Thanks to ErisRocks and Jellicos for their reviews! You guys are the best! Hope this chapter meets with your approval!
I know this chapter took a long time, but I just moved back to school. Chapters might take a bit longer to show up, but they will be longer when they do.
I was going to try and keep this story only about Athena, but a friend of mine suggested I add some more of Aphrodite's feelings. It will be more suspenseful he said. I think he's right. So the real title of this story should be "Lonely Goddesses", but I shall keep it as it is so people don't get confused. I am still going to focus on Athena, but Aphrodite will be heard from more often.
Athena sighed as she saw her War room in front of her. Not really wanting to be alone she left Mount Olympus, heading to Earth with no real destination in mind. She felt empty inside. Like she'd just lost everything that meant anything to her. Her beloved Athens, the respect of her followers, but most important Aphrodite.
At the thought Athena snorted softly. The Goddess of Love did not belong to her. But she wished with every inch of her being that she did. The urge to cry became too strong and as her feet touched the soil of an empty field next to the ocean she let them fall. There was no sense in holding everything in when she was alone.
As the tears fell, she bowed her head and brought her fists up to her face. Covering her eyes as if to hold the tears in she let her grief flow. Her heart felt like it was in a million pieces and she was finding it hard to breathe. It was almost as if her body wouldn't listen to her commands.
Sinking to her knees, she sobbed unabashedly. Rocking back fourth as she pictured the beautiful goddess she could never have. Ares, Hephaestus, Zeus and countless other gods and mortals had all gotten to hold her but never would she. The thought was driving her mad. She tried to gain control of her senses. It was so unlike her to just let go but it had been building up for so long.
With tears still in her eyes she stood on wobbly legs and looked around. She was alone. No birds watching her, no nymphs laughing at how silly she looked but most importantly no gods spying on her. Or so she thought.
Aphrodite had heard crying coming from behind the line of trees that protected a field from the harsh winds at the cost. Curios as to who else was crying she wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand and headed into the trees.
Seeing a woman kneeling on the ground, Aphrodite was surprised at the amount of anguish seemed to radiate her. Being a goddess of love, Aphrodite knew when someone was dealing with the emotions and the other ones that went along with it. And this woman seemed to be soaking in the heart break, sadness and despair that often come with unrequited love.
She was about to call out to the woman when she noticed something else. The strong aura of an immortal. Squinting her eyes' she as she crept closer felt her jaw drop when she recognized Athena's strong form. She had never known the goddess to show any emotion apart from joy at a victory or sorrow for her people. But never tears like this and the other feelings she felt.
Stopping mid step she hid behind a tree only 50 feet away from Athena and watched. She wanted to approach her but she knew better. Athena would deny anything she said and push it off as just being over stressed with the demands of being a goddess.
Athena's armor suddenly covered her body and her sword appeared at her side. There was now a small leather bag in her hand and on her head was her helmet. Aphrodite frowned wondering what was going on.
Athena felt like she had no more tears in her body as she opened the leather bag in her hand and poured several dragons' teeth into her palm. Bleach white they gleamed in the sun and almost seemed alive. Waiting to touch the ground.
Their energy seemed to soak into Athena. She narrowed her eyes, glaring at the teeth in her hand. Pulling her arm back to throw the teeth she stopped and lowered her hand. Closing her eyes, she sighed softly.
Watching closely, Aphrodite shook her head in disbelief. Athena no longer looked the majestic, awe-inspiring goddess she was. She now looked like a mortal. It took her a moment to realize Athena must have taken away her veil of glimmer. The power that made her look immortal and prevented her from getting hurt.
Without it Athena could experience pain, get sick, feel hunger and go through many other sensations that mortals had. The only thing it couldn't let her experience was death. Sighing in relief Aphrodite leaning against the tree to watch what Athena would do next. She wasn't one to spy on other immortals but she was curious.
The second the teeth landed on the soft soil fully armored men sprung forth. Wearing black togas, dark armor, and holding very sharp looking spears and swords they looked to be every bit as formidable as Athena if not more so. Other then their black eyes they looked like any other well trained mortal solider.
Aphrodite frowned slightly. The dragon warriors were very well muscled. Like Ares their arms were the size of Athena's thigh, and their legs looked like small tree trunks. She knew Athena was very strong she couldn't help but worry about the way Athena looked like a small rock compared to these mountains of flesh.
They moved quickly for being so big both goddesses noticed. Without speaking they seemed to know what to do. Their eyes fixed on Athena they wordlessly took their positions around her. Aphrodite felt a smile tug on her lips. She was getting excited at the sight before her.
Athena gave a grim smirk as the dragon warriors quickly surrounded her. She knew the only way they could die was if they killed each other. And the only way to do that was toss a stone amongst them. They would argue over who threw it then the argument would lead to fighting and they would kill each other. But she didn't want to do that right away. She wanted to hurt them enough so they wouldn't be able to hurt her.
She needed to work herself to exhaustion or she would get no rest and nothing would get done. There was a nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach saying she was not in the right state of mind to face these warriors but she didn't listen. Even if she was the goddess of wisdom, she didn't always listen to her own wisdom.
Licking her lips nervously she crouched slightly and waited for them to attack. The first warrior ran to her with a cry like a man running from death. It chilled Athena to the bones but she pushed the fear aside and tightened her hold on her sword. It felt comforting. Something she could control.
Ducking his first blow aimed at her head she quickly swung her sword at his legs. He stepped back easily then slammed his sword to the ground. She barely missed the blow as she leapt to the side then brought the heel of her foot against his shin bone and smiled when she heard the crack of bone breaking.
Aphrodite flinched when she heard the loud snap. Thankful that Athena hadn't been touched yet she took a few steps closer, safe in the knowledge that Athena was too busy to notice her. Aphrodite had never gotten to actually see Athena fight. In fact besides Ares and Zeus no one had. Athena seldom fought by herself, she usually inspired or aided her warriors on the battle field. Standing next to them and encouraging them.
A tall warrior holding a spear lunged at Athena while his brother's cracked leg healed. With a quick twist she avoided the sharp point and smiled when it went deep into the chest of the warrior who was sneaking up behind her. The impaled warrior cried out and dropped his sword to the ground while he tried to pull out the spear.
Moving without thought Athena put her arm over the wooden shaft of the spear and grabbed it with one hand. Within seconds she slammed it into the first attacker's stomach causing him to stumble back. He quickly pulled out the sword from his belt.
Pushing the spear back so it buried itself deeper in the stomach of the warrior who cried out in pain. Letting the spear go she ducked as another spear flew through the air, aimed at her head. Reaching up she caught the spear with her superior reflexes before it could get too far away. Standing with a feral smile on her lips she thrust the spear at the warrior in front of her, causing him to leap back.
Having some room to work she noticed two warriors had decided to team up and attack her at once, one from each side. Moving together they forced Athena to face one and turn her back to the other. Something she hated to do. Throwing the spear at a warrior in front of her she smiled when it tore threw his leg and brought him to the ground. Pulling her sword back so it was protecting her back she winced at the vibrations caused by blocking the other warrior's blow.
He moved too quickly for her to react and as she spun around to face him she felt the sting of his blade against her side. Gasping she forced her body not to react. The warrior pulled his sword back to get another blow in but had no time, Athena brought her sword up and slashed his arm.
With only one arm that worked the warrior had no chance. Taking a step back, he tried to thrust his sword into Athena's stomach. Easily deflecting the blow Athena then stepped closer to him and brought her elbow to his face. Breaking his nose Athena used her shoulder to push him to the ground.
She was getting tired. Her arms were staring to ache. Not used to fighting without her immortal glimmer Athena tried to ignore the pain in her side and the burning in her calves. She was never still, always dancing around on the balls of her feet dodging stray blows.
Aphrodite was watching with her heart in her throat. Her fingers kept playing with the bracelets she wore and her feet were moving on their own accord. She was drawn in by the dance like movements Athena made. When Athena had gotten cut, she had forced herself not to cry out, for fear of Athena catching her. But now as she watched she noticed Athena was moving slightly slower. Without her glimmer she didn't have the stamina she was used to.
She had a burning sensation in her stomach and there was a slight ache growing between her legs. Stopping mid step when she realized she was getting turned on she blushed deeply. The warriors were not sparking her desire. It was Athena. Sighing softly she pushed the feelings deep into her mind to run over later. The chance of Athena returning her feelings was slimmer then the chances of Hera being civil to her.
Not paying enough attention to the warrior's behind her, Athena felt the sharp sting of a spear in her shoulder. Glancing over her shoulder she saw a warrior grinning at her. Reluctantly she dropped her sword and reached an arm back to pull out the spear.
It wasn't too deep and it only took a tug to get out of her shoulder. But the pain that followed almost floored Athena. Gasping she gritted her teeth and swung the shaft of the sword like a staff. Knocking one warrior aside and pounding the butt of it into another's stomach, Athena tried to concentrate on the men standing around her.
Holding the spear tightly as she waved it around to keep a couple warriors back. But they had other plans. One brave warrior grabbed the spear in his hand, causing Athena to stumble slightly at the impact. The rest of the men leaped onto her. Fists and knees striking harshly at the already tired goddess.
A few swords were poked at her and she felt more blood dripping down her body. Curling up into a ball Athena tried to get her body positioned so she could stand up and throw the warriors off herself. But she was doubtful, she had the energy to do that.
Giving in Athena lay on the ground praying the warriors would think she was dead and get off her. She realized she was laying in a pool of her own blood and forced herself not to get sick. For the first time she noticed the stench of the warriors on top of her. They smelled like mortal warriors after a long battle in the hot sun.
Aphrodite felt her heart stop. Without thinking she bent down and picked up the closest rock and threw it at the warriors. It had the desired effect as it hit one and he started to accuse his fellow warriors of throwing it. Everyone got of Athena quickly and started shouted at each other. The argument got heated and within seconds they were hacking each other to pieces. When all were laying dead on the ground, their bodies turned to a gray dust and they sank into the earth where they belonged.
Taking off at a run Aphrodite felt a few tears in her eyes. She knew Athena would be ok, but she was still worried about her. When she reached Athena she turned her head to the side and bit her lip against the sick feeling in her stomach.
Laying in a puddle of blood, Athena was covered in the sticky red liquid and coated with dust. It was a sight Aphrodite had seen many times before. When a solider, injured in battle lay dying, helplessly cried out for her to protect his loved one. She didn't like to think of Athena like that.
Athena lay on the ground panting as she tried to pay no attention to the many cuts and bruises on her body. She glanced wearily at Aphrodite who had knelt next to her. Neither woman spoke for a moment until Aphrodite cleared her throat.
"What were you doing?" She asked as casually as she could. After her show and attacking the dragon teeth warriors she could still feel her heart beating a mile a second. She reached out to heal one of the cuts on Athena's arm but quickly pulled her hand back when the goddess cried out in pain. "Sorry." Aphrodite muttered as she lowered her head.
"It's ok."Athena hissed between clenched teeth as she slowly sat up. Holding her eyes closed tightly against the pain. "I'll be ok after a few moments." She promised as she took a deep breath and opened her eyes slowly. Glancing at Aphrodite, she felt a tug in her stomach that seemed to lead to her heart.
Looking away quickly Athena cleared her throat nervously. "So what were you doing spying on me?" She asked with a raised brow as she tried to breathe as shallowly as possible. Her lungs were burning from the exertion. Her glimmer was slowly coming back, and the healing process was already starting.
"I asked you what you were doing first." Aphrodite said calmly, trying to change the subject. She didn't want to admit she had been drooling over Athena. Looking at her hands, Aphrodite couldn't bare to look Athena in the face.
Snorting softly Athena rolled her eyes and tired again to sit up. With success this time, she leaned on her elbows and glanced at Aphrodite. She noticed the sad frown on Aphrodite's face. Sighing inwardly Athena cleared her throat softly, drawing Aphrodite's gaze away from her hands.
As both goddesses looked into each other's eyes feelings they hadn't experienced before surged through their bodies, straight to their hearts. Words seemed to fail Athena and she looked away reluctantly.
"You said earlier you needed to talk to me." She said as she tried to harden her heart. Her back was starting to heal, it tickled a bit. Her side was almost done healing and she placed a hand where the wound was just to make sure.
"I have a favor to ask of you." Aphrodite said as she stood up and shook out her long blonde hair so it framed her face. "Why don't you clean up and come visit me on Olympus?" She offered as she put her hands on her hips. "I'll make sure there is some good wine for you."
Looking up at Aphrodite from the ground Athena forced herself to nod her head. "Sure." She muttered as she stood slowly. Athena really did want to clean up. It was embarrassing being next to Aphrodite when she looked like she'd just gotten the crap kicked out of her. All the while, Aphrodite looked more beautiful then ever.
"I'll see you in my temple shortly." Aphrodite said trying to sound nonchalantly. Inside her heart was racing and she was trying to remember the last time the temple had a good cleaning. Not waiting for Athena to answer, half out of fear the other goddess had changed her mind, Aphrodite vanished from the field.
Athena looked at the spot where Aphrodite had been standing and sighed. Her wounds were healed by now but there was still an ache in her heart. Aphrodite had saved her. The thought struck her like cold water to the face. Nothing was forcing the goddess of Love to do that. She could have gotten the other gods, especially Ares to come and laugh at her while she was being beaten. But she hadn't.
Chewing on her lip, she glanced at her sword still laying on the ground. Walking over to it she realized she was going to be alone with Aphrodite. She shivered and closed her eyes trying to force herself to focus.
Aphrodite needed a favor. That was why she'd helped. Now she was in debt to the goddess of love and would need to agree to whatever the favor was, or Aphrodite would tell all the gods about what she'd seen.
Reaching down slowly Athena picked up her sword while these thoughts played in her head. There was a nagging feeling in her gut that told her Aphrodite wasn't like that. But she still had her doubts. Sighing she held her sword firmly in her hand.
"Well, we'll see what she wants." She whispered to herself then vanished and reappeared in her War room.
Hope you all liked this chapter. I am not the best with action scenes but I tried my hardest. Now that you've read this chapter please take a moment and review. I'd love to hear what you think. If you didn't like this chapter let me know why. If you liked it, tell me. PLEASE!