God of War Scene: After witnessing how little the Greek Pantheon cares for the mortal world, Koga accepts Persephone's case of helping her cause The Collapse.
"Help! I need someone to help! My daughter is dying!" A woman shrieked outside her home.
"I may be able to help."
She nodded frantically before letting me into her home. The image wasn't a nice one, her daughter seemingly lifeless is on the floor.
"Let's see what I can do. If I can't save her I can at least look into what killed her."
"Don't worry, Mom. We're on it!" Tatl said to the Mother. I lean so I can hear if her Heart's still beating. I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Heartbeat's faint but still there. This should be simple."
I took out my hands and rubbed them together for makeshift defibrillators. I blast her chest and color returned to the little girl's face and skin while breathing normally.
"Oh, Noelle. I'm so glad you're okay," the Mother hugged her kid tightly, tears flowing down her face.
Standing up, I felt glad for doing some good on today as Persephone's case for me put me in a dark mood. Causing The Collapse would teach the Pantheon a lesson, but the actions are quite radical despite the motives. Destroying all of this world's reality is not the answer. I only hope that our discussion before I left made her realize how fuckin' dangerous this plan is.
Anyway, the Mother stood up and gave me a hug along with her revived daughter. "Thank you very much, stranger. But your hands... Are you blessed by Zeus? Or your one of his bastard sons?"
"Neither, ma'am. I'm not even from here and traveled for a potential job, though debating whether or not to take it. I'm Koga, and this is Tatl, my partner," I introduced myself and my Fairy.
"Thank you, Koga. You too, Tatl. We are in your debt."
"No worries, Mom. Glad we can help! Right Koga?"
"And you don't owe us anything. You asked for help, and you got it. Stay safe now," I finished as we left the two-person family.
"How are you feeling, partner? Thinkin' about Persephone's job for us?"
"Uh-huh. I'm surprised the gods aren't doing anything to help their subjects. Plus, Zeus has been screwing mortals? I suppose he got sick of committing incest, but repeatedly committing adultery is another level of sick."
"Yeah, plus that mom thought you were one of his bastard kids because of your powers. And people in this world worship him with no doubts or fears?" Tatl mentioned.
I walked down the road, still in deep thought and I accidentally bump into someone. "Sorry, I wasn't payin' attention."
"It is fine, detective. I'm glad that I found you." The woman responded.
Looking her up and down, I deduced who it was, surprised I'd be conversing with two deities. "You must be Athena..." I deduced.
That left her dumbfounded. "Just from one look? I applaud your perception, Detective Koga."
"The compliment's not necessary, Lady Athena, but appreciated. Why have you been looking for me? Normally, you'd invade my mind for a conversation."
"As you have deduced, I'm here for a conversation, as you must have some inquiry about this world after spending time in it," the goddess said as we began walking, a small smile on her face. It seems she's enjoying our conversations.
"Zeus. He's been around has he?" I questioned.
"Ahh, yes. My father has had many a bastard son. He's infamous for it so much that anyone with a minuscule resemblance can be confused for one like you were when you saved that little girl's life. His most well-known bastard is Hercules, completer of the Twelve Labors, to redeem himself for the murder of his family." Athena answered. "Are you a demigod?"
"No, Lady Athena. I'm just blessed by one of my goddesses. What I do with my blessings is my own."
"Well said, detective."
"Why not involve yourself with your subjects? They all love and worship you."
"I make regular contact with the mortal world. This is not my first time being here. Perhaps you can clarify?"
"Okay. Why not help them thrive? Famine, disease, and death are everywhere. If I wasn't in the right spot, that mother's child would've died to unknown causes. You're the Goddess of Wisdom. Surely you can help them reduce these tragedies."
"That is beyond my power, I'm afraid."
"Why's that?"
"My interference could be punishable. Zeus believes we shouldn't involve ourselves with mortals. I may only come down because he favors me," Athena answered.
Oh, even deities have favorites.
"You can't twist his arm a little?"
"Why would I do that?"
"Metaphorically speaking, Lady Athena."
"Perhaps, but I would rather not disappoint him."
"Persephone told me that Prometheus was the one to give the people of this world Fire. And Zeus punished him by tying him up over a ravine and had an Eagle repeatedly eat his liver."
"I see you've made contact with more than one deity. Yes, that's correct. Prometheus is a great man and hero; wise beyond his years."
"So why did Zeus punish him? If it helps, why not help someone or something if it's a good call?" I asked in further confusion.
"I admit, it was a rash decision. But Zeus doesn't like being wrong or denied. Prometheus did both and was punished for it."
I was slightly angered by Athena's father, and she could probably tell by my expression. "I understand your anger, Koga. Are your Gods not like that in your world?"
"No. They gave us everything we needed to survive and flourish. Sure, there's social class, but that's impossible to prevent, so we learned to clash and break down the barriers. Sounds like your dad just wants to be better than everyone. He doesn't like being wrong because he's the king of this reality when no one being is perfect. And Zeus is known for screwing others, both literally and metaphorically. You're gonna tell me, Lady Athena, that Persephone was fair? That Demeter has to be sad for half of a year because her brother said so?"
"You are more inquisitive than I thought, detective."
"Your answers confuse me, in addition to the answers themselves being vague, Lady Athena."
"Yeah, you're not doing a good job of telling us how cool your dad is." Tatl added.
"It seems all of you are corrupt in a sense, except you. You have a good head on your shoulders and should be more independent."
"Coming from you, I'll take it into consideration detective. Until next time," Athena replied as she disappeared.
"The Greek Pantheon are sure of themselves huh, partner?" Tatl inquired as we continued walking through the streets of Athens.
"Sure are. Why create something if you're not going to take responsibility for it? Makes no sense to me."
"I can ask the same of you, investigator," a womanly voice chimed. "Is it not your business to get involved in those problems?"
I turned around and face the woman who trying to spark a debate with me. "I'm not interested."
She then cut off my path by walking in front of me. "You think I'm a prostitute?"
"No, you're a fortune-teller of some kind. Prostitutes normally dress sleazy and wear shoes. See-through clothing doesn't count. As an investigator, as you call it, it's my fuckin' job to solve other people's problems. Someone has to if the perpetrators won't."
Eye contact never broke between us, which made the woman uncomfortable. She cleared her throat to summon some courage.
"Well, my initial thoughts of you have been proven incorrect, as well your correct deduction. I'm an Oracle of this city."
I noticed the symbol on her headband was similar to Athena's. "You worship Athena?"
"How'd you guess?"
"The headband's symbol. It's hers." I deduced. "Why are you talking to me, Oracle? I'm not from here."
"I know this, outsider. Your foreign energies drew me from my temple. You have been offered a job by Lady Persephone but haven't accepted. Why?"
"She wants me to help her to end the world, your world. I've learned from Athena herself that Zeus likes messing with your affairs, your meaning mortal not yours specifically."
"Then you would be doing great good in helping Lady Persephone cause The Collapse."
"Even if it means your death as well as your loved ones and the rest in between?" I asked, fed up with this conversation.
"I agree with you, investigator. The Gods of Olympus, save for Lady Athena, think of us mortals as toys that they refuse to use nor help us. We are on our own. To cause The Collapse would be the ultimate punishment for the Pantheon."
"Which means Athena will die too."
"That is not her fate. She's to be killed by one who is close to her. I need not worry about our Goddess as she will live on in our hearts. But while she's alive, I will continue to serve her with diligence and joy." The Oracle said.
That's cryptic, someone close? Like Zeus? Or her other incestual relatives?
"Go to Lady Persephone, stranger. Help her cause The Collapse and attain her vengeance on the Pantheon as it will be the greatest good you can do while you're here." She then caressed the stitches on my face." It will be such a luxury to have a Goddess indebted to one as handsome as yourself." The Oracle finished before heading back to her temple.
"I think we have all the proof we need, partner." Tatl practically read my mind.
"I think so too, Tatl. Let's head back to the Elysian Gardens."
I teleported to the Elysian Gardens and felt a pair of arms wrap around my neck, a soft but powerful voice whispering in my ear.
"You have returned, Koga. I'm happy to see you again." Persephone pressed closer to my back. "I've had time to think since I first summoned you here. And while I have grown to understand why you refused my offer, you must understand why I want to cause The Collapse."
"I never said I refuse the job, Persephone. I needed time to think it over. Stop jumping to conclusions, it's bad for your health. While I was in Athens, I conversed with Athena and Athens' Oracle. The former failed to defend Zeus from all the wrongs he did, you included."
"You defended me?"
"Shouldn't I?"
"No, I just wasn't expecting you to with how our first conversation ended."
"Shows you don't know me well. Her Oracle is supportive of your plan to cause The Collapse. While I still don't condone killing everyone, I now completely understand why you wish to cause The Collapse."
"Thank you, Koga. It seems that we have come to understand each other's reasons. You see, I've known of you and your twin's good deeds. That's why I summoned you. But you are more open to diplomacy than your sister."
She's not wrong there. The moment Tea would've deduced that Zeus and the majority of the Pantheon were robbing the mortal plane to thrive, she would've declared war without Persephone's backing.
"I wasn't counting on you to build a friendship with Athena, however. You never cease to impress. For you to outwit her was something I was not expecting, Koga. As to what I was saying, your selflessness in helping that young child has cleared my mind. Let's start over."
She offered her hand and with an acknowledging, respectful smile. "My name is Persephone, Goddess of Spring, and Queen of the Damned."
I shook her hand. "Koga, Head Detective of the Tribal Detective Agency, and the Goddess of Power's Champion, as well as the wielder of the Triforce of Power."
"Well, Koga. A slight shift in plans. We're abandoning The Collapse for now and will focus on destroying the Greek Pantheon, one God at a time."
"That would mean killing your husband. Are you sure about this?"
Her eyes were of extreme focus. "Positive. I've never been more assured since I became a wife. Hades and his family have wronged me, Prometheus, and the mortal plane for too long. This is how we gain vengeance. And with you and working with me, it now seems possible." Persephone's words seeped with malice.
I caressed her exposed spine. "Relax, Persephone. That Oracle proved that you're in the right. Try not to make it sound like we're the villains here."
"We'll win the day in the end," Tatl added.
Persephone took my hands and clasped them together in hers. "You are a blessing, Koga. If we succeed then I'll forever be indebted to you. All I ask is that you stay with me. You'll make a better significant other than the oaf I'm currently with."
Dating a Goddess? Never thought I'd ever do that. But I welcome the chance while kissing Persephone's cheek. "Of course. Tatl and I would love to have you."
"Well then, lover. Let's begin. We have a lot of work to do," Persephone said as we climbed the Elysian Steps to start The Collapse.
A/N: A true Moment of Inspiration. I came up with the idea for this plot by watching a favorite reviewer review the God of War games. And then the idea dawned on me. I pitched it to my editor, he gave me the green light and I churned it out in an hour. What did you think of this prompt? If he's up for it, I challenge my editor to do the same with one of his OCs. Try and spread this around since this is a nice prompt. Alright I'll see you guys later.