Here we are ...Chapter One :)
I am personally shocked by the amount of reviews i recieved for the prologue of this story ----Thankyou ...it means so much :)
So I uploaded this chapter super fast ----
The prologue (which i guess should be an epilogue) basically describes the ultimate ending but the question is "How did it get to that?"
Hopefully i will answer that question in the following chapters :)
For some strange reason, i have already wrote the death scenes for Apollo and Artemis - and trust me, they're tear-jerkers :)
Im pretty sure there was something else im supposed to write ----
Disclaimer: I do not own Greek Mythology - sadly
And Finally ---- ENJOY!!!
Chapter One : The Beginning of the End
Zeus was worried. The constant murmurings of the Earth, which had persevered for millennia, had ceased. It was too quiet, too silent. A long dormant force was stirring, and he feared it. He feared what the consequences would be for the world, for the Gods themselves.
The King of the Gods was in the throne room, gazing out across the gathering storm clouds, deep in thought.
"You feel it, don't you?"
Zeus turned round, pulled out of his dwellings by the unexpected sound. It was Hera, queen of the Gods. Her face, as always, remained indifferent but her startling green eyes betrayed her true emotions. She was scared, no, she was terrified.
Zeus nodded his head in answer, "They are coming."
"What are we going to do? What can we do? You know what this means!" Hera shouted, desperation lacing her voice.
Zeus sighed, "If it is as we fear, there may be nothing we can do"
The queen of the Gods turned away from her brother, as a tear fell down her cheek.
Zeus continued, "We barely won the last time, and I believe they have only gotten stronger since then."
"There are more of us now…" Hera trailed off.
"It will make no difference, we have been stalling the inevitable for far too long, our time has finally arrived."
Hera stifled a sob, as she again turned to face her husband, "What are we going to do?" she whispered.
"I will announce a council of the Gods to be held tonight where we can discuss our options. It may already be too late."
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Earlier…
Artemis gazed up in wonder at the full moon. Even after all of these years she had never gotten used to the sheer beauty of its luminescence. Bathed in the rays of the moon, the goddess' silver aura brightened, rejuvenating her body after a long hunt. Despite the warmth of the moons light, the air was cold, almost frigid. Artemis narrowed her eyes; the unnatural silence was having a profound effect on her. On many a weary night, the noise of the forest had gave her comfort- without it she felt empty, hollow. Out of the corner of her eye, Artemis saw one of her hunters approach, hesitant.
"Yes Alana?" Artemis said, her gaze still focused on the moon.
"Lady Artemis, you need to see this."
The timid hunter led Artemis to the very edge of the temporary camp. Where she gestured to Artemis to continue on, her head bowed, "It's down there Lady Artemis."
Artemis frowned at the hunter, but continued on regardless. The goddess strode through the dense forest, her senses aware of every sound around her, while she made none. Like a shadow she weaved her way, until she saw something which was both unexpected as it was unlikely. In truth, the huntress had been aware of the changes around her as she continued on, but paid little attention to them. Now however, the seriousness of the situation shocked her completely.
Artemis was still in the forest, yet this place was utterly devoid of life. The land was barren for miles around; dead trees were dotted around the graveyard, their leaves lay on the ground around them. The vibrant colours of the forest were washed away, replaced with grey and black. The air hung heavy with the scent of decay, but most dominantly, death.
Artemis gasped, how had I not felt this happen?
Artemis, being goddess of the hunt and wild creatures, amongst other things was normally so in tune with the forest and its wildlife that she often felt she was the forest. She sensed the fragile balance between life and death of the nature around her, saw how her actions would lead to the survival and the destruction of the creatures within these trees. So Artemis should have felt the utter destruction of the area she was now standing, but she hadn't, and this mere fact terrified her.
Her eyes brimming with tears she refused to let escape, Artemis wheeled round and sped back towards the camp, the trees soaring past her as she rocketed through the undergrowth. The various animals, aware of the goddess' presence fled from her in terror. She ignored them as she fought her own instinct to give chase.
As the camp came into view, Artemis slowed down, allowing time to collect herself before she confronted her attendants. She had to remain a calm visage in front of them, especially now if her fears were proved correct.
Artemis entered the camp silently, feeling her silver aura again expand as she stepped into the moonlight. Alana was sitting outside her tent, a worried expression on her face. She was not alone. A dozen other hunters were seated beside her, grouped together. They did not notice their mistress' arrival, so they were startled when she spoke to them.
"We need to go to Olympus. I must consult the other gods on the events which I fear may come to pass. We will leave at dawn"
"Lady Artemis, what was..that?" Alana inquired.
The Goddess looked down upon the youngest of the group, "Let us pray I am not correct on the origins of the destruction that has been done here. That is all I will say on the matter before I have consulted with my family."
Artemis then departed, perching herself in the highest tree, looking down on the camp with solemn eyes. Their time was coming to an end. She could feel it.
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Elsewhere a battle was raging as two armies clashed in a flurry of blue and red. Battle cries filled the air as the rivals massacred each other. The red army relentlessly attacked the blue, but found no flaws in the formation of the significantly smaller army.
Nonetheless, one soldier in particular, dripping in the blood of those he had killed was mercilessly slashing at his blue clad enemies. He was consumed with blood lust, defeating wave after wave of soldiers. Terrified the remaining adversaries fled, as the man stepped over the fallen; entirely focused on the army ahead of him.
Suddenly, the harbinger spotted an enemy still alive, writhing in pain. He walked over and casually gripped the foe by his neck. With a masochistic smile, he twisted his wrists, feeling the satisfied snapping of the bone and the body become limp in his hands.
"Athena!" The man roared at the heavens, "You could at least have the decency to make eliminating your army a challenge."
In response, the ground opened up before him as dozens of skeletal soldiers poured out the abyss. The soldier merely laughed, "This should be fun."
The skeletal forces charged at the man, his weapon rose as he prepared for the upcoming fight. They collided with a crash; several of the skeletons were knocked off their feet by the sheer force of the impact. The man was unstoppable. He gained momentum with each swing of his sword, smashing, cleaving and tearing his way through the soldiers. Decapitating one soldier, he spun round and stabbed another, within moments he had destroyed the entire resistance – before his first victim had even touched the ground.
"Too easy." The man spat, as he slammed his foot into a nearby skull.
"Impressive."
The man smiled and turned round to face the owner of the voice.
It was Athena, wearing her gold battle armour. She raised an eyebrow. "However, you do remember the aim of this exercise, don't you Ares?" The war goddess spoke slowly, emphasising the words.
"Of course I do." Ares answered, wiping congealed blood off his sword.
"The aim of this exercise was to practice restraint." She paused, gesturing to the amassed bodies, "Not to showcase your lethal swordsmanship."
"I was practicing restraint; I could have destroyed your entire army if I wanted to." Ares shrugged.
Athena sighed and waved her hand in the direction of her army. The entire battleground shimmered, melting away before the two gods, until they stood in one of the training grounds around Olympus.
Ares turned to Athena, his eyes ablaze with red flames, "Athena, I've played along with your war games for long enough- now will you at least spar with me?"
Athena smiled, slowly walking away from the War god "Are you ready for another humiliating defeat so soon after the Trojan War?"
Ares growled, muttering something about unfair advantages and favouritism.
"I thought so." Athena said, disappearing in a flash of white light.
In a rage, Ares kicked an abandoned helmet into a marble pillar; the blow caused the pillar to collapse, bringing a large portion of the ceiling with it, crushing the helmet completely.
Slamming his sword into its sheath, Ares was engulfed in red flames as he too teleported from the training grounds.
Slightly later….
"APHRODITE!"
The voice boomed around Olympus, heard by every single inhabitant. Most rolled their eyes , it was a regular event to the immortals. Others, like the group of nymphs who had sat muttering to each other , were trying to muffle their hysteric giggling. It was clear that the blacksmith to the gods was not happy.
Aphrodite bolted upright at the sound of her enraged husband's voice, her eyes quickly scanned around the room for any immediate danger. Upon finding none she let her gaze wander to the man sleeping next to her, undisturbed by the lame god's bellowing.
Aphrodite nudged the mound with her elbow. No response. The goddess of love leaned closer, and whispered into the beings ear," Ares."
The war god groaned and rolled over onto his side.
Gritting her teeth, Aphrodite got up off the bed and walked round to the god's side, "ARES!"
Said god shot up, his ruby sword materialized in his hand. Like Aphrodite his eyes scanned the room,
"What's the matter, Di?"
Aphrodite raised one perfect eyebrow, "Nothing is wrong Ares, unless you count the inevitable arrival of my dear husband as problematic."
Ares shrugged, "Let him come."
"Don't you remember the …net incident!" Aphrodite whispered, her voice straining slightly as it travelled through several octaves. "Ares, you need to go."
Ares sighed, as he dragged himself to his feet, "Fine I'll go."
The love goddess pouted, and rushed forward to embrace Ares, "You know I have no choice Ares-"
"I know, I know-"Ares replied gruffly whilst Aphrodite pressed herself closer into the god, "-it's all my mother's fault." He talked in the manner of one who had already had this conversation many times. In truth Ares would want nothing more than to claim the fairest goddess for himself, they had already bore many children whilst his half brother had none. It was his dear mother's blessing which made the marriage between Hephaestus and Aphrodite eternally binding.
Aphrodite reached up and placed a chaste kiss on Ares lips' , "I love you." She then proceeded with tracing Ares' jaw line with the tip of her index finger, working her way down his neck until she reached his chiselled chest-where she planted 3 kisses over his heart.
Ares smiled slightly before reverting to his tough demeanour, "You better placate him and go to his forge-"
Aphrodite recoiled, wrinkling her nose in disgust, "Gods no-over my dead body!" She giggled slightly, "I'll just wait until he comes to me."
She continued, voicing her thoughts aloud, "I mean, why doesn't he just ask dear Hera for an annulment on the marriage? Trust me to be stuck with an infuriatingly forgiving husband."
"Any husband could forgive any affair from such a beauteous being." Ares smiled down upon the goddess.
"It's unlike you to be so sincere Ares- I like it" she cooed, snuggling ever closer to the god.
A resounding Boom made the two gods break apart out of the way of the door. Hephaestus was getting closer. Aphrodite brushed Ares mind, requesting permission to enter- his defences dropped immediately.
You'd better go
Same time tomorrow?
Yes
Aphrodite blew a kiss to her lover as he teleported in an inferno of red light. Seconds later Hephaestus blasted the door of its hinges sending it across the room where it embedded itself into the wall.
"WHERE IS HE!" The lame god roared, advancing on the indifferent goddess.
"Why hello to you too Hephaestus." She smiled, " Always had to make a dramatic entrance. But unfortunately your too late- he has already left."
Hephaestus looked murderous, his thick beard was smouldering, his eyes ablaze with scorching flames. The god was wringing his iron staff in his large hands, "Where did he go? Aphrodite- tell me!"
"I don't know." She glared, her eyes narrowed dangerously.
Hephaestus ran forwards and grasped Aphrodite by the hem of her dress. "Where did he go!?!"
"Let go of me!" she squirmed, trying to shove the god off of her.
"WHERE DID HE GO?!?" He accentuated each word with a shove.
Golden tears welled up in the love goddess' eyes, "I don't know! Besides what could you do against him?"
Hephaestus raised his fist.
"Don't you dare lay one finger on her."
Hephaestus wheeled round whilst Aphrodite beamed at the arrival, "Ares!"
The war god strode over to the blacksmith and held his sword to his throat, "Too bad you can't die- how fitting that a sword you created would have ended your life, by my hand."
"You?!? You wretched fiend! When our father hears about this-"
"What? What will he do? Do tell brother!" Ares spat, pressing the blade against Hephaestus' skin.
Hephaestus had no answer.
"Our father does not care for our petty deeds- your plea will be ignored again! Now why don't you return to your forges, where you can actually be of use to us." Ares sneered, his voice dripping with malice.
Ares lowered his blade, watching as the golden ichor dripped from the wound. Hephaestus limped away from the malevolent war god.
Ares spun round, "Oh, also brother- don't touch Aphrodite in that manner again-" he raised his sword, pointing at the injury "- or I'll create a more permanent wound."
The inchor had already stopped flowing- the lesion had healed.
Ares turned his attention to Aphrodite, "Now…where were we?" he smiled as he settled onto the bed, patting the place next to him.
The King and Queen of the Dead were sitting upon their onyx thrones gazing down at their realm. Although Hades would never openly admit it, the God of the underworld was troubled. Recently his dominion had been restless, the constant screams of the inhabitants in Tartarus had become louder, more hysterical. Even the virtuous souls in Elysium cried out, warning their master of the impending doom.
It had been weeks since it had first started and it was only getting worse. His wife and Queen, Persephone, felt it too. The change was worrying her.
"My Lord?" Persephone whispered, leaning over to her husband.
Hades turned to face his wife, his pitch black eyes brightening slightly. "Yes?"
"This ...change... I think its cause is something-someone in Tartarus."
"What makes you think that?" Hades said a sad smile on his lips. That very thought had occurred to him, but he had shoved the idea out of his mind. He did not want to dwell on such matters.
Persephone shifted nervously on her throne, "I can hear…laughter sometimes, coming from Tartarus. It started a few weeks ago, around the same time the souls became unsettled, I cannot help but believe the two are related." Her pale skin became flushed, embarrassed by her confession.
Hades pondered the statement, nodding in agreement. He had not heard the laughter, but he had felt it.
Without warning, the ground quaked. It heaved and lurched, as Hades staggered to his feet and descended from his throne. The shadows twisted around his form as he strode to the edge of the throne room and gazed into the deepest pits of Tartarus.
A pair of yellow eyes gazed back.
"No.." the God muttered.
Persephone had managed to navigate across the room and now stood next to Hades, her hand grasping his arm. She looked up at the expression of utter horror on her husband's face, "Hades! What is happening?!?"
Briefly pulled out of his stunned reverie, he gazed down upon his wife, "They're escaping….all of them. We need to stop …" he trailed off.
With a wave of his hand he vanished in a cloud of black shadow. Leaving Persephone to gaze down upon the dead, anguished tears flowing down her face.
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In one of the many gardens in Olympus sat the God Apollo. He was playing a melody on his lyre to the nine muses who were nestled against him. After a few minutes he paused, his fingers lightly danced across the strings- making no noise.
"Can you feel that?" he said, glancing at the anxious faces around him.
"What is it Lord Apollo?" The muses replied in unison.
"I'm not sure..." Apollo frowned.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing you should worry about my Lord."Calliope, the muse of epic poetry whispered into the God's ear.
Apollo nodded his head, slightly reassured, "Yes your right C, I'm sure it's nothing." His fingers again resumed plucking the strings of his lyre, however, the god's mind was on other things.
Suddenly, Apollo was exposed to a series of images, an occurrence which was both natural to him as it was frequent. The God of prophecy let his mind relax, allowing the images to flood over him, as he gazed at the future.
Death…Decay….everything reverting into chaos. The world ending. The scene changed, numerous images flashed in front of the God's eyes. A colossal mountain surrounded by black clouds, bolts of lightning illuminating the darkness. There were two figures chained to the peak. They both wore golden armour. It was Ares and Athena. Their arms were raised, supporting the mass above their heads. They were in pain. Athena's grip slipped and her knees buckled under the weight. Ares groaned in pain as he too was forced to his knees. There they stayed for several moments. Tears poured down Athena's face as Ares again tried to stand, in a vain hope to ease his half-sister's agony. His attempt failed, and he fell to his previous position.
The two Gods whispered unheard words to each other, as their bodies were engulfed in white light. They dropped their arms as the weight of the sky descended upon them.
Another flash of light. Demeter, visibly weakened, crouched by a flower, a single petal hung from the rose. She too had been crying, her head bowed as she studied the dying flower. The cruel breeze removed the petal as it slowly floated to the ground.
Blinding rays. New York City. Silent. Streets full of people. Waiting. Two people waded through the unmoving crowd. Frantic. The sky rumbled, the crowd flinched and looked up. The ground quaked and the buildings swayed. A dark fog raced towards them. Laughter filled the air. The fog sped into the city, skyscrapers disintegrated, crumpling. The crowd screamed as they fled away from the cloud of accumulated dust and debris as it destroyed everything it touched. The two people had stopped running, they were facing each other with calm faces. The fog enveloped them, but through the grey matter, a faint glow could be seen. Two dots of light in the otherwise empty darkness. The cloud past, a trail of destruction in its wake. The glow dissipated, the remnants blown away by the wind.
Olympus. Destroyed. Zeus dead. Poseidon. Hera. Gone. Chaos. Decay. The world ending.
Persephone and Hades on a black marble floor. So still. They too had been claimed. The ceiling caved, walls exploded. Shards of glass soared through the air. Destroyed.
Aphrodite lay against Hephaestus' chest. Eyes closed. A soft smile on her face. Screams of pain echoed around the forge. Death.
A young girl sat in a column of moonlight. People sprawled around her. She raised her face to the heavens. Artemis…Artemis. She screamed, a scream of indescribable grief and agony. Finally her head lowered, scanning the gathering around her. Sobs broke from her chest, as she slowly shook her head. She collapsed. Artemis..Artemis..NO!
A voice echoed as the faces of his family were shown , "The End is coming."
Apollo's eyes snapped open, "No…no ….no!" He shoved the muses in desperation as he got to his feet.
"My Lord?" Calliope questioned.
"This is not happening-what can I do -Artemis?" The sun god muttered, disregarding the confused muse. "I need to go..."
Apollo ran up the steps to the great hall, leaving a very bewildered group of muses in his wake.
The God sped past several minor gods, who bowed in reverence, he ignored them all. Finally he reached his destination, as he shoved open one of the enormous golden doors and sprinted into the throne room.
"Father! The Titans….they're coming."
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RedFluffyBanana :D
p.s Thankyou again for the reviews/subs