I have two Apologies this time.
First, sorry for such a long delay in updating, I will do better in the future. Life just got a little hectic.
Second, sorry this chapter is shorter, but it just wouldn't fit in to my next chapter very well. With that being said, my next update should be much quicker. Thanks to all of those who are reading the story, I'm hoping you enjoy it.
As always, reviews are always welcomed and appreciated.
Setting Motion
Oceanus-POV
In the depths of Tartarus, near the Mansion of Night, Oceanus watched as his gathered allies trained and practiced combat tactics. The number of monsters joining his cause had grown exponentially in the past few months. He now had a larger force than that of Gaea and Kronos' forces combined. With the help of the primordial gods and goddesses and along with his fellow titans, Oceanus knew they formed a very formidable threat. Yet he knew it was best to bide his time, allow the Olympians and there precious demigods to grow comfortable. For even with a mighty force such as his, Oceanus knew that the combined onslaught of the Olympians, the Hunters of Artemis, the Amazons, and both the demigod camps the chances of winning were slim. They were still battled hardened after the last two wars, and with his positioning in Tartarus he would not be able to launch a full-scale invasion to the topside without them discovering. No, he had to wait for the prime opportunity. He would need a distraction on the topside to divert the Olympians attention, and then he would move on Hades' Palace. His forces would secure the Underworld and already have Hades and Persephone imprisoned. Then the true war would finally be able to start.
Oceanus was brought out of his thoughts when he heard Aigaios, his old ally from the last titan war, approached him and said, "My lord, the fury has returned. She brings news I feel you would find rather…valuable."
Oceanus looked past Aigaios to see Megaera. The fury seemed to shrink back from him and he could see her discomfort and fear in her eyes. He felt pride in that fact. "Speak then," Oceanus said, "else I decide you're of no real use to this cause. You wouldn't like the consequences of that decision."
Megaera stepped forward and took a low bow. "My lord, I bring news from the Underworld." Oceanus stepped forward and lifted the fury's head to force her to look at him.
"Then tell." He said.
"The goddess Athena made an appearance in Hades' throne room today." Megaera continued.
"And why, fury, is that of concern to me? The gods are always free to communicate with one another, this isn't out of the ordinary." Oceanus stated with annoyance clear in his voice.
"For Athena to visit Hades, yes my lord, it is quite out of the ordinary. They have little to speak of outside of the Olympian council. This is the first time in millennia that she has paid a visit to him." Megaera stammered out quickly,
Oceanus let go of the fury's head and turned back to look at his forces training and preparing. If what the fury said was true, then he could very well see why this might be of some alarm. "Our other watchers have reported that Zeus and the Olympians had no suspicions of our efforts here. I was told they were taking no action out of the ordinary." Oceanus then turned back to the fury as he continued, "Are you telling me that they have some indication that there is a threat?"
Megaera shook her head violently. "Not the Olympians per say, my lord. Lady Athena, I believe she has suspicions. To seek Hades company in private, it seems like a move she would make. Hades has been aware of a strange stirring here in the pit. It makes him uncomfortable. But when he ever mentioned it to Zeus, the king of the gods dismissed the thought. Zeus doesn't want another war. His desire clouds his judgment to our advantage, but Athena, she could very well be a problem. She might be seeking out ways to prove that we are gathering again, my lord."
Oceanus pondered on the information for a moment before he said, "You were right to bring this information to me, Megaera. You will be rewarded for your loyalty and commitment. Aigaios, take care of our watcher."
Aigaios collected the fury and took her away, leaving Oceanus alone. After a moment of silence he called, "Nyx!"
A moment later and the air beside him darkened leaving a pale-purplish skinned female, with dark black hair and pure black eyes. "Yes?"
"We have reason to believe Athena, and possibly Hades may be on to us. I need to know how soon until you can have Shades ready to go topside?"
Nyx cocked her head to the side with a confused look on her face. "Oceanus, Shades topside…that wasn't the plan. I thought-"
"Athena and Hades might be expecting us. We're going to need a much bigger diversion to make them think that they need to focus on the topside so we can take the Underworld."
Nyx was quiet for a moment, but finally asked, "How will my Shades provide such a diversion? They-"
"They can't be just any shades, my dear Nyx. I need them powerful enough to be vessels for at least an hour or two…" Oceanus said with an evil smile touching his lips.
"Oh…" Nyx said before the same smile appeared on her face. "I see. I need at least another year to prepare them. They will take much of my energy, I will need to rest at least a week after."
"Relax, after you do your job, we'll already be in a position to start the war. You will be able to rest yourself, but you will be resting somewhere topside." He started to laugh, and soon Nyx joined in. Many of the monsters surrounding them looked at them in fear. Oceanus knew how to draw Athena and Hades topside. And, with a little luck, he could eliminate a few demigods in the process and with preparation and careful planning, he could even eliminate Athena and Hades from the war very early on. He smiled. This was going to go much better than he had originally planned. In one year's time, the Olympians would face their third war in less than a century. But this war, Oceanus vowed that this war would be the Olympians last
