Thea woke to an empty bed and her first thought was what to have for breakfast before reality snapped back into place, destroying any appetite she may have had.

Her stomach churned as she stared at the ceiling, body tingling with nerves as she thought about the day to come. Voices drifted from downstairs and the laid back tone that reached her ears filled her with envy. This wasn't the Gods’ first battle. It probably wasn't even the biggest, and she wished she had their experience and obvious nonchalance. These nerves had to be a first battle thing, surely. She’d seen a battle through Lissandre’s eyes but Lissandre had had no fear. It could have been because she had held more confidence in her abilities than Thea did at this moment. Closing her eyes, she sent a silent prayer inward to the recesses of her soul that were Lissandre; please lend me your strength. She prayed Lissandre would lend her anything to stop her body feeling as though it was about to explode into a thousand tiny balls of fear. Even sitting up seemed like an effort at this point and she had yet to get out of bed.

The door opened and Artemis strode in, wearing a black vest and matching pants. Her boots stopped just below her knees, her bow already strapped to her back. She held a similar outfit in her hand and shut the door with a slam. “Up and at ‘em champ. Today's the big day.”

“Is it too late to call in sick?” she asked feebly and shrunk back from the look of disgust on Artemis' face.

“Don't decide to lose your spine now, Thea, or I’ll have to beat some courage into you.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she caught the clothes thrown at her. “How are you guys so calm? Aren't you nervous at all?”

“More excited than nervous. Can't wait to kick some Titan ass. I haven't had a real challenge in years; this should be a good day. Hephaestus isn’t coming, Zeus seems to think we won’t need him which is good. More titan bashing for me.”

“Right,” Thea whispered. “I forgot; you like all this stuff.”

Artemis sat beside her. “Look, it's all right to be nervous. You're a mortal about to fight a God’s battle. Anyone in your shoes would be wetting their pants right now, but not you. You know what needs to be done and trust me when I say in this battle, there are seven Gods who you can classify as downright scary. Of those seven, five are on our side. You've got nothing to worry about. Just do what you have to do. It's not just Hermes who has your back today —it's all of us.”

Thea squeezed the clothes in her hands, feeling strangely inspired. “You know, I think that's the nicest thing I've ever heard you say.”

Artemis scowled and stood up. “Well don't expect me to repeat it again. The next time you talk about being scared or nervous, I'll beat it out of you. Are we clear?”

“Crystal,” she smiled.

Artemis pulled Thea to her feet and motioned to the clothes. “Hurry up and undress. I'll help you put this on. Leather can be a bitch to get on sometimes — even soft leather such as this.”

“Do I have to wear leather?”

“This outfit was made from Leviathans. It’s damn near impenetrable so don’t complain.”

She looked at the leather closely. “Do I want to know what a Leviathan is?”

“Probably not.”

The leather felt soft against her skin as she pulled the clothes on. The leather seemed to meld to her body shape. Once Artemis had finished tying the final straps together, Thea stared at herself in the mirror. A strange warrior woman stared back at her wearing a brown vest, similar to Artemis', and matching brown leggings. Her brown hair was piled on top of her head, held together with a piece of leather. Her necklace rested against her chest, shining in the sun coming through the window, and she touched it briefly. Green eyes stared back at her, fear and uncertainty lying below the surface.

Artemis clapped her on the back and her arms shot out before she crashed head first into the mirror. “You scrub up all right. Get some dirt and blood on you, then you'll be a true warrior.”

All Thea could think of was Xena when she said that. In a way, she did look like Xena but she didn’t feel like a warrior in the slightest. She just felt like a scared girl playing dress up. She tried to be positive about the situation. If she survived, she could always keep the outfit and go as Xena for next Halloween.

Walking to the door, she opened it. “Let's go. Everyone's waiting.”

They made their way downstairs and outside, Hermes was waiting by the front door, dressed in his own battle attire which, in her opinion, made him look handsome. He smiled, sensing her fear, and took her hand. “Are you ready? Do you want to try and eat something?”

“I don’t think I could eat right now. I’m as ready as I'll ever be, I think.”

Beyond Hermes, the other Gods stood waiting. They all wore similar battle garments, consisting of brown or black leather, their weapons hanging from their persons.

Zeus stood at the front, looking more intimidating than petulant for once. His fingers flexed and she thought she saw sparks shooting from them.

“You better know what you're doing,” he growled.

“You better remember our deal,” she retaliated.

His face hardened and this time. she did see sparks shooting from his fingertips. Apollo stood just behind him, grinning as he looked her up and down, giving her the thumbs up. Ares and Enyo were standing near the back, donned in full battle attire. Thea could definitely see them as part of the fearsome five. Artemis and Zeus too. The remaining member chose that moment to step forward, someone Thea had never met but recognition flashed as she saw her face.

With honey blonde hair and blue eyes, she was a beauty — same as Artemis though not as delicate featured. Her eyes were colder, face hardened and that, combined with her steel blue armour and helmet, made Thea feel instantly relieved she was on her side. Logic told her that this was Athena. Athena walked forward and captured her chin. Thea felt as though something was crawling along her skin but she couldn't step away. The Goddess’ grip was gentle but strong.

“So.” Her voice cut like a knife. “You are the deity we have been waiting for.”

“You must be Athena. Nice to meet you.” Common courtesy kicked in for some reason and Athena raised an eyebrow.

“I was not expecting you to have manners. My previous encounters with you have proved to be rather distasteful.”

“Well I'm not my previous self. I'm different.”

“I can see that.” Her lip curled and she gave her body an assessing eye. “Will you have the courage to perform your duty?”

“Yes, I will.” Thea had to stop herself from adding, 'your honour' to the end of that sentence. Athena really did come across as a judge; everything about her was righteous, and she could see why Artemis would have a hard time getting along with her.

“Can we get on with this?” Zeus growled.

Irritation crossed Athena's features and she turned to face him. “We shall depart when we are all ready. All these years and still, you have not been gifted with patience.”

Thunder rippled across the sky but the Goddess was unaffected, turning back to Thea. “Our victory rests in your hands, Thea Gibson. Do not let us down.”

As Athena walked past Zeus, Thea watched as she lifted her head haughtily and Zeus' hands curled into fists.

“Great pep talk,” Thea muttered. The nerves were back in full force and Hermes coughed, looking down. Her grip on his hand had become like death, and no matter how hard she tried to loosen her grip, her hand refused to listen.

“Right.” Zeus took control of the situation. “Hope everyone's got everything because we won't be coming back to pick up any forgotten weapons or armour.”

This last part seemed to be directed at Apollo as he turned to glare at the Sun God. Apollo held up his sword, which seemed to be taped to his hand. “Don't worry about me. Artemis has it covered.”

Zeus stepped forward, turning to face the Gods. “You all know the drill. Defend the girl until she opens Tartarus. Once the gate is open, shove as many of those bastards inside while you can. I'll help the girl deal with Cronos. Do you have their location, Hermes?”

Hermes stepped forward, pulling Thea with him. “Yes, they're on Olympus, in the mortal realm just above Enipea stream.”

“Good. Then weapons at the ready,” Zeus shouted. “We go to war!”

As one, they all moved closer and, taking a deep breath, Thea watched as Hermes transported them away, the field melting into open air. Instincts stopped her from falling and she floated in the air. The others were hovering and beginning to move into formation. Hermes had mentioned that the Gods who weren’t associated with air could still hover. If they stopped concentrating they would simply fall. The Titans were the same and when they fought, they often jumped on the air.

Glancing below, she saw Olympus under them, the mountain large and empowering. A small body of water traced its way up the mountain and she guessed this was the Enipea stream. Glancing back up, her heart stilled and lodged itself in her throat.

Eight Titans hovered before them, similarly dressed for battle. There were some she recognised: Atlas, Oceanus and the two bastards who had killed Shae. The others were unfamiliar, but the one at the centre, hand wrapped around Josh's throat, she recognised instantly.

“How nice of you to make it,” Cronos smiled, eyes focused on her.

In her dreams, the Titan had terrified her, and now in real life, the feeling was intensified a hundred fold. An aura of power radiated from him and the urge to run drowned out all other thought. His eyes never left her face and her body trembled. How had Lissandre done this?

Josh was unconscious, his face pale and drawn. Guilt warred with fear; it was her fault he had been dragged into this. It took everything to stop herself from rushing over there like an idiot and screaming at them to let him go. A small cut was visible along his hairline, dry blood plastered to the left side of his face. His chest rose and fell faintly, and while her face was emotionless, her mind was trying to figure out how to save him. Fear continued to block any ideas and her mind came up blank.

His eyes opened for a moment, finding her own, and she saw his lips move, forming her name before his eyes closed. She opened her mouth to tell him everything was going to be okay, when something happened. A strange sense of peace seeped through her body. The nerves which had been plaguing her since she woke faded to a small flutter in her stomach. Her mind stopped trying to think of ideas and simply became numb. It was as if she had stepped out of her body and was watching from somewhere else.

Zeus moved forward as dark clouds began to form. The wind intensified and an ominous rumble of thunder boomed around them. No one else moved; the Titans stood as statues, weapons ready in their steady hands.

“You should have stayed in Tartarus.” Zeus' voice was deep and a powerful energy rolled off his body.

She sensed similar energies from the other Gods and Titans, and she realised that the battle was imminent. Hermes moved in front of her, his staff extended before him. She sensed Artemis on her other side and Apollo right behind her. Their close proximity would normally make her feel safe, but the strange sensation remained and instead, she felt nothing.

Cronos turned to look at Zeus, eyes becoming glacial. “I will take back what is mine, boy. You've grown weak over the years, I can feel it. Olympus will be mine once more, and it will be you rotting in the depths of Tartarus by the end of this day.”

Lightning flashed and Thea could hear weapons being drawn behind her. Still, she felt nothing and her gaze remained on the rise and fall of Josh’s chest.

Be brave.

The voice came from her mind and her body twitched. It sounded warm and familiar. What?

You must be brave, Thea.

Who is this? she thought.

Someone who can help.

A flare of hope bloomed in her chest. Lissandre?

Yes, child.

How is this possible?

I know not, but I dare not question it. If I had to guess, I would say the Elder Gods have been meddling so as to aid you. I cannot do much, but I can help you face this day.

Can you help me save Josh?

There was silence; she heard Zeus and Cronos talking, their voices growing darker, and she cried out as Cronos moved his arm, swinging Josh around like a doll.

At her cry, his eyes turned back to her and a sinister smile curved his lips. “Ah yes, before I begin, we must first deal with the human.”

Lissandre, help me save him, she begged.

I am sorry, Thea, I cannot.

What? No! “Spare him,” she called, her voice strangled. “He has nothing to do with this.” Please, Lissandre, help me!

“I shall spare his life,” Cronos said calmly, “if you surrender to my demands and allow me to end your life instead.”

“No,” Hermes growled, moving closer.

Her mouth opened to tell him yes, take her life instead - she couldn't bear to see another person she cared for die - but her body froze against her will. She fought to speak but Lissandre was stopping her somehow.

Thea, Lissandre spoke gently. You must remain calm.

I know, but I can't! I need to –

It is beyond your control. His life was forfeit the moment Cronos took him.

I can save him! Josh's face was deathly pale; Cronos' grip on his throat had tightened and she knew he had to be struggling to breathe.

Thea, I am so sorry. Please forgive me.

Her mouth moved of its own accord and she was horrified as Lissandre spoke through her. “I cannot accept your terms.”

Cronos looked at her with an air of acceptance, as if he had guessed this outcome from the beginning. “So be it.”

His hand tightened and a gurgled cry pushed past Josh's lips as Cronos crushed his windpipe.

“No!” Thea screamed, her rage giving her control of her body as Cronos released him, his body falling to the earth below, and as the lightning flashed, the Gods surged forward and the battle was underway. 

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A/N: Hey guys, since I'm entering this into the awards, it needs to be finished before the deadline so I will be posting the last few chapters when they are ready ^_^