The Start of a Great Conflict

Mankind has always owed their existence to the gods, after all it was the gods who made their world what it was. It was the gods who provided warmth and light with the sun. It was the gods that gave them rain and crops. And it was the gods that cared for their departed souls after death. For millennia, the gods of various pantheons watched over their followers, guiding them to greatness and ensuring their survival and advancement and in return, mankind would pay their tributes and worship to their gods, and order was preserved.

But as time went on, and the various egos of the gods began to clash, as mankind learned of the existence of the various pantheons causing some to shift their devotion from their gods. Thus the arena of the gods was formed. There the gods would battle eachother. A sort of "friendly competition" if you will. The gods pitted their own divine powers against one another in a vain effort to prove their superiority. Such competitions, however, caused much chaos and destruction on the mortal plane, causing many floods, earthquakes and other disasters. And as the gods would soon find out, their own petty squabbles would soon lead to a great conflict that few gods would see coming.

It is here we turn our attention to Mt. Olympus, home of the Greek Pantheon, it is here that our story begins, here were a the conflict would spark...

Mt. Olympus

"What a fine fight that was!" Laughed the High Father, Odin.

"Indeed it was. Those fools stood no chance against us." Replied Zeus, the god of the skies.

"A smart strategy summoning a lighting storm over may ring of spears."

"But of course, no one should escape this detonate!"

"I say a celebration is in order." Odin said proudly.

"I couldn't agree more my friend, what do you say we go to Valhalla and feast like the kings we are?"

"A fine idea Zeus."

Just then the duo's merriment was interrupted as a blond haired goddess, clad in armor walked into Zeus' throne room, with a rather grim look on her face.

"Excuse me father..." She said somewhat somber.

Zeus turned.

"Ah Athena, what troubles you my daughter?"

Athena seemed hesitant at first but then pointed towards the balcony of Olympus. "You might want to see something..."

Zeus and Odin looked over at eachother, somewhat confused. What possibly could be so bad at this time of celebration? Alas the duo walked over to the balcony and looked over at the land of Greece. Their first sight was that of a scorched land and ruined cities. Zeus and Odin could hardly believe what they were seeing.

"How did this happen?!" Zeus said in disbelief.

"Your last battle in the arena caused a massive storm Father, and that isn't even the worst of it..." Athena then pointed out towards the distance. In a nearby city the mortals were tearing down a temple of worship, Zeus nearly crushed the rail in his fist.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?! THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!" Black storming clouds formed over Olympus as Zeus yelled at the top of his lungs.

"F-Father please," Athena said desperately trying to calm Zeus. "control yourself."

"Control myself?! Do you not see what those ingrate mortals are doing?! After all I've done for them, they defy me like this?!"

"Calm please my friend," Odin said trying to ease the king of Olympus. "they're likely just angry about the destruction."

"Oh they think that's destruction?!" A thunderbolt then formed in Zeus' hand. "I'll show them destruction!"

"Father, that isn't the way to handle this, if you terrorize them more, you'll just loose more followers." Athena said grabbing her father's arm.

Zeus continued to breathe heavily, clearly seething. "This is bad..." Odin said watching the destruction.

"This kind of insurrection may have spread to other lands." Odin then whistled as a chariot drawn by snow white steeds came in for a landing. "I must return to Asgard, I have to see if anything like this has occurred with my followers."

Word of the insurrection in Greece spread quickly among the gods, but it was soon discovered Zeus and the Olympians were not the only ones loosing followers. All around the world, humanity was turning against the gods. From South America, to Egypt, to China, and even India, mankind seemed to be rebelling against the heavens themselves. Of course the gods would react accordingly.

"This will not stand! We've given those mortals so much, and yet they defy us like this?!" Zeus yelled looking over the edge of Olympus. "They must be punished for this treachery."

"Now hold on Zeus, the destruction of their world is the reason for this insurrection, if we destroy their world more, what good would that do?" Odin replied.

"They brought this upon them when they first questioned our power, they only have themselves to blame for the destruction of their cities."

"But it was our battles that brought the destruction Zeus, don't you see? We can't punish humanity for our own mistake."

"Our mistake?! Are you blaming me for whats happening?!"

"I'm just saying we shouldn't immediately jump to force."

"Then what would you have us do Odin?" Zeus said somewhat sarcastic.

"Perhaps if we were to earn back their trust we could regain our followers."

"You expect me to cater to some lowly mortals? I am a god, I will not stoop so low as to beg mortals for their worship!"

Odin shook his head and began to take his leave.

"We will speak again Zeus, when you are in more of a mind to listen.."

Zeus sneered as he turned back to look back at the land of Greece.

"The mortals Will pay for this..."