Little bit of plot I had after I had seen Aquaman. Completely enamored with tridents now. R&R, would love to see how my writing has either improved or got worse. One shot for now. Ciao
Chapter 1
First Titan War
Thunder crackled in the darkened, cloud filled skies. Lighhtning struck the ground at random, erratic moments. The earth shook with bone shaking earthquakes. A grey mist filled the air, almost toxic with a soup like quality to it and the seas frothed and churned, massive waves thousands of feet high rose and fell with thunderous cracks. Upon a flat plain hundreds of miles away from Mount Olympus, in the ancient city state of Thessaly, two massive armies clashed. Legions of monsters charged relentlessly against their foes, telekhine sword infantry, hellhound schock cavalry, armored cyclops hoplites, lastrygonian berserkers, drakanae archers, and various other monsters under the command of the Titans hurled themselves against a wall of celestial bronze shields, determined to slaughter anyone impetuous enough to stand in their way towards Mount Olympus.
Those that defied this literal horde of evil were demigods of all lineages. Offspring of Demeter, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Apollo, Ares and Athena and all the other Greek Gods in their tens of thousands had rallied together in the defense of their parents and Western Civilization, though they didn't know that at the time, hailing from multiple city states. All they knew was that if they didn't fight, their world as they knew it would be over. The children of Ares and Athena made up the bulk of the phalanx that held back the tide of monsters, the children of Apollo serving as the archers and medics, and the children of Hephaestus mixed in with the demigods, serving as hoplites in the phalanx with a multitude of other demigods serving as light infantry and as the army's cavalry.
A wall of spears met the enemy charge and hundreds of monsters impaled themselves upon the outstreatched celestial bronze spearheads that greeted them. Cries of pain and agony echoed for miles, never ending as the tide of monsters seemingly with abandon slammed into the massive hoplite phalanx, regardless of the risks and losses involved. The demigods fought with a discipline unmatched since the war started. The first rank of hoplites thrust their spears into their foes with lightning speed, the monsters not even knowing they were killed until they started to disintegrate and the pain kicked in. The children of Ares and Athena proved their worth as soldiers as for four hours of non-stop combat they held the line. No cyclops, no lastrygonian or hellhound made them break formation, nor did the battle line buckle. Strong and firm they held back the monstrous tide.
A wave of arrows flew over the phalanx and ripped into the horde of monsters,, tearing through armor plating and shield alike, killing hundreds upon hundreds of them, golden dust caked the muddy, battle-worn ground. A second wave produced the same results, and then a third thinned the monsters' ranks to such a degree that even the cyclops hoplites gave pause before advancing to do battle with the demigods. The children of Apollo weren't veteran archers for nothing, their training and their godly gifts from their sire made them a deadly force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
A warcry came from within the ranks of the monsters, and they parted ways to reveal a sight that made the demigods tense in fear. A small contingent of ten armored demigods allied to the Titans moved through the throngs of monsters, utterly fearless and confident to the point of arrogance. These demigods were those who fell to the sway of the Titans and sought to tear down their parents and restore the rule of the Titans. The bulk of their number consisted of the offspring of the Big Three. Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. The monsters disengaged the phalanx and stood thirty feet away from the demigod hoplites, snarling and shrieking with savagry. The demigods stopped ten feet away from the phalanx, and one of their number stepped forward. This demigod stood in front of the host of monsters and his fellow traitor demigods, clad in armor similar to fish scales, in his hand was a silver trident. "Son of Oceanus, you coward! Show yourself to me so that I may kill you for betraying your family!" he shouted.
Those in the phalanx looked around in confusion. A son of Oceanus? Here? Suddenly the ranks of the phalanx opened to reveal a man moving to stand at the head of the phalanx. He stood around five feet, nine inches tall. He wore a double serpent crested corinthian helmet with a blue horse hair plume, the crests rising high above his helmet, facing each other. An ornate celestial bronze breastplate, archaic compared to the other demigods, covered his tanned chest and some of his lower extremities, swirling patterns that depicted ancient sea monsters adorned the metal, converging upon a sea green trident emblazoned in the middle of the breastplate. His arms were covered from shoulder to forearm in celestial bronze armor pieces, intricate designs and and imagery highlight the exellent craftsmanship. His legs were covered from upper thigh to ankle in armored plates, not as extravagent as the other pieces but still well crafted, the celestial bronze glinting in the light of multiple lightning strikes. In his right hand he held a large trident, made of celestial bronze like the rest of his equipment.
The man shouted, "You are mistaken. I am a son of Poseidon. There are no sons of Oceanus here."
"Liar! We know the aura of the Titans, their children moreso. You carry the aura of the eldest. You stand against your father by taking a side, traitor! Oceanus is neutral in this conflict. You break his word by fighting alongside the offspring of the upstart Olympians!"
"Enough!", he shouted, pointing his trident at the demigod. It was true. Oceanus was his sire, but not in the way most would think. He himself was born from Oceanus without a mortal or immortal dam. However, he was not immortal. He had all the traits of the sea titan except immortality. And since these demigods of the Olympians could sniff him out, it would only be a matter of time before the Olympians themselves came after him. No use in hiding behind the sea god anymore. It was better to side with those that were destined to win. He knew that revealing his sire would have consequences, but at the moment he didn't care. "You of all people know that Kronos has gone mad and has corrupted those closest to him. He has become the very thing he accuses the Olympians of being! I don't represent my father in any way, shape or form. However, besmirch his name and I will run you through where you stand!"
The traitor demigods tensed in anger and started towards the son of Oceanus, preparing to gain retribution for his insults, but a silver trident halted their path. The demigod who wielded said trident stared at the demi-titan with curiosity and anger. "I ask you this, son of Oceanus. Why fight for those that will betray you in the end? Surely you know that they will hunt you down and kill you for being what you are. Join your family and help us defeat the gods for good and restore the titans to their rightful place."
The demi-titan shook his head. "I cannot follow my family, not anymore. They have fallen too far for me to even consider their side," he said before grabbing his trident and slipping into a battle stance. "They lost their right as rulers of the mortal world when they began to abuse it. I will not see them restored until they are reformed themselves."
The demigod nodded his head in acceptance. "So be it. I, Attaginos, son of Poseidon, hereby challenge the Son of Oceanus to single combat. Let us see who truly rules the sea."
"I, Alphaeus, son of Oceanus, accept this challenge. You shall sea that you are nothing but a mote of dust compared to the power I wield!"
The two combatants met in the area between the two armies with a flurry of blows from both sides, trying to gain an initial advantage as they put all their strength and energy into their strikes. Alphaeus dodged a rapid strike intended for his neck and thrust his trident towards his opponent's stomach, only to have it redirected to the ground, rolling to the side as a silver trident dug into the spot he was a moment ago, dodging another blow from his foe. He swung his trident, the prongs connecting with the son of Poseidon's right leg, sweeping it from under him, making him kneel. He raised his trident and thrust it at his opponent's chest, but was abruptly flung back a ways by a thunderous blow from the scion of Poseidon's trident to his midsection. His breastplate took the brunt of the blow but it knocked the wind out of him, leaving him gasping for air as he laid on the muddy ground. He began to panic once he heard the footsteps of the demigod getting closer, his movement sluggish. His limbs felt like lead. This demigod was powerful, much more powerful than he remembers any son of Poseidon being. Perhaps he received a blessing from the Titans? He had to find some way to tip the scales in his favor. His struggles increased when he heard the demigod begin to speak.
"Admit it, blood traitor. You and your father are weak," Attaginos said mockingly as he casually made his way to the downed son of Oceanus, enjoying the sight of his opponent struggling. "The only reason your father stays neutral is because he is too weak to fight either side, and chooses to languish in his undersea palace, while the real warriors and rulers of this world fight for what's theirs. I'm not even sure that your father deserves to rule the seas. Maybe after the titans win, I will receive immortality and take your father's domain. I will make you watch as your father fades from existance, and then I will kill you."
Alphaeus roared in rage, rapidly rising to his feet, much to the surprise of Attaginos, whom had no time to react as he swung his trident. The trident connected to the demigod's breastplate and sent him flying into the air, the armor denting from the force. Alphaeus charged the downed demigod, furiously thrusting his trident at his opponent, his anger increasing with each time he missed his target. The rage from the demigod's comment nearly made him lose it, making him sloppy. He couldn't land a hit, while a moment ago he could match the demigod and sometimes catch him off guard. He couldn't think beyond his anger and the need to make the demigod pay for the insults. The demigod, taking advantage of his opponent's emotional state, quickly recovered and got under the demi-titan's guard, sweeping him off of his feet and stabbing his trident at Alphaeus' chest, the midsection of the demi-titan's trident blocking his fatal blow.
"The titans will get rid of you once they're done with you, you know that right?" Alphaeus said as he struggled to hold back the demigod's trident. He had to find a way to get back on even ground. If the fight continued like this he would be sent to the Underworld, and he feared what awaited him down there. "They find you demigods disgusting abominations and will exterminate you once they've secured their rule. You all are just pawns in their game. Expendable pawns at best."
The demigod's face twisted with fury, and from what the demi-titan could see, a tiny hint of fear. Fear that his words may be right. "Be silent! Kronos promised be glory and freedom! I am no longer a slave to the petty gods!" he shouted, his words sounding hollow to even himself. His rage only grew when he saw the disbelieving face of the demi-titan.
"You traded one master for another, demigod. Nothing has changed."
The demigod howled furiously and pushed on his trident with all his might. Alphaeus smirked on the inside. They were on even ground. He directed his opponent's trident into the dirt beside his head and pushed the demigod to the side. He rolled to his feet and took a few steps back, narrowly avoiding trident prongs as they swung at his head with reckless fury. As the demigod stood up, both knew that the duel was close to ending. The two combatants were breathing heavy, their breath coming out as mist in the evening air. Sweat dripped off their bodies like rainfall. Their muscles screamed for rest, but were denied as the two rushed each other for one final act. Alphaeus often likened life to a play. A play for the amusement of those immortals who cared to watch and intervene when they felt like it. He hated the analogy, but could find nothing else that would fit.
He blocked a blow to his right side and slashed his opponent's thigh, sending the demigod reeling back. He moved to stab at the demigod's chest, but his trident was redirected and he was met with a powerful blow to his helmet that rocked him. He heard a cry of pain from his opponent, and through his hazy vision saw the son of Poseidon clutching his hand, his trident forgotten on the ground. That mistake would cost him. Dearly.
Alphaeus rammed his trident into his opponent's chest, the prongs piercing his breastplate. The demigod cired out in agony, clutching at the trident, his knuckles white with the amount of force being applied. He stared into the demigod's face, somewhat surprised that tears were rolling down his cheeks. The army of demigods cheered and shouted in victory. The monsters and traitor demigods howled in nameless fury and rage. But he didn't care.
"How old are you?" he asked.
"I-I am fou-fourteen winters," the demigod forced out.
"Oh, you poor, guillible fool," Alphaeus lamented. He yanked out his trident and caught the youth as he began to fall. Around him the din of battle began anew. Monsters and demigods fought each other with savagry, but left the area around the two combatants free of the conflict.
"I really was a fool, wasn't I? I was foolish for believing in the promises of immortals. I know now how fickle fate, and immortals, can be. I wonder, will I go to Elysium, or the Fields of Punishment? It terrifies me that I don't know for sure," the demigod rasped before going limp in Alphaeus' arms. The demi-titan laid the demigod on the ground and closed his eyes, laying a drachma on each eye, crossing his arms over his chest with the demigod's trident in his hands. It wasn't fair for this youth to have been wasted so caullosly. However, it was by his choices that this came to pass. He had respect for the demigod, if only a small amount. He was a good fighter.
"Go now to the afterlife. May you find Elysium," he said before rejoining the battle, weaving through the ranks of monsters and traitor demigods, displaying little effort as he slew dozens. He stabbed a telkhine through its thin breastplate, noting with a twisted sense of humor how it reminded him of a fish being speared, how it flailed around and squirmed before falling still. The telkhine soon turned to golden dust, and as he moved to engage a large lastrygonian his shoulder was grabbed with a crushing grip. He was twisted around and a fist crashed into his helmet, sending him to the ground. He looked up and saw the furious face of the army's commander, sky blue eyes crackling with lightning underneath his crested corinthian helmet.
"You craven dog! Why did you lie about your herritage! How do I know you're not a traitor! Give me a reason not to run you through right now!" he shouted with rage, his spear crackling with lightning leveled at Alphaeus' throat.
Alphaeus didn't raise his trident to defend himself, even though his pride demanded that he utterly crush the offender his respect for said individual tempered such feelings. Antipatros, son of Zeus, leader of the demigod army, had earned Alphaeus' respect early in the war. His honor and martial prowess impressed the demi-titan, and the fact that he cared for his men to such a degree as to nearly sacrifice himself on multiple occasions so that his men could fight another day had left a major impression upon Alphaeus. He admired the demigod, even though he served the Olympians, his actions made him a true warrior in the demi-titan's opinion. It stained his honor to lie to such an individual, but how could one explain that you were the spawn of the enemy you so despise without being thought a spy and killed on the spot.
"I had no ill intentions in lying to you Antipatros. I have served you faithfully and with honor since the war began. You know me-" he said before the spear tip pressed against his throat, cutting him off.
"I thought I knew you, Alphaeus, if that is your real name. But you have shown me that all that I know may be a lie, concoccted by a spawn of the Titans to save his wretched hide from rightful persecution," the demigod said.
"If I were loyal to the Titans, I would have killed all of you by now. There has been many moments in the war were I could've slew you and let the Titans storm Olympus with their armies. I haven't, because I oppose my kin. Because I'm loyal to you, Strategos. If my past actions and words do not sway you, let me prove my worth on the battlefield. I leave the decision to you," the demi-titan said, baring his throat for the spear, a small trickle of blood from where the tip pierced the skin flowed onto the celestial bronze breastplate.
Antipatros' eyebrows scrunched together as he thought. His initial thoughts were to run the traitor through, to rid a potential threat to his men and to the gods. However, listening to the demi-titan had calmed him down considerably, and as he looked back through his memories, found Alphaeus to be correct. There were many moments where he could have been slain by the demi-titan. Moments shared together in the command tent as they discussed strategies for the war together, only the two, without the usual honor guards that accompanied him everywhere he went. Moments on the battlefield where his life could have been taken multiple times, only for Alphaeus to appear and strike down his potential killer. He lowered his spear from Alphaeus' neck, but glared at him with near unchecked anger.
"I will let you live, but only because you have given me no reason to suspect you of treachery. Prove your loyalty to me and to the gods by fighting by our side. Know this, I will be watching you closely, and if you slip up even once, I will personally send your soul to the Fields of Punishment and I will take immense satisfaction in watching you be tortured for all eternity," Antipatros said before rejoining the melee.
Alphaeus rubbed at his neck, opening his flask and using the water to heal his wounds and to rejuvinate himself somewhat and followed after the Strategos into the battle. It wasn't much, but it was a start in regaining the trust he had lost.
The battle raged for another hour before a deafening sound gave them pause. Alphaeus had seen it happen, and he was conflicted. A large bolt of lighting had come from Mount Olympus and had sheared the top off of Mount Orthys. The Olympians had won. The monsters and traitor demigods seemed to have realised this as well. They began to flee into the wilderness in terror, the demigods not pursuing due to their own confusion.
However, both he and the demigods had no time to ponder such things, for a golden aura encased them all and transported them from the muddy fields to Olympus itself. As soon as he saw the thrones and the hearth, he knew that something terrible was going to happen. Much to his horror, all the Olympians were present. The army of demigods, once they realised where they were and who they were staring at, immediately kneeled in reverence. Alphaeus took a little bit longer to kneel.
"Rise demigods. Olympus thanks you for fighting on our side against the Titans," a voice said.
It was from the middle throne. Upon the throne sat an imposing figure. He would know those storm grey eyes anywhere. Zeus. King of the Olympians.
"However, for hiding a son of Oceanus from us you all shall be punished. For your service I will not execute the lot of you. You will be frozen in time, your youth made eternal, to lay dormant until Olympus has need of you again. And as for you, son of Oceanus. You will be imprisoned along with them. Be grateful I am allowing you to live at all," the Olympian said.
Immediately there were cries of indignation. How were the demigods to know that Alphaeus was a son of a titan. And why were they being punished for something as stupid as that. But Zeus, fearing the growing power of demigods and terrified of the demi-titan, along with the need to control and dominate, silenced them with a thunderous crack from his lightning bolt. It was the perfect excuse he needed to act. Their children, depsite their love for them, needed to be taken down a notch. Too much power, and they could possibly to the same to them, as the Olympians had just done to the Titans.
Alphaeus was not really surprised, but was furious at this decision. These Olympians seemed no better than his tyrannical cousins. He gripped his trident and was about to say something, but before he could he felt everything stop and his eyes forcefully close. The entire army of demigods were in such as state as well, and both he and the army were transported away from the throne room. Most of the Olympians stayed in the throne room, awaiting the trials of the Titans, while a few that couldn't be bothered flashed away to enjoy and indulge in their new domains.
"Father, was this really a wise decision?" Athena asked.
"Yes my daughter. These demigods were becoming too powerful for my liking. They were becoming a threat. The fact that they hid a son of a titan from us only confirmed my suspicions. They need to be kept in check," Zeus answered.
"Of course Father, but I think that this will have terrible consequences in the future. We have made an enemy for life for all those demigods. I just have a bad feeling about all this."
"Have faith daughter. This plan of mine will keep us safe," he said. As the Titans were flashed into the throne room and the trial commenced, the Olympian King wondered if he was too harsh on the demigods. Wondered if his actions would cause him anguish in the future. But those thoughts were quickly banished as he began to chop up his father into a thousand pieces, taking delight in reducing his once proud father into such a decrepid state.
Deep within the bowels of the earth, in a marble chamber imbued with powerful and ancient magics, the demigod army lay in stasis. Unmoving, never aging. Alphaeus, trapped with the demigods, was plagued with dreams of a war. A war to decide the future of the entire world itself, the role he would play in it, and a choice that would set in motion a series of events even the fates couldn't forsee in his future.