Chapter 9

"I told you we should've killed them all!" Zeus roared, Hera couldn't help but agree.

The other gods didn't speak. The two didn't understand, their children hadn't miraculously come back to life to have their lives threatened.

"Either way we must figure out what to do," Athena stated. "This hasn't happened just to the demigods but, mortals as well."

"They feared the zombie apocalypse but they got something worse," Hermes commented. "Killing something soulless is different than killing the person you love."

While Hermes had a different way of saying it they all understood what he meant. Anyone would rather kill a monster rather than their family.

"People are already fighting back," Ares  adds. "Gun fire has just broken out in DC. A bunch of the Returned were in an embassy when they went insane And started shooting up the place. That's not the only place either. It's across the world too.... Honestly, why didn't I think of this? They're a perfect army."

"Because your brain is the size a peanut," Hephaestus muttered.

"A perfect army controlled by an unknown person," Athena said. "We don't know their goal. They could come for Olympus."

Zeus opened his mouth before he was cut off by both his brother. "Don't close it." Poseidon and Hades said.

"Perhaps a quest of some sort? Send some demigods off to find answers,"  Dionysus said. "All they are currently doing is crying over their friends. It's really annoying."

"One of those kids crying over their friend is your son crying over his twin," Demeter reminded him. Dionysus clenched his jaw but didn't respond.

"A quest isn't a bad idea. But what would they even look for?" Athena asked.

"I really wish I had my oracle," Apollo frowned.

"A quest may not actually be beneficial," Poseidon said to which Athena glared.

"Why not?" She snapped.

"If a demigod is killed they may just be resurrected. And become an enemy."

Athena bit the inside of her lip. How could he be right!?

"Does that mean I can't kill the punk?" Ares asked, Poseidon only glared at him.

"We still need to do something besides wait," Aphrodite says reapply her already perfect make up.

"We need to keep eyes on where the Returned demigods have gone," Athena states. "Can the Hunt track them and follow from a distance?" Athena asks.

Artemis rolls her eyes. "They are hunters, of course."

"Then it's decided," Zeus says. "The Hunt shall follow the Returned and report back anything of value. Meeting dismissed."

Gods nod begin to leave headed elsewhere.

"Hades," Zeus called. "A word?"

As the others left Hades closed the distance between him and his brother.

"Have you still discovered nothing?" Zeus asked in a accusing tone. "I'm beginning to think you want this to happen."

Hades raised an eyebrow. "I know nothing brother. Why would you even think I would so such a thing?"

"An army of undead. Who might reap havoc on Olympus. That seems to be your area of expertise."

Hades's eyes narrowed. "Listen to me closely. If I wanted to rule Olympus I would have dethroned you eons ago.  Now, if you have any chance of discovering what is going on you need my help. So, for your sake, I'd hope you watch your tongue."

Hades glared once more before melting in a pool of shadows and disappeared.

~~~~

Then Hunt was not exactly happy with their orders. But they did as they were told. They departed Camp Half-Blood and began to track and hunt down the Returned.

To bad they didn't realize fast enough that they were being tracked themselves.