Di waited patiently. She was on the front line of the defense of Govarostok. The Amazon archers and Kasnian snipers had been given clear orders. They were told to show restraint. For every five of the power troopers they could possibly bring down, they were instructed to disable only two. There would be a time that they would be loosed, but the goal of the front line was to draw the opponent in. Di assured them that once their enemy was fully committed, they would be allowed to show their true strength. So they waited, and Di kept her eyes open, praying that Commander Helios would take the bait and bring everything he had against them. She didn't have to wait long.

It appeared that Commander Helios had brought everything in his arsenal available. Power troopers littered the sky like flies in a cow pasture, and they struck with everything they had. Rockets soared through the air at the Amazons and Kasnians who had entrenched themselves. Bullets sped at tremendous speeds at the smattering of the women and men who feigned being outmatched.

The impacts threw shrapnel and debris, shredding flesh and concrete. Tracers cut through the skies like lasers, crisscrossing the trails of thousands of rockets. Streaking through the middle of these were the golden arrows of the Amazons, unerringly hitting their intended targets. As Di looked up into the skies of her first modern war, she saw powertroopers fall in trailing flames, like the fallen Titans of old. Others exploded in bright flashes. Around her, her own army screamd defiance and bled with hopeless courage to do Hector proud.

As she crouched in her bunker, Di's fists clenched so tight that her bones creaked in protest. It took everything she had for willpower to not lash out as radio after radio was cut off with a final squeal of static. Di couldn't see Helios yet, but he was no coward for his other faults. He was here. Somewhere. And her plan for him was simple: when she found him she wouldn't lose the man. When the time was right she would attack and kill him, seeing the fear and humiliation in his eyes as his life vacated through them. Di would avenge all those who had suffered by his hands…especially Audrey. For an Amazon, war was always personal.

Having regained command of herself, Di exhaled and took command of the battle once again.

Di and the front line were selling the act, but it was costing them lives. The Amazon was hard pressed not to take to the air to try and even everything out. But she knew if she did, then all that had been planned would be for naught. And in the back of her mind, she knew that she just needed to bide her time. So she deflected bullets aimed at her, and watched as the swarm came closer and closer to her position. She continued to rally the forces, offering words of encouragement and assurance. And taking up a bow herself, she showed that the Princess of the Amazons was deadly in all forms of engagement. Scanning the war zone, she searched desperately for Commander Helios. The knuckles on her hands were aching to deliver blows to the man she knew was at the root of the NKFR.

Diana stood with General Urbov. The man had taken command effortlessly and the orders slid of his tongue with ease. "Push back slightly on the southern half near the old textile factory. Not too much, but they are starting to group there. We seem to be taking a few more losses than I would like. Give a little punch and then pull back some."

Diana was not sure she liked modern war, but this was the world she now lived in. She knew it was likely one day she would be in Urbov's spot. In a way she envied Di: at least she was fighting at the sharp end. Diana simply looked at the 3-D screen displaying the battlefield as icon after icon blinked out of existence. True, she was instrumental, making Urbov's guidance into detailed action. Certainly it was no worse than the old days. More died, but in no greater percentages, and even less really thanks to modern medicine.

But to be here, and just WATCH was more gut-wrenching, a greater pain than she ever imagined. Had her eyesight not been so sharp she would never have noticed the little twitches of pain on the Old Bear's face when a name was mentioned, a bunker reported lost. Those brave warriors there would never live to see the next dawn. It was strangely comforting to know the experienced old General also felt the pain of loss.

But Diana nodded and she carried out his orders. The Amazon archers were deadly with their aim, and soon the NKFR felt the small surge in the area. Commander Helios continued to press his men forward, the feeling of victory starting to become a strong possibility in his mind. He surveyed the scene and reveled in the deaths of the Amazons and Kasnians he was sure he was crushing. Sheer numbers seemed to be on his side, and he was confident that soon the Amazon he was eager to engage would show herself to him. All the ways she would die brought a sick giddiness to his mind, and he continued to rain down his plasma bolts, bullets, rockets, and everything else he could muster to win the day.

General Lebedev shifted on his feet, eager to join the fray.

Alindra tried to calm the man a little. "Patience General. It is almost our time. It will be an hour at most, and then we will bring the hammer down on that arrogant ass' right side. Just a little longer."

The General smiled at the words. He and Alindra had been matched well on the northern line at Veles. She was confident and patient, and he was, well…

Alindra smiled, "Pitbull. Anxious to clamp down on their throats? Not much longer."

"I know. It is hard to wait, knowing our allies are suffering losses. Once we are let loose though we will give Commander Helios a very rude awakening. But what about our newest problem? Do you think Ares will show his face?"

"Not likely. He is no coward, make no mistake, but I don't think we will see him. He prefers to lead from the rear, rather than full out press himself forward. He is not like…"

"Athena?"

Alindra felt her heart sink a little. "Yes, Athena."

"Is there no way that you can forgive her? It seems to me that you love her very much. And from what you have explained, she really has had her hands tied. I know I am a man, and that you may not value my opinion much with regards to the matter, but perhaps you should consider the imbalance in your relationship. She is a god. That has to come with a heavy burden given that she is honorable. She seems to be the most honorable of them all according to you. She would naturally hold fast to the rules."

"Rules? The other gods break them when it suits their purposes."

"But she is not like the others. She is the epitome of wisdom. And she did not let you come without gifts."

Alindra was fast becoming angry. "My sisters have died in this country."

"I mean no disrespect to their sacrifice, but she did not influence their decision to come here did she?"

"No."

"It seems a little harsh that you would blame her for their deaths then. They knew it was a possibility that they may not return home. I am not saying that you don't have a reason to be angry, but perhaps you are putting the total blame where it does not belong."

Alindra opened her mouth to speak, but then shut it. The moment she had walked away from Athena she felt that she had been stripped bare and beaten. Athena had not told her about Ares, but she was hard pressed to argue the logic that Lebedev had put forward. She sighed, "It doesn't matter now. She will not interfere because…" In a moment of sudden clarity, Alindra suddenly realized what she needed to do. With her heart racing, she asked, "General Lebedev, do you agree we are about an hour away from engagement?"

"Approximately. Why?"

"I need to do something. If I am not back in that time, press forward. I will leave instructions for one of my captains to take my place in the event I do not return."

The General was shocked, "You are leaving?"

"Yes." She signaled for a horse to be brought to her and she quickly mounted the animal and raced to the back of the line shouting out what she hoped was not her last order.

There was a clear field that stretched for miles behind them, and Alindra choose her spot to make her own stand. Dismounting, she took a few steps forward, and in her most courageous voice shouted to the heavens, "Ares! You coward! Show yourself! Unless you are afraid of one mere woman…"

And then she waited. Nothing happened. "Ares!" she screamed. "I know you can hear me! Get down here and face me! Surely the God of War wants blood to be spilled. Come down here and do it."

And still nothing happened. Alindra paced. "Pathetic. Clearly there is no reason to fear you at all. Perhaps that is why you are the joke of Olympus. Like a snake you hide…"

And in a booming wave of thunder, Alindra came face to face with the god of ruination and destruction.

He stood silent at first, his black shoulder length hair slicked back to his head. Gilded in black armor, a cape flowed at his back. On it was the symbol Alindra had become all too familiar with. Ram's horns caked in blood that he had spilled over the centuries stood out screaming for more to be added to the design. He was flanked by his companions, Deimos and Phobos.

Terror and Fear. That was what Alindra was facing all by herself. The God of War stood in between the two, smug, and certain that he was about to squash the insolent woman who had dared to insult him. He licked his chops, and looked down at Phobos, the incarnation of fear, a slathering dog who stood by his side. Ares reveled in the bloodlust the hound was emitting. The black dog growled and bayed starting to circle his master, impatiently waiting for the order to devour the blonde general. Ares chuckled, as to his right a dark shadow misted, swirling around. Deimos, a formless cloud of smoke that wielded terror as its psychological weapon, was anxiously waiting to have its' turn as well. Normally he unleashed one at a time, as the death they wrought was quick when they worked in tandem. He considered doing the same in this instant. Who was this Amazon anyway? She was a blip on his radar. And so in his haste, he issued the order to the pair.

"Kill her. Quickly."

The dog instantly charged, bearing its teeth, frothing at the mouth to taste her flesh. Terror moved just as fast, gliding over the Earth, still taking no physical form. Alindra stood tall, her face betraying no emotion. She was struggling not to give Ares any satisfaction in the death she was sure was barreling down on her in that moment. She looked at the two harbingers, and felt regret slip into her mind. As Phobos bore down and was moments away from striking, Alindra's ears rang as a piercing sound came from over her shoulder. It took only a second to register the cry. A large, golden brown owl was swooping down on Fear's position. Talons extended, and its target clear, the owl sunk its razor sharp extensions into the dog's back. Deftly, and with a canine whine of pain from the beast, the dog was tossed like a rag doll to the side, no longer a threat to the General.

Alindra felt hope. She turned and saw Athena standing behind her. Alindra smiled for a split second before she felt darkness envelope her. Her eyes could no longer see the goddess, and Terror gripped her in its vice. Instantly she was dropped to her knees, and her mind swirled with images of failures, losses, and the faces of sisters that had died. Deimos continued to mist around her, creating illusions of events that tore slowly at Alindra's mind. The blonde general tried to get away, but despair was everywhere, and Alindra felt hope slipping away. She felt Terror grip her heart and it lodged itself in the spot that Athena had so recently held.

Deimos hissed through the shadow and mist, "You have nothing. You are nothing. Where is your Goddess now? She refused to save you before, and she won't do so now. Pathetic human, give up. There is nothing you can do."

As the sickness and poison continued to swirl around her body, Alindra was beginning to choke. Now on her hands and knees, she felt her resolve slipping. Guilt washed over her, and all of her perceived inadequacies weighed on her back as Terror continued to squeeze.

Alindra's head dropped, and her tears fell.

"Don't give up..." the feminine whisper was faint. "Alindra, don't let him bring you down. Please, fight."

The blonde sobbed, and the voice grew a little louder. "Alindra, concentrate. Focus on what is good around you. You have to fight back. I can't do this for you."

Terror hissed once more, "Do you hear that Amazon? She won't save you. Do you know why? Because you are insignificant. You were never important. A plaything for the Gods is all you are. And now? They ignore your pleas for help. They will leave you here to die alone."

Alindra wailed as the piercing in her heart and mind became deeper, and her eyes became black. She began gagging, and she felt a thick bile rise in her throat. It felt like oil, and she began to aspirate on the substance.

"NO!" The feminine voice screamed. "Alindra! Please, you have to fight. I cannot bear to be without you. Don't listen to him. I am here. You just have to focus. Sweetheart, fight, open your eyes, and fight dammit!"

Alindra struggled, and she managed to sit back on her knees, her shoulders slumped forward. She closed her eyes, and strained to concentrate on the one thing that made her happy. Athena. She pushed aside rejection and focused solely on the image of the Goddess. Warm memories flooded her mind. They started with Athena stumbling into her back on a beach one night, literally. The next memory was their first kiss when Alindra had gone weak in the knees and had fallen into the sand. Images of the brunette Goddess staring down at her laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation floated by.

Terror continued to swirl however, and struck harder. Everything that was good quickly disappeared, and Alindra was confronted with the knowledge that Athena had not been forthcoming with what she had known. Alindra felt abandoned and lonely once more. She fell to her side, and groaned in agony. She felt the thick fluid begin to run through her veins in her hands and feet. It was creeping up her arms, and legs slowly trailing a path to her chest. She was near the end, and she struggled to catch one last breath.

Just as she was about to slip away, she heard another feminine voice speak softly to her, "Alindra, love has not deserted you."

"Aphrodite." The name rolled off her lips suddenly.

"That's right. Focus on my voice."

And Alindra heard the other voice she suddenly was able to recognize. It was the same one that had been pleading to her all along. "I have never deserted you. I love you. Come out of the shadow to me. Alindra, I am right here. I just need you to come to me. Push away from your despair. Don't let him win. Be brave."

"Athena!" Alindra gasped and expelled the demon from her body. She opened her eyes, and saw her beloved kneeling before her. The blackness crowding her eyes was instantly pushed away, and her blue eyes suddenly focused with clarity. Athena lunged forward and grabbed the blonde as she fainted, falling face first into her arms. She stood and spun quickly shielding the general from what was to come.

"Aphrodite!" Athena yelled, and the blonde Goddess materialized in between her sister and Terror. She extended her arms skyward and a blinding light radiated from her whole body. Deimos cowered in front of the Goddess of Love, and he slinked back away, slowly dissipating into nothingness.

Ares watched on with shock. Fear had been shredded by an owl his sister had sent, and Terror had failed, ultimately being banished by his other sister. He screamed in anger, "What is this nonsense?"

Athena looked down at her lover, limp, but alive in her arms. "I am so sorry. You should never have had to go through that. I will make it right. I swear." Athena scooped up the blonde, cradling her in strong arms, and turned to her sister. "Aphrodite, take her. I will deal with him."

Aphrodite nodded, and Alindra was transferred over. Athena bent and kissed the blonde general's forehead. She reached out and squeezed her sister's shoulder. "Thank you. Promise me that no harm will come to her regardless of how this ends."

Aphrodite nodded. "Nothing will touch her again. I will stay here with her."

Athena closed her eyes and gave a quick thanks. She turned to face her brother, the God of War.

Pure rage was surging through the Goddess of Wisdom's body. "You pestilent scum!"

"What is your problem? She is only one Amazon. Hardly worthy of your attention Athena Parthenos."

Aphrodite chuckled slightly. "Oh Ares, you moron. You really should pay attention to what your sisters are doing. Or rather who they are doing. Parthenos has been replaced by something fiercer."

Ares looked between his sisters, and realization at what he had been told hit him. Parthenos was the name Athena's followers had given her. For years it was a tribute to the Goddess' virginity. If it was no longer applicable, that meant the Amazon he had foolishly attacked...

Athena continued to glare. Her regal white and gold robes were replaced with the red leathers of the Amazon nation. In her right hand a sword forged by Hephaestus materialized, and in the other a golden shield adorned with the engraving of the head of Medusa appeared. Aphrodite smiled, "Ares, meet Athena Promachos. You remember her don't you? I am pretty sure she kicked your ass in the Trojan War."

"I'm about to do it again." Athena gritted still staring down her darker haired brother.

Aphrodite began whispering in Alindra's ear, and the blonde general began to stir. She could feel warmth all around her, and her eyes opened once more. Aphrodite looked down, and winked, "Wake up little Amazon. You probably don't want to miss this."

Alindra blinked and her head shot to the left. Athena was beginning to stalk towards the God that just recently attacked her. Gently Aphrodite set her down on her feet, but continued to hold her arms. "Stay with me. This is up to her now."

Ares took a couple of steps back. "Hold on Athena. You aren't going to attack me. It is forbidden."

"Then you should never have become physically involved. The moment you did, the rules went out the window. And you should never have attacked her! I am going to bury you on this battleground."

Aphrodite whispered once more to Alindra. "You knew that didn't you? You knew if he showed himself and attacked, we would be able to interfere."

Alindra nodded, never taking her eyes off of Athena.

Aphrodite chuckled, "Well played, and ballsy as hell."

Athena continued to close the distance. "Arm yourself wretch."

Ares continued his backpedaling. He knew he was in over his head. What Aphrodite had said earlier was true. He had crossed Athena in battle during the Trojan War, and she had dealt him a crushing defeat. Humiliation had followed him for a long time after that, and the other Gods had mercilessly teased him about the whole thing. He had been so careful not cross her path since then. It was the reason he had chosen to skulk behind the scenes now. While he preferred ruination, and the shear brutality of war, he had never mis-stepped since that time until today.

Ares spoke, a small amount of panic beginning to rise. "Athena, let's talk about this civilly."

Her icy reply was simple. "No."

"That is not rational."

"I will only tell you once more. Arm yourself. There will be no talking. I am going to tear you limb from limb."

"Fine," Ares seethed. In a flash a large axe appeared in his hand, and in the other, a black shield adorned with ram's horns covered his entire forearm. "I suppose it is about time I put you in your place anyways."

"You can try."

Ares lunged forward and swung his axe hard. There was a loud crack as the weapon struck Athena's shield. But the sheer strength of the blow was treated like it was nothing. Athena had deflected the strike with her shield and followed with a thrust towards Ares' abdomen. He side stepped the weapon and swung his shield outwards, arcing into the Goddess' face. It was a glancing blow, but it was enough to draw blood. A small cut appeared above her eyebrow. Alindra screamed, and tried to charge towards the pair. A strong pair of hands kept her still.

Aphrodite chastised, "Don't move. I told her I would keep you safe. Besides that was nothing. Athena is made of stern stuff. It'll take a hell of a lot more than that to bring her down. He probably just pissed her off even more."

Ares swung his axe once more, and Athena ducked, driving her sword into his foot, anchoring him into the ground. Quickly she let go of the weapon, and her fist moved at a blinding speed, connecting with his egotistical chin. The force of the blow caused the Earth to shake and a loud crack reverberated in the air. Athena moved quickly again and grabbed the handle of her sword. She yanked it out of Ares' foot as he stumbled backwards from the strike. Pressing her advantage, Athena lunged forward, and drove the blade into his black heart. He staggered, but managed to stay on his feet. He dropped his own weapon and shield, and slowly retracted the sword out of his chest.

"I told you," Aphrodite shrugged. "She's a venerable force of nature when she wants to be. This will not end well for him."

Ares felt his anger surge, and he jerked out his left hand, a fireball bearing down on Aphrodite's position. Alindra turned and threw her body across the Goddess of Love, determined to take the blow for her. But it never made contact. Aphrodite waved her hand and the fireball became a shower of flower petals. Looking down at the Amazon shielding her, Aphrodite grinned. "Are you really trying to feel me up while your girlfriend is out there fighting?"

Alindra stood straight up and stammered, "O-Of course not. I didn't want...what? No."

Aphrodite grinned, "I am kidding. Are all you Amazons this brave? I may have to consider that I am missing out on something." Turning her attention back to her siblings, she tossed an insult at her brother. "A fireball Ares? How predictable. Did you like the flowers? I am pretty sure they were pansies."

Aphrodite looked at the gaping Amazon general. "Love doing that, he is sooo easy."

Alindra had to admit, with Aphrodite being so blasé about Ares' chances, or lack of them, she was calming down and starting to appreciate the fight. And the fact that Athena was now there.

Aphrodite whispered in her ear, almost as if she had read the woman's mind, "Besides it's not everyday a goddess comes to defend your life and honor."

Ares howled, and turned his attention once more to Athena. She dropped her shield, and stood facing him weaponless.

The God of War was becoming frustrated, "You know you can't kill me with a sword."

A malicious smirk spread across Athena's face. "I know. But it hurt like hell didn't it?"

And the action became harder to follow as each god moved with supernatural speed at each other, swinging, kicking and trying to find an advantage to press. Every blow caused the air to boom loudly, and the weather was quickly becoming dark. Ares knew he was no match for his sister. While he had thrived on the bloodlust of war, his sister was known for her strategies, tactics, and generalship. He was in over his head, and he knew he needed to do something before she obliterated him. So he played the one card he had in his arsenal. After Athena connected with another fist to the side of his head, he stumbled backwards and stayed down. He threw his hands up and surrendered. It was just enough to give Athena pause. He waited as her body relaxed and then he struck out like a snake. A large thundering was heard as his bawled up fist found her cheek bone, breaking it with a sickening crack. Athena lost her balance and fell backwards. Ares crossed quickly and grabbed his sister by the throat before she hit the ground. He lifted her off the ground, squeezing as hard as he could, proud of the fact that he had cheated to gain an advantage. But Athena would not be undone. She sent a swift kick to his groin, and he immediately dropped her, his hands moving to cover the now painful area. Athena kicked the spot again several times, until Ares felt like vomiting. He dropped to his knees in front of the Goddess of Wisdom. She kicked once again, striking him in the ribs. Ares violently expelled air as he felt the bones cave in and puncture one of his lungs. With a last moment of desperation he tackled her, and they rolled on the ground. Tangled up, neither could land anything other than small strikes, and bloodied, they continued their struggle to gain an advantage. Ares managed to free himself from her grip and he disappeared into thin air. Athena quickly stood, "Oh no you don't!" In a flash she was gone too.

Aphrodite and Alindra looked up to the sky which was now rumbling with thunder, and the rain came down in torrential waves.

"Oh shit," Aphrodite mumbled, "she followed him to Olympus. That's going to get us on the radar for sure."

No sooner had the thought passed her lips, and a large meteor engulfed in flames was seen plummeting to the Earth. It struck with a staggering impact, and a massive crater formed around the site where it had landed.

"What just happened?" Alindra yelled over the rain.

"Someone just got ejected."

"Who?"

"I don't know."

The sky broke open and another meteor came barreling down on the same spot the previous one had struck. Another large deafening noise was heard, and the crater was driven fartherand deeper into the ground. Alindra held her breath, anxiously waiting for something more to happen. After a few minutes, a bloodied, but victorious Athena was seen climbing out of the gaping hole, dragging an unmoving and defeated Ares by his cape. When she reached the top she threw him down at her sister's feet. Reaching down, she ripped off his adornment, and tore the cloth in two. She tossed it at Aphrodite, and stalked over to where her brother had dropped his axe. She picked it up and walked back to where his prone body was laying. She lifted the axe into the air and swung down with all her might, her intention to cleave his head in two. But just before the blow landed, a lightning bolt came barreling from the sky and struck the ground right next to her toes. The axe in her hand stopped, and she became still. Sighing, she flung it from her hands, and wiped blood from her face with her forearm.

She barely looked at Aphrodite, "We are being summoned. We need to go."

"No!" Alindra ran forward, determined not to the let the Goddess go.

Athena never looked her way, "We have to. I cannot ignore the lightning bolt of Zeus. Aphrodite, take the cape to the army to the north as evidence of Ares' defeat here. I will see you on Olympus." But then she paused, and looked into the eyes of the human she cherished above all. Slowly reaching out, she caressed the brow of the Amazon general. Alindra closed her eyes, and felt her body become energized once more. Reluctantly Athena drew her hand away and once again sighed, reached down, jerked her brother up by his collar, and disappeared once more.

Alindra grieved inwardly at what had just passed between them. She spun on Aphrodite, "What will happen?"

"There will be a price for what has happened here today. At least you won't have to worry about Ares now though, or the Ruritanians."

"Ruritanians?"

"Little Amazon, you wanted interference, and you got it. Ares persuaded the country to the east to attack the line at Veles from behind. You would have been decimated. As it is now though, you have nothing to fear. Athena and I paid a little visit to an ally. There is an army between you and what Ares put together. They will watch your back. Return to your forces and lead your sisters. Go with the blessing of the gods, well, at least two of them."

"Will I see her again?"

"I don't know." And Aphrodite disappeared as well, leaving Alindra to be soaked in the rain.

A/N:First I must give a huge thank you to my co-author, ltlconf. I wrote the second half of this chapter a while ago, but struggled like hell with the beginning. Usually ltlconf helps outline the battles, and we bounce ideas off of each other for where we want the story to go, but I got stuck with the verbage. Thank God the co-author had something in the tank for me. Having said that, what did you think? I admit my focus was very strongly on bringing you the scene with Ares and Alindra, with Athena and Aphrodite finally becoming involved. Aphrodite calls Athena by the name Promachos. It was a name given to the goddess roughly translating to she who leads, or is in the forefront. Deimos and Phobos were actually sons of Ares and Athena, but I chose to ignore that little tid bit and changed it up a bit. So if you are a mythology nut, hopefully you will forgive the license I took. And hopefully you enjoyed the length of the chapter. By far it was the longest...there is still a little ways to go with this story. Thank you to all who review. I appreciate it immensely. Show a little love for the co-author and leave a sentiment or two? (But save a little love for me too!)