Strangers In Paradise
Chapter 17: Allied Hearts
Helion Solar Test Range – Earlier
"We're broadcasting at full power. We'll be ready to activate the convergence matrix in ten minutes, Mr. Disole," said the lead engineer through a communications link.
"You have fifteen just in case," said Apollo in the form of Alfanso Disole. "No need to rush. Let's make sure we get this right."
"Understood, sir."
It must have been jarring, a powerful authority figure not making unreasonable demands on his subordinates. Unlike his father, Apollo learned in dealing with mortals how ineffective such practices were. It was remarkable how obedient and competent these mortals could be if they were given the mere illusion of respect. It was pathetic in some ways, but it got the job done.
After making sure all the Cerberus Generators were working at full capacity, Apollo let the oblivious mortals take care of the more menial tasks. They all still thought this was just an advanced solar energy experiment. It would've been so humorous if it weren't so effective. The illusion of freedom and progress was often just as effective as the real thing. In some cases, it was even more effective. These mortals had no idea that they were about to seal their fate as subjects of a new order.
He and Persephone now stood in front the large window overlooking the central area of the test range. The sun was just starting to rise over the mountains in the distance, illuminating the massive structure that had since emerged from the old missile silo underground. This magnificent structure was the culmination of his efforts in the mortal world. The design might have belonged to Ares, but Apollo made sure its function did more than just power his half-brother's war machine.
Power from the Cerberus Generators was already flowing into it. He could see it in the glowing light that was forming in the center. He could also feel it in the way it affected the light around him. He imagined that Ares could feel it too. He must have felt quite empowered. If he was at all wise, he would enjoy it while it lasted. Apollo was already celebrating his own personal triumph, having opened a bottle of Olympian wine.
"Are you sure you don't want a drink before the show begins, Persephone?" asked Apollo, offering her a glass. "I went through quite a lot of trouble to borrow this bottle from the personal cellar of Dionysus."
"I'll pass," she said flatly.
"Suit yourself," he shrugged. "Good wine makes any triumph more fulfilling. I guess some of us just can't handle such feelings."
"I've been Queen of the Underworld for centuries. I've lived a good chunk of my immortal life moving between my husband's bleak domain and my mother's warm embrace. I'm more experienced in these feelings than you can possibly imagine."
"Which makes your lack of enthusiasm all the more tragic," said Apollo.
"Call it what you will. I refuse to share your confidence until this is over. There are so many things I want to discuss with my mother once we're reunited. She will definitely be upset with me for my part in all this. I'd like to start dealing with that before I dare enjoy this new order."
Apollo shook his head in pity and poured himself another glass. Persephone ignored his conniving gaze. He couldn't begin to understand her motivations. Anything that wasn't shamelessly self-serving didn't resonate with him. She didn't doubt for a second that he had far more selfish ambitions once this was over. She could care less about them. The only thing that mattered to her was breaking the endless cycle that kept her from her mother.
The Queen of the Underworld made her goals very clear from the beginning. Her willingness to bend and break certain rules, along with the authority she wielded, made her one of the most important assets in this endeavor. Apollo never doubted her sincerity, but he doubted she could ever appreciate the scale of their efforts.
"Do you know what I've learned in observing the mortals?" said Apollo as he swirled the wine in his glass.
"Are you about to begin another one of your elaborate arguments on why you're so much better than me?" asked Persephone. "If so, spare me the details and get to the part where you use it to insult me."
"It's no argument, I assure you. It's an honest inquiry," he retorted. "Too many Olympians lost interest in the affairs of mortals once they stopped worshipping them. They might know of the progress, or lack thereof, that mankind has made in that time. But they can't bring themselves to care about it."
"And you do?"
"Only to the extent that it reveals a telling truth," said Apollo. "Mortals are remarkable in their capacity for reasoned enlightenment and blissful ignorance. There are so few absolutes with them. For gods like us, that sounds so asinine because we exist in a world of absolutes. Sure, it leads mortals into the kind of petty disputes that hinder their progress, but somehow they find a way to move forward."
"You sound like you admire them," said Persephone.
"Admiration is a relative term among gods. I like to think I admire the mortals more than any god on Olympus dares, but only to the extent that I appreciate their struggles. They might not be able to grasp absolutes, but they constantly seek it. They create their own gods to worship. They seek to understand forces they cannot possibly comprehend. Whereas some might see that as childish, I see it as an opportunity."
Apollo looked down at his wine for a moment. This magnificent fruit of the vine that came from one of his fellow gods was just one of the many absolutes that Olympus achieved regularly. Mortals made wine too, but they never made it as well as the gods. That didn't stop them from trying though. It revealed in them a nature that no god had ever dared to exploit.
"Mortals are capable of great accomplishments, but they rarely succeed because they waste so much time over whose authority matters," he continued. "That's why they need gods to worship. They need assurance that there's an ultimate authority. They need it the way a child needs a parent."
"And you think you and Ares can fill that role?" scoffed Persephone.
"I think any god on Olympus could do a much better job. Just look at what the mortals have resorted to. They place their faith in flawed philosophies and inept institutions. Then, these super-powered beings with god-like abilities come along and they don't even make an effort to forge a better order. It's a complete and utter waste – one that we can make right if all goes according to plan."
"I don't care how well the plan goes. If it means I can stop living under these inane decrees, then I couldn't care less what you do to the mortals. Make them slaves for all I care. I just want this to be over so I can be free of these petty conflicts."
Apollo just shook his head. Persephone was so indifferent at this point. He expected as such from a woman whose spirit had been hardened by centuries in the Underworld. He could always count on embittered gods to go along with such a bold and dangerous endeavor. Persephone had been as embittered as Ares in many ways. They were so jaded by their role in the current order. That actually put him in the best possible position because he stood to gain the most.
He finished his wine and continued watching the convergence matrix, as his mortal subordinates called it. As the light of dawn continued to spread across the land, he saw more parts of it light up with activity. Being the God of Light, he could actually feel its power growing with each passing second. He imagined Ares felt it too and was probably enjoying it even more. He almost pitied the God of War and the former Queen of the Underworld because they had no idea what fate had in store for them.
'It's a tragedy worthy of Homer himself – an entire pantheon of gods blinded by desperation. It almost makes me feel lonely, being the only god of such balanced perspective. Ares thinks he knows what to expect when we open the Gate of Eos. He has no idea and neither does Persephone. It's already too late for them. There's nothing at this point that can stop what the fates had decreed.'
Everything appeared to be unfolding as planned. Persephone was already ignoring him. She was probably going over everything she wanted to discuss with her mother in her mind. Apollo let her entertain that fantasy. Once the Gate of Eos was opened, she would have far more pressing concerns and so would the rest of the mortal world.
The God of Light was about to pour himself another glass of wine in hopes of being in the perfect state of mind when the big moment came. He almost dropped the bottle when the communicator he had in his pocket started buzzing.
"Mr. Disole! We have a situation," said an urgent voice.
"This had better be a mistake," groaned Apollo.
Setting his wine and glass aside, he answered the call.
"What is it and how quickly can it be fixed?" he said impatiently.
"Um…I'm not entirely sure. My tech team and I were about to evacuate when we started getting this strange interference from some of the generators."
"What kind of interference?" asked Apollo, already annoyed.
"We're trying to figure that out. Whatever it is, it's causing some fluctuations in the output. It's like something is hijacking the resonance frequencies."
Apollo rushed back to the main interface he had been utilizing earlier. He quickly confirmed what the lead technician was saying. There was indeed some kind of anomaly occurring with the Cerberus Generators. They were still going strong and channeling plenty of energy into the Gate of Eos. However, this sort of anomaly wasn't something that occurred through simple mechanical error. This was deliberate. Someone was foolish enough to try and tamper with fate.
"Is there something wrong, Apollo?" asked Persephone, now taking a keen interest in this development.
"Nothing that can't be fixed, my dear," assured Apollo. "Come with me. I suspect we have some unwelcome pests in our midst. If we don't stop them soon, then it'll disrupt things on our end – but it'll disrupt things even more for Ares."
Tomb of Erebus – Present Time
It was really happening. The seal on the Tomb of Erebus was breaking. Ares could feel the whole structure shake and crack. Centuries of chaos and darkness was just begging to be released. With the energy flowing through him from the mortal world, he could channel it in ways that no god or titan ever dared. The war he had been seeking for centuries was finally within his grasp.
"Aaaahhhhhhhhhhh!" cried Superman as the dark energy from the seal flowed through him.
His pained cries echoed throughout this darkest pit of Tartarus. Ares cared little for his suffering. He was surprised he hadn't perished by now. Between the beating the Amazons gave him and the strain of the dark energy, he should be dead by now. It didn't matter whether he lived or died through this. Once he had the power of Erebus at his whim, no mortal or god could stop him.
"Yes! I can feel the chaos stirring within. It's so restless – so eager. It wants me as much as I want it," said Ares, brimming with anticipation. "I doubt you can hear me at this point, Superman, but you're not going to want to survive this. I doubt you'll enjoy what I'm about to unleash!"
More cracks formed in the seal. The whole tomb appeared ready to shatter. Ares stood ready to savor this moment for the rest of his immortal life.
Then, this profound moment was interrupted when the energy surrounding Superman pulsated strangely. For a moment, it stopped glowing with the same purplish radiance as before and flashed yellow, which had a very different effect on Superman.
"Errrr! New…energy. Getting…stronger," grunted the Man of Steel from his bound state.
"This…should not be," said Ares. "Damn it, Apollo! This better not be another one of your tricks!"
The God of War was about to intervene. He had to make sure Superman didn't regain enough strength to escape the seal. But just as he was about to act, another unexpected complication arose. It came in the form of an unexpected figure crashing near the base of the tomb. When Ares looked down, he saw that it was the Annihilator Armor. Given the power he placed within that armor, this shouldn't have been possible.
"Lex Luthor! You seek to annoy me as well?" groaned Ares.
"Not just him," came a menacing voice.
He recognized that voice instantly and his annoyance turned to outright anger. Now flying towards him, battered but far from beaten, Wonder Woman approached him. She shouldn't have been able to defeat the Annihilator Armor. She shouldn't have even been able to find her way to the Tomb of Erebus. Something had gone horribly awry with his battle plan. Ares didn't know who was responsible, but he had no intention of letting it stop his war.
"Princess Diana – or ex-Princess as it were," said the God of War.
"Hello Ares – or God of Pissing Me Off, as it were," said Wonder Woman angrily. "Your little pawn has failed. Your war ends now!"
"That's not going to happen," he said firmly.
"Allow me to list the reasons why you're dead wrong. First, you team up with Lex Luthor of all people. Second, you attack my home and my sisters. Third, you take the man I love and use him to unleash a power you can't possibly control. Do I need to list anymore?"
"Aren't you forgetting one important reason?" said Ares, pointing down towards the base of the mound.
Wonder Woman saw what he was referring to. Her mother, yet another loved one that Ares turned into a pawn, was still chained to a boulder. She had noticed her arrival as well and was not as glad to happy to see her again as she had hoped.
"Diana!" Hippolyta cried out. "You must get away from the seal! It's going to break at any moment!"
"You had best listen to your mother, Diana," taunted Ares.
"Says the man who tricked his own mother and imprisoned his father," scoffed Wonder Woman.
"No. Says the god whose power you can't hope to match."
"I don't care if you're a god, a titan, or a man. You hurt the ones I love. I'll fight you! I'll beat you! I'll exact justice!"
Disregarding every prayer she and the Amazons had ever made to the God of War, Wonder Woman attacked Ares. She attempted to strike him with the same strength and tenacity she used against the Annihilator Armor. However, the beating she took earlier showed because it was nowhere near strong enough.
Still glowing with the dark energy that had helped him win this battle thus far, Ares easily blocked the former princess' attack and grabbed her arm. He then struck her with a devastating haymaker, sending her crashing back down to the rugged terrain below. He doubted that blow would stop her, but it sent a clear message. And Superman seemed to get it as well.
"No…Diana!" yelled Superman, more strength returning to him as he fought his restraints.
"She's okay…relatively speaking," said Ares. "If you're at all wise, you'll die now because you're not going to want to see how your precious love meets her end."
The energy around Superman kept flickering between a purplish and yellowish hue. It delayed and destabilized the energy from the seal while reinvigorating Superman in a way Ares did not intend. But that didn't matter. Time and tactics were still on his side. As he watched Wonder Woman pick herself up from the ground, he prepared to remind her why he was the God of War.
"You're fighting a battle you know you can't win, Diana. While I normally give my opponents a chance to surrender, you've become too much of an annoyance," said the God of War.
"Good! Saves me the trouble of telling you to piss off," grunted Wonder Woman as she stammered to her feet.
"And as much as I would enjoy snapping your neck in front of your mother, I think that would be too merciful. I'd much rather see you die at the hands of your precious sisters."
Using the same power he used earlier against Superman, Ares commanded the entire Amazon army whose spirits were still at his mercy. Their eyes all flashed simultaneously upon receiving the order and without hesitation, they formed a line in front of Wonder Woman. He made it so that in order to get to him, Superman, or her mother, she had to go through the very sisters she abandoned.
For the angry yet sore Wonder Woman, it was the cruelest tactic Ares could've used. She could still hear Superman's pained cries from above. She could see her bound mother in the distance. Defeating the Annihilator Armor had been daunting enough. The idea of defeating her sisters overwhelmed her to the point where she could not attack.
"Ares…you coward!" yelled Wonder Woman. "Come down here…and face me."
"Nothing would make me happier, but my disdain for you is nothing compared to your sisters. I may control their spirits, but I can sense just how much they despise you. You abandoned them for a man. You spit on the Amazon Code. Believe me when I say they want this more than I do."
"You…lie. My sisters…hate submission…more than they could ever…hate me."
"Tell yourself whatever you want to make this less painful. It won't change the outcome," said Ares. "You will not stop my war. You are a great warrior, Diana. But even great warriors know when a battle is lost."
There was a painful twinge of truth to his words. Wonder Woman stood ready to fight as the Amazon army approached. Not surprisingly, Aleka led the charge. She had archers behind her ready to shoot. She also had Amazons armed with lassos near her, making clear that they would not allow her to fly over them. They had no intention of letting her through. They would fight to the death for Ares, but that wasn't the most daunting part of the battle before her.
Beyond the glowing purple hue in their eyes, Wonder Woman could see the betrayal and anger they still had for her. They hadn't forgotten what she did and they hadn't forgiven her either. Now that they were under Ares' control, she had little chance of reasoning with them or seeking forgiveness.
"My sisters…please don't do this," Wonder Woman begged.
"For Ares!" yelled Aleka.
Once again, Wonder Woman's instincts to fight clashed with the love she still had for her sisters. She wasn't sure what to do. She looked up towards Superman, who had yet to free himself from the seal. Then, she looked towards her mother, who hadn't freed herself either. It left her paralyzed at the worst possible moment.
She braced herself as her sisters, true to their Amazon training, charged towards her in perfect harmony. But before they could reach her, dozens of sharpened spears came falling from the sky. They all landed about 50 feet from where Wonder Woman was standing, the sharpened tips penetrating the jagged rock and forming a fence-like barrier between her and her charging sisters. More instincts kicked in and the charging line of Amazons stopped their attack, only to see more spears rain down on the area. Before long, a significant barrier had formed that confounded both the Amazons and Ares.
"More treachery!" exclaimed the God of War. "What is it this time?"
His answer came in the form of a voice he thought he would never hear again. From the darkened skies above, a voice rang out as a new force descended upon the Tomb of Erebus.
"Ares! The Sons of Leuctra have returned. In the name of justice, we bring the might of the last Spartans!"
The God of War was not easily surprised. Being surprised in battle was the first step towards defeat. But hearing the voice of King Agesilaus III and his army of Spartans, each of which possessed the strength and durability of an Amazon, struck him in a way his battle plan had not accounted for.
They descended from the skies riding chariots being carried by Pegasus horses. There were hundreds of them, their numbers matching that of the Amazons. Some flew towards Ares and some flew towards the still trapped Hippolyta, but most landed behind the line of spears they had formed in front of Wonder Woman. As soon as they stepped out of their chariots, they formed a line between her and the Amazons. Some headed towards where Hippolyta was still changed while King Agesilaus went right for Ares, his sword and shield ready for battle.
It shouldn't have been possible. This man and his army shouldn't have been alive, nor should they have been in a position to attack him. The God of War didn't have time to be shocked. He also didn't need much to figure out who was responsible for this. Turning around towards Superman, he saw that the Man of Steel had a knowing grin on his face.
"You…you did this!" he exclaimed. "But how?"
"Don't act surprised, Ares," said Superman curtly, despite the discomfort from the energy flowing through him. "Commit enough atrocities…upset enough people…and justice will eventually catch up with you."
Alcyoneus Graves – Earlier
Some of the hardest parts about being Superman had little to do with managing the power he wielded or overcoming the challenges he faced. Fighting monsters, aliens, and misguided humans was actually the easiest part. The parts he often struggled with involved trust. While he had faith in humanity as a whole, he found it difficult to trust others to do the right thing.
Ever since his parents died, he had been reluctant in giving his trust, both as Superman and as Clark Kent. Diana was the first person since his parents that he allowed himself to trust implicitly. In doing so, he remembered that trust often came with great reward. Diana's love was a testament to just how great those rewards could be. In order to save her and her family, he had to push that trust to new limits. But even when the limits seemed overwhelming, Superman could take comfort in the knowledge that sometimes incentives were just as powerful as trust.
"Listen to me and listen closely, mortal. What I'm about to tell you is blasphemy in the highest order. Revealing the secrets of Olympus is a crime that carries punishments even gods cannot escape. Just ask Prometheus. But if you really want to have a chance at defeating Ares – or at least making it difficult for him – you'll need to throw one of his worst kept secrets back in his face. That's why you need to find and free the Sons of Leuctra."
Superman remembered Hera's strong words. Even though she was cut off from Olympus, she still chose her words carefully. While she didn't come off as trustworthy, the former Queen of Olympus had a lot of incentive to defeat Ares. That gave him enough reasons to trust accept her help and that led him to this desolate valley in an isolated part of Tartarus that no one had entered in centuries.
"You don't need to know the long, convoluted story behind them. You just need to know is that they're an army of elite Spartan warriors – the very last, as it were. Like the Amazons, they were endowed with the same blessings of immortality and strength. And also like the Amazons, they have a very good reason for despising Ares. He's the reason why their bodies and spirits were trapped Alcyoneus Graves centuries ago. Free them and they will gladly help you."
She made it sound easy. She never described just how difficult it would be. As soon as he entered through the Gates of Tartarus on Themyscira, he followed the Pennant of Athena through the vast, treacherous landscape. It was akin navigating through a hurricane. Tartarus was like a more crowded version of the Phantom Zone. It was teaming with hordes of monsters and beasts, all of which Hera said were under Ares' control. The pennant's power kept him concealed so that he didn't have to fight his way through them. But this ended up being the easy part.
As he made his way deeper into the vast wasteland, he followed the directions that Hera gave him. That meant taking a detour into a shadowy domain that she claimed existed between the Underworld and Elysium Fields. Flying into this domain was like flying into a black hole. All notions of direction, gravity, and depth became obscure. But within this void was a narrow valley nestled between two great chasms that extended beyond what even his telescopic vision could see. From a distance, the valley had the look and design of a mass grave. As he flew in closer, he could tell it was occupied.
It was a ghastly sight, but it none-the-less proved that Hera had been telling the truth. Her directions were accurate in that they led him to the grave containing this lost army of warriors. If the rest of her story was to be trusted, Superman needed them to be as strong as she claimed.
"Make no mistake. This is not a pleasant place for any soul. This valley was the birthplace of the eldest of the Thracian giants. The gods laid waste to it in the worst possible way to ensure none like them re-emerged again. That's what made it the perfect grave. Most of the gods know about it, but few know how to get to it. And even if they did, Ares placed a barrier on it similar the one protecting Themyscira. Only those whose power exceeds his own can pierce it. Thankfully, I am his mother and his queen. That's why I'm going to imbue my crown with a trace of my godly power. It should allow you to break it. You might even find a few other uses for it. After you free these men – well, let's just say the problems will start solving themselves."
Superman wasn't sure what Hera meant by that, but he couldn't let uncertainty slow him down. As he approached the valley, he noticed a mystical shroud forming over it. He flew in as close as he could until he felt the force of the barrier pressing back. Being inexperienced in magic, such forces were difficult to understand. This marked the point where his trust in Hera had to give way to faith.
"Diana and her sisters had a lot of faith in you, Hera. For her, I'm willing to share that faith," he said distantly.
Superman retrieved the crown that Hera gave him before he left. It was still glowing with a steady greenish aura, radiating a power every bit as mysterious as the shroud protecting the valley. With time not on his side and caution a luxury he couldn't afford, he took a leap of faith and held it up to the shroud.
At first, he felt a wave of force push him back, like an invisible brick wall forming right in front of him. Superman instinctively resisted and kept holding the crown out in front of him, letting the power within the crown do what needed to be done. For a moment, the two forces clashed and opposed one another, as though the opposing wills of Ares and Hera fueled them. Eventually, Hera's won out. When the barrier from the shroud stopped pushing back, it shattered like glass.
It unfolded in a spectacle that briefly lit up the desolate valley. The energy from Hera's crown infected the shroud, causing it to flash brightly for a moment and flicker like a candle about to be blown out. When it finally faded, a strange gust rushed out from the valley. It didn't feel cold and hostile like the many other gusts Superman had felt in Tartarus. This felt different. This felt like a warm fire emerging in the midst of a frozen wasteland. Shortly after this gust past, Superman heard a faint voice within the valley.
"By the gods," it said. "We are…free?"
It sounded confused and desperate. With the shroud no longer in his way, Superman followed it into the valley. As he flew over it, he saw that this valley was more than just a mass grave. Hundreds of headstones lined rows of mud and dirt. Each stone was engraved with Greek symbols, not unlike the ones he saw on Themyscira. He also noticed dozens of structures resembling mausoleums spread out across the valley. They appeared far too large to hold soldiers, but Superman didn't have time to explore.
"Hello? Is someone there?" Superman called out.
He didn't get a response at first, but he could hear the sound of desperate breathing. He followed it to the center of this massive graveyard, eventually tracing it to the largest headstone in the valley. That's where he found a desperate man digging his way through the thick mud of his own grave, emerging from what had to have been a very unpleasant awakening.
Superman landed just as the man fully emerged from the mud. He was tall and heavily muscled, bearing all the features of a tough and well-trained warrior. He wore the full-bodied armor of a Spartan, complete with a chest plate, gloves, and armor studded boots. He had long hair and a messy beard. It looked like he had just come from an arduous battle, but he had clearly been trapped in this valley for a very long time.
When he first saw Superman, a lifetime of warrior instincts kicked in. Despite being weak and disoriented, he took a defensive stands and prepared to fight.
"Who are you? Are you an agent of Ares?" the man replied.
"No. I'm not," said Superman, holding his hands up in a peaceful gesture. "My name is Kal-El. Others call me Superman. And I'm not here to fight you."
"Ha! No man or beast ventures into this hell without seeking a fight. And I assure you that I – King Agesilaus III – will give you any fight you seek."
Superman groaned. These Spartans were just as belligerent as the Amazons. They always assumed somebody was looking for a fight. He had to be careful with his words. He didn't need a repeat of what happened with the Amazons.
"Please – your highness – I did enter this domain seeking a fight, but not with you. I'm here because of Hera. She told me you could help me fight a battle against Ares."
"Hera? Ares? You seek to battle the God of War at the behest of the God of Womanhood?" said the Spartan King.
"Yes. And I'm told you have just as many reasons to win this battle as I do."
The Spartan remained apprehensive, but his demeanor eventually eased. This man was clearly not an agent of Ares. Nobody would venture into this forbidden domain and let them awaken after the God of War went to such lengths to trap them in this doomed fate. He might not be a god, but he had to have the strength to be standing before him like this.
Upon letting his battle instincts wane, his legs collapsed and he fell to his knees. He finally allowed himself to catch his breath and calm himself amidst this sudden awakening. In doing so, he recalled what led him and his men to such a grim fate.
"What you heard is a divine understatement," said King Agesilaus III. "Ares – the god that generations of Spartans once worshipped – betrayed us. He…he shattered our spirits with the force of 1,000 lost battles."
"Yeah, I've noticed that. He's clearly not afraid of betraying friends and family," said Superman, thinking back to Hera's attitude towards the God of War.
"But betrayal alone wasn't enough," said the Spartan, still holding his head low. "My brothers and I – we were Sparta's last hope. We – the remaining elites of the Spartan Army – came together on the eve of the Battle of Leuctra. My father, who led the charge in that battle, refused to see what so many others had already noticed. Sparta's power was waning. The glory that once made us the most powerful city-state in all of Greece was fast becoming a memory. I knew as well as he did that if Sparta lost that battle, then that glory would be gone forever. And since my father wouldn't listen to reason, my brothers and I turned to the gods for salvation."
The Spartan King gazed at his hands, which were still covered in mud and dirt. On his wrist was a special brand that every one of his brothers shared. This brand represented the mark of Ares, the god that was supposed to deliver them from annihilation. Instead, he only sealed their doom.
"Our prayers were answered in the ruins of a temple just outside of Sparta. Ares came to us and offered to grant us the strength we needed to win this battle and every other battle from that day forward," he continued.
"That sounds just like what the gods did for the Amazons," said Superman.
"It is," the Spartan King affirmed. "This came shortly after the Amazons were granted the same blessings. And like them, Ares imbued us with the immortality, strength, and durability that would ensure Sparta's survival for generations to come. However, like all blessings from the gods, there was a price to be paid. My brothers and I couldn't have possibly known just how high that price could be."
King Agesilaus III closed his eyes and recalled that exact moment when Ares blessed them. In an instant, he and his brothers felt the strength and fortitude of an entire army. They felt strong enough to take on every army in the world. But Ares didn't even let them leave the temple before giving them the task that would lead to their downfall.
"After he blessed us, Ares decreed that if we were to keep this blessing, we had to fight one daring battle for him. That battle involved going behind the back of Zeus himself and breaking into the Forge of Hephaestus. He wanted us to retrieve for him the Sword of Peleus. He claimed that Zeus gave him that sword to wield during the Great War with the Titans, but he later took it away from him and locked it away. He claimed his father only wanted the sword for himself. However, this was the first of many lies."
"How many did there end up being?" asked Superman curiously.
"Too many to count," said the Spartan King, shaking his head in dismay. "We all knew the consequences of defying Zeus, but we were blinded by our newfound strength. So we did as he asked. He opened a portal to Olympus. He even granted us a fleet of chariots and Pegasus horses. With these blessings, my brothers stormed the Forge, destroying every defense Hephaestus unleashed upon us. My men and I never fought better. The moment when we retrieved the sword from its case – we marked it as our greatest triumph. But it was short lived."
The Spartan King opened his eyes again, his anger quickly overwhelming his sorrow. That moment where he and his blessed brothers emerged victorious gave them hope that the glory of Sparta would prevail. It was Ares who shattered that hope in the worst possible way.
"We returned to the temple to present the sword to Ares," King Agesilaus III continued. "Just as he was about to take it, Zeus showed up. He revealed that the sword had never belonged to Ares. For anyone not blessed by Zeus to wield it was sacrilege. The mere act of touching it doomed me and my brothers. We tried to explain ourselves to the King of the Gods, but he wouldn't listen. He took the sword and destroyed it before our eyes, saying it was now tainted and could no longer serve the gods. We hoped that Ares would come to our defense. How could he not after we faithfully served him?"
"That isn't enough for some people – even gods, it seems," said Superman, this kind of deception reminding him too much of Lex Luthor.
"He ended up doing worse," he said. "He claimed that we acted on our own accord – that the blessings Ares granted weren't enough for us. So we went behind his back and tried to steal the sword for ourselves. My brothers and I were so aghast that Ares would turn on us that we could not speak."
"So Zeus punished you by burying you here?"
"No. Zeus didn't bury us here. That would've been too cruel, even for him," said King Agesilaus III bitterly. "Ares was the one who exacted this punishment. It was his way of proving his loyalty to Zeus. He made us all bow to him. Then, he opened another gateway right under us and we fell into this desolate valley."
More gusts of stale, desolate air blew past them. Such a cold, dark domain was hardly a befitting site for warriors of Sparta to be buried. It was an indignity worse than any defeat in battle, being buried in such an inglorious manner. Worst of all, Ares didn't even grant them an honorable death. He never even intended to.
"Ares had clearly planned for this possibility. He already had his undead army dig graves. When we arrived, they forced us into them while we were still alive. And if that weren't cruel enough, he made us watch the Battle of Leuctra unfold so we could see our beloved Sparta defeated. It was only after that indignation that he buried us, sent us into a state of dreamless sleep, and cast a shroud over the Alcyoneus Graves to ensure we would never do battle again. Now our homes and our families are gone forever."
"I know the feeling. Believe me, I know," said Superman. "But that doesn't mean you have to stop fighting. As we speak, the woman I love – Princess Diana of the Amazons – is battling Ares to save her sisters."
"You have the love of an Amazon?" said King Agesilaus III. "That explains your commitment to braving this hell."
"I'm willing to brave more than that and so is she. Ares isn't just going to destroy her world. He's going to destroy so much more. It's bigger than any tribe or city. He's going to wage war on millions of innocent people – people who aren't warriors and have no hope of fighting back. Defeating him means more than making him pay for past crimes. It means preventing future atrocities."
The prospect of such a battle astonished even this hardened warrior. Ares had left some pretty deep scars on King Agesilaus III and his men, but now he was prepared to inflict so many more. For a man and his brothers who already lost their home, their families, and their entire culture, this injustice could not stand. This mad god clearly didn't care about anyone, god or mortal, who didn't contribute to his war plans. This convinced King Agesilaus III that Superman could help him and his men achieve the glory and honor that Ares had denied them.
The Man of Steel extended his hand to the Spartan King in a gesture of understanding. The distraught warrior, still overwhelmed by anger and sorrow, finally looked up at him. He saw in this unexpected savior a man who didn't carry himself like a warrior, but he still bore a sense of honor and heart that any warrior would respect. For that reason, King Agesilaus III took his hand and rose to his feet, ready to fight once more.
"You speak like a man on a mission. Well if this mission involved battling Ares, then consider yourself a brother-in-arms," said the Spartan King.
"Thank you," said Superman graciously. "But if we're going to defeat Ares, we can't just throw ourselves into battle. Hera told me about the strength of his forces. If we're going to fight him, we need to fight smart."
"You don't need to convince me of this, Kal-El. My brothers and I know all too well the importance of outwitting an enemy. But to do that, you'll still need an army."
The proud warrior shook off whatever lingering weakness he endured from centuries of confinement. He let go of Superman's hand and reached into his now open grave to retrieve his shield, sword, and spear that had been buried with him. He then turned to the rest of the graveyard.
"Sons of Leuctra, heed the words of your King!" he exclaimed. "A brave soul has ventured into the Alcyoneus Graves to save us from our torment. He seeks to do battle with Ares, the god that betrayed us all. For the honor of Sparta and those tainted by treachery, arise and prepare for battle!"
The sound of his voice echoed throughout the graves and stirred the restless spirits within them. Many were already awakened, but unable to rise. Hearing the rallying call of their king helped them regain the strength that made them Spartans. And one-by-one, they began to emerge from their graves.
The once desolate valley came to life. From the lifeless mud, hundreds of men dressed in full Spartan armor clawed out of their graves. Like their king, they retrieved their weapons from the ground as soon as they were free. In addition, the numerous mausoleums that lined the graveyard opened and dozens of Pegasus horses emerged, drawing chariots behind them. They had heard the call too and joined the rest of the Spartan warriors as they gathered around their king.
Once assembled, they all lined up in perfect rows like the well-trained warriors they were. The scars of Ares' betrayal and centuries of entrapment hadn't robbed them of their training and discipline. They had been denied glory in battle for too long. They would not be denied again.
"For glory! For honor! For Sparta!" they all chanted while banging their shields with their swords.
For the first time since he entered Tartarus, Superman felt he had an advantage over Ares. There was no way the God of War would see this coming. He had to make good use of it.
"You have your army, Kal-El. How do you intend to use it?" asked King Agesilaus III.
"I have a few ideas," said Superman as he looked down at the Pennant of Athena. "We're going to need to catch Ares off guard. We're going to turn every advantage he thinks he has against him. Listen carefully and we'll do that and so much more."
Tomb of Erebus – Present Time
The God of War was not easily surprised or impressed. He couldn't afford to be in the heat of battle. But Superman actually found a way to catch him off-guard. For the first time since this battle began, he and Wonder Woman demonstrated that they weren't completely inept. They did have a battle plan of their own and it threatened to undermine his war.
"Well-played, Superman," muttered Ares in annoyance. "You actually convinced my mother to assist you. Do you actually think it'll make a difference?"
"It already has," said Superman, regaining more and more strength as the seal became increasingly unstable.
The Sons of Leuctra were already making a difference. Once the balk of the army formed a line in front of Wonder Woman, they held up their shields to create a large phalanx between her and the approaching Amazons. Standing side-by-side, they dug in their heels and prepared to resist the coming attack.
It surprised Wonder Woman, but in a good way. She had no chance of taking on the entire Amazon army on her own. Ares knew that and used that against her. She had a feeling he didn't expect Superman to use something like this against him.
"Princess Diana, we are here to aid you," said one of the Spartan soldiers. "Kal-El has instructed us to occupy the Amazons without spilling their blood. We intend to do so until our dying breath. Make sure you defeat Ares before then."
"Yes. I…I will," said a still breathless Wonder Woman.
These brave warriors did exactly as they promised. The Amazons kept charging, breaking through the line of spears meant to hinder them. But when they reached the Spartan phalanx, they hit a wall of flesh that stopped them cold in their tracks. The Spartans were in a position to strike back and shed Amazon blood, but they didn't. They kept their tactics defensive, willingly subjecting themselves to their wrath and drawing more of them into the battle.
She actually found herself smiling. Just when she thought her lover had run out of her ways to surprise her, he found another.
"Kal, you wonderfully cunning man," she said to herself, now invigorated with new energy. "You know just how to honor your lover's trust."
With the Amazons now occupied, Wonder Woman took to the air again and went straight for Ares. Some Amazons at the rear of the line attempted to shoot her with arrows or rope her with lassos, but she was able to avoid them and too many of her sisters remained engaged with the Spartans. Now nothing would keep her from defeating this renegade god.
As she made her way up to Ares, Hippolyta watched anxiously from the base of the tomb. She had just been freed by several Spartans who flew in ahead of the main force. While impressed by this sudden turn, she did not expect Ares to succumb easily.
"Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons, the Sons of Leuctra are here to aid you," said the Spartan that had cut her free.
"I…thank you for your assistance," said Hippolyta, still not comfortable being near a man.
"Are you wounded? Can you fight?" he asked.
"Please refrain from touching me. I can stand so I can fight," she said, dissuading any efforts to give her a hand. "I just hope your king and this Superman have a means of challenging Ares."
"We have more than you think. That's exactly why I was instructed to give this to you," said the Spartan.
The disciplined warrior then presented Queen Hippolyta with Hera's enchanted crown, the same relic that allowed Superman to free the Sons of Leuctra from their entrapment. Hippolyta recognized its glow and its power almost immediately. As soon as she took it in her hands, the glowing recognized her as well.
For a moment, the Queen of the Amazons forgot about the long-standing traditions of hatred that she had done more than anyone to propagate. In holding this crown, she felt the strength and compassion of Hera flow through her once more. She looked up at her daughter, who was still on her way to attacking Ares. She then looked back towards the Spartan men standing before her. They didn't carry themselves like the brutes she encountered with Hercules. These men were warriors, ready to fight with fellow warriors, regardless of their gender. It was a sobering moment in the heat of battle. It also helped her realize what she needed to do.
"Hera…despite all my failings, you still find ways to empower me," she said.
With her daughter and Superman doing their part, Hippolyta prepared to do hers. She placed the glowing crown on her head, letting more of its power flow through her. She then set her sights on her sisters, who were still trapped within Ares' grasp.
"We need to give Diana a fighting chance. And I know just how to make it easier for her and harder for Ares," said Hippolyta strongly. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'll need the help of men."
"You've got it," said the Spartan respectfully, his fellow soldiers saluting to show their support.
"Then follow me," she said. "Ares must pay for his atrocities!"
The notion of fighting alongside men still didn't sit well with the former Amazon Queen, but for her daughter and for the sake of defeating Ares, she made an exception. The Spartan warriors did as she requested, surrounding her and guarding her as she made her way to the battle against the Amazons. She had to act fast. Time was running out and Ares knew it.
While the battle between the Amazons and the Sons of Leuctra raged below, Wonder Woman approached the still hovering Ares. He remained close to the seal on the Tomb of Erebus, prepared to defend it from her and the oncoming attack from King Agesilaus III. The energy surrounding the seal was still flickering with instability. It was no longer draining Superman, but they could all feel the rumbling within. Erebus was close to escaping. He just needed to hold them off a little bit longer.
"Ares! We've unfinished business!" yelled Wonder Woman as she closed in.
"So do we!" said King Agesilaus III. "You will not escape justice for your crimes this time."
The Spartan King struck first, heaving his spear right towards the hovering God of War as his chariot approached. Ares caught it in mid-air before he could reach him, but this only served to distract him long enough to allow Wonder Woman a clean shot. When she arrived, she struck him with a punishing uppercut to the jaw. It caused him to stagger, but not falter. She tried to hit him again, but this time he was able to block her. In doing so, Ares could hear more cracks forming in the tomb.
"You hear that, Princess? It's too late for you or for pathetic concept of justice," said Ares with a sneer. "This battle was over before you even arrived."
"No battle is over while true warriors draw breath!" retorted King Agesilaus III.
The Spartan King, still riding on his Pegasus-drawn chariot, flew by Ares and Wonder Woman. At first, Ares thought he intended to strike him. To his surprise, this was not the Spartan's strategy. He ended up flying right past him and towards Superman, who remained bound to the seal. Ares attempted to go after him, but Wonder Woman wouldn't let him go. She kept attacking, keeping him on the defensive. The God of War could only watch as King Agesilaus III drew his sword and used it to break the ropes keeping Superman restrained.
"Are you okay, Kal-El?" asked King Agesilaus III, extending his hand to help him regain his composure.
"I'm fine," said Superman breathlessly. "Something went wrong with the seal. It…filled me with a strange kind of energy. I feel strong, but a little dizzy."
"We should've arrived sooner. When you disappeared into that portal, it took us a while to track you, even with the Pennant of Athena."
"That's exactly why I gave it to you. I had a feeling Ares would pull something like this. I just…never thought it would be this bold," he said, his head still spinning as his body digested these strange energies.
"Can you fight?" asked the Spartan King.
"My girlfriend is battling a god that went to great lengths to hurt us. I think that goes without saying."
There was no holding back the Man of Steel at this point. No matter what kind of discomfort he was in, he intended to fight alongside his lover against this mad god. He shook off further assistance from King Agesilaus III and raced towards Ares. He wasn't at full strength, but that didn't matter.
Ares went to elaborate lengths to outwit and overpower them. He and Wonder Woman had talked about sharing the burden of battle together. This was the perfect opportunity to come together and defeat this threat once and for all.
"Hey Diana! Got room for me?" asked Superman as he flew in at high speeds.
"Always," said Wonder Woman with a devious smile as she kept Ares at bay.
The God of War didn't get a chance to evade the incoming Superman this time. Wonder Woman made sure he was too busy blocking her attacks. When her lover struck, he hit Ares with enough force to trigger a miniature shockwave. It shook the skies above the tomb like thunder and left the God of War momentarily disoriented. Superman and Wonder Woman took full advantage of it. Now side-by-side once more, the couple exchanged grins before launching another coordinated assault.
Ares attempted to launch an attack of his own, letting out an angry roar as he tried to strike Superman. He ended up blocking it, allowing Wonder Woman just enough time to fly in behind and strike again. This time she hit him right in the torso, disorienting him again and allowing Superman to throw in a devastating jab to the jaw. It sent Ares tumbling through the sky, only to end up right in the path of King Agesilaus III, who threw in a strike of his own as he rode by on his chariot.
"Errrr! You think you can win like this? You think you can defeat the God of War?" exclaimed the frustrated god.
"We don't just think we can," said Wonder Woman as she cracked her knuckles again.
"We know we can," said Superman, already going in for another attack.
Now being attacked in three different directions, Ares found himself in an unfamiliar position. He was overwhelmed and off-balance, unable to focus or craft an effective counter-attack. Superman attacked from one direction, hitting him high. Wonder Woman attacked from the other, hitting him low. King Agesilaus III supplemented each attack by slashing him with his sword, damaging his armor and actually shedding blood. He managed to get in a few strikes, but they were already hardened from the blows they took earlier. They made it clear that they were prepared to match him blow for blow.
Eventually, the constant bombardment forced him away from the seal and the tomb. He could still feel the rumbling and the activity within. However, he could not even tell if the seal was about to break. For all he knew, Superman had been pulled away before enough energy could flow through to unlock it. His meticulous battle plan was crumbling before his eyes. He soon found himself falling out of the air and towards the ground below.
Sensing his growing weakness, Superman and Wonder Woman kept up with their assault, getting frequent assists from King Agesilaus III. They kept flying around and pounding him into submission, coordinating their attacks in ways that almost felt harmonious. Fighting together, united and strong, revealed something profound about the state of their relationship. While they could fight valiantly on their own, they could overcome so much more together.
This still didn't stop Ares from putting up a fight. As he neared the ground, he grew more desperate. He started channeling his godly power and unleashed a torrent of fireballs at them. Superman and Wonder Woman were able to evade, but one ended up hitting King Agesilaus III's chariot. It caused the Pegasus to wail and he started tumbling out of the sky.
"I'm going down, Kal-El!" he shouted as he struggled to regain control. "Finish this fight. Leave something left for me and my brothers if you can!"
"We'll try, but no promises," said Superman.
As he and Wonder Woman evaded more fireballs, they made sure to draw Ares' fire so that the Spartan King could make his way to the surface safely. They eventually came together again in a hail of lethal fire where their gazes met again. In this heat of battle with so much at stake, they still smiled at one another, conveying all the emotions necessary.
"Together?" asked Superman.
"Together," affirmed Wonder Woman, needing no other words.
United in this battle, they flew in different directions at first to divert Ares' attack. This forced him to make his onslaught less concentrated, leaving him vulnerable once more. As he struggled to slow them down, Superman and Wonder Woman came together again and flew in close. They then each threw a punch, their collective strength striking Ares right in the face. This time the God of War had little hope of defending himself. He only saw their fists for a brief moment before they hit. They imparted so much force that he was sent falling to the ground below like a meteor, even leaving a miniature crater near the base of the tomb.
"Ungh…my war…will not be stopped," he groaned.
"It already has, Ares," said Wonder Woman as she and Superman descended towards him.
"Need I remind you…of the army I control?" stammered the God of War as he struggled to his feet.
"You sure about that?" said Superman curtly.
Ares didn't pick up on the subtext of his words at first. Then, he noticed a new development in the battle between the Amazons and the Sons of Leuctra and it wasn't in his favor.
The Spartans had stuck to their tactic valiantly, not attacking the Amazons even as they fought with the intent of killing them where they stood. They remained in a completely defensive phalanx, allowing some strikes to penetrate. Some Spartans even incurred wounds and blows, but they did not deviate. This forced the Amazons to push harder in an attempt to break the phalanx. This also helped distract them from Hippolyta and the other Spartans approaching from behind. Any that noticed were fought off, allowing the former Queen of the Amazons to assert herself once more.
"Hear me, my sisters. For I wield blessings of Hera!" she proclaimed, the glowing crown on her head radiating with more energy. "Your spirits have been corrupted. Ares is not your patron god, nor is he worthy of worship. I may be disgraced and dishonored from my own deeds, but the spirit of our people is not."
The sound of her voice triggered a reaction in many of the Amazons. Their glowing purple eyes flickered, showing signs that her voice evoked just the right emotions to help them resist Ares' control. While many of them would still scorn her for the lies she fed them, they would not let something this petty destroy their warrior pride.
"By Hera's compassion, I pray – remember who you are," said Hippolyta, speaking with the authority of a queen once more. "You are not pawns. You are warriors!"
As she said these words, the crown on her head erupted in a bright flash that momentarily engulfed the entire Amazon army. In doing so it nullified the dark influence Ares had imposed on them. Their eyes stopped glowing and their blind rage faded. Guided by Hera's blessing and Hippolyta's understanding of the arcane, the corruption within their spirits was purged.
"By the gods…I feel ill," groaned Aleka, who had been on the front lines.
Her sentiment was shared by many. Most of the Amazons lost their balance or just rubbed their heads in confusion. It was like waking up from a terrible nightmare. In many ways this wasn't too far from the truth and it still wasn't over.
As the Amazons recovered, the Sons of Leuctra maintained their defensive posture, not certain if more fighting would be necessary. They knew the Amazons' reputation when it came to men. They were not going to assume they had allies just yet. They maintained this assumption until King Agesilaus III landed in his damaged chariot in front of them.
"Stand down, my brothers. Give the sisters of Hera the space they need," said the Spartan King.
"Thank you, King Agesilaus," said Hippolyta as she approached her sisters. "Your restraint and valor is to be commended."
"So…you're fighting alongside men now?" said a still dazed Aleka.
"No Aleka. I fight alongside warriors," said Hippolyta. "You may not see me as a queen anymore, but we are all still warriors. As such, we must reserve our wrath for those who deserve it."
"Like a renegade God of War," said King Agesilaus III, already turning his attention back towards Ares.
As the Amazons regained their composure, they recalled who had done this to them. The feeling of being used and manipulated was far worse than any animosity they had towards man. Even Aleka bitterly nodded in agreement, bowing her head before Hippolyta in acknowledgement of her sentiment. While they still kept their distance from the Spartans, they stood ready to fight alongside them against Ares.
Now the battered and bruised God of War didn't just have an angry Superman and Wonder Woman to deal with. He had the Amazons and the Sons of Leuctra bearing down on him, two armies by the gods with just as many reasons to be angry with him. As he struggled to recover from the beating he just took, he watched both armies surround him. His lies and deceit had united them and they stood ready to fight until their dying breath to oppose him.
"How's that battle plan of yours looking now, Ares?" taunted Wonder Woman.
"This is usually the point where I would urge someone in your position to surrender, but I think I'll save myself the trouble this time," said Superman, cracking his knuckles again.
Despite the battle falling apart around him, Ares remained defiant. He wiped the blood off his face and prepared to fight. He might not have the Amazons under his control anymore, but he still controlled an endless army of monsters from Tartarus. However, he had most of them guarding Olympus and all the gateways between realms. Even if he summoned them, he was too weak to summon a significant force. But he was still the God of War. He would not back down from a battle, even if it seemed like a losing battle.
"I am still...a god," he said as he prepared to fight. "No mortal…can challenge…my power."
"Call yourself whatever you want, Ares. Your war ends now!" said Wonder Woman.
She and Superman prepared to lead the charge against the weakened God of War. But before they had a chance to strike, a thunderous noise from the top of the tomb shook the battlefield. The tremors that plagued the site earlier turned into powerful quakes that disrupted any possible attack. It left everyone except the God of War stunned.
"What was that you were saying about my battle plan, Diana?" grinned Ares.
"The seal!" exclaimed King Agesilaus III, pointing up towards the tomb. "It is…breaking?"
"That's not possible!" gasped Hippolyta.
"It shouldn't be," said the Spartan King anxiously.
"I thought we prevented that when I was freed," said Superman.
"Apparently not," dreaded Wonder Woman.
The intensity of the quakes escalated as more cracks in the seal formed, forcing every Amazon and Spartan to back away from the Tomb of Erebus. When it finally shattered, it unleashed a wave of glowing energy that ripped through the dark skies above, tearing a hole through the clouds. Once broken, it was like a volcano erupting after centuries of pent up pressure. The only one who didn't show any concern was Ares.
It shouldn't have been possible. Superman had been removed from the seal too quickly, but the strange energy anomalies that Ares noticed earlier seemed to finish the job. He didn't bother making sense of it. Now flushed with renewed energy, he stood and prepared to channel this ancient power.
"You've all fought your battles honorably, but honor alone cannot win a war. It takes power – one mortals will never grasp," said the God of War in a dominating tone. "Now watch as the power of Erebus is unleashed on the realms of mortals and gods alike!"
As the Amazons and Spartans fell back, Superman and Wonder Woman tried to hold their ground. They leaned on each other through the devastating quakes. They still sought to attack Ares before he could finish whatever madness he had begun, but the energy coming from the mountain made it all but impossible.
"Diana…what exactly is happening here?" asked Superman, his knowledge of Olympian power still limited.
"I'm not entirely sure," said Wonder Woman as she looked up at the crumbling tomb with dread. "I think Ares just unleashed something that'll make him much harder to defeat."
"How much harder?"
"I'd rather not know, but we're about to find out."
As they struggled to make sense of what was happening, massive fissures within the tomb formed at the peak and spread. From these fissures, a mist-like energy shot out. It was the same purplish hue as the low in Ares' eyes, revealing a clear connection. As more of this energy emerged, they saw Ares gain more strength. The wounds they had inflicted on him healed. The fatigue they saw in him faded. He even began to grow in size as more of this power consumed him, becoming more menacing and imposing by the second.
"Yes! Come to me, Erebus. Unleash your power through me!" the God of War demanded.
Erebus obeyed Ares' demand. It seemed reticent, letting out high-pitched screeches that indicated that the God of War was perverting its power somehow. But it could not resist. The energy from the tomb flowed into the God of War, adding to his power.
Then, as if guided by his whim, another fissure formed near the peak of the mound that quickly became a full-blown eruption. A massive hole opened at the summit of the mound and a bright beam of energy shot up into the sky like a giant laser. It unleashed another shockwave that shattered what remained of the tomb, forcing Superman and Wonder Woman to protect themselves while the Amazons and the Sons of Leuctra retreated farther. And as the column of light illuminated the darkened skies, a large circular portal formed.
It started small and quickly growing to the size of a skyscraper. Looking up through the portal, an imaged formed to reveal where this massive portal would lead.
"That looks like…" began Wonder Woman.
"It is," said Superman, using his telescopic vision to confirm what they already dreaded. "He's opening a huge gateway into our world."
"One big enough for both him and his armies," she added. "Any idea on how to stop it?"
"I was about to ask you that same question."
"Then we're in for an even bigger battle than we thought."
This battle that they committed to fighting together had been difficult enough. Now, even with the aid of the Amazons and the Sons of Leuctra, the odds were not in their favor. Ares was now channeling so much power that they could hear the hordes of monsters and undead soldiers rallying to the tomb. Their numbers were so vast and Ares' control over them was so strong that even the aid of other gods at this point would've made little difference. And the God of War knew it.
As his enemies trembled at the sight of his new power, Ares continued to grow in size. He looked up through the portal at the mortal world. It was so ripe and vulnerable. The feeble armies of man stood little chance against him. Even the armies of the gods couldn't stop him at this point. With victory within his grasp, Ares prepared to unleash his warpath.
"Take one last look at the world of mortals and gods. Today, both shall fall. Now that the Gate of Eos is open, the reign of corrupt man and arrogant gods comes to an end!" proclaimed Ares.
The God of War was about to ascend into the portal along with his army. Then, the massive portal began warping erratically. The energy surrounding it flickered, turning from purple to yellow. It unleashed a new round of strange tremors and shockwaves, but this time Ares shared in the dread.
"What? The Gate of Eos is…reversing itself?" said Ares.
"I'm guessing that's not supposed to happen," said Superman.
"It isn't," said Wonder Woman, curiosity now mixing with dread. "I'm still not sure that's a good thing."
"That energy feels kind of like yellow sunlight. I want to say it's an improvement, but I have a feeling there's a catch."
Superman's hunch proved painfully accurate as that catch literally formed before their eyes. From the other side of the portal, the yellowish energy took the form of a familiar face. Many of the Amazons and Spartans recognized it instantly, but it left the God of War most furious.
"Apollo! You dare choose a moment like this to defy me?" exclaimed Ares.
"Spare me the melodrama, my dear half-brother. What makes you think that moment hadn't already passed?" quipped Apollo in a booming voice.
Ares growled angrily at the sight of his half-brother. It was a clear sign that Ares' war plans had been derailed yet again, this time by a fellow god. Apollo's sudden appearance was confusing to many, but it didn't take much to surmise what it entailed.
"Gods betraying gods – it's as fitting as it is predictable," said King Agesilaus III bitterly.
"And others suffer because of it," added Hippolyta. "Is there no end to this cycle?"
"I fear that question has a very unsettling answer."
Superman, Wonder Woman, the Amazons, and the Sons of Leuctra now found themselves in the middle of another dispute among gods. Something between Ares and Apollo must have been brewing behind the scenes. They had to have worked together in some capacity to unleash such madness. While gods betraying one another was hardly surprising, it almost ensured that there would be no winners in this battle.
This didn't make it any less infuriating for Ares. He expected Apollo to pursue his own interests as he always did, but he never expected him to do something this foolish.
"Try not to be too upset. I'm actually doing this so everyone can win," said Apollo.
"Adding lies to your betrayal will only make my wrath more painful, Apollo!" shouted Ares.
"It's the honest truth. I know few gods can say that with a straight face, but this time is different. As I speak, I'm reversing the flow of energy that we've been using to open portals between realms. There was a slight hiccup along the way, but I managed to fix it. Now, with the energy from Erebus, I am going to sever the link between our realms once and for all. Gods will never interact with mortals again and mortals will never have to deal with Olympian affairs."
"Has the mortal realm poisoned your mind? That means you'll be stranded in the mortal realm!"
"You say that like it's a curse. On Olympus, you and I are hardly remarkable. We're just one god among many. But in this world, I am more than that. I am a being that can both command and earn worship. The powers of light serve to enrich this world. And they'll have me to thank and revere for it. And if they don't, then I can make them regret it on my terms instead of those imposed by Zeus. Tell me, Ares – isn't that more productive use of our power than waging war?"
Ares didn't answer Apollo's question. All he heard were excuses for his treachery. Apollo had always been petty, but the God of War never thought his half-brother would stoop this low. He was more than deserving of his wrath, but he may never get that chance.
While Ares fumed over his half-brother's betrayal, Superman and Wonder Woman grew concerned for a different set of reasons. Apollo was not like Ares in that he didn't seek war, but neither held innocent people in high regard so he could still do plenty of damage.
"So he wants to be worshipped again and doesn't care if it's forced," said Wonder Woman in disgust.
"You give the impression that he's not the first one to try this," said Superman.
"Let's just say there's a good reason why mortals stopped worshipping certain gods and leave it at that."
The extent of Apollo's plans was unclear, but Wonder Woman didn't assume for a moment that those plans involved him being a merciful god. She also didn't assume that he would risk them interfering.
"As far as I'm concerned, this gives everybody what they want to some degree – with some getting more than others, of course," Apollo continued. "I get a new world with new worshippers. You get an entire realm in which to wage your little war. Sure, the Amazons and Spartans will be trapped as well. But at least you'll have someone to fight. And they'll have someone they can take their anger out on. Everybody wins!"
"But you win more than the rest of us," said Ares bitterly.
"Don't you think I've earned it? Then again, I'm past the point of caring. As soon as I close this portal with the power of Erebus, the gates will be closed for good. We'll never see each other again."
"Close as many as you want. I'll still find you and you shall taste my blade, Apollo!" spat the God of War.
"I'll miss you too, dear brother. Please send my regards to our father," he replied with a snide grin. "With that, I bid you a fond farewell and wish you…"
Apollo's taunting voice became obscured, the image of his face fading into chaotic swirls of yellowish energy. It was like static on a video screen. A new round of instability in the portal followed. As Apollo's face became more obscured, the beam of energy shooting up from the Tomb of Erebus began shifting again. This time it bent in new directions, unleashing chaotic bolts that neither Ares nor Apollo controlled. It actually caused the tremors and quacks throughout the area to steady, as though Erebus was now taking on a more focused form.
"Damn it! Where is…more interference…the matter with this…who dares?" said Apollo, his voice jumbled and clearly upset.
"What now? Did another god just enter the picture?" groaned Superman.
"I don't know, but it might be our first lucky break," said Wonder Woman, already looking for an opportunity to take advantage of this.
Something had clearly gone very wrong on Apollo's side. There might very well be other forces at work, but it presented an opportunity that none of them could afford to pass up. Ares, not at all inclined to be trapped in this realm, didn't bother making sense of it. Still flushed with plenty of power, he had every intention of unleashing his wrath upon his devious half-brother.
"Ha! It would seem fate and competence is not on your side, Apollo," said Ares, already formulating his attack plan against. "When will you learn? Inferior gods can never reign supreme."
"I couldn't agree more," said an unexpected voice from behind.
The God of War's eyes widened upon hearing those words. But before he could even acknowledge it, he felt a sharp pain in his side. It was a pain unlike anything he, or any god, had experienced before. Almost instantly, all the power and energy he had channeled began bleeding out like a mortal wound. He watched as this power flowed back into Erebus where it continued to redirect itself at the hands of an unknown force. Such a grim sight further added to his pain. The God of War could actually feel his immortal form withering under the power of this relic.
For a moment, Ares stood paralyzed at this unfamiliar feeling. Then, he looked down at the source of the pain and saw the Dagger of Deimos plunged deep into his torso. He also saw the hand grasping it and his pain turned to shock as he figured out who was behind this interference.
"Lex…Luthor!" gasped Ares.
"You assumed I was actually defeated? I'm insulted, but not surprised," said a grinning Lex Luthor, his spirit still inhabiting the Annihilator Armor. "Don't bother cursing me. Don't even try to attribute this to fate. This is just you, your fellow false gods, and the ignorant pawns that serve you being bested by a superior intellect."
Up next: Blind Darkness