Hi eager readers I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter but I didn't get that many reviews compared to previous ones, however for those of you that did, here's your shout out (two of them were from Guest reviewers so next time please leave a name it would be nice to address you properly ):

Jlover97 – Thanks for the birthday regards I had a great day. You're the best kind of reader.

Guest 1 – I'm glad you like the emotional bits. They're the hardest for me because I'm not too good with emotions in real life :P

Guest 2 – here's that update you wanted

Okay I think that's it for last chapter's shout outs. Remember to PM me with a contribution if you have one and I'll see what I can do. Whether I use it or not I promise to get back to your message. It might be a while before the next one because I'm moving out to go to university, so I'll make this one nice and long for you.

Gee xx P.S. I was thinking Ian McShane would be a good idea for Cronus because he did such an excellent job playing Blackbeard in the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie. He does pure evil incredibly well. Any ideas for Oceanus?

The great, black, iron gates to the Pit of Tartarus now blazed a hot, angry red, and began melting and spitting onto the floor of Hades' palace. The orange glow now emanating from it filled the room with its burning light. A hissing and shrieking began as the iron became compromised and twisted, breaking. There was a sudden almighty crash as the mangled remains of the gates were thrown across the room and smashed right through the opposing wall, leaving the burning gaping portal wide open facing the rubble. Flames licked at the edges of the demolished gateway.

With several, slow thuds, the titans gradually made their way to the entrance, their severed chains clinking from where they dangled from the shackles around their wrists and ankles. First came Hyperion and Theia, then Iapetus, Crius and Mnemosyne followed by Themis, Tethys, Oceanus, Coeus and Phoebe. Lastly, from the depths of the swirling inferno strode the leader of the Titans and the former king of the gods; Cronus. As he rose and stood to his full height; a towering 7'', he looked over his comrades menacingly. He had grey-green eyes filled with darkness and hate that could strike fear into the hearts of even the most unfearing of men with a single gaze. Above them was a strong and harsh brow similar to that of his youngest son, Zeus, that gave the mark of a true leader, but his was more beastly. On top of his head was a thick crop of long black hair, which hung messily to his broad shoulders, and matched the midnight hue of his beard. He was built like a mountain with large, sculpted muscles mirrored in his gold breastplate which reflected the brilliant blazing of the fires from which he had emerged.

Timidly and with less great stature, his wife, Rhea, climbed out also. She was the only one without chains dangling from her wrists and ankles, as she was the only one to be in Tartarus without having been imprisoned there by force. She had none of her husband's bold and fearful features, but looked softer. She did, however, have a strong glare that scoured the room and their surroundings. Her hair was long and golden like wheat, a trait she had passed on only to her daughter, Demeter. Her eyes were the same deep ocean blue as her son Poseidon, and she had a sweet, mocking mouth that she gave to her daughter, Hera. As far as others were concerned she was the weak wife of a tyrannous and powerful dictator, but in truth, never was there a braver woman, god or mortal. Or a more dedicated mother. She might just have been the bravest soul in that room.

Grinning maliciously, Cronus balled his hands into fists and squeezed with all his strength, causing his muscles to expand and the shackles around his wrists to break open and fall to the floor. The others did the same. Rhea flinched a little as they clattered against the black marble floor, but other than that continued to stare on quietly. Down the halls came the chorused barking of Cerberus, whose three-headed shadow could be seen on the wall through the door. Cronus grinned again, holding his severed chains in his hand and beginning to swing them around in a circle. He looked to his brothers Coeus and Oceanus.

"Bind the beast." He ordered in his dark, low, gravelly voice. "But leave one chain. I will make use of it later."

The brothers smiled cruelly and did as they were ordered; slinging theirs and the other's severed chains around all three of the great dog's heads they locked them together, chaining his jaws shut to prevent more barking so he could not warn his master. One chain was still left clutched in Cronus' strong hand as he admired his brothers' work, his brow creased. They turned to him when they were done.

"Good, brothers. Good." He mused in a low voice no higher than a whisper, but none the less menacing. "Now, will you follow me once again to do glorious battle against the Olympians and restore Mount Olympus to its rightful owners?"

All the titans grunted and nodded their consent. Cronus looked elated and proud in knowing his revenge would soon come. Looking at his apprehensive wife, who nodded only when his eyes fell on her, he snorted as if he did not care where she placed her allegiance. Part of him never forgave her for what she did, raising Zeus in secret and then persuading him to allow him to become his cup-bearer, if not every part of him. She may not have known that Zeus would abuse this new position to poison Cronus into regurgitating his brothers and sisters and using them to overthrow Olympus, but she didn't seem all too broken up about it when it happened, seeing as she was granted amnesty while he and their siblings were thrown into Tartarus. She was soft-hearted when it came to her children. Weak, foolish woman. The only reason she was in Tartarus was because she sacrificed herself to get Cronus in there after his defeat by his sons to keep them and her other children safe, hence why she remained unbound. But after nearly an eternity of being put in her place rather violently by her enraged and incensed husband, he was sure she had seen the error of her ways, and was now ready to let go of those troublesome motherly urges.

Cronus then turned to Oceanus, his eldest brother. Like his son, Cronus was the last of his father's brood and, with the way he defeated his own father, it wasn't likely there would be any more. Oceanus was a lot more conventionally handsome than his brother, but did not look as menacing with sandy coloured shoulder-length hair that was neatly combed and piercing icy blue eyes. He shared the same malicious grin.

"And what of you, brother? What of your treachery?" Cronus snarled. Oceanus looked back at him coolly.

"I did what was necessary to survive, brother. There is no sense to remaining on the losing side. To leave it for the winning side is just logic." He answered cleverly. Cronus seemed half amused at him, but that flash of anger in his eyes was incontrovertible.

"We are the losing side, you say?" he sneered.

"You were." Oceanus corrected him. The answer seemed to satisfy Cronus, who offered his brother a sincere pat on the shoulder to signal his welcome back to his ranks. Oceanus, however, wasn't finished.

"There is a purpose to my return." He began again. It interested Cronus to hear his brother had more to say, so he let him continue. "During my stay on Olympus while you were… incarcerated, Zeus had a daughter by Metis. She burst from his head after he swallowed his pregnant wife out of fear she'd give him a son to overthrow him. Like father like son." His jab at his brother seemed only to spark more amusement from Cronus, who laughed cruelly at the news. Zeus had sold himself on being better than Cronus by describing him as a monster that devoured his own children. Maybe if he'd swallowed his wife they wouldn't be in this predicament right now.

"As I said, this daughter, Athena, burst out of his head and replaced her mother as the Goddess of Wisdom and Warfare. Zeus was very fond of her. I'd go as far as to say she was his favourite, but that did not touch what I felt for her." he looked down, suddenly sounding gentler as the memories consumed him for a moment. Tethys scowled disdainfully at her husband but did nothing. It wasn't as if she hadn't had affairs too. "She played me, scorned me, and after all I did for her love, did nothing to stop her bastard father chaining me up like an animal and casting me in to that SHIT INFESTED PIT OF DESPAIR!" he was bellowing now, angered so much his eyes were ablaze. Cronus seemed overjoyed with his brothers' anger, and nodded in approval.

"Stay with me, brother." He muttered as gently as his gruff voice would allow. "Stay with me and I swear I shall not betray you. I shall not wrong you or insult you in such a way and you shall have your domain returned to you from my bastard pretender of a son. I swear to you; the revenge you want will be yours in time."

Oceanus nodded gratefully and gave a dangerous smirk. Tethys rolled her eyes and stood beside her husband, grateful at least that this whore would receive punishment for what she had done. Cronus then looked towards the large mahogany doors leading out of the palace into the Underworld. Determination glittering dangerously in his eyes, he and his followers strode over to them and threw them open with an almighty thunderous crash that nearly took them clean off of their hinges. The ferryman almost fell off his boat into the Styx in surprise and was about to sound an alarm when Cronus flung the remaining chain around his neck and leashed him like a dog. The others grinned approvingly at their leader.

"You see, brothers. I told you I would make use of it later." He sneered, immensely happy with himself. All of them boarded the boat and Cronus faced the ferryman, eye to eye. He tightened the chain around his neck until he let out a helpless, choking squeak.

"You will take us out of here." He ordered, not leaving him an option to refuse. Whipping the chain and using it as a rider would reigns, the ferryman unwillingly picked up his oar, which he had dropped in the assault, and began rowing up the Styx to the Gates of the Underworld.

Poseidon woke up in Athena's bed with her sleeping sweetly beside him, her slow breathing the only sound around him. Not too long ago this scene would be the happiest he could ever find himself in, but now it was impure; tainted with his own betrayal. Last night he could barely hold her in his arms and kiss her without weeping like a child. She had sensed his hesitation and, while she insisted it was alright and that she didn't need to have sex with him to be intimate with him, he could tell she knew there was something wrong. She was far too clever not to. He would never be able to give her back all she gave him until he cleaned up his own mess. Needing to leave immediately, but not wanting to cause her worry when she woke up and he wasn't there, he gently shook her as he held her and whispered her name into her ear. She mumbled something incoherent to signify she was listening.

"Athena? Athena I have to leave. Zeus is sending Hades and I to watch posts to await the Titans. You stay here and rest. I will return to you when I can, I promise." He muttered to her gently, unravelling her from where she lay comfortably sprawled over his chest. As he clambered out of the bed, she sleepily raised her head.

"When will you return?" she asked, concerned. Poseidon thought on his feet.

"Soon, my love I swear to you." He said, although he had no idea whether or not it would be.

"Alright. Be safe. I love you." Athena said with a sweet smile. Poseidon kissed her forehead.

"And I love you. Now rest." He said. She put her head down again and closed her silver-grey eyes as Poseidon moved to the door, taking one last look at her before leaving.

He descended again on Sandora beside Mount Nyjara, as if he were to find Medusa, this was the safest bet. Nymphs didn't often stray from where they were comfortable. Striding through the thick trees towards the pool where he had found her before, he thought about what he would say. At first he thought he would try to reason with her, but nymphs could be slippery. Perhaps he could bargain with her, and threaten her if she didn't comply. That's how gods normally dealt with these sorts of things, although Poseidon always thought it a bit extreme. But if it would get him his beloved Athena back, he would have happily killed Medusa. It sounds horrible, but he would have, easily.

Reaching the pool, he looked around, his deep blue eyes scouring the entire place for any glimpse of Medusa. He heaved out a heavy sigh when nothing came to greet him. Not so much as a wisp of golden blonde hair or ivory skin. He was about to walk into the water and have the current take him over the island to look for her, when he heard a familiar voice behind him. A soft, mocking voice that made every hair on his body stand on end.

"Come back for more, have we, my Lord?" she simpered, "I thought you might. They always do." He felt soft hands apply gentle pressure to his back and lips press on his neck. He wheeled around out of her grip to face her. She seemed nothing short of surprised that he wasn't consenting to her as he had done before.

"Do not touch me again." He ordered calmly but sternly. Her brow remained creased in confusion.

"Why did you come?" she asked, for the first time without any flirtatious undertone or a pathetic 'my Lord'. Poseidon glared at her. "If you are inquiring as to whether the clans are ready to fight, every clan on Sandora is ready to march to Mount Olympus at your command… my Lord."

"As satisfied as I am at that news, no, it is not why I came here." Poseidon began simply. He tried not to anger her as he could see she was visibly put out and getting her angry did not bode well for him and his cause. "I am here in person to tell you to leave me alone. You are not to bother me again and if you do there will be sufficient consequences. This is a formal warning."

"Yes well, what if I don't want to leave you alone?" she smiled again, returning to her flirtatious tone of voice and moving closer to him.

"May I remind you, you are speaking to the God of the Seas? And if you anger him, he shall show you no mercy." Poseidon warned in a testing tone. He wasn't going to be delicate now. It was clear this nymph was not going to back down easily. She seemed unphased at his stern tone of voice and his scowl.

"No, no need for that, my lord." She leered at him. She puckered up and brought her hand to her lips again as if blowing a kiss. With a short puff of air, the same glittery pink substance shot out from the palm of her hand. It swirled around Poseidon's head, zipping quickly up his nostrils.

His pupils dilated and his mind fogged, clouding over everything that wasn't to do with the woman standing in front of him. He felt fuzzy and tingly inside, and sway slightly. When he came back around, he looked upon a smiling Medusa with new eyes; ones of lust. She looked immensely proud of herself, however the fact that he had managed to break her hold on him in the first place still lingered in the back of her mind. This pheromone dust is supposed to be a trick unique to each nymph, and the victim can only be released by the nymph that put them under. But when Poseidon pulled her close and kissed her perfect pink, heart-shaped lips, she forgot about it.

Snaking her arms around his neck, she allowed him to reach behind her and pull the silk cord holding her dress up, causing it to fall in a heap around her ankles and leaving her completely naked. He ran his eyes over her body and felt a deep lust fill him. He didn't notice the look she was give him with her own cold, emotionless grey eyes. Pressing her body as close to his as his clothing would allow with strong and powerful arms, his undergarments felt suddenly smaller and ridiculously uncomfortable. She kissed him once again ferociously, making quick work of the clasps holding his jerkin in place on his shoulders. There was soon a muffled thud as it fell, broken open on the grassy floor.

Medusa then broke the kiss, and ghosted her small, pale hands over his chest. Something funny went through Poseidon. She was all he could think about, but there was something wrong her complexion. As he mused over the colour of her hands he thought it came to him. She was too pale. She didn't have the same beautiful, pure Greek, olive tanned complexion as-

His thoughts ended their abruptly as Medusa pushed him down against the soft grass of the forest floor. He sat up, a little dazed, and she straddled his lap with her long, shapely legs. She smiled deviously at him with her heart-shaped lips and gently caressed his face, putting him in a complete state of relaxation. She then leaned in and began kissing gently down his neck before pulling away slightly so her face was inches from his.

"I am yours, my Lord. Do what you will with me. Anything you want." She whispered seductively pouting at him. When he didn't react immediately, just staring at her looking confused, she blew him another kiss, the same pink dust shooting out from the palm of her hand. Poseidon breathed it in, and then all doubts left his mind completely. Flipping them over so he was on top, he proceeded to ravish her. Kissing her neck, chest and breasts and running his hand further and further up her thigh. Then, suddenly, that all too familiar whooshing noise came from above, and they heard something land in the trees nearby.

Poseidon abruptly ceased his actions with Medusa, and sat up, looking in the direction of the trees. Medusa, who was all too annoyed at how little hold she had on him, even with her pheromone dust, hung onto his neck and tried to get him to focus once again on her. However, once footsteps could be heard approaching, Poseidon stood, leaving Medusa to get up herself. Hermes appeared in the clearing and spotted them, looking reproachful, but also amused as he concealed a smirk.

"Well… this is a surprise." He muttered. "Lord Poseidon, my lady." He nodded, giving Medusa a polite bow of his head.

"My honoured Lord Hermes." She sighed sweetly, curtseying extravagantly and giving him a wide enough view of her, as she was still completely naked. Hermes stared at her for a moment, and then returned his attention to his uncle.

"Uncle, I bring a message from Zeus; the titans have escaped." He said gravely. A lump rose in Poseidon's throat, and even Medusa looked taken aback. "They are currently marching towards Olympus. Father demands you return with me immediately to prepare for battle."

"Of course, dear nephew." Poseidon agreed, his voice now filled with duty. He reached down and picked up his jerkin, refastening it by the shoulder clips. Hermes then looked to Medusa.

"And you, my lady…" he motioned for her to give him her name.

"Medusa, my lord." She smiled politely.

"Medusa." He repeated with a cheeky grin. Poseidon scowled at him jealously and Hermes snapped out of it. "I trust your clan mother alerted your sisters in arms of this impending threat?"

"My queen di that and more, my lord." She assured him.

"Well inform, her that now is the time to strike." He told her. "Order all who are faithful to the Gods to march to Olympus immediately to lead the defence. Bring as many weapons as you can carry. I have assurances from Zeus himself that your loyalty will not go unrewarded."

"I shall, my lord Hermes." She curtsied to him again. "My lord Poseidon." She pulled him towards her and kissed him passionately a last time before picking up her robe and leaving them. Hermes eyed Poseidon up and down, a smirk plastered on his face.

"We should leave." Poseidon grumbled, not caring for his demeanour. Hermes nodded; realising there was no time now for childish jokes. Gripping Poseidon's wrist, he sped them both back to Olympus, to the top of the steps of the Grand High Temple. Striding inside they found Zeus, Hera, Hades, Hephaestus and Ares preparing for battle. Hera was strapping Zeus into his armours, her own already on. She looked a lot less feminine in her silver breastplate and helmet with a sword strapped to her belt, but still took on a harsh beauty that gave her the look of a true warrior. Zeus by far looked the grandest, in his gold plated full-body armour, swords sheathed on either side of his belt, his mighty shield strapped to his left forearm, and lightning bolts buzzing and crackling in a quiver (arrow bag) on his back, fastened across his chest with a baldric. He strode over to his brother as he entered with a look of determination on his face, his brow pinched.

"We have new armour for you, brother." He said, indicating to Hephaestus to bring it forward. He did as bid.

"Mine suits me fine." Poseidon calmly insisted. Zeus was in no mood for his arguments.

"All the Gods have had new armour constructed. This armour is stronger, and more durable. And, if I may say so, may suit you even better." He said as Hephaestus approached with it. Zeus motioned silently again, this time to Hera to help Poseidon into his armour. She unclipped his current jerkin and took it off him, handing it to Hermes to discard while Hephaestus handed her the new garments piece by piece. She started by securing him into the breastplate, which he had to admit did look rather complimentary. It was solid silver, perfectly sculpted to his body down to the last muscular crevice, and was branded on the chest with the shape of a trident. It had faulds that covered his hips and fishscale-patterned pauldrons covering the shoulders.

She then strapped on the matching vambraces to his forearms, which were again silver and carved in a fishscale pattern. He balled his hands into fists a few times, flexing his forearms to check their comfort and deciding he liked their fit. She then bent down on her knees to Poseidon's legs and Hephaestus handed her the greaves, which she strapped to his calves with as tight a fit as they would allow. Above them she fastened the poleyn's to his knees. Hephaestus then handed her his leather weapons belt, which Hera delicately fastened around Poseidon's waist. He gingerly lifted his arms for her in order to be of some help. To that she sheathed a mighty silver sword, with gold filigree laid into the handle in the shape of a trident to match the breastplate. A shield fashioned in the same style, with the trident in the centre, Hera strapped to the other side of the belt.

Hephaestus then handed directly to Poseidon, his own trident. However, it now looked much grander. The prongs were now a shining silver rather than the usual worn out iron, with more gold worked into it decoratively. It was definitely the same one, he could tell, but different. The weight was better too. He passed it from hand to hand to get a better feel for it. Finally, Hera handed him his new helmet. It looked very similar to the shield. It too was a matching impressive sliver, with a golden trident carved into it. A gold plume of fur graced the top, and it had leather straps the tie it on. Tucking it under his left arm, and holding his trident in his right, he had to admit he felt rather fantastic. He felt like a true warrior. He nodded his thanks to his sweet sister, and then turned to Hephaestus.

"Thank you, nephew." He said solemnly. Hephaestus nodded. The two of them hadn't quite seen eye to eye of late, but Hephaestus didn't know the fury of the titans. Poseidon did. He knew now was not the time for slanderous jokes or prideful scorns, and had to yield to his uncle's experience. He mumbled his appreciation and returned to where he kept the rest of the armour for the other arriving gods. Zeus once again approached Poseidon, shooing away Hera and Hermes with simple hand gestures.

"Do you fully understand the gravity of recent events, brother?" he asked him in a hushed voice as the others busied themselves in preparations. Poseidon nodded.

"Just as well as you." He assured him. "If not more."

"If the titans come back, this is all over for us. There will be no way to save ourselves, the ones we love, or mankind from their wrath." Zeus warned again.

"Then I propose we stop them from coming back." Poseidon said, a ghost of a joke in his words. Zeus gave a half-amused chuckled and patted his arm, a fond smile on his face.

"I envy that ability you have to laugh in the face of death, Poseidon." He smiled before once again looking serious. "I know we don't always see eye to eye, and we fight often, but know this: you are now, and always will be my favourite brother." Poseidon felt touched at his words and smiled, nodding his reciprocation to him. Zeus patted his shoulder once again and turned to order about the other gods trickling in. Poseidon looked around, and then a sight at the centre of the room changed his mood completely.

Athena, who had most likely come in while Hera was dressing him, was now being fitted into her own armour by Hestia and Persephone. His heart sank, and all the light within him turned to darkness. Like a spell had been broken, just like before. The guilt hit him like a ton of bricks as he marvelled at her beauty. Far more beautiful than that whore of a nymph. Another shock hit him that now he had let Hermes know he was with another woman. Hermes did not know of his relationship with Athena, as well as the rest of the gods to his knowledge, but if the topic of Medusa ever came up between the two of them, it would crush her. But he wouldn't have to worry about that before this battle, and the likelihood of all three of them surviving (though he hoped they would) was decreasing rapidly.

Athena then caught his eye, and her reaction told him she hadn't seen him yet. Her eyes scoured him all over in his armour, and she bit her lip subtly, masking her attraction from everyone in the room but him. She herself looked radiant. She wore a bronze plackart decorated with writhing snakes etched into it with faulds atop her long white silk gown with strong layered pauldrons on the shoulders and matching vambraces. Her sword was sheathed on her left side to make it easy for her right arm to grab, and she held her mighty bronze shield, also decorated with snakes, in her left hand. Her helmet was silver, slightly darker that his own, with a copper plume on top. She had the aura of a true warrior, and the grace of the strong woman she was. There was a captivating beauty about her no one on this earth could ever possess. She was perfect. And he had betrayed her again.

All their attentions were then suddenly called by an Earth-shattering, fear inspiring cry that rang out through the halls and over all Olympus. The titans were at the gates.