Hello again, lovely readers! This chapter is unfortunately not as action packed as I'd hoped, but trust me when I say that the build up of tension is all for good reason ^^ Also, it briefly mentions one of my favorite goddesses! As usual, reviews are always appreciated (:

and you once said "i wish you dead, you sinner"

i'll never be more than a wolf at your door for dinner

and if i see you 'round like a ghost in my town, you liar

i'll leave with your head, no i'll leave you for dead, sire

{ nike}

She wanted him to burn alive.

She wanted to see him at the mercy of the gods, torn apart by beasts and strangled, drowned, incinerated by all forces of nature. She wanted him banished to the most burning depths of Hades' kingdom, but not so far that she couldn't hear his screams. She wanted to see him struggle and writhe in agony, rotting from the inside out with only his own wretchedness for company.

If Zeus didn't already have the honor, she would gladly do it herself.

She monitored he expression closely, searching for any sign of weakness that she could jump on. She expected at least some kind of guilt etched beneath the surface of his facade, but he kept up a strong mask of bewilderment, startled eyes once again flickering toward her as if she might have the answer to Zeus's question. She narrowed her eyes at him, her nails digging into her knees in order to prevent her hands from forming into tight fists, which would be far too tempting to ram into his face.

After a long beat of silence his expression became neutral, eyes going cold, and he returned his dark gaze to meet Zeus's evenly. "With all due respect, I don't recall declaring a war of any kind." Nike scoffed, causing a few to glance in her direction, but for once Erebus didn't even spare her a glance, instead simply tilting his head. "It seems like the kind of think I'd remember doing, but maybe I'm wrong. Perhaps you should be the one enlightening me."

"βάλλ' εἰς κόρακας, you filthy excuse for a god," she hissed, lurching forward in her seat before Zeus could say anything. "Your false ignorance is far from amusing. Is it not bad enough that you disrupt the peace it has taken us centuries to ensure?"

"Bite your tongue!" Nyx stood abruptly, her eyes burning. Murmurs and harsh whispers suddenly spread around the table like wildfire. "How dare you disrespect my brother so blatantly?"

"Silence, both of you!" Poseidon's voice surprised everyone, booming through the great hall. The whispers stopped abruptly. He lowered his voice and addressed them both with a frosty gaze. "You will speak civilly at this table or you will leave. Am I understood?"

Nyx mutely sank back into her seat and Nike forced her muscles to relax, only barely registering Artemis's calming hand on her forearm.

"I'd set my hounds on him this moment if I could," the virgin goddess whispered, leaning in so only she could hear. Nike's shoulders relaxed slightly and she almost managed a smile, mostly because she had no doubt Artemis would do such a thing in a heartbeat if it weren't for the Brothers' commands and her slightly less instinctive twin holding her back.

Zeus hadn't even reacted to the outburst, keeping his stormy eyes locked on his target. Erebus remained statuesque under the intense gaze. Eventually, in a surprisingly level voice, Zeus managed, "What is your opinion of the mortal humans?"

Erebus arched an eyebrow, though his dark eyes remained somewhat confused. "Pathetic creatures. They will be quick to die out."

Nearby Mania hissed in a breath, her expression darkening. Hypnos's eyes narrowed, and Nike noticed Ares shoot Athena a meaningful glance.

Zeus leaned back slightly, folding his arms over his chest. "Indeed, it is their destiny to be a short-lived race." He glanced around the table, daring anyone to challenge him. To make a remark, to say something. His eyes lingered on some longer than others, but all turned their gazes away respectfully. All except Erebus.

Nike felt the sudden urge to claw her fingernails into his eyes. The frustration expanded in her chest with a sudden intensity - it took all of her effort to keep herself silent. He was wasting their time and he knew it. Perhaps he wished to taunt them, to make them beg for the second declaration of war. A part of her was ready to scream at him to surrender immediately, but a single sweeping gaze around the table and she knew that peace would not come so easily. Something had shifted out of balance between the gods. Fear crept forth, offering to replace her anger. She shut it down.

Still, a sense of unease lingered behind. A war of the gods would destroy all that they were fighting for. She imagined the Earth being shredded to pieces, the heavens unwinding and the dead spirits of the Underworld released from their graves. Dark and light would collide and all that was would be undone as she was torn between the two of them, each side needing her just as desperately as the other. She would be kidnapped, tortured, imprisoned.

She could not survive a clash of the deities.

Not again.

Zeus stood, very slowly, and leaned forward on the table. His palms flattened against the surface, fingers splaying out, knuckles twitching to convey all the tension his expression could not. Nike found herself simultaneously fascinated and terrified. When he spoke his voice was less controlled, a tremor behind it indicated the rage he so obviously harbored. "Some among us wish to alter that destiny. They believe the mortal humans to be more than servants to the gods. They wish for them to prosper on Earth so that they can become corrupted by all that we cannot control and, eventually, spread that darkness to the world in which they live."

For the first time, Erebus's cool mask faltered, his eyebrows twitching together. Nike would admit, if somewhat grudgingly, that it was an excellent act. "That's impossible," he said after a moment. "The gods cannot destroy the Earth. It is the law of nature."

"Indeed," Zeus leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. "We were not granted the power to corrupt the mortal world. The humans, however, are no so restrained." Lightning buzzed over her skin once, twice, crackling in bright little bursts and hissing and spitting as it came in contact with the table. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"

"Me?" Erebus stood, anger battling confusion on his face. "Where do I come into all of this?"

"Do you think us stupid, Erebus? Do you think us incapable of seeing past your lies? I am done with this foolishness. We already know that you lead those who would see the Earth crumble. You will either admit your guilt now or we will prove it ourselves."

Nike noticed Nyx gently touching Erebus's arm, a silent warning, but the young god shook her off. "What reason would I have to lead such a rebellion?"

When Zeus didn't respond, Erebus's eyes locked with hers. She narrowed her own in return, gritting her teach. It was Poseidon who eventually spoke, his voice surprisingly calm. "Because, young Erebus, the world created of such chaotic intentions would be ruled by darkness. That type of Earth, so corrupted and rotten and filled with madness... it would be yours."

Zeus had arranged for her to have her own room.

It was a thing of beauty, with a bed large enough to fit four of her and trinkets on every available surface. To one side there was a tub built into the ground, surrounded by burning candles and filled with eternally warm water. To another side was a vanity - no doubt a gift from Aphrodite herself - with a beautifully carved mirror and an assortment of combs. The most grand aspect of it, though, was that ever single thing, from the sheets on her bed to the walls to the little statuettes, was gold.

Yet, as she settled into the bath, allowing her wings to unfold for the first time since the meeting (she'd kept them hidden in the cramped space, afraid they'd be damaged), she couldn't help but feel that it was a beautiful, wonderful cage. Many of the other gods and goddesses had returned to where they had come from. Erebus was kept on Mount Olympus, no doubt in a room far less enchanting than hers, as well as Nyx, Hecate, Mania, and Hypnos. A few others chose to stay, among them Artemis, Apollo, Ares, and Athena. All the other deities had gone back to their proper duties, ensuring that Earth ran smoothly despite the fact that war might soon tear it apart.

A knock on her door startled her. She groaned, sinking farther into the the water and wondering if perhaps she could pretend she hadn't heard it. No doubt it was one of the Brothers, hoping to ensure her alliance if war did, indeed, fall upon them. Not that she had much choice - they would hunt her down either way. Her mother had given her to Zeus many years before - she was his property, his to abuse whenever he felt the need, and she knew that. Resistance would only make things worse.

The knock sounded again, more loudly and insistent. She sighed, rising from the water and pulling down one of the tapestries to use as a makeshift cover, hoping that Zeus would have decency to leave her be for the night once he saw it. She wrapped it around herself, sloppily tucking it at one corner, and wrung her hair out briefly before padding over to the door. The knocking had become incessant, and she by the time she had reached it she was thoroughly annoyed. "I would very much appreciate it if I might be granted the night to myself. At the moment, I'm not - "

She was cut off by the door swinging open and Erebus storming in, shutting it firmly behind him.

" - dressed," Nike finished, heat rushing into her face. By normal standards it wasn't entirely inappropriate to be seen without clothing, but Nike had never been like Aphrodite, so eager to expose her body. She suddenly clutched to tapestry closer to her chest, tugging it higher and crossing her other arm firmly over her midsection.

Erebus didn't even comment on her lack of proper dress, his narrowed eyes focusing on her face. Under normal circumstances she would have spit out a thousand curses at the very sight of him, but her embarrassment blocked out some of her rage, and she only managed a halfhearted, "Come to taunt me some more, traitor?"

His eyebrows drew together even tighter. "You shouldn't be here."

Something flared up within her. "And who is to blame for that?"

"Not me, as so many seem to think."

Nike spun on her heel, storming back toward her bath. "Leave me, Erebus. I do not wish to be the object of your cruel sense of humor tonight."

A cool hand caught her elbow, startling her. She turned toward him and slapped it away, trying to force all her hatred into a single glare. He looked incredibly unimpressed. "I'm not leaving, Nike. Not unless you come with me."

She scoffed in disbelief. "You think I would join your side of the war? That I'll come willingly?" She leaned forward until her face was inches from his. "Know this: I will not aid in the end of this Earth. And under Zeus's protection, you cannot force me." It wasn't true. They could kidnap her, torture her, enslave her. She knew that. Did he?

Erebus drew back, a disgusting look contorting his features. "I have no side," he insisted. "Nike, I do not know who declared this war, but it was not me. I swear on every shadow in this and any world."

"Victory is entirely to your advantage," she scowled. "Who else would gain from such a war?"

"I don't - " His voice caught, surprising her. He turned his face away from her, seeming genuinely frustrated as he dragged his fingers through his dark hair. It took him a moment to compose himself. "I don't know. Whoever it is, though, hopes that I'll take the blame." His jaw set. "I won't."

"Forgive me," Nike said, tugging up the tapestry, "if I don't believe you."

A moment of silence stretched between them. He turned back toward her and his midnight eyes were burning into hers. She met his gaze evenly, feet planted firmly on the floor, muscles tense in anticipation. He'd kidnap her. He knock her out, perhaps even tie her up, and drag her from Mount Olympus to serve in his twisted army. He'd -

"I'm running away."

She blinked at him, startled. "What?"

"I'm running away," he repeated. Confusion bubbled up within her. She searched for a lie in his eyes but found none. "I'm getting out of here. I don't know where I'll go - where I'll hide - but wherever it is, it will be somewhere they can never find me. Nike, I will not be blamed for a war I did not declare."

She frowned suspiciously. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I want you to come with me."

Her mouth opened to curse him mercilessly, but he cut her off sharply. "Will you just listen, for once in your life? This war is yours, Nike. Without you, they cannot win. Who in their right mind would start a war they could never end?"

"You think I don't already know that?" she hissed, bristling. "You think I don't want to run as fast as I can away from this wretched place? You're right, Erebus. This war is mine. It will kill me. But there's nothing I can do about that." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I will not fall for your poorly thought out trap, Erebus. If my powers must be abused, I wish for it to at least be for good reason."

His hand suddenly lifted to strike her and she flinched. It never came, though. She cautiously opened her eyes to see him standing there, perfectly still, arm still raised. After a moment he shakily lowered it, and when he spoke his voice trembled. "Fine. Stay. Enjoy your war, Nike." His voice was very cold. "And when they tear you limb from limb in attempt to save their cause, do not expect me to pity you."

He was gone a moment later, storming from her room just as he had stormed into it, and she was left with rage and confusion battling in her chest.

Hecate (favorite goddess I mentioned above) - goddess of magic and witchcraft

Mania - goddess of madness

Hypnos - god of sleep