Crashing back down to present day Olympus now, and also back to the catfight :3 One of them will recieve a fatal injury...but who? ;) I'm feeling its about time to wrap up Nemesis' arc and get back to Hades. We have much Hades goodness to come. I'm sorry for neglecting him for so long. Things are going to be dramatic from here on...(like they weren't already)

I still love to hear from you all. Please review! Enjoy~

Chapter Twenty Seven

The Thunder

The needle, filled with its deadly concentrate was raised high, but Hera was so intent on her spell that she didn't notice it plunge towards her arm. Zeus let out a roaring cry as Nemesis lunged, but her glee was short lived as his foot impacted hard with her fist before it could puncture Hera's skin.

The kick sent the syringe flying across the floor where it clattered to a halt, six violet blue eyes watching it intently.

In the pause that followed Hera's magic seemed to retract, her defences down momentarily, and seeing her chance Nemesis brought up her knee and threw the Queen off, slamming her backwards to the floor.

Both Zeus and Nemesis scrambled for the syringe but the goddess reached it first, and as Zeus raised his sceptre, about to deliver a devastating blow, he started as Hera appeared from nowhere and tackled Nemesis back to the ground.

'Dammit!' he yelled in abject frustration, watching the women struggle once more. He couldn't aim a blast at Nemesis now, not without fear of hitting Hera. He could try to physically tear them apart but was afraid of that needle-he could see its point glinting now and then amongst the flailing limbs and tangles of hair.

'I'll kill you!' shrieked Hera, twisting Nemesis' right arm over her chest, squeezing at her wrist in hope that her tightly clamped fingers would loosen from the weapon. Nemesis grunted and began to push back; it was an arm wrestling contest of epic proportions. Static electricity began to fill the air around them, buzzing with a threatening charge as their magical wills fought for supremacy.

She smirked at Hera's uncontrolled rage, and realised how she could win. She feigned a split second of weakness; enough for the needle to move towards her own throat and for Hera's grip to slacken, and with a surge of brutal force she then pushed back. The syringe swept upwards, around in a semi circle, and slashed at Hera's unprotected throat.

It didn't go deep enough for her to push a good dose of the pomegranate juice into the Queen's system, but it was enough for Nemesis to regain control, shoving her down and standing over her. Hera held her bleeding throat with one hand, glowering up at Nemesis. In the scuffle she'd let go of the syringe and it lay to the side while they took short, shallow breaths, hating each other with passion.

'No, Hera!'

Zeus' cry seem to come from very far away, and Hera realised she'd forgotten her husband was even in the room. She looked up at Nemesis, who clearly thought she'd weakened the queen enough to win, and felt her hand automatically close around the needle.

As Nemesis bent over her, almost glowing with malicious victory, Hera quickly jabbed the needle up with both hands, with all she had, with all her sorrow for Ares. As she felt it impact she plunged the syringe deeper, deeper, ensuring she applied enough pressure to inject every drop of liquid that had been intended for her. Sadly her weakened thumb muscles gave out before much of it was absorbed, but she hoped it was enough. Her heavy hands fell still at her sides.

Nemesis gave a tiny cry of pain and sank to her knees on top of Hera, clutching at her abdomen where the needle was embedded. Why hadn't Hera aimed for her heart? The look in the Queen's eyes sent shivers down her spine. There was a glittering madness in them that suggested that she knew. But how could she have known?

With a sigh of effort, Hera lifted her tired arms and pressed her hands to Nemesis' cold cheeks. She pulled her down so that they were face to face, so Zeus couldn't hear.

'An eye for an eye,' she whispered, as Nemesis began to shiver. 'You took my child, so I take y-'

A cough interrupted her victory speech and sent blood dribbling over her pale lips. Nemesis staggered backwards as Zeus ran to Hera's side and pulled her frail, doll-like form onto one knee.

'Hera,' he murmured, 'stay still my love, you'll be okay.'

He raised his fury to Nemesis, who had pulled the syringe out and was lurching toward the door, but Hera tugged at him with the little strength she had left.

'Don't,' she said disconnectedly. 'I already got our revenge for Ares. We do not have to do anything more to her.'

She gave another pitiful cough, blood seeping from her mouth and throat, and Zeus lifted her into a more comfortable position in his arms.

'You only got a small dose,' he whispered, his voice ragged, 'but I'm taking you to the infirmary right now.' His voice choked on the last word, and barely conscious, she placed a hand on his strong chest.

'I was so afraid of being like my father that I didn't see myself turning into him,' muttered Zeus brokenly as he stood. 'I have been causing you pain for so many years.'

She shook her head lightly. 'You are not like your father. You are good and kind and I love you.'

'I've wasted so many years seeking solace in the arms of every woman I came across, while the only woman I ever cared for…' he was crying now, his tears mingling with hers, '…the answer was with the only woman I ever loved, the woman who was always there and waiting for me from the very beginning. Can you ever forgive me, Hera?'

'I usually do,' she whispered, and soothed by the gentle rocking motion as he carried her, she fell into a peaceful sleep.

-

Thunder rumbled overhead as Nemesis' transportation spell faded. She slumped against a wall, about a block from the hotel where Kronus was staying, and heavy rainfall burst forth from the dark clouds. It soaked her hair to her skin and made her shiver in her thin, bloodstained cheongsam, but she didn't care. She was aware that she was already late, but she couldn't return to him in this state.

Her lower stomach spasmed in pain and a feverish, sickly burning was making it hard to think, but as she moved along the wall and took shelter in a public women's bathroom, her fears were washed away.

She would make herself look beautiful and return to his side to witness the end of the world; that was her right and her place after all she'd done for him. Even better would be the beginning of the new world. She touched her stomach, wincing with pain. It was okay; because it had to be okay. It didn't matter anymore how much he loved Rhea because she would only ever bear him children destined to overthrow him. But Nemesis…she would give him a baby, and their child would not turn on him as Rhea's had. She would be the perfect queen that Rhea could never be, and give him the loving family that Rhea could not. Finally, it would be she and her children recognised; it would be her bloodline that everyone bowed down to and revered!

'Don't die on me,' she whispered into the cracked and dirty mirror above the sinks, half talking to herself, half talking to her unborn child. 'Not when we're so close.' Her hair was drying and every polished lock was falling into place. The blood on her dress slowly vanished, and her black lipstick was replenished, swept on as though by some unseen artist.

There was nothing she could do for her insides though. By the time she returned to the hotel, she knew she was already mortal.

-

It seemed as though the monstrous thunderclouds were congregating over the entire globe; a mammoth enclosure of violent, massing booming grey that brought harsh streaks of lightning and floods of rain to every city in every country.

Axel pushed the sopping wet curtain of hair from one eye and granted his battle partner an exhausted grin.

'It's raining stair rods!' he shouted cheerfully above the roar of the storm.

Athena smiled wearily, lowering the multiple spears she carried, and Apollo joined them. He was slipping in and out of Pegasus' saddle, barely holding on, and Axel caught the weary young god as he fell sideways.

'You'll be fine now, in a minute,' he soothed, setting him down.

Apollo had used up all his powers, but to great effect. The youngest son of Zeus had made an incredible warrior, zipping in and out of the angelic troops on his steed and shooting down the Keres with split second precision. Even having accomplished the major task of bringing the sun up early, his concentration, strength and aim had been unmatched. Now he was on his knees and his ponytail had come undone long ago; dark hair was plastered to his pale cheeks. Pegasus cantered over and sheltered him with its wings.

'I did it for Artemis,' he said shakily, and Athena strode over and gave her brave half brother a hug. He coloured, but was too worn out to push her away. Axel smiled at them, and then turned his gaze out to the fields of battle.

Most of the Keres had gone…no, not a single remained in view. There were many wounded angels lying bruised on the ground, but they were being helped to their feet by others.

'I do think…we've won,' said Axel in disbelief.

Resting in Athena's arms, Apollo turned his head toward the sky.

'It isn't over yet,' he muttered, his voice drowned out as lighting clapped across the New York skies. 'Father is doing this; something bad must have happened.'

The angel hated to admit it, but the little god was right. Axel watched the rolling clouds and the jagged sparks of lightning zigzagging their way to earth, and he was reminded of a poem he'd heard long ago.

'Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.' He smiled ruefully. 'It seems none of us want to die just yet. If that terrible titan isn't giving up, then neither are we. I have to go back to the Underworld,' he said, turning to Athena. 'The lord and lady…they need me.'

Athena shook her head at him. She couldn't even see his freckles underneath the splatters of mud, and like her brother he was swaying on his feet.

'Axel, you've been fighting all night. You're exhausted.'

Some of the other angels were coming toward them through the rain, and one small girl, her hair in braided bunches, gave Athena a sunny smile.

'You are the bravest soldiers I've ever met,' said the goddess, and meant it.

'It is our pleasure to fight with you, my lady,' replied the angel, and Athena actually blushed beneath her tan.

'Call me by my name,' she said, and now all the angels were grinning at her through their blood and dirt-streaked faces and battle scars. 'We're all friends here.'

Touched at her words, and remembering the ring on his finger, Axel patted her shoulder gently. 'I'm going to help my dear boss and Lady Harusame even if it kills me, I am,' he told her. 'This is my choice as a free angel.'

'Then we,' said Athena, reaffixing her helmet, 'will finish off the last of the Keres in this world.'

She held out a hand and the angel shook it, and though the rain poured and the sky flashed, it seemed like a moment of calm passed over them.

'Don't die, Axel,' she said fondly. 'Hestia wouldn't be the only one to cry if you did.'

'I'll certainly do my best not to!' he laughed with his affectionate way, and with a flurry of feathers he was gone.

-

'Poseidon-sama.'

'Yeah?'

'You can put me down now.'

Something had been blocking direct transportation spells into the Underworld, and so Harusame and Poseidon had to enter on foot, or more accurately, by boat. He set her down on the seat of the ferry, and she looked around nervously. The Underworld had never looked so scary and unfamiliar to her.

'Where is Charon?' she asked with a shiver, and Poseidon shook his head.

'I don't know. Something has gone wrong down here. You can feel it too right?'

Harusame's wide eyed, tight lipped fear told him she could. Their ferry reached the shores; the familiar marble staircase gleamed in the faint lantern light and Harusame stepped out gratefully, leaning against one of the ornate obelisks. She felt an odd sense of foreboding; like how a person might feel if they returned home to find the door open and a window smashed in. Poseidon took her arm, and she saw with horror as they scaled the stairs that the bars of Cerberus' cage were bent open. The hound of hell had escaped.

They didn't have to wonder where he was for very long though, for a howl echoed through the dank caverns and the thudding of overlarge feet heralded his arrival. His six coal black eyes were rolling wildly and his massive, slobbering pink tongue nearly knocked Harusame off her feet as it greeted her with simple, happy, wet affection.

'He's pleased to see you,' said Poseidon, petting the one head that wasn't engaged in covering Harusame in doggy drool.

She gave a half-smile, half-grimace and pushed the mongrel away so she could breathe. His tail beat so enthusiastically that it smashed one of the lanterns in the wall, dimming the place somewhat.

'Cerberus,' she begged, gripping a mighty ear so that she might talk into it. 'Is Hades here? Can you take me to him, boy?'

Looming over them, he gave a low whining sound and turned on his heel, trotting away into Hades' quarters. Harusame followed, her heat beating madly, but it was almost as though something was pushing her back from their home. She felt her feet stop moving, and was thankful when Poseidon pushed his hand on her back, gently guiding her on. Ahead of them Cerberus gave a sharp yelp; the caves sloped in here and he couldn't fit in any further, but the point to which he'd taken them was enough. With a dull sense of horror, they stared at what was in front of them.

'What the hell…' muttered Poseidon.

Rising up and jutting out in sharp, pinnacle points grew a spiky wall of dark purple crystallisation, completing blocking the way. The amethyst fortress was glassy and cold to the touch as Harusame pressed her hands to it, but deep within its jewel like depths throbbed an energy; a pulse, almost like a heartbeat. She ran her fingers over its smooth surface and sharp ridges thoughtfully, looking up at its vastness.

'It's Hades,' she said quietly. 'He did this. I can feel him inside of it.' She backed up, squinting over the uneven crystalline edges. 'I can climb over it, if you give me a boost.'

Poseidon eyed the icicle-like daggers. Being impaled wasn't nice, even if you were immortal, and breaking it down was out of the question. Even at his level of strength, magic in this form was raw and unstable; trying to tear it down by force could have some serious consequences. Not to mention if Hades really was in there somewhere…

'I'll go first,' he decided, 'and if it's safe, I'll pull you over.'

'Poseidon-sama,' she called, as he began to climb, 'what happens when a god dies?'

He grunted as his elbow was scratched by a serrated edge. This wasn't the best time for conversation.

'We just stop existing,' was his reply. 'There's nothing more. If you have an immortal body you can't have an immortal soul too. They'd cancel each other out.'

'So a god can't go to heaven-um-Elysium, or hell?'

'No. Gods don't have immortal souls like humans.'

She was quiet as he disappeared over a crevice, and then reappeared, holding out his hand for her.

'And angels?' she asked. 'Do angels have immortal souls? When they die…can they go to heaven?'

Poseidon looked at Harusame, and she looked back. He sighed heavily. 'No. I'm…sorry.'

She took his hand, allowing him to pull her up, and for the first time in her life she was so sad she couldn't even cry.