Kuroka was still standing the street when the other's arrived. Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hera, Demeter, Dionysus, Hermes, Hypnos, Nike, Janus, Nemesis, Iris, Hecate, and Tyche. The horde of ancient Greek deities all appeared in a blinding flash of golden light. Hera stepped forward and spoke.
"Girl, where is my husband? Where are his brothers?"
Her voice was enchanting and Kuroka felt drawn to answer the beautiful woman. The other gods were gathered around the craters the trio of brother had fallen into. Kuroka opened her mouth to answer but a streak of ruddy light flashed across the sky and a rusty red figure smashed into the ground.
His landing shook the ground and Kuroka glanced and saw the imposing visage of Ares. The ancient Greek god of war and one of the strongest beings in existence. He snarled and spoke.
"Where is Hephaestus? Don't tell me the old fool is still in his smithy? Does he not feel the absence?"
His speech was quick and rough. A huge contrast to Hera's calm silky voice. But his question was not directed as Kuroka so she snapped her mouth shut and stayed silent. Hera turned towards the newest arrival. She seemed indifferent to his tone.
"Ares, dear. You know Hephaestus has some very important work at the moment. Zeus was firm in his command that he not leave for anything."
Ares snorted and walked over to the closest crater and pushed Hermes aside to get a closer look. Hera turned back to Kuroka and looked expectantly at her.
"Lady Hera. You husband and his brothers, t-they are dead."
The surrounding gods flinched at the words and Hera stepped towards her threateningly. Her aura was bubbling just beneath her skin and her gaze was venomous. When she spoke her tone cut across the night air like a whip.
"Do you dare lie to me? My husband and his brothers could not have all been killed at the speed their signatures disappeared. Speak truly, WHAT HAPPENED?"
Her commanding aura forced Kuroka to her knees. She breathed heavily and looked towards the angered goddess. She really didn't like dealing with gods.
"Lady Hera, I spoke no falsehood. The being known as 666 was talking with the brothers. I was not close enough to hear what they said. But they clearly did not reach an agreement and 666 flared his power. More words were exchanged and then the brothers summoned their strength. But 666 powered up further and within several second he slew them and turned their bodies to dust."
Kuroka fixed her gaze to the floor and hoped they wouldn't kill the messenger. But suddenly a second set of godly beings appeared. Their arrival was covered in ethereal golden light as well. Kuroka looked and gulped at what she saw.
"Ohhh… What do we have here I wonder? I sensed old man Zeus and his brothers in a fight but I don't see them nor do I sense them any further. Could… Could it be they were killed?"
The arrival froze the Greek gods and they all suppressed a chilling shiver in their spines. Ares stepped forward to meet the arrivals.
"Scum. What are you doing here?"
Kuroka could feel his power bubbling and she knew a fight was about to break out. The bad blood between these two groups went back to their very origins. Seeing the gods were focused on one another she quickly slinked her way down the street and away from the impending fight. She could clearly hear one more sentence before she was out of earshot.
"You dare Ares? You are nothing but a shitty weak god of war. I, Mars am everything you wished you could be. Speak again and you will die trash."
[ToR]
'Wow. That is a lot of gods.'
Naruto had just checked into an average hotel on the other side of the city. But the mass appearance of so many gods had him on edge. Naturally he knew his actions would attract a lot of others. But he really, really did not want to be involved in anything further.
'Hopefully they will just leave me alone.'
Kurama snorted. "There is no way you are going to get to sleep tonight. Just accept it and head into the dimensional gap already."
Naruto sighed. What Kurama said was true. He wasn't likely to be left alone as long as he stayed within thus dimension. But he was not yet ready to head back. His chakra had not fully replenished. And what lay in wait for him would require his full strength. So he had been killing time within this city as he recuperated.
The powers all flared up and a fight was clearly brewing. Naruto could clearly sense that the second group of arrivals were stronger. Well he had probably killed the big hitters for the first group. The speed they reacted with was probably due to their connection with the three he killed. But he shrugged his shoulders and a clone popped up next to him.
They nodded to one another and Naruto laid down to try and sleep as much as possible while the clone went to sit alert in the room's chair. He somehow doubted he would get a full nights rest.
[ToR]
'Holy shit! Holy Shit!'
"HOLY SHIT!"
"Issei don't shout. We really don't want to attract attention."
Rias admonished her panicking pawn. His reaction was how the entire group felt. Issei was just the most expressive of the bunch and his over the top freaking out was not helping anyone. Rias and her peerage stood atop the roof of their club room. Sona and her peerage were standing across from them atop the school roof.
When Rias had felt the divine power spiking along with Naruto's she had quickly called her peerage together. Something was happening and she did not want one of them to get caught in the crossfire. When several dozen gods popped into the city her peerage members had all stiffened and tried to maintain their composure.
'Where is Big Brother when you need him? Sona said she contacted her sister. But Brother didn't answer my message… This is not a time to be busy!'
Not half a minute later a large red magic circle appeared on the school lawn below them. Sirzechs personal crest was highlighted inside the pentagram. Before the circle could finish materializing a second large circle popped up and began etching out a large blue pentagram. Serafell's crest shone brightly from the middle.
Rias and Sona dropped down to greet their arriving siblings. In a flash of red light Sirzechs and his entire peerage appeared grouped over the magical circle. Serafell's peerage followed a moment later in a flash of blue. Sirzechs was already crushing Rias in a tight hug before anyone could speak.
"OH Rias! You are alright. I was so worried when I felt the divine beings flare their power in Kuoh. But it seems to have gotten even worse than several moments ago."
His voice was high and sounded whining but Rias just smiled at her brother's antics. But then he spun and his voice hardened as he voiced a command.
"Beowulf go scout. I want to know exactly what is happening."
He was extremely glad to see his sister was unharmed but now he needed to make sure she stayed that way.
Serafell had just hugged her sister ad now the two Satan's made eye contact and a quick nod from Serafell told him what he needed to know.
"Rias, take your peerage and go with Sona back to the underworld. It is not safe for you to stay in Kuoh right now."
Rias stared at her brother in shock. This was something that could change the world. No way was she not going to at least have a front row seat. She mustered up every ounce of sisterly charm she possessed and pulled her lips into a pout.
"Buuuuut Brooooo-theer! I wanna stay! I wanna watch! Pleeeease let me stay."
Under the assault of the cute attack Sirzechs felt his willpower crumbling. But his wife had seen this occurrence coming and Sirzechs had requested she help him out when it happened. So Grayfia strode over and bonked Sirzechs atop the head.
"Lord Lucifer. Now is not the time to be second guessing orders. Rias listen to your brothers orders and return to the underworld. You do not have a choice in the matter. Now Lord Lucifer, Lady Leviathan we should head closer in case we need to act with haste."
The matter was settled in her head and she threw Sirzechs over her shoulder and popped her wings out. Sirzechs peerage followed her into the sky and after Serafell had scolded Sona she likewise followed them up.
The glint from Sona's glasses caught Rias's eyes and they both smugly looked at one another as they simultaneously agreed to follow as well.
[ToR]
"You dare call me trash Mars? Say one more thing and I will spit you upon my spear. Your guts will stain the street red. A thousand punishments will be wrought upon your mother and your father will become my personal servant. I am ARES!"
Hera was eyeing the arrivals wearily. And when her son started arguing with his counterpart she knew she needed to defuse the situation. She stepped forward and blocked Ares off. She glared at him then turned her head and politely nodded her head towards her counterpart.
"Lords and Ladies of the Roman Pantheon good evening. My son is as unruly as ever please ignore his earlier remarks. Now I wish to inquire as to the reason you have arrived here at this time?"
A huge figure stepped forward. He stood taller than everyone there. A giant glowing man adorned in gold finery and silk clothing. His torso was bare and he carried a large wooden staff. His laughing voice boomed out.
"Hera, Hera, Hera. I think you know why we are here. Your lords have fallen. The enmity between our pantheons has been rising as of late has it not? In fact a little bird has told me the reason behind Zeus's visit here. He was trying to acquire someone to fight for your pantheon. He sought our destruction. But his death was all he received. Now we come to finish the task which 666 left unfinished."
Mars quickly jumped over his father Jupiter, and a bloody golden spear appeared in his hands.
"For the last time you have insulted me trash. DIE!"
At his exclamation the surrounding gods all channeled their power. Every single Greek god present had a roman counterpart. The number would normally be even. But the Greek's were without their three big hitters. Hephaestus was also not present. Outnumbered things looked grim for them.
Ares materialized his spear and shield and in a blur of motion clashed against Mars. Theirs was an ancient rivalry. Ares had always been viewed as an evil god of war. One who brought destruction. While Mars was viewed as a great hero and one to pray for victory to. This fundamental difference greatly affected their power. Mars was the recipient of the prayers from the vast roman legions. While Ares was spoken of in scorn.
Prayer boosted a god's power. So as the two god's of war clashed Ares was thrown back. He grunted and instantly they clashed again. Back and forth they blocked stabs and returned jabs.
Shockwaves echoed from each hit and the surrounding buildings were crumbling beneath the force. The shattered windows rained glass on the street. Hera watched her son fighting his rival evenly but knew the stalemate would not last. She turned to look at the other Greek gods.
"Brothers and sisters, I have lived a long life as your queen. From the time we won our freedom off the titans till now I am glad to have spent this life in your company. But we can no longer run from this conflict. Without Zeus we stand no chance. But let us bring wrath to this world one final time. Let our power sing across the land and our voices shout their final war cries. Our pantheon will not silently go into the void. So take up arms with me and let us cripple this arrogant upstart group of gods!"
Hera exploded into a whirlwind of power. A large golden aura framed her against the night sky. She turned towards the Roman gods. Her arm raised and her finger pointed.
"Juno you self-righteous bitch, today I shall take your soul into the void alongside my own!"
The sound barrier shattered as she rocketed forward. Her entire essence channeled into a single blow Hera smote her counterpart right across the chest. A tremendous cracking sound resulting form the blow was barely heard over the din Ares and Mars were making.
Across the line each god sized up there counterpart. The taunts rang out back and forth and the Greeks charged in following their queen. But with that split second delay from watching Hera the Romans were now prepared.
Demeter met Ceres, Athena struck at Minerva, Artemis fired her bow towards Diana, and Aphrodite met Venus in a struggle of magical blasts. Hermes and Mercury could be seen zipping back and forth in a quick flurry of knife strikes.
Dionysus had challenge Bacchus to a drinking contest. Hypnos and Somnus had declared a staring contest, the promise to slit their own throat should they blink had not needed to be mentioned.
Nike and Victoria were in the middle of a race between one another. Iris and Arcus clashed in a dazzling rainbow display. Their staves sparked brilliantly as they struck back and forth. Tyche and Fortuna were betting on the different outcomes between the fighting gods the victor would claim the other's life.
But there were a handful on each side who had no counterpart. With Zeus dead Jupiter could easily wander around the battlefield and overwhelming the fighting deities. But he had Neptune, Pluto and Vulcan flanking him as he approached the un-matched Greeks.
"Apollo, Janus, and Hecate you three know what I am here to ask. Originally you abandoned the Greek Pantheon to join us and continue being worshipped. I will ask you just this once. Come back again or perish where you stand."
His voice boomed with power as he spoke to them. Hecate flourished the two torches she held and her voice whispered out from beneath her hood.
"Of course lord Jupiter, it is not my time to perish I shall reclaim my position within your hall."
Janus was muttering back and forth with himself and both groups were ignoring him while Jupiter looked toward Apollo. Apollo's handsome face grinned brilliantly and he gave a thumbs up.
"You know me Jupiter, I would never miss a chance to keep on shining. Count me back on your team. But you might as well just kill Janus. He will never come to a decision. It's kind of his thing ya know?"
Jupiter laughed heartily and a lightning bolt flashed from his hands and blew a gaping whole threw Janus's chest. The two faced god slowly fell backward as his golden ichor splattered the ground below in a shimmering rain.
Turning back to the fighting Jupiter observed the battles. Hera had joined in serval other fights and managed to double team Ceres. She had come up behind Somnus and slit his throat. Currently she was assisting Ares battered form with Mars. But everywhere else the Greek counterparts lay slain on the ground.
Once half the Greeks had been defeated even Fortuna had taken Tyche's head. This conflict had an obvious winner and they needed not wait on the final fights to determine a clear winner.
Jupiter laughed. Only Hera and Ares were still breathing. He zipped forward and cut off Mar's deathblow.
"You think you have accomplished something with your defiance Hera? Well look around you."
The surrounding city of Kuoh was burning. Over half the city lay in ruin and buildings were burning everywhere. The citizens had fled when the fighting broke out but charred corpses were flung all about.
The worst part of it all to Hera was that with Pluto still alive and at 100% it was likely he could resurrect the slain Roman gods. His power over the realm of death was strong and he probably had already caught their dispersing souls and was preparing to merge them back together with their bodies.
Hera looked down at the bleeding form of her son. Ares had always been a handful, but she did not want to see him die. Certainly not like this. Golden ichor spilled in the ever expanding puddle around her. She wanted to weep for the fate her pantheon had suffered. But her dignity would not allow it.
Jupiter turned to look at the counterpart of his wife. He chuckled to himself. This fight had been building up for hundreds of years. They were ancient enemies and both had always wanted to eliminate the other. He had never imagined it would have been so easy.
He had always imagined slaying Zeus after a titanic battle that shook the heavens and earth. Among huge craters and bubbling spouts of lava he would look down on the battered form of his rival. Rain would be beating down all around him and a flash of lightning would strike down towards them.
He would catch the bolt and use the very element both he and Zeus controlled to deal the finishing blow. But instead his rival and the other two brother of the three great Grecian gods were slain by an anomaly. A being who was stated as the bringer of the apocalypse.
He stepped forward and without ceremony his arm shot out in a blur and with a crackle of lightning Hera's head was removed a second movement and Ares heart lay splattered on the concrete as a bloody golden paste.
Truly 666 had taken his moment of triumph from him. In a fight between the gods such a loss had immediately spelled the doom of the Greeks. He sighed and turned towards his comrades.
"Vulcan go to Olympus and do what you have always wanted. When you have slain Hephaestus destroy everything."
He restrained himself from a great victory speech. He had long since perfected what he wanted to say. With Zeus's head in his palm he would crow in victory and deliver a great recount of all the past wrongs the Greeks had dealt them. But he felt it in bad taste. He truly had no sense of accomplishment now. The ground rumbled slightly and in a flash of golden light the assembled gods vanished.
[ToR]
Sirzechs hung in the air ten miles away from the fighting. Any closer could be deemed as their intent to interfere. Beowulf had returned just as they were leaving the school to report the situation. When Sirzechs heard he had dispatched Beowulf to the underworld.
He needed to start assembling the various devils to arms. Whether they would be involved in any coming conflicts didn't matter. The likelihood was high and they could not afford to be caught unprepared.
Serafell and he had watched with grave expressions. The collateral damage anytime the gods met in a clash was immense. Some of the shockwaves threatened to knock him from the air. He had summoned a barrier to protect his peerage from the pressure being exerted.
The factions had not even fought for an hour and the fight had been decided. A powerful faction was completely annihilated in a single night. All because Naruto had thrown off the balance. Why had Naruto killed the three gods? Would he kill anyone else? Unanswerable questions currently.
Serafell spoke up.
"This is a serious event. With the Roman's now unopposed by the Greeks their influence will start destroying the delicate balance between all the various factions."
Sirzechs couldn't help but chuckle.
"Yeah the Greek and Romans couldn't help but purposefully oppose each other on every matter large or small. The factions the Greek's supported must be freaking out right now."
Serafell looked at Sirzechs incredulously.
"You know the Greeks were on good terms with us right? The Romans were close with the Fallen Angels. That's half the reason they were able to get so much land in the Underworld."
Sirzechs's smile fell from his face. Foreign relations was not his forte. He dealt with public morale, and day to day operations of the devil faction.
"Well shit."
Everyone grouped around him couldn't help but agree.
[ToR]
All across the world and in the various attached dimension; prophets, oracles, shamans, seers, visionaries, dream walkers, and fortune tellers spoke the same words at the same time.
"The hourglass has run dry. Great change is upon us. Beware the apocalypse is nigh."
Yo,
I realize this is not the entirety of either the roman or greek pantheons. These are just the gods and goddesses I wrote. There are so many it would take forever to write them all in. But I think it is still a good amount for both. If the complete lack of authenticity ruins this for you then I am sorry but there is nothing I will be doing about it.
Otherwise, this chapter is longer for anyone who cares. Only not much Naruto action. This chapter was more about the affect is actions are having.
As a final note, this story has grown so quickly, in regards to my other stories I am somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of reviews and whatnot. I try my best to reply to every review but for this story I have just focused on reviews that have something I can reply to about. To everyone who just wanted to say keep up the good work or update soon, or the similar things of that nature I want to say thanks for the appreciation. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.