HELLO! HERE IS THE LATEST CHAPTER! THIS SHOULD BE A GOOD ONE SO BUCKLE UP! GRINCH, THANKS AGAIN FOR THE AMAZING REVIEW! YES, WRITING HERMES' CHARACTER IS MY FAVORITE. ANYWAY, PLEASE DO ENJOY IT!
"What am I gonna do with the three of you?" Artemis sighed as she applied a damp cloth on Achilles brow where he had been cut when a shard of glass had found its way right above his eye. It wasn't very deep so stitches weren't necessary.
"He started it!" Achilles defended himself, wincing as Artemis cleaned the wound. They were sitting on Apollo's palace inside the med bay. Achilles and Magnus were able to make it there, Magnus dropping Apollo on a bed next to Hermes before taking his leave.
A chuckle came from behind him. "You sound like a child," Katlyn commented as she placed a hand on Hermes' forehead as he slept. Artemis and Katlyn had rushed to the med bay when they ran into Magnus on his way out. The forge god gave them a short summary of what had happened before the two goddesses thanked him and sought out to find the three.
Artemis rolled her eyes before dropping the cloth into a basin. "What were you three even doing at the pub? And why were those two drunk?" she questioned, gesturing to the sleeping forms of Apollo and Hermes.
Achilles sighed before leaning back on the bed, allowing his back to rest on the soft fluffy pillow. "I have no idea why Apollo was there but I was looking for Hermes and a few gods told me that they saw him enter the pub. I guess it has something to do with his dislike for Thor."
Humming in understanding, Artemis spared a glance at her younger brother. He was changing. Physically, of course, but also in the aspect of maturity. It felt like it was yesterday when she would see the young god run across the halls of their father's palace, most times pantless with a nursemaid or even Hera on his heels.
"Thor is quite the character," Artemis said, turning back to Achilles.
The war god chuckled. "Yes, he is. He has honor and he's a skilled fighter. I can respect that."
Artemis rolled her eyes. "A bit prideful too, don't you think?" It wasn't that she didn't like the Norse God. He seemed like a pretty decent guy but he still had some of the negative defining aspects of a male, which Artemis wasn't very fond of.
"Have you seen that hammer of his?" Katlyn asked, obviously intrigued by the foreign weapon. "I've never seen anything like it." she continued.
The other two nodded. "It is a powerful weapon. I'm just glad it's on our side." Achilles offered while Artemis nodded in agreement.
A groan interrupted their conversation causing the three to turn their heads and see Apollo trying to sit up. Artemis got up from her chair to help her twin, the sound of wood scraping the floor as the furniture was moved.
"Why does my face hurt?" Apollo asked groggily. "And my head too," he added.
Artemis sighed, placing a hand on his chest and gently pushing him back to lie down. "You got drunk and joined a bar fight."
Apollo cursed as he placed a hand on his face before groaning. Vague memories came rushing in which was not helping with his headache. Suddenly he felt his stomach drop as he remembered why he was in the pub in the first place. Sitting up, Apollo groaned before reaching for a glass of water that sat on the table beside the bed. After chugging its contents, he let out a deep breath before speaking.
"I have an announcement. It's also kind of why I was in the pub in the first place."
Achilles lifted his eyebrow while Katlyn and Artemis shared confused looks. Apollo never spoke this seriously unless the matter was urgent. But what could be so serious enough to make Apollo lose his humor and mirth?
Ω
Achilles watched as Apollo let out a shaky breath. What Apollo told them back in the med bay was certainly a big deal. Hades, it could even start a war. He couldn't really blame his brother though. Achilles knew that he and Rory really did love each other but it obviously would not sit well with the rest of the council. The news hit all of them like a brick wall. When Hermes woke up, not long after Apollo, they filled him in and the poor god passed out a second time. It took them another five minutes to wake him up.
Artemis placed a comforting hand on Apollo's shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze. "Whatever happens, we'll back you up. While I'm not happy that this happened so soon, you're still my brother and I will support you."
Tears threatened to spill from Apollo's eyes as he listened to his sister's heartfelt words. "Thank you," he said gratefully.
"Don't forget about us. We're here for you." Hermes muttered an ice bag held to his face as he nursed a black eye. Katlyn had scolded as soon as he woke up, ranting on how he was too young to be drinking and getting drunk. It annoyed him but it also warmed his heart knowing that his girlfriend was only mad because she cared.
"Let's get on with it then." Achilles said before pushing the doors open and walking in. As they entered, they noticed that all the gods were already there and had just been waiting for them. Zeus sat on his throne, a piece of parchment in his hands, his brow furrowed while he read. Hera was in conversation with Demeter, probably talking about grain since that was all the Wheat Goddess seemed to like to talk about. They spotted Aphrodite, a mirror in her hands while Callista sat on a chair beside her throne.
When Achilles caught her eye, she sent him a small, awkward wave which he returned. Thor, who was sitting on a guest throne beside his own, raised a hand in the form of a greeting. The Norse god had clearly calmed down since the last time they spoke.
"Ah, there you all are! I was beginning to think tha- Holy fates what happened!?" Zeus asked as he stared at his children and Katlyn. Hera stopped her conversation with Demeter and turned to see what the fuss was about before her face took a worried expression.
"What did you boys do?" she asked in a motherly tone, her brow lifted similar to how Achilles did his.
Hermes squirmed in his place nervously, refusing to meet his mother's intense gaze.
Achilles rolled his eyes before answering, "Bar fight."
Hera's eyes widened before she stood from her throne. "Bar fight?! Why did you three get into a bar fight?!" she questioned angrily.
The three boys flinched unconsciously as Hera scolded them, Artemis and Katlyn snickering as they left to go to their places, Artemis to her throne and Katlyn to a chair beside her mother.
"Mom, it wasn't our fault! This god, he sta-" Hermes pleaded but was cut off by his mother.
"I don't want to hear it. You three are the princes of Olympus. Setting an example for our people is what you should be doing instead of getting into bar fights!"
Zeus, taking pity on his children, placed a gentle hand on his wife's shoulder. "Calm down dear. I'm sure they had a perfectly good reason. Right?" he asked, staring at his children expectantly. The three gods nodded vigorously causing Zeus to chuckle.
"Now I do agree with your mother that you should be setting an example. But the most important question remains." Zeus said seriously.
His three children looked at him with confused expressions.
A smile broke into the King of the Gods face before he leaned forward from his throne and asked, "Did you win?"
"Zeus!" Hera scolded, smacking her husband on the shoulder before any of the three could answer.
Zeus raised his hands in defense. "What? If my children are going to get into a fight, I at least expect them to win." he retorted before sending a wink to the three, causing them to smile.
Before the arguing could continue further, Hades clapped his hands, his face showing that he was clearly bored. "Alright, enough talking of bar fights. Your father can tell you all about them later. The number of times I had to pull him out of there." he said, muttering the last part to himself.
As the three made their way to their thrones, the meeting began. The usual topics were discussed: How the mortals were doing and if they were making enough sacrifices and stuff like that. The meeting went on, some of the gods like Artemis began to fall asleep.
Apollo's mind was racing. How in Zeus' beard was he supposed to tell them. It's not like he could just blurt it out. No, that would be stupid minutes passed by, almost an hour, and the sun god was already sweating on his seat.
Scanning the room, he met Rory's gaze. The two stared at each other, having a silent argument on whether they should blurt it out now or not. Suddenly, Zeus' voice boomed, snapping them back to reality.
"And that concludes the monthly updates. If no one has anything left to add, the meeting is dismissed." Zeus announced, making a motion to slam a lightning bolt to the floor. Before he could, Apollo shot up from his throne.
"WAIT!"
All eyes turned to him and the sun god felt his confidence falter for a second. Collecting himself with a deep breath, Apollo made his way to the center of the throne room before reaching his hand out to Rory who sat beside her father.
The underworld goddess stood from her chair, earning a confused look from Hades, and made her way next to Apollo and taking his hand. Their fingers intertwined and clutched together tightly as if it were both of their lifelines.
"Son?" Zeus asked, a skeptical look on his face.
Apollo inhaled once more before steeling his nerves and meeting his father's gaze.
"Rory is with child. My child…"
The room fell silent, all whispering seized. One could hear a pin drop with how silent it was. Looks of shock crossed every god's face with the exception of the four who knew. Rory clutched Apollo's hand tighter causing it to go numb but right now he had no care for it.
Suddenly, Hades leaped out of his throne, a look of rage on his face. "You dare defile my daughter?!" he bellowed, his usual bored expression gone.
"Son, if this is some sick joke, I suggest you put an end to it," Zeus said, a dangerously calm tone on his voice.
Apollo felt like running away but reminded himself to stand firm. "It's not a joke father. Rory is pregnant and I am the father," he said seriously.
Lightning cracked the sky and thunder boomed. Zeus looked at his son, rage plastered across his face. "This is not acceptable. I have treated Rory like a niece but I will not allow it! You cannot father a child with this...this death spawn."
Apollo felt anger rise to his chest. "DO NOT CALL HER THAT." he shouted back at his father, his eyes beginning to glow gold.
"A child of the underworld and the sky!? It will grow powerful! It will turn on us!" Zeus answered back, some of his old paranoia beginning to return.
Hades glared at his brother but stiffly nodded. "Zeus is right. It is forbidden!"
"It is not forbidden," Apollo argued. "You're both just paranoid that the child will take your thrones. And here I thought you had all changed."
Zeus roared in rage before stepping down from the platform on where his throne sat. "I am giving you one last chance to get rid of the child or I will do it for you!" he threatened.
Hades turned to his brother with an alarmed look on his face. "You will not hurt my daughter!"
"She will reform."
Hades growled before drawing his sword. "I agree that we should get rid of the child, brother, but you will not harm my daughter in the process."
Zeus turned to face his brother. "You dare raise your weapon against your king?!"
Hera stood from her throne attempting to calm her brothers down but was pulled back by Demeter who gave her a shaking head. Hera scowled but she knew Demeter was right. The last thing she would want was to get in the crossfire of the two powerful gods.
Zeus pushed Hades back before pointing his bolt at Rory. "A medium shock should kill the baby and keep her alive," he muttered before firing the bolt.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Hades tackled his brother just as he fired the bolt, sending both of them to the floor. Apollo tried to shove Rory out of the way but even he knew that wouldn't work. The other gods rose from their thrones, all staring in shock and horror as the bolt traveled through the air.
Rory braced herself for the impact, Apollo wrapping his body around her in an attempt to shield her from the blast. They waited but it never came. Instead, a blur stepped in between them and the bolt, taking the impact.
Hermes soared across the throne room after taking the brunt of the bolt square in the chest. His back pounded against the wall, leaving a crack before he dropped like a rag doll on the floor.
Zeus was silent.
It didn't last very long as the throne room erupted into chaos once again. Katlyn stood from her chair, along with Hera, the two rushing to Hermes' unconscious form to check if he was okay. Achilles roared in rage, drawing his sword before charging Hades and his father as he screamed a bundle of curses. Artemis was up on her feet at an instant, drawing her bow before releasing an arrow at her father. The arrow found its mark on Zeus' thigh causing him to roar in pain.
Apollo turned from the chaos and back to Rory patting her down for any wounds. "Are you hurt?" he asked.
Rory replied with a shake of her head before turning to Hermes where Hera cradled him in her arms while Katlyn cried quietly at the side. "Your brother…" she said in concern. Apollo lifted his gaze and swallowed hard. Hermes had taken the bolt for them. For their child.
Hera held her son in her arms as he lay unconscious. There was a gaping hole on his armor revealing burned skin flesh underneath while smoke still evaporated from the wound.
"My son...Why?" she sobbed
Katlyn leaned against the wall, sinking to a sitting position before burying her face in her hands. Two days into getting a boyfriend and he had to get himself killed.
"Why are you all crying."
Hera's eyes widened as her sobbing seized. "You're alive!" she exclaimed before pulling him into a hug.
Hermes winced as his wound came in contact with his mother's chest. "Mother I know you're worried but I'm in pain right now."
"Oh yes. Of course. Sorry." Hera apologized quickly before letting go and allowing him to sit up.
Hermes turned to Katlyn who was frozen in shock. Before he could walk over to her, she approached him before socking him hard on the arm.
"Ow," he complained
"You stupid idiot!" she shouted before throwing another punch. Hermes raised his hand and gently caught it before pulling her into a hug. "I'm sorry."
Katlyn buried her face on his shoulder as she let silent tears flow. "You better be."
They stayed like that for moments before Hermes finally noticed the chaos. Gently releasing Callista from his grasp, he turned to see Achilles with his sword leveled at Hades' throat and Artemis with her bow knocked and pointing at Zeus' face. An arrow was sticking from his father's thigh, ichor already forming a pool on the marble floor.
"Enough!" he bellowed before slowly limping forward. Eyes of shock all turned to him as he walked.
Apollo ran to his brother, placing his shoulder under Hermes' arm to support him as they walked. The throne room was in silence as Hermes settled on his throne while Apollo worked on his chest wound.
"Brother, I cannot thank you enough. I will forever be in your debt." Apollo said as he finished healing Hermes' chest.
The young god waved his hand dismissively. "There is no debt to be paid. Besides, I'd like to see my nephew grow up," he smirked.
Apollo pulled him into a hug, pouring his gratitude into the action. After pulling away, the sun god took Rory's hand and led her back to his throne where she made her sit while he stayed standing by its side.
Hermes groaned, his chest sore. The wound itself may have been gone but the muscles were still painful. "Now. Let's all settle this civilly," he said, staring at Achilles and Artemis. His two siblings reluctantly kept their weapons before storming back to their thrones.
Zeus pulled the arrow from his thigh before wrapping a piece of cloth around the wound. He turned to Hermes, a heartbroken expression on his face. "Why did you do that?"
Hermes narrowed his eyes at his father. "You were going to take the life of a baby that has not yet been born? What is wrong with you, father? You were even going to hurt Rory! Apollo's right. You never changed! You're all still the same paranoid fucks ages ago!"
"Hermes-"
Hermes held up a hand, cutting off his father. "Let. Me. Finish."
"You will not harm that baby whether it is inside Rory or when it has been birthed. Apollo and Rory have my support and I will protect the child like it's my own."
Now it was Zeus' turn to narrow his eyes at his son. "You're walking a dangerous path boy. I suggest you stop or-"
"Or what?" Achilles asked, eyeing his father dangerously. "Apollo and Rory also have my support. Any attempt to harm the child will be an act of war against me. I welcome you all to try."
Before Zeus could speak, he was cut off again. "I stand with my brothers. Make a move to hurt the child and I will leave this council." Artemis threatened, her eyes showing her seriousness.
Zeus stood there, gobsmacked as his children stood against him.
"It would be unwise to stand against Olympus," Athena commented.
Katlyn turned to her mother, a look of disbelief on her face. "Mother!"
Athena shrugged. "Lord Zeus is right. The child will be powerful and it could be possible that it will turn on us."
Some confidence returned to Zeus as Athena sided with him.
"Father, I do not want a war," Apollo said, his eyes pleading.
Zeus stared at his son with a blank expression before a solemn one took over. "I cannot let that child live."
"Zeus!" Hera shouted in disbelief but her husband refused to listen. The tension in the air skyrocketed. If it wasn't high before, it was now. Both sides glaring at each other, waiting for the opposite to make the first move. Apollo gently placed Rory behind him in an effort to shield her if ever things got out of hand. Callista placed a comforting hand on Rory's shoulder before giving it a soft squeeze.
The tension was broken when the temperature in the room suddenly dropped. The flames that provided light died out, causing the darkness to conquer. Shivers traveled up every god's spine as if someone had run a blade across their backs. Achilles froze as he recognized the familiar feeling when he first fought the draugar.
"She's here," Thor muttered before rising from his throne, his hammer on his hand.
Suddenly, a swirl of green and black smoke emerged from thin air. A cold breeze of wind shot through it as if winter itself had come.
"With you Olympians already quarreling against each other, it seems there won't be much work to do." a voice called. The gods drew their weapons, all frantically gazing around the room in search of the owner of the voice.
"Sister! Show yerself!" Thor called, his hammer starting to spark with blue electricity.
The voice let out a cackle. An evil laugh that made them all flinch. Suddenly the flames in the room reappeared. At the center of the throne room stood a woman in dark cloaks that matched her disheveled hair. Her skin was pale, almost like snow but her eyes were a fiery green. The cold temperature seemed to gather around her, drawing it from the corners of the room. This was Hela, the Norse Goddess of Death.
"Nice throne room." She hummed as she slowly yet casually walked forward. "You all look like a happy bunch!" she smiled with fake enthusiasm.
The gods stared at her wearily, the grips on their weapons tightening. "Leave," Zeus said dangerously, his master bolt starting to spark. Hela rolled her eyes, not even bothered a bit.
"No, I think I'll stay. This place could use a bit more black," she muttered.
Thor growled before walking forward to meet his sister. "Enough games Hela. Leave!"
Hera let out another cackle. "Ah, dearest brother. It's good to see you!"
Thor roared in rage before hurling his hammer forward. The weapon sailed through the air with speed but when it came within an inch of Hela, the death goddess waved her hand to the side effortlessly. The hammer changed course, crashing into a wall and out the throne room.
"That's no way to greet your sister," she commented and for the second time, the throne room erupted into chaos. Zeus launched his bolt, the twin archers fired their arrows, while Hermes and Achilles charged Hela.
"I tried to be nice," Hela said to herself in a sing-song voice before catching the bolt of Zeus and using it to deflect the arrows. She eyed the two charging gods dangerously before throwing the bolt at Achilles sending him crashing back on Apollo.
Hermes swung his sword as soon as he reached her but Hela easily sidestepped before grabbing his throat. "Weakling" she scoffed before throwing him into the smoke portal and just like that, Hermes vanished.
A scream was heard, the gods turning to find Katlyn with tears in her eyes again. Drawing her spear, the daughter of the wisdom goddess made a movement to charge but was held back by her mother.
"Mother let me go!" she screamed but Athena held her strongly, refusing her daughter to meet the same fate as her boyfriend.
A blur soared through the air and slammed into Thor's waiting hand. The Norse god was now sparking with electricity while his eyes glowed blue. With a battle cry, he charged his sister again, swinging his hammer. Hela drew a sword, its blade black yet shiny, before parrying Thor's strike. She grabbed Thor's braided beard before pulling him close. "Stay out of this brother. Do not prolong their end," she whispered evilly before pushing him towards the smoke portal where Hermes had flown in.
The Olympians watched as Thor flew into the portal, disappearing in a second.
"Well that was awkward," Hella said, almost brightly as she clapped her hands together.
Hades stepped forward, "What do you want?"
Hela turned to him, one of her eyebrows lifted. "I like your style," she said, commenting on the god's similar black robes while not bothering to answer his question. She then turned to Zeus and pointed at him. "I assume you're the leader?" she asked.
Zeus narrowed his eyes at the goddess, enraged that she had thrown one of his sons into a portal to gods know where it led to. He nodded stiffly, answering Hela.
"Well, your majesty,-" she greeted, saying the words mockingly. "-I am Hela, and my objective is simple. I want the entirety of Greece to bow before me."
"They will never." Athena spat.
Hela shrugged. "The Nordic Countries did. Well, they had no other choice. With the Aseir scattered and the soldiers of Valhalla defeated, there was no one to protect them."
"You will find that us Greeks are much harder to defeat." Zeus countered, his stoic expression returning.
"Are you sure about that?" Hela smirked before flicking her hand. The throne room doors swiftly swung open to reveal Olympus in flames. Smoke poured from homes while sounds of fighting sang through the air. Swarms of draugar swam through the city streets, butchering anyone they crossed paths with. Olympian soldiers were scattered throughout the courtyard, most of them already dead while the ones who remained alive were injured.
"Ho-.. How?" Zeus asked, horrified at the sight. "We...we would have heard it."
Hela smirked evilly. "A little magic was all I needed."
The sound of footsteps echoed the room and the gods turned to see a member of the Royal Guard approaching them.
"Gerald!" Apollo shouted, recognizing his lieutenant.
Gerald drew an arrow before firing at an unknown threat outside the doors before turning to Apollo. "My lords and ladies, we tried to call you! We could not enter the throne room. There are too man-"
The lieutenant of the Royal Guard was cut off when a massive pair of jaws clamped over him, ripping his torso from his legs. The gods watched in horror as a wolf the size of three houses ripped the young soldier into pieces, shaking its head violently, spraying ichor all over.
"That's a big fucking wolf." Achilles muttered as he clutched his spear tighter.
The pitch-black hound stalked forward, the gold liquid dripping down its bottom lip while its poison green eyes focused on the gods dangerously. Arrows and spears sprouted from its fur but it did not seem to bother the fierce creature.
"Ah, Fenrir! Come to mama!" Hela squealed. The dog stood by Hela's side, baring its teeth at the Olympus while letting out a vicious snarl. Hela reached upwards with her hand to scratch the wolf's leg.
"Your time of rule has come to an end, Olympians," Hela said before a massive ocean of draugar came flowing in. Giants with blue skin stomped into the throne room wielding what looked like weapons made of ice. Creatures with pale skin and pointy ears and fully black eyes charged forward with bows.
The Olympians lept into action, Zeus firing a massive bolt at the Fenrir, sending the wolf to crash into multiple monsters. Achilles jumped into the swarm, swinging his sword wildly. Artemis and Apollo led Rory and Callista to the back of the throne room before leaping back into the action.
The gods held firm for a few minutes but were eventually overwhelmed.
"Achilles!" Zeus called after blasting a group of elves into ashes. The war god turned to his father as he decapitated a draugr.
"You must leave. Take Apollo and the child to safety and hide. I was wrong and I see it now. We will not be able to hold much longer!"
"Father, I will not leave you!" Achilles shouted back as he dodged an arrow.
Zeus ducked under a swing from an ice giant before shoving his master bolt into its gut. "You must! As long as an Olympian survives then the flame of Greece shall keep its burn. Go!"
"Father…" Achilles pleaded.
"Go, son," Zeus said before he was tackled by a group of draugar.
Achilles, knowing that his father was right, roared in frustration before taking off. He spotted Katlyn who was holding her own against a group of elves. The war god launched into the fight, making quick work of them before grabbing his friend's hand. "We need to leave!"
"We can't just leave the rest to fight!" Katlyn argued.
"I don't like it either but we need to go!" Achilles shouted before dragging her with him and towards his siblings. After informing them, the twins reluctantly retreated to the back of the throne room where Callista was standing beside Rory protectively.
The group tried to teleport out but to no avail.
"Something's blocking us," Katlyn commented.
"This is just like the forest." Achilles muttered.
Artemis suddenly piped up, a lightbulb over her head. "I have an idea."
The rest turned to her but Artemis did not elaborate. Instead, she grabbed an explosive arrow from Apollo's quiver and knocked it. "Step aside."
The others quickly caught on to the plan before stepping away, Achilles summoning his shield as the others got behind him. Artemis let the arrow fly and watched as the projectile hit the wall. An explosion erupted and left a gaping hole on the throne room wall, revealing the night sky. Artemis quickly placed her fingers to her lips and blew. A sharp whistle sounded and soon a chariot pulled by stags cam flying over.
"STOP THEM!" Hela shrieked out as she pointed at the group of gods.
"Quickly!" Artemis ordered before catching an arrow and firing it back at an elf, killing it.
The gods piled into the chariot with Artemis on the reigns while Apollo fired arrows. Artemis flicked the reigns and they began to move.
With one last glance at the throne room, Achilles stepped into the chariot.
"Look out!" Callista called as a blast of green energy came flying towards them. Artemis steered to the left but the blast hit the chariot. The group expected an explosion but none came. Instead, a puff of green smoke appeared causing the gods to cough as it seeps into their lungs.
"What the Hades was th-" Apollo asked before crumbling to the floor of the chariot, knocked out. Soon, Callista followed, then Rory, then Achilles, until it was only Artemis. The Goddess of the Hunt was starting to feel the effects, her grip on the reigns loosening causing the chariot to steer closer to the ground. With her last ounce of effort, Artemis pulled on the reigns, dodging a mountain before crashing into a pile of snow.
WOW. WHAT A CHAPTER! THIS ONE WAS PRETTY INTENSE! I HAVE SO MUCH PLANNED FOR THIS STORY SO STAY TUNED. I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED AND IF YOU HAVE TIME, PLEASE DROP A REVIEW. THE REVIEWS THAT GRINCH AND SOME OF THE OTHER READERS LEAVE REALLY INSPIRE ME TO WRITE! IT'S OK IF YOU DON'T HAVE TIME AS LONG AS YOU ENJOYED THE CHAPTER :))))) UNTIL THE NEXT UPDATE!