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: 10

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

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"You will stay here." Ares put down the two snakes he was holding. The big ones was still wrapped around his neck, her silver eyes looking at the two young ones. "Athena's owl will stay with you. Do as he says."

The owl in question was sitting on Artemis' hand, the Huntress holding her silver bow with the other. Apollo stood next to her, his own golden bow resting over his shoulder. The god of prophecies wore an elaborate helmet, highlighting his golden hair. All three looked serious: the clash between Olympus and the Underworld, now fully in Kronos' hands, was about to start.

The two snakes hissed in protest, neither happy with this arrangement.

"No argument." Artemis stated. "Regardless of the outcome of this battle, you are in danger. You will stay here and only leave when Glaukopsis tells you to."

At the mention of his name the owl left her hand for the foot-end of the bed. Pain flashed in his glowing eyes as he looked upon the piece of furniture. It had been many years since he had last seen it, but the image would be forever engraved in his mind: Athena covered in her own ichor, the golden blood of the gods. He ruffled his feathers as the memory came back full force.

"Glaukopsis." Ares now towered over the bird. "I count on you in this. Regardless of our fate, protect them. Keep them save."

"On my life." Words which carried awful truth: his very existence depended on the blood of Athena still being there. If that blood was gone, so was he.

"You better. Come, my siblings, we must be on the battlefield when it begins." All three of them left, a bright light illuminating the cabin for a few seconds before fading away.

As the two young snakes made themselves comfortable on the bed, the massive bird flew the short distance to the window. From there he could see the beginnings of battle far in the south. Dark clouds rolled across the lands, blotting out the light of Helios. Gaia herself shook whenever her children met theirs.

Things had been in a stalemate since years. Once Zeus had somehow managed to drag himself from his bedroom the Olympians had started to regain ground once more. Now the two armies had been in a stalemate for months, leading to Kronos attacking full force.

It was a repeat of the Titanomachy all over again. Two camps, tearing apart the world to defeat the other, the mortals being simple playthings at best. The gods could no longer afford to use their energy to protect them, and the Titans did not care how many died as long as Olympus fell.

The blood that had been spilled on both sides would have filled the Mediterranean at least twice, and the old owl knew enough of warfare to know that this battle could well double it.

He turned his head to the bed where both snakes had curled up, deeply asleep. It should not have come this far. It never should have.

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

"We'll die, won't we?" Artemis asked her brothers. "Regardless of outcome, it won't include us, will it?"

Apollo looked at her, then the ground. "No. I got a prophecy this morning. Now that Delphi is destroyed they come to me rather than my oracle."

"What was it?" Ares turned away from the battlefield, sighing in defeat.

"'As the prophecy of wisdom ends, so shall the children of the victor. Few against many will prevail… at the cost of their immortal lives.'" Apollo softly said. "Few against many. That's us."

"Oh, for Chaos' sake." Ares clenched his fist. "This better be all worth it."

"And what will you do if it isn't?" Artemis challenged. "We'll be dead, Ares. Not gone for a few years, or banished… We will be dead."

"Thanks, I hadn't noticed that yet." He snapped. "Apollo foretold it scant minutes ago after all."

A sharp hiss drew the attention of all three. Ares' snake was staring them down from where she lay. 'You agreed to this.' Her silver eyes told them. 'You knew what would be asked of you. Do not dare to back out now.'

Ares sighed, reaching for her. She lovingly draped herself over him again as both his siblings cuddled close. It would be the last time they'd be able to do this.