Storm at the Twilight of the Gods - 1. Chapter 1

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

That saying is nothing but accurate when you consider the two women who had demanded the appearance of so many of us. When Mother Nature and Gaia gathered the weather gods and goddesses from every pantheon the world has ever known, well let’s just say this isn’t going to be a social gathering in the local mead house.

Gaia walked to the table and watched as the rest of the crowd slowly filled the space. No one could deny who or what she represented. From the oceans of her gown to the plains of her hair, the rolling hills of her breasts and the mountains of her cheekbones, she embodied every part of the earth. She scowled and roughly shoved one of the chairs out of her path.

“Come in and sit down. I don’t care where. There is no head of the table.” Her voice cut through every conversation and noise in the room. “Therefore, I shouldn’t have to hear anyone complain about who is in a higher position. Am I understood?”

Silence followed. The normal sounds of thunder, wind, and rain died as her eyes scrutinized the assembled crowd. Mother Nature stood slightly to her left. Her normally cheery face was drawn. Bright spring flowers in her hair had wilted. The dress she wore showed summer vegetables dying on the vines and winter plants blighted. She appeared ill.

“Do you need a special invitation, Thor?”

I’d been caught studying Gaia and Mother Nature instead of following the rest to their seats. This could be worse than when my father called me to discuss one of my more spectacular mistakes.

“No, Gaia. I’m sorry.” I quickly moved toward one of the open seats.

Mother Nature quickly studied the crowd and dragged herself to Gaia’s side.

Zeus sat stiffly in his seat near her. There were others whom I knew and some whom I’d never suspected existed. Jupiter sat diagonally across from Zeus. The two resembled each other, but the sparks and power of Zeus were stronger. Most people knew the gods from their Greek personas, and while they were once similar, the Romans had remade, altered, and forced them into becoming two completely different people from two different pantheons. Their powers and appearances had them looking like distant cousins. There was a nervous cough, and everyone turned toward the two women who had ordered us all here.

Mother Nature shrank away from those seated around the table. She was usually as strong and boisterous as anyone else, but whatever had been done to her had clearly left its mark. Her hands trembled, and at times her dress showed the seasons as they flowed from spring to autumn with no pause in the transition. There was something seriously wrong here.

“It’s time for either another ice age,” Mother Nature’s voice cracked and then dropped to barely a whisper as she continued, “or the end of it all.”

Her words brought a chill to everyone in the room. We all knew what she was speaking of. Ragnarok was about to be declared. This couldn’t be allowed.

“And you have all been brought here to ensure it happens.” Gaia’s pronouncement filled the room with dread, especially those seated at the table.

Zeus turned to Jupiter, who subtly nodded.

Both became aware of me simultaneously. I received a stare that I couldn’t figure out from each of them.

“You’re to prepare your various pantheons. It is the end times.”

It was then that I noticed something different about Gaia. There were wounds upon her that were not healing. I couldn’t miss the spots where it was plain to see the poisons on her lands and in her seas. She wasn’t herself because she was so polluted. Turning to Mother Nature there was no denying the signs in her, either. The two were symbiotic in nature. When one sickened, so did the other.

Most of the gods and goddesses hurried away immediately. Some broke into small groups and headed off to talk clandestinely. Jupiter and Zeus met for a moment and then made a beeline straight for me.

“We need to talk,” they said in unison.

I nodded and followed them outside into the heavens.

“We need to stop this from happening,” whispered Zeus.

“The end shouldn’t happen this way!” Jupiter slammed his foot down and crossed his arms as he faced me.

“They’re sick.” I peered out over the world below us and turned to face the other gods.

“I know,” Zeus said, smashing the edge of his lightning bolt against the ground, shooting sparks across the sky. He turned to face the meetinghouse. “How could they dare decide to end humanity?”

I shook my head. “No, I mean, Gaia and Mother Nature are really sick. Didn’t you notice the pollution? It is making both of them ill, and they can’t even think straight anymore.”

The two gods turned and stared at me. I shook my head and led them off to the side. Below us the oceans of the world met. We descended and walked across the surface of the seas. I reached down and soaked my hand in it for a moment before I lifted my hand for both to see. Even miles from land, there were traces of the pollution that now glowed like deadly lace across my palm. My godly powers were temporarily keeping me from harm.

“Have either of you talked to the god of your seas? Poseidon or Neptune?”

Both glanced toward the other and then back at me.

“Didn’t think so.” I sighed. My pantheon was old, but we took time to learn about every other pantheon we had ever come in contact with. “I bet if you had, they would tell you this is a problem they are combating every single day.”

There was a moment as we hung between the human and godly realm when I knew if things slipped further, the end times would truly begin.

“So what do we do?” Jupiter stood still, but the electrical field around him increased.

“How do we stop this?” Zeus wasn’t in much better shape. Lightning flashed in his eyes.

“We do what we have always done. We fight but this time for a reason.” I turned and stretched my hand out trying to encompass the world itself. “There are some pantheons that have faded, completely forgotten. The three of us are the strongest. We are remembered, if not prayed to. The world still respects us, and we still need them.”

“I don’t.” Jupiter stood haughtily before us.

Zeus took a moment. “They still write about me, talk about me. I still go to some of them. Among them walk demigods.” Zeus stared up at me and then at Jupiter. “I am still too much like them, even after all this time.”

Jupiter was angry.

“Calm yourself. You only need to decide if we help them destroy themselves, Jupiter, or do we act to change their nature and protect them instead?” I gazed into his stony face waiting for him to come to a conclusion. In some ways, looking at him reminded me of my own father, Odin. The snow-white hair, the total confidence, and aura of power were all pronounced in both of these gods.

Zeus bowed his head.

Jupiter’s indecision was clear as small bolts of energy sparked around him. When Jupiter spoke it was slow and measured. “What is it we can do to save them and ourselves from disaster, Thor? You make it sound as if you have a plan already.”

“I do, but I will need your help and the help of members from both of your pantheons. If we are to stop the end of the world from happening, we are need to alter the wrath Mother Nature and Gaia are about to unleash.”

The two gods gazed at each other and nodded as I laid out my plans.

­_ + _ + _ +

I walked through the halls of Valaskialf in Asgard, and knew I had to see my father, Odin. He was the wisest of all, and it was his counsel I needed more than any other.

He sat in Hlidskjalf, his eye searching my face as I approached, his hands clasped before him. His hall was empty and he did not look happy.

“They plan the end,” I began to explain. He raised a hand.

“I know what they plan, and I know what you hope to accomplish. It is the fine edge of a sword you walk my son. You will need the gods to work together and they are not well known for doing that.” He bowed his head a moment. “The poison is hurting everyone, even Frigg.”

I stood still. It was not something I expected to hear. Frigg was said to embody the idea of the Earth Mother, but she was also tied to the earth, and was now suffering. The idea that my father’s wife would be ill, as well, wasn’t something I had considered. It showed me how little I had been paying attention to my own surroundings.

“Thor, you are often outthought. You fight well, and you consider this as a battle that you can win. By doing so, you have prepared them all for a most unusual form of fighting. Our best hope lies with you.”

“All-Father Odin, does this plan of mine have any hope of success?”

“You can’t let your fears sway you my son. Your best hope is to do what is needed.”

I bowed my head. My father was rarely clear in his directions. His words always carried weight and could easily sway the most decided mind. However, this time he left the plans to save the world to me. I only hoped that I could do what I had set out to accomplish.

“Odin, I was going to ask Skadi and Njord for help.”

He stared at me for a moment and then bowed his head again.

“You will need many of the sea gods to accomplish your goal. Skadi will help with the other issues, I’m sure.”

I made my way from my father’s throne room knowing that I had some hard things to explain and hoped that both would be willing to aid my cause.

_ * _ * _ *

Njord was at my side when I finally met with Poseidon and Neptune. Just as when there were numerous Gods of Thunder present, Lords of the Sea also didn’t do too well together.

“Say one more word and I’ll slice you from top to bottom,” growled Neptune as he eyed Njord and Poseidon. His trident moved back and forth between the two other gods.

Poseidon stood straighter and shook his trident at Neptune. “You’re a merman pretending to be a god. Knock it off, before I rip the ground out from under you.”

Traces of poison clung to both of them. It wasn’t good to know that so many were affected. These two gods worked hard to combat the poisons every day, but they now needed help.

Njord stood quietly at my side. As far north as we were, the seas weren’t nearly as polluted, so he wasn’t as affected as these two. I needed to get them working with me, and not against each other. I nodded to Njord, who, with a single gesture, had a huge amount of fresh water spilling over the tops of both Neptune and Poseidon. The taint slid from their bodies as Njord commanded the water to blast both sea gods.

“Enough!” Neptune splashed the water around him and forced the poisons farther away from him. He inhaled deeply and then, for the first time, finally saw who was standing before him.

Poseidon’s stance changed as he eyed Neptune, Njord, and myself. Poseidon suddenly seemed less angry and confused.

“We’ve come for your help.” I glanced from one to the other. “We know of the poisons that churn in your seas, and how you try to combat them. We can see the effects they have had on you both, and on Gaia, as well as the fact that Zeus and Jupiter sent you here to meet with us.”

“Speak. My brother is rarely willing to work with anyone.” Poseidon watched Thor carefully.

“I know the poison affects so much of your world. The seas are no longer the paradise they once were. Now they flow with different poisons, killing off coral reefs, fish, and affecting even the gods themselves.”

I stood my ground and watched as both sea gods shuddered. There was a moment where I was afraid I was going to lose them, but eventually they both focused their attention onto me.

“What is it you want of us?” Neptune’s tail splashed slightly as he leaned on his triton.

I just barely managed to keep from sighing in relief as I motioned Njord to my side. Once again I laid out the plan I had to save Gaia from herself.

_ * _ * _ *

There are so many pantheons around the world, but few who would even meet with me. Most were afraid of what would happen if Gaia and Mother Nature found out that they might not be doing what was asked of them. While few outright refused me, all at least promised not to try and stop us. It was all I could ask for.

Humanity was suffering. There was nothing I could do to ease or stop the pain. The acts of generations had put them at risk and now the time had come to pay for their blatant disregard of their planet. They had cut down her forests, poisoned her seas, befouled the air, and stripped her lands. They found new ways to kill themselves with their actions: new weapons, new dangerous forms of power. Not once did they consider what they were doing, not only to each other, but to the world in which they lived.

Mother Nature was no longer in balance. Her seasons no longer functioned as before. Winters lingered longer, and snow fell in places where it had never been that cold. The seas rose and washed away the shores. The flowers died in the ground unborn. The trees suffered frost, and the fruits of summer never arrived. These disasters of nature were not kept to just one part of a country, one hemisphere, or even one landmass, but instead the weather worldwide was seen to change.

From the state of Washington down to Mexico, the western edge of North America suffered through one of the worst periods of drought in history, which was only exasperated by our actions.

Poseidon created havoc that shook the lands of the ring of fire. Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, and China dealt with volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and earthquakes.

Neptune was whipping up the seas as well as causing harsh storms to battle against the east coast of North America, the United Kingdom, and the west coast of Africa. He created violent rogue waves that pounded the lands throughout the Mediterranean Sea.

Zeus and Jupiter stirred the air and forced a colder air mass to move south. This created a vortex of freezing air that killed off the plants and kept things from growing in the north.

Skadi kept the cold from the plains of Russia and funneling the air to North America, thus making it fall under a winter blanket of snow. Layers of snow and ice reached levels never seen before in that part of the world. Her efforts, when combined with the other gods of the Greece and Roman pantheons, crippled the humans.

In the Southern Hemisphere other pantheons worked to do the bidding of Mother Nature and Gaia. Catequil of the Incas called down thunder and lightning throughout South America. Pachamama, a dragon and fertility goddess, joined him and brought earthquakes to the continent as well.

Even in Australia the pantheons had been forced to do the bidding of Mother Nature and Gaia. The Goddess Bunbulama had been pulled from the Dreamtime and prevented from letting the rain flow across the dry lands. Australia was becoming a desert continent.

Africa was also having issues with the weather and incredible heat. The Serer had lost Roog, Koox, and Kokh Kox, leaving no God of the rain for them. They had defied Mother Nature, so she had them bound and taken away where we could not find them. The Ashanti had seen the God Anansi hidden away as well, for while he often played tricks on others, he was still protective of his people. The Igbo had lost Amadioha, yet another god of thunder and lightning.

I couldn’t help but be aware of the fine line we were walking. We were doing our best to save the world, but even I couldn’t help but be mindful of the suffering we were forcing on the people of the world. Along the way other Gods fell when they refused to help.

_ * _ * _ *

“We’ve flooded every stream and river to force every toxin we can out of them.” Neptune’s deep voice was muted as he stood with us.

“I’ve done all I can to knock out some of the more deadly power stations along the seas.” Poseidon shook his head as his long beard was caught in the wind. ”I’ve created quakes, forced tsunamis, and pushed some of the deadly poisons that I could down into the deepest gorges of the oceans, where even Titans fear to go. The waters now run slightly clearer.”

Zeus and Jupiter clapped their respective brothers on their arms.

“I’ve kept the snow from the lands I usually bless them with. I’ve forced the cold and snow to other spots and buried them under ice and snow.” Skandi stood fiercely before the other gods. “I’ve done all I can to force the buildup of snow and ice so that, when spring arrives, the waters will run to flood dry areas, clean the land and help fill the scars across Gaia.”

“With the cold and snow that Skandi pushed toward North America, we both used everything we could to help keep it there. We pushed every storm we could that way. The areas should see a profound difference when spring finally arrives.” Zeus grimly faced the rest of us. “I won’t see them perish. I still have demigods among them.”

“We have stormed around the world. I’ve flooded dry areas, dried other areas, and moved so much that I no longer know which area was my own. There are many gods that are missing and others that just mindlessly follow Gaia’s instructions. I fear we may be doing too little and that it might be too late at this point to save them.” Jupiter clutched the thunderbolt he had in his hand and allowed small bolts to fly from it.

Njord stepped forward. “I’ve helped where possible. The clear streams and waters are running fast. The waters from the North Sea to the United Kingdom dash against the shore with mad abandon. There is little more I can do.”

I stood before them with my eyes cast to the world below us. “Aisyimstan helped us in the Americas. As the God of Winter for the Blackfeet pantheon, he was happy to help Skadi.” I paused as I exposed those few gods who had stepped forward to help save the world. “Sedna of the Inuit has helped clear the seas of sea life that might be hurt by our work. Raven of the Tsimshian has been busy flying all over and keeping me informed of our success.”

“You let the upstarts work with us?” Jupiter’s eyes flashed.

“No! I invited anyone who was willing to stand up to Mother Nature and Gaia as I attempted to save the world.” I took a half step toward Jupiter but was intercepted by Zeus.

“Now is not the time. All we can do is wait.”

I nodded.

“I suggest everyone head home.” Skandi stood and eyed each god before she slipped her hand into Njord’s and headed off across the sky toward Asgard.

“She might give Juno a run for her drachma.” Jupiter smiled and shook his head. “I need to return home. Minerva promised some advice for the coming battle if this doesn’t work.” There was a flash of lightning and Jupiter was gone.

“I need to go check on my wife,” Neptune said as he sank beneath the waves.

“I too have been gone from my wife far too long. May your plan succeed, Thor.” Poseidon turned to Zeus. “Till next time, brother.” Then he was gone.

“For all our sakes, Thor, I hope you are right.” Zeus bowed his head. “Hera will not be happy to find I have children walking the world again, but even she will not approve of humanity being wiped out. She is the Goddess of Marriage and the original protector of women. I know she will not want to see those she watches over destroyed.”

I nodded, and both of us headed back to our respective homes.

_ * _ * _ *

I stood upon the Bifrost Bridge on the outskirts of Asgard. I had to go see my father, but I was afraid to find out what condition Frigg was in. Sif soon appeared at my side.

“You’ve done what you can, Thor.”

“I know.”

“I will try to help with the planting and the harvests. I won’t let them starve.”

I leaned in and gently kissed my wife. She was always there to help me even when I did not deserve such devotion.

“You need to go see Odin. Usually, he would be spoiling for a fight by now, but instead he sits at Frigg’s side. He has cast many spells, and everyone speaks in hushed tones about it.” She hugged me, and then pushed me toward Valaskialf, my father’s keep.

His home towered above Asgard, and there was little that happened that he didn’t know about. My father enjoyed war, magic, and the company of his wife. He could be cruel but also wise. Like any good lieutenant, I had to go give my commander the status on the war.

I climbed the stairs and headed toward his throne room. As I walked Huggin and Muggin flew past me and headed down a different hallway. The ravens of Odin would fly to tell him the happenings from all over the world. Thought and Memory were his two best spies and reported on all the things they had learned over the course of a day. I followed them to Odin and Frigg’s room.

I gently knocked on their bedroom door and entered. My attention was immediately captured by the vastly improved appearance of Frigg. She sat upon her bed, a smile playing on her lips as she sat and watched my father. Her skin glowed, and she appeared much healthier.

“You managed to get them all to work together.”

I turned to find my father standing off to my side. His dark-blue eye pinned me in place.

“Not all of them, but enough that I think we have at least temporarily fixed some of the issues. If Frigg is feeling better, hopefully so are Mother Nature and Gaia.”

Odin nodded and turned his attention to Frigg. I’d been dismissed.

­_ * _ * _ *

I stood once more at Gaia’s meeting place. The doors were open, yet I did not feel comfortable approaching them. The sun turned, the wind blew, and the seasons had finally begun to change again, as they once did.

“We are waiting, Thor.” Gaia’s voice left no room for doubt. I felt like a condemned man as I entered the room.

Mother Nature once more stood to the side of Gaia. While she didn’t appear as bright and cheery as she usually did, she was no longer looking like the last flower of fall. There was some slight color to her cheeks. The flowers in her hair seemed like the buds of early spring, and while she didn’t stand tall and ready to attack as a Shieldmaiden does, she no longer looked like a poor, mad, old woman about to die.

Gaia was the one who captured my attention though. She stood tall and straight before the table, while behind her sat Zeus, Jupiter, Neptune, and Poseidon. None of them seemed happy, and all of them stared straight ahead.

“Have a seat.” Gaia pointed at one of the chairs that flew across the floor and stopped in front of me.

I lifted the seat and walked it back to the table. I wasn’t about to allow myself to be separated from the rest of my warriors. They had followed my orders, and there was no way they would take the blame for me. We would go down in a glorious battle that would bring songs to Valhalla.

“I have a feeling there are more of you,” Gaia carefully took the time to examine each of us. “However, you five are the only ones whose work I can clearly track.”

Neptune flicked his tail, and Zeus’s face twitched. The other gods were nervous and trying hard not to show it. I was grateful my own face was mostly hidden by my red beard.

“I don’t know whether to thank you five,” Mother Nature stepped forward and regarded each of us in turn before she spoke again, “or have you taken out back and used as fertilizer.” Her beauty was that of one who has been deeply ill but not fully healed - a fragile beauty, if you understand.

Gaia moved till she once again captured our attention. She walked to the center of the room to speak when Jupiter moved and coughed nervously in his seat. She shook her head and waited to make sure we were quiet and focused on her again.

I couldn’t help but stare at Gaia and see the deep blue of her seas again. The richness of hair was apparent as was the fact that some of the deep scars on her were now covered. Other spots on her body still showed poisoning, drought, and death, but she no longer appeared as disturbed as she once did.

“I asked for another ice age or at least the total destruction of humanity. You gave me earthquakes, floods, tornados, ice storms, snow storms, tsunamis, and fires.” She slowly circled the group and watched us closely. She stopped behind me and rested her hands on my shoulders. “I must admit you gave me death. They bury young and old, rich and poor, from every continent that has humanity on it; but even with all you did, you never exactly followed what I wanted.”

Mother Nature shook her head, a single tear flowed over her cheek.

Zeus regained his self-control just as Jupiter began to sweat.

No matter what the others might have been thinking or going through, none of them came close to literally having the weight of the world on their shoulders. Gaia slowly applied more and more pressure upon my shoulders until I was bowed under the weight.

“I thank you all for doing what you did to remove so much of the poisons and toxins that had been affecting the world.” Her voice boomed in the room like a hammer falling on an anvil. “However, if you ever disobey my will again…” She stepped to the side of me and gripped an empty chair of granite. The stone turned to dust in her hand. “I trust my point has been made.”

Zeus and Jupiter turned pale. Neptune refused to make eye contact with anyone, while Poseidon stood calmly. He waited a moment and then fled. The other three moved quickly toward the door.

I stood as calmly as I could, but before I could leave, a hand grasped my arm. I turned to find Mother Nature standing beside me.

“Thank you, Thor. I know it wasn’t easy. We were both … sick. She won’t admit to it, but I will. Just be careful of what you do in the future.”

She placed a fresh, red rose in my hand and turned back to Gaia. I tucked the rose into my cloak and followed my fellow gods out into the world once more.