A/N Welcome back to another story, everyone! The prompt this week was to write a story starting with: "We've arrived at the end of another Earth cycle."

This story requires a little bit of explanation. However, I'm afraid I'll spoil things if I put them here. That's why I've decided to list the names and what they stand for (you'll understand this when you start reading) at the end of this chapter. The translation for the Latin is also at the end of the chapter. Enjoy!

"We've arrived at the end of another Earth cycle."

Juno strolled around the circular table that seated the twelve Gods and Goddesses. Her sandals clicked on the marble floor.

"It is time to come to a decision."

The God's murmured amongst each other as Juno took her place next to Jupiter. Her husband's eyes drifted through the room.

"The Earth is dying," Diana spoke up. "It becomes weaker each day."

"Then we need to save it," said Ceres. "The Earth must survive."

"And the humans do not?" Vesta glared disapprovingly at her sister. "All those families, you would just let them die?"

"They will kill themselves," said Apollo, his golden eyes staring into the distance as if he was in trance. "If we let them continue as they live now, they will kill the Earth and allow themselves to die along with her."

"They are our children," said Venus. "We cannot abandon them. We have created them, and now you want to wipe them out? How cruel!"

"They do not know how to stop," Mercury added, shaking his head. "We've tried to teach them, but they refuse to understand."

Apollo sagged in his seat and closed his eyes. "I predicted this," he whispered. "In Finis Inceptum Est. They have been doing this since the day we created them."

"We shall decide together," came Jupiter's rumbling voice. "After the many times we've discussed this, I'm sure you've all made up your minds. All in favour of extinguishing the human race?"

Hands raised, however hesitantly.

"All in favour of giving the humans the chance to save themselves?"

Several of the Gods, scattered about the room, raised their hands. A gasp escaped Venus' lips.

"Equal numbers," Juno whispered, her eyes widening a fraction. "What now?"

"My daughter," said Jupiter, turning to Minerva. "We need your guidance."

Minerva raised her head, ignoring the glare her father's wife gave her. "I do not doubt Apollo's prophecies. If we let them continue on like this, the humans will kill Earth. It is our job to save her."

"Well, we know that..." Juno muttered.

"This is a very subjective issue, which is why the opinions are so divided. However, even the most subjective issues have objectively fair solutions."

"Fair?" said Jupiter. "You're saying it's fair to extinguish them, then?"

"No," said Minerva. "We shall ask Janus for help."

Mumbling broke out amongst the Gods, but Minerva ignored them.

"The humans may inhabit the Earth we gifted them. But we shall let her heal first. Janus will put the humans to sleep until Earth has grown strong enough once more."

The Gods fell quiet as they processed her plan. Juno's glare had turned to a shocked expression. They all knew she'd been right. This was an objective solution. It would save the Earth, while keeping the humans alive. It was kind and it was fair. Even Juno, Goddess of protection, had nothing else to contribute.

Jupiter cleared his throat to regain the attention of his court. "All in favour?"

"Aye," came twelve voices in perfect harmony.

"Then it has been decided. Minerva, let Janus know what must be done. We shall come together once more at the end of the next Earth cycle."

In finis inceptum est is Latin for: In the beginning is the end, or The beginning foreshadows the end.

The characters in this story were all Roman Gods and Goddesses. Here is a list of each of them and what they stand for. These twelve are the "main" ones. Janus isn't, which is why he wasn't at the meeting.
Jupiter: God of the sky
Juno: protector
Mars: God of war
Minerva: Goddess of wisdom
Neptune: God of tbe sea
Venus: Goddess of love
Apollo: God of archery, music, the sun and prophecy
Diana: Goddess of the hunt, the moon, and nature
Vulcan: God of fire
Vesta: Goddess of home and family
Mercury: God of communication, messages and travellers
Ceres: Goddess of grain and farms
Janus: God of beginnings, gates, transitions and time