Prologue

The four beings stood silently watching the city of Atlantis beginning preparations for war against them.

"Fools…" One of them spoke. His deep voice rumbled over the plains. His ancient dark eyes flashed maliciously. A scar ran across his left eye. A "gift" given from his youngest son Cronus, who stood beside him.

Cronus did not look at his father and replied, "They have no idea what their up against. It is too easy. But why do we wait? Why not obliterate them now?!"

His father did not say anything, but the ancient woman behind him took a step forward and said, "We give mercy, remember that my son. The fault falls on one person, not all of them. Even your father knows that. We must wait for their redemption."

Cronus growled in frustration. Then he turned and his eyes sought for the woman standing very quietly beside him.

"What do you say, wife?" he spoke with a defiant air of annoyance. "Do you believe we should be weak and accept their apology? They have angered us! Their Gods!!"

Her long dark brown hair was tied back with gold ribbons that matched the gold ribbons on her perfect white dress and the beautiful gold ring on her wedding finger that was shaped to look like flames. Her bright blue eyes were saddened and were fixed to the lights of Atlantis.

"Answer me, wife!!" Cronus grabbed her slender arms and turned her to face him.

Her eyes held fear of him. And he used it to his advantage.

She pulled from his grasp and gave him an icy stare before saying, "I agree with Uranus and Gaia, Cronus. One mortal has caused this war, not the whole city!"

His power gathered around him until sparks of lightning crackled in the air.

He pointed his finger at the city and said in a menacing tone, "They choose to follow him!!"

She crossed her arms and replied, "Only because they see what their fate will be if they choose to defy him!! At least I have a heart to understand their silent plea for help!!"

No sooner had those words left her lips, did she wish to take them back.

Uranus' gaze of Atlantis broke to look at his son's face. Gaia looked ready to intervene if things got too out of hand.

Cronus' anger intensified as the air around him became thick. His wife took a step back and kept a fixed defiant look on her face.

"You're not going to frighten me into giving in to what YOU want again," she said calmly, although her voice betrayed fear.

Gaia stepped behind her son and said, "Stop this now Cronus! This is not helping!!"

Cronus ignored her and suddenly pushed his palms in the direction of his wife.

A wave of energy shot at her. She crossed her arms over her chest ready to block his attack. When it hit her, she was pushed back by the force but was relatively unscathed.

"You can't kill or hurt a God or Goddess, Cronus," rumbled Uranus' voice, "So save your energy."

Cronus looked at both of his parents, then at his wife.

"Fine!" Cronus lowered his hands, "But Atlantis' time is up. They must know the consequences of trying to destroy all of mankind! Their monsters have destroyed many worlds and now they have a weapon that will destroy everything other than their own planet! I say we strike now!!"

He turned to face Atlantis. Lightning crackled around him. Then with one almighty blast he fired his power towards the city.

"No!!!" His wife yelled and ran in between him and his intended target.

The blast hit her in the chest and there was a huge explosion and everything went white.

Cronus, Gaia and Uranus shielded their eyes from the light.

Then slowly, the light faded.

The three immortals looked around.

"Where is she?" Gaia asked looking worried.

Cronus felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. He fell to his knees where his wife stood only moments before.

He then noticed a small gold ring lying on the ground. He picked it up and brushed the dirt off it.

It was in the shape of flames. It was her wedding ring.

"No…" he murmured, "I couldn't of…"

"Look!!" Uranus' voice broke his thoughts.

He stood and looked where his father and mother were pointing too.

The city of Atlantis still stood untouched, but something seemed to be covering the city.

A golden shield.

Cronus concentrated and felt his body disappear and then reappear next to the shield. His parents followed suit.

His placed his hand on the shield. It would not let him through. No matter how hard he pushed. He felt so much emotion in this shield. Love, regret, anger and fear. And then he felt…

"No…." he shook his head in disbelief.

Uranus and Gaia had also been inspecting the shield.

"This is her creation," Uranus said in awe, "She made this so we couldn't harm them."

"And so they couldn't leave nor have anyone enter," Gaia said sadly, "Not even us."

Cronus then seemed puzzled, "But you can't kill a God or Goddess!!"

He turned on his father, "You said it!! So what just happened?!"

Uranus was about to reply when they both felt Gaia wanting to say something.

"She's alive," she said sadly.

Cronus looked at his parents with joy but their faces seemed to hold their sadness.

"What? She's alive! That's great news!" Cronus said happily, "Where is she?!"

Uranus looked at Gaia and then said, "She is alive, yes. But where she is? We don't know, nor can we find out."

Cronus' smile faded, "But she's a Goddess. She can't hide from us."

"But she is no longer a Goddess Cronus," Gaia replied putting her hands on his shoulders to comfort him, "She's a mortal."

Cronus backed away from his mother's touch. Staring at her in disbelief.

"No…. she couldn't be," he said clutching the ring in his hand, "But our son Hades! He could make her immortal again!! And she'll try to return to Mount Olympus!"

"But we don't know where she is Cronus!" His father raised his voice, "And she won't return. Because she will not remember you, us or what happened."

Cronus stared at both of them. Then he looked at the large golden shield and then to the ring in his palm.

He knew what he was to do.

"I'll find you my love. Even if it takes thousands of years. I will find you, Rhea."