Pantheon – Volume 6

By Gary Devore

Pantheon– a novel of the ancient Greek gods (e-pub version). The gods came to earth when humans stopped believing in them as divine. Powerless but immortal, they have lived among us, witnessing and shaping history. Now the god that supplanted them has found a way they can reclaim their status and worship. He asks only one thing in return for this knowledge: They must destroy every religion in the world. Pantheon is available as six compact volumes, or one omnibus edition. In this final volume of the novel Pantheon, Zeus convenes a meeting of all twelve former gods to debate whether or not they should reclaim their divine powers. Their decision sets off a cascading chain of events that completely remakes the world into a paradise of prosperity and equality, a new Golden Age for humanity, with direct and immediate access to the gods. Then everything goes wrong.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365052866

Book preview

Pantheon – Volume 6

PANTHEON

A Novel of the Greek Gods

Volume VI

Agon • Peripeteia • Anagnorisis • Exodos

By Gary Devore

Copyright

Original copyright © 2011 Gary Devore, revision copyright © 2016

This is a work of fiction. Names, character, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead or divine is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Brief chapter head quotes not by long dead Greeks and Romans used through Fair Use attribution.

PANTHEON – Volume VI

ISBN-13:  978-1-365-05286-6

garydevore.com/pantheon

Image Credits: Cover- detail from The Youth of Bacchus by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (Public Domain) and detail of the Ludovisi sarcophagus (Public Domain); Agon- detail from Feast of the Gods by Giovanni Bellini (Public Domain); Peripeteia- The Annunciation to the Shepherds by Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem (Public Domain); Anagnorisis- detail from Landscape with Ploughing Farmers and the Fall of Icarus by Marten Ryckaert (Public Domain); Exodos- Bust of Germanicus with Christian cross by commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Jastrow (Creative Commons); Back Cover- www.flickr.com/photos/jjcbaron (Creative Commons).

Preface

In this final volume of the novel Pantheon, Zeus convenes a meeting of all twelve former gods to debate whether or not they should reclaim their divine powers.

Their decision sets off a cascading chain of events that completely remakes the world into a paradise of prosperity and equality, a new Golden Age for humanity, with direct and immediate access to the gods.

Then everything goes wrong.

For more volumes, and the full, epic story of Pantheon, visit garydevore.com/pantheon.

a g o n

...There they found the son of wide-browed Kronos, and gathered around him were sitting all the rest of the blessed gods who shall live forever.

–Homer, The Iliad

If there were gods, how could I bear not to be one too?

–Nietzsche, Thus Spake Zarathustra

David sank back into the plush pillows on the hotel bed.  He exhaled slowly.  The suite Apollo had reserved for them was lavish.  First of all, it was two stories high and was perched at the very top of the Grand Olympic Hotel.  The upper floor housed a giant bedroom with several large bureaus, the giant-screen TV, and a wrought iron canopy bed.  The adjoining spacious bathroom had all of the usual amenities molded in red marble, as well as a separate Jacuzzi, sauna, another large television set, and a floor that was actually heated from below like a hypocaust.  A complete kitchenette and a sitting room were also housed here, and a balcony looked down on to the main floor.  A spiral staircase led to a sunken living room with a central fireplace, massive crystal chandelier, and a baby grand piano.  Several reproductions of famous Greek statues were arranged around the room on pedestals.  An immense bay window looked out across downtown Manhattan.  Mechanical motors opened and closed the drapery at the touch of a button.  One wall was dominated by a mahogany bookshelf holding a hundred or so volumes.  Vases of fresh flowers were everywhere. 

David’s jaw had dropped when they were first shown to the room.  Apollo laughed at him after sending away the bellhop.  David knew why Apollo had upgraded the room, and after North Carolina, David welcomed the pampering.

Alone in the bedroom, he stretched out his arms across the empty bed and closed his eyes.  Times like this, when Apollo left his side, and he was forced to listen to only his own thoughts swirling in the chilly vacuum behind his eyes, David’s mood turned dark.  There was an unspoken understanding between them that one day David would leave Apollo for good.  One day, David would die, just as all of Apollo’s lovers had before him.  It would be Apollo who would be left to carry on alone.  And if there were consciousness beyond death, David would be catapulted back to his own singular loneliness again– this time with no hope of ever finding union.  He felt the hair on his arms stand up and he shivered. 

He was back in New York after five years.  Tomorrow, he planned to visit two graves.  Colin was interred in a cemetery in Brooklyn.  His plot was in a secluded corner near a drooping willow tree, its simple stone as understated as Colin was in life.  David knew he would have to clear away the snow but would go alone.  Colin had been dead seven years now.  David still reserved a tiny part of his heart for his memory.  It was a small corner, crouched in the shadow of the overpowering rays of Apollo.  A small, familiar corner of a life that seemed too long ago to really be his.  David felt he had to do what he had always done every winter he was in the City since he was 17– go and clean the snow from Colin’s headstone.

The second grave lay in a pet cemetery in Queens, which was as close as he could bury Max to Colin.  Max had been a large dog, and the plot had not been cheap, so Diva had helped him buy it.  Later, when Apollo offered to reimburse her, she playfully threw him out of her apartment and made him promise never to speak of the dead again. 

David was immersed in planning the logistics for these trips for a few minutes before he realized a song was being played somewhere on a piano.  At first he thought it was the radio, or another television in the suite, but as he listened closer, he realized it was coming from downstairs.  It was soft and gentle.  The melody glided to his ears and caressed them.  His heart began to beat faster.  His eyes fell open in a wide stare.  He sprang up from the bed and ran to the balcony.  Looking down into the living room, he saw something that was wholly unexpected.  Apollo was sitting at the piano.  His back was to David.  With delicate movements, the immortal was pressing the keys with his long fingers, playing them unhurriedly with such tenderness that he seemed to be concerned about bruising the ivory.  The song continued.  David grasped the railing of the balcony.  Tears began to collect in his eyes.  It was the first time he had ever seen or heard Apollo play. 

The music filled the suite.  The chords were slow and low, but the notes rang out from the other end of the keyboard.  Every octave change was smooth and measured.  Although there was a definite sadness to the tune, David could only smile through his tears.  His pulse pounded furiously ahead of the slow rhythmic beat.  He wanted to cry out, but did not dare profane the piece.

Apollo finished.  His hands stretched to sound the final notes.  He bowed his head as they dissolved into silence.  He finally turned to look at his muse standing on the balcony.  His own eyes were moist as well.

I... I have not played that for... for over five hundred years, he stuttered. 

David let out a gasp and smiled broadly.  His eyes glistened in the sunlight pouring in the large bay window.

Apollo smiled as well.  I... I could play it, he replied in wonder.  I could actually play it.

Both David and Apollo began to laugh. 

*      *       *

Athena thought she had been successful in finding a corner of the hotel bar to sit alone and unnoticed.  It was in the back and obscured by large plastic potted plants and a few plaster columns, both wound in softly glowing Christmas lights.  She had even ordered a sherry so that the wait staff would leave her alone with her troublesome thoughts about Eric.  But fifteen minutes after she sat down, a waiter with a buzz cut came up to her holding a bottle of red wine and two glasses.  He placed them on the table as she looked up at him with questioning annoyance.  He shot her a grin and announced, Compliments of Mr. Dennis Sidney.

Athena was about to protest, claiming that she did not know anyone named Dennis Sidney, when the face of Dionysus appeared over the waiter’s shoulder.

Oh, do accept, love, he said pouting his lips.  The bottle alone cost a hundred bucks.

Athena sighed.  Dionysus plopped himself down in a chair across from her.  He was wearing a brightly colored print shirt and a jean jacket.  And we haven’t seen each other in so long, he added handing the waiter a twenty dollar bill.  We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.

The waiter poured the wine and left.  Dionysus put his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his knuckles.  You’re not glad I found you.

I was looking forward to some quiet time to think, she answered evenly.

Dionysus waved his hands.  Think, schmink.  You can do that any time.  Dionysus reached over and took one of the glasses.  We’re all here to be together.  One big happy family.  He took a swig of the wine.  So sis, what’s new with you?

Athena ignored his humor.  Dennis Sidney?  Is that your name now?

Dionysus shrugged.  Today.  It’s on one of my passports.  Not my favorite, but the one that works best in America.

Athena watched him take another drink.  Have you been here long?

"A week or so.  Came early to catch some shows.  I wanted to see Cats but it’s gone.  I had heard it’s been around as long as we have.  Even that is changing."

Is everyone here this time?

Dionysus sat his glass down on the table.  Let’s see, I’ve run into Daddy, Mumsy, and Unky Neptune...  Saw Auntie from a distance, which is close enough if you ask me... Our most violent brother and I talked briefly this afternoon on the phone, and dear old sissy Venus and I went clubbing last night.  We closed the place down.  I can still hear a beat thumping in my head.  His eyes twinkled at the discomfort he knew his tone was causing in Athena.  You still in froggy land? 

Athena had learned centuries ago that the best way to carry on a conversation with Dionysus was not to acknowledge his infantile side.  Eventually he would tire of it.  No.  Britain, she answered calmly.

Oh.  Britain, he mimicked.  What do you do for fun there?

I run a publishing company, Athena replied. 

Dionysus sat back and laughed. 

What is so funny? she demanded.

Dionysus shook his head.  Nothing.  Nothing.  It sounds completely respectable and... suitable.

And yourself?

He waved his hands again.  Been here and there.  Mostly Asia recently.  The Brahmaputra is absolutely beautiful this time of year.  He gulped the last of the wine, savoring the final, sour mouthful before swallowing.  Bring anyone?

Athena looked down.  No.

But you would’ve liked to have?

Athena looked at him and opened her mouth.  She started to ask him a question but thought better of it.  She probably could not count on him to be serious anyway.

There’s a beautiful girl in Singapore I came this close to bringing, Dionysus continued.  Her big trip to an American city and all that, but I really couldn’t be bothered in the end.

A short silence fell between them as Dionysus poured himself another glass of wine.  He held it under his nose and sniffed the bouquet.

Athena decided to take a chance.  Tell me something, D.

Hmm?

She selected her words carefully.  Do you think that evil exists, or that there is no such thing, and only our perception creates the illusion of evil?

Dionysus stared at her blankly for a moment before breaking into loud hysterics.  Athena raised her voice above his.  I’m being serious!

I know, Dionysus replied.  You always are.

No I’m not.  Besides, it’s a simple question.

With no simple answer.  Dionysus leaned back and rested his bent elbow on his chair.  Where’s all this come from then?

I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.

Have you?

And I keep coming back to it.

Well, I don’t really think it matters much.

Of course it matters! Athena snapped, pressing her lips together in anger.    How can you say that?

Dionysus raised his hands.  Hey, if I’ve learned anything it’s you shouldn’t ask questions like this.  When you do, suddenly the arguments start going around and around in circles.  Must there be good for evil to exist?  Can somebody’s good be evil?  Is there ever a difference?

Athena leaned forward.  But horrible, horrible things that happen for absolutely no reason... to people who’ve never harmed anyone...

Are you talking about evil or injustice?

Athena thought a minute.  Both.  Injustice is evil.

Dionysus shook his head slowly from side to side.  The universe is unjust, that doesn’t mean the universe is evil.

Athena’s eyes narrowed.  She contemplated the paradox.

Dionysus pulled his chair closer to the table.  Listen, sis, he finally said reaching over and placing his hand on hers.  A long, long time ago I was in Austria.  There was this incredibly handsome kid.  He was kind, and sweet, and opened his house to me.  He gave his money away to poor people.  He supported us only with his farm.  He had no enemies.  But that didn’t stop a group of bandits ambushing him on the road to town one day.  They clubbed him to death and dropped his body down a well.  Athena noticed Dionysus’ voice had grown steady and grim.  He continued.  He was one of the best human friends I’ve ever had, and even I couldn’t save him from dying a horrible death.  Was that evil?  I don’t know.  It was certainly unjust.

Athena sat still.  Her gaze fell on the table.  I’ve known a lot of good humans that have died unjustly as well.  And who will die.  Eventually.

Dionysus cleared his throat and sat back.  Big deal.  That’s what humans do best.  They die.  He pulled his wine glass closer. 

Her eyes rose to meet his.  And we’re left behind.  Is that just?

Dionysus smiled broadly.  See, he said raising his glass.  That’s why we shouldn’t ask questions like this.

*      *       *

David walked Apollo to the elevator and pressed the down button.  Apollo held the human’s hand to his lips.  Will you be ok on your own? he asked.

David chucked.  Of course.  You go and play nice with your friends and I’ll see you later.

What will you do?

David stroked Apollo’s arm.  Diva wants me to come see her show tonight, so I thought I’d catch up with her at the club.  He smiled.  She’s gonna have a cow when she gets a load of this room.

Apollo smiled as well and looked down into David’s eyes.  They stood together for a few moments in the middle of the empty hallway.  Apollo bent down and kissed David on the lips, cradling his head between his hands.  He pulled away but kept his face inches from David’s.  He moved his fingers across David’s cheeks and felt the slight stubble missed by that morning’s