'Action and reaction is all that mattered now...'  

Sea-shells

Sonya's POV

Trita was pacing around; her dark green eyes faded over with worry. She was distraught, but even more so, she was petrified.

I tried to be the rock; to keep my concerns and fears locked down just below the bubbling surface, but it was harder than I thought. This was quite the mess we'd allowed ourselves to be part of. Then again, the best things in life weren't easy.

But was this all worth it in the end? Was this world meant for us; was this world something we could get used to and adapt to or would it swallow us whole? I had the feeling it was a risk I was willing to take- and I wasn't much of a risk-taker.

I never thought that in a universe where things were so disorganised and wild, yet regal would I feel so at ease. It was almost scary in a way, but was this only the mere surface I've yet to experience, and if so, would the deeper complexities of this realm intrigue me even more?

Again- it was something I was willing to try. Perhaps it was love that influenced my sudden bravery, perhaps friendship and the fear of loss? All know was that I felt just as invested in this war as the gods and Aurora. I felt I had to play my part in it- whatever it may be. I was ready to help wherever I could; if I even could.

Maybe just as Aurora's support system, or as a beacon of light for her, to keep her on the right path before she lost herself to the hopelessness that comes with this power. That was enough for me.

"I don't like this..." Trita had stopped pacing. I hadn't even noticed as she stood by the door, her hands on the handle. I stood up quickly; ready to stop her from rushing out.

"It's too quiet." She shook her head and leaned in.

I listened. She was right.

I walked over to the door to press my ear against the large double doors. There was no sound coming from the other side, only an eerie silence. I opened my mouth and yelled; "Opis?"

"When is Barrios supposed to get here?" Trita asked and eyed the window. It was a long way down.

I swallowed; "No idea." I tried again; "Opis!"

No answer. Trita shot her hand out and grabbed a poker from the fireplace. The hard steel glistened in the firelight and I listened in to hear a familiar voice. I eyed her with a raised eyebrow.

"What are you doing?"

Trita tapped the thing on her open palm; "Being smart."

I looked around the room and my eye caught two spears hanging from the wall over the fireplace. They were placed diagonally over the mantelpiece and strapped to the wall by clips. They looked ancient, but well maintained. Thanatos liked his weapons, I see...

I rushed over and plucked one from the wall. Trita shot me a look; "What are you doing?"

I smiled; "Being smarter."

My dear friend rolled her eyes, but the action was interrupted by a sudden blow of energy. I saw the ball of fire rush right past my face in a blaze of heat and nearly threw the spear across the room to duck for cover.

The large doors ripped open and I pulled Trita back and away from the raging flames that licked up across the edge of the rug. The fire around the steel chairs ceased and I pushed us under the table, pushing it over to shield us from the intruder. Trita coughed and waved away the smoke, but my eyes were firmly locked onto the figure emerging from the dark cloud of smoulder.

Alexus glared at the darkened room.

Her hands were covered in flames and she held them at her sides, ready for any attack. We were no match for a legendary mage. Hell, I didn't even have any idea how to hold a spear, no less jab something with it. So I pulled Trita in tighter and ducked our heads down. I signalled at her to be quiet. The room was a mess from the sudden jolt of fire and Alexus was probably wondering if she happened to miss us or got a direct hit. She wasn't that lucky.

Better to let her figure it out on her own while we tried to find a way around her.

"I know you're here." The witch said, her artificial blonde hair covered in soot and ash, darkening it to a murky brown. She looked more natural now- less fake. I knew it was her, to be honest. I knew there was something off about her. I should've followed my gut...

Trita pulled at my sleeve and signalled to the couch. The armrests were burning slightly, but there wasn't enough oxygen coming to the room to fuel the fire even more, so it burned slowly and ate at the furniture like termites. She wanted us to go around it and run for the door. I nodded and gestured to her to keep the poker close to her chest. Trita nodded and glanced through a crack to see where Alexus was.

The young mage was on the opposite end of the room, shoving book off the bookcase and setting them on fire while her eyes searched the thin nooks and crannies, making sure she could do the same to us, given the chance. I saw her face. I knew she liked it- setting fire to what was Thanatos'.

I hope she didn't feel the same about Aurora.

Trita moved first, her hands carefully navigating over the burnt floor. She was quick on her knees- I kept a mental reminder to tease her about that later; if we were still alive by then.

I contemplated dropping the spear. It was long and might give us away, but I might be giving up my defence too. It was a tough decision, but I had the feeling we could make it, so I kept it tucked close to my side as I crawled over the rug. The smoke filled the air, but not enough to choke us, just enough to reduce our visibility.

Alexus didn't seem too fazed by it. She looked like she was enjoying the hunt. Her anger was bubbling. I wonder how Aurora had escaped. Gods... I hope she had.

Opis!

Shit! I hope the old butler was alright! Alexus couldn't be that cold-hearted, could she?

Trita nearly tapped her poker against the steel chair to her right, but I quickly stuck out my hand and snatched it back. She got a small fright and shot me a look, but nodded and tucked the weapon in tighter against her waist. She continued to crawl.

Alexus growled from across the room. She was now moving closer to us, towards the centre of the room; "Aurora... So caught up with Thanatos she forgot I'd managed to get into the vault before. It was so easy to get out."

So Aurora is alive! Well, we could only assume? Trita shot me a look of relief, but I kept my eyes focused on the task. I gestured with my chin for her to continue. There would be time later.

Alexus spoke again, as if trying to get a reaction; "By now Ares has probably taken care of Thanatos and Hypnos already. He had that ambush planned months ago. Finally they're all in one spot." She crushed one of Thanatos' models of a wooden ancient-Greek ship in her bare hand; "I hope they bleed..."

Trita gritted her teeth, but kept moving slowly. I tapped her rear and tugged at her clothes to stop. She turned her head and realised that the doors out were a few metres away; the only problem was that Alexus was standing in the centre now and she would spot us long before we made it outside.

Her hands were still on fire and I wasn't about to test my flame-resistance.

So we had to stop and think and think fast. She was slowly making her way over to our side. Just then, Trita's head whipped around and pulled out Aurora's portal-summoner. My eyes lit up.

Yes! I'd completely forgotten about that little device!

Trita nodded to me to get ready and I glanced at Alexus through a crack. As she looked around the room, towards the window, I signalled to Trita and she turned the small device.

Suddenly, a large portal opened up and shot out a blinding light and a sound so loud, it caused Alexus to jump back in shock. The fire around the portal started back up and grew with the sudden gust of air, but the smoke was blown away through the small opening in the window; leaving the room clearer.

We jumped up and ran towards it, but too late did we realise something was horribly wrong.

The portal was purple.

I grabbed Trita back before she stumbled into it and our hearts sunk as Alexus' loud laughter filled the room. I grabbed the spear closer and pushed it out in front of me, hoping it would make sure she kept her distance. Not that it mattered- she had magic.

Alexus tutted; those cat-like eyes said it all. "Clever."

"You messed with our portal-summoner!" Trita shouted and watched the light lilac float over the air instead of a darker blue. Aurora's blue.

Alexus nodded and her calmness returned; "When I came to check up on Aurora while she stayed on Olympus. You left it out in the open." She titled her head and smiled softly; "It's a shame really... Your plan would've worked too."

"Oh, shut up!" Trita rolled her eyes and threw the poker through the air. Alexus was ready for it. She slapped it away with an ice-slab, forming from her hands, and it smacked against the wall, imbedding itself in the rug. She tried to shoot at us with her fire, but we dodged left and out of the room, our feet moving fast.

I ducked behind a couch and pulled Trita with from the corner of my eyes I caught sight of the old butler's lame body. His eyes were closed. "Is he...?" Trita asked and I shook my head, not sure if I wanted to know.

"You're delaying the inevitable." Alexus shouted and rushed out to meet us.

I closed my eyes and prayed, not even sure if it was being heard anymore.

Trita bit her lip and searched the area for some way out, but nothing seemed to be within range for us to either use or escape through. I nodded my head; knowing what needed to be done.

It's time we took that risk. Either this world is going to swallow us whole, or were going to prove were just as capable to survive here than the rest of them. I grabbed Trita by the hand and pointed to the chandelier.

"Now or never, Rita."

"Hell. You're crazy."

I shook my head; "God help us..."

With only opening, I jumped up from behind the couch and extended my arm and threw. The spear was heavy, but thank the gods it hit the metal clasp. I should've done javelin throw in high school!

The spear hit the chandelier and it came crashing down, shattering into a million pieces. Alexus ducked for cover and Trita pulled me back down to shelter me from the hard glass.

I hoped Opis didn't get hit, but now wasn't the time to check. We ran. We ran like the wind was pushing us forward with purpose.

Alexus jumped up, her loud cry of pain clear. She'd been hit by something- that's for sure.

We rushed down the steps and realised it was too slow, so we did what Trita always used to beg me to do with her in her grandparents old mansion. Slide down on the railing.

I didn't bother protesting now...

We zoomed down with lightning speed, our hair flowing behind us.

"Where to?" Trita shouted and I pushed her forward.

"Just keep going!"

"HEY!" The loud cry for attention made our eyes shoot up to the top staircase, where the mage stood fuming. In her hand she held a flaming spear.

Shit.

"Run!" Trita and I shouted in sync, taking the next railing without a sliver of fear or hesitation. Alexus growled and drew back her arm, she smiled and released.

The spear missed us, but that wasn't her target.

She set the carpet on fire and I had to grab Trita and pull her back before she landed right in the flames. She screamed, the flames so close to her feet that her skin was scorched with heat. I swung us off the railing, breaking a rib or two in the process. Trita screamed; "Bitch!"

Trita clutched her leg and yelled out in pain. I rushed my hands to press onto the area, but Trita screamed and shoved me away; "Leave! Let's just get out of here!"

She was burnt badly, I could see it. I could smell it. But she was right- this wasn't the time. She could still run and that was what mattered.

"Just die already!" Alexus responded and raced after us, her eyes bright with anger and her hands at her sides, creating a small tornado at her sides. Now she was livid.

Trita tugged me with her towards the lower kitchens and we race inside, arming ourselves with knives and anything we could find. We weren't giving up that easy.

As Alexus rushed into the kitchen, I threw her with a plate. How Greek of me...

"Here! Catch!" I shouted and the white porcelain hit her square across the nose. Alexus yelled out in pain and ducked for anymore impact. Trita threw a knife, her eyes sharp and filled with rage. The knife didn't make it very far, because Alexus immediately waved her hand and the knife shot against the wall like a piece of plastic.

Alexus shook her head, her nose bleeding and a dark bruise forming around her bridge. "You little shits!"

She lifted her hands and shot out a blazing rage of electricity, but unlike Thanatos' or Aurora's energy bolts, this one was messed up! We ducked under the table, the energy completely too wild and erratic, shooting the whole kitchen full of sparks and small bolts of fire. Alexus was clearly no master in blood magic- wait!

Was that part of why she seemed so crazed? I couldn't really tell... I didn't have too much knowledge on the crafts, but from what Aurora's told me. Energy is never supposed to shoot and crackle like that. That was like unleashing a cracker in a barn!

"Get up cowa-" Her voice stopped midway, interrupted by a hard metal knock, and Trita and I shared a quick look. This is either really good or really bad and so far our day hasn't been going too well...

We waited a few moments until Trita's impatience got the better of her. She snuck her head out from under the table and looked over the rim, but her sudden scream of shock sent me jumping up only to bang my head against the hard wooden table-top.

A hand on her shoulder ripped her up and two familiar green eyes bore down into mine. I nearly fell down onto the floor. Barrios glared down at us, a dented frying pan in his hand.

He pulled me up and squashed me to his chest. I pushed myself into his body, like a baby animal finding its mother.

"What the hell happened?"

"Alexus!" Trita shouted; "She's mad! She's completely crazy! Cuckoo!"

"I can see that!" He said and dropped the pan on the hard floor. It rattled and twirled around. He grabbed us by the arms and pushed us up to the stairs, his glare hard; "Go up to the highest level and lock yourself in any room you can find. I'm going to deal with her."

"Are you going to kill her?" Trita asked softly, her eyes landing on the unconscious mage.

Barrios shook his head; "I think Thanatos would like that privilege."

"Don't lock her in the vault." I grabbed his hand, feeling so reassured now that he was here; "She got out somehow. Aurora tried to lock her in there."

Barrios nodded and signalled for us to go up; "Quickly. I'll be up in a few."

We nodded and didn't argue- this was by far our best attempt at standing up to a being as powerful as Alexus and I'm saddened to say, if Barrios hadn't sneaked up on her and dealt her a hard hit to the head when he had, we'd be on the kitchen floor right now and definitely not just unconscious.

Alexus was strong. Ridiculously strong. She knew she'd win eventually. We stood no chance. And it made me feel so angry. I wanted to help and I knew we could, but they all had an unfair advantage. I don't know if I was satisfied with that and I could see Trita felt the same.

I suspect even Barrios would have some difficulty dealing with Alexus if it was down to a man-on-woman match. Thank gods Thanatos taught him well...

We grabbed hands and rushed up the stairs, moving fast and our hearts still pounding loudly. Trita waved off my hands as I tried to see her wound. "Later."

The adrenaline was keeping the pain subdued for now, but soon she would need something to ease it. The high that near-death gave us was fading.

We reached the top. The fire all around died down and left ash and smoke. We rushed towards the dense mess, my initial instinct to check on Opis. The old butler as seated upright, his posture perfect- even when there was a massive jagged glass piece sticking out from his forearm.

"Opis!" I shouted and Trita quickly ducked down to touch it but I ripped her hand back. I was training as a nurse and this was something I knew how to handle.

"Don't. Quickly, fetch me water and a cloth. Where are the bandages and disinfectant?"

Opis, sill dazed, looked around and pointed to the cupboard smashed in by Alexus' rage; "There should be a medical box... I keep it lose in case Thanatos and Poseidon have chess night again soon."

"Chess ni-" I shook my head and waved it off; "Never mind; Trita, get me that box. Opis, lean back and close your eyes. Point me in the direction of your rum."

"My dear girl, I have no idea what you're talking-"

"Opis!" Trita scolded as she ripped open the cracked in doors of the cupboard and pulled back the broken wood; "We're new to this, but not blind. Rum, you old man- where is it?"

Opis sighed and pointed under the couch. I stuck my hand underneath and pulled up a nearly full bottle; "This should work for disinfectant-"

Opis pulled the bottle form my hands and opened the lid quickly, even with a nearly off arm. He swung the bottle back and chugged. Trita and I shared a surprised and impressed look.

He drank for a few seconds, nearly taking half of the rum. He swallowed the last sip and placed the remaining half in my hand. I eyed him and asked hesitantly; "Ready? This may hurt."

Opis waved his hand in the air and chuckled; "Oh please dear... The twins once accidently let a whole herd of Griffins loose in the palace. This is a walk in the park..."

Ares had me up in his arms the moment we landed in the front gardens of Mount Olympus, his sickle right under my neck.

The large gardens were filled with familiar gods and unfamiliar monsters- weapons meeting in loud clangs, blood flying onto the grass and ground and loud screams of pain following suit.

With a loud howl, which I could only describe as a battle cry, Ares ordered attention.

The gods, demi-gods and monsters all backed up from each other and turned their attention to Ares. His smirk widened and in his eyes, I saw a craze light up like fire. I was in the hands of a maniac. This is a delicate situation.

Poseidon was the first to speak; lifting his sword up in the sky and his chest heaving with shallow breaths; "Don't hurt her."

I tried to struggle free, but it was fairy useless. Ares smiled and nodded; "Oh, I won't need to if you do as I say..."

Poseidon nodded with Amphitrite next to him, her eyes fixed on mine, trying to keep me calm. I was calm. I had a plan, but that required Ares to budge slightly, which needless to say, would not be an easy feat.

"Hold on!" Hephaestus shouted from the centre of the large space, his armour matted with floor and guts and a dead man at his feet; "Are we going to give up our fighting advantage just to save one mortal?"

"She's not a mortal." Aphrodite shouted over the rumble, her angry eyes meeting her former lover's. Ares looked pissed off by her appearance. She was covered in golden armour, her sword and face caked with blood and mud. She looked like the fighter I knew she was. He clearly didn't like it.

"Aphrodite is right;" Athena said as she pulled her sword up from a Minotaur's throat; "Aurora is one of us."

"Spare me the sentiment." Ares pushed me up tighter against him, the sickle nearly slicing through my skin. "Drop your weapons."

Poseidon was the first to do it. Surprisingly, next was Hades. Slowly, one by one, all the other gods, guards and reapers dropped their spears, swords and shields. They clanged onto the ground and grass and the large area filled with dread as Ares nodded his head to his remaining men.

They quickly clasped chains onto the gods and demi-gods, making sure they wouldn't be able to move. I closed my eyes in anger, knowing none of this would've happened if I hadn't entertained Alexus' sick games, but then again- I didn't have much of a choice.

But this was no time for the blame-game. Action and reaction is all that mattered now.

"Now," Ares stepped forward, budging me too, "I will be elected as the new king and with the power invested in me, I will decide on my new pantheon."

"As if anyone would want to serve under you..." Amphitrite said with a hiss. Poseidon wrapped his hand around hers and pulled her behind him.

Ares' dark eyes followed her, glaring her down. "Either you submit, or I eradicate you."

No one spoke. I bit my tongue, knowing I shouldn't even be part of this conversation, but I couldn't help wanting to cut him with my words. Though, then he'd find a way to cut me.

"Don't worry; I have insurance, in case you don't want to submit fully..." He pulled the Aegis from the back and all the gods immediately ducked and covered their eyes, but some guards and reapers weren't as quick. Some screamed out in pain and fear, filling the gardens with a vile and awful noise and the rest all turned to stone, their bodies freezing in horror.

The noise was sickening- cracking and loud, the sound of bone freezing in a tight mould and squeezing out all the air from within.

I watched in anger and pain as some dear reapers crumbled to ash as some of the guards kicked them down and laughed. But their laughs didn't last long as some of Ares' own men had turned to stone. Not that he cared.

"Then again, I see now that scaring everyone into obedience is somewhat delusional." Ares chuckled.

"Yeah, that's the delusional part of your plan..." I couldn't stop the words before they tumbled from my mouth. Ares' hand wrapped around my neck in an instant.

"What did you say, you little whore?" He spat his words into my face.

I snarled and tried to wriggle free, but he was far too strong. Hades bellowed from behind me; "Let her go, Ares! Your quarrel is with us!"

"My quarrel is with all of you, including this little madam here." He dangled me in front of him like I weighted nothing more than a feather. I coughed and inhaled deeply, trying to get as much air in my lungs as possible. "And I've noticed that she is indeed the perfect bargaining chip."

"You're an egotistical prick, you know that?" Artemis laughed from the side and with one quick blow to her head from the guard behind her, she was on the floor. It only made her angrier. She shot up, her fists ready, but Hephaestus kept her at bay. He pulled her back and tried to soothe her.

This was no time for your temper to get control of you.

"Keep them all here. I'll be back for them later." Ares eyed the gods with disdain. He turned, dragging me with him I shot Poseidon and Hades a quick look of reassurance, but they didn't believe me one bit.

"Bring in my mother to the great hall. I know she's hiding out somewhere with her daft sister."

A few guards dispersed and left to go find Hera and Demeter. I shook my head, knowing that if I didn't do something soon, Ares was going to take action, and it would be irreversible.

He threw me into the great hall. I landed next to the large golden throne, my hair falling across my face. I grumbled and glare up at him, but quickly got back up on my feet, not wanting him to see any form of weakness in me.

Ares smirked and walked towards me, the sickle at his side. I stood ready for any form of attack he might have, but just then, a sudden gust of wind blew us back and a large yellow portal opened up.

Trimorphe was the first to jump out, her hair on end and her snarling loud. I grabbed her around the neck before she managed to jump towards Ares. I knew he'd slice her head off with that thing. She purred into my neck and I quickly tried to comfort her and keep her at bay.

Apollo stormed out of the portal, his sword high above his head. It all happened far too quickly.

Ares grabbed me by my hair and pulled me up. The sickle found my throat and Trimorphe growled at him from the throne. Apollo stopped his sudden attack and back up, dropping his sword onto the floor, his eyes wide; "Whoa!"

"Kneel, brother!" Ares laughed and growled at the same time, spitting drool into my face. I snarled.

Apollo huffed and rolled his eyes, but didn't move an inch. Suddenly, I felt the sickle by my stomach and then it moved up, towards the area above my heart.

"Kneel, or I rip out her heart and hand it to you."

"Fine!" Apollo yelled and dropped down onto the floor, kneeling with his hands above his head; "Fucking sociopath..."

"That's better..." Ares chuckled. Apollo and I shared a look of distress. The young king looked exhausted. I don't even want to see what I looked like.

"My lord." A guard entered the chamber and behind him, I spotted two older woman; "We found the queen and her sister."

Ares grumbled; "Throw Demeter out with the rest of them."

The guard nodded and ushered Hera forward, taking Demeter away and towards the gardens where the other gods were being held captive.

"Juggling quite a few situations here, aren't we?" Hera said as she took a few steps forward her eyes uneasy she had no idea what to expect from her mad son. Was he here to take her down too or was he here as her loving son? Who knew what was going through Ares' mind anymore; all his plans had changed.

I eyed Hera, gesturing to her with my chin to back up and keep herself far away in case of anything. She didn't give away my warning, but instead fixed her son with a warm smile. "What are you planning on doing with our family, dear? You must realise that this game has gone on long enough-"

"Mother," Ares sighed, as if he was talking to a child; "These people are not my family; they are scum. You know that."

"I do not think my sister is scum, Ares." Hera flicked her tongue I disapproval, her head moving like an old wealthy lady of the manor. She tucked her hands in front of her dress and sighed; "Let's discuss this like adults, shall we? Lay down that vile thing."

Ares laughed with shock at his mother and clutched the sickle tighter. "I will not allow you to treat me with such disrespect, mother. Now," He moved closer, his eyes wide with anger, "Go sit on that chair until I have some use for you."

Hera looked down at me with scared eyes. I could see the air of superiority and calm attitude was all but a ruse. She was terrified and had no idea how to rein in her crazed son. I don't think she ever knew how to keep him from his insanity.

"Very well, but only because I believe we can have a decent conversation about this." She eyed him with distrust and moved towards the chair next to the throne as if by choice; "Soon, hopefully. Yes?"

Ares didn't answer. He shifted his eyes to Apollo, who was still kneeling on the floor, his concerned eyes on my throat. The young king had the largest bull's-eye painted on his forehead that I've ever seen.

Ares smirked, "You look a little green there, brother?"

Apollo clenched his teeth and darted his eyes up to Ares. He didn't look too good to be honest.

Ares didn't let up in his mocking tone; "Feeling the effects of the Aegis again? Trying to fight it?"

I gasped softly. Apollo was hit by the Aegis? Thank gods he didn't turn to stone.

Apollo sneered down at the ground and grumbled; "What do you want, Ares? You have us all under your control, now get to the point."

"Yes, yes... All in good time." Ares gripped my chin. "You see, I have one more thing to acquire before I can be considered a great king."

"A personality change?" I mumbled, but of course, Ares wasn't deaf.

I felt his hand connect with my face before I had the chance to even duck out of the way. The hard smack was achingly painful and sent me flying back across the floor, right into Apollo's arms. The young king grabbed me up and quickly examined my face.

Trimorphe growled loudly and lunged for Ares. He knocked her back with his foot and she was sent flying into a pillar.

"Ares!" Hera shot up from her chair, but the mad god wrung around and quickly pushed his mother back, establishing his power over her with brute force.

Apollo grabbed my face in between his hands and he quickly wiped away the blood from my burst lip. It was healing quickly, but the pain lasted longer. I was livid, but Apollo's strong hands on my waist and cheek kept me pinned on his lap, keeping me from lunging at Ares.

The god of war eyed us from across the room, his annoyance at our closeness clearly evident. I quickly whispered to Apollo; "Where's Thanatos and Hypnos?"

"Hypnos is out looking for Thanatos, but-"

"Shut up!" Ares yelled and walked over to where we were sat, my back to him. Apollo quickly wrapped a protective arm around me, his expression filling with anger as Ares pressed the sickle against the young king's forehead.

"Let go."

Apollo didn't budge, but instead pressed me deeper into his warm chest, sheltering me. I watched silently as they stared each other down, Ares towering over us, but Apollo still refusing to unhook his arms from my waist. "I said; let go."

The sickle pressed up harder and I knew I had to do something. I pushed Apollo back and scooted out from between them, not wanting to be in the middle of it. Ares grabbed me by the arm and I didn't bother struggling; he'd only use the sickle to get what he wanted anyway.

Apollo clenched his jaw, knowing there was nothing he could do without putting all of us in dire danger. So he watched as Ares chuckled and traced a finger down my newly healed lip. I stared blankly at the wall.

"Apollo never had the balls to really defy Thanatos, but I on the other hand..." He leaned in, his breath fanning my face, but I kept my eyes away, locked onto the large doors, wishing Thanatos would burst through them. "I'm not too worried about tasting the forbidden fruit."

I swallowed softly, not giving him the satisfaction of knowing how scared I was. I felt like none of the magic I'd developed, nor the spells I were taught world be able to help me- he had the sickle. How on earth was I to compete? I may have the sword, but of course Erebus had so cleverly hid it from everyone, including me.

The right word? How fucking stupid is that? I didn't have time for games and yet everyone around me kept pretending like this was one big, fat joke.

"Oh, look at him..." Ares whispered in my ear as he grinned down at his half brother. Apollo looked enraged. "Is someone jealous?"

Apollo hissed; "You fucking moron. You're wasting everyone's time."

"You know, brother dear..." Ares chuckled and tapped his chin with a tanned finger; "I always thought you had more of a little thing for Thanatos, to be honest. Shouldn't you be jealous of Aurora then?"

"You really are deluded." Apollo spat at Ares' feet and I tried to tell him to calm down with my eyes, but he avoided them like the plague.

"Then again, you do like playing both fields, don't you?" Ares laughed, and with one quick movement, he kicked Apollo back with his hard foot. Apollo huffed out in anger and pain and fell back onto his side. I moved to help him, but Ares pulled me towards him.

"Come; we have one final stop."

"This is getting really annoying-"

"Shut up, princess!" Ares yanked me and quickly held out his sickle at Hera. His mother's eyes popped up wide and in fear, all her bravery suddenly evaporating. "Portal, now. To the entrance of the Underworld. My guards will take care of the rest of them."

I shook my head; "You're going to threaten your mother-"

"I said-" He pressed the sickle closer to her chest and Hera looked like she might faint; "Portal. Now."

"Alright! Just calm down!" I waved my hands in the air, creating a portal for him to step through.

Hera spoke up with a shocked tone; "Ares, how dare you?"

"Oh, shut up, Hera. Your time is over in Mount Olympus. You and father never cared to put me in as the heir, when you knew it was only fair, so why on earth should I show you any compassion?"

"I'm your mother-"

"Zeus was my father." Ares leaned in to whisper to his mother's face, his grin filled with no emotion; "And look what happened to him."

She had no time to respond, because in an instant I was pushed forward and the portal grabbed me, dragging us both towards a dark and familiar abyss.

Ares pushed me forward, wasting no time on landing properly. I barely had my bearings right before I was suddenly being thrust in front of a large river.

The river Styx.

Shit.

"What the hell are we doing here?"

"You mentioned a personality change. That gave me an idea..."

Shit. Shit. And shit, Aurora. Well fucking done.

Ares pushed me forward, his hands on my shoulders. I snarled as he attempted to push me into the water, but I quickly pushed back and screamed loudly, hoping anyone would hear me.

"NO!" I shouted and struggled to break free of his grip. Quickly I racked my brain for a spell that might help, but nothing specific came to mind. All just fragments and pieces. There was one to cover my body with a thin layer of magic- to create a force-field. To keep more than just magic away, but other substances too- like water. Tainted water. I knew that, but I couldn't for the life of me remember the name of it!

Shit. This keeps getting better.

He fought back hard, his anger flaring up. "I need a queen, Aurora, and let's be honest, Aphrodite is only good for one thing..." I attempted to bite him, but he clenched my jaw shut; "And besides, this will kill Thanatos."

He chuckled suddenly, his face filling with so much glee; "That is... If he's still alive."

My blood froze.

"What did you just say?"

Ares stared down at me, his lips turning up in delight; "Oh, my, my... I didn't even tell you, did I? Your poor lover jumped over a rather large chasm. Now, normally that wouldn't be too bad, but considering I cut him with the sickle, well..."

I felt my blood pump in my mind, but nothing else even existed. The name of the spell evaded me even more, the mere thought of thinking about anything but my soulmate so nauseating.

Ares continued as if he didn't just ruin my life; "He's going to have a rather hard time reviving himself."

I couldn't even hear him talk anymore. Everything he was saying was just floating past.

All my attention was on one thing.

One thing only.

Thanatos.

With the grace of an angel, he swung down his scythe onto Ares' arm that held my waist and I felt the blood splatter onto my face before the loud, bloodcurdling scream escaped from the god of war's mouth.

But the second scream wasn't Ares' too, nor was it Conrad or Hypnos', the two of which were running up to us, their eyes wide.

No, it was Thanatos' shouting my name as I tumbled backwards, Ares' other hand pushing me towards the water with ease as my body went lame with shock.

The god of death tried to lunge forward and grab me before my body hit the river, but only one thing managed to reach me before that precise moment.

Or rather- one word...

Testa

*Testa- Shell

*Song- AC Origins, Apep's vengeance