There have been many debates about religion, who is the true and

real god or gods as the case may be. People follow one religion
assuming that this is the only way it could be. Has anyone ever
thought that there could be more than one set of gods? Maybe there
are two groups that exist and they are in somewhat of a
disagreement over who should rule their most prized possession.
Something which was forged long ago, something forged by the
creator of the gods, what if it was true to say that the Greeks and
the Vikings had got it right; and that the Olympians and the Aesir
were at war.

The thing about the gods that neither the Greeks nor the Vikings
knew was that if something is put on earth it cannot be taken back
by a god’s hand.
“I have called you all here today to discuss the matter of the Aesir,
over the centuries they have caused us many a trouble, we must
find a way to destroy these bloodthirsty tyrants, they have sent
followers to slaughter countless followers of ours. Now this has
caused our followers to lose faith and become more fearful. They
fear prayer, and without prayer an Olympian is powerless, I implore
anyone with a possible solution to speak out”, Zeus said in as close
to a pleading voice as the god of gods could muster.
Apollo god of the sun, raised himself from his marble throne the
golden ruffles of his tunic slightly straightening out as he stood, and
said “Maybe we should start anew on a different world, let the Aesir
have this one, I suspect man will never know we left, they will
simply replace coincidence with miracle”.
“Ridiculous, that is not an option; I will not be seen as a coward!”
Shouted Ares god of war, who then proceeded to straighten his dark
crimson helm and dust off his chain mail.
“What would you have me do Ares, if the gods were to battle it
would crack the very fabrics of space”, Zeus said warily. Ares said
down again, his morale had been temporarily beaten by this
statement.
“And what of our champions, so many there have been: Hercules,
Theseus, Perseus, and Kratos. Could we not call upon them?”
Aphrodite goddess of love asked. “If we use them to defeat the
Viking armies then people will lose faith in the Aesir and they will no
longer fear prayer”, Aphrodite exclaimed.
“But they alone could not defeat a whole army” Zeus said.
“They must build an army, unite our followers” Ares said
triumphantly, his confidence renewed.
“All are dead” whispered a strained voice, a cackling sound
resembling laugher followed. “You forget my lords” Hades said as he
slowly approached the centre of the assembly. His blood red eyes
swallowed their faces, he sneered at them, “you see, my friends” he
said sarcastically “all of those heroes are mortals have died of old
age, sickness, and accidental causes”.
“Natural causes!” Poseidon god of the waves and waters bellowed

Rokee Rafferty
jovially. “At least that’s what they call them on good old terra firma,
of course I’m not entirely a fan of the terra part” he whispered to his
son Macyados, his son smiled thoroughly entertained.
“Always the jester” Hades murmured under his breath. The
assembly was awkwardly silent. Zeus clicked his fingers and a
throne appeared made of black marble. Hades bowed slightly
towards Zeus and then sat down on his throne. “My lord” he hissed
“I have a solution to your problem, we must find a new champion, a
new hero, and in order to do this we must hold a tournament which
will-
“Don’t trust this evil dog! He who sweeps the streets for dead rats!
He who drinks a goblet of souls!” interrupted Ares; he was once
again standing up and was red in the face with anger. Zeus made a
movement with his head which implied agreement. “You all
remember how his snaked words poisoned our mind in a time when
we were vulnerable, just like this,” Ares was no longer shouting but
his voice was raced and he had the air and stance of a politician
who was trying to sway and influence the masses, to some avail.
Some of the lesser gods sitting on connecting benches of marble
behind the assembly murmured in agreement. “So if he tricked us
then and convinced us to release the Kraken, then what villainy lies
in wait shrouded by his good will? He uttered, if I am not mistaken,
words of a tournament, so he wishes for our followers to fight
amongst themselves, to cause their own extinction, Zeus,” Ares
pointed his finger squarely at Hades “I smell villainy” and with that
Ares bowed low to Zeus and left the assembly hall.

Rokee Rafferty