Guest (HoneyBreeze): Thank you so much for your kind words. It truly motivates me to advance in this project! It is very important for me to do a great depiction of the gods. Like you said, they are very complexe characters and totally as humans as mortals. In modern media, I really miss this complexity of greek mythology so I am glad you think I made a great job.

Babywiskas: Don't worry. I will make sure you can access to the rest of the story in your language. By the way, did you know I learned english because of fanfictions? Of course, my first language is french while it is much closer to english than indonesian so it was easier for me, but maybe it can still motivate you!XD

Thank you for your comments!

Gigantomachy part 2

Delphina opened widely her eyes in shock.

"A war?"

Apollo, sat on his throne, nodded his head. "The Oracle was made before I was born so I couldn't predict it myself. Now that I am the one with this power and aware of this upcoming event, I can see it. Multiple battles between the gods and these giants. Countless bruises, sweat and blood. We have the advantage to not fear death but I fear the disorder that would prevail if we were to lose our supremacy."

"Did you see the income if we were to lose?"

"The Fates are not kind enough to bless me with such crucial visions of the future. However, no matter the defaults of my father Zeus, he remains a good leader and he has managed to keep order in this world. Destroying this balance could have consequences I would rather not face."

"It is beautiful to hear you praise your loyalty to your father when not so long ago, you participated to Hera's plot against him." She mocked him.

Apollo frowned his eyebrows. He stood up from his throne and approached her unamused. "I thought we already talked about that. I told you it was Athena and I who judged that Father needed to be confronted about his unfaithfulness. Not for Hera's sake but because his habit began to create a lot of chaos in the mortal world. But you know that I regret my actions and how much I recognize what a foolish mistake it was."

"You are right. Sorry. I distracted us from the main object of this conversation."

"It is alright."

"So…" Delphina hesitated but she had to ask. "What will happen now? What will you do?"

An intensive glare pointed to her direction. Nothing menacing but still deadly serious. She froze. "I am going to fight. I will defend my home at all cost. However, I need you to stay here."

She blinked her eyes. "There is nothing I can do to help?" She despised being useless.

"You are a rescuer, Delphina, not a warrior. It is safer to stay here. Don't even go to the sea, just to be sure. It might seem exaggerated but we must not underestimate our enemies. We are sending the same message to other minor gods and the nymphs as well. The Muses will also stay with you."

"I see. This is very serious, then."

"Delphina… They captured Ares."

"What?!" More serious than anticipated. "It can't be!"

"It is. And now, others are about to strike as well. We will eventually free my brother but things are getting a little spicy."

"What do you mean?"

"Well. It is the Aloadae who got him and they have a particular new objective: marry each one a goddess."

Disgust and shock deformed her face while Apollo quickly added. "Don't worry, you are not concerned. They have specific targets."

"Who?"

"To my father's annoyance, one chose Hera and the other, to provoke my ire…Artemis."

She could imagine the thunderstorm raging in his head.

"How did your sister react?" Artemis was a virgin and fierce woman. A proud warrior. But she wasn't shielded form disgust and fear.

"She responded that just because they succeeded to fool Ares, they shouldn't contemplate the possibility to tame her without tasting her bow."

"That sounds like her. So, what's your plan?"

"Artemis will take this opportunity to use herself as a distraction while Hermes and I will rescue Ares, meanwhile Athena is on her way to bring Heracles to help us."

"Heracles?"

"Yes, the Giants are immune to immortals. His role will be crucial."

His firm tone sent a clear message: not the good moment to tease him about that. She wouldn't even think about it. Overall, the information worried her. If no immortals could kill them, then she imagined the amount of strength of the enemy.

"Is Gaia striking elsewhere?"

"Of course. As we are talking, many are already circling Mount Olympus. The other Olympians will fight to slow them down. She may have more offensive moves in her pocket. So, you can see why it is better to avoid traveling in this troubled period. I hope you understand."

"I understand. Just promise me you will be careful."

"Always." He was about to turn around to leave when he froze on his feet. He stopped blinking his eyes for an instant and his halo of confidence diminished. His stare seemed to look elsewhere.

"You always react like that when you got a vision." Delphina guessed. "In particular when it is not a good one." Now, she was worried. "Please, tell me."

"I saw Python." His hands trembled. He turned to her. "I saw Python chasing you."

Memories emerged with brutally like waking up from a nightmare. Delphina could recall this scene with the smallest details.

"Apollo… Python is dead." She had to reassure herself as much as him. "It cannot be revived."

"I know but prophecies always have hidden meanings. And since it involves you and danger…"

"Apollo." She took his hand. "I will be fine. I will stay here with the Muses. You do what you must do. I promise to send you a message If I ever feel something wrong."

He nodded his head. "I trust you. I promise to be back as soon I can."

Apollo turned around and left the throne room

Delphina took a huge breath. She realised how fast her heart was beating now under the weight of adrenaline. As immortals, they possessed the advantage to not bother fearing the other one will never come back. However… They were things in this world that could be considered worse than death.

…

"So, what is the plan again?" Hermes asked as they walked in the woods.

"I will approach the two giants and distract them while you, Hermes, will try to get the jar where Ares is impressed since you are the fastest god. Apollo will hide in the trees nearby. His role consists to intervene if anything goes wrong. We don't fight them unless we have to. Once Ares is freed, we return to Olympus." Artemis answered.

"A simple plan never sounded so complicated."

"Simplicity and complexity are closer concepts than most believe. Only the point of view creates a distinction." Apollo said.

"Alright, I am ready." Hermes replied.

"Then, I will go." Artemis took her quiver with arrows and hid them by attaching them on her thigh. She used her magical powers to transform her bow into a hair brooch on her bun.

"Be careful, please." Apollo told her.

"Who do you think I am? But thank you, Brother."

"Good luck."

They took the road. Apollo knew exactly where the Aloades were hiding with the use of the sun. The giants didn't even bother to hide at all, even though they had an Olympian in their hands. They exposed themselves to sunlight in a not very dense forest as if it was on purpose. No other giant accompanied them. Were they so so arrogant they believed they could handle any pitfall on their own without any difficulty? On the other side, if they followed Gaia, why didn't she order them to hide the jar containing the God of War in a place well-guarded?

The more Apollo thought about it, the more this carefulness appeared suspicious. What if they were running toward a trap? He creaked his teeth. Why Artemis had to be involved in this? If he could, he would let Ares rot in his jar. An idiot who could so easily get caught wasn't what he would call a valuable member of their group. He wasn't in danger to die anyway, so just let him be trapped until the end of the war as a fitting lesson. He would bet his father would agree if it wasn't for Hera's pressure on him.

He hoped nothing bad would happen to his sister. His mother was safe at home in Olympus and he should tell himself the same about Delphina but his vision bothered his tranquility. What did it mean? His only hint was the fact that Python was one of Gaia's offspring. It wouldn't surprise him to learn she held some grudge against him but so did she against many other gods. Why Delphina in particular? He doubted Gaia could harm atrociously any of them. She could be wrathful but not cruel. This was why Ares wasn't tortured. The goddess had her limits fairly known.

Few things he understood, he didn't like it one bit but he had to remain focuses as they had reached the two giants' camp.

They were identical twins. Both immensely tall. Both black-haired. Both bearded. Both highly muscular. The only element distinguishing them were their outfits. Ephialtes had his chest and waist covered by a dirty brown cloth while Otus was bare chest with only a small white fabric covering his butt and manhood.

They happily drank, sat on logs, while discussing their future projects.

"So, who do you think should get his goddess first? Honestly, I believe it should be me since I am the eldest." Ephialtes said.

"Really? I am the one who proposed that we join Gaia. It was also me who suggested to mate goddesses. I should obtain my Hera first!"

"Let me clarify something, you didn't pick the easiest one. She is faithful to Zeus and will certainly remain safely in Olympus until we defeat them. You will have to wait for our final victory for your wish to be granted."

"And you believe yours is better? Artemis is a skilled huntress and a sworn virgin more ready to emasculate you than opening her legs."

"That promises to be wild, I admit. But it is still less trouble to find her as she is known to wander in the forest with her retinue most of the time."

"He is not wrong at all." Artemis said.

As expected, the two brothers jumped as they heard the deep voice of the Goddess of the Hunt. They turned their heads in synchronism and their stare fell upon the image of Artemis flawlessly beautiful in her white dress smiling at them. The giants noticed the absence of her weapons. If she didn't come to attack them, then why…?

"Have you come for me, my sweety?" Ephialtes said with lust, laughing with confidence.

"Of course, my dear. As soon I learned that you desired me…" She came closer, advanced until she was a few feet from the body of Ephialtes who reddened at such daring approach. "I couldn't prevent myself to dash toward you."

The giant smirked while his twin boiled in jealousy. Hidden behind the trees, Apollo rolled his eyes. Artemis was a great actress but he still didn't expect they would fall into her trick so easily. How Ares managed to be outmatched was beyond his comprehension.

Artemis pursued her seduction. "I will be honest. This life as a sworn virgin is becoming so lonely but my father would never allow me to marry. Now, you are about to free me. Ephialtes… I don't know how to thank you."

Now, Apollo expected them to be a little more suspicious. Everybody should know that it was Artemis who requested their father to allow her to remain virgin forever. The same with Athena.

The inferior being dared to put his disgusting hand on his sister's shoulder and said. "You know exactly how you can repay me. Isn't what you came here in such a hurry looking stunning in your attire?" He lipped his lips with anticipation.

Apollo trembled with disgust. He had to admire his twin's self-control. And those idiots were truly falling into the trap so easily? Poseidon might forbid him to say it out loud but his uncle had produced much better descendants in the past.

He saw a glimpse of Hermes quickly passing behind the twins as Artemis distracted them. He took the jar as if it was nothing and left the place in direction to Olympus as it was planned.

Apollo blinked his eyes in disbelief. That was all? The two giants didn't even hear a sound. They didn't even verify to look behind them if the jar was still there. Not a piece of their brain seemed to even suspect that Artemis' unconventional behavior could be distraction. They all fully believed her and dug deeply in their fantasy.

It shouldn't be that easy!

Ephialtes took Artemis by her hips strongly to stick his body on hers. "Now, I propose that we seal the deal of our upcoming wedding sooner than later."

"Eh! Brother! Don't you dare forget about me."

She smiled. Hermes did his part so her mission was done. She kicked his legs with her knee while led her desperate potential suiter to let go of his hold in pain. She lost no time before she jumped to the other twin and took her hairbrush to activate her bow. Her weapon in hand, she used it to hit him on the head. Close-combat wasn't her usual style but when required she could show off insane speed and skills.

Honestly, why Apollo was even worried for her?

She ran away into the woods.

"That bitch! She is trying to escape!" Ephialtes quickly got back his senses as his pain eased. His eyes reflected intense fury and his veins menaced to crack his face.

"Hurry! Let's go get her!" Otos screamed.

They hit the ground with their feet and began a frenetic chase after Artemis. Apollo didn't expect them to be that fast even though they are the sons of Poseidon, God of Horses.

Now, it might be that moment when things go wrong.

Apollo followed them. He needed to intervene in case they caught up to her. The plan was to leave as soon Ares was safe, but Artemis would need to get rid of them as they pursued her stubbornly.

They might be idiots but they were very fast.

Apollo hurried up. His sister might fail to outrun them and he refused to allow what would obviously happen if they got their way.

He changed his appearance and transformed himself into a golden doe. He increased his speed just enough to go past them then he surged from the forest in front of them.

"Wow!" The twins found themselves forced to stop their race. "What is that?!"

"A doe! With fur all covered with gold." Otus said. "How much do you estimate its value?"

"Only one way to find out. Let's get it!"

Distracting them from his sister was that simple? He couldn't analyse that further as he found himself as their new target. His plan was working. He galloped into the woods in part where the sun crossed the branches. He used the light to make it reflect intensively on his fur to create a blinding effect on the twins and slow them down. He ran and pursued this tactic for a while until he spotted nobody when he looked behind him.

He stopped. He closed his eyes and listened. He would not lower his guard yet. Through the sunlight, he watched. A movement from the east and another from the west. Both sides coming closer to the middle where he stood.

He opened his eyes as soon he got the strategy. They separated so they could circle him from two sides. They might be smarter than he gave them credit for.

The closer they came the most noise they produced. They broke branches on their way and they tapped brutally the ground under their feet. It sounded as a game of who would get their presence known first.

He sighed. No, they were totally stupid. No sense of discretion.

He waited. In one minute, it should be over.

Three… Two… One. They both jumped from each side, open arms, screaming, throwing their whole bodies at him. Apollo quickly moved from his spot. With their target disappeared, the twins met each other in a brutal meeting that left a loud cry heard in the whole forest.

And suddenly nothing.

Apollo returned to his original form. He looked behind him. He raised his eyebrows at the spectacle offered to him. The two giants had both a knife in their hands, implanted deeply through the flesh of their throats in a macabre mirror accidental fratricide. They didn't breathe. Their souls were already on the road toward Tartarus.

"Apollo! You are alright? What happened? Ho!" Artemis looked at the scene with high surprise. "I thought immortals couldn't kill them."

"I didn't. They did it to themselves. I cannot even take credit for this victory. I owe it to the lack of cleverness."

"Poseidon will be furious. He clearly asked to spare his sons."

"Well, I hope he will be wise enough to understand that I tried. Ares will also be upset to have been robbed of an opportunity to get revenge for his humiliation. But I cannot do more for them."

"Well, let's appreciate the fact that no harm has fallen on any of us. We should go back to Olympus now."

Apollo didn't react. He still looked at the dead bodies of the giants. No satisfaction filled him although it should: enemies that threatened his beloved sister are no more active. Yet…yet…

"Apollo? What is bothering you?"

"It was easy. Way too easy. Those guys were way too dumb. Gaia certainly knew it yet she let them keep Ares. It should have been hard to get him back. No, there is something wrong. I respect too much our great-grandmother to believe she would let such things so unguarded without planning anything."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean… I suspect the Aloadae were nothing more than a distraction?"

…

The sun began to set.

Delphina was still ordering the servants around. The summer solstice was always a very busy time of the year with so many offerings given at Delphi. She had to organise them through the palace. There was no emergency to do it quickly but with the current situation, she couldn't go to the ocean so how

else could she spend her time?

The sun continued to set.

Delphina decided she should take a break. She hadn't dinned yet. She would continue tomorrow. She walked toward the dinner room and ordered someone to bring on a warm meal. Her stomach started to growl like a lion. She really neglected herself. She sat on her chair.

The sun was half hidden by the mountains.

She took a bite of her goose. She was lonely. The Muses had eaten already and Apollo didn't return. She looked at his empty chair. She could have used the pool in the throne room to verify how he was doing but simply lacked the strength to. Very strange. She never minded viewing mortals doing great exploits and even entertained herself with their exciting adventures but couldn't bear to watch Apollo or Artemis in action. Watching strangers in danger and watching beloved people in danger were two much opposite experiences. She only took the time to check on Asclepius.

The sun disappeared. Only the shades of yellow, orange and red remained in the sky.

Everything seemed normal. Nothing around could suggest that a huge war among the immortals had been started. No thunderstorm, no earthquake, no fire. Maybe she was exaggerated the details she heard about the Titanomachy but beside the fact she had been forbidden to leave the palace, everything looked peaceful.

Night time arrived.

Done with her dish, it was time to go to bed. She stood up and walked to her bedroom. Once inside, she changed herself into her nightdress then, she jumped into her bed.

She closed her eyes… And opened them once again when she heard the sound of wings flapping inside the room.

The goddess got up. "Raven! It is you?!" It must be. No other bird would come here.

She lit a candle then used it to check the identity of her visitor.

She almost screamed in terror when she recognized a face so often represented in art. But a hand rapidly covered her mouth.

"Don't make sound. I want to talk without anybody coming to interrupt us." Gaia said.

Thank you for reading.

Well, writing this spin-off is very hard. But I think I am managing to write some interesting stuff.

I am stilll working on the editing of my story. I want to make sure the quality will be improved for you guys. You deserve no less. I can't wait to be able to give you more news.

Happy new year to you all!

See you soon!