Category: Greek Mythology

Rating: M

Couples: Athena/Thanatos (no idea where that came from :P)

Warnings: AU, Hints of Lemon as well as Blood

Chapter: 1

Copyright: Greek Gods © By Whomever they belong, Plot & OC´s © by me

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"They hold the north, father." Athena stood in front of Zeus. "They overran us; we never stood a chance."

Her armor was testimony to the fierce battle she had fought before admitting that.

"How many?"

"Hundreds. Giants, Titans, monsters, everything…" Athena said. "They increase their army every attack; soon they will have enough power to overthrow Olympus."

Zeus narrowed his eyes. "And what would you do, my wise Athena?"

"Find aid, before it is too late."

The king of Heaven nodded, before dismissing her. The war-goddess bowed and left.

"What say you?" The six oldest Olympians were the only ones in the great room. All the other gods were on Earth, trying to stop the onslaught of the Titans.

"Athena's counsel has always been wise, as it is now. But from where will we get the aid?" Hades stood at the far right of the dais. "Who could and would be our aid against the Titans?"

"Nyx and Erebus have yet to choose a side." Demeter answered. "If we manage to get their aid, we would be much stronger."

"But how do you want to do that?" Hera gestured around her. "What can we offer them that they can't take by themselves or gain by joining our father?"

"Demeter is right; there is no harm in asking." Hestia agreed with her younger sister. "The worst we could get would be a 'no'."
"What do we have to lose? Face it, siblings; without aid or a miracle, we will lose this war." Poseidon looked at their youngest brother.

Zeus remained silent for a while. "Send Athena, she is our best diplomat."

Demeter left at once to do his bidding.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Athena moved through the darkness of the Underworld towards the palace of Nyx and Erebus. She stood in front of the massive gate, holing both souls and gods at bay.

She had barely raised her hand to knock, when a voice came from the shadows. "Rarely does a child of Zeus visit the house of Nyx, and how his favorite stands at my gate?" The woman manifesting was more beautiful than any other, clad only in her long, pitchblack hair. She was almost too perfect as she studied the young goddess.

Athena bowed. "I come on behalf of my father."

"So, first he threatens my son, and now he desires something of me?" She opened the doors, gesturing for the other to enter.

"He was angry at the situation, not your son." Athena explained.

"That means little when I have to arise during day to save him." Nyx led her to one of the sitting-rooms.

"My father is like his thunderbolts, in everything. His moods are short, but powerfull." Athena seated herself on the offered settee.

Nyx chuckled. "I see why he send you. Very well then, with what can I aid him?"

"The Titan-war above." Athena said. "He asks for your aid in defeating the Titans. Without the House of Nyx, Olympus will fall."

"Why should I risk the well-being of my children for Olympus? All they ever got was Hate." Nyx asked, slowly evaporating into the darkness of her house.

"That would not change if you did not aid them." Athena said. "Not that it would matter then."

"Indeed." Nyx circled the War-goddes, now no longer visible with the naked eye. "Admitting defeat already?"

"No." Athena remained acutely aware of the moving essence around her. Another presence now mixed with Nyx inside the room. "But words would never convince you. I too know this."

Nyx did not answer.

"So, my question would be; what does my father have to DO to convince you to help him?"

"Straight to the point." A rumbling bass chuckled. "I like that."

"Indeed, I always like you best, Athena. So devoted to your father, but not unwilling to know sense into him when needed. Tell me, are all his daughters this loyal?"

"Those in the pantheon are."Athena remained unmoved as invisible eyes studied her every move.

"I would know a thing Zeus could do." Erebus said. "It is almost common practice with mortals in this kind of situation."

Athena tensed a bit, her mind straying in the same direction his had. "And that is?"

"Marriage… Tell Zeus, he is to send one of his immortal daughters to us." Erebus explained. "Let us be part of his pantheon by blood and we would defend it as such."

"Who would be the husband then?" Athena asked, glancing to where she felt the two primordial deities.

"Either Thanatos or Hypnos. Depending on the goddess who comes."

"I assume you wish all the bonds of marriage? 'A girl belongs to her father, a woman to her husband'."

"At the very least in matters of the body, as you hopefully understand. Everything else is their decision."

Athena swallowed. "And you?"

"Us?" Two bodies formed on opposite sides of the goddess. "What about us?"

"Surely you have a preference for a daughter-in-law?" Athena looked from one to the other. Her silver eyes burned with a flame neither Nyx nor Erebus could name.

"We have no other preference than those our sons would have, were they here." Nyx seated herself across from Athena again.

"But neither are a choice we could make." Erebus carried two goblets of nectar to the women.

"How come?" Athena accepted the goblet he offered her with a nod.

"One already is married, and the other never can."

"A virgin goddess?" Athena guessed.

"Yes." Erebus answered her, a strange light now in his eyes. "You, to be precise."

For the first time since entering Athena knew not what to say.