Chapter 28: The Art of War
Onboard the Watchtower, the League gathered as Diana caught them up to speed.
"So… Ares is real." Cyborg questioned. "The Ares?"
"Considering Poseidon sunk Atlantis, I'll believe it." Aquaman retorted.
"What I don't get is what he was doing on Themyscira in the first place." GL wondered. "I mean, I thought the Amazons were all about love and fellowship. Having the god of war as a house guest seems a little counter productive."
"He was no guest." Diana informed him. "He was a prisoner of war."
Flash snorted, quickly covering it with a cough.
"Sorry." he apologized. "The God of War was a prisoner of war?"
"Yes." Diana nodded. "Imprisoned by Zeus many centuries ago, after he attempted to wipe out mankind."
"But why give him to the Amazons?" GL questioned. "Why not just have him sealed away on Olympus or whatever?"
"Because my mother was Ares' first victim." Diana explained. "He forced himself upon her, and made her bear him a son, Thrax."
"Your mom and the god of war?" GL let out. "I am officially disturbed right now."
"As you should be." Diana agreed. "With his son by his side, Ares laid waste to all of Greece. My mother rallied the Amazons against him and his army of the fallen in a battle to which the muses still sing."
"I'm guessing the Amazons came out on top?" Superman deduced.
"Indeed." Diana nodded. "My mother struck down Thrax, then prepared to do the same to Ares. However, Zeus intervened, unwilling to let his son die. In lieu of execution, Zeus had enchanted manacles locked on Ares' wrists, blocking him from his godly power and his ability to feed off man's hatred. He was given to my mother as a prisoner."
"Bet she wasn't exactly happy he got off so lightly." Cyborg remarked.
"No, she wasn't." Diana agreed. "She questioned how long Ares could be contained, and did not wish to put her sisters at risk again. Thus, Zeus gave her a weapon, one that would be able to strike down the vile god should he ever come to escape. That weapon became known as the God Killer, Themyscira's most sacred treasure."
She then drew the sword from her belt, showing it to the League.
"This alone is mankind's last hope against Ares." Diana told them.
"Then we'd best find him soon." J'onn spoke.
"I've been working on that." Batman explained, sitting at one of the computer terminals. "Knowing that the terrorist attacks we've encountered in the past week have been Ares' presence, I began finding a pattern. It's not ideals or targets, they're occurring in a straight line."
"Ares is going somewhere." Superman realized. "But where?"
"Best guess, somewhere he can remove those manacles." Batman pieced together. "If he wants to wield his full power."
"Guessing it'll take more than a crowbar or a lock pick to do that." GL assumed.
"Indeed." Diana confirmed. "Only a god can remove those binds."
"Well, any gods nearby?" Aquaman quipped.
"None." Diana answered. "However, there is one god that can be reached from the mortal plane, Hades."
"God of the underworld meets god of war." GL mused. "Sounds like a recipe for disaster."
"We can't let Ares get to the Underworld." Superman declared.
"Any ideas on where to find it from here?" Cyborg asked.
Batman pressed a few keys on his computer, mapping out the outline of where Ares could be heading.
"Diana, is there a possible entry point to the Underworld on Ares' path?" He asked as Diana walked over.
She studied the map, looking for any signs of a place that could lead to the Underworld.
"Do any of these places have buildings dating back to ancient times?" Diana asked. "Temples? That sort of thing?"
"Let me check." Cyborg volunteered, plugging in and searching. "Got something. A temple in Belgium has been rumored to be the headquarters or an old cult, one that used to worship Ares."
"That's it!" Diana declared. "It has to be."
"Then that's where we go." Batman decided, getting out of his chair.
"There may be more acts of violence around the area." Superman deduced.
"Then the rest of you go." Diana told them. "I will find Ares."
"No offense, but going after the god of war alone is a bad idea." GL insisted.
"I'll accompany her." Batman declared. "Out of all of us, I have the most emotional control. I'm less likely to fall under Ares' control."
"He is as joyless as a mormon, I'll give him that." GL remarked.
"Alright." Superman relented. "Just be careful. Even in his weakened state, I'm willing to bet Ares is still dangerous."
"So am I." Batman countered.
…
Outside of the temple in Belgium, several armed men were patrolling the grounds for any sign of intruders. As one guard made his rounds, a yellow lasso shot out and wrapped around him, pulling him towards some rocks. There, Diana held the lasso tight as Batman stood over him.
"Where is Ares?" Diana asked, tugging on the lasso.
"He is inside the temple, seeking to communicate with Hades." the guard answered.
Batman then punched him out as Diana retracted her lasso. The two then made their way further into the area, staying clear of the guards' watchful eyes. Batman quickly grabbed one guard and slammed his face against a wall, knocking him out. A second guard turned towards the commotion, but Diana struck him in the back of the neck, knocking him out. As the guard fell unconscious, Batman instinctively threw a batarang towards Diana, causing he to move as it hit a guard behind her. Conversely, Diana took off her tiara and threw it towards Batman. It sailed past him as it knocked out one more guard heading towards him. Both guards fell to the ground as their respective weapons returned to them.
"Nice trick." Batman commended, putting the batarang away.
"Something I learned watching you." Diana replied, putting her tiara back on.
As they turned to move forward, they saw several more guards moving towards them. The two heroes silently turned to each other, nodding before charging into battle. Batman leapt up and kicked one guard to the ground before punching a second in the gut before striking him across the face, knocking him out. Diana quickly kicked one guard aside before backhanding another aside. She then kicked one more into a wall, knocking him out. Batman quickly threw a batarang at the last guard, disarming him before Diana threw her lasso around him, pulling him in close so she could knee him in the face. With the last of the guards down, the two heroes made their way towards the temple.
…
Inside the temple, Ares and Persephone walked through a massive cave located deep underground. As they walked past some guards, Ares' presence caused them to start attacking each other, a sight Persephone seemed to revel in.
"Soon, my love, these bands will be but a distant memory." she mused. "And you will be free once again to summon the dark army that will allow us to rule this world together. You must thank your uncle for agreeing to make this possible."
"Oh, my uncle has agreed to nothing." Ares admitted. "In fact, I will be very much surprised if that old fool helps us at all."
"But… there's no other way to remove the bands." Persephone told him. "What if he doesn't agree?"
'Oh, I can be quite persuasive when I want to be." Ares reassured. "I convinced you to turn on your Amazon sisters, did I not?"
Persephone turned away as they continued down the path. As they did, Diana's tiara took out two more guards before returning to her hands. With the guards out, Batman and Diana moved closer towards where Ares was heading.
"What's he waiting for?" Batman asked.
"The gates are sealed." Diana informed. "He arranged his escape to align with the blood moon, the one night of the year that the gates can be opened. However, a sacrifice must be made to Hades."
"I get the feeling that's where Persephone comes in." Batman mused.
At the feet of a giant table in front of the gates, Ares came to a stop, much to Persephone's surprise.
"And now Persephone, I must call upon your aid once more." Ares requested.
"What is it you require of me?" Persephone asked.
"Your dagger." Ares answered.
Persephone pulled it off her belt, offering it to Ares hilt first. Ares took it, a sick smile appearing on his face before turning to some of the men behind them. He nodded, prompting them to grab one of their own.
"Hey, what are you doing?!" he let out as the men dragged him to the table.
"Rejoice." Ares declared. "With your sacrifice, I will rise once more to claim this world."
Before he could bring the dagger down, a batarang shot out and knocked the weapon out of his hands.
"Sorry, we're kind of using this world right now." Batman remarked.
"And as long as we live," Diana declared, drawing her sword. "You will not have it."
"So, Hippolyta's little girl has come to stop me." Ares mused. "I will admit, my one regret about my escape is that the first to fall to me was a random Amazon and not you. It would have sent quite the message to your mother. A child for a child."
"Sorry you won't get the chance." Diana remarked. "Your evil ends here."
"You don't honestly believe a god like me is completely helpless, do you?" Ares asked. "Vivos litho harpius!"
Suddenly, the ground around them began shaking, causing them to look up and see giant stone statues of Harpies crumbling before shattering, revealing real Harpies underneath. They screeched ferociously before flying upwards towards them.
"I'll keep the harpies at bay!" Diana told Batman. "Stop Ares from opening the gates!"
"I'm on it!" Batman reassured, running off.
Diana flew upwards, throwing her lasso around the neck of one of the harpies before swinging it around into the other, knocking them both to the ground. Batman meanwhile, made a beeline for the dagger, only for Ares to slide in front of him and punch him aside. Batman quickly recovered as Ares reclaimed the dagger.
"The blood moon requires a sacrifice." Ares informed. "It is not picky as to who that sacrifice is."
"I'm not that easy to kill." Batman remarked, taking a fighting stance.
Ares began swinging his dagger at Batman, who quickly dodged and evaded every strike. He blocked one swing with his arm before punching Ares across the face. As he recovered, Ares moved to strike again but felt his arm get snagged. He turned and saw it was Diana's lasso holding his arm back, prompting him to pull on it with all his might. As the two struggled with each other, Batman saw Persephone moving towards them, prompting him to cut her off. He ran towards her and leapt into the air, kicking her aside and knocking her to the ground.
Back with Ares, he managed to pull himself free from Diana's lasso and bolted towards the altar. Diana then bolted towards Ares, tackling him to the ground and trying to stab him with her sword. He held it back as best he could, the blade inches away from his face. He managed to use one hand to grab her by the throat, trying to choke her so she would let go. She refused to yield though as the blade moved closer and closer. The second it touched the slightest of skin though, one of the harpies from earlier swooped down and used its talons to snatch Diana off the ground. Batman saw this as he continued battling with Persephone.
"Diana!" He let out.
Thinking fast, he punched Persephone across the face, knocking her back as he ran towards the harpy. He pulled out a bat-grapple and fired it at the harpy's leg, shooting himself up as the creature continued crushing Diana in its grip. She struggled against it, but her efforts were in vain as she fell into unconsciousness. As soon as Batman got up to the harpy's leg, he pulled himself up and climbed up to its head. He pulled out a batarang and stabbed it into the side of the monsters head, causing it to roar in pain and allowed Batman to throw one more batarang that looped around right into the mouth of the creature. Once it went inside, Batman swung back down to the harpy's leg just as the batarang exploded inside of it, allowing him to pull Diana free and drop to the ground. As they landed though, the screams of the man from before filled the cave, causing Batman to turn and see the gates to Hades opening.
"You're too late, mortal." Ares taunted. "The sacrifice is complete and the path to Hades is open to me."
Batman just scowled at him intently.
"Chase after me if you dare," Ares mocked. "But I promise the second Diana escapes your gaze, she will not survive."
Something in Batman froze at the threat, his eyes darting back to where Diana was struggling to her feet. She didn't get far before she collapses, prompting Batman to move and grab her.
"That's what I thought." Ares remarked as he and Persephone walked through the gates.
As the two walked through, the gates began closing behind them. Batman narrowed his eyes at the sight, but decided to help Diana instead, picking her up in his arms and carrying her outside as the gates closed up.
…
After walking through the gates, Ares and Persephone walked down a stone staircase stretching further and further downwards. As they continued walking, a large three headed dog emerged from the shadows, growling at them as it blocked their way.
"Cerberus." Persephone gasped, a hand instinctively going for her sword.
"Relax." Ares reassured, walking up to the beast. "It's alright, Cerberus. It's me, Ares. I just want to speak to your master."
The middle head bent down, giving Ares a sniff. The other two heads then lowered as well, the massive dog dropping down into a lying position. Ares moved forward, but when Persephone tried to follow, all three heads growled in unison.
"It seems he doesn't like you." Ares noted. "I won't be long."
With that, Ares continued forward as Cerberus kept its gaze on Persephone, continuing to growl at her. As Ares got lower and lower, he entered into a realm of pain and sorrow. Hanging all around were massive cages with withered and decrepit beings inside, moaning in agony. Below Ares' feet were barred off pits, skeletal hands reaching through them as tortured moans echoed from inside. All around were eternally burning fires that seemed to go on forever, and at the centre of it all was a throne.
Sitting on the throne was a tall, slender man with gaunt features. He had long black hair that seemed to ripple in an unfelt wind. His eyes were pitch black, matching his hair, and he had a neatly trimmed beard on his face. He wore robes made of such a deep black fabric they were almost blue, a silvery sash across his chest. He held a staff in his hand made of ash wood, the top gripped around a blood red jewel. He drummed his fingers on his staff as he looked down at the approaching Ares.
"So, my wayward nephew has decided to grace me with his presence." He mused, his voice devoid of emotion. "Why have you come to my domain?"
"I have come for a favor, uncle." Ares informed, approaching him.
"Your bands." Hades assumed. "Why would I allow you to attain full power once again?"
"Simple," Ares replied. "Once my power has been restored, I will wage a war on humanity the likes of which this world has never seen. When that happens, your realm will be flooded with more souls than you know what to do with. Even you have to admit the prospect is enticing."
Hades seemed to mull this over, stroking his beard.
"The idea has merit, I will admit." Hades allowed before perking slightly. "Oh, it seems I'm being a poor host. After centuries of imprisonment, you must be famished."
He brought his staff down hard on the ground and one of the cells opened. From it emerged an emancipated man, one with a long scar running across his neck. Ares went wide-eyed at the sight, recognizing the man as none other than Thrax, his son.
"Go and fetch us some food and wine." Hades commanded. "And make it quick."
Thrax bowed deeply, dragging heavy chains behind him as he went to obey.
"He is a dutiful servant, wouldn't you say?" Hades commented.
Ares was dumbstruck, unable to form a sentence. Thrax soon returned, a plate of grapes and a jug of wine with him. Hades took some of the grapes, then turned to Ares.
"Hungry?" Hades asked.
"No!" Ares let out before restraining himself. "I mean… no thank you. You've already been a gracious host, I'd hate to waste anymore of your hospitality. Now… as for our deal."
"Of course." Hades nodded.
He snapped his fingers and the cell door opened once more. Chains moved on their own accord, wrapping around Thrax and dragging him back inside. Ares barely had time to reach out before the door slammed shut.
"While your proposition does show merit," Hades informed, rising out of his throne and walking towards him, "I'm afraid there's one issue you've failed to take into account."
He grasped Ares' manacles, causing an eruption of electricity to course through Ares. He pulled back in pain, the manacles still firmly on his wrists.
"Only the power of the god who put those on you can remove them"
"Zeus would never restore my power." Ares told him. "You know this."
"Did I say it had to be Zeus?" Hades asked. "I said it had to be his power."
"What are you talking about?" Ares questioned.
Hades raised an eyebrow, then a chuckle escaped his lips. Said chuckle soon became a full on laugh, one that Ares quickly became infuriated by.
"What are you laughing about?!" Ares demanded. "Answer me!"
"You truly are helpless without your powers!" Hades bellowed. "You could not even sense your own father's power when it was pointed right at you!"
"What are you-" Ares was about to protest before he realized what he meant. "Wait… of course. The very thing meant to destroy me… will bring about my rise to power."
"Then there is hope for you after all." Hades remarked. "Yes, the god killer has the power to remove your bands. All that is needed is a little persuasion."
"And what do you suggest I use?" Ares questioned.
"I believe I have something that might work." Hades informed him. "However, before I hand it over, it's time to make our deal."
He slammed his staff down again, this time summoning a scroll and a quill.
"I will provide you with the persuasion needed to remove your bands." Hades announced. "In return, you must agree to one little thing. Should you fail in your conquest, and the god killer fulfills its true purpose, you will face justice for the crimes your father spared you from."
"Very well." Ares agreed. "I accept your terms."
Hades gave a small smirk as he took the quill, signing his name on the scroll. Ares then took the quill and signed it himself. Once it was signed, the contract and quill evaporated. Hades then held out an empty hand as a glowing sphere materialized in his hands.
"Just throw this to the ground in front of the god killer, and you will know what to do." Hades informed.
Ares took it, an evil grin on his face.
"Tonight, the world of man will fall." he declared.
…
Onboard the Watchtower, Diana laid on a bed in the medical bay, still unconscious from the battle. She was dressed in a hospital gown as her armor laid in a chair off to the side. Cyborg and J'onn were gathered around her bed with Batman, both of them concerned for their friend. Diana then let out a groan of pain as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Ares..." she groaned.
"Take it easy." Batman told her. "That Harpy cracked at least two of your ribs."
"I've had worse." She insisted, forcing herself to sit up. "Where's Ares?"
"We're not sure." Cyborg lamented. "Scanners are searching the globe for him, but have come up empty so far."
"Then… he got away." Diana realized. "He made it to Tartarus."
"I'm afraid so." Batman informed. "He opened the gates while I was helping you."
"You should have stopped him." Diana insisted. "Now Hades will free him from his bands and man's world will be lost."
"I'm not so sure." Batman replied. "If Hades had removed the bands, we would've seen a sign of it by now."
"Batman does have a point." J'onn agreed. "We have detected no sign of Ares' power, not in a degree that would signify his full strength returning.
"Then there is still hope." Diana realized, getting out of bed.
"This is Superman, does anyone read me?"
"Go ahead, Superman." Batman answered.
"There's a massive army gathering in Washington." Superman relayed. "Judging from what they're wearing, I'm betting they work for Ares."
"Then he's making his move." Batman deduced. "Call the others. We're on our way."
Batman turned back to Diana, only to see her disappear behind a change screen, discarding the hospital gown and dawning her usual armor once again. She stepped back out as she placed her tiara on her head, a confident smile gracing her face.
"Well?" She let out. "What are we waiting for?"
Batman just smirked in response as the League sprung into action.
…
In DC, Ares and Persephone stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in front of a massive army of his cult members.
"You've waited patiently, my friends," Ares addressed, "But the time has come once again to spread my gospel of death. Now, let the natural state of mistrust and betrayal run through the soul of every man until I may walk across the earth on the backs of 5 billion corpses!"
The cultists all cheered in response as Ares looked on in sick delight.
"I'm afraid we can't allow that!" a voice protested.
Ares, Persephone, and the warriors turned and saw Superman landing behind them, joined by Flash, GL, and Aquaman.
"Your reign won't even have a chance to begin." Superman promised.
Ares smiled at the heroes.
"So, you are the protectors known as the Justice League." He mused. "Even in my dark prison I heard of you. I'm curious to see if you live up to the legends."
"Why don't you come on down and find out?" Aquaman challenged.
"Unless the god of war is feeling a little under the weather." GL remarked.
"My time will come." Ares promised. "But in the meantime, attack!"
The cultists all charged at the League, prompting them to spring into action. GL formed a shield to block the shots fired at him before turning that shield into a discus, throwing it at several cultists and knocking them to the ground.
"When in Greece." GL remarked, flying back into the battle.
Aquaman easily punched out one cultist after another, not even seeing the need for his trident yet. One cultist got in close and emptied his entire clip of bullets on Aquaman, all of which just dropped to the ground upon contact with him.
"You guys don't get out much, do you?" Aquaman remarked before batting him aside.
Flash meanwhile ran across the field, dodging all the shots being fired at him with relative ease. Moving quickly, he dashed forward and punched out of the men shooting at him. He saw another cultist aiming his gun at him and zoomed away as the shot went off. The cultist then felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Flash behind him.
"Hi there." He greeted before punching him out.
Superman flew straight towards Ares, punching him across the face and sending him skidding back. He slammed against the statue as Superman flew up again. This time, Ares punched at Superman, sending him flying back a bit.
"My powers may be lessened, but I am still the god of war!" Ares declared.
"Don't expect me to get on my knees anytime soon." Superman remarked, getting back up.
Superman moved to punch him again, but Ares caught the blow and punched him in kind. Superman quickly retaliated by clasping his hands together and smacking Ares across the face, knocking him back.
"Don't worry, I only expect you to choke on your own blood." Ares remarked.
"Ares!" Diana suddenly called out.
Ares and Superman looked up to see Diana leaping out of the Javelin and landing on the ground between them, drawing the god killer sword.
"Ah, Diana." Ares greeted. "I was hoping you would come."
"Then your patience has been rewarded." Diana replied. "Your quest to conquer mankind is at an end."
"Now whoever said I was trying to conquer mankind?" Ares remarked.
"What are you talking about?" Superman questioned.
"As Diana has most likely informed you, war is the vehicle through which my soul feeds on the psychic energy of fear and hate." Ares relayed. "And this modern world is overflowing with hate for me to feed on. Once I am free of these bands, I will have power enough to conquer not mankind, but Olympus itself."
"So, Hades did not free you." Diana let out, unable to keep the relief out of her voice. "Thank Hera..."
"No, he did not." Ares confirmed. "So, I decided to seek out the one thing in this world that could, the god killer."
"I am sorry to disappoint," Diana replied. "But the only thing the god killer will bring you, is your destruction."
Diana then thrust the sword towards Ares, only for him to hold his hand in front of the blade, allowing it to shatter upon impact. Diana was stunned, looking at the broken hilt of the god killer in horror.
"No..." she gasped. "How-?"
"You thought that paltry toy was the god killer?" Ares jested, wiping his hand on his tunic. "No child, that is not the god killer. You are."
It was as if the entire world suddenly froze. All eyes turned to Diana, who looked at her hands in confusion.
"Did you ever wonder how you were able to harness the lightning of the gods?" Ares questioned, starting to circle around her. "Or how even outside of Themyscira's enchanted shores, the ravages of time never touch you? It is because like me, you are the spawn of a god."
"What?" Diana let out. "No. My mother sculpted me with clay, and I was brought to life by Zeus."
"Well, you're half right." Ares confirmed. "After my defeat at the hands of your mother, Zeus declared that I was to live, but of course, your mother was less than thrilled. To quell her temper, Zeus promised her a weapon, one that would be able to protect the world should I ever return. Now, the amount of power it takes to kill a god, you can't put that in a weapon that anyone can use. No, it needs to be in the hands of someone who can be trusted, someone the Queen can personally train and raise to be a 'just and noble warrior'."
"Me." Diana deduced.
"Indeed." Ares confirmed, stopping in front of her. "Your whole existence was for the purpose of stopping me. Instead however, you're going to free me."
Diana's fists clenched as a storm raged overhead.
"Never." she swore, thunder rolling in the distance.
"Oh, I think you will." Ares replied, pulling out the glowing sphere Hades gave him.
Fearing it to be a weapon, Diana bolted towards Ares as he threw it to the ground. Suddenly, a thick green smoke began billowing from the shattered orb, coalescing into the shape of a man. The features solidified and Diana froze in place, staring at the man she never expected to see again.
"S-Steve?"