Collision ✅

To Plan a War

Guiliano stumbled slightly when he opened his eyes and found himself standing outside a modest-sized villa somewhere in the middle of the countryside, feeling a bit lightheaded and disoriented. Alex let go of his hand strode forward with her aunt and uncle towards the entrance and he quickly followed.

A million questions flew through his head. In mere minutes he had arrived in 21st century Florence and then been whisked elsewhere. As he took in the light pouring out from the windows and the lamp in the courtyard at the front of the villa that did not appear to be lit by fire, he was not sure which question to ask first. It was all overwhelming.

"Where are we?" he asked, figuring that was a good place to start.

"Greece," Artemis replied, not offering any more than that.

Guiliano stopped, his eyes wide, though he should not have been surprised. He had just traveled through time, after all. Was now a god. It should not be so shocking that they would have traveled to a completely different country in the blink of an eye.

"Come on! Don't want to dally," Apollo said, turning to smile at him. "We've got a war to plan."

"Don't sound so goddamn giddy about it," Alex grumbled, her weariness seeming to manifest in a shorter temper.

"I would like to go home to Olympus. I can be giddy about that at least, can't I?" Apollo retorted, a slight bit of snark in his voice.

Alex just sighed heavily as she walked through the front entrance and stepped into the house.

"This way," Artemis said, moving ahead to lead the group through the open building.

Guiliano could not help but look around, once again taken aback by how different everything looked. Alex had explained before they left that all these wonders were because of science and something called technology, but it was truly difficult to not think of it as magic.

They walked into what likely had been a dining area of sorts, but the long table was covered in maps and other parchments.

"So... this is what you two were up to while I was gone?" Alex asked, her eyes fixed on the mess before them as the twins walked to the other side of the table.

"No. You were only gone a few hours to us," Artemis said. "This is what we did that week we were away."

"Still got loads more to do," Apollo said with a sigh. "Planning. Plotting. Recruiting..."

"There you are. Was wondering where you got off to, and when you'd bring Alex."

Guiliano and Alex turned, watching as a tall woman with dark hair and dark skin strode into the room. Alex ran over and launched into her arms as the woman studied Guiliano cautiously over her shoulder. Though he was larger than her, he could not help but find her intimidating. It was mostly the intense way she studied him, as though she were calculating the best way to overpower him.

"Nike! What are you doing here?" Alex asked as she stepped back from the woman. Nike looked back at her.

"You honestly thought I wouldn't have a part in this?" she asked, offering a vicious smile that sent a shiver down Guiliano's spine. He made a note to never get on her bad side.

"She's been our insider in Olympus," Artemis explained. "Apologies. This is Nike - Goddess of Victory... Anyway, got news for us?"

Nike looked over at her and nodded, but then turned to Guiliano again, a curious look on her face as she tilted her head to the side.

"A new god?" she asked, her eyebrows rising in surprise. "We haven't had one since-"

"Yes, I know. Since me," Alex said, turning back to the maps on the table and cutting her off. "So, what's the news?"