When Darkness Met Her

A Shield And A Sword

"GET IT!" Artemis cried as her arrow sailed through the air at the lion, but it moved swiftly out of the way, gunning for Nike on the right.

"I'll handle this!" she roared as her wings glided her right for the lion. She swung her sword, her brave warrior cry sounding out as the blade made contact with the hide but merely bounced off with a clang as the lion threw Nike to the side.

Persephone screamed and watched as her hands flew up in the air, a great tree suddenly cracking out from beneath the concrete floor as it's branches flung out wide as it caught the goddess midair, her body cushioned by it's leaves as it landed brutally.

"Good save Persephone!" Artemis yelled trying to shoot the Nemean Lion with all her might, but the arrows simply hit their target and dissolved within it's fur "This thing's body is impenetrable!"

"Then I'll burn it up!" Hecate screamed as her hands flung out while fire danced out along the floor, it's flames surrounding the lion as it roared out in anger. Persephone was sure that this would stop the lion for sure, but her heart suddenly sank as the lion simply shook off the fire as if it were just water from a nice bath.

"What the-?" Hecate began but the lion was upon her instantly.

"NO!" Persephone cried out, watching as Hecate surrounded herself with bright green light, a dome of a shield around herself as the lion clawed and banged itself against the shield. Persephone could see the fear in Hecate's eyes, she couldn't hold that shield for long, the lion was just too big and too strong.

She had to distract the lion for a moment, just enough for Hecate to regain her strength.

"HEY!" she yelled waving her arms "Hey you! Yea you with the mangy fur! Why don't you pick on someone your own size!"

"What in the hell is she doing?" Hades said to himself as he watched his wife wave her arms and challenge the beast that was ten times her size like it was nothing. He quickly took off his helmet as his arm reached out willing his sword to take form although it was probably futile at this point. Even Heracles himself had trouble with one of these things. It wasn't likely even godly weapons could beat this lion, maybe if they had Ares or Athena, or heck even one of the Titans here they might have a slim chance.

Either way he had to do something before Persephone did something to get them both killed.

"Come on!" Persephone yelled more "Come and get a real meal!"

The Lion now had it's full attention on Persephone, it's mouth open and drooling as it's teeth bared wide for her.

"Oh shit..." Persephone cursed as it started to come towards her. Bravery had seized her for the moment as she watched Hecate drop the shield and her body to the floor, thankfully still breathing heavily from trying to keep the shield up.

But now, standing in front of this huge mass of creature, Persephone felt her heart start to race like a frightened rabbit in front of a very, very large fox.

"You think your so tough" she made herself say as she backed away "Your nothing but a big cat...A big stupid cat!"

It's eyes suddenly grew wide as it roared in fury at her it's body suddenly ready to pounce at any moment. She knew if that thing got a hold of her, she was going straight to the Styx.

But suddenly, her hands began to tingle as she wiggled her fingers, a glowing courage growing inside her as she stood up straight to the titan sized lion. She felt a warmness start spreading around her hands as she glanced down to see they were glowing with power. She had a weapon... a weapon inside of her...