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The Immortal Heart	By : amandalee Category: 1 through F > Clash of the Titans (2010) > Clash of the Titans (2010) Views: 7819 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: We do not own Clash of the Titans or the characters portrayed in this story, and we make no money from writing this.

Chapter List
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Chapter 60

"Olympus... Though I was born there, I have no memory of it," Hestia mused a few hours into the group's journey toward what was to be their new home.

"Me neither," Demeter replied, taking her sister's free hand.

With the exception of Zeus, who had been born in a cave in Mount Ida on Crete, all five siblings shared the same birth place. Though they had no memory of it, their first hours on Gaia's earth had been spent on top of the glorious mountain. Only Zeus had actually seen the mountain and their father's stronghold with his own eyes, and he had not been sparse with details when telling tales of it to his family.

"The ceiling alone is high enough to almost reach the skies," he had said. "There is no equal to it on this earth."

Of course the fortress had been built in order to let titans pass, and was thus larger than the Olympians' old home, but most of Zeus' siblings believed he was exaggerating just a bit. Soon the answer regarding the content of truth in Zeus' tales would be revealed.

Hades was more than a little anxious about settling in where titans had once - and not so long ago - been living. He had been shielded from the monsters' cruelty until recently, and before then he had known very little about them. What if a few titans - or perhaps even more of them - still dwelled on Olympus? He had no desire to see any of their kind again, even though the ones responsible for his torment had been dealt with.

As he considered such fears, he felt a comforting arm around his shoulders. Zeus’ beard tickled him as he was kissed on the temple of his face.

“Are you nervous?” Zeus asked. He did not even need to ask. He could recognize most of Hades’ emotions easily at present time, especially the ones which darkened the elder god’s features.

“I am,” Hades replied. “What if there really are titans at Olympus?”

“They know that Cronos is gone, and that I now rule over them,” the younger Olympian said with a reassuring smile. “And if they deny such submission, then I shall deal with them. Compared to our father they are nothing.”

Hades wanted to believe his brother so badly, but doubt had always been strong in his mind. He merely wrapped his arm around Zeus and squeezed, receiving a hug in return.

“Is that it up there?” Chiron’s voice interrupted their interactions, and the half-god pointed at a distant structure, high up on a mountain of such quality which could only be described as otherworldly. The traveling group stopped, staring at the sight and Zeus grinned.

“I could swear that we have arrived,” Chiron stated.

Zeus nodded. “We have.”

"I hope I can at least get my own chambers this time around..." Hera was heard muttering. "And my own bed."

"I believe that can be arranged," Zeus replied casually. "At least I hope so, for the sake of our poor sister."

Everyone except Hera responded with laughter to Zeus' jest, but the eldest goddess herself was not amused. Staring daggers at Zeus and his "betrothed", walking with their arms around each other, she wondered how it could have come to this. Until the Olympian leader's strange and revolting infatuation with Hades, she had been his most treasured sibling. Hera had counted on being chosen as his consort, only to be left to watch her dreams gradually falling apart.

Hades must have cast a spell on Zeus, she thought. A spell that must be broken.

After another few hours of walking, the gods began drawing nearer to their destination. The hills grew steeper, and climbing them became more arduous. Though Cerberus' presence was not appreciated by everybody, Zeus was glad to have the three-headed creature with them as a beast of burden. Bringing the animal with them all the way to the top of Olympus, however, was not something he was sure he wanted to do.

Suddenly Chiron spoke up. "I am sorry, my friends, but I must leave you soon. My hooves were not made for climbing mountains."

Poseidon, who had remained very silent ever since his altercation with Zeus, spoke up once more.

“But where will you go?” he asked. “You cannot simply wait down here alone while we investigate the fortress.”

“You may send a nymph to inform me of whatever happens upon your arrival,” the centaur replied. His smile was one of amusement. Did Poseidon actually believe that the half-god would be going with him above the clouds?

“My place has always been in the woods. I do not know if you noticed, but the indoor setting was never to my liking.”

Poseidon blinked as he looked aside, visibly embarrassed of his foolishness. “I do not suppose you will do much visiting.”

Chiron grinned and reached forward with one arm, pulling the god into a hearty embrace. “I will miss you too. But next time you come down from Olympus, send a messenger my way. The hunting here is excellent.”

Poseidon managed a small smile and his siblings joined in wishing the centaur farewell. Turning towards the forests, Chiron galloped off and was gone within seconds. Poseidon stared at the wooded areas where the half-god had disappeared until a small hand intertwined with his. He turned and saw Hestia was smiling at him with sympathy. Poseidon squeezed the hand in appreciation and they joined their family, searching for a way to ascend the mountain.

"It looks awfully steep..." Hades said, glancing up toward the massive mountain whose top he could not even see. The idea of plunging to his death from somewhere in between entered his mind, and he shivered.

"Worry not, dear one," Zeus replied reassuringly. "We won't have to resort to outright rock climbing. There is a passage, carved into the centre of the mountain by the titans. We should be able to locate it."

Hades breathed a sigh of relief, and so did a couple of his sisters. The idea of having to risk life and limb getting to and fro their new home was not appealing in the least, and it was comforting to know that such would not be required.

Zeus' memory of the terrain was still fairly accurate, even though many long years had passed since his previous visit to his father's keep. Zeus could remember the fear and nervousness he had felt when, as a young god, preparing to confront his father and wondering if he would end up sharing his siblings' grim fate.

"The entrance to the passageway should be here, somewhere..." Zeus murmured, subjecting the mountainside to a thorough search. He found it after many ifs and buts, which had made him fear the titans no longer used the passage and had closed it off.

Covered by a large, flat rock, partially concealed by ivy and moss, the entrance finally made itself known to Zeus.

“I do not think even several pairs of hands together could move this rock,” he stated, glancing at the well worn place where the rock had obviously been rolled to every time a titan used the doorway. “Perhaps a certain skill can be applied, brother.”

Poseidon again had become quiet, but realized he was the one being addressed. He lifted an eyebrow. “What skill is that, I wonder?” he asked.

“Your trident causes tremors in the earth,” Zeus answered. “If you used it on the doorway, we may be able to get in.”

“Am I to be trusted then?” Poseidon said, doubt still marking his features. “Or perhaps you would like to try using the trident a second time. After all, I may cause a rock slide. I am so irresponsible and careless after all…”

Zeus, clearly not amused, frowned irritably at his brother. “That is in the past, and I am asking for your help now. I would not simply ask you to do this if I did not have faith in your abilities. Now, will you do this for us or not?”

“If I did not, we would all be sitting out here for the rest of the day,” Poseidon replied, holding back a roll of the eyes. “But be ready to run in case this ends disastrously.”

“We have faith in you too, brother,” Demeter called out as she and their siblings stepped away and gave him space.

Poseidon knew that a brutal stab into the side of the mountain would indeed bring nothing but disaster. All he and his family wanted was to open the doorway. A feat like this required a little more precision. Very carefully, he pressed the three points of his weapon into the rocky ground beneath the massive stone and concentrated. Cerberus whined a few moments before the Olympians could hear the rumbling for themselves. Much smaller rocks rolled down the mountainside, but were easy to avoid. The tremors caused by the trident seemed to focus only where Poseidon wished it to.

“Well done,” Zeus said as the stone door rolled, finally coming to a stop against the wall and leaving the passage open. “Very well done."

Poseidon muttered a half-hearted "thank you" and the small group carefully entered the dark passageway. Hades had to tug hard on Cerberus' collar to make the three-headed beast enter with them, but the creature was clearly intent on not straying from Hades' side and finally complied, staying docile.

"I cannot see anything..." Hera grumbled, her hand harshly gripping the arm of the person closest to her. This happened to be Demeter, and she groaned in discomfort when her sister's long fingernails dug into her flesh.

"This should help," Zeus said, and a small yet very bright ball of lightning appeared in his hand. The crackling ball of energy lit up far more than any ordinary torch would have done, allowing the group to see where they put their feet. Hades walked beside Zeus, tempted to seize his betrothed's hand if not for the fear of Zeus' powers reacting badly to the contact.

"How far is it?" Hades asked, trying to sound neutral. He did not want to admit that the unknown darkness of the passage was bothering him, making him conjure up various grisly images of what could be hiding in the shadows. Mostly these images resembled Atlas, in one way or another.

"Are you weary, brother?" Zeus asked in return, stroking his mate's hair. "If so, perhaps you can ride on Cerberus for a while?"

"Oh no, that won't be necessary," Hades quickly said. "I was only---"

A cry could be heard from Hera, drowning out the rest of Hades' words. The eldest goddess was flailing frantically at something, and a high-pitched shriek, quickly accompanied by several just like it, followed the ruckus.

"Hera, calm down!" Demeter hollered, hurrying to her sister's side. "It is only a bat!"

“Oh surely it is all well and good for you to say that,” Hera snapped at her. “You were not to one it flew into! It nearly took my face off!”

“I am certain that was not its intent, dear sister,” Zeus said, trying his best to sound civil. “I doubt that many titans have used this tunnel after our war with them. Our presence is likely a great surprise to whatever lurks here.”

And if she shrieks any further, Hades thought crossly, they will retaliate.

Cerberus remained at Hades’ side, dragging the makeshift cart, and its leftmost head leaned against the god’s arm, a wordless request for a scratch on the ear. Hades automatically obeyed, and he felt safe to have both Cerberus and Zeus at either side. He continued to scratch the beast’s ear while he leaned his head against his beloved’s shoulder.
Two hours passed until sunlight peeked around the curve of the tunnel once more. Zeus closed his fingers and the light vanished from his hand, but he knew he may need his lightning again very soon, should something await them at the fortress… something unfriendly.

“Quiet now,” he said softly as the group approached the end. “In case we are not given a warm welcome.”
Though the fortress could be considered beautiful, a haunting air hung about the empty place. None were in sight, and the silence left everyone feeling vaguely uneasy.

The passageway had led onto the courtyard, which was surrounded by tall, magnificent structures on all sides. The fortress was obviously built with functionality and security in mind rather than aesthetics, for even though the seemingly endless walls were more than sufficient to wield off attackers, very little had been spent on adornments or decorations. The walls, built in solid obsidian rock, were naked and unwelcoming.

Hades shivered. He was not sure he would ever be able to consider this place his home.

"It seems to be deserted," Zeus said, only stating the obvious. "We should explore the interior."

"This place was built to house titans," Poseidon commented. "We cannot expect anything to be in a suitable size for us."

"That will be easily remedied," Zeus replied confidently. "Building new furniture will be the least of our worries. Besides, I am sure that some of us will greatly enjoy the comforts of an oversized bed."

"Not if we have to use ladders to get up on it," Poseidon said, chuckling, and some of his siblings joined in.

Zeus approached what he believed was the gateway inside the fortress when Cerberus' three heads suddenly perked up, all six nostrils flaring as if the beast had smelt something. Hades tried in vain to hold his guardian back when Cerberus set off toward a tunnel, which was sure to lead to the source of the smell.

“Cerberus, for goodness sake, come back!” Hades called out, running after the beast. “You will spill our belongings! At least slow down!”

Zeus, not even bothering to call after his brother, joined in the pursuit, sword removed from its sheath. Once he could catch up with the animal, he could cut the bonds loose which fastened Cerberus to the cart. In addition, he was determined to be prepared should they run into anyone or anything which would not be pleased with the gods’ arrival.

“Should we follow?” Hestia asked. Hera did not so much as look her way, arms crossed and eyes glancing elsewhere. However, Demeter and Poseidon shrugged and joined in the chase, though at a much slower pace.

Cerberus finally slowed when it realized its godly companion was following, and it looked up with a near innocent curiosity, as though it had no idea why it should stop. Undoing the bonds connecting the animal to the cart, Hades scratched the ears of another head.

“Very good,” Hades said with a smile. “Now, if you could—”

The beast did not allow Hades to finish. Once again it bounded away, in the direction of the source of this odor, which grew stronger as the group came closer.

“I suppose your protector has found something of interest,” Zeus said as he ran by Hades’ side, sword still drawn. A faint smile was on the youngest god’s face, as though he found pleasure in the search. Hades could not help smiling either.

“I think I know what he is following,” Hades said. “I think I smell smoke.”

“I am not surprised, in a place as high up as this,” Zeus replied. “Someone has a fire going, likely to keep warm. Hopefully someone we may call a friend.”

"You believe there might be titans here?" Hades asked, his alarm obvious in his voice. "What if they---"

"If there are, and they turn out to be hostile, then I will deal with them accordingly," Zeus replied. "You have nothing to be worried about, brother. Now calm down."

Despite his youngest sibling's reassurance, Hades discovered that staying calm was easier said than done. His pulse beat like a hammer beneath his skin, and on top of everything, Hades felt a pressing need to empty his bladder.

The tunnel led into a vast, lush orchard which harbored trees and plants grown to at least twice their usual size. Zeus had seen it before and was thus aware of the titans' practice of adapting their surroundings to their monstrous size. Present in the garden amongst others were several apple trees grown to the size of large pine trees, and a collection of sun flowers that were easily three times Zeus' height.

Finding the garden in such pristine condition confused the Olympian leader. Cronos and his cohorts had been gone from their previous home for weeks, and yet someone had clearly managed the orchard with great care and enthusiasm. After weeks of being abandoned, weed of all kinds should have taken over the garden, but there was barely any to be found.

Cerberus had apparently found the source of the odor; the beast itself had disappeared out of sight, but its frenzied barking could be heard from behind a stone wall which sealed off a portion of the garden. Coincidentally, smoke could be seen rising from behind that same wall.

“I will retrieve him,” Hades offered, rushing toward the sound of the barking. “Were there any real trouble, he would be growling.”

Still considering the impressive flora of the gardens, Zeus nodded and slowly followed. His pace was slower, and he felt a little more at ease in this place than he expected to. The flowers reminded him of his mother, and inspired him to reason that any titans left over from the war could not be evil like Cronos. The garden made him feel… home.

“Have you found him?” he asked, still surveying his surroundings. When he received no reply from his brother, he turned his head and realized Hades was not even paying attention to him.
Hades had stopped at a huge archway in the garden, frozen in place as though part of the garden itself, staring at something past the wall.

“Brother, what…” Zeus trailed off when something reflected the sunlight on the ground beneath Hades’ feet. A small translucent puddle was forming. Zeus’s eyes followed the stream from which the fluid came, up the older god’s leg.

What Zeus could not yet see past the archway was what had terrified Hades to the point of losing control of his bladder. The fact that the figure sitting amongst the flora was patting Cerberus’ back made no impression on the god’s vision. And the softer, distinguishable features of the titan made no real difference, not when the eyes were still so powerful in Hades’ memory. To Hades, this creature was Atlas, returned from death and now looking right at him, smiling.

“Well hello there,” the thing with Atlas’ eyes said. “What is your name?”

When it received no answer, the familiar monster stood up, and took a step towards the Olympian. This was when Hades screamed and, stumbling as he turned to run, found himself scrambling on hands and knees to get away.

Now Cerberus was growling, having sensed the distress of its charge, a very obvious warning to the titan it seemed to have recognized. The giant - identical to Atlas even in size - took a frightened step back with its hands raised.

"I was not going to harm you, little mite!" he exclaimed, surprised at the sheer terror the much smaller being was exhibiting. "What are you doing here?"

Zeus hurried to reach his panicking mate, taking his shivering brother in his arms and holding him close. Most of his attention, however, was not focused on the elder god. While his hands soothingly caressed dark tresses and his mouth murmured words of reassurance, his eyes were trained on the being which had caused this terror in his brother.

"Zeus?" the titan asked, having recognized the Olympian leader even though Zeus could not put a name on the titan. However, the fact that bore a startling resemblance to the vile and bloodthirsty Atlas and frightened Hades half to death were reasons enough for Zeus to treat him as a threat.

"Who are you, and why are you here?" he growled, removing his right hand from Hades' form. Immediately lightning crackled to life from it.

"I give you my word, I did not mean any harm..."

Zeus was presently not interested in the titan's apologies or explanations. "Who are you, beast? Speak!"

"My name is Prometheus," the titan said, looking slightly hurt at being referred to as a beast. "And this is my home. Perhaps you would care to tell me why you are here, now that you know my name."

Zeus did not bother to answer the titan's question. Instead he asked one more of his own. "Are you a brother of Atlas?" he asked, already knowing what answer to expect.

"Why, yes..." Prometheus replied, his features taking on a rather disgusted scowl. "Have you had dealings with him?"

Zeus cocked an eyebrow to the titan’s reaction.“I have. In a way we all have.”

Prometheus nodded, as though he were not surprised with the god’s answer. “He may be of his own control, to do what he pleases, but still…” The titan’s face was marked by regret, perhaps even guilt. “… he is my brother. For that I am sorry for whatever he has done to you…” he glanced at Hades, who now shivered and hid his face in Zeus’ shoulder. “… as well as your own.”

“I appreciate the apology,” Zeus stated grimly, one hand still stroking his brother’s hair. “But I doubt your guilt could ever take the place of the punishment I supplied him.”

Realization dawned on Prometheus’ visage. “He is dead?”

“At present time… he wishes he was.”

Again the titan nodded, accepting of his brother’s fate. “For the best. He may have been a favorite of Cronos, and an able warrior. But I was never proud to be kin to him.”

“One could say you are all kin to one another,” Zeus noted. For a brief moment the lightning gathered in his hand glowed brighter. “I do not remember seeing you among the titans left alive after the battle.”

“I was not present.” The more Prometheus spoke, the more Zeus noticed the difference in this titan’s voice from that of his brother. His speech was softer, not nearly the biting, gleefully callous tone of Atlas. The titan brothers had much in common, but also much in distinction.

“I abandoned the journey to the battlefield rather quickly,” Prometheus continued. “It may sound like the choice of a coward, but I knew this was a war I wanted no hand in. I returned here instead, took care of the gardens. I like the quiet. The peace."

Zeus raised an eyebrow. "You were lucky to make such an escape. Had Cronos caught you deserting, he would have had your head."

"Cronos likely never even noticed my departure," Prometheus said. "I served him, but we never got on. Neither did Atlas and myself, I might add..." For a moment Prometheus looked wistful, but his visage hardened quickly when thinking back on his cruel brother.

"Atlas may have been my brother, but I never shared his love of carnage," he explained. "I have always enjoyed creating rather than destroying. Most of what can be found here are creations of mine." He looked around the magnificent orchard, a look of pride in his eyes. "And, I might add, so is he."

The titan glanced down at Cerberus, which was still standing broad-legged between Prometheus and the pair of gods. The beast had ceased growling for now, sensing no immediate threat from the big creature, but nonetheless unsettled by Hades' reaction.

Hades spoke for the first time since he had discovered the titan and mistaken the kind and peaceful soul for his monster of a brother. "You made... Cerberus?" he asked, his voice still trembling but with a hint of curiosity hidden in it.

"I did," Prometheus beamed, his pride obvious to anybody.

Prometheus glanced at the smaller god still in Zeus’ arms, but still could see no sign of his face. It saddened him to know that even sharing the blood of a monster had left Hades horrified of him. However, the lightning seemed to have dissipated from the younger god’s free hand, and the titan felt encouraged to speak again.

“Cronos thought his army required more than just titans,” he remarked. “He wanted more in the manner of beasts. So I decided I would make one beast out of several. The brute got away from us and Cronos nearly had me dismembered for my failure. I was happy our friend got away though. Clearly he has found a home with you…”

Prometheus stepped forward to pet his creation once more, but this time Cerberus, still sensing the fear of the elder god, parted lips on all three heads, baring all sets of sharp teeth. The animal did not growl, but it was clearly ready to act should it feel the need. The titan pulled back his hand, knowing not to try again anytime soon.

“Although… as you can see, he does not answer even to his own creator. He belongs only to himself.”

Zeus could see that Hades was not feeling bold enough to speak further, and he knew he should take it upon himself to lighten the mood further.

“If Cerberus were to belong to anyone, it would belong to Hades. While we did battle, it stayed by our brother’s side morning to night.”

Hades still did not look up. The immediate terror of being in Prometheus' presence had faded, and instead given way to another emotion altogether - shame. Painfully aware of having soiled himself, and how obvious this must be to everybody, he started sobbing again, wanting to disappear from the face of the earth. How badly he wished he'd had his precious helmet, whose gift, while not allowing him to disappear, at least offered something very close to that.

"Hades, dearest... Why don't you go see if our sisters can find you some clean clothes?" Zeus gently suggested. The sour stench of urine had permeated his brother's clothing, and he understood the shame it was causing Hades.

Hades nodded mutely against Zeus' shoulder and hesitantly withdrew from his brother's embrace. He shook forth his long hair to hide his tears and his burning visage and cringed at the wet, sloshing sound his robes made when he took his first plaintive steps away from Zeus.

Prometheus felt his heart ache at the sight of the sad, pitiful little god who had been frightened so badly by him. He would have wished to try to comfort Hades and apologize to him, but he had a feeling that neither Zeus nor Cerberus would appreciate such an attempt.

"I hope you don't mind my asking..." he said tentatively. "But what did my brother do to that poor little creature?"

"His name is Hades," Zeus ground out, "and I truly don't think we should be discussing it. The memories would only upset him further."

Prometheus considered the answer for only a few seconds, and looked at the ground.

“Oh.” His voice was quiet, and Zeus realized the titan knew what horrible crime Atlas had committed. “I see.”

Hades’ pace was quick as he left the gardens, barely able to endure being near Prometheus. Were he not in so deep a state of distress, he would have believed this titan to be much friendlier and well-meaning. After all, he had created Cerberus, whose true nature did not altogether match his appearance. But Hades could not think reasonably. Prometheus was Atlas’ brother, and his features, though not identical, were close enough to cause the god to panic.

Hades winced at the way his robes clung to him, the way the air cooled the fabric. He dared not look at the painfully obvious colors of the stain. He had only been wearing this robe for a few hours, and after dirtying yet another before this on the shore.

“Hades?” Demeter’s voice called to him several paces away. Hades instinctively lowered his head, allowing his hair to obscure his face a second time.

“Brother…” the goddess spoke again, and this time great concern lay within her voice. Clearly she knew Hades’ posture immediately.

Hades dared to look up as he heard his sister hurry towards him, and to his unfortunate expectation she had not separated from the rest of the Olympians. Hestia seemed ready to rush towards him as well, while Poseidon and Hera remained unmoving by the cart.

"Hades, dearest, what happened?" Demeter exclaimed, clearly shocked as shocked by Hades' appearance as their other siblings. "What...?"

"He has soiled himself!" Hera called out, her voice derisively gleeful. "Can you not see? Hades has soiled himself like a babe!"

Before the goddess could make more degrading remarks about her brother's embarrassing accident, Poseidon harshly grabbed his sister by the shoulders and shook her.

"Be quiet!" the god snarled, his eyes expressing true anger. "You have no idea what Hades has suffered at the hands of titans, so keep your wicked mouth closed!"

Hera broke free from her brother's hold, the spiteful expression gone from her visage. She refrained from making any further comments about her disgusting eldest brother, but only because she feared Poseidon might do worse than just shake her unless she obeyed.

"Did something frighten you so badly, Hades?" Demeter quietly inquired as she helped the sobbing god out of his stained clothing. That the stains were urine was something she needn't even ask; the smell and location of them were two certain giveaways.

Hades nodded mutely, his face red-streaked and flushed, and his long eyelashes lumped together by tears. Demeter did her best to cover Hades' trembling form from Hera's eyes while she searched the wagon for spare clothing.

“Sister, here,” Hestia called to her, reaching into a pack. “I’m afraid it is one of mine, but it will have to do. It should fit him, and this is what matters.”

Poseidon noted the look on Hera’s face when Hestia produced the robe. He knew she was taking pleasure in how the garment was obviously feminine, but the eldest goddess remained silent, and he was glad for it.

“I believe I have a traveling cloak among my things,” he offered, beginning to reach into his own pack.

“It is fine,” Hades interjected in a small voice as Demeter wiped his legs and feet dry while Hestia pulled the garment over his head. Indeed the robe was roomy and fit him well. He avoided looking at Hera’s expression as he smoothed the cloth. Twin tears rolled down his face and Demeter was quick to wipe them away, though the gesture did little good as more tears escaped his eyes.

“What happened, dear one?” she asked gently.

“I feel like a fool to say,” Hades admitted, avoiding her eyes.

“Did something happen?” Hestia asked, trying to be more specific than her mate. “Is Zeus alright?”

Hades nodded and took a deep breath before he was able to speak again. “There is someone else here. A titan.”

Hades could hear all three of his sisters inhale sharply. Hestia had put a hand to her mouth, and Hera's face had taken on the color of unbaked dough.

"A titan?" Demeter whispered, notably stirred. "Did he... did he make the fire?"

"Don't worry, he is friendly... I think," Hades said, somehow still doubting his own words. He had to constantly remind himself that the titan in the garden was not Atlas, just someone who bore an uncanny resemblance to him. "His name is Prometheus," he added. "And he claims to live here. He seems to like it in the gardens."

"Still... a titan?" Hestia said, and shivered. Clearly she associated the word with fear and repulsion, as had come naturally to the Olympians. "Is he... is he... large?"

Hades nodded. "Twice our height, at the very least."

"Did you speak with him?" Demeter asked, her voice still hushed. Hades suspected that she did not want said titan to overhear the conversation.

"Well... He spoke with me," Hades murmured, blushing anew. "I was... too afraid to say anything."

Hades and his sisters could hear muted conversation from behind the stone wall, likely the voices of Zeus and Prometheus. He could not make out any words, but neither had raised their voice, which seemed to suggest that the two were getting along.

"If he is friendly, perhaps we should go see him?" Hestia suggested. "I have... I've never seen a titan at close range."

At such a close proximity to her brother, Demeter could see the shiver which passed through Hades, a motion he tried to restrain. She placed a hand against his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.

“Zeus is alright,” she said with a smile. “And we shall be alright. Will you take us to our host?”
Hades wanted to say no, but he knew his fear was only from a memory and nothing more.

“It is this way,” he said, turning back to the path from where he had come. Not wanting to leave behind their belongings in case others inhabited the place, the group pulled the cart along behind them, following their eldest brother.

Zeus still seemed to be in pleasant conversation with the feared titan, and though the group was quiet as they passed the archway, Prometheus faced them and saw their arrival. The titan looked past Zeus alerting the god to their presence, and he turned to greet them with a calm smile.

“Dear brother, it is so good of you to bring the others.”

Hades managed a smile back, but once more his hair was returning to that shroud in front of his countenance. He hardly wanted to even look at Prometheus, to see those eyes so jarringly like those of his brother.

“Brother, sisters, this is Prometheus. He has been looking after Olympus since before the war, especially the gardens.”

The remaining group bowed their heads in greeting and said their hellos. Poseidon however, had been much quieter than his sisters. He too had known Atlas’ face, and as he looked upon Prometheus he now knew why Hades, whom he had found following that horrible act of cruelty, had been so terrified.

Hestia and Demeter were tempted to discuss Prometheus' appearance and his size even more so, but they were both polite enough to restrain their tongues until they could get somewhere more private. What they wondered most of all was how they could have omitted seeing the titan as soon as they entered the gardens, but then again, Prometheus had been seated.

"I believe one of my earlier questions went unanswered," the titan suddenly spoke up. "Why are you here...?"

Zeus gave his newfound acquaintance a look that suggested the answer should already be obvious. "We are moving in, naturally," he said. "This was my father's keep, and my father is dead. He has no more use for an earthly home. Our previous home was destroyed by his ilk some time before the battle, so we need a place to stay. Surely you must know of this...?"

To Zeus' great surprise, the titan actually looked pleased about the news. Prometheus' face lit up considerably, softening in a way that reduced his inherent similarity to Atlas, striking though it was.

"I have been so lonely," Prometheus explained thinking back on the long days with nothing except trees and plants for company. "It will be a pleasure to hear other voices here, except my own."

Zeus restrained his initial reaction at the very last moment. “… Oh. Well… yes,” was all he could manage at first. When he had planned for his family to inhabit Olympus, it was with gods in mind exclusively. Prometheus did not expect to truly live with them, did he?

“Zeus?”

The Olympian leader squeezed his eyes shut upon hearing the voice of Hera. He could only hope she would not say what he himself had been thinking only seconds before. After all, he had a reason – a very big and strong reason – to keep these thoughts to himself.

“We will discuss matter later,” Zeus replied to her. He gave her a dangerous look that warned her to keep her mouth shut. Hera seemed to recognize the look instantly and cleared her throat, looking up at Prometheus.

“I am curious,” she said, doing her best to sound polite. “Where are we to sleep when the beds here are made for… fellows of your size?”

Prometheus gave the question some thought, scratching his head.

“Yes, you do have a point. You would need smaller ones if you are to stay here. However, I would say that our beds are very comfortable, and I have kept the furniture clean in several areas of Olympus. If I could grant you a way to get up, then you may enjoy very large and very comfortable beds until something can be arranged otherwise.”

Snickers could be heard from Demeter and Hestia, and Hera - not so discreetly - rolled her eyes.

"I believe getting onto the beds will be the least of our worries," Zeus remarked drily. "We are quite far from helpless."

Prometheus immediately realized his error of judgment and blushed accordingly. "Yes, of course," he murmured. "My apologies to you all."

Zeus was not entirely sure whether Hades or some of the goddesses would be able to climb onto the beds unaided, but he spoke nothing of his thoughts. Instead he addressed Prometheus again.

"Where are your quarters, Prometheus?" he asked.

"In the southern wing," the titan replied with a nod in said direction. "Although I spend much of my time outdoors. The lack of life indoors disquiets me."

Raising an eyebrow at the quizzical answer, Zeus felt confident enough to make a proposal to the titan.

"Would it be a great inconvenience for you to remain outdoors until we've gotten settled in? Not that I doubt your loyalty, but my brother still finds your appearance unsettling because of what was done to him, so maybe..."

Prometheus' visage took on a look of sadness for a moment, but he did not argue the Olympian leader's suggestion. In truth he feared that if he opposed Zeus, he would not be allowed to stay on Olympus in the first place.

“As you wish, Zeus,” he finally said. “This is your home now. Is there anything else I might be able to do for you? Find you food, or…”

“We are well provided for, thank you,” Hestia said, feeling a little bolder. “But I think what we might be in need of most is a place where we can bathe and refresh ourselves.”

Demeter nodded, gripping the trembling hand of Hades, who remained by her side. Hades could barely so much as look in Prometheus’ direction.

“Will it be isolated?” he whispered in his sister’s ear.

“Somewhere remote,” Demeter added, speaking to the titan. Prometheus hardly had to consider this request.

“There are bathing quarters everywhere,” he said with a smile. “Many within the sleeping quarters. You will have more than enough privacy, and plenty of water.”

Zeus lifted an eyebrow. “Clean water?”

“You might have noticed that this mountain is very big,” Prometheus answered. “And in some places it rains more than others. After all, Cronos was master of the skies.”

Zeus gazed upwards at the clouds, regarding their pallor. “Not anymore,” he stated. Turning around, he faced his siblings. “My family,” he announced. “We are home. There is still work to be done to reshape it as needed, but for now we may rest. We have come home.”

On Zeus' request, Prometheus showed them the entrance to the fortress, which was comprised of a tall archway, constructed to let titans pass. Two heavy stone doors guarded the portal, and though Prometheus offered to help the gods by pushing them open, Zeus abruptly declined his offer.

"I need no help," he huffed, though sweat broke out on his forehead from the strain of doing the task himself. Poseidon finally offered a shoulder of his own, and slowly, followed by a gravelly noise of rock scraping against rock, the doors opened.

Cerberus was the first to poke one of his snouts through the crack between the doors, but Zeus quickly grabbed its leftmost collar almost as quickly, preventing the three-headed beast from squeezing inside.

"He stays outside," the god said firmly, finishing with a knee against the creature's behind. Cerberus whimpered, but did not make another attempt to venture inside.

"But..." Hades objected, surprised and slightly upset by Zeus' cruelty. "He'll be out here, all alone, and..."

"He won't be alone," Zeus interjected. "Prometheus will look after him, won't you, Prometheus?"

The titan hesitantly eyed his peculiar three-headed creation. "Oh well, I..."

"We cannot keep him inside, Hades," the youngest god said patiently, having noticed Hades' grief-struck expression. "He is too big and too feral. You know this."

Zeus thought, not without some dismay, of how Cerberus would probably insist on sleeping in the bed with himself and Hades if allowed to roam freely indoors.

Hades nodded, knowing that Zeus would not change his mind on the matter. He gently stroked each of Cerberus' heads in turn and promised he would visit as often as possible.

"We should at least build you a dog house," he said, concerned that his protector would not even have anywhere to seek shelter in case of bad weather. "It's the least we could do."

TBC...
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The Immortal Heart