Artemis's Story

The fur was soft underneath her the pads of her fingers. The poor creature was caught was in pain, her labor having lasted longer than usual. Artemis pat the doe gently, trying to reassure her though touch that everything would be fine. Considering the time of year, it wasn't strange for the goddess to have encounters like this when she was doing research in the area. She found the miracle of life to be fascinating, one of natures great gifts.

"Shh," She whispered soothingly, her hand still moving against the deer's fur. "Almost there." And the doe was, just a few moments later and the final push gave way to the release of the fawn. It was a male, one who would hopefully grow strong in the next year and have children of its own by the following spring. Quietly saying a prayer for both mother and child of her patron animal, Artemis watched quietly as the pair left.

Still despite the joy of the day Artemis felt as though something was…off. Uneasiness sat in the pit of her stomach, she couldn't place her finger on anything for certain though. A soft beeping erupted from the watch she used to keep track of her schedule; her shift was over for the day. Pushing the feeling to the fringes of her mind, just to keep it as a reminder to be prepared for anything, Artemis ran.

It didn't take long before she made it to a building located on the far outskirts of the city. She gracefully made her way though the doors and into the office. "Well, hello there Em, find anything interesting out there?" One of the men in her office called as she passed his desk to her own. She shook her head; though her tolerance for men had increased greatly over the years, this particular coworker was rather flirtatious so she tried to keep her interaction with him to a minimum. With a few more minutes to finish up the last of her work she clocked out.

Her thoughts lead her into the city, she wanted to visit Persephone and see if her cousin would like to grab some food with her. It didn't take her long before she found herself walking down the street where Ambrosia was located. Artemis honestly hated the city, the smog filled air smelled terrible to her and the gigantic metal buildings made her feel claustrophobic. Even still she tolerated it every once in a while.

Opening the doors to the flower shop, she was almost knocked over by two men dragging a third between then. Judging by the car and the look of two bigger men, Artemis could only guess that Hades had something to do with this particular incident. The brunette woman just shook her head and ignored the incident, it wasn't her concern after all. Artemis purposefully made her way over to the counter, hopping up to sit on it once she saw Persephone behind it.

"Surprise dear cousin, I have decided to grace you with me presence this lovely afternoon." She announced, rather teasingly. Artemis noticed Demeter out of the corner of her eye, sending a respectful "hello" over to her aunt as an afterthought.

So much had managed to happen in only a few minutes that Persephone could feel her head spinning. Firstly, her mother had decided to play Cupid again in introducing her to another mortal man. The poor fellow named Robert tried to speak to Persephone, but she shook her head and tried her best to get the poor fool to leave before anything happened to him.

Of course it didn't go as planned.

One moment Persephone was begging for the young man to leave and the next ; men in black suits were sauntering in as if they owned the place and locked arms with Robert. "Oh please, you don't have to take him! Think of his family!" She pleaded frantically to no avail as the men ignored her and walked back out of the shop with the young man in tow. The few customers who were left in the shop quickly left in that instant and Persephone did not hesitate to switch the green open sign on the window to closed. She turned on her heel and her pale face became flushed with blood and rage. "This is your fault! She hissed, pointing a finger at her mother. "That man is going to end up dead mother. Your senseless matchmaking that you feel compelled to do every time I come to Earth to spend time with you has caused another mortal man to lose his life."



Demeter had watched the proceedings with a cool and collected expression on her face. Only when her daughter dared turn to her in rage did her expression change to one of surprise. "You're blaming me for this? Do not forget that I am the one who bore you and cared for you centuries before that man even entered your life girl! Her tone was laced with both frustration and anger . The tree's outside the shops began to shake and the wind picked up to sudden gusts each time her voice rose. "Am I the one with such possessiveness over someone that I would kill another person simply for speaking to her? No! That is your husband Persephone, not I . He's a monster."

Persephone's eyes widened and she could feel the anger intensify and beg for release from her tiny body. "He isn't a monster, he's a man. Any man would dislike his wife speaking to other men in such a way."

The sound of a bell twinkling to signal a customer made Persephone jump , but it was only beloved cousin. She forced herself to smile and nod her head in greeting to her cousin before mouthing "sorry" for the argument she was about to hear.

A snort of derision escaped Demeter. "The fact you believe that so easily shows how much he's changed you. Normal relationships don't work like that my dear. Normal men who have enough confidence in themselves don't feel the need to act like such " The beeping of her phone briefly halted her criticism of Hades. "Speak of the Devil and he shall appear" She murmured as she glanced at the red flashing name written in Greek across her phone. She answered the phone by pushing both the answer button and the speaker button so Persephone could listen as well.


“You fucking bitch; if you hadn’t been blessed by The Fates to give birth to the love of my life, and if said love didn’t give two shits about your existence, I would have had your ass rotting in a garden somewhere long ago. You keep finding men for her, and I’ll keep dusting them. She won’t blame me. She’ll blame you. After all, she knows me quite well. She knows that I’ll fuck up any asshole that dare touches, looks, or even speaks her name. You’re killing them not me. Don’t think that you’re safe behind your fucking ward. I may not be able to see her, touch her, talk to her, and hear her sweet, sexy-fucking-voice, but I can see, touch, and talk to YOU bitch! You know what I’m gonna do? Let me tell you what I’m gonna do when she comes back here since I know that you’re always interested in what goes down in The Underground. When it’s my turn to have her, I’m gonna strip her naked—literally rip her fucking clothes off like an excited boy does a Christmas gift, and I’m going to bend her over and…”

Persephone had the grace to look embarrassed by her husbands words in the presence of her cousin and mother, even if a pleasant warmth ran it's way from her head to her toes from her hearing them. "I suppose I shouldn't buy a new outfit if it's just going to get ripped off anyways" The flush in her cheeks only grew brighter as her husband went on to explain exactly what he was going to do after her ripped her clothes off, which she might add was not something she wanted her Mother to hear.

“I’m thinking about it right now. In fact, I’m whacking off right now as I envision it. It’s going to be suh-weet!”

Though Persephone should have been used to her husbands uncensored way of speaking, she still let a nervous giggle escape from her lips before she quickly slapped her palm over her mouth.

Demeter didn't bother replying to the vulgar words her brother was spewing. Instead, she threw the phone against the wall and used her now free hand to grab on to her daughter's thin arm. "You are NEVER to see him again. Do you understand me?I will... I will petition your father to take back his command. We can find away around this somehow. We have months before you even have to return to the Underworld." Demeter's heart fluttered at the prospect of keeping her daughter with her for an eternity. Maybe some day she would allow her to marry again, someone with a gentle heart and who would treasure her as she deserved.

She yanked her arm out of her mothers hold and took several steps back. "Are you mentally deficient? She shrieked, shaking her head in disbelief at her mother brief loss with sanity.

Demeter blinked. "Mentally deficient? Persephone this is what we've been waiting for! All we have to do is give our case to Zeus and this time he'll have to agree to our terms."

"Our? OUR? This is all you. Unlike father, you, and most of the Immortals besides Hera I have a strong belief in my vows and love for Hades. Maybe Hades was right. Perhaps years without being with a man has left you bitter." Her anger and sadness overwhelmed her, but she instantly regretted the words as soon as she said them.

SMACK!

The harvest goddess's hand swept across her daughter face so fast that Demeter herself was shocked. A redness where she had struck immediately lit itself across her face like wild fire. "I...." She was at a loss for words and her hands trembled as they hung beside her waist.

Physical pain was not something Persephone was used to, especially in her mortal form. She cried out in both surprise and pain before she backed away from her mother ; her cool hand pressed against her now warm cheek. "I think...I need to spend some time by myself for a change. I need time to think." The springtime goddess did not look into her mothers matching blue eyes as she moved towards the door. "Artemis, will you join me?"

For once Demeter had no words to give and would only stoically watch as still as a statue as her daughter and niece left her alone in her shop.

The moments that Artemis read Persephone's reply of 'sorry' she knew she may have just walked into some kind of trouble. A moment later, Demeter confirmed it with voicing her complete dislike towards Hades. Artemis knew who her aunt was talking about even without the mentioning of his name. Hades had always been a sore topic for the elder god, in fact in all her years Artemis had never heard Demeter udder a single kind, or even neutral, sentiment about the god of the Underworld. Artemis understood of course, who would like the man that took away their precious daughter, but one would think that her hatred would lessen over the millennia that had passed. Then again, Artemis wasn't one to criticize when it came to holding grudges.

She noticed Demeter take out her phone and flip it open. All but two-seconds later, the angry voice of Hades was put on speakerphone. “You fucking bitch; if you hadn’t been blessed by The Fates to give birth to the love of my life, and if said love didn’t give two shits about your existence, I would have had your ass rotting in a garden somewhere long ago. You keep finding men for her, and I’ll keep dusting them. She won’t blame me. She’ll blame you. After all, she knows me quite well. She knows that I’ll fuck up any asshole that dare touches, looks, or even speaks her name. You’re killing them not me. Don’t think that you’re safe behind your fucking ward. I may not be able to see her, touch her, talk to her, and hear her sweet, sexy-fucking-voice, but I can see, touch, and talk to YOU bitch! You know what I’m gonna do? Let me tell you what I’m gonna do when she comes back here since I know that you’re always interested in what goes down in The Underground. When it’s my turn to have her, I’m gonna strip her naked—literally rip her fucking clothes off like an excited boy does a Christmas gift, and I’m going to bend her over and…”

Artemis tried to keep a straight face, but despite her best efforts she could do nothing except close her eyes and shake her head slightly. Her face, by now, was completely red. By the end of Hades rant, Artemis was soundly mortified. Being a virgin goddess, Artemis had never been…intimate with a man. Well, besides Orion and that hadn't gone very far before his untimely death.

The smack that seemed to echo throughout the small shop caused the young goddess to look up. It was quite evident by the look of things that Demeter had just hit her daughter. Artemis still remained quiet, but she felt very awkward to be there at that point.

"I think...I need to spend some time by myself for a change. I need time to think. Artemis, will you join me?" Eagerly the brunette hopped off the counter and followed her cousin out of the shop. Before exiting she gave her aunt a departing nod, her face straight and not showing any really emotion.

They walked for a while in silence. Artemis had never had a fight with her own mother and wasn't sure what she could, or rather should, say to ease Persephone. "So…" She said as she moved closer to the blonde woman. "Are you really flexible enough to do all those things Hades mentioned?" Defaulting to teasing was always a distraction and hopefully the subject change would get a laugh out of Persephone, take her mind away from the fight for just a little while.

ATHENA


It only took approximately twenty minutes for Athena to calm the crowd down and have everyone what they needed before she started cleaning up around the store. She paused as she realized how dreary her store looked. She sighed and shook her head; she needed to go get something to brighten it up….flowers! She smiled and waved to her assistant. Her assistant nodded back at her and took over the counter.

“I’m going to get some flowers, I’ll be right back” she called as she stepped out of the building. She entered the flower shop just as Persephone and….Artimis?…where leaving. She smiled politely and headed for the counter.

“Demeter dear…are you alright?” she asked noting how pale the goddess looked. She placed her hand gently on Demeter's and immediately knew about the entire situation.

The memories flooded through her, the boy Demeter tried to hook her daughter up with, Hade's less than happy response.

“You fucking bitch; if you hadn’t been blessed by The Fates to give birth to the love of my life, and if said love didn’t give two shits about your existence, I would have had your ass rotting in a garden somewhere long ago. You keep finding men for her, and I’ll keep dusting them. She won’t blame me. She’ll blame you. After all, she knows me quite well. She knows that I’ll fuck up any asshole that dare touches, looks, or even speaks her name. You’re killing them not me. Don’t think that you’re safe behind your fucking ward. I may not be able to see her, touch her, talk to her, and hear her sweet, sexy-fucking-voice, but I can see, touch, and talk to YOU bitch! You know what I’m gonna do? Let me tell you what I’m gonna do when she comes back here since I know that you’re always interested in what goes down in The Underground. When it’s my turn to have her, I’m gonna strip her naked—literally rip her fucking clothes off like an excited boy does a Christmas gift, and I’m going to bend her over and…”


and then heir argument, and Persephone angry response.


"Our? OUR? This is all you. Unlike father, you, and most of the Immortals besides Hera I have a strong belief in my vows and love for Hades. Maybe Hades was right. Perhaps years without being with a man has left you bitter." Her anger and sadness overwhelmed her, but she instantly regretted the words as soon as she said them.

SMACK!

The harvest goddess's hand swept across her daughter face so fast that Demeter herself was shocked. A redness where she had struck immediately lit itself across her face like wild fire. "I...." She was at a loss for words and her hands trembled as they hung beside her waist.

Physical pain was not something Persephone was used to, especially in her mortal form. She cried out in both surprise and pain before she backed away from her mother ; her cool hand pressed against her now warm cheek. "I think...I need to spend some time by myself for a change. I need time to think."

“Oh dear….” She murmured and looked around.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked as she started helping customers, even though it wasn't her shop. Soon the shop was empty. She faced the harvest goddess and waited patiently.

The silence between the two young ladies was interrupted with Artemis's interesting question. "Artemis!" Surprise evident in the woman's soprano voice. "I'd never thought the Goddess of the Hunt and virginity would ask me such a question." While Persephone didn't answer her question directly, the corner her mouth twitched and a small smile dance across their features as she lead the young Goddess to a small cafe several blocks from Ambrosia, aptly called " The Hole in the Wall".

It did not take the two long to reach the cafe. It was a simple establishment, and unlike many of the more extravagant buildings in New York it had a more open and family feeling to it. She had known the owners Marcia and Manuel for years, even being invited to their daughter wedding at one point, but since it was a winter wedding she had been unable to attend.

"I have the perfect place for us to talk. Not to mention the apple pie Marcia makes here is to die for." Taking Artemis's hand, she would led her inside the small two story building where her ears would listen to the simple piano Manuel had bought for guests to try their hand at (only if they were decent of course) during their meals. Chopin's Nocturne Op.9 would enter the newly arrived guests ears . Persephone took her normal seat in the left side of the cafe, one that was hidden conveniently behind a large ficus that allowed her some privacy from prying male eyes.

She pulled her chair in and motioned for her half sister to take a seat across from her. "It's my treat of course. Consider it an apology for having to endure such an embarrassing conversation." Her smile lit up across her face as easily as any day, and the thoughts that had pressed her mind minutes ago as well as the stinging of her cheek faded as she conversed with her sister.

A young female waiter with a large beaming smile approached their table, holding up a pen and paper to take their orders. "What can I get for you two?" She questioned cheerfully. "Coffee with a splash of cream, no sugar for me. Nothing else for me." While the waitress nodded and scribbled hastily on her notepad, Persephone cocked her head to the side and motioned towards Artemis to answer next.

---

"Lenora. We're live in five"

“I can read the timer idiot.” Lenora(Hera), whispered venomously, putting a hand over her mic so that the other crew members wouldn't hear her. She usually made no attempt to mask her malice but a few of the show's main directors were here and she needed to put on a sweet image. It was just business.

"Alright, let's get out there and help some couples guys." Hera's manager rubbed his meaty hands together and smiled. "Help couples? If you're so adamant about helping couples, why are you screwing your secretary instead of your wife you shit head." Her face did not betray her thoughts as she tossed the repugnant man a wink before taking a few steps towards the set.

"We're live in three....two....one"

The sounds of paid audience members clapping met Hera's ears as she stepped confidently onto the set of "Trouble in Paradise", the talk show she had began nearly three years ago to this day. "Hello Neeeew York!" She began, her usual entrance as she waved towards the cameras. She lingered for a moment in the front of the large set before she took a seat on a small black chair. "Today's show features a few couples who are having a problems keeping their romance alive..in the bedroom of course." A few giggles escaped the crowd and Hera kept the shining smile on her face.

"Our first couple of the day hail from the Sunshine state. Let me introduce Sally and Micha Hamilton!" While the crowd began clapping once more, the producer motioned for Hera to wrap up the introductions so they could cut to a commercial break. While the leathery sound tanned couple made their way on stage and Hera shook their hands, she shot the camera her signature smile.

"Right after this brief commercial break, we'll talk about some simple easy ways to spice up your bedroom life and keep the love alive."

The camera briefly switch off and some commercial about laundry detergent would pop on quickly afterwards as Hera walked back behind the set and threw her ear piece onto the ground "Spice your bedroom life up? What kind of shit are you putting on that tele prompter Tom? We're supposed to hip! We're supposed to be cool. Not sound like complete morons. Doesn't anyone have any vision in this place?"

Her temper usually didn't get the better of her, but word of Zeus's latest conquests in the past month had finally reached her earlier that morning. Lilly-Mae, Jamie-Lynn, and some girl named Candy. All girls with floozy names that her husband had slept with in the last few weeks that she had found after informants had sent her text messages. She had the girls taken care of, but the mere thought of her husbands infidelity once again sent her into a rage.

Not even bothering to look back, she pushed her way through the studio . The cries of audio crew members and the producer fell on deaf ears as she pushed the exit doors open and the muggy air of New York met her cold skin.

She ripped the rest of her audio equipment off and let it fall from her hands onto the cement as she walked towards where her limo and driver Edmund was leaning against the black vehicle. "Take me home" She commanded, not bothering to wait for him to open the door for her before she slipped into the car and sat impatiently.

Within thirty or so minutes, she would home and with enough time she should be able to collect her thoughts.

Artemis felt accomplished after seeing Persephone loosen up considerably. She was glad to be rid of the tenseness in the atmosphere, even for just a little while. "I'd never thought the Goddess of the Hunt and virginity would ask me such a question." Artemis laughed a little, a bashful expression making its way onto her features. Her eyes looked up demurely at Persephone as the continued on down the street and into the cafe "The Hole in the Wall".

The brunette was quiet as they sat down. "It's my treat of course. Consider it an apology for having to endure such an embarrassing conversation." Persephone insisted and Artemis was never one to turn down the kind gesture, or rather talk her cousin out of paying. They didn't have to wait long before the waitress arrived to take their order. "Coffee with a splash of cream, no sugar for me. Nothing else for me."

Artemis didn't bother to look over the menu, most cafes had the same things anyway. "I think I'll get a hot chocolate and a slice of apple pie, I've heard it's delicious." She smiled charmingly up at the waitress as she handed over her menu. Two-seconds later the mortal was off to fulfill their requests.

"By the way…" She said slyly, moving her attention back towards her kin. "Just because I'm a patron of virginity doesn't mean I'm a prude…or not curious." A large grin broke out onto her lips by the end of her statement as she continued to happily tease Persephone.

The feeling she had gotten early that morning returned to her stomach. Her smile diminished as she bit her bottom lip. "Perse, have you felt anything strange lately?" Artemis looked out the window to her left, the sky was effectively blocked by the towering skyscrapers but just looking in that direction helped her think. "I mean, it's just this uneasiness I'm getting. Something just feels off, it's like the energy isn't flowing the same." Her conclusions were strange and she wasn't sure if she was expressing herself properly, but if there truly was anything off about then Persephone would probably be able to sense it as well.

Then again it could have just been Artemis' paranoia. Maybe it was just that time of year where Hera would plot some kind of long and slow revenge for the betrayal she believed Leto, Artemis' mother, had done against her. Her father's wife was still bitter about his affairs and having to deal with the offspring of his infidelities at every Olympian meeting couldn't have been doing wonders for her sparkling personality.

Their waitress returned, two cups and a slice of pie neatly placed onto the tray in her hands. After setting the dishes down the mortal gave a polite "Enjoy your meal" and left them to their discussion. Still not content with much of anything, Artemis all but stabbed her fork into the baked good rather angrily. Everything about this feeling just irked her. Even still, she stuck the removed a piece of the pie and stuck it in her mouth. Persephone wasn't lying when she said the confection was to die for. To be honest, if there was one thing that Artemis enjoyed about the mortal world, it would have to be the food.

] "Just because I'm a patron of virginity doesn't mean I'm a prude…or not curious."

Persephone raised a thin sculpted eyebrow up before giggling quietly. "Well, you know the old saying; curiosity killed the cat , but satisfaction brought it back don't you? Perhaps you should be a bit more curious cousin. You might like where it leads you." She replied, a naughty expression appearing over her delicate angelic features.

While their waitress returned with Persephone's coffee and Artemis's cocoa and pie, a thought crossed her mind and her fingers snapped together suddenly. "Excuse me, do you think you I could have a piece of your apple pie to go? " Her mind flashed to Hephaestus, deep in thought and in his shop working his long hours as usual. The poor dear probably not eating a thing throughout the day. At least she could get him something sweet to eat as a snack, even if it was only dessert.

"No problem miss, I'll have it ready for you to take when you're finished." The waitress replied before leaving the two ladies once more to themselves. Persephone took a sip of the soothing caffeinated beverage the waitress set in front of her and smiled as the hot liquid made it's way down her throat.

"Perse, have you felt anything strange lately?"Artemis asked her, as the young Huntress glanced out one of the many windows in the cafe. "I mean, it's just this uneasiness I'm getting. Something just feels off, it's like the energy isn't flowing the same." She took a minute to consider this as she stared back into her sisters crystal blue eyes.

"The energy ?" She asked thoughtfully, taking another small sip before speaking . "I can't say I'd be a good judge of it at the moment Art. Every time I leave the Underworld I feel a bit off. Whether it's because I'm used to be with Hades or having to get used to breathing the smog called air here." She chuckled, leaning back into her chair and crossing her right leg over the other in a single smooth motion. "I wouldn't worry too much about it hun. It's probably not anything worth worrying about. " Even as she reassured her, Persephone couldn't help but to scan thorough her own thoughts and memories to see if anything was out of place. Besides the argument with her mother, things had been as normal as Immortality would allow.

The shrill beep of her phone alarm made Persephone jump in her chair. Patting down her dress pocket, she pulled her phone out and checked the time. Twenty minutes before she was set to visit Heph. "Artemis, thank you for coming with me here. It brought me clarity believe it or not. You should come by the shop more often and keep me company. I'm not into the idea of spending five more months with my mother." The thought of it made her let out a tired sigh.

"Keep in touch alright?" She scooted her chair back and stood, fishing into her pocket for her wallet and pulling out a crisp hundred dollar bill. She enjoyed tipping well here, and the staff knew it. She wouldn't be surprised if the servers had argued over who was take her table today. "Take care hun." She said with a small wink before walking back towards the entrance and picking up a simple white box with a pink bow on the hostess's stand meant for Heph.

Even as she made her way back onto the busy streets, she clutched the simple white box close to her waist as if it held something of high value. "Taxi!" She called out, waving a delicate manicured hand into the air to wave one of the many yellow cabs to the curb. She could have called for a limo, but she enjoyed the inconspicuousness of taxi's. Made her feel less Godly and more human when she was riding in them, despite the slight odor many of them held.

When one finally stopped for her, she bounced inside until she found a comfortable position to sit . Walking would have taken her a good half hour before she reached the Master Smith's home, but with taxi she would arrive ten to fifteen minutes depending on traffic.

---

"Thank you." She murmured as she climbed out the back of the taxi, dusting her dress off in order to look a bit more presentable before she walked into brother's work shop. She paid the driver his fare and watched as he started off without another word. She couldn't blame him for taking off so quickly. They were in a less than desirable area, known for the majority of New York's high profile crimes. Persephone watched as a scantily clad women in fish nets walked across the street where Persephone stood. Knocking on the drivers side window of an old blue van, she watched as she woman waited for the man inside to open the door and invite her in.

The man inside was portly. Inflamed acne covered the majority of his otherwise pale face. Persephone held eye contact for a few seconds before she spun on her heel in the opposite direction. Maybe Hades was right. I should just take the limo... When she made it towards the warehouse Heph worked in, she knocked on the large door before speaking. "Heph? I'm a little early, but I'm coming in." The small keypad on the side of the door which required a four digit code was swiftly taken care of as Persephone pounded the numbers in, waiting for the click of the door before pushing it back and allowing herself inside.

The room was ominously dark until she walked further towards Heph's studio and felt the warmth of his fire caress her skin. Schematics,maps, directions, and diagrams littered the workshop. Drawings of new and old designs her half-brother had created filled the room, and Persephone could practically feel the creativity pulse around her. How could his wife not see how incredible her brother was? To choose someone like the vicious God of War over Heph's kind and gentle heart? The only conclusion she could ever come to was that Aphrodite had a case of Bad Boy Syndrome. She preferred the excitement and passion over the pure love Heph could give her and that thought saddened the Springtime Goddess. Life, even an Immortal life, was simply not fair.

When she finally spotted her brother, a peaceful smile broke out across her face . "There's the man I've been searching for! How have you been dear?" She questioned softly. While she waited for his reply, she spotted a vase full of limp daisies she had left there almost two weeks ago during her last visit. Barely clinging to life,they clung to the vase and drooped over the edge. She pressed her fingertip to one of the stems of the flowers and felt her power leave her body and enter the tiny body of the plant before her. A few seconds passed and the drooping daises were dying no longer; now standing straight and tall as the day Persephone had brought them to him.

"They would live longer if you stayed somewhere with a bit of sunlight Hephy." She sat on a small stool near one of his workshop benches, and stared curiously at several of his plans. When her eyes glanced over a single sheet of paper, they caught sight of a single signature she knew by heart. "Was he here? Oh he was, wasn't he? I can sense it, is he alright Heph? He isn't too grumpy is he?" She realized she was practically throwing questions at him every second but she couldn't help herself. Anything involved with her husband made her speak a mile a minute.

.

Apollo

A solid baritone voice attempted to make light of his ailment, Apollo recognized it as his own uncle, a fact confirmed when he mustered the strength to gaze upon his bemused face. The Far-darter did not think it jovial, and rewarded Poseidon with a light scoff in contempt having only added to the irritability if anything. All the while the pulse in his brain did not recede by any amount.

Another voice reached his ears which he knew to be another elder kin. Truthfully he had no intention of entering the shop, but the offer was made face to face and though he cared little for interacting with his kin, he should at least feign politeness. That, and in his current state it would at least be better to rest where he was welcome. By now the migraine finally began to recede, so straightening himself as best he could and lightly nodded.

Once inside Apollo found the nearest chair and plopped in it, then resumed rubbing his temples. “Sorry about intruding, I’m usually never this piqued. I swear there something in here splitting my brain open like a fault line making a magnitude seventeen.”

He waited patiently for his tea to arrive paying little head to what else was being said in the room by whoever as his symptom began to grow again, and his temples were massaged more feverously still in vain. Soon enough however the beverage was before him and he accepted it from Demeter, and thanked her.

He must have gulped it all down in one go and placed the cup on the nearby coffee table, and waited longer still at rest, again paying no heed to whatever conversation that might have been taking place.

Then all at once, as if the final strike of a hammer and chisel were made against the dam of his mind, agony soared through all of its recesses. Apollo found himself clutching the arms of the chair in a death grip, his entire body flexed and frozen as he bit back his tongue. His eyes became wider than dinner plates, and all color including that of his pupils vanished, replaced by an intense white light shown out in beams. Anyone who knew of Apollo’s “gift” of prophesies would recognize a vision by him, and as he was the only one experiencing it, all one could do was wait until it was finished.

The heavens were ablaze! Mangled corpses littered a ruin world as spires of earth erected themselves splitting open mountain and skyscraper. The seas boiled in furious hatred as the blue was drowned in the blood of man and beast alike. Fire rained down upon the damned though all innocent of the crime they were accused. But this was not the realm of Hades; no, a few diminishing landmarks were recognizable as that of this very city that the gods made their residence.

And from the sky fell a great ball of fire, and as it approached the earth Apollo found that it too was a familiar shape. It was the palace of Olympus itself! Architecture of Old buckled and crumbled becoming as burning ash, immolating the multitudes of those who were unfortunate as to survive this long in this new dying world as it met its fate with the earth tearing it asunder.

Apollo could also see in the remains of the streets among the bodies strewn indiscriminately the forms of his brethren, ripped and torn as to be almost be unrecognizable, but he knew. His father and king who’s hide was now tanned and split, the lord of the seas emaciated and bone dry as if the life were taken from his body literally, and even Hades, who now was no more than a statue of ash could be seen curling himself around another, in vain protecting his fair wife and love now a shadow of Creation same as he.

They were not alone, all of them were there, the Far-darter himself counted among them. But the sight that truly horrified him, the image that would forever burn within his immortal soul was that of his dear sister, impaled on a pike as beast, vermin and maggot betrayed her pure flesh consuming her with greed and malice, hunger never to be sated.

He wailed in furious agony at the sight coupled with the splitting of his brain and the splitting of the world around him, “NO!” It was a roar and a cry that reverberated throughout the humble shop splitting the ears, and curdling the blood of all who dwelled within. The Far-darter writhed in the chair as he wailed, clutching the armrests so tightly that the wood began to splinter under his fingers and would eventually be broken.

This lasted for about a minute or so, until the light from his eyes dimmed and color returned to it was well, his mouth falling deathly silent and ajar. His gaze was no where for a small moment, and his body was completely unmoving, one could almost swear that death embraced him in that moment, even his skin was a sickly white. But after a while his fingers lightly twitched, followed by a shaky hand and soon the quaking spread all through out his body. Apollo gazed at his hand, observing the shaking with utmost fascination, until the thought occurred that he must steel his own nerves. He clutched his wrist with his other hand, though still quaked.

When the quaking died down and his skin flushed back with color. He then suddenly remembered that he was not alone in the room, and knew that they would be starving for an explanation. He tried to let loose his tongue, but at first nothing could escape, as if there were some invisible barrier. Eventually however he gradually managed to make speech. “I,” he fell silent again briefly before he continued in the softest voice though clearly audible for the rest of the room lied mute, “This…has never happened to me. My visions, they always happen when I command it, always, but this…”

He took another moment to collect himself, then managed to say, “Everything, everyone…everything was eviscerated, everywhere.”

He leaned forward as if they had not heard him an reiterated in the voice of a tortured phantom whispering from the bowels of Tartarus, and in this voice his statement was absolute and directed to the well being of his brethren in the meaning, “Everything.”

Hyperion stood up straighter "I found Zeus working at a human company, his name now is Brandon Powers... he wasn't hard to find." Hyperion gestured at a human newspaper with Zeus's face on it and in bold lettering it said "Brandon Powers does it again" Hyperion smirked "Zeus has been busy in social light lately. While you were sleeping I was watching the Gods and I've lost track of how many humans Zeus has slept with."


"Now finding Hades was a bit trickier, but like his brother they both have egos the size of Mount Olympus, I've tracked him down to some recent gang sighting’s around this area...." he said calmly like an assassin pointing out his targets on a map he had placed on the table.



"Also Hades owns a nice restaurant and a human strip club" Hyperion sighed, his nephew had turned out edgy and maybe it was time for a face to face talk though Cronus would like to have one at the edge of a blade instead of peace. "I also have tracked down his wife and Demeter, Athena, Artemis and Apollo and... Poseidon at a flower shop downtown, if we act now we could catch four of them right now...." he said before silencing himself, he wanted peace now war but he was born a soldier and would die a soldier he guessed.


Hyperion walked away from the table for a minute and looked at his brother "must this end in blood brother?" he said looking at Cronus with a faraway look in his eyes as he paced back and forth. He stood still looking out a window out into the world around him "If we are to stand against the Gods brother we must stand as one..." He said turning to face Cronus before sitting in a chair to the side of the room "but I must ask you brother is this war necessary?" He had just done somthing no Titian had done before, questioned Cronus, but still he wasn't going to back down from this topic "yes they wronged you but then again you tried to eat them... you tried having revenge once brother and it failed because we could not stand together, revenge does not work! you need to rally the others with the strength to go on and fire their spirts with the true justace not petty revenge..." he said in a almost pleading voice

The moon was high and bright, capturing the attention of the goddess. Despite it being one of her symbols, Artemis had always been enamored by the thing. It felt comforting in a way to have the light, the energy, on her skin. The moon always made the world look different compared to how it was during the day. It made it her own domain at this time.

Her attention was diverted as she watched her brethren arrive one by one. Zeus, Hera, Athena, Hermes was probably inside as well. She thought before continuing on with the count. Demeter, Poseidon, Persephone and… is that Hephaestus with her? That actually shocked the goddess a bit, getting the god out of his workshop and to one of these family meetings was almost impossible. Artemis of course, could understand why Heph wouldn't come; the relationship between him and both of his parents wasn't exactly strong. The relationship between Artemis and Zeus was nothing to really brag about but at least her relationship with both her mother and Apollo kept her feeling loved.

Just a few more left then…Aphrodite, Ares, and Apollo. She contemplated waiting for her brother's arrival but after a few moments of waiting she decided that time would pass more quickly inside where there were things to entertain her.

Making her way through the doors of the mansion, it wasn't hard to hear where everyone was staying. Needless to say, she walked into the usual chaos. The brunette tried to stay quiet as to not draw a great deal of attention to herself, she disliked these gatherings anyway. She was only listening half-heartedly to the conversations that were going on as she made her way away from the 'loud' area and walked next to Hermes. "What happened to Ambrosia?" She asked, looking curiously at the other god.

"Has my husband arrived?" She heard Persephone ask Zeus. All Artemis could really think was a stream of obscenities. This was definitely going to be a rather interesting reunion.

Hermes

( Mansion)

The minute he spotted Hephaestus, Hermes let out a hearty laugh and pointed at his brother.

"HA-HA! Dad, is old age finally getting to you? You can't even tell who your kids are now?" Hermes snorted before getting control over himself again.

He figured his Dad would be too busy getting bitched at by Demeter to hear anything he said, so he stuck his hands in his jean pockets and continued leaning against the wall. His eyes lit up as he spotted the slim Huntress making her way through the crowd and over towards him.

"What happened to Ambrosia?" The younger Goddess asked, looking up at him with her wild green eyes. Hermes shrugged his shoulders and gave a nod towards where Persephone, Demeter, Hephaestus, and their Dad was standing. " Somebody burned it down with a couple humans inside. Queenie over there" he said, nodding towards where Seph was standing "didn't seem to know anything about it. That's all I know about it, but I guess the big question is...who the hell would burn it down?

He didn't bother saying anything else because not much else was left to say. He just wanted all this dinner and drama to be over with. Not that the real drama would even start until Ares and Hades arrived.

A thought occurred to him to ask the only sane Immortal at the moment who was still standing near him.

"Hey Arty." He started, pulling his hands out of his pockets and crossing them over his chest. " You feel anything weird lately? Like..." He paused, trying to find the word for exactly what he had been feeling.

"It's like a buzzing. I keep hearing it in my ears. First I thought Hades sent his Furies or some shit to annoy me because I flirt too much with Seph, but...I don't know, maybe I'm just tripping out or something. He couldn't elaborate much more than that, since it didn't even make sense to him. He figured it'd make even less since to his sister.

Hermes' voice drew her attention back to him. "Somebody burned it down with a couple humans inside. Queenie over there, didn't seem to know anything about it. That's all I know about it, but I guess the big question is...who the hell would burn it down?" Artemis gave him a look clearly showing her dislike towards the nickname he used for Persephone. Even still she was shocked.

Ambrosia had been a lovely little shop and many people in the area frequented it. She found herself wondering if maybe Hades had done it. There had been many times when the goddess stopped by her cousin's shop and found lines of men in the waiting area; either to buy flowers because they had done been put in the doghouse by their wives/girlfriends, or just using it as an excuse to be in Persephone's presence. Artemis wouldn't put it passed Hades to burn the shop down in order to keep those men away from his wife.

Artemis closed her eyes, shaking her head quickly in an attempt to clear her mind. She really shouldn't have been thinking about her best friends' husband that way, the brunette knew how much Perse loved him. It was strange really, Artemis had spend the last few centuries trying to dispel her negative feelings towards men but even still, she sometimes found herself thinking nothing but the worst of them.

"Hey Arty, you feel anything weird lately? Like..." She looked back towards the god of messengers, waiting for him to continue on. "It's like a buzzing. I keep hearing it in my ears. First I thought Hades sent his Furies or some shit to annoy me because I flirt too much with Seph, but...I don't know, maybe I'm just tripping out or something."

Her features grew serious at Hermes' observation. So apparently she wasn't the only one who felt something off, it sent a somewhat comforting feeling through her body. Then again it really could have been Hades revenge for Hermes' flirting with his Persephone and Artemis was actually just paranoid. Thinking it over for a few seconds she decided that it would be better if she announced her feelings.

"I was actually just telling Perse this morning about this uneasiness I had been feeling all day. The energy flow is just off to me, like something's changed." Her voice trailed off as she looked to the ground, contemplating what it could possibly mean. "I wonder where my brother is…" Her sight moved to the doorway, where the entry way was located. She'd feel better once her twin made an entrance.

Athena

---

Sighing to herself she re-enters the house, closing the doors silently behind her; however the commotion coming from beyond the main doors to the room seem to drown out the majority of activity as a voice raised in anger echoed loudly. Hades' entrance was as full of rage as always, looking to Athena as yet another means for him to frighten those before him into submission. And while he could most likely back up the façade he projected, it just felt somewhat forced to her. Rolling her eyes at the way Persephone and Hades almost ran towards each other, into a lustful embrace she turned away from their premature reunion. If I wanted to watch such a display I could quite easily have just put the TV onto any of the drivellous soap operas. Athena thought as she seated herself next to the chess board she had given to her father, smiling as she examined the pieces in an attempt to ignore events. It had been one of the only items she had ever requested from Hephaestus, though followed not long after by the incident over her weapons. Each of the pieces on the white side representing the Gods while the pieces on the black were the Titans. Hades and Poseidon were naturally the bishops and both her and Ares the knights to their father Zeus as king, while her stepmother Hera sat as the queen. Though had she put anyone else in such a role, then the board would have long ago been destroyed. Artemis and Apollo were the rooks and Hermes the pawn. It had been a gift that caused much argument but as far as Athena was concerned it was the game in question that mattered, though the aesthetics were still important. The Titan pieces however were her personal favourite as black was her choice whenever she played with her father.

Athena sighed softly to herself, noting how her siblings were talking animatedly amongst themselves nearby and gathering from the glances Artemis made that she was looking for her twin. Causing her to wonder herself where Apollo could be. She smiled warmly towards Minerva, lightly stroking her neck for a moment before starting a chess game with herself to pass the time.

"I wonder when we shall be graced with my brother's presence, though doubtful till they have finished with each other. Then I surmise that Apollo will most likely be the final arrival." she softly whispered to her owl.

Hermes

( Mansion)

He listened to his sisters response with a surprisingly serious expression. "Hmph. I knew it couldn't have been just me" he responded, running his fingers through his wild bedhead, "anyways, we should probably tell Dad just in case."

The Messenger God turned his head to catch the lovey-dovey scene unfolding around him. The minute his eyes spotted Hades leaning in towards Persephone, they immediately closed shut, tightly.

"I think I'm gonna to yack." The God muttered, watching as the scene between the two lovers took place before his and the rest of the family's eyes.

Completely disgusting, yet he made him jealous of their passion for one another.

"Get a room already!" He called out in annoyance, though mostly because he was actually becoming a bit queasy from their intimacy. His face transfigured into a scowl and he turned back towards Artemis. "How are we even related to this people?" He asked, party rhetorical and partly seeking an honest answer from his sister.

Hermes shook his untamed mane and snuck a peek to where Athena was sitting along with her owl. He would have tried to strike up a conversation with his elder sister, but they always ended up being the most boring and awkward of conversations. The weather, her owl, random messages, and etc. Still, he should at least make the attempt to be friendly.


Taking leave from Artemis's side, he gave the virgin a small wink before venturing into the unknown and walking over towards where Athena was sitting. He was halfway there when the sudden sound of a bike purring outside made him halt.

Pandemonium started behind him, but he rarely payed much attention. Zeus and Hades bickering was so normal to most of them that their little spats did nothing to deter the other Immortals to continue their conversations.

"I think Ares is here guys. " Aphrodite too, he wanted to add but with the blonde heart throbs crippled husband standing only a few feet away he thought speaking her name might not bode too well for the mood. Now all they needed was Apollo and they could get this family dinner on the road.

Green eyes drifted from the door at the sound of the commotion coming from the other side of the room. Artemis watched with a curious fascination as Persephone and Hades put on a rather raunchy show. Hermes' comments only helped bring a smile to her face. Love had always been interesting, creatures of all kinds tended to do the most absurd things when under its spell and this situation wasn't any different. Artemis could see, and feel, the anger radiation off of Demeter.

To be frank she wanted to get away. She'd already seen the mother and daughter fight once today and she didn't exactly want to be a viewer of the next round. Leto loved her, just as she loved Apollo, but she had never stepped in the way of their pursuits. The female Titan had always stood by their side, just as they did for her, but the turbulent relationship between the two goddesses was a completely different story. A push and pull of forces, a power struggle between two powerful women.

"How are we even related to these people?" Green eyes turned to the god of messengers. A nervous giggle left her lips. "By accident?" She replied teasingly.

It was much too soon before he left her, her face slipping into a mask of indifference as she watched him leave to Athena's side. The wink he gave her in parting did nothing to ease her distaste. Drama had never been her poison of choice, therefore she stayed away from those she did not like, namely Athena and Hera. Beyond a polite hello and goodbye, conversation and familial actions were nonexistent. Artemis felt that it would always be that way too; too many betrayals and bad-blood between them.

She closed her eyes, a painful pulse starting between behind her eyes. The bad energy in the place just kept rising, as did the tension. She hated 'family' gatherings, they were always tension filled with fights looming right below the surface. Of course, with this group the fights always broke out somewhere and somehow. It was evident.

There was so much anger in the area; Persephone and Hades towards Demeter and vice versa, Ares and Hephaestus fighting once more for the hand of the lovely (and married) Aphrodite, and Hera towards any woman that remotely looked like they would hold Zeus attention for a whole two-seconds. Though the later she couldn't really blame, Zeus broke the 'sacred' bonds of matrimony too many times to go out and spawn a whole load of bastards, herself included.

She felt herself thinking over Hermes' question once more. 'Related' was all they were, connected by blood and hatred essentially. Artemis wasn't sure if she every really thought of the group as a whole as a family. The goddess often found herself feeling alone and isolated when forced together with the rest of her kin, bonds and alliances so easily broken and rearranged.

Stop… She thought, lately her mind had been doing nothing but spewing bitterness and anger. Slowly, the brunette blew out a calming sigh as she opened her eyes to once more look towards the foyer entryway.

A head of wavy brown hair caught her attention and Artemis' eyes all but lit up like a child's on Christmas morning. The sight of her brother made every bad thought and feeling leave her mind as she hastily made her way towards him, all but throwing herself at him once she was close enough, her arms wrapping around his neck in a hug. Artemis may have been older than Apollo but it didn't always seem that way.

"What took you so long?" She whispered as she tightened her grip on him.

Apollo

Surrounded by a warmth he became, suddenly and without warning, not to say it was unpleasant as it turned to be quite the opposite in fact. His thoughts yet again had encased him in a cocoon blinding him from outside influence. That is until his twin greeted him in the embrace.

In the first second he was caught off guard and somewhat bewildered, but in the second he registered what happened. At this he relaxed, and for the first time in a long while a pure smile graced his features, his arms encompassing his sisters frame returning the embrace. And for a brief moment the image of her from the vision didn’t exist, she was here, with him, untouched and spoiled.

Safe.

Of all the things in this world, none were so precious to him as Artemis. He truly loved her as much as any man could love a sister, who reflected him as the moon reflected the sun. They shared a womb, they shared their hunts, and they shared the sky each day. Perhaps it was selfish, but if there was one of his kin he wished to see not participate in the coming conflict, to spare and to preserve, if there was one person in their family he could save, it would be her. That of course was impossible, none of the immortals would have any say wheather they would fight or not. It was go to war, or perish, and none of them, not even the likes of Aphrodite and Persephone were exempt.

She tightened her embrace and whispered to him, it seemed she had been long expecting his arrival. He realized that like himself she had little to do with the rest of her kin, and so he made a mental note that once all was set and done, he would visit her more often. At her query his vision gazed above her, (which wasn’t hard as there was a considerable height difference) and gained something of a forlorn look in his eye. “Well, I suppose I had a lot to think about,” his voice barely above her own whisper.

He gently broke apart from their embrace, the small smile still gracing his lips, “It’s good to see you too,” ha said. He then queried, “I assume everyone else is here too?”

Artemis was so glad that her other half had finally arrived. She felt safe, content at having his presence next to hers. It seemed like eternity had gone by since the last time she had gotten to hug him. "Well, I suppose I had a lot to think about." She heard him whisper in response to her question and when he gently pushed her back to look at her she felt her chest tighten a bit in nervousness, even the smile that Apollo offered her did little to dissipate the feeling. She knew something had to be wrong with the look in his blue eyes. "It's good to see you too…I assume everyone else is here too?"

It really had been much too long since they had seen each other last. The brunette goddess had so many things to tell her twin, one major bit of information being about their mother and the large secret that she had been keeping from them.

She gave him the look, the one that told him she could see right though his mask. "Yes…in case you didn't notice the intense discomfort radiating from the area, everyone is here. Hades, Perse, and Demeter are fighting with Zeus trying to break it up; Ares and Heph are, of course, fighting over Aphrodite while Hera's being a giant bitch. You know, the usual." She announced filling her twin in on the current going-ons of the household. Artemis raised her hand and pressed it against his cheek. "Apollo, what's wrong? Has something happened?"

Green eyes darted to the side as she noticed Demeter's entrance, watching them though mainly Apollo. The look that the older goddess had been using to look at him just confirmed Artemis' thoughts that something was wrong. Her body went rigid as she thought of all the possibilities that Apollo's tension and Demeter's worry could mean. "I sensed it," She muttered as she looked back at her brother. "Something has changed, hasn't it?"

Athena

---

The doors to the room had opened to admit her fathers wife, Hera being trailed by Ares; looking like a child ready to throw a tantrum and the lame Hephaestus with his wife in tow, and as always Aphrodite's gaze was more surely aimed towards the god of war, however subtly it was plain to see if you knew what to look for. As she awaited her brothers turn on the table she noticed the glint of a plan flicker to life in the eyes of the newly arrived 'Cael' as he preferred to be called these days and she had to force down her instinct to roll her eyes at his obvious intent to show his superiority over her and all of their kin, as per usual. The smirk that had broken out across his face all too blatant to her tastes.

Athena tried to ignore her sibling as he approached, hoping that he would instead acknowledge their fathers call for dinner to be taken in the dining room and be diverted. But that was just wishful thinking talking and she knew better than to expect such a simple conclusion to this, as she saw him stand behind hermes his vile noxious laughter filled her senses as she watched him take the figure of himself and use it to scatter the board before placing it in place of her king, causing the titan lord to clatter onto the floor. Her eyes flared a dark crimson for a fraction of a second before returning to deep blue, as he spoke; taunting her as he attempted in vain to assert his superiority.

"There are no rules in war. So if you want to win the game, then you just need to win it.”

Athena sighs softly before speaking "Always such a simple mind, childlike really. It is not about war having rules, brother, but in understanding how your opponent thinks in their approach to the conflict. But alas the concept is something you would be unable to grasp. All you do is act and thrive on the conflict it causes to those around you, but for you it is the conflict, win or lose that boils your blood and sets your passion alight." she shakes her head "You and her have always had a connection with that have you not? She enjoys your primal nature and you enjoy the conquest and apparent victory over our smith."

She smiles and leans back in her chair, her fingers lightly caressing the king that was thrown to the floor as the other pieces retake their places upon the board, a faint aura of pale light covering each.

"I do tire of your vain hope to prove yourself better; oh yes you've had your fair share of victory, but your flaw is that you see one won battle as the victory to end the war and become complacent in your won laurels."

Athena stands slowly before placing the king as the final piece upon the freshly set board, then walks towards the dining room leaning close to Ares as she passes, whispering softly for his ears alone.

"A word of caution brother, you've had your conquest, and you've tasted the spoils but beware that your foe is not beaten and simply bides his time. I don't doubt you'll ignore me, but don't say I didn't try." she shakes her head as she walks away, to take her seat at the table.

---

“My beautiful and handsome children; my beloved sisters and brothers; I am pleased to have us all gathered here today for this harmonious and hopefully peaceful dinner. I haven’t heard much from some of you, so if you would like to share how your mortal life fairs you, then please feel free to share. There is something grave that I must discuss with you all eventually, but before I get to that I would like for us to feel like a family first.”

Athena sighs at her fathers words, clearly this night in intended to drag on more than it should. Whatever is praying on his thoughts, the reason for tonight, must be serious indeed for the shear amount of stalling before details are revealed. Their appeared to be some unease shown by Apollo on arrival which spoke to the Grey Goddess that he knew what tonight was about, and their fathers stalling was not to his liking.

Apollo

She gave him confirmation of everyone’s presence within the mansion, even noting some of the typical interactions of his kin to which Apollo resisted rolling his eyes. He saw a concern grow within her however and she expressed this saying "Apollo, what's wrong? Has something happened?"

Has something happened?

At first he was confused as to why she would ask such a question, after all didn’t Zeus... The Far-darter’s eyes shown realization, near disbelief in them. He said almost more to himself than to his twin, “He hasn’t told you.” A moment passed in complete silence, this new information taking its toll to the point where he paid no heed to what else transpired in the foyer. When the moment ended, his bared a deeply frowning brow and barred teeth in the direction of the dining hall.

Ignoring his sister Apollo strode into the dining hall and was set to bombard his father with questions. What was there to gain from not telling his children and siblings? What purpose was therein failing to warn them immediately what was happening, what was at stake? How could put on that stupid grin and pretend all was well, when of all people in the entire cosmos he should be the most troubled, having faced these monsters before? But Apollo had the wit to calm himself, for now Zeus would address them, Apollo resolving to sit at the obsidian table awaiting for his father to break the news. To Apollo’s great disappointment however he merely mentioned that there would bad news, and decided to yet again stall what would be the most important council in millennia.

No.

The Far-darter wouldn’t have it, in his mind there was had no time to waste, he’d done enough of that taking his sweet time in arriving, though at the time he thought they’d be discussing this already. He rose out of his seat, and faced his father with a face of disappointment and contempt, and perhaps he would be thought insolent by all others within the hall but he spoke anyway, “Feel like a family? You want us to feel like a family? Please don’t even try to pretend that we have any semblance of that word, at least not until each of us can openly acknowledge our failings and vices, myself included. But more than that, wouldn’t it be far more prudent to address imminent threat to us, and all six billion men women and children on this earth?” his voice was rising and growing ever more irritable.

“That perhaps you of all people would understand what’s happening? What do you want? For us cease this infighting? To act unified and ignoring the discrepancies and grievances between us? They’ll never do it, they’ve had thousands of years to do it, why would they start now when they feel nothing to gain? Well now I say to all of you, that were in not that our very survival hinges within the choices made in this hour I would not care if you bashed in each other’s brains to your hearts content, but it seems even some part of me long dormant and diminished still loves as kin.

“But please father, do continue, see how far they go to please you without compromising their egos.” When he was finished his body seemed to relax, and rested his hands upon the table supporting himself, and sighed deeply, “I’m sorry,” he apologized. He then he looked to his father apologetically, “I’m not known for my temper, but even you don’t know what I saw, and I shouldn’t blame you. Nonetheless this can’t be put off for another minute.”

He rose again and addressed them, “Let me tell of my visions. Think of them as the sense of hearing, you don’t typically choose what you hear though you can tune yourselves the sound around you to detect what is near. Normally what I see is far off, distorted, subject to change. But earlier today the vision I had was the equivalent to putting ear to a jet engine, it is something that is just short of being inevitable.”

And so it was that the Far-darter sate them down, recounting the events concerning the return of the Titans who visited Persephone’s shop, and foretold in explicit detail the world he saw. Of the earth caked in the ash of mortals, of the fall of Olympus and detailed descriptions of the corpses of the Olympians not even omitting the fate of his dear sister. Of and age in which all would be laid to ruin under a red sky and sea, of a Crimson Age yet to come.

He finished and regarded them grimly, “You know me not to be an exaggerator, nor paranoid nor deceitful. But this will happen if we do not act, and sooner than any of us would like. What say you, my kin?”

"He hasn't told you."

It was a statement her twin spoke, not a question and Artemis could hear the utter disbelief in his voice. She was confused though and watched him expectantly to continue on and tell her just what was so important. "Apollo, who didn't tell me what?" The huntress was in the dark as to what information should have been passed on from her brother and she certainly didn't know that it pertained to all of her kin and not just herself.

Artemis was a bit startled as Apollo, abruptly in her opinion, left her and marched his way towards the dining room where the others were gathering. She sighed rather loudly and brushed a hand through her hair before following after him. The Huntress was certain that things were about to become so much worse in the following hours. As customary she took the seat beside Apollo, watching out of the corner of her eye and all but ignoring the complete bullshit spewing from Zues' mouth.

Artemis could see the tension in her twin, the tightness of his jaw and the glare in his eyes. She knew that something was terribly wrong, especially because Apollo was usually one of the calmer of the Olympians. She was actually fairly surprised as he stood from his seat, her head turning fully towards him in response.

“Feel like a family? You want us to feel like a family? Please don’t even try to pretend that we have any semblance of that word, at least not until each of us can openly acknowledge our failings and vices, myself included. But more than that, wouldn’t it be far more prudent to address imminent threat to us, and all six billion men women and children on this earth?”

The goddess bit her bottom lip in nervousness. No one really ever spoke against Zues' words of 'family', it just wasn't done. This was a group of beings who almost prided themselves to see how they could keep up appearances and backstab the most unsuspecting relative at the same time. Apollo's words were true none-the-less and Artemis felt her heart swell in pride for her brother having the balls to speak the truth in front of everyone else.

She listened intently as he recounted his vision and the near destruction the future held for the mortals and their own kind. The only knowledge that Artemis had of the Titans was her own mother, sweet and gentle Leto who had given everything to raise her and Apollo into who they were today. The rest had all been locked away in Tartarus long before her time, but as her brother spoke of each death, Artemis could honestly say she feared for what could become of them.

Artemis was actually surprised to hear Hera speak first, then again the elder goddess never missed a chance to talk. Alas the words the queen spoke were true and honest to the best of her abilities. Hera may have been jealous and power hungry at times but she would do all she could to keep the very few she cared about safe and the balance of power in check. Even Aphrodite, with no power, skill, or knowledge to truly help in battle offered to do what she could to aid the impending situation.

Taking a deep breath the huntress took her brother's hand in her own, giving it a squeeze in reassurance. "You know I am always with you brother." There were few whom the goddess truly loved but her brother was certainly one of them. Their existence had been intertwined since the moment they had been conceived and Artemis would always do what she could to protect him.