The Pantheon: Rebirth

The New Pantheon

Olympus had seen its fair share of violence. The walls were evidence of that. Scars that refused to heal. Bonds that could never be repaired. But as Parker and Aurora entered carrying the Oracle and Helen's body, the building seemed to share in their grief. The queen of the gods was dead, murdered. Yet another reminder of the horrible consequences of being a god.

"I can't believe Ares killed her." Parker noted, his voice barely audible. Helen's body gently held in his arms. The wound on her chest serving as a reminder of his failure.

"It was inevitable Parker. This cycle was doomed to create violence and death. If it was not Helen, it would be another."

Aurora opens a brown door, helping a limping Oracle to rest on a bed. Her body fully healed from Hades' torture but branding new scars.

"I should have gone with you guys. Maybe if I was there, she would still be alive."

"Do not blame yourself, there was nothing you could have done. As much as hurts me to say this. It is better that we lost someone other than you or Zander."

Parker stops dead in his tracks.

"What do you mean?"

Aurora turns to face Parker, trying to hold a straight face as she looks at Helen.

"If you or Zander died, the cycle would have restarted. You two are the most powerful of the pantheon, if we lost you, we would all lose."

Parker doesn't respond. Deep down, he knows she's right. But it doesn't change a thing. He knew that Ares had to pay for what he did, and even if it meant restarting the cycle, Parker was going to make sure he paid.

"I'm going to go find her a place to rest. When we come back, we'll give her the funeral she deserves."

Parker leaves the room, leaving Aurora to care for the Oracle. She turns to the table, shocked to see the Oracle sitting up right.

"Athena, be warned. The battle that approaches is for far more than your lives."

"I am aware. We are fighting to protect mankind."

"You do not understand. The world cannot be saved. It is destined to fall. Darkness will engulf the world. It is fate."

A defeated look emerges on Aurora's face.

"Are you saying that there is no future where we come out victorious?"

The oracle does not reply. She simply closes her eyes and lays back on the bed. Parker comes back into the room. Aurora has her face hidden from him.

"You ready sis? We got an ass kicking to deliver."

Aurora doesn't say anything. Her mind replaying what the oracle told her. Parker walks towards Aurora, trying to get a response.

"Hey, you okay?"

He touches her shoulder, causing Aurora to turn around.

Parker is wearing a blue fitted tee and ripped black jeans.

"I am fine. I needed some time to collect my thoughts, but I am ready. What are you wearing?"

"What? You don't like it?" Parker says, examining his outfit. "Just because it's the end of the world doesn't mean I can't look good saving it."

Aurora chuckles, catching Parker by surprise.

"Let us go, before Zander does something he cannot take back."

Parker heads out the room, shortly followed by Aurora. She glances back at the sleeping Oracle before disappearing into the fountain.

***