Category: Greek Mythology

Rating: M

Couples: Athena/?, Hephaestus/OC

Warnings: AU (OOCness for some of the gods at times), Hints of Lemon, Blood: read Torture (but nothing graphic), Character Death

Chapter: 7

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

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"Persephone!" Demeter had found that her daughter had gone missing. "Where are you?"

"Mother!" Demeter spun around at the voice of her only child. Persephone can running towards her, clutching something to her chest. The heart of the goddess of the Harvest stopped when she realized that the gold on her daughter's dress was not decoration, but ichor.

"What happened?" She caught her dear daughter in her arms. "Persephone, whose blood is this?"

Deep brown eyes looked downright haunted. "Hades… Mother, he… Ares…" The Queen of the Underworld shivered, desperately trying to get herself under control. She hardly noticed as her mother led her to the Throne-room, pushing her on the first chair she encountered.

"Breathe, child." Demeter ordered softly, sinking to her knees. "Breathe."

Persephone took a deep, shuddering breath.

"Now, what happened?" Demeter asked gently, glancing to her right. Hera stood just a few feet away, a frown on her regal face.

The woman on the chair bit her lip and loosened her hold on the thing she was holding: a half-wilted asphodel. She rose from the chair, walking to one of the couches surrounding the table. As she laid the flower on the soft pillows, her power flooded out of her and into it.

Demeter gasped, her forest-green eyes widening as the small plant took on her true form. The man shivered and the small movement caused even more ichor to spill. He whimpered as Persephone carefully took his hand.

"Ssssshhhh, beloved." Hades heard that wonderful voice again. He struggled to turn to its' source, meeting the beautiful eyes of his wife. "You're save now. We're at Olympus."

"Sweet…" He coughed, his entire body reminding him he shouldn't move.

"Hades?" Behind his wife a woman appeared he knew well, her eyes wide open. "Brother, what happened to you?"

"Ares did this." Persephone told her aunt. "He, Apollo and Artemis have taken over the Underworld."

"No." Hades whispered. "Father has."

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

"If I may, grandfather, attacking Olympus now would not be a smart idea." Ares leaned against the throne of Hades. "They might not be prepared for a war, but neither are we."

Kronos looked up at his grandson. "The longer we prepare, the longer they can do the same."

"Regardless, they will be no match for you." Artemis supported her brother. "None of them have fought in ages. Those that are of any use in battle are either on your side or dead." She snarled at the last word.

"My children are powerful." Kronos refuted her words.

"Your daughters are not suited for battle, and of your sons, only Poseidon is in any shape to fight." Apollo pointed out. "And he can be overcome."

"If I may, brother, I agree with them." Hyperion sipped of the goblet he held in one hand. He was sitting on Persephone's throne, having watched the ongoing discussion with interest. "Unless we prepare for years, Hades will be unable to join the fights and if what they say is true, Zeus will be too grief-stricken to fight, no matter how long we wait." He pushed his long golden hair over his shoulder. "Besides, we can use the time to find allies."

Kronos looked from his feminine brother to his grandchildren. Then he turned to some of their other siblings in the room. "What say you?"

"They know Olympus." Crius said, gesturing to the three Olympians flanking the King of the Titans. "I trust their judgment if you trust them."

"Then so it shall be." Kronos said. "We will prepare for war. You mentioned having weapons and armor for us?"

"Yes." Ares answered. "Hephaestus' made, Cyclops' made… And certainly enough for everybody."

Kronos rose from the throne. "Lead the way then."

Ares joined him, while the Twins of Leto remained seated. "If you would follow me, they are in our chambers."

"Where did you get all of that anyway?" Kronos walked beside his grandson.

"Years of sacrifices and gifts accumulate a lot of things." Ares glanced at the man beside him. "I am certain we can find something suitable for everyone among them."

"You do not mind this?" Kronos' question surprised the War-God.

"Mind what?" Blood-red eyes did not waver as they looked into pools of pure gold.

"The imminent destruction of your family." Kronos specified. "Your siblings, your children… They will suffer the same fate as my brood."

"Then so it will be." Ares stated. "If the Fates wish for them to remain loyal to Olympus, why should that stop me?"

"And what of fair Aphrodite?" The Titan grinned. "What of your lover?"

"What about her? Where was she when Athena fell? Where was she when Athena died? Where is she now?" Ares' jaw tensed. "At Zeus' side. And there she will remain. For eternity, if need be."

He opened the doors to Macaria's former rooms, leading the way inside. The massive snake on the bed looked up, her silver eyes regarding those that entered. They fastened on Ares.

"Hello." Ares gently scratched her head. "Forgive me for disturbing your rest."

"And who is this?" Kronos cocked his head, watching the massive reptile turn to him at his voice.

"As Athena's blood fell on the earth and her divinity gave way, from it came this snake." Ares explained. "She is all that is left of my sister." His face hardened and his scratch turned harder. The snake hissed, before retreating. "A snake, not even immortal, is all that is left of Athena."