Arrival
The doorway was located in a small Inn, a place decorated like a cheesy American '70's Mythology flick. But the attendants knew the true passers-through from the casual wanderers, and the Doorway to New Olympus was very real and very there.
Billy hesitates before opening it. it has taken him several hours to fly here, under his own power, but he is here and now... He swallows, closing his eyes one more time before opening the door and then walking through.
And he opens his eyes and is struck, as always, by sheer wonder.
New Olympus was created by the Olympians prior to the Godwar, and abandoned by them near after that. But it was inhabited by The Six and their servants and attendants and allies. Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury. Seven beings, some started as mortals, all now Gods of one sort or another, each granting him power and aid in times of need, when he calls upon them with the name of the older Wizard, Shazam.
He breathes in the cold air, feeling the electrical life that shivered through him every time he was here. The lush greenery, the white columns, the towering and multidirectional fortress that was New Olympus fills his senses. And he smiles. Hope fills him too, and he walks forward.
His bliss, his hope, all of it crashes down around his ears as between one step and the next he is surrounded. His eyes go wide as he sees the Hecatoncheires surround him in all their awesome ugliness and might. The hundred-handed, fifty-headed monsters watch him and smile their dark smiles and thrust their spears, driving him forward. Billy can feel a sinking feeling in his stomach.
This is soooo not a good sign.
Their spears and wordless motions drive him forward and, no longer so eager, he trudges into the depths of New Olympus.
He stumbles along, driven by spears, to a corridor with little light. There, a door opens and, with a cry, he is thrust inside.
Inside, he finds himself in a richly appointed room, where one man awaits. Billy's breath catches in his throat as he starts forward, only to be stopped by the vision's upraised hand.
"I do not have long son. But they offered and I took the time. Your mother and I love you, and always will. And we will be there for you when we can. You have been expected here, by the Six. You are going to face the Trial."
The words send a shiver into Billy's very center as he stares at the spectre of his father.
":I don't understand!"
This latest shock is too much and he shudders, falling forward. Familiar arms catch him and lower him and as he blacks out, he hears that voice from his dreams murmur.
"Rest, my son, and know you are loved..."
And words chase him down into darkness...
Billy hesitates before opening it. it has taken him several hours to fly here, under his own power, but he is here and now... He swallows, closing his eyes one more time before opening the door and then walking through.
And he opens his eyes and is struck, as always, by sheer wonder.
New Olympus was created by the Olympians prior to the Godwar, and abandoned by them near after that. But it was inhabited by The Six and their servants and attendants and allies. Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury. Seven beings, some started as mortals, all now Gods of one sort or another, each granting him power and aid in times of need, when he calls upon them with the name of the older Wizard, Shazam.
He breathes in the cold air, feeling the electrical life that shivered through him every time he was here. The lush greenery, the white columns, the towering and multidirectional fortress that was New Olympus fills his senses. And he smiles. Hope fills him too, and he walks forward.
His bliss, his hope, all of it crashes down around his ears as between one step and the next he is surrounded. His eyes go wide as he sees the Hecatoncheires surround him in all their awesome ugliness and might. The hundred-handed, fifty-headed monsters watch him and smile their dark smiles and thrust their spears, driving him forward. Billy can feel a sinking feeling in his stomach.
This is soooo not a good sign.
Their spears and wordless motions drive him forward and, no longer so eager, he trudges into the depths of New Olympus.
He stumbles along, driven by spears, to a corridor with little light. There, a door opens and, with a cry, he is thrust inside.
Inside, he finds himself in a richly appointed room, where one man awaits. Billy's breath catches in his throat as he starts forward, only to be stopped by the vision's upraised hand.
"I do not have long son. But they offered and I took the time. Your mother and I love you, and always will. And we will be there for you when we can. You have been expected here, by the Six. You are going to face the Trial."
The words send a shiver into Billy's very center as he stares at the spectre of his father.
":I don't understand!"
This latest shock is too much and he shudders, falling forward. Familiar arms catch him and lower him and as he blacks out, he hears that voice from his dreams murmur.
"Rest, my son, and know you are loved..."
And words chase him down into darkness...