The grand hall of the mansion felt smaller with so many divine champions gathered within its walls.
Heroes from across pantheons had assembled—Perseus and Chione representing the Greeks, Rama and Hanuman from the Indian pantheon, Thoth and Anubis from Egypt, alongside Gilgamesh, the ancient king of Uruk whose strength rivaled the gods themselves, Cú Chulainn with his legendary Gáe Bolga spear strapped to his back, Beowulf whose bear-like frame dominated one corner, Sun Wukong perched irreverently on a windowsill with his golden staff, Susanoo carrying the storm-scent of Japanese tempests, Quetzalcoatl whose feathered serpent form coiled around a marble pillar.
Achilles still radiating the invulnerability that had made him legend, and dozens of others who had once been worshipped as gods themselves, now reduced to discussing their survival in hushed, desperate tones.
