Facing down the Titan of the East, the Lord of the Sun should have left Ethan with a sense of dread but all he could feel was extreme gratitude. He thought back the meeting Percy had called right before they arrived on earth.
"So here's the thing I know all of you are thinking about how we should approach the situation on Earth. Ethan suggested we blast Mt. Olympus out of the sky and kill everyone. Luke wants us to freeze time and kill them all before they can blink. Silena wants us to transport every immortal to the moon and then blow it up. The list goes on and on but I want to ask you all a question." Percy said. "Why do you all think we haven't done this before? I mean the methods you've all proposed." The group of commanders looked at one another confused. "It's because we at our very core are warriors. We crave battle and the harder the better. It's the reason we don't just burst into our divine forms on every planet and incinerate the threat. We train everyday where would the fun be if we didn't get to put that training into action." Ethan couldn't help but smile at his leader. He had a point. The fight. The feeling of getting hit and hitting back. The strategy and vibration through your body as weapons clashed. The way his heart raced with excitement. Ethan couldn't lie, it was where everything made sense. This memory made Ethan smile in the face of the Titan adversary.
"What's so funny, mortal-
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhh." Ethan interrupted. "Do you hear that Hyperion?"
"Hear what you filthy mag-" Before Hyperion could finish a thunderous punch hit him in the nose sending him skidding back.
"Guess it was nothing….Get up Hyperion the last time I fought I had to hold back so he wouldn't die. You are under no such protections." Ethan said with a smirk. Light shone from the armor of Hyperion as the Titan got up. Hyperion wiped ichor from his nose and watched as it evaporated. Hyperion cranked his heat to the max, setting nearby trees aflame and burning the ground within a half mile radius. Ethan was unimpressed. Charging the flaming Titan, Ethan had already gotten a feel for his movements and easily dodged the flurry of angry sword strikes all the while striking at Hyperion's pressure points. When Ethan took a step back Hyperion was immobilized in place unable to move, unable to even fall.
"Mortal, Gods, Titans you all have pressure points. And I will hit them every single time." Ethan said. Numerous thoughts went through the mind of Hyperion, the one most clear was rage. This only increased when the Titan was sent flying by a kick to the temple. As the rage in his heart built so too did his heat. Eventually Hyperion was a tornado of flame still unable to move. Ethan approached until he was right in front of the fallen Titan.
"This is the part where you surrender. Unless you want to be put back into that tree." At that Hyperion exploded into a storm of flame. Rising, Hyperion looked at Ethan with hatred and seconds later Ethan was blasted back by a wave of restrained power. When Ethan landed he squinted at Titan.
"You know, you are the second person to break out of my pressure point attack since I got to this planet. Am I losing my touch?" Ethan said with a smirk. That smirk quickly vanished when Hyperion did something he had only seen Percy do before. After igniting his massive sword, Hyperion swung it, unleashing massive lines of flames upon Ethan. Ethan dodged with precision and grace but was so distracted he didn't notice the Titan behind him until he was met in the arm with the flat of his blade. Ethan was sent through about a dozen trees before he came to a stop on his back. Blinking Ethan looked up at the sky a brilliant shade of blue, he was taken out of this trance when he heard the voice of his adversary.
"What makes you think you are worthy to challenge me boy. Me a Titan! You are nothing but a filthy traitor. One who turned his back on his family and now you come back as a ghost to sow war." Hyperion said. Ethan could only think of what Percy told him when he first brought him to the palace of Chaos.
"Why did I bring you here? Well that's simple. You were given the short end of the stick. I was lucky, my dad was a member of the big 3. I was forced to be important so I never knew what it was to be unimportant but Luke was right. You were right. You are here for a reason and that is to cleanse the Universe of anything even remotely like the Olympians and I promise one day we will go back and you'll get your revenge." Ethan smiled and gratitude filled his spirit. Black tendrils of darkness leaked from the ground covering Ethan and slowly dispersing. When it completely dissolved it revealed a beautiful black and silver armor. Streamlined and form fitting in the style of modern combat fatigues emblazoned with the symbol of chaos on the back. Complete with a black crown dotted with stars. Hyperion was frozen in fear. The sheer might rolling off this adversary was baffling. As Ethan rose the clear blue sky turned black as Night. Darkness rolled off the Son of Nyx in waves that buffeted Hyperion. Before Hyperion could blink Ethan held the Titan by the throat, darkness overtook the both of them until Hyperion could see nothing. Suddenly he was being thrown upon the cold, hard, grey ground. Something was off. Hyperion could feel it. He felt lighter, it was colder, each of his breaths were labored.
"Where did you bring me maggot?" Hyperion asked as he reignited. Ethan tilted his head and pointed behind the Titan. Hyperion looked back and gasped. Behind him was the Earth. The blue pearl looked so far away. Hyperion was on the Moon. Rage filled the Titan as he exploded into an inferno. Flame raced towards Ethan as the speed of sound but dissipated as Ethan waved his hand in front of it. Hyperion was suddenly upon him, bringing his sword down but was shocked when Ethan caught it. The surprise only increased when Ethan shattered the blade with a single hand. Hyperion shook with rage as he punched Ethan with all his might. Ethan took the punch, glaring at Hyperion before delivering one of his own sending the Titan flying back. Darkness pulsed as Ethan pulled a briefcase from a shadow. The power that rolled off this man frightened Hyperion. This pressure, it was like being crushed by a planet. Hyperion shook this fear off and looked at the sun. The Sun! Titan stretched out his hand and began to charge himself. Power gathered as Hyperion lifted his hands, a miniature sun appeared and grew larger and larger until it rivaled the moon in size. Ethan looked at Hyperion unimpressed and grabbed the weapon in the briefcase.
"This is Astrum. It means glory. Your end will be glorious." Ethan showed off a 6 foot long Scythe. Black and silver intertwined to form the handle. The blade was 3 feet long, wickedly sharp and black as Night. Hyperion had to act fast. When the man gripped that weapon it was as if he was in the presence of his mother. An all consuming everlasting weight. A power that seemed to distort the very space around him. Hyperion condensed the power he had gathered into the size of a baseball and held out his hand. Before Hyperion could comprehend his folly, Ethan was behind him, holding the power the Titan had gathered in his hand. With a squeeze Ethan shattered Hyperion's would be attack. When Hyperion turned, Ethan was already behind him again. Hyperion looked down and saw his arms on the ground. Falling on his knees, Hyperion was almost delirious with ichor loss. Millions of thoughts went through Hyperion's mind, chief among them was the pain of lost limbs.
"H-How?"
"How?" Ethan asked. "This is how." Ethan said. Ethan released his Scythe and it refused to touch the ground levitating in midair. "You've done me a service Hyperion, let me thank you by showing you my favorite technique." Ethan drew a circle in the air and put his hand through it. Immediately Hyperion went rigid. It felt as if. It felt as if someone was holding his heart.
"Mors per noctem. Death by Night." Ethan said as he squeezed with every ounce of his strength. Ichor exploded from the mouth of the Titan as he began to turn into dust and fade away. Ethan turned towards the Earth and smiled. Before he knew what happened a woman dressed in all black with stars dotting her gown appeared next to him. Her skin was bone white with black eyes and flowing black hair, She was at least 8 feet tall in her current state.
"Mother."
"My son. Amazing work as usual."
"Thank you mom." Ethan said. Nyx leaned down and adjusted his crown and kissed his forehead before disappearing. Ethan smiled hugely before returning his scythe and calming down his power.
"Time to get back to those kids."
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Up until the trio reached the cells in underground Olympus everything was going great. Silena, Clarisse and Medusa made their way invisibly to the only cell that was lit. Hestia sat in the corner, eyes closed as if she was praying. Silena smiled and snapped her fingers. Instantly Hestia's eyes shot open and she came towards the bars of the cells.
"Silena Beauregard and Clarisse La Rue. Thank you for getting here so quickly and….Medusa?! Wait, since when are you allied with Perseus?" Hestia asked
"Since about an hour ago. I didn't think these two were serious. Zeus really locked you up." Medusa answered
"I'm afraid so. Olympus is getting darker. I fear Perseus's presence is driving my family into a corner and yet….."
"And yet?" Clarisse asked
"The hearth grows." Hestia finished. Clarisse grinned as she gripped two of the Celestial bronze bars in front of her, spreading them so that the goddess could walk out of her prison freely.
"Rescue the Last Olympian, check." Clarisse said with a smile as she looked back at Silena who was turned facing a dark corridor. Silena snapped her fingers and darkness covered her companions leaving her visible
"Silena you okay? What are you doing?" Clarisse asked before footsteps began approaching. Out of the dark hallway came the one being Silena truly hated.
"Mother." She said coldly
"Silena." Aphrodite said back with a similar disdain.
"Silena no, Percy said no fighting on Olympus we could bring the whole city down if we try too hard." Clarisse pleaded.
"Percy." Silena said as she continued her staredown with Aphrodite. Percy was there in her mind instantly.
"Yo whats up Silena?" Percy asked before he saw her point at the goddess.
"Take her off Olympus." Percy said simply. To which he received a nod before he entered the mind of his girlfriend.
"Hey babe you doing okay?" Percy asked
"I'm fine. Do you think this is a good idea?"
"Silena needs this. She'll take care of it while you and Medusa finish the mission and it will be fine." Percy said.
"If you say so. I'll see you later. Love you."
"Love you too War princess."
Clarisse smiled as she whispered in her friend's ear before moving with Hestia and Medusa.
"You dare come here, you failure of a child. I sensed you as soon as you stepped off that elevator. You think you can just waltz back onto Olympus because you feel like it? I won't turn you in, I'll erase the mistake that is your existence myself." Aphrodite said as her eyes blazed pink. Before she could even comprehend what was happening a gauntleted hand grabbed her face as darkness enveloped her. When the darkness receded she could see she was in a different place where it was nighttime. This was before she was slammed head first into the rocky ground and then thrown violently away. Surprise, pain and confusion all overtook her like a train. But what was most pressing was the voice of her daughter
"Australia. That's where we are. A friend recommended that it would be a perfect place for you to die. At least you get to see the stars one last time." Aphrodite shook off her stupor and looked her daughter in the eye. "Get up love goddess." Silena said, her voice dripping with venom. Aphrodite for her part rose steadily and snapped her fingers. Her show gown was replaced with pink plate armor in the hoplite style. A sword hung at her side and her beautiful blonde hair was tied in a tight ponytail. Aphrodite's kaleidoscope eyes blazed with fury as she rose to her feet.
"You petulant child you dare strike me? A goddess of Olympus?" Aphrodite yelled as she charged her adversary.
"I'm going to do a whole lot more than strike you bitch." Silena answered as her Necroarmor came into existence upon her. Aphrodite went for a killshot, aiming to stab Silena through the neck. She was shocked when Silena intercepted the move, sidestepping and catching the goddess in the rib with a powerful punch. Aphrodite winced but tried to counter with a powerful overhand strike but was met with confusion as both her hands were grabbed. Aphrodite met the eyes of her opponent and all she could see was malice. Silena threw the goddess hands apart and jumped and kicked the goddess in the chest with both feet sending her flying back. Aphrodite's ponytail had come undone, Blonde strands were stuck upon her forehead and her breath had become shallow. Such was the power of the blows that her former daughter had laid upon her. She barely had time to recover before Silena struck her in the temple with a vision kick.
"You toy with hearts, you play with the emotions of others and when you can't have your way you lash out." Silena said as she stood over the goddesses body. Aphrodite struck like a viper thrusting her blade towards Silena, to her dismay, Silena caught the arm. Lifting the goddess up by it before slamming her into the rocky ground with enough force to crater it and throwing through a nearby rock formation.
"You disapproved of my first boyfriend Charlie because of who his father was and drove me to hate Olympus to the point that I would help the Titans" Aphrodite tried to swing but was caught with a blow to her stomach that sent shockwaves around the desert. Aphrodite's sword clattered out of her hand as she sank to her knees coughing up ichor. Silena picked up the dropped sword and threw it at the feet of Aphrodite.
"How? I watched your fight with Nike. You struggled against her, how are you doing this to me?"
" Nike was not an Olympian, there was no reason to go full throttle from the get go. I can't help it, it's the Greek dna. I crave a good fight. So naturally I held back against victory."
"Why are you telling me this?" Aphrodite asked, lips stained gold.
"Because you won't live to tell anyone else." With that, an explosion of power enveloped the area with Silena at the epicenter. The Necroarmor grew to cover her entire body, leaving only her head exposed. A crown of black diamond was upon her head, her eyes were orbs of black flame. As Silena took a step all the stars disappeared. No light was present. Darkness.
"What-What are you." Aphrodite choked out.
"I am the Daughter of Erebus and I will show you why you are right to fear the dark."
Boom another chapter done. Aphrodite got the most votes in the reviews and as you can see she's about to meet her end. I had a lot of people ask why the team would struggle against minor gods and I wanted to use this chapter to explain that well they just didn't try. You wouldn't put all your effort into killing a roach would you? Plus a fight is no fun if you grossly outmatch your opponent. But then you have people like Ethan who just sits down and slaughters. Please read and review, seriously they keep me going. Later
Peacoat.