Ascension

Ch 12

The grand halls of Olympus resounded with Zeus's fury, the storm god's anger manifesting in the crackling thunder and flashing lightning that filled the skies. Seated on his ornate throne, Zeus glowered, his eyes blazing with divine wrath. Before him, projected through mystical means, were Odin, the All-Father of the Norse pantheon, and Ra, the sun god of the Egyptian pantheon.
"How dare she!" Zeus roared, his voice echoing through the marble chamber. "Athena, my own daughter, conspiring against me! And with Hades, no less!"
Odin's one remaining eye narrowed, his face a mask of barely contained rage. The loss of Thor had struck deep, and the god of wisdom and war was seething. "Hades has crossed a line. Thor was my son, and his death will not go unanswered."
Ra, ever the measured and calm deity, surveyed the situation with a more analytical eye. "The balance of power among the gods is shifting. Hades's actions, and now Athena's defiance, could lead to an unprecedented conflict."
Ra is the deity of the sun, light, day, creation, life, resurrection, prophecy, sight, sky, heaven, order, and kings in Egyptian mythology. In addition, he is the father of hourus and the ruler of the gods. Ra is frequently portrayed as a human with the head of a beetle, hawk, or falcon, and a sun disk encircled by a cobra. Occasionally, he is also shown as an animal, such as a serpent, hawk, beetle, lion, or ram.
Zeus clenched his fists, sparks of electricity dancing around his knuckles. "This rebellion must be crushed. I will not tolerate insubordination, not from my daughter, not from anyone. Apollo! Artemis!"
In a flash of divine light, the twin deities appeared before Zeus. Apollo, the god of the sun, music, and prophecy, stood tall and radiant, his golden bow in hand. Beside him, Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and the moon, exuded a calm yet fierce determination, her silver arrows gleaming at her side.
"Father," Apollo said, inclining his head. "You called for us."
Zeus's eyes bore into his children, his tone unyielding. "Hades has defied me, and now Athena stands with him. This rebellion must be ended before it grows. I command you, Apollo and Artemis, to hunt down Hades. Kill him, and if Athena intervenes, kill her as well."
Artemis's eyes widened slightly, but she nodded, understanding the gravity of the command. "As you wish, Father."
Apollo exchanged a glance with Artemis, his expression resolute. "We will see it done."
As the twins prepared to depart, Zeus turned his gaze back to Odin and Ra. "You both understand the stakes. This war must be contained and ended swiftly. I trust you will deal with any who dare oppose our rule in your respective realms."
Odin's face hardened. "Rest assured, Zeus. Hades will pay for what he has done to my son."
Ra nodded, his expression inscrutable. "We will maintain the balance. But be wary, Zeus. War among the gods often brings unforeseen consequences."
Zeus waved his hand dismissively, the crackle of lightning punctuating his movements. "Consequences be damned. This rebellion ends now."
With a final nod, Apollo and Artemis vanished in a burst of divine energy, leaving Zeus alone with his seething rage. The skies over Olympus darkened further, a storm of unprecedented fury brewing, as the king of the gods prepared for the battle that would soon engulf the realms.

Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of the mortal world, Athena and Eve discussed their next steps. Unbeknownst to them, the hunt had already begun, and the threads of fate were weaving a tapestry of conflict that would test their resolve and strength to the utmost limits. Athena leaves Eve to go to south america to speak with the Aztec and mayan deities. When the goddess of wisdom leaves and silence envelopes Eve's apartment. Suddenly the fact she hadn't talked to Ruth in a few days hit her. She quickly calls her friend to arrange a meeting. Ruth, the ever bubbly woman, forgives eve and arranges for them to meet that night. Eve hung up with her friend and soon called her parents. They no doubt would be worried about her. Eve had a few hours to herself before Athena returned. The deities of the south american were torn as well. Each picked the side of zeus and Hades while a few remained neutral. Eve's apartment was a sanctuary of calm amidst the bustling energy of New Orleans. The soft glow of fairy lights cast a warm ambiance over the room, which was filled with the scent of freshly brewed tea and the faint hum of a jazz tune playing from her old record player. Athena was seated on the couch, her presence a blend of divine grace and mortal relatability, as she and Eve continued their discussion about the impending conflict with Zeus.
Suddenly, the air around them grew thick with an oppressive energy, and a swirling vortex of darkness materialized in the middle of the room. Eve stood up abruptly, her heart pounding, as Hades emerged from the shadows. His cloak was tattered, and his form was streaked with blood, evidence of a fierce battle. He staggered slightly, gripping his staff for support.
"Hades!" Eve exclaimed, rushing to his side. "What happened?"
Athena rose as well, her eyes sharp and assessing. "You've encountered resistance, I see."
Hades took a deep breath, his eyes dark and intense. "I faced Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, the Aztec god of dawn. He ambushed me, likely on Zeus's orders. The battle was fierce, but I defeated him."
Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli , 'Dawn Lord,' was a Mesoamericangod who represented a menacing aspect of Venus, the morning star, and was one of the four gods which held up the sky. The people of the ancient Americas believed his rays could damage people, crops, and water sources.
Eve gently guided Hades to the couch, her concern evident. "You need to rest. Let me get you something to clean those wounds."
As Eve hurried to fetch a first aid kit, Athena watched Hades with a mixture of respect and worry. "Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli is a formidable opponent. It's clear Zeus is rallying other gods to his cause. This war will not be easily won."
Hades nodded, wincing slightly as he adjusted his position. "Zeus is pulling out all the stops. He knows we're a threat, and he'll stop at nothing to crush this rebellion."
Eve returned with the first aid kit and began to clean Hades's wounds, her hands steady despite the gravity of the situation. "We need to be prepared for whatever comes next. Athena, what can we do?"
Athena's expression softened as she looked at Eve, admiration in her eyes. "Your resolve is admirable, Eve. We must gather allies, just as Zeus is doing. We need to show the other gods and beings that our cause is just, that we're fighting for balance and justice."
Hades grimaced as Eve applied antiseptic to a particularly deep cut. "The battle with Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli was a reminder that this war will test us in every way. But we cannot falter. The fate of the realms depends on our resolve."
Eve finished bandaging Hades's wounds and looked up at him, her eyes filled with determination. "We're with you, Hades. No matter what. Athena and I will help you rally others to our cause. Zeus won't know what hit him."
Athena placed a reassuring hand on Eve's shoulder. "Well said, Eve. Together, we are stronger. We will find those who share our vision of justice and balance, and we will stand united against Zeus's tyranny."
Hades managed a faint smile, despite his exhaustion. "Thank you, both of you. Your support means more than you know. We will face whatever comes, and we will prevail."
The three of them sat together, a sense of solidarity and determination filling the room. Outside, the city of New Orleans continued its lively rhythm, unaware of the divine conflict brewing in its midst. But within the walls of Eve's apartment, a plan was forming, and the seeds of resistance were being sown.
Suddenly, a chilling wind swept through the room, and the shadows seemed to deepen. The lights flickered ominously, and a sinister presence filled the space. Eve gasped, her eyes widening as a figure materialized before them. Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, the Aztec god of dawn, stood there, his eyes burning with vengeance and malice. His obsidian weapon glinted menacingly in the dim light.
"You thought you could defeat me so easily, Hades?" Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli sneered, his voice echoing with divine wrath. "I will end you, and anyone who stands with you!"
Hades struggled to rise, his face twisted in pain and determination. "This ends now, Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli. You will not harm anyone here."
Athena stepped forward, her armor gleaming, her spear at the ready. "Eve, stay back. Hades and I will handle this."
Eve nodded, retreating to a corner of the room, her heart pounding with fear and adrenaline. She watched as the two gods prepared to face the intruder.
Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli lunged forward, his weapon aimed at Hades. But Athena intercepted him with a swift, powerful strike of her spear. The clash of their divine weapons sent shockwaves through the apartment, shattering the windows and knocking over furniture.
"You dare challenge the goddess of wisdom and warfare?" Athena's voice was cold and fierce. "You will regret this, Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli."
The Aztec god snarled and countered with a series of rapid, brutal attacks, each one deflected by Athena's expert maneuvers. Hades, though weakened, joined the fray, his dark magic swirling around him as he aimed blasts of energy at their foe.
The apartment became a battleground, with walls and floors cracking under the strain of their combat. Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli fought with the desperation of a cornered beast, but Athena's strategic prowess and Hades's relentless assaults began to wear him down.
In a decisive move, Athena disarmed Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, sending his obsidian weapon clattering across the floor. She spun and drove her spear through his chest, her eyes blazing with righteous fury. Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli let out a final, guttural cry before collapsing, his form dissolving into shadows.
Athena withdrew her spear, breathing heavily. Hades leaned on his staff, his face a mask of exhaustion and relief. The apartment was in ruins, debris scattered everywhere, and the air smelled of ozone and divine energy.
Eve stepped forward, her voice trembling. "Is it over?"
Athena nodded, wiping sweat from her brow. "For now, yes. But your apartment is no longer safe. Zeus's allies will continue to come after us. We need to find a new place to regroup."
Hades looked at Eve, his expression grave. "Eve, we can't ask you to stay involved in this. It's too dangerous."
Eve shook her head, her eyes filled with determination. "I'm not going anywhere. I vowed to help you, and I meant it. We'll find a new safe house, and we'll continue to fight."
Athena placed a hand on Eve's shoulder, a gesture of both gratitude and respect. "Your bravery is commendable, Eve. We will need allies like you in the days to come."
As they gathered their essentials and prepared to leave the wrecked apartment, Eve couldn't help but feel a sense of loss for the home she had cherished. But she also felt a growing resolve. The battle against Zeus was far from over, and with Athena and Hades by her side, she was ready to face whatever came next.
The trio stepped out into the night, the cool air a stark contrast to the intensity of their recent battle. Together, they would find a new sanctuary, a new place to plan and prepare. The war had only just begun, but united, they would stand against the storm that was coming.
Under the cover of darkness, Hades, Athena, and Eve navigated the streets of New Orleans. The city's vibrant energy was a stark contrast to the tension that clung to them. They moved swiftly, avoiding the more populated areas, their senses heightened for any signs of danger.
Athena led the way, her keen eyes scanning for potential threats. Hades walked beside Eve, his presence a comforting shadow. Despite his injuries, his determination to protect her was unwavering. They reached the outskirts of the city, where the bustling streets gave way to quieter, more secluded neighborhoods.
They arrived at a modest, nondescript house tucked away behind a row of ancient oaks. The house, owned by an old ally of Hades, was well-hidden from both mortal and divine eyes. Its unassuming exterior belied the powerful wards and protections that surrounded it.
"This place will keep you safe, Eve," Hades said, his voice firm yet gentle. "It's protected by ancient magic. No god or monster will be able to find you here."
Eve looked around, taking in the serene surroundings. "Thank you, Hades. And you too, Athena. I know this isn't easy for either of you."
Athena placed a reassuring hand on Eve's shoulder. "Your safety is our priority. Rest here and gather your strength. We'll need you when the time comes."
Hades stepped back and raised his hand. With a low, resonant call, he summoned his loyal guardian. The ground trembled slightly, and from the shadows emerged a massive, three-headed dog. Cerberus, the guardian of the underworld, padded forward with surprising grace for such a large creature. His eyes glowed with a fierce intelligence, and his presence radiated a protective aura.
"This is Cerberus," Hades said, his hand resting on the dog's central head. "He will guard you while we are away. No harm will come to you as long as he is here."
Eve reached out hesitantly, her hand trembling slightly. Cerberus lowered his heads, allowing her to pat him. Despite his fearsome appearance, his fur was surprisingly soft, and he nuzzled her hand gently.
"Thank you, Cerberus," Eve whispered, feeling a sense of security wash over her.
Athena nodded approvingly. "Cerberus will ensure no one gets close. Now, rest and regain your strength, Eve. We have much to do, and your role in this conflict is far from over."
Hades and Athena exchanged a brief, solemn glance. They knew the road ahead would be fraught with danger and challenges, but for now, they had secured a safe haven for Eve. With a final nod, they left the house, the wards sealing behind them, and Cerberus taking his place at the entrance, ever vigilant.
As Hades and Athena moved back into the city, planning their next steps in the battle against Zeus, Eve settled into her new sanctuary. Despite the chaos and danger that had upended her life, she felt a growing resolve within her. Surrounded by the protective magic of the house and under the watchful eyes of Cerberus, she knew she would be ready for whatever came next.
The fight for justice and balance was just beginning, and with allies like Hades and Athena, Eve felt more prepared than ever to face the storm.