72 Council of Godheads

"Hope?!"

Immediately, the council of godheads exploded with astonished voices and chaotic whispers.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Apollo studied the council with his brilliant eyes of hope.

The members of the council were the sole leaders of the pantheons: Hutzilpchtli, the sky-father of the Aztec Pantheon; Enil, the sky-father of the Mesopotamian Pantheon; Buluku, the sky-father of the Vodu/African Pantheon; Hodiak, the sky-father of the Northern Pantheon; Iztamna, the sky-father of the Mayan Pantheon; Svarog, the sky-father of the Slavic Pantheon; and so on.

And in front of them all were six thrones, each symbolising a superior statue and ranking among the pantheons of the divine realms.

The six thrones were occupied by the most powerful of all members: Amaterasu, the sky-mother of the Shinto Pantheon; Indra, the sky-father of the Hindu Pantheon; Jade Emperor, the sky-father of the Heavenly Court; Ra, the sky-father of the Egyptian Pantheon; Zeus, the sky-father of the Olympian Pantheon; and Odin, the sky-father of Asgard.

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Amaterasu was a slim, fit young woman with long, white hair that fell to her waist and large breasts. She is dressed in traditional kimono robes engraved with sun symbols. Her enchanting and noble face twisted with distaste and a slight shock at the sight of his divine form, but she quickly concealed it, assuming a dignified expression.

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Indra wore a magnificent armour streaked with lightning blots. A golden, intricate helmet adorned his head. He had four hands covered in auric bangles. His expressions were stern and indifferent, and he only raised his brows as he saw his hope form.

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Jade Emperor was a middle-aged man with a long, sagely goatee and a thin moustache. He was dressed in long, flowing robes and a hat with thirteen pearl-strung tassels. His already squinted eyes squinted even more as he looked at Apollo.

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Ra was a man with a hawk head, wearing the golden disc on top of his head, with a serpent wrapped around the base of the disc like a crown. He was dressed in Egyptian armour, and his skin glowed with light. His vertical eyes narrowed as he scrutinised Apollo.

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As usual, Zeus was tall, imposing, and muscular, with shoulder-length black hair and a grey-and-black beard. He wore a white chiton with gold threads, and there wasn't much surprise in his brilliant electric-blue eyes as he gazed at Apollo's Hope divine form.

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Odin was one-eyed and long-bearded. He was decked in golden armour, a red clock, and an auric helmet. He wielded Gungnir, the sharpest spear in the universe. His form exuded a terrifying aura of power.

Power. Apollo analysed. In terms of power, he intuitively felt his father, Ra and Odin was more powerful than Amaterasu, Indra, and the Jade Emperor. Their divine auras were more condensed and compressed than the other three.

He looked high. Many sky-fathers in the back had surprised and greedy expressions, though they were trying their best to hide it from him.

Apollo wasn't surprised by their reaction; Hope was so valuable to the gods. After all, many legends in the divine realms told of the possibility of defying Fate with Hope.

As Apollo was musing on the council, the All-Father raised his gungnir and slammed it on the ground. "Silence!"

The chaos in the council readily died down. The Sky Fathers shifted uncomfortably in their chairs as the heavens rumbled once more under the might of Odin.

A bout of heavy silence passed.

Zeus shattered it with his thunderous voice. "Son, what is the meaning of this impertinence?"

"Oh." Amaterasu giggled, her hands over her mouth. "Isn't it obvious, Zeus? He is your son," she said, looking between Zeus and Apollo. "Impertinence runs in your family's ichor after all."

Murmurs and whispers filled the council as the Celestial Goddess of the Sun threw a jibe at the entire Olympian Pantheon. Zeus glared at Amaterasu, his body erupting with streaks of white lightning that charged the air.

"My lady," Apollo interrupted before his father could fire his own jibe at her. "We are in the most powerful council of the universe, where the fate of gods and the universe are decided," he gently reminded. "This is the divine sanctuary of unity created by Mother Earth and Mother Magic themselves."

He locked his gaze on her fiery eyes. "So, my lady, please refrain from expressing your feelings and differences so openly in this holy realm."

"Apollo may be impertinent." Ra spoke calmly, his voice carrying the might of the sun. "Nevertheless, he is not wrong, Amaterasu."

Amaterasu shot Apollo a withering glare, "Apollo, you are indeed right." she spread her hands. "We are in the most holy court of the universe, and any blasphemy against it should be addressed immediately."

She cocked her head, a sly smile on her crimson lips. "Including your impertinence."

"Let's hear the side of my son," Zeus said, "before we judge anything."

"Oh, please." Amaterasu laughed and threw her hands up. "Do you honestly believe his pesky issues will be worthy of the council?"

"My lady." Apollo said, infusing his voice with the divinity of prophecy. "My pesky issue affects the fate of the universe."

His voice resounded with the weight of Destiny—after all, it is indeed the truth—on the council, silencing everyone.

Odin lightly clanged his spear on the ground. "The boy is not lying." His wisdom-filled eye peered at Apollo. "Let's hear him."

The council swayed in approval with the words of Odin; even Amaterasu didn't object, merely gazing at Apollo inquisitively.

Apollo began. "For those of you who don't know me, I am Phoebus Apollo, the Eternal Blazing Sun, and the Bringer of Light. But of course I need no introduction to you, the SkyLords of the universe."

He addressed the pantheon leaders calmly and presented his case. "As you can see, I've just recently ascended to the position of God of Hope." The twelve brilliant wings behind him swayed. "and I intend to fulfil my duty by bringing hope not only to Earth but to the most of the universe as well."

"Bold!" Hutzilpchtli hollered.

"Audacious!" Enil cried.

The council immediately erupted in clamor, and astonished eyes were directed at Apollo.

"Silence." Odin thundered, his expression as serene as ever. "Let him finish."

"I have devised a plan to achieve it." Apollo continued calmly as the SkyLords went silent. "The Project of Hope."

He snapped his fingers, willing the information of his project into existence in the form of books, which flew into the hands of all the rulers.

His plan was inspired by the DC Lanterns. He intended to establish his own cosmic force. He called them the Lightbringers. The force draws power from Hope that resides in their hearts as well as in the universe, and they also safeguard it against the dark forces of Cosmos.

His true intention was to use them to reduce the collateral damage from the battle of the gods on the universe and save as many civilizations as possible.

The conflict between gods is just too destructive and ruinous, so it pushed him to seek a means to limit the devastation, especially since the approaching war of gods will be unlike anything the cosmos has ever seen, and the Lightbringers were the solution.

The might of hope is unbounded and unbridled. You could perform miracles with its power. The only limitations are your imagination and your will. You are eligible to join the Lightbringers and become a universe guardian as long as you are capable of bringing great hope.

Though the Light Bringers may not appear to be much on the cosmic scale, it was better than doing nothing and witnessing billions of civilizations and millions of galaxies collapse under the power of gods.

"This book contains basic information about my project, as well as my plans and objectives for it." Apollo pointed to the books in the hands of the rulers. "And all I ask of the council is your representation and backing in the universal council."

Apollo finished and stared silently at the Sky Lords. They promptly opened the books and began reading them thoroughly.

Amaterasu gave it a brief glance. "This is ridiculous."

Zeus grumbled. "Amaterasu….."

"No." Amaterasu cut in sharply. "This is truly ridiculous."

"Phoebus Apollo, have you considered the ramifications of your unrestrained force on the order of the universe?" she asked. "You intend to employ beings from all civilizations if they have the potential to bring great hope. Have you considered how their home civilisations will react to your intrusion? You want to expand your Lightbringers to become the 'Guardians of the Universe,' but their very existence disrupts the delicate order of the universe."

"And you want our representation and support to convene the universal council to hear your case, but the advanced civilizations of the universe will never accept such a free and unconstrained force to exist, no matter how many terms that you make to not interfere in their administration. They will immediately perceive you as a threat the moment you present your project to their council."

Amaterasu finished, hurling the book back at Apollo. "What will you do then, Apollo? Retaliate against them for rejecting your absurd project."

The council swayed in agreement with the words of the celestial goddess of the sun. Murmurs and glares, as well as jests and jeers, were directed at Apollo.

"Phoebus Apollo." Odin declared neutrally. "Your plan does have an impact on the fate of the universe. It has the potential to disrupt the cosmic order and plunge the universe into chaos and war."

"The advanced civilizations have strong feelings about us. They never liked our existence and have made no attempt to conceal it."

"As Amaterasu stated, they will never judge your project impartially. And you'll be there to represent us, and if you choose to retaliate against them, you'll drag us into your chaos."

"So think and consider carefully before making your argument on this." The All-Father peered at Apollo. "Because if not, the council will no longer entertain your case."

Under the piercing gazes of the Sky Fathers, Apollo looked at his book in his hand for a moment before making his case to the highest council.

"I recognise the follies in my project." He spoke, each word bearing the weight of the sun. "It will indeed not be accepted by the universal council due to the freedom that comes with Hope. But I am confident they will reconsider once they realise the truth about their place and significance in the universe..."

"So you do intend to use force, then?" Amaterasu cut in harshly.

"No." Apollo shook his head, "I intend to do no such thing. By realise, I mean show them a glimpse of what is to come—the second dark age of the universe."

The council was deafeningly quiet. Many SkyLords shifted in their seats nervously.

"Whether they want to or not, they will be forced to change their minds, because even their most advanced technologies will be meaningless in the coming era." His bright gaze swept over each of them one by one. Some looked him in the eyes, while others avoided him. "I also understand your reservations about my project. In response to that…."

Apollo asserted. "I solemnly swear under my name to bear all the consequences and repercussions of my project."

The very fabric of reality shimmered, acknowledging his oath. The council exploded with astonished voices. A vow on your name is the harshest oath in the divine realms as it is tied to your name, and breaking the oath will result in the worst punishment known to gods—you will lose your name and identity forever.

"I don't know whether you call me brave or foolish." Ra said, leaning forward in his golden throne. "However, I recognise and respect your conviction."

"Phoebus Apollo." Jade Emperor said, "Let's put aside the consequences brought by your project and focus on you." his black eyes scrutinised Apollo. "Are you sure what you're getting yourself into? The universal council consists of the most advanced civilisations in the universe."

"They each have their own way of thinking, their own culture, their own morals, their own laws, their own ideologies, and their own beliefs, all forged from millions of years of development. In the past, it was considered a miracle that beings with such disparities could find a delicate common ground in the name of the universal council."

He pointed to Apollo. "You will submit your project for approval to such a unique group. So, do you still believe that everyone will change their minds?"

Apollo peered at the Jade Emperor. "No," he replied calmly. "I recognise that there will still be opposition since some beings may think in ways that are radically different from our perspective." He took a pause. "However, I will not impose Hope on the civilizations of the universe. In the end, it is their choice. The Lightbringers will not be involved in any situation where they are not wanted. In the infinite universe, there is a limit to what one can aim to protect."

"As for the Lightbringers chosen from those civilisation that decided to forsake my cosmic force, I will give them a choice to either abandon their home or their eligibility or even give them an opportunity to convince their home civilisation to recognise the Lightbringers and then join the force. That will even be their acceptance test."

"You really thought it all out." Indra smiled.

"There is still much to consider." Apollo said humbly. "However, this is the basis of my cause and project. And I present it to the council, requesting your representation and support in convening the Universal Council."

Odin looked around the council for any more voices of dissent, and the sky-lords remained silent in their thrones, acknowledging Apollo.

"The Council of Godheads recognises your cause, Phoebus Apollo." The All-Father said, "And I call for the vote of approval."

"All in favour."

Indra, Zeus, Ra, Buluku, Svarog, and others raised their hands.

"All in disfavour."

Amaterasu, the Jade Emperor, Hutzilpchtli, Enil, Hodiak, Iztamna, and others raised their hands.

The vote was tied. Everyone turned their attention to Odin, the only Sky Father who had not yet voted.

Finally, Odin arose from his throne. "I vote in favour." He slammed his gungnir against the ground. "Your plan has been approved by the Council of Godheads."

Odin pointed his spear at Apollo, who looked back calmly. "We will use our power to call the universal council, and you, Phoebus Apollo, will represent us."

The entire Council of Godheads brightened and erupted with streams of light that shot into the infinity of the universe at a speed that broke all of the material laws of the universe.

It was heading towards the hub of the universal council, Worlorn, which was billions of light years away from earth.

Apollo looked at the streams of light shooting into the darkness of the space, his shoulder slumping ever so slightly. It would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous or tense during his presentation; after all, there were numerous possibilities of failure. But everything went smoothly, and he received the approval and representation of the Sky Lords; now comes the real challenge.

He peered ahead, sensing a tint in his awareness. A flash of light erupted from the tip of the gungnir, morphing into the emblem of the council of godheads—green earth encased in the world tree.

Apollo caught the symbol in his hand and gave the council a light bow. "Thank you for your time and consideration."

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A/N : I am moving from my old home to my new home in the next few days, and it is also the holiday season and the new year. So I am taking a break for at least 2 weeks, but I will still try to write if I find time.

Anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.