Happy Harbor, December 19, 3:26 P.M.
The League looked tirelessly for Onryo but it seems he disappeared. Hunter explained the nature of his powers and their source. Wonder Woman suggested that he returned to the Land of the Dead, biding his time before his next crusade. Batman, believing that Onryo won't stay quiet for long, made apprehending him a top priority.
Batman and the majority of the Justice League agreed that Onryo is a league level threat. He had strength, speed, stealth and skill that rivaled many of the stronger heroes. He all but wiped the floor with the team and rivaled Wonder Warrior in hand to hand combat. It was quite obvious that he could've killed the heroes if he wanted to.
"You have something on your mind?" Diana asked.
The mother and son were currently having lunch in a local diner. The two hadn't had much time to spend together since Hunter moved into the mountain. Missions for the League and team kept them busy as well as work and school. Times like these have been more and more scarce for the two.
Hunter kept his gaze on his menu, "Not really."
Diana hummed before she reached down for her purse, "Should I get my lasso or – "
"Fine, fine." Hunter sighed, setting down the menu, knowing fully well that his mother isn't above using the lasso to weasel out the truth, "I've been thinking about my last mission."
"About Onryo." Diana clarified, "What about him?"
"Something he said has me. . .questioning my views on the world." He looked up at his mother, "Is the way we fight evil the right way?"
Diana gave him a questioning look, "How do you mean?"
"Have we made the world a better place or have we just become a part of the cycle of hatred and violence that plagues it?" He asked, Diana could hear his heartbeat picking up, panicking, "Onryo made some very valid points that perhaps the Justice League, and by extension the team, have only enabled the already existing flaws of the world."
"I wasn't aware that you had such a philosophical conversation with him." Said his mother, "You didn't mention this when you made your mission report."
It's true, Hunter omitted some things from his report such as Onryo's life before he became a warrior for his gods as well as the fact that he practically let him go, "He said that our refusal to kill only grants our enemies more opportunities to do evil things, to harm more innocent people."
"So what are you questioning exactly?"
"Is he right? Are we allowing bad people to do evil things because they know they'll face the same meager consequences over and over again?" Hunter held his mother's gaze, "Every chance we give them for rehabilitation gives them more time to learn from their previous mistakes and become more dangerous. Look at the Injustice League for example."
Diana placed her hand over her son's, "Hunter, you and I are not like the other members of the Justice League. We've taken lives before and know fully well that we will take lives again. Yes there are people who are slave to their most darkest desires but there are also people who can break free from the chains of evil and can do real good. Our creed as Amazons states that before we raise the sword we must offer an open hand."
"Yes our offered hands are vulnerable to deception but that open hand represents an opportunity to all who have doubts about the darkness within themselves and all who believe that can be more than their sins. But there are those who are aware of their own evil, of the pain and suffering they cause, and revel in it. When the lives of the innocent are at stake, a refusal to take a life can do just as much damage as indiscriminately massacring your enemies. Absolute conviction to either can only cause more damage."
Hunter looked down at his mother's hands over his own, "But. . .what if we're just another part of a flawed world and it's too late for us to change?"
Diana squeezed his hands, "If there's one thing my time in this world has taught me, it's that it's never too late to change."
Hunter gave his mother a small smile before the sky above began to rumble. The mother and son looked up to see the flashing of lightning illuminating the sky above. The people in the diner all looked out the windows, shocked by the sudden change in weather. They exchanged a look, knowing what it meant.
"We've been summoned." Diana sighed.
"Grandfather." Hunter muttered, "We didn't even get our food yet."
Diana quickly paid the check before they two stepped out into the cold, winter snow. The two of them walked into a small alley before they quickly began to spin around into two twisting blurs of red and gold. They stopped once the both of them were in uniform. The mother and son flew off over the snow covered harbor and into the gray sky above. They flew higher and higher before lightning began to strike all around them. Their bodies began to emit a porcelain white aura. They flew through the clouds before the lightning gathered around them. In a blinding flash, the lightning struck them and they teleported.
The sky around them changed, the dreary gray clouds were replaced with pristine white and as well as the golden light of the city just ahead. Breaking out from the clouds the two were met with the dazzling sight of Mount Olympus in all its divine splendor. Before this Hunter had never seen the city in person, he'd only ever seen it depicted in tapestries, paintings and carvings. This will be the first time he's ever met his grandfather as well as most of the gods.
"Make sure to heed every word spoken, Hunter." Diana said as she landed at the head of the stairs, leading up to Zeus' palace, "Whatever's happening must be dire for Lord Zeus himself to summon us rather than sending Hermes."
"Yes." Hunter replied as they approached the large entry doors.
The gargantuan doors opened themselves, allowing the two heroes inside the palace. Hunter couldn't stop his look of awe at the sheer size and quality of the palace. The foyer was made of pure white ivory and lined with gold. The finest tapestries and statues he's ever seen decorated the halls. It easily put Themyscira and the Hall of Justice to shame.
"Father." Diana's voice snapped Hunter out of his stupor.
Hunter looked up, seeing his grandfather in person for the very first time. His long white robes hunt loosely over his impressive physique, his shimmering gold crown rested on his long black hair that connected to his beard. All this was made all the more intimidating by his impressive size, towering over them at twenty feet tall just by sitting on his throne.
Both heroes fell to one knee, bowing to the God-king, "Rise, there is an urgent matter we must discuss."
The two stood on their feet when Diana asked, "What's happened my lord father?"
A golden blur dashed between them before stopping at Zeus' side. Moving faster than anyone Hunter's ever seen, Hermes stood between the heroes and his father. He bowed his head to his father before he turned to face the heroes.
"Hermes has come across something that is most concerning." Zeus said.
"Ares has freed Circe out of her imprisonment in Tartarus." Hermes stated much to the shock of the two heroes, "Usually such a thing wouldn't incur interference from our father but in her escape the witch took something."
"What did she take?" Diana asked before a scroll appeared in Hermes' hand.
He unraveled the scroll and the image of a sickle appeared, "Kronos' sickle, the Harpe Sword."
"She didn't steal it." Zeus declared, "My father coveted this blade, made sure he was the only one capable of wielding it. If Ares has it now then it means Kronos allowed him to take it."
"Why would Ares ally with Kronos?" Hunter asked, "He's still imprisoned in Tartarus so what could he possibly want?"
"The Harpe Sword is an extension of my father's abilities." Zeus replied, "That includes absorbing and devouring other gods, gaining their power, as he once did to my siblings."
"If Ares is allowed to absorb the power of his kin he may rival even father in strength and power." Hermes stated, "Who knows who he might go after."
"I usually allow my children the freedom of doing what they wish but Ares has gone too far." Zeus said, thunder rumbling around the palace, "Find him and bring him to me so that I will deliver him his just punishment."
"Yes, father." Diana bowed her head.
"We will deliver him to you, grandfather." Hunter vowed before the two flew off, "How are we going to find Ares?"
"We'll need an expert tracker." Diana replied, "And I know just who we need."
Northern Greece, 5:24 A.M.
"Finding you was easier than I imagined." Hunter said.
Artemis scoffed, "Boy, you found me because I allowed you to."
After leaving Mount Olympus the duo went out in search of the Goddess of the Hunt. They scoured all of Greece and searched her favored hunting spots. They finally caught sight of Artemis' doe grazing in the moonlight. They approached the doe and offered it fresh feed before it led them to the goddess' campsite where they found her preparing a meal from a fresh hunt.
"Yes and thank you for granting us an audience, Lady Artemis." Diana said, meeting Artemis' eyes over the fire, "We are in need of your assistance."
"With Ares." Artemis replied, "Apollo loves to gossip with Hermes and can't help but talk my ear off." She muttered as she rotated the rabbit, "Is it true that he's working with Kronos?"
"It appears so." Diana replied, "He has our grandfather's blade."
The goddess paused for a moment before she leaned away from the rabbit, "Have either of you ever heard about the war?" Artemis asked, "Zeus' Rebellion."
"Yes, we've all heard the stories." Hunter replied, "Zeus cut open Kronos' stomach and freed his siblings and unleashed the hecatonchires and cyclopes. With them at his side they overthrew the titans and ruled ever since."
"As the titans did to the primordials." The goddess said, "Gaia and Uranus foretold that Kronos would be deposed by his own children just as he did to his father. In his attempt to defy fate he devoured his children and ensured the end of his rule."
"We know these stories, why are you telling us this?" Diana asked, leaning forward from her seat.
"I wasn't present for the war, as you well know." Artemis continued, "But I learned from Hestia that they nearly lost the war." Diana and Hunter looked at each other in mutual shock as Artemis continued, "Kronos was planning something that would've changed the tides of war but before he could unleash it Zeus found him and soundly defeated him."
"What was it. . . he was planning to unleash?" Hunter asked, not quite knowing how to phrase the question.
"To this day we're not sure but apparently it was so dangerous that the Fates intervened for the first time in eternity." Artemis said before glancing at Hunter, "Everyone knows the Fates only intervene when there are dire circumstances afoot."
"So whatever Ares has planned must have something to do with what Kronos created." Diana said, standing up.
"He's probably going to use it to wage war on Olympus and overthrow Zeus." Hunter added and stood at his mother's side, "Zeus did to Kronos and as Kronos did to Uranus. Repeating history for a third time."
Diana nodded before she looked back at the goddess, "Artemis, I know it is much to ask - "
"It isn't actually." She cut off before standing up and slinging her quiver over her shoulder, "I'd rather spend the rest of eternity in Tartarus than live in a world where I have to call Ares king." She raised her arm and her bow flew across the camp and into her hand, "Let's go hunting."
"Doesn't he understand what's at stake here!?"
Aphrodite fanned herself to gain whatever relief she could gain from the searing heat of Hephestus' volcanic workshop. She lazily listened as Apollo continued his rant about Ares' recent scheme. The sun god had Hermes call a meeting between a select few gods. She glanced around to see everyone who's been called.
Of course Hephestus is present given that Apollo chose his workshop as the meeting place. It was quite ingenious actually. Zeus and Hera don't care enough about the blacksmith to pay him any sort of attention. She hardly remembers the last time he left his volcano, let alone returned to Olympus.
Athena stood off to the side as calm as ever, listening to every word Apollo spoke. Aphrodite could never truly figure out how she could keep such a straight face despite being obviously annoyed. It also posed a very important question, what is she thinking? Is she simply humoring Apollo or is she taking him seriously?
Hestia's presence gives way to many questions. She usually stays out of the conflict between the gods, mostly keeping to herself. Perhaps she just wanted to feel the heat of the volcano or maybe she actually feels that this situation with Ares is a matter of concern.
Hermes is here of course, given the fact that he led everyone here. He most likely got involved in this for the amusement of Zeus' eventual wrath. Everyone knows that when things go arai he'll be the first to flee just in time to avoid punishment and then laugh at everyone else at a later time.
The most interesting members of this little group are the king and queen of the underworld, Hades and Persephone. This time of year Persephone stays in the underworld with her husband who only leaves his kingdom once every few centuries. Hades' intimidating presence wasn't lost on anyone as hardly anyone dared to look in his direction. He's by far the strongest of everyone in the room and third only to Poseidon and Zeus.
With a sigh she turned her attention back to Apollo's ranting, "Father's leniency towards Ares will lead to all of our downfall."
"Not to mention his blatant favoritism." Hephestus added as he inspected a freshly forged sword.
"Didn't he just send Diana and her son to apprehend him?" Athena asked, "Surely the two of them can subdue him."
"Yeah, the first fight was fun to watch and this one is going to prove to be twice as entertaining." Hermes chuckled, "So how about loosen that bowstring that's obviously tied around your least impressive feature and calm down."
Apollo glared at the messenger, "Easy for you to say when everyone knows all you'll do is run away."
"That is only mostly true." Hermes shot back, "But tell me if it comes to combat against Ares do you honestly think we stand a chance especially when he has the Harpe Blade?"
"Diana's beaten him before." Hephestus replied as he began to work on another weapon.
"But now he's allied himself with many of her adversaries, including the witch, Circe, who bears Hecate's mark." Hestia stated much to the shock of the others, "And now he's struck a bargain with Kronos."
"Exactly, thank you." Apollo exclaimed.
"You're actually agreeing with him?" Aphrodite asked skeptically, "That's a first."
"Things have changed." The eldest goddess replied, "It is time for you all to know about Kronos' greatest weapon."
Hestia looked over to Hades who met her gaze before he sighed, "Prepare yourselves." He glanced around the room, "We're going to talk to the Fates."
"Are we close?" Hunter asked as they ran through the forest terrain.
They started their search at the Gates of Tartarus. From there Artemis picked up on his trail. They ran all across Europe for nearly an hour, finding traces of the War God's presence. With each step Artemis grew ever more sure that they were closing in on Ares.
"Yes." Artemis replied confidently, "We're right on his tail. Keep up." She began to go faster and the two heroes picked up their pace to keep up with the goddess.
Artemis warned them against flying, stating that they needed to remain nor further than five paces from her, lest they lose track of her. Every step the goddess took was made with intent and precision. Artemis' focus on the hunt would amaze even Cheetah. Hunter's only seen such care in movement with his mother, Flash, and, to some extent, Wally.
"Stop!" Artemis suddenly exclaimed.
The three of them pressed their feet down and came to a grinding stop on the ground. Now with his eyes breaking away from Artemis' back he realized where they were. The vast arid desert is all too familiar, "This is Bialya."
"Bialya?" Diana looked to her son who nodded, "What business do Ares and Circe have in Queen Bee's country?"
"There." Artemis looked ahead and pointed where light illuminates the night.
The three deities crouched behind the dunes as they approached the light. Settling on a dune a few yards away they found two campsites had been set up across from each other. The campsite to the east bore Bialya's national flag while the other flew a symbol Hunter didn't recognize, a black circle with a red outline on a black field.
"The Cult of Ares." Artemis muttered.
"It seems that he's found his followers, who've been waiting patiently for his return." Diana muttered.
"Mother, we should infiltrate the camp while Artemis covers us from here." Hunter suggested, "We need to find out what Ares and Queen Bee are plotting together."
"Agreed." Said Diana.
The mother and son snuck into the camp, careful to remain unnoticed. Hunter quickly ducked behind a gas drum as a small scouting party passed by. Diana, who crouched behind a truck, nodded to Hunter who immediately understood. He counted four cultists before they came up behind them. They moved like lightning. Hunter ensnared the neck of one of the men with his lasso and with a harsh tug his neck snapped before spun around and raised his elbow to the second man's face, crushing the front half of his skull. Diana dropped down and swiped her leg in an arch, sending the men to the floor before she stood up with a spinning motion and sliced through their necks with a single swing of her sword.
After hiding the bodies they continued on their search for Ares. They searched each tent in Ares' camp but found no sign of him. They had no choice but to move onto Queen Bee's camp where Hunter needed to be extra careful. Queen Bee's powers allow her to take control of any man with her mind.
"We are on the cusp of the Justice League's destruction." They heard Ares' voice booming from within a large yellow tent. The mother and son approached the tent and ducked behind wooden barrels and listened as the god continued to speak, "Once Diana and her allies are dealt with we will move on to Themyscira and then after Olympu."
"What of her son?" A scrambled voice asked, "The boy is capable of harnessing great power, he defeated Black Adam singehandedly."
"The prince will no longer be a problem." Circe replied, with a tone of confidence in her voice, "Kronos' weapon will make sure of it."
"What is the nature of this weapon?" Another scrambled voice asked.
"Killing the boy would only ignite Diana's fighting spirit." Ares replied, "But turning her own son against her would completely break her."
Diana and Hunter exchanged a look of confusion. Ares and Circe can't possibly believe that they can turn Hunter against his mother and friends.
"I could easily do that" Queen Bee said with a scoff, "What's so special about Kronos' sword?"
"Your manipulations are child's play compared to the power of the titans, princess." Circe mockingly replied, "Should you take control of the boy all Diana must do is ensnare him in her lasso to free him. The sword's power dwarfs that of the Lasso of Truth."
One of the scrambled voices scoffed, "Maybe you're just overestimating the power of Kronos. He was dethroned by his own son, remember?"
"Yes but he was defeated because he was betrayed by one of his own." Ares replied, "Themis, the Titaness of Law, Order and Justice." He spat out the final word.
The gods gathered in the Cavern of the Fates, watching as the three sisters wove the strings of fate. The goddesses recounted the story of Zeus' rebellion, how it started, how it raged for centuries and finally how it ended.
"Themis' foresight allowed her to see the terrible weapon of Kronos' making before it was even a thought within the former king's mind" Clotho said, her eyes remaining on her spinning wheel, "What she saw caused her such terror that she sided with Zeus, along with Prometheus."
"What did she see?" Athena asked. The War Goddess knew Themis well and knew that she wasn't fearful of much in the universe.
"Kronos' dominion over time allowed him to see the very fabric of time and fate." Lachesis said inspecting the thread in her hands, measuring it, "It took a millennia but Kronos eventually found a way to alter fate, perminantly."
Just then the Moirai, just for a second, stopped their work before they continued their duty. The younger gods around them were frozen as Atropos continued the story, "Somehow we were blind to his machinations. His tampering with fate and destiny would have incurred the wrath of our mother."
Hades and Hestia exchanged a worried look. Nyx is one of the most powerful deities in the multiverse and one of the few things Zeus genuinely fears. The primordial is very protective of her daughters and of their duties. Many time travelers and oracles have faced the wrath of the night when they attempted to defy their thread.
"Themis reported her vision to Zeus who approached us." Clotho said as the three goddesses looked up at the group of gods, "For the first and last time in history we interveined."
"I looked into the exact moment where Zeus would have the opportunity to deliver a decisive defeat to his father before the weapon was ready." Atropos said before she cut the thread with her shears, "So much more than the claim to the throne was at stake when Zeus defeated his father."
"Ares has acquired the weapon from Kronos." Hestia replied, "Can the three of you intervene once more to stop him before it's too late."
"We've vowed to never again intervene with fate." Lechesis replied, "But know this, should Ares use the weapon he could change the fate of anyone he strikes with the blade."
"Diana and her son were sent to stop him." Apollo muttered before he looked at the others in alarm, "Father played right into his hands by sending them." He stormed out of the cave and the others quickly went after him, "He wants to intervene in the prophecy."
Athena immediately knew what she was talking about, "The prince's fate would mean Ares' end."
"Not if he can change it." Apollo replied as the gods walked out into the night, "Hermes, scour the earth, find Ares, our lives depended on it."
Hermes didn't argue before he dashed away leaving a trail of golden light in his wake. The gods turned to Apollo as his chariot appeared in a burst of sunlight, "The survival of the Old Gods depends on the prince of the Amazons."
Apollo is the god of many things including prophecy. All prophecies of importance go through him before others who possess foresight, "What have you seen Apollo?" Aphrodite asked.
Apollo climbed onto his chariot before he looked down at the others, "We need to find Ares before it's too late." He then rode off into the sky, changing night into day.
Ares looked at the white silhouettes on the six screens as he finally finished explaining his new weapon. He found the disguised images to be completely ridiculous. Savage's reasoning behind this little charade was to keep the secrecy of their group absolute. Ironic, a group that calls themselves the light are too afraid to show themselves to the world. They're all cowards, a ragtag group made up of mortals, lesser immortals and a Lord of Chaos, no matter what they are, they're beneath him all the same.
"Impressive." The Witch Boy chuckled through the foolish scrambler, "Can I take it for a go?"
"You'd only destroy yourself, boy." Circe spat out, "Only those of Kronos' blood are able to wield his power without being destroyed by it."
"Good to know." Everyone turned around to see Hunter standing at the entrance of the tent where the group of guards laid unconscious on the floor.
Before Ares could utter a word Wonder Woman erupted from the ground below and tackled him into the sky. Circe looked up after them before she was kicked through the tent by a powerful kick. The witch collided with a sand dune causing a dust cloud from the impact. Hunter pounced towards the cloud and dispersed the cloud with his speed, revealing that the witch had disapeared.
"Still a novice." Circe snickered from the sky high above Hunter. She reached a hand down towards him and her magic surges around her hand before firing a bolt of magic at the prince. The attack caused a large explosion, the force of it caused all the tents to fall over.
"Thank the gods that I'm a quick learner."
Circe whipped around just in time to see Hunter's fist before it collided with her face sending her flying away. She didn't fly far as Hunter used his lasso and caught her by the ankles. He swung her over his head and slammed her down into one of the trucks below and it exploded in a ball of fire. Hunter smirked down at the burning truck having bested the witch.
"Hunter behind you!"
Hunter quickly turned around just in time to dodge the blade of the Harpe sword. The prince saw the crazed gleam in Ares' eyes as he went for a second swing. The God moved to advance before an arrow shot into his shoulder, breaking through his armor. He let out a raged cry before a second arrow tore through his left arm.
Ares looked down to see Artemis taking aim at him, "Damn you Artemis." He muttered narrowly avoiding an arrow aimed at his neck.
Just then Hunter grabbed Ares wrist and pulled him into a powerful headbutt. Diana then flew up and spun forward and kicked Ares down into the sand. They moved to fly down after him before both Ares' cultists and Queen Bee's soldiers began to fire at them. The duo began to deflect bullets with their bracelets before they flew down towards them.
The two then expertly dispatched the group of armed men. Knocking them down, breaking their guns and even using their swords, it was all too simple to them. Once the last of them fell to the ground they turned their attention back to Ares who was pulling Artemis' arrows out of his body. Hunter looked to his mother who met his eyes before nodding.
Wonder Woman and Wonder Warrior each took a step before launching themselves at Ares. They mirrored each other as they delivered one blow after another to Ares. The god raised his arms, shielding his face from the assault, the force of their punches forcing him to slide across the sand. The divine duo, knowing that Ares' defense wouldn't waver, jumped over the god before they grabbed him by the hair and threw him up into the sky. Ares grunted as he flew across the sky and stopped himself.
"Impressive." He lowered his arms just in time to see a blindingly fast kick collide with his kick, sending him further into the sky. Ares knew only deity fast enough to escape his notice, "Hermes."
Just then a burning arrow came through his right arm, forcing him to drop the Harpe Sword, "Apollo." He sneered as the light of the moon began to bleed red, "You shouldn't have interfierd, brother." He looked up at Apollo who stood atop his chariot.
The god had a trio of arrows aimed at him, "Ares, if you continue this cause and change the boy's fate you'll only bring ruin, not just to humanity or Olympus but to yourself as well."
"Nonsense." He spat out, "My path leads only to my ascendancy upon the throne and if you stay in my way then I'll have no choice but to slay you as well." He sneered as an axe appeared in his hands."
He charged up at Apollo as the god fired a flurry of burning arrows at him. Ares easily swatted the arrows away with his axe and closed the distance between them. Apollo jumped off his chariot and narrowly dodged the swinging axe that aimed to decapitate him. Ares flew down after Apollo as he fell out of the sky.
"Damn." Apollo muttered as he saw Ares coming ever closer, "Time to be serious." He pulled back the string of his bow before an arrow made of pure sunlight appeared before he let it loose, firing the arrow of light at Ares.
The light of the arrow burned in the sky before it broke apart, becoming a rain made of hundreds of white hot arrows. Seeing this, Ares created a shield protecting himself from the hail of arrows. This left him vulnerable enough for Diana and Hunter to bind his wrists with their lassos. Using all their strength they pulled his arm apart allowing the arrow to hit their mark. Ares wailed in pain as the arrows exploded once they made contact with him, burning him with the heat of the sun.
"Pin him down!" Apollo ordered after he had landed on the ground.
The mother and son flew down and dragged Ares down with them. They pulled on their lassos and forced him down to the ground. Apollo fired a single arrow in the sky illuminating the light as it split into four identical arrows. The four arrows came back down towards Ares before they impaled his hands and feet, pinning him to the ground.
"He's contained." Diana said, keeping a tight hold on her lasso.
Hunter looked down at Ares and saw that he had closed his fist, "Mother wait he's - "
Wonder Warrior let out a bloodcurdling wail as he felt the Harpe Sword stabbing into his back before erupting from his chest. This felt different, worse, than any other wound he's ever had; it felt like he was being torn in half. Hunter fell to his knees, the pain forcing him down to the ground. Slamming his fist to the ground Hunter looked down at the sword before his eyes burned pure white energy.
"I want it to stop." He growled, "I WANT IT TO STOP!"
The air around him shook as he let out a painful scream. Energy, lightning, and light radiated around his body, blinding everyone, even the gods, around him. Raising his fist he focused all the energy in his fist looked down at the sword. He swung his fist down on the blade before an explosion of pure light engulfed his body.
"Hunter!" Diana reached out to her son as the light engulfed her and everything else around them.
The light came as fast as it left. Opening her eyes, Diana found that she wasn't harmed and neither were the others. Looking around she found Hunter, lying on the ground. Letting go of her lasso she flew over to Hunter's unconscious body.
"Hunter?" She lifted his head on her lap and began to shake him, trying to wake him up, "Hunter!"
The prince woke up with a gasp, looking around frantically, "What happened?"
Diana looked back at Ares' bound body, "We've succeded." She said looking over to Apollo.
Meeting Apollo's eyes Diana wasn't so sure. Hermes and Apollo had aided them in their fight but why? Was capturing Ares so dire that the gods themselves involved themselves?
"Can we eat now?" Hunter asked as he sat up, gaining a humorous smile from his mother.
"Of course." Diana replied.
"What's this?"
The graveled voice of Atropos caught the attention of the other two sisters. They've been spinning, tailoring and shearing the threads of mortals as they always do. The visit of the gods was a momentary inconvenience but even that didn't stop them from their tailoring. Lachesis and Clothos knew something truly dire must have occurred if Atropos has ceased their work,
"What is it, sister?" Lachesis asked, her eyes never leaving the threads she's currently tailoring.
"The prince's thread, it has split." She raised a single wrinkled finger to point out the single thread.
The two sisters immediately looked away from their duties. They looked through the web of silver threads of the mortals to spot a single golden thread of an immortal. The thread, once expertly woven into a single string has now split into two threads, one gold and the other silver. The three sisters stared at the thread with an enraged fire in their eyes at the sight of their hard work being undone.
"Destiny has been tampered with." Clothos sneered, "Ares has succeded."
"Not exactly." Atropos said, raising her hand and calling the thread down towards them. The three sisters took the thread into their expertly delicate hands, "Ares wished that to change the boy's fate it seems that the sword had been broken before the process was completed."
"Leaving two paths for the prince." Clothos said inspecting the thread, "One is the path that was already set for him and the other. . ."
"The other is the one Ares had begun paving the way for." Lachesis said, "A road towards a terrible fate."