular pop song that used to play as she grew up, so she’d use that to her advantage. Dionysus wasn’t known to always be around Olympus, so why would someone like her?

She spoke to Perseus, who seemed to be watching the party intently with a drink in hand. She recognized him as the god who beheaded Medusa. After this, he felled many monsters according to mythos. So she kept her distance while also offering her hand.

“Hello, you are a son of Zeus, are you not?” Hestia put on her best impression of the way Olympians spoke.

“That’s right. What of it?” He responded coldly.

“Well, I’m new here, I don’t usually come to Olympus since Dionysus travels so much. Can you tell me more about the Olympians? I’ve never seen or heard of this Hestia person before.” Hestia fibbed.

Perseus still looked on at Hestia with confusion. “Surely you must’ve heard about Hestia. She’s probably the kindest Olympian I know. She was the child of titans Cronus and Rhea, and she tends to the Hearth here. She’s always been a central figure here at The Heart, her duties here are quite large, so she doesn’t leave often. She’s either tending to the Hearth, teaching in the school down below, or cooking for guests.”

“Ha. Another prison.” Hestia repented. “Child of Rhea?” She nearly shouted, trying not to cause too much of a ruckus. “Where is Rhea? Is she still alive?!”

Perseus nearly laughed. “No. She was locked away with the rest of the titans. The Olympians had a war with the titans, and they were locked away in Tartarus.”

“What…?” Hestia asked with tears forming in her eyes. “Mom’s locked away, forever, in hell?”

“I knew there was something wrong with you.” A voice shouted.

It was Phobos. He snatched Hestia up by the hair, causing her to let out a shriek, Perseus began to draw his blade.

“Don’t take another step, Perseus. She’s not who you think she is! I’ve seen the way she walks around this party, as if she thinks she's one of us! Look again!”

Phobos lifted a large bucket of water from his side. He had heated it to a lukewarm temperature with his powers. Hestia struggled, praying for her hair dye to stay intact. She struggled and fought, but Phobos was far too strong for her to even move, especially without ripping her own hair from her scalp.

All the other children watched in confusion as Phobos ragdolled her. He threw her to the ground, and splashed the hot water on her. It did just enough to mostly remove the blonde hair dye she had roughly put on. It exposed her red hair, falling out in streaks. Her makeup was removed as well, revealing freckles that matched those of Olympian Hestia’s.

“She looks just like Miss Hestia…” A voice gasped.

“Who really are you…?” Phobos questioned harshly. The God of Fear lifted her up by the neck, beginning to squeeze the life from her until he could get a real answer. “Who dares to imitate one of our own?!”

“Phobos! Let her go!” A new voice pierced through the air.

“Are you serious? Why is she here?” Hestia thought at the sight of the goddess.

It was the one who started everything, The Goddess of Earth, Terra