Hi readers I'm sorry it's been a while since my last update but exams and work took their toll. Anyone else currently living with that combo knows what I mean. But I have finished college now :D and now I have to prepare for uni wish me luck. Well we'll begin as we usually do; with the shout outs I thought I'd be more specific with them to prove to you I really do read your reviews and appreciate them.

Sherry09 – thank you for your comment. It made my day x

Jlover97 – loving you and your commitment. This one is really for you x

.982 – thank you for joining the group ;) here's hoping you enjoy it x

Lexi77 – here's that update you asked for x

To get a message from me on the next chapter all you have to review with your favourite part or just whether you liked it or not ;) I really hope you're enjoying reading this because I do it for you guys. I accept input from my readers so PM me if you have an idea you think would work and I'll see what I can do

Gee xx P.S: IT'S MY 18TH BIRTHDAY TODAY! AHHHHHHH :D

Hades sat alone on his throne, the back of which faced the gates to the pit of Tartarus. It had previously faced the other way, but he could no longer bring himself to look at it with the angry burning cracks searing at him. His elbow rested on the arm of the throne, and his chin rested on his hand, fingers stroking the whiskered skin there. His brow was creased in concentration as he lost himself in thought, worrying about what was to come. He was irritated that there was nothing to distract him. Persephone was away at this time of year, so the only noise was the distant wailing and howling of the souls, a noise Hades had long since learned to tune out being the God of the Underworld.

Suddenly, a spitting and crackling behind him broke his concentration and he looked around at the gates. The glowing orange cracks were now hissing at spitting molten iron at him and growing in size more rapidly than ever before. Shooting up out of his throne, he approached the breach to examine it more carefully, covering his face with an arm to shield it from the melting steel spluttering at him from the deteriorating gate. The heat emanating from it washed over his face before he was within 5 feet. As he got closer, he thought he could hear voices. Voices he hadn't been able to hear from the gate before; different from that of the screaming, tortured souls.

No, not voices, bellowing. Battle cries were coming from the other side of the gate, now growing so loud Hades recoiled from the noise and backed away. They grew in volume again until they were clearly audible from any point in the room. Now realising that nothing more could be gained from his watch of the gate, he left his throne room and headed for the large front gates that lead him to the outside world. Throwing a smouldering steak to a growling Cerberus, whose three heads bared their teeth and gnashed for it all at once, he threw open the gates and left for Olympus to tell his brother what he had seen, and that were running out of both time and options.

Athena was reading alone in her temple, her piercing silver eyes scrutinising every word on the page in front of her. She had a habit of losing herself in a good read, as she believed that if you don't fully absorb the meaning of words you may as well have not read them. She wasn't paying attention to the whooshing noises about the upper stories of the palace, and did not hear a voice calling out her name until Hermes burst through the drapes of her window, knocking over one of her many vases of flowers which shattered on the floor with a series of high-pitched clinks.

At the noise Athena shot up at lightning speed, casting the book aside on her desk and facing Hermes, who looked flustered and out of breath. His cloudy grey-blue eyes looked tired and his cheeks were red and blotchy. His chest heaved with every breath and an even mist of sweat coated his forehead and upper lip. Athena approached him and patted his shoulder as his breathing slowed, her face expressing a mixture of shock and concern. Once he was again capable of speech, Hermes straightened himself from his slouched position and shook Athena's hand away.

"A-Athena. You have been summoned by father to an emergency meeting of the High Olympian Council. He says it is the most urgent of matters." He panted. Athena kept leaning forwards towards him, afraid he would collapse from exhaustion.

"Alright, thank you, brother. I shall leave directly. But will you be alright?" she asked him.

"Yes, I shall be fine." He assured her, still panting. "Zeus sent the order so urgently I have had to track down and round up the entire council without delay. Poseidon was the furthest away in his palace, and the others were scattered around the mortal realm other than Hephaestus, but I knew where to find him. He never leaves his workshop. Then I came all the way back here to find you."

"You brave soul." Athena sighed. "But if Poseidon was the furthest away… did father not call for Hades?"

"He is here already, with most distressing news I must add. I'm not sure what he has told Zeus, but whatever it is I am sure it's the reason for the gathering." Hermes deduced. Athena nodded sternly, knowing he was right. She held out her right arm to him.

"Let us leave then. Quickly." She said. Hermes clasped a hand around her wrist and with another deep whooshing sound they few away, arriving on the steps of the Grand High Temple mere seconds later. It took Athena a moment to catch her breath, the trip having winded her. None of the other gods were used to travelling as fast as Hermes, but when time was of the essence, sometimes he was the only way of getting anywhere on time. Straightening up again quickly, she and Hermes darted up the white stone steps and into the dazzling marble hall.

Most of the other gods were already there, though no one was sitting in their thrones. They had collected in a huddled group around the sundial in the centre of the room, and were buzzing with loud and excited chatter, squabbling as usual. Zeus was in the hub of the cluster, looking down angrily as if biding his time and getting closer to boiling point by the second. Hera stood by him and was shouting at Demeter, who had no hesitation in shouting back. Hephaestus and Aphrodite were there too, yelling at one another in heated passion. From what Athena could hear, it had little to do with the current crisis, but had probably started there and gone off on a tangent. Dionysus was standing beside Hades, both of them trying to gain Zeus' attention as he ignored them in his attempt to stay calm. Their anger grew as they were unnoticed, and their noise caused the agitation of Apollo, who rounded on them with Artemis backing him up. Ares was bickering with Aphrodite and Hephaestus, trying to get them to focus, when he looked up and saw Athena and Hermes enter.

"Sister! Brother! Come, come join this madness! I cannot believe our enemies bear down upon us and yet we still bicker like common mortals!" he bellowed loudly with sarcasm, no doubt in the hope that everyone around them would hear and stop. They did anything but. Their roaring only got louder and louder until it was a wailing in Athena's ears, indecipherable in terms of words.

At that moment, Poseidon strolled in. He wore his glistening silver battle armour, minus his helmet which was tucked under his left arm, the plume of gold fur on top shining in the light. The breastplate was intricately carved with fish scale like patterns as well as being sculpted to fit his muscular frame. Athena stared at him for a moment to take it in. He looked incredible as a warrior, and Athena had always liked warriors.

In his right hand he held his almighty iron trident, which was as big as him if not taller by an inch or two. He strode in, coming to a stop beside the stunned and silent Athena and Hermes. He looked over the commotion in front of him and, after rolling his eyes, lifted his trident a few inches. Bringing down his hand with great force it slammed against the floor with such a deafening thud the shockwaves rattled the very ground beneath their feet. The gods fell silent and looked over at the tree of them before eyeing each other and retreating to their individual thrones. Zeus stayed standing where he was, facing his brother, son and daughter. He finally began to speak in a low voice full of supressed anger.

"Thank you, brother." He muttered in a way that made it sound as though he was not grateful at all. Nevertheless Poseidon nodded courteously and strode over to his own throne, with Athena and Hermes following suit. Zeus again remained standing in the centre, but turned to face his council. They looked back at him almost expectantly. A short pause of silence washed over them as they waited for something to be said.

"My council, my friends, my family. It is under the gravest of circumstances that I have summoned you here. As you have no doubt noticed, Hades joins us this day from the Underworld with news of severest importance. Brother, approach if you will." Zeus indicated for Hades to get up and stand with him, shunting a little to the side as he did so. Hades was also dressed in armour which was an iron black and fitted to his strong but far less impressive structure. Even Zeus had tough competition when compared to Poseidon in physical appearance, next to Hades there was no chance. He stood as tall as he was able and looked out to his audience. He was not used to addressing them as Zeus was, and so spoke with less vigour and enthusiasm.

"I-I have left my post at the gates of Tartarus to convey a message." He began uncertainly. "The cracks in the gate are growing larger and at an alarming rate. There is no hope for even I to seal the breach or even prolong how long it will take for them to break out. We have three moons at the most. Before I left I could hear them screaming."

The entire room staying in its stunned state of silence, Hades looked down. Athena's heart sank. She hadn't thought this would be happening so quickly. She knew there would be a time soon when she would have to face this, but not this soon. She wasn't ready; she had thought there would be more time for her to prepare herself for this moment. Zeus then stepped forwards and put a superior hand on Hades' shoulder, guiding him subtly back to his own throne. He strode around the room importantly, not aiming to go anywhere in particular, the same solemn expression of deep thought on his face.

"We face eminent battle. A war that will test the fabric of reality as we have made it. We all know of the old ways of blood and death; the tyranny in which they ruled this world. My brothers, my sisters, you remember what I had to do to bring you into this world." He listed gravely with quiet and solemn anger.

"We remember well, my love." Hera said softly from her throne beside Poseidon. He too nodded. He remembered what it had been like when his father had swallowed him. Alone in the dark with Hestia, then watching helplessly as Hades, Hera and Demeter joined them. He remembered a time when the sight of their youngest brother was like heaven. Zeus was the first thing they saw when they came out. The only thing they knew to trust. It was a wonder they were the way they were now; all mistrust and power hungry.

"We must move our plans ahead forthwith. Hermes, send word to all of our allies. All those friendly to the gods are called to the defence of Olympus; nymphs, centaurs, satyrs, everyone you can find. Go straight to Paradise Islands. You will find most of them there. Hephaestus, I require as many thunderbolts as you can prepare. We need more arrows, spearheads, and the strongest armour we have metal for. Ares, you must devise a strategy and inform our forces. Athena will assist you in this." He ordered. Everyone nodded. "Never shall we relinquish the power of our sacred halls to these savage tyrants. Everyone shall do what they can to aid our efforts. As of right now, we are at war."

All the gods left the hall in haste. Hephaestus retreated to his workshop, selecting his correct tools from where they were lined up outside before going in. Many of the goddesses left for their chambers supposedly for a moment's peace to prepare. War was not often something the gods engaged on themselves as often as they watched the mortals do it and aided them when asked. Ares was ordering many of them about with his chest puffed out proudly at his usefulness. Athena stood on her own at the bottom of the stairs, unnoticed by many, if not all, of the others. It wasn't until she felt a hand innocently come to rest on her waist that she came back to reality. Turning her head slightly she smiled seeing Poseidon's kindly face looking at her.

"Hello, my love." He whispered in her ear so no one else would hear, even if they were paying attention. Athena's grin widened. Whenever she was around Poseidon her troubles seemed less important. They were still there, just less so.

"Hello." She replied. He gave her a sort of secret smile, which pulled the corners of his lips up slightly so it was noticeable, but only if you were looking for it. His brow then furrowed and he looked at her with concern.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'll be fine, I have you, don't I?" she said quietly, daring to touch his hand for a moment. He looked at her gratefully.

"I know I shouldn't ask. I know you will be fine. Better than fine. You'll be fierce." He assured her.

"I'm the Goddess of Wisdom and Battle Strategy, fierce is in the job description." She agreed with a confident smirk.

"Athena." Ares then called from a short distance away, drawing her attention. "Athena, come here we have to plan." She gave one last kindly look to Poseidon and approached her brother. "Do you think you can devise a battle stratagem so cunning they will wish they never crawled from the gates of hell?"

"I know I can." She answered boldly as the two of them left together for a better place to plan. Poseidon was about to leave and find something useful to do when Hermes whizzed up beside him, almost knocking him over.

"Oh, I do apologise, Uncle." He said politely. "Forgive me my error; I have been around the world twice today near enough."

"Of course, of course, I understand." Poseidon nodded. "If there is anything I might do to help -"

"Well there may be one thing you could do." Hermes cut in quickly before Poseidon could even finish. Hermes had a habit of talking faster when his blood was racing. He was the fasted at everything on Olympus.

"Name it, dear friend, and it is done." Poseidon said; glad to be of some use in the advance.

"Even at my speed I cannot seek out all our allies on Paradise Islands in time. Sure I could find them all but some may take more convincing than others, and you always seemed to be the most… persuasive of the Gods." Hermes flattered. This wasn't strictly true. Hermes himself was the most persuasive of the gods. As the God of Pranksters and Thieves it was in his nature to have a silver tongue and know which parts of the ego to stroke to convince others to do his bidding, but it seemed to come in useful in other ways.

"Of course I will help you." Poseidon nodded, Hermes not even needing to ask. He held out his arm to Poseidon, who took it and the two of them disappeared with a flash and the distinctive whooshing he was known for.

A few moments later, the two of them landed on Sandora by Mount Nyjara with an audible 'pop' as they stopped. Hermes consulted his instruction scroll he always carried with him and then tucked it back into his belt as Poseidon looked around. There was no one there, or rather no one he could see or hear. Hermes walked over to him.

"There are many nymph clans residing here. I have no doubt you will easily round a few up and convince them to join the allied cause." Hermes said cheerily. "I'll meet you back here when I have visited the smaller islands." And with that, he was gone in another whoosh.

Poseidon leapt into life and jogged into the nearby trees, trident still in hand so anyone who might see him would know who he was. There was no sound from the woods other than the crunching of dead or fallen foliage under his sandaled feet. Turning into a large clearing, he heard a familiar noise that all the gods knew well; it was a melodic tunes sung by the nymph clans residing on the island. As he followed the sound it grew louder and he realised it was not many nymphs, but just one. Finally, reaching a pool deep in the cover of the trees, he saw the source of the singing. It was the same nymph he had encountered a few days prior, Medusa. She was bathing in the pool, completely naked with her golden hair damp, long and loose over her shoulders. Her singin stopped as she heard him approaching and turned. Her beautiful features stretched into an almost unpleasant smile as she realised who he was.

"Back again are we, my lord?" she simpered seductively. "They always come back." She walked out of the water towards him, not trying to cover her body in any way, completely bare to his view. He, however, was not interested in her body.

"I have come to seek your help." He said coolly as she stepped ever closer.

"I live to serve the Gods, my sovereign lords." He sighed as she had before, this time with a painfully flirtatious undertone to her words. Poseidon ignored it again.

It was true many of the Gods humoured the nymphs and gave them what they wanted for mutual advantage. Nymphs, whether their lineage was good or bad, were creatures made of lust and sexual desire. They were the easiest creatures to use for sexual release so long as the one you chose was peaceful since they control when they reproduce and they are born to emit desire. However, there was nothing this nymph could give Poseidon that Athena couldn't give to him a thousand fold. An affair would bring quick release but a relationship brought love and devotion. He had always believed in the sanctity of marriage and commitment to a lifetime mate ever since he was raised by his sister in his father's stomach. She had feared marriage as the only one she had witnessed – however briefly – was that of their mother and father. Poseidon believed that marriage was what a man and woman made of it, and that their mother and father may have been married in the eyes of Titan law, but not truly. They broke every law of marriage there was to break, and therefore it should have been null and void. That wasn't really marriage.

"Good," he answered simply, "Olympus is under siege. The Titans are breaking free from their imprisonment and threaten the Olympians and the sustainability of life as you currently know it. There are only 3 moons before they storm our home with a vengeance unparalleled in living memory. We need you and as many of your kind friendly to us as possible to help us win this war."

"With respect, my lord, I hardly believe that nymphs, however many, can defeat a single Titan let alone all of them. If what you say is true you're asking them all to march to their deaths in your name." Medusa pointed out, not sounding as though she cared but trying to poke holes in what he was saying to make him doubt himself. Poseidon wasn't about to give her the satisfaction.

"If they do not rise to defend the world then it shall fall into the chaos before the Olympic age. That is something I think your people will find worth fighting for. You will all be well rewarded pending our victory. Besides, I thought you lived to serve the gods?" he added suavely, causing her to momentarily lose her clever smirk.

"Of course, my lord. But there are other ways to serve." She sighed lustfully, leaning her bare body so close to Poseidon that her breast brushed over his armour. "Other more… satisfactory ways for us to serve." Poseidon took a step back from her, getting slightly annoyed at her behaviour. He looked her sternly in the eye. Her eyes were grey like Athena's, but were nowhere near as attractive. Medusa's were steely and pale whereas Athena's had a sparkling gleam to them that gave them an almost silver hue.

"From which clan are you?" he asked in a monotone voice.

"Parnicus, my lord." She answered obediently.

"And how many are you?" he asked again.

"Over 2000, my lord." She replied.

"And who is your clan mother?" he finished.

"Calista, my lord." She responded. Poseidon nodded, finally getting somewhere with her.

"Will you go to your queen and tell her of the duty we have charged your clan with. Tell her to inform all neighbouring clans of this and rally them to our cause." He told her. She nodded.

"Of course, my lord. But I should want something in return." She murmured, pouting her pink lips at him.

"As I have told you, you shall be well rewarded for your service providing we win the war. You shall have honours and blessings and riches of your choosing once the Titans are imprisoned once more." He repeated. She shook her head slowly.

"I was thinking of something more certain. A guarantee… my lord." She leered sweetly, leaning even closer to him so her naked body was pressed against him. He pushed her away.

"I have no intention of bedding you." He said sternly. She laughed coldly.

"Such a shame, my lord. The other one would do it. The one you came with. My lord, Hermes." She was teasing him not. Trying to taunt him into jealousy, but she didn't know the reason why he was rejecting her advances.

"I am sure he would, but I am not Hermes. And if you refuse my request, neither Zeus nor the Titans shall show you and your people mercy." He warned.

"Oh, my lord! Of course I shall do as you command." She assured him with a sickly smile. He nodded politely to her and then turned to leave. "I have no place to doubt your… physical abilities." She added, causing him to wheel around angrily.

"Watch your tongue." He growled.

"Perhaps you should watch yours, my lord." She retorted cheekily. "If it remains without company should it not grow lonely?"

"How would you know if it were without company? Even if it were your concern." He sneered.

"Why else would you resist me, my lord?" she challenged.

"It is no concern of yours. Now bring our terms to your queen s I may be done with this." he barked, losing his patience. She seemed unhindered and puckered her lips.

"You may be done with me, my lord, but who says I am done with you?" before Poseidon could answer, she held up a hand to her lips as if she was to blow a kiss, and puffed out a short burst of air. Only this wasn't just air. A pink glittering substance emanated from the palm of her hand and tingled at Poseidon's nose and mouth as it entered his bloodstream. It made his insides warmed up and heated his blood and he suddenly noticed his desire building. He eyed Medusa up and down, finally enjoying what he was seeing. He raised a hand to her hip and grasped hold of her soft flesh, pulling her towards him almost violently for a bruising kiss. Medusa, who seemed more than content with his treatment of her, smirked in her triumph and continued to press herself against him, feeling his desire for her grow.

As the sun set on the horizon, Hermes stood at Mount Nyjara waiting for Poseidon to return. He had been waiting for a while, and was considering going to look for him, but just as he was going to set out, he saw him approaching. His thick hair was a little askew – more so than usual – and one of the couplings on his jerkin was mis-fastened. Assuming what must have happened, Hermes suppressed a smirk as his uncle drew nearer.

"Did you find allies?" he asked.

"Indeed. I have received certain assurances that the nymph clans of this island will stand by us in the impending battle." Poseidon grinned, somehow unable to shake Medusa from his head. If it had been any stranger a feeling he would question it but it was more subtle. She was just there, bubbling away in his subconscious.

"I'm sure you did." Hermes muttered so he couldn't be heard. "I found 7 heard of centaurs on the island of Credos who pledged allegiance, bringing numbers of about 50,000 total. A few packs of satyrs and phoenix's were hiding away on Balthasar and gave us their numbers too. How many nymph clans have you erm… secured?"

"I spoke with a… representative of the Parnicus clan with numbers of over 2000, who assured me her queen would spread the word to all other clans on the Paradise Islands." Poseidon answered.

"That's a steep promise from one lady." Hermes remarked.

"She will live up to her promise, I am sure of it." Poseidon insisted. Hermes just nodded and grasped Poseidon's wrist, travelling both of them back to Olympus in a matter of moments.

When the two of them arrived at the foot of the Grand High Temple, they were met with many new sounds and sights. Hephaestus' workshop had angry black smoke billowing from the chimney and was roaring with the clanging of metal and the hissing of fire. The sky was rumbling with thunder and flashing with lightning and Zeus trialled the power of his new bolts. Many of the Olympians were in the square training with one another. Persephone and Hestia had joined them too as they were not on the Olympian council. Then, on a table on the other side of the square, Poseidon's eyes rested on a sight that broke his mood. Athena was standing there with Ares, still planning as Hermes brought her his pledged numbers from his scroll. Medusa then slipped from his mind as if someone his lifted a spell from him. As if someone had given him rose-tinted glasses through which to see the world and then ripped them from before his eyes. Now all that was left was the harsh reality of what he had done. His heart felt as though a vice was squeezing it in his chest. How could he have done this to her? He thought he had been so strong, so sure he would not give in to that nymph, and then he betrayed the one woman he loved more than anything in the world. The emotions boiling inside him almost brought tears to his eyes. He wanted to scream and sob and punish himself forever. He had betrayed the perfect woman after being so convinced and so confident that he could control himself to be otherwise. She deserved so much better than him. It seemed Hestia had been right all those years ago. Maybe all men were capable of causing their women so much pain.

Athena caught him looking over at her and her eyes seemed to light up. Those gorgeous silvery eyes. Not like the cheap steely copy colour of Medusa's. He forced a smile. She indicated subtly for him to follow her into the thickening of trees by the edge of the square. He nodded as a sign he would be right there. Athena then walked over to Aphrodite and whispered something to her. The two of them looked up at Poseidon simultaneously, making him feel uneasy, and then Aphrodite yelled over the noise and drew the attention of all the Olympians, making them turn away from the direction of the trees and leading them in their training as if for a diversion. Athena quietly slipped through the trees unnoticed and Poseidon reluctantly followed, burdened by his guilt. When he was within reach, Athena threw herself at him and kissed him hard on the lips, putting all her love and passion into it. Poseidon tried to return it, but couldn't. When Athena pulled away, she sensed something was wrong.

"What is it, my love?" she asked him. He looked into her kindly eyes and knew then and there he couldn't tell her. At least not yet. He put on a smile and shook his head.

"Nothing, darling Athena." He assured her. He would have to keep things quiet and then make sure that Medusa told no one of what happened between them. It seemed to be the only way out.

"I missed you all day." Athena sighed sweetly, burying her head in his neck, her scent tickling his nostrils. "I love you." He felt himself begin to cry, overcome with emotions. He squeezed her tightly and shut his blue eyes.

"I love you, too." he managed, his voice breaking as he spoke. Athena looked up, not breaking from his warm embrace.

"What is wrong?" she questioned, concerned.

"Nothing it's – it's just I love you. So very much." He tucked her head back under his chin and held her as close and their bodies would allow. He wasn't worthy of her, but he could never let her go. He loved her far too much.

Wooh! Longest chapter yet