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: 10
Copyright: Greek Gods © By Whomever they belong, Plot & OC´s © by me
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"Your action angered Kronos." Nyx said to her daughter-in-law. "He will strike much quicker now."
"As was my intention." Athena looked from her to Erebus. "A man who strikes in anger is much more likely to miss. Had I not angered him, he would have planned. And one can say much, but not that he is stupid. Your children are skilled, they know how to fight."
"I trust your judgment, Athena, but do not lead us astray." Erebus' cool voice sounded. "Morpheus!"
His son opened the door, having waited outside while his parents spoke with Athena. "Prepare the House of Nyx. We move to war."
The God of Dreams obeyed, his white wings rustling as he took off.
"What is your plan, Athena?" Both he and his wife turned to the War-goddess.
"You shall come when I call. I intend to win this war by surprise and sheer shock on his part." She bowed. "If you will excuse me, I need to prepare myself."
Her stride was powerful as she left the room and her face spoke of determination. Her in-laws looked at each other and went to prepare themselves.
Athena quickly strode down the long winding corridors to the room of Thanatos. He was inside, turning as she closed the door behind her.
"Let me help you." She helped him put on the breastplate she had chosen for him. It was one Ares had given her and therefore it was terrifying to look upon. Together with the dread and threatening aura he had as God of Death, it would ensure that those of lesser will would flee from him.
"So it begins." He allowed her to put on the helmet belonging with the breastplate.
"So it ends." She corrected him, ensuring a secure fit of the smooth and black metal. "Will you help me now?"
She shed her long chiton, dressing in the black tunic that was twin to the one she had given her brother. She put on her traditional garb, except for the arm-protectors since she had given them too to Ares. The goddess of Wisdom made place for the goddess of War and her silver eyes burned with the cold fury that made even the immortal gods tremble in fear. He braided back her long hair, his long fingers combing through it lovingly.
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At the same time as she dressed for war, so did her family above the ground. Ares carefully pulled a package from beneath the bed in his tent. Wrapped in the same linen he had received them in were Athena's gifts to him. He knew now was the moment to wear them both. While she had given him leave to wear the arm-protectors whenever he wanted, he had not been able to.
He was swift in putting on his armor, looking every bit the dread War-god he was. As he stepped outside, Eros offered him his shield and sword, gasping as he saw his father.
Ares ignored the shocked reaction of his seed, swiftly moving to the front of the encampment to join the rest of the Olympians. None were spared, all had to battle in this war, even fair Aphrodite and gentle Persephone had taken up weapons. Both Hades and Demeter had not been happy about that last one, but Zeus had been unrelenting.
Eros was not the last to gasp upon seeing him, even his parents seemed shocked at how their son looked.
"The gifts of Athena." Ares softly said, raising his arms. There, on his lower arms, were her arm-protectors, her greatest pride after her breastplate with Medusa's head. "I intend to do them justice."
Silence reigned, until Zeus nodded and gestured to his side. "Come then."
They waited in silence as the Titan-army also prepared for the final showdown.
/Brother./ Ares blinked as he heard Athena's voice in his head. /This is why you had to wear the tunic, so that I can speak to you without anyone knowing./
/Ah, to give me orders./ He thought back.
/I prefer to think of it as giving you hints into which direction to go./ He heard amusement in her voice.
/I think I'll prefer orders in this situation, sister./ He studied the opposing army. /As you said: I am a bloodthirsty idiot. You know the odds?/
/Certainly./ She answered. /Very well, but you'll have to follow my instructions to the letter./
/Let's hope I manage that. How's the House of Nyx?/ Ares' red eyes narrowed as he put on his helmet.
/Ready. Warn me when it begins./ She grew silent. /Watch over father for me. Even in anger Kronos is cunning, and I suspect he intends to remove our sire from the picture before the battle truly begins./
/As you wish, sister./ His blood-red eyes narrowed even more as he watched the seeming disarray the Titans were in. Even he could tell it was almost staged. /Disarray in preparation, sister./
/Grandfather is an idiot, even more than you. Sharp whistle means 'come to me'./
The missile was small, more the arrow of a child's bow than a true threat to any of the immortal gods. Yet halfway to the other army it was still caught: a black bird swooped from the skies, catching the arrow like a mouse in his talons.
Ares watched as the bird gained altitude, before stepping forward. He whistled sharply and offered his arm as landing-place. It was an owl, he saw now, but her feathers were black as his tunic. With one claw she held herself on his arm, while the other offered him the arrow.
/It is poison: hydra or the like. Father would have been down./ Athena told him. /Be careful with it./
"Impressive." He mused out loud, eyes boring into his grandfather's. "Once more prove that small is dangerous." He carefully gave the arrow to his father. "Hydra-poison, I presume? I like your style, but I hate your guts."
/Challenge him, brother, let everyone assume your blood-thirst got the better of you. Challenge him to War against Fertility. And phrase it like that. I hope he will not see through the small loophole./
"Athena is not the only loyal child." Ares' eyes flared with his anger. "For that, you will pay. That arrow will come to rest in flesh, but it will be either yours or mine."
"How do you suggest we do that?" Kronos did not fear the War-god, knowing full well his blood-thirst made him stupid.
"A battle between War and Fertility. The loser receives the arrow." Ares stepped forward, the owl switching places to Zeus' shoulder. He stepped forward too, but his son's hand stopped in his tracks and as he looked into those blood-red eyes he saw a shimmer of silver in their depths. "Do you accept?"
Kronos grinned, remembering all the stories were Ares was defeated by mortals. He couldn't wait for the other's screams of agony. "I would love to."