The Great War

A/N: So now comes the War! Yay! That means we're almost halfway! But fear not! I may even write a third story! But that depends entirely on how many reviews this one gets! (wink, nudge) So, Read this Chapter, and Review!

Hades's POV

"Long ago you were locked away, creature of my own creation! Now I offer freedom in return for your services! What say you, Kraken?"

A long, rattling roar echoed up from the depths of Tartarus, and Hades took a few steps back. "Then swear upon the Styx to serve me! And you shall have freedom!"

Another roar, but now the words were Greek, ancient Greek. Hades smiled to himself, and screamed into the dark, "I open the void of Tartarus, and let loose the monster Kraken!" A long silence followed his words, a stifling silence, filled with dark malice. Then a long, hollow boom! Sounded deep below, and a massive shape began to haul itself up from the very pit of Tartarus.

A woman stepped up beside Hades, but she was no mortal woman. She was in shadow, so all Hades heard was her voice. "You ssshould have kept it in Tartarussss. The Kraken cannot be trussted . . . ."

Hades scoffed, "And you speak of trust? You, who not only slept with a God, but then denied it and plead with another to hide you? You are a tool. Nothing more."

The woman made a long hissing noise, like a pit of serpents. Hades ignored her, his eyes on the gigantic beast that clawed it's way to the surface.

Poseidon's POV

Poseidon stared deep into the ocean, it's deepest point, the Mariana Trench. He could feel the cold seeping from the waves, the malevolent evil. But he had little choice. Hades would raise his beast, the Kraken, and Zeus would command his. It was time for drastic measures.

The Sea God pointed his Trident into the dark waters, and shouted, "I bound you! Now I command that you fight for me! By Divine Law, you are mine to command, Beast! Rise, and do as Poseidon commands!" A blast of blue energy swept from the Trident, and disappeared into the darkness. From that void, a roar, easily the loudest ever heard, rose. Poseidon stared into the water, and felt the monster waken, and begin to rise.

With it's power severely weakened by the Olympians, the monster would retain only a little of it's strength. Poseidon could control it, but little more. It was the most powerful monster in existence. The father of all others, the mate to Echidna, the monstrous Typhon!

The creature rose to only it's elbows, but it still towered over the Sea God. Poseidon pointed up, towards the surface, and commanded, "Bring me Zeus!"

Zeus's POV

Zeus looked out, into the night. After it's defeat, the powerful Lydian Drakon had been sealed in the stars. But now, it's time had come to rise anew, and win the war in the name of Olympus. This would be Zeus's ace in the hole. He would use the Drakon, a true terror of all, and strike down his brothers with ease.

But one problem remained. Once the beast was free, it would take considerable effort to restrain it. But after the war, Zeus would have that power. He had only to kill his brothers, and his power would grow.

Anak's POV

Anak heard the roar, and looked up. Sole, across the room, also raised his head.

They had been allowed into the meetings, since they were gods, but they made no decisions. The others stood around the room, Apollo, Aphrodite, and Dionysus. They were all dressed richly, but none so much as Aphrodite. She wore a long gossamer pinkish white gown, and a sash around her perfect white shoulders. The Goddess was whatever the man looking at her wanted her to be.

To Anak, she appeared to be a woman with long white blond hair, and depthless crystal blue eyes. Her lips were a soft pink, her face utterly perfect, not a single spot to mar her beauty. She had her hair pulled back into an elegant array of braids, arranged to look like a soft crown of gold. She wore under it a diadem of sapphires.

Apollo looked a lot like Sole, with his honey blond hair, golden eyes, and fair complexion. He wore a long gold cloak, and under it a white Greek tunic, with a golden belt. He had his golden bow strapped across his back.

Dionysus wore a long purple robe, and a grape vine curled through his inky black curls. His eyes were bleary, as though he were constantly drunk, but they were violet. He carried a long staff curled 'round with grapevines and small clusters of grapes near the head.

All three Immortals appeared utterly grave. When the war had first begun, they had summoned their full power. Aphrodite's power came from how much mortals fell in love. That had not changed in millenia. Apollo's came from the sun. As Zeus's power grew, so did Apollo's. It was a great advantage. Dionysus's power was drawn from alcohol. Or more directly, humans who drank it. The more people who were drunk, the more powerful Dionysus was.

Suddenly, Poseidon entered the throne room, and the other three immortals bowed to him. He nodded, and said, "It is done. Typhon is free. He has his orders. He will attack Zeus. Now we must-"

A ground shaking boom! Interrupted Poseidon's sentence. He looked around in surprise, then his face went white. He ran to the windows, and looked out. Anak, and all of the others, hurried to his side.

A mighty beast was laying waste to the lower part of Poseidon's palace. It resembled a squid, but instead of the upper part of a squid's body, it had the body of a giant, with claws like a crab, and another set of arms, with gigantic human hands. It's eyes glowed with malevolent hate.

Apollo gasped. "The Kraken!"

Poseidon turned red in anger. "Hades!" His roar threw them all off their feet. Poseidon grasped his Trident, and strode briskly through the doors. The other followed quickly, intent on helping the Sea God.

Poseidon needed no help. He stopped on a terrace above the Kraken, and glared down at it. The Sea God raised his Trident, and an eerie silence fell.

Then, with a blazing blue light, Poseidon grew in size, till he was fifty feet tall. He roared down at the Kraken, and once more raised his Trident. Lightning, which should have been impossible underwater, lanced out, and struck the Kraken with skyscraper-destroying force. The monster reeled back, and then bellowed in pain and rage. It leapt, it's many tentacles swirling through the water. It landed full on the palace, a few hundred yards from Poseidon.

Poseidon pointed his Trident at it, and blinding blue energy surged from it, and tore through the Kraken, spreading it's viscous black blood into the sea. It now screamed, a very strange sound underwater, and fell, fell towards the sea floor, dying, if such a creature could die.

Poseidon then pounded the butt of his Trident on the terrace, making the entire palace shudder. A crevasse opened beneath the Kraken, and it fell into the black void. Poseidon pounded again, and it closed over the monster, sealing it away.

Anak stared at his father, amazed at his pure power. Anak himself, though he possessed the same powers, had nowhere near the incredible ability. He could not command the same proportion of power like Poseidon could.

The Sea God shrank, reassuming his human form. He turned away from the Kraken's place of defeat with a small noise of disgust. He surveyed the seas, noting the black blood that floated there, and stabbed out with the Trident. The blackness fled like darkness from light.

Poseidon turned back to them, and smiled faintly at Sirius, who was staring open mouthed. He laughed at his expression, and led the way back inside. Anak stared a moment longer at the place where the Kraken had disappeared, then hurried to follow.

Hades's POV

Hades surveyed the immortal before him. Artemis, dressed like a man, in silver. She wore her brown hair in a tight bun, and had a silvery headdress. She carried her silver bow in her hand, and had a quiver of silver and black arrows slung over her back. Around her feet were three animals, two hounds and one white doe.

Beside her stood Demeter, who looked like she'd rather be anywhere else. She wore a white dress with gold stitching depicting wheat and barley. She had a long wooden staff in her hand, but she was just staring off into space.

Then came Hephaestus, who wore a dirty brown vest and breeches, and carried his hammer and spear. His filthy brown hair was unkempt, and tangled so badly that it would have taken hours to brush through.

Hades smirked. He never really smiled, but such vindictive smirks were common. He then turned to the last person in the room, a woman, the same woman who's overlooked his raising the Kraken.

She had been beautiful, once. But now she could never be called even pretty. Her once lovely blond hair was replaced with hissing snakes, her shapely legs fused into a snake's tail, and her beautiful face now so ugly, that for any mortal to look upon her meant instant death.

Medusa's tale was long and sad. She had once been so beautiful that she had wooed a God. He had thought her truly a goddess among mortals, and loved her deeply. She had arranged for them to meet in a local Temple, the Temple of Athena, the Acropolis.

But when Athena looked down and saw them there, she cursed Medusa with ugliness, and the God who had loved her cast her away in disgust. That God had been Poseidon. He had thrown her away like trash, and then leapt into the Sea.

But Medusa was forever cursed. She hated Athena, and never blamed Poseidon for abandoning her. She was shallow, and hated herself for her ruined looks. It had been easy for Hades to promise an end to her curse.

A loud long hissing sound crept through the Underworld, and Hades frowned. He crossed his black marble throne room, and looked out over Asphodel.

A monster was clawing it's way through the spirits, it's glowing red eyes fixed on the Palace of Hades. At least two hundred feet long, it had neither legs nor arms, but resembled a snake. It's body was a big around as a semi truck, and it had teeth six feet long.

Hades stared at it, then spat, "The Lydian Drakon. Curse you, Zeus! I shall destroy you're feeble attempt!" And he jumped out the window.

The souls of the Dead moaned in mingled ecstasy and pain as their lord appeared before them. He strode towards the monster, his hooked chains in his hands. The Dead whispered to each other, their terrified gazes flicking between Hades and the Drakon.

The beast struck, it's head darting forward with the speed of an arrow loosed from a bow. Hades twisted away, his chains already leaving his hands. They struck the beast in the eye, and their barbed tips dug deep. The beast howled in agony as sizzling black blood spattered from it's wound, and swung it's head to dislodge the hooks.

Hades tore them out, bits of the Drakon's soul clinging to them. He took in the power, and then turned it back on it's source. With a blast, the Drakon was flung several hundred yards across Asphodel, to land in a crater on hundreds on the Dead. They made strange hissing noises as they dissipated.

Hades threw his chains again, this time they gained purchase in the Drakon's belly. He hauled on them, intending not only to drag them free, but to rip the Drakon's soul away as well. The Drakon shrieked, and writhed in mortal agony, it's soul tearing free. It's body convulsed, then collapsed.

Hades gathered the massive amount of energy, and formed it into an orb of black power. He hurled it at the beast, and it sank deep into it's chest before detonating with a thunderous report.

The Drakon was not dead. It would reform later. But the sight of it's scattered remains was a pleasant one in Hades's eyes. He glanced up towards the ceiling of the Underworld, some miles distant, and shouted, "Your pathetic attempt has failed! Zeus, be warned! Soon, I shall come for you!"

Artemis appeared at his side. "But Olympus is too light for you, Lord Hades. How will you defeat my father in his own palace?"

Hades smirked once more, without humor. "I have my ways, Artemis. Now, prepare for battle. We leave for Olympus soon."

Zeus's POV

Olympus was silent, save for the winds ceaselessly patrolling it's perimeters. The throne room was illuminated by only the central fire, not by the glory of the gods. Zeus stood atop the pinnacle of the palace, his white robes fluttering in the light wind. He looked out over the world, and whenever he blinked, the huge palace was somewhere else. The power of Olympus served only it's king, and then only if he had the will. London, New York, Cape Town, Beijing, Tokyo, Quebec, and Sydney all flashed by, as Zeus searched for the first hint of where the War would begin.

Then a racking groan echoed from below. Zeus looked down, and saw a true horror emerging from the clouds. At first only the monstrous head was visible, then it's vast shoulders.

Zeus sprang to action, seizing his thunderbolt. With speed born of millenia of practice, he aimed, and hurled the deadly bolt. It flew straight and true, striking Typhon directly on the head.

The Storm Giant bellowed in pain, and his grip faltered, but then he clutched ever more strongly at the mountain, and pulled himself up. Zeus swore in ancient Greek, and called for his lieutenants.

At once, Athena, Hermes, and Hera stood with him. He pointed at Typhon, and shouted, "He must not reach Olympus!"

Athena nodded, and leapt from the tower. With a bright flash, she was gone, replaced by a giant owl. She dove, and as she dove she became enveloped in silvery flames. She struck Typhon with the force of a meteor, but he was not defeated. He faltered, bellowing once more in pain, but he swatted her away, and she was falling, falling to earth.

Hermes jumped, his winged sandals fluttering. He sped towards Typhon, and pointed his Caudecus at the giant, and let out a blast of energy.

Typhon was slowing, but he wasn't yet destroyed. Hera threw something down at him, which detonated and threw him down several meters. Then Zeus had his Thunderbolt once more. He dove from the tower, feet down, bolt poised. He landed on the Storm Giant's forehead, and drove the Bolt home.

Typhon screamed in agony, and released the mountain. He fell, golden immortal ichor draining from his terrible wound, before he landed violently three miles outside Sydney.

Zeus stared around, hovering in midair. He saw Hermes floating not far away, and Hera was still standing on the tower top.

Then he saw her. She was wounded, and badly, but she was alive. A huge gray owl was flying weakly towards Olympus. Zeus commanded the winds to carry her safely to the veranda overlooking the mortal world, and met them there.

As she touched the marble, Athena reverted to her own form. She looked terrible, her left arm completely smashed, with bits of bone surrounded by founts of golden ichor. She was smeared all over with her own blood, and her eyes were closed. But she was alive. Zeus passed a hand over her, mouthing ancient Greek phrases, and watched her wounds slowly close. He was nowhere near as powerful as Apollo when it came to healing.

When he was done, Athena slept peacefully. He turned to Hermes, who nodded, and scooped her into his arms. He trotted off, carrying her to her chambers so that she could rest.

Zeus shook his head wearily. Already his family was hurt. And the war had just begun. Then he remembered that his family had started the war, and many stood against him. His thoughts turned black.

Anak's POV

With Poseidon busy, life around his palace was incredibly boring. Many would ask, how does one with the power of a god get bored? Well, they just get bored on an immortal scale. There was nothing to do, other than help the sea spirits clean the oceans. Which was in itself very boring. Or one could pick a fight with one's adoptive brother. Which Anak had a feeling he'd regret.

Sole was reading, which was actually very easy underwater, for one who could just will the paper to stay dry. He was working his way through both the Odyssey and the Iliad, since his life now resembled them quite a bit. He had finished the Odyssey in a little over three hours. Gods can read fast.

Sirius was shooting his bow outside, though he really didn't need practice. He could his a fly from fifty feet away, in the dark. Though he was no match for Apollo or Artemis. Apollo had even been teaching him a few things, when he wasn't off fighting in the War. Sirius was the one who stayed energetic, no matter what. Anak couldn't think of a worse punishment for him than to lock him up somewhere, where he would be stuck with absolutely nothing.

Then Sole's ears perked up. "Turn on the TV, quick."

Anak stared at him. "Uh, what TV, genius? We're almost three miles underwater!"

Sole raised an eyebrow. "Don't you claim to be the smart one?"

Anak rolled his eyes, and snapped his fingers. A television appeared, an old HD flat-screen, 1080p, if Anak got his history straight. Sole ignored it's outdated-ness, and and flicked it over to the mortal news.

A middle aged man, who struck Anak as familiar was giving a speech. Anak raised an eyebrow, and the volume increased. The man waved his arms a little crazily, and said, "Ever since these so called 'Gods' came forward, they've caused nothing but trouble for us! Look at this recent chain of events! An entire city leveled, another washed away, a gigantic crater outside Sydney! Not to mention the tidal waves that caused mass destruction in Japan! And the earthquake in San Diego was worse than ever! And the gods are no doubt responsible!"

Now Anak recognized the man. The man who'd succeeded the old chairman on the Council that led the Mortal world. He had since been cementing his new post by raised opinions against the Gods. Poseidon found it quite amusing.

But the man appeared to be somewhat insane. He looked wild, and his next sentence was truly a shocking one. "If these 'gods' seek to rule us, then they have another thing coming to them! I for one refuse to follow such a foolish person as 'Lord' Poseidon! And he had the nerve, the nerve to murder my predecessor! And did he face punishment for his crime? No! I think it's time to bring justice to these false gods, these extortioners of humans wealth and welfare! I call for the military, our own mortal military to challenge these transgressors!"

Anak stared at the screen, then at Sole, who looked the same. They both sat quite still for a moment, then bolted for the door. They sprinted along the corridor, and turned the corner rather hastily. They slammed into Sirius, who had his bow slung over his shoulder, and being smaller, he fell to the floor.

Rising, red in the face, he said heatedly, "Watch where you're going! What's the hurry, anyway?"

They ignored him, instead running for the throne room, him following close behind. They didn't knock before entering, instead bursting in.

Poseidon looked up from a large table, annoyed. "What are you three doing here? I thought I told you not to interrupt."

Aphrodite, Apollo, and Dionysus stood at other points around the table. Ares stood at the window, looking bored. Anak walked forward, and Poseidon frowned. "What is it? You look bothered."

Anak nodded. "The mortals said that they want to fight the gods. They said that they're sick of you destroying their cities, and killing the Mortal Head of Council."

Poseidon waved him away. "I know. What they think is of little concern. The gods have no fear of mortals. They will fight, and they will die, and they will have accomplished nothing but a waste of Immortal time. Now that you are here, though, I do have an assignment for you."

Aphrodite wrinkled her nose. "We have intelligence that Hades has employed Medusa to serve him in the war. We want you to kill her. She couldn't be much of a threat to Gods, but against our other armies, she would be catastrophic. You should have little trouble with her."

Ares pushed away from the wall. "Medusa's a sly bitch, godlings. She's been alive a long time. And she's crafty. You'll have to kill her quickly, or she'll get away. She's an accomplished archer, nothing compared to Apollo, or Artemis, but easily a match for you, little Star God."

Apollo nodded. "Artemis gave her a gift, when she was feeling merciful, that she could have great skill with a bow. She was in a fight with Athena that day, so she struck back at Athena by helping one that Athena had cursed."

Dionysus grunted. "Lousy woman, Medusa. No taste for wine at all." They all stared at him, and he said, "What? It's true. She turned down my offer to turn her cave into a winery. I even offered to make her the official taster! But nooo . . . ."

Poseidon spoke over Dionysus. "You'll have to move quickly in any case. The other Gods will be looking for you. They might attempt to apprehend you to force me to treat with them. Be quick, and be back before the moon rises. Artemis will know if you are outside my protection if you are under the moon."

Sirius nodded, as if this were the most natural thing in the world. Sole looked slightly confused, but then I nudged him, and said, "Moon goddess, duh."

One hour later . . .

Anak felt good to have his spear in his hand once again. Sole had his swords across his back, and Sirius carried his bow, and arrows that he'd enchanted with starlight. He said they'd act like the explosions he could create, but without the strain.

They left the ocean easily enough, by using magic to travel to the place where Medusa's cave was rumored to be. They didn't have to search long before they found it. It was fitting, a large black marble entry. Flanked by huge pillars, the doorway was lit from within by a strange orange glow.

Anak led the way, spear raised. Sirius walked right behind, with Sole bringing up the rear. They were prepared for an assault by the snake woman. They just didn't expect that attack to come from straight up.

An arrow sprouted from Anak's shoulder. He grabbed for it with a cry of pain. At the same time, a long whip like object struck Sirius in the back of the head, throwing him forward. Sole barely got his swords up in time to block a vicious stroke at his own head. A ring of steel sounded sharply, and then . . . silence.

Anak pulled the arrow out, swearing. Sirius had gotten up, but blood now stained his black hair golden.

Medusa wasn't in sight. Then another arrow flew, with no twang of a bow to alert them to where she was. It was directed at Sole, who moved at the speed of light, sword coming down and slicing the arrow out of the air.

Anak started to feel weak, and stared once again at the arrow. He saw more than blood on it. Some kind of clear fluid. Poison. But he couldn't die from poison. So it must have been intended to weaken him. And it was working.

Then Sirius threw out a hand. Bright silvery light filled the darkness, flinging back the shadows. And revealing Medusa for the first time.

She didn't actually look too bad. Sure, she had a snake's tail, and snakes for hair, but she was actually very pretty in the face.

Then she hissed, the sound of hundreds of snakes filling the cavern. Her face transformed, and she truly looked terrifying, her eyes horribly bloodshot, her skin looked rotted, and her teeth became fangs.

Sirius let an arrow fly. He didn't miss, but Medusa's snake-like hide was tough. She hissed in pain, and fired her own arrow. Sirius blasted it out of the air. He looked puzzled as to why his arrow hadn't detonated.

Sole attacked, his swords now flying through the air at Medusa. The godly metal was far more effective. She screamed, black blood dripping from two long slashes in her long tail. Then she moved, with terrible swiftness.

She was among them. Her tail coiled around Sirius, and she lifted Sole in her hands, and flung him. He collided roughly with the wall, sliding down it, unconscious. Anak was already in motion. His spear stabbed through Medusa's tail, pinning it to the floor, and when she turned her murderous glance on him, he blasted her with lightning.

She shrieked in agony, and recoiled from him, dropping Sirius in the process. He landed with a thud, desperately trying to regain his breath. Then Medusa had Anak.

She wrapped a hand around his throat, and lifted him, her strength incredible. She glared at him, and hissed, "Hadesss ssshall reward me greatly for bringing him the bratsss of Possseidon."

Sirius laughed. "What's the reward for failure?"

Medusa turned, and stared right into the point of his arrow, which was glowing brightly. "You might want to find out." And he loosed.

An explosion of white light filled the cavern, mingled with Medusa's scream on pain, quickly cut off.

When the light faded, Anak opened his eyes. He saw Sirius standing there looking smug. Then he looked down at himself. "Oh, yuck. Double yuck."

He was covered in gore, what was left of Medusa. Her miscellaneous . . . pieces, littered the entire cavern. Sirius grinned broadly, and said, "You owe me for this one. And I think those stains will be Hades to get out."

Anak wearily returned his grin, and at that moment Sole woke up, took one look around, and said, "You blew her up? I get knocked out for three minutes, and the whole world gets covered in weird snake lady blood. Ugh. Lets get out of here."

They all agreed to that. They left the cave, and then magically transported themselves home. Fortunately, the mess was easy to clean. Because Poseidon would have killed them for tracking blood all over his palace.

A/N: All right, not my best ending of a chapter, but what did you think? I kinda liked the little battle with Medusa, and showing off a god's power is always fun. Any questions? PM me. For those who didn't review last chap, you don't get the spoiler for who Kronos's spy is! Mwaa ha ha! So you get the answer to that next chapter! Yay! See you guys then, unless you're nice enough to REVIEW! Come on, guys! Reviews mean faster updates! I mean it! R/R!

Arciadrian