A Death Up Above - Chapter 3

“So the mortal world is evolving faster and faster every day, do we let them evolve or try to intervene?” Zeus asks the council of gods.

“I’d say intervene.” Morrigan the goddess of war states. “There are many nations at war right now. If we push them towards each other, technology will be put at a standstill.”

“Or have technology be advanced even further.” Shango the god of storms replies. “Why not have nature take its course and ruin technology altogether?”

“There would be no point in that.” Zeus says. “We don’t want to ruin the mortal world, we only want to put it on pause.”

“Let them evolve then.” Mars the god of war states. “No point of putting them at war because of technology alone.”

“It’s settled then, on to our next topic of discussion.” Zeus states. “There was an incident outside of the council building.”

“We all heard Zeus.” Atlas the god of strength replies. “What happened out there?”

“One of our own had gotten involved apparently.”

“Who?”

“What had even ha-”

“Enough!” Zeus yells, capturing all of the gods’ attention. “Someone had mistaken one of us as another spirit. He attempted something, but was apprehended and sent to hell once spotted.”

“Ha! Let him rot!” Ares, another god of war, yells.

“I second that.” Mars says while nodding at Ares, who nods back.

“What are you saying?” Achlys says at the end of the council room. She walks over towards one of the windows and pulls the curtains to the side and shows the rest of the gods the old man, who is still on the ground, crying. “He’s been there for hours, mourning the loss of his son, and you people laugh?”

“Ay.” Mars stands and walks towards Achlys. “We are not just people, we are gods, of this realm and all the realms.”

“Are you kidding me?” Achlys pushes Mars off as the rest of the gods stand. “What if that was you? He just lost his son for the second time, not just once. He died and came here, waits decades before he can even see his son, and loses him again. The only person he had left and you people laugh?”

“Of course you would say that.” Morrigan says. “You are the legitimate embodiment of sadness and misery. A god, one of us. Yet no one even knows who you are down there.”

“That’s enough Morrigan.” Zeus intervenes.

“Why would someone pray to you?” Morrigan says walking closer to Achlys. “You’re just some sad little girl trapped in a realm of gods, and you can’t leave, because everyone here knows you already tried.”

“ENOUGH!” Zeus yells as he gets in between the two.

“She’s right.” Achlys says. “I can’t take this anymore. But you think you have power Morrigan?”

“Achlys don-”

“No Zeus, don’t even start.” Achlys coldly replies. “You don’t have any power, because we all know who does. It’s not you, it’s not Zeus, and it’s definitely not me.”

“No one cares about you Achlys. You have been forgotten.” Morrigan replies entertained by Achlys’ anger.

“They say you die twice, once when you go to heaven, twice when the last person who remembers you forgets you. I died twice long ago, yet here I still stand.” Achlys says lifelessly. “I can’t stand being in a room with devils in disguise. So do yourselves a favour. Never remember me, because there’s no way in hell you’ll ever see me again.” Achlys runs off out of the council building.

“Achlys! Morrigan I’ll deal with you later.” Zeus says as he goes after Achlys.

“I’ll be waiting.” Morrigan says joyfully.