VII
Author's notes: Now we have the outer layer of our story, the gods and the games they play with human/alien lives. One key idea about the Greek gods was their meddling nature. Think about the Greek gods like producers to any reality TV show. Think of them like the Real Housewives of Olympus. Every situation that they interject themselves in is done for their own amusement. By a war for the throne of Olympus… Both sides want Wonder Woman on their sides, for their own personal gain. On the Wonder Woman front… Why is she being so mean to Superman…. Again she saw a man who looked a hella lot like Superman standing on a pile of dead bodies. If someone told you to avoid that person (because her brother doesn't want any competition… wink… wink) because it would bring the end of the world…. "I'm not your friend, buddy! I'm not your buddy guy!" (If you get this reference then bonus points for you) be glad she's just being unpleasant to him. She could have gone full Zeus and vored him. (Google it if you're over 18) Every action Wonder Woman does towards Superman is to keep him at a distance. However, she does realize that the Superman in her visions doesn't match up with the Superman that was holding her. But again I bring up the gods and their games. The plot twist of the century would be for Wonder Woman to fall for Superman and for him to turn out evil. The end result would be a lovers' duel to the death. Wonder Woman would win and a particular sun god waiting in the wings to pick up the broken pieces of her heart. Gods and their games…
PS. I will be starting my final semester Monday. WEEEE! The goal will be to try and get a chapter out every two weeks. My 3.5 GPA is very important to me and I'd like to keep it that way. I don't have any difficult class, but on days when I have essays due, they will take priority.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!"
The chattering of the gods ceased as Apollo's voice echoed throughout the main hall of Olympus. A sea of divine eyes snapped towards Artemis as a soft murmur rose
"He can't even keep his own sister in line…." one god muttered.
"What makes him think he can keep the rest of us…" another snickered.
The mocking voices from his fellow Olympians filled Apollo with rage. Apollo closed his eyes and immediately the light around Olympus began to dim. Swiftly the light started retreating from aroundOlympus. The Olympians found themselves rapidly surrounded by darkness. As the last bit of light vanished from the seat of the gods, they began to tremble.
Apollo growled with flames of golden light pouring out of his mouth, "OUT! ALL OF YOU!"
The grounds of Olympus shook as he yelled. Engulfed in darkness, one by one the
Olympians vanished into thin air, leaving only a flash of light behind them. As he stood alone in the darkness, Apollo noticed a lone pale light emulating from behind Zeus's throne.
"Oh where are you my most beloved sister," Apollo added with a hiss.
As Apollo spoke the molten light of the sun seeped from his mouth. The sun god of Olympus made his way to the bottom of the steps that led to his father's throne. His molten eyes remained fixated on her as he watched his sister raise up from behind the throne.
"Brother…." Artemis said as her eyes followed her brother's every step towards her.
Artemis started to panic and she began to back away from her brother as he reached the top of the steps.
Apollo pressed his lips together, "Shhh…"
Apollo leaned forward and gripped the arms of the throne. His molten eyes bored into his sister as she backed into one of the columns behind her.
"Tell me Ares lied," he ordered as he tightened his grip on the throne.
As his grip tightened flames seeped from the palms of his hands.
"Brother… I…" Artemis started to reply but she stammered over her words.
In a flash Apollo released his grip on the throne and rushed over to Artemis. He reached out and grabbed his sister by her pale throat.
"Tell me you didn't go behind my back…" Apollo said, interrupting his sister.
As Apollo tightened his grip around Artemis's throat she began to gasp for air.
"Ares… lies…" she gasped with tears in her eyes. "I swear it…"
Flames poured out of Apollo's mouth as he threw his head back laughing.
"... So our brother just came into my house and lied in front of all of Olympus because he felt like it…" he growled.
"... Yes brother…." she muttered. "...He's just…"
Apollo lifted his sister up until they were at eye level.
"Then why did you hide behind my seat!" he continued.
Artemis didn't reply. Her eyes had started to roll up in the back of her head.
"... You will go to that purpled-haired witch Circe and tell her to stand down," Apollo ordered as he loosened his grip.
Artemis crumpled to the floor holding her throat.
"Diana shall be my queen," Apollo growled as he turned his back to her. "Neither you or Ares's meddling will stop me from claiming my prize…"
Apollo looked over his shoulder. He scoffed as he watched his sister coughing.
"Have I made myself clear my dear sister…" Apollo said coldly.
"Yes…" Artemis replied.
"Good," Apollo hissed.
As he spoke he vanished, leaving Artemis alone on the floor. She spat in the spot where Apollo once stood.
"Over my dead body will that demigod be queen," Artemis hissed. "Over my dead body…"
…
Meanwhile at the border of Niflheim and Muspelheim
The journey from Jotunheim to Niflheim was a slow one. The harsh winds and snow made traveling difficult, but once the group made it to the gateway between Jotunheim and Niflheim the pace picked up. While they travelled through the snow Wonder Woman kept her distance from Superman. She stayed close to Thor and his son Magni. While Superman stayed in the back with Heimdallr.
Superman found Heimdallr to be a towering man. He walked with his eyes constantly closed, yet he knew everything that was happening around him. Though they walked in silence Superman felt like Heimdallr was observing every move he made. At night Heimdallr stood in the middle of their encampment with his massive sword in hand. Each night Superman would pass him as he made his way towards Wonder Woman's tent after everyone had fallen fast asleep. The old watcher never said a word. He just stood there holding his blade aimed at the ground.
This was the way of things each night until they reached the gate between Jotunheim and Niflheim. The party came to a halt in front of a lone stone formation with runes on it. Thor approached the stone and placed his hand.
"What have you done brother," Thor hissed as he waved for Heimdallr to step forward.
The old watcher walked through the group, passing both Superman and Wonder Woman as he went. Standing beside Thor, Heimdallr shook his head.
"He didn't close the way completely, my king," Heimdallr said coldly.
"The fool!" Thor hissed as a clap of thunder rolled across the sky.
"Shall I…" Heimdallr replied.
Thor paused for a moment and took in a deep breath.
"Do it…" Thor sighed.
At Thor's word Heimdallr lifted his mighty sword and stabbed it into a rock formation. Superman leaned over to one of the Asgardians soldiers who stood beside him and asked.
"Do what?"
"Close the way," the soldier replied.
Superman watched the watcher's sword pierce through the rock as if it was butter. The watcher's blade didn't stop until it hit the hilt. As the hilt of the blade touched the rock the runes lit up.
"Onward!" Thor bellowed.
The Asgardians picked up their weapons and pressed forward as a crack opened from the heavens all the way down to the snowy earth. A bright light poured out from the trunk of Yggdrasil. It illuminated Thor's face as a few of his soldiers walked past him. Wonder Woman walked up beside Thor and touched his shoulder.
"We'll find him before this gets out of hand," Wonder Woman said.
She forced a smile across her face.
Thor chuckled, "You have your brother's spirit you know that…"
"Ares?" Wonder Woman asked puzzled.
"He isn't the raging fool the rest of your family thinks he is," Thor added as he looked back over his shoulder.
Thor nodded his head, pointing it behind them.
"Neither is Kal-El…" Thor added as he stepped through the portal.
Wonder Woman smiled, "I know…"
Wonder Woman stood there for a moment before looking back and took in a deep breath before looking over her shoulder. Superman was walking beside a few of Thor's men. She watched his every move and found there was no evil in him.
"Why would the fates lie to her in such a way," she thought to herself.
Lost in thought she barely noticed when Superman's eyes met hers. Quickly she turned away from his gaze. Her heart fluttered as she felt a gust of wind rush up to her.
"Diana wait…"
Wonder Woman heard Superman call out to her. The rush of wind from Superman's speed pushed Wonder Woman forward and into the portal. She felt his warm hand touch her shoulder as they fell into the portal.
Time slowed as they entered the trunk of Yggdrasil. Both Superman and Wonder Woman felt something was off within the portal. The portal smelt of blood and burnt flesh.
"Get behind me," Wonder Woman ordered as she reached for her blade.
Superman held on to Wonder Woman's shoulder as they pressed through the thick scent of blood and death. They walked until they saw the fires of Muspelheim burning in the distance. Scanning the area Superman felt something in the pit of his stomach. Just ahead of them was a dead soldier from Thor's army. Superman covered Wonder Woman's eyes.
"Superman…" Wonder Woman gasped.
"Trust me you don't want to see…"
Wonder Woman pulled his hand down from her eyes. She stopped in her tracks as she saw the dead soldier.
"By Gaea," she gasped.
She tightened her grip on Superman's hand. The soldier was ripped to shreds. Limbs were thrown everywhere. The closer they walked towards the body Wonder Woman noticed bits of golden wings laying beside the body.
"Valkyrie?" Wonder Woman muttered.
….
Suddenly Superman and Wonder Woman heard Thor screaming in pain from the other side of the Yggdrasil near Muspelheim. Superman and Wonder Woman both looked at each other before they rushed towards the sound of Thor's voice.