Prologue

In the beginning, the Gods ruled the world up high on Mount Olympus. They were the Greek gods that everyone knew, loved, and feared. Zeus was the all-powerful king of the Gods, the one that tamed, ended, the titans including his father. He was the most loved and feared. When he was angry, he would throw lightning bolt just to calm himself down. Hera, his queen, was always by his side. Her beauty was unrivaled. She was by far the calmer of the two but had a dislike of the mortals due to Zeus’ philandering ways. The two of them often looked down on the mortals. Each having their own thoughts about how they lived. Zeus with amusement and Hera with contempt.

It was a normal day in the life of the gods. They all gathered together for a celebration. It wasn’t a special occasion. Zeus just wanted to gather all his immortal children together along with his brothers. Poseidon being the youngest of the three was the first one to show up on Olympus with his trident. The other gods and goddesses began to appear. The last to show were the Fates and Hades. Hades had a scowl on his face. This unnecessary party was something he hated having to be apart of.

The Fates understood the reason why Hades disliked these gatherings. Life and death never stopped. They all had their part in bringing the mortals into the world and out to the underworld. It was there at that party that Atropos had the unnatural vision. It was the first she’s ever had of the Gods, even worse of them wanting to mingle with those they deemed nothing more than entertainment. With that knowledge about the time the Gods would want to one day come down from Olympus and be amongst the mortals and something strange would happen to those that did.

Atropos being the oldest sister that seen their future, her black iris nearly matching her dark skin tone. Decided to speak with Lachesis and Clotho, pulling them aside and out of earshot from the others. She wanted to discuss this and about a plan for when this transgression was to take place. The Fates decided to open up a college, in a place just outside of a bustling city. This would be the place that each and every one of them could mix and mingle with those of the land. With their plan in place, they started to wait out for the time to come.

Lachesis with her green eyes, auburn waves, and olive skin, looked at her two sisters with apprehension. She was not sure when this would take place but trust that Atropos would make sure they all would use the time they had on land wisely. Clotho with her blue eyes, blond hair and pale skin was the one that looked more innocent like than the others. She held their hands, squeezing them tightly. To a mortal, to see them they would not resemble sisters but to see any of the gods would be to look upon a melting pot of tones and hues.

It was several Millennia before Zeus finally had the idea to take the Gods of Olympus and mingle amongst those that have forgotten them. Zeus called for the Moiria to show him the way. Atropos was the first to walk up to the dais. Followed by Lachesis and then lastly, Clotho. They each stood before him. The younger two gave him a bow, while Atropos looked at him sullenly.

“If you wish to know where we must all settle down for your whim, I can tell you. You would also need to be with those still finding themselves it would be best to be with the youth, they are the most impressionable and would help regain your following. But you must know that not every god can come off Olympus. It would leave it open to be claimed by Hades.”

“Yes, of course. Where should we settle.”

It was Lachesis that spoke next, “Atropos will warn you that only 10 Gods can go with you so you must choose wisely.”

“Sure, of course. Only 10 gods. Where will we go?” Zeus was becoming angry at the Fates as they refused to answer his question.

Clotho measured out a string signifying a set time frame. “In order for this to succeed you will need to come back to Olympus every 10 years. 10 years on earth and 10 years on Olympus.”

“FINE! WHATEVER YOU SAY. NOW TELL ME WHERE WE WILL GO?”

Atropos narrowed her eyes. “Temper, temper… father. Patience isn’t one of your strong points same as keeping it in your pants.” She crossed her arms and held a smile on her lips. “The place you and the other 6 gods will go will be here in this place.” She pointed to a place that they all have seen.

“What?! What do you mean 6 gods I am allowed 10!”

They answered together. “The 10 includes yourself and we three. That leaves 6.”

Atropos took it a step further, “One plus three equals four. Four minus 10 leaves 6.”

“You can’t come. I forbid it.”

“Forbid you cannot. Without our guidance the campus will fail and so will the fraternities and sororities we will set up in your honor.” Not to mention the horrible act that will befall on you she thought to herself.

Zeus hated when he couldn’t have his way. He clicked his tongue like a petulant child. “Whatever. Where will we set up campus?”

“I just showed you. Here on the outskirts of New Orleans. The city itself is full of life and full of mystery and intrigue. We will blend in well in this area.”

“We leave in the morning.”

“No, we can’t leave in the morning. We need to make sure that we have all that we need. Such as new names, legal documentation, correct clothing. And one other thing a campus so the fraternities can be established. Without those again it will fail.”

Lachesis and Clotho were aware of all the disaster waiting for the gods if they didn’t do everything by the book. Those three already had made the arrangement for their own integration into society. It was now time to get the other gods ready.

“Before we leave dear father, you need to decide on the gods that will go for the first ten years and the ones that will go when you return. That is if you return.”

“Atropos if you mean to threaten me then I will banish you to the underworld.”

“A threat it may be, but banishment you cannot. Without me who would warn you of the future that will inevitably take place. So, banish me. I DARE you to.” She stepped closer to him wanting him to carry out his tantrum.

Once more Zeus turned away and clicked his tongue. Such a powerful man of the gods but he could not win against the fates. They are one although they are three. The past future and present cannot exist without each other. Taking away one would only hinder the others. “Fine. Do as you please. I will choose the gods that go. After the 10 years will it need to be 6 once more or 10?”

“No, it will be 7. We cannot leave them here alone.”

Zeus stopped speaking and waved them away to ruminate on who he would bring with them. The Fates bowed to leave. Atropos turned back once more, her thick raven curls bouncing against her bare shoulders, and gave him words of advice. “Be wary of going out on full moons, lest you want to be turned.”

She left the hall of the gods behind her. Zeus eyebrows were knitted together. Her words confused him for a moment but he dismissed her warning with a snort. He was the, all power king of the god’s nothing could terrify him no one would turn him as she said. He had more important things to worry about and not her silly little warning. Atropos knew just what would happen and knew that he would not heed her warning. It was no use warning an arrogant, narcissistic man such as him. The Moiria, just hoped that the gods would not die from this new development.

In three days, they were summoned back to the Hall. Before them stood the seven gods that would go together to New Orleans. They were going in pairs. Zeus and Hera, Apollo and Aphrodite; and lastly Hermes, Hephaestus, and Artemis. The three fates looked at each other and just knew that Hera would not have let Zeus leave her behind in Olympus to father more bastard demi-gods. Lachesis stepped up and handed them the papers they would need. She had a soft voice when she spoke. “With you going in pairs such as this you will stay with a fate of your choice. This will only be for a year, until you have gotten settled in the mortal world. We have taken the liberty to acquire the land that would be needed for the university along with making sure that it has been up and running for several decades. The University of Southern Scholars is an accredited school with over thousands of students applying and graduating from there.”

Clotho was the next one to step up and speak. “We have also established what is called Greek Row. It is a place where likeminded individuals bond to create a brotherhood or sisterhood with people that are of different backgrounds. Now when you each go there you will be a part of a house that is dedicated to you. Please do your best to not enhance their natural attractions to their houses. It would not be good if the school is shut down due to sexual exploitation, violence, anger, or narcissism.” She paused to look out at each one of them. “We have done our best to have you and the other gods all prepared for this day.”

The two sisters looked back to Atropos; they knew she had something to say to them. Instead of addressing all of the gods she looked only to Zeus. Her eyes were narrowed as if they held disdain. But they all needed to be warned and take heed. “If you fail to listen to the warning about going out on full moons everything you know will cease to exist. You will not be welcomed back on Mount Olympus. You will have to find a home elsewhere. A home out in the dense forest surrounded by others like you. You will not be in charge but you will have to obey someone else. Listen to what we tell you. Any alterations to your DNA will subsequently alter the rest of us as well. Do listen to someone else for a change.”

The Fates turned to leave; the gods weren’t sure what she was speaking of but somewhere in Hera’s heart she understood. If some horrific thing was to happen to Zeus, they all would be changed and never could return back to their home. She made it her mission to do whatever she could to keep him from falling into a desperate situation. Even if it means tethering herself to him at all times.

Zeus had Poseidon take the lead over Olympus during their tenure away. He placed his hand on his little brother shoulder. “Make sure Hades doesn’t take over.”

“He’s too busy in the underworld. He wont come up here. When was the last time he came up to a celebration.”

“Even so, we both know as the oldest, he could very well lay claim to my throne.”

“What makes you think that I wont?”

“You have your sea to look after.”

“Good point dear brother. See you in ten years.”

The two hugged each other for the first and last time for the next ten years. Maybe.