War in the Heavenlies (this is a long story)

I woke up trembling, frightened and cold. Glancing around, I could sense nothing familiar. I almost cried out in panic when I saw I was in a strange bed. Then my mind snapped awake and I remembered who's arm it was draped over my waist. He stirred, then smiled. He then flipped on the lights in the bedroom.
"Bad dream again?" he asked, in a cautious voice. I rolled over and took him in my arms.
"The same one again, Virgil," I whispered, snuggling close to his soft, hairy chest. I felt his powerful arms holding me, and I felt secure once more. I dug my fingers into his chest and shuddered as the fear and revulsion of my recent ordeal with Melody and Hellfire replayed itself for what seemed like the hundredth time.
Virgil stroked my hair lovingly; his motions surprisingly gentle as he comforted me. I clung to him and absorbed his attention with a selfish need I seldom experienced. Glancing about the room, I could see the scattered pieces of my costume, intermingled with his. I'd need more than his comfort tonight, and Virgil had gallantly risen to the occasion. But then , what else could a distressed damsel expect from Captain Valiant?
"Would you care to talk about it?" he asked, unconcerned about the early hour. I nodded, rolling out of his bed and slipping into his dark brown robe. It was far too large on me, but contained enough of Vince's essence that I still felt comfortable in his embrace. He smiled, and led me to his living room.
I sat in the living room, while Virgil made tea, then together we sat and sipped. I looked at the swirling brown elixir, trying to frame my thoughts. Finally I said, "I've had it with being White Owl! All the responsibility, all the extra time away from everything, all my own aspirations put on hold. I'm constantly putting my life on the line, and frankly, I'm wondering how Athena is benefitting from this."
Virgil smiled. "Athena the goddess? Or Athena, my friend and lover?"
"Don't get cute with me, Virgil Coleman!"
"I wasn't, Athena, I promise. It's just I never believed in the ancient gods of Olympus. Or if I did, I assumed they were heroes accorded supernatural status."
I had to smile at this. "I suppose I would agree with you. Or at least I did until Athena talked to me in Greece those years back." The warm glow of remembrance faded though as the enormous responsibility of my day to day existence loomed large again, and I shrunk back into the couch.
"Oh Virgil, what am I going to do?"
"I thought you were the source of wisdom, Athena. Why are you coming to me?"
"I think Athena's wisom has left me. At least for decisions regarding my life. It's almost as if she's removing her gifts from me. And since my confidence seems at a low ebb right now as a heroine, I don't think I'm much good to Queen City as White Owl."
Virgil nodded, not saying anything. When he did speak, he had a gleam in his eye.
"Well, I know the city is relatively peaceful right now. Liberty Girl will be home from school on a co-op this fall, and between her and myself we should be able to keep the peace I think. Why don't you take some time to pursue your other passion, archaeology?"
"Oh I can't Virgil. The season is already booked. If I'd wanted to get into a dig, the time to apply was months ago. The museum didn't have the funds for my own dig ideas, and I didn't think I was able to leave the city for too long. My book tour took up the rest of the time; you know that."
He held up his his hands to stop me, then put his finger on my lips. "Shh! Listen to me. I just heard from a friend of mine, lamenting that he couldn't find any talented interpreters for his dig. He practically went into shock when I told him I might know where he could get one. He was doubly impressed when your name came up."
My mouth dropped in shock. I leaned over and began tickling him. He hooted in laughter, then clammed up. "All right, Virgil, give. Who are you talking about, and how do you know him?"
He put his hands up in mock surrender, and I stopped tickling. But I hovered over him, ready to strike again. "I give," he said. "I know him from my investment company. As you know, I bankroll several startup ventures. I could have financed a dig for you, too."
"I know, but I keep telling you, I want to keep my professional life separate from White Owl. I couldn't impose on our joint partnerships and friendships to have you giving me money. Maybe someday, but not now." Virgil nodded and I nodded back. "So who is it?"
"Someone working on a new site in Greece. Offshore work. Near Thessalonika. He says he's found some new artefacts of the Trojan War."
I was nearly bursting with excitement. "Will you PLEASE tell me who it is?"
Virgil grinned. "What will you give me in exchange?" he asked with a slight leer.
"Let's just say I'll make it worth your while, big man."
He pretended to ponder it a bit more. "All right, it seems fair to me. My friend is Leonidas Diomedes." I did a double take.
"How..how?"
"How do I know Dr Diomedes? I just floated a bond issue for a new library at the University of Corinth. I met him at the reception and found we both had a passion for grapes, good wine and history. I've maintained a correspondence with him since." He grinned wolfishly.
"Now about making it worth my while..." He leaned over and whispered in my ear. I blushed but nodded. The rest of the night was definitely worth my while, and I think Vincent enjoyed it too.
By the end of the week, I was winging my way across the Atlantic, toward Greece.

The dark clouds swirled from the Styx casting eerie shadows on the dark tower of Hades. Inside the hall, Lord Hades was entertaining his nephew Ares and his children. Though, perhaps that's too broad a term, as Ares was in the process of strategizing. As always, his uncle was one of his staunchest allies; Ares' strategies always enlarged Hades' dominion.
But this time, the Dark Lord had his doubts. "Ares, are you certain this way does not lead to madness? We have often had our petty disputes within the realms of Olympus, but never on the scale you propose."
"I will not abide her mockery any longer, Lord Uncle. She boasts of her wisdom, she boasts of her skill in battle, of her vaunted strategies and victories. She does not see the need for battle, only victory. But the victory will be mine. I must possess this virgin goddess, to make victory subservient to my will."
"But how, O Lord, will you bring this about?" Hades twisted his pale hands and turned his spectral face toward the glowing God of War. "Athena's strength continues to grow in this modern world, as her avatar continues to proselytize on behalf of wisdom. In the meantime, our own powers dwindle as humanity as a whole rejects war and struggles to hold back the jaws of death."
"We have more allies than you may know, Lord Hades," said the grim god. "My children are even now preparing to reduce the White Owl's effectiveness on the mortal plane. One such, Hellfire, struck a crucial blow with his plan to create a Dark version of the Owl."
"But she's an unstable player, and no one will take her seriously," Hades protested. "And White Owl is closer now to OUR realm."
"I've anticipated that," Ares responded. "And Athena is not the only god with messengers and favored humans on Earth you know. I have three such in place even now!"
"And who are these?" demanded Hades. "I've certainly not heard of them."
"Nor would you--though they've ehanced your kingdom as well." Ares paused over a map, with Greece at the center of the world. "There are OTHER types of warfare, my Lord Hades."
A scuffle was heard in the corridor. Ares looked up in alarm, as did Hades. Hades glided to the door first and saw his beloved wife, Persephone reeling back from a vicious onslaught. The attacker was Ares' daughter Eris.
Eris threw a savage punch into Persephone's belly and the goddess of growing was sent sprawling on the cold stone floor. Her diaphonous gown swirled around her shoulders, settling on the floor. Persephone looked up at Hades and pleaded, "Husband, see the treachery with which our kindness is repaid. Help me, my Lord! Whufffff!"
Eris' foot clipped Persephone in the ribcage, causing the goddess to cry out in pain again. then drop to her hands.
"What is the MEANING of this?" demanded Hades, his eyes and hands blazing.
Eris grabbed the whimpering Persephone by her snood and pulled Persephone's head up. "My Lord, forbear. I saw this woman outside the council room doors, spying on your lordship and my lord Father. The look of astonishment on her face was intense and I heard her turn to send to Athena. My lord, rather than attack your wife, I have captured a spy and demand she be punished."
"My mother Demeter shall hear of this outrage," squeaked Persephone, still struggling in Eris' grasp. But she ceased as Hades drew himself up to full height.
"Confine the queen to her chamber and allow no one save myself access," he said, though his voice caught at that.
It had been warm in Queen City, as I boarded the jet. I'd convinced Ravi to let me go dig; after all, a resident archaeologist should do archaeology sometimes. He agreed, provided I managed to secure a few goodies for the museum. Diana agreed to watch Daisy, and the Valor team threw me a farewell party. I had one last call to make, and I'd been avoiding it.
In fact, I waited up to my departure day. At the airport, in the terminal, I stared at the paper in my hand, and dialed the not quite familiar number. "Peter Stein's office," an efficient female voice answered on the other end.
"Yes, hello," I replied. "I'm trying to reach Mr. Stein. My name is Athena Nikos."
"One moment, please, I'll see if he's available." The line went silent, then I heard a warm voice. "Isn't it rather improper for a woman to call a man for a date?" Peter's voice was warm and playful.
"I suppose so--if you're almost 80." He laughed at that and I smiled.
"Listen Athena, I have tickets to Spamalot on the Broadway series this weekend. Would you care to go?"
I frowned. "Peter that sounds lovely, but I can't. I'm going out of town for six weeks, or two months. I've been offered to assist with a dig in Greece. For Leonidas Diomedes, yes."
There was a stillness, then Peter said. "You're one of the most fascinating women I've met Athena. Will you still be writing? I'll give you my personal e-mail." We agreed to e-mail one another, and I added his name to my list of promised correspondents. I heard the boarding call for my plane, and ended the call.
Eight hours later, I was weary and rumpled as I stepped off the plane in the airport. A small contigent stood under a sign that read "Nikos" is Greek letters. I stepped into the smiling faces and welcoming arms of my Uncle Lukas and Aunt Julia. More hugs were exchanged with my cousins Markus and Jason.
Since my last visit, Markus had been married and was contending with children almost as rambunctious as Alex's. Jason was finishing his doctorate in archaeologyat the University, and had established himself in Dr Diomedes camp as well.
"You're going to sleep with us tonight, Athena," said my uncle, his mustaches trembling fiercely. "Tomorrow Jason takes you to dig, henh?" I smiled and nodded.
After a dinner of too much lamb, and too much ouza and too many baklavas, I found the guest bedroom and dropped wearily onto the bed. Sleep stole upon me faster than anything I knew.
Morpheus stole into the room where Athena's messenger lay sleeping. He took the tincture Eris had provided to him and carefully dusted the eyes of the slumbering woman.
"Pleasant Nightmares," he muttered, stealing back into Nyx's inky cloak.

It is with great pride that I present this award to our city's good friend and defender, White Owl!" The applause was loud and I felt myself blushing as the mayor motioned me forward. As he turned, I heard the "whoosh" and the mind numbing "thock" as the arrow sliced into his back. The mayor's face showed a pained expression, then the man slumped forward. I caught him, and helpeed him to the ground but my eyes were already scanning the rooftops of the nearby buildings.
The paramedics took over and I flew toward a medium sized building a block away. I spotted a figure, running with a quiver tossed over his shoulder, and knew that my old foe Quarrel had returned. I was surprised though. Quarrel was an expert with a crossbow, and this figure was carrying a strong compound bow. Ignoring that, I chased the archer across the rooftops of this unfamiliar city.
He was quick, I'll grant him that, but the goddess given ability of flight soon allowed me to bear down on him. I was about to take him, at the edge of a tall roof when he jumped over the side. Stunned, I sailed past the spot, angling back and down into a grimy alley.
My quarry was nowhere to be seen, so I darted to the open end of the alleyway and looked in both directions. The street was still unfamiliar, but it appeared to be a neighborhood of some sort, with small shops and apartments. People were passing in the streets, but no one seemed particularly in a hurry. I scanned the crowd, knowing my target couldn't have gone far.
There. I spotted him, nocking another arrow, about a block away near a park. I flew down the boulevard, dodging cars and praying I wouldn't be too late. The arrow flew, but I managed to snatch it in flight, then zipped back to where he stood grinning. Before he knew what was happening, I rolled Quarrel up and dangled him by his chin.
"You're going to pay for this a long time, Quarrel," I said, balling my fist. Quarrel was motionless, and felt very light in my arms. I shook him as he was not making any sounds.
"Oh my God! Puth her down!" I heard. "Are you some kind of Monster?"
I held my fist. Couldn't these people see that Quarrel had just shot their mayor? Couldn't they see the menace he presented?"
An arm settled on mine. "Please, PLEASE don't hurt my little girl." cried a woman who was nearly hysterical. I glanced at her, then at my outstretched arm.
"Oh my goodness!" I shouted. A small girl, in play clothes dangles there, limply. I set her down gently and covered my face in horror. Around me, all the crowd was pressing in to make sure the girl was all right.
I was frightened.
I took to the air and flew into the night.
I sat upright in a strange bed. After a moment I realized I was at Uncle Lukas' house. My sheets were soaked with sweat from terror. The covers were wraped and tangled over my body. I sat on the edge of the bed and glanced at the clock. It was 4 am. In Queen City, I'd be on patrol.
I sighed. "Old habits die hard, I guess." In a moment I was in my costume. I slipped onto the patio of the guest room and flew into the cool morning air. The Aegean sea brought a moist salty taste to the air, which I found refreshing. I circled over Salonika, to get a feel for the lay of the land. As I flew, I saw smoke rising from the university.
I angled my flight, eager to see if my help was needed. But as I dove, a caped figure streaked past me. "What is Captain Valiant doing here?" I wondered. But as he neared the fire, I could see the colors on the cape were a deep red, and not the familiar gold I knew. The flying man was wearing arrmoed greaves and gauntlets, and a Greek helmet hooded his eyes from me. Apart from the armor, he wore leather trunks and little else. But his body was that of an Adonis.
He pointed his spear at a water tower near the dormitories, and a bolt of lightning crackled from the tip. The water tower broke, heading toward the ground.
"Good Grief!" I said. I dove with all my speed to catch the water tower, and was stunned to find a woman in classical Greek garb catching the falling tower as if it were a beach ball. With minimal effort, she threw the water tower at the fire. The flying man shot another lightning bolt at the tower, shattering the metal structure and dumping water on the fire, dousing it.
I swallowed and smiled. My initial impression of him had been quite wrong.
I landed on the campus courtyard as the flying man and his companion debriefed the police and fire fighters. Then he turned to me.
"Not bad, " I said. He looked at me with a puzzled stare.
"Oh" I said, realizing. I switched to Greek and repeated myself, a bit more slowly.
He threw back his head and laughed. His companion did likewise. "We speak English White Owl, and we know who you are." I smiled, but felt my skin blushing. He put a friendly hand on my shoulder. "I am the Spartan, and my lovely friend here is the Olympian. We're fellow heroes, I would think. I'd show you our hero licenses, but like everything else here, they're caught up in red tape and six weeks behind."
I smiled at the Spartan. His dark eyes twinkled behind his helmet and mask and I could tell he was not a grim avenger. Olympian whispered something to him and he nodded. "Alas, the life of a Superhero doesn't allow for much socializing, I am afraid. We both have other lives to return to, as no doubt you do, eh?"
I nodded. "I do. I hope I wasn't in your way."
"You weren't. I would like to think we could work together, since you're in Greece."
"I hope not," I said. "I'm here for other reasons, and not necessarily for super hero work."
"Olympian said, "Yes, but it has a way of finding us, doesn't it?" She too smiled, then the Spartan took her in his arms and they flew out into the first hints of dawn. I took that as my cue as well, and soared into the sky, arriving at Uncle Lukas' just as the sun was coming up. I slipped out of my costume and into a bathrobe, just as Jason was knocking on the door.
I stifled a yawn I didn't have to pretend was real and opened it. "Ready for work?" he said with a silly grin.

Markus drove like a madman through the early morning. All around me, Salonika was coming to life with the sunshine. I was nearly surprised when Markus headed into the rising sun, then remembered that the dig was near the bay. He drove through a wire fence and stopped.
"Come on, Athena," Markus said, grabbing his daysack and lunch. He strode down a jetty toward a large cigarette boat. Looking up I saw a familiar broad, muscular back. I started. Could it be the Spartan? The back turned and I looked into the twinkling dark eyes of Dr Leonidas Diomedes.
"Welcome welcome!" he cried cheerily. "Come aboard--I was waiting for you two stragglers." A broad smile creased his face and I knew he was having us on. Dr Diomedes was relatively young; I'd place him in his mid-thirties. He had a full head of dark hair and a beard to match. He seemed a dynamo of energy, but seemed to have a boundless sense of humor. But when I asked about his discovery, he suddenly became quite serious, though still animated.
He shivered in the chilly morning air. "The sea seems calm today, heh? But it appears winter may be arriving early." He shrugged. "So much for global warming then."
He looked out over the bay again, and I could pick out the boat we were heading for. Dr Diomedes began his story. "We uncovered an old bireme, in what had been an old inlet. Now it's just a silty marsh, of course. Nothing unusual in that, but this boat was in remarkable shape."
We drew near to a second boat--this one larger and designed for a long term operation. Dr Diomedes made our boat fast to it. We climbed aboard and he continued his lecture. "My associate, Dr Stephanopoulous is out supervising the dig right now. But we've uncovered something fascinating and you'll need to see it, Athena. I'm told that you're quite good at capturing subtle detail in your art, and in interpretation as well. Your recent books on Mayan sports and the Amazon religions only bear that out."
My heart leaped; after all who wouldn't want to be recognized for her works? Dr Diomedes turned a key in a locked room on the boat and ushered me into the door. "This will be your work area, Athena," he said. "And here are the first things I want you to draw and interpret."
He pulled back a heavy cloth and I gasped in astonishment. Two objects gleamed in the rising sunlight coming through the porthole. On the cloth sat a golden apple, which glistened as if it had been freshly burnished. Next to it sat a pair of warrior's bracers cast in a dark iron, with a hydra traced in silver as the device.
"The web is spinning, faster and faster, Father," Eris began. "The first feints have been made against starry-eyed Athena's right hand. Apollo and Morpheus struck their blows in the shadow realms of the night. Now Athena's pet is placing herself in the realm of my Lord Poseidon. Surely the sea king will find such a transgression by the hand of his foe grievous. Shall I alert him?"
Ares' heavy hand stayed Eris. "Hold," he growled. "Despite her mortality, White Owl is astute. While it is doubtful, she may be alert because of the previous assaults. Better to let her be lulled into a false sense of security, before I ask my uncle to step in."
Zeus looked at Athena, feeling slightly foolish. He was dressed in a plaid shirt and cargo shorts, and held a suitcase in his hand. "I can't believe I let Hera talk me into a romantic vacation! Still the realms HAVE been quiet of late, and I could use a little time to relax."
Starry-eyed Pallas smiled at her father; fully aware that his idea of relaxation consisted more of pulchritude than of golf.
"I'm certain the time away will do you good, Father. And I'll keep Olympus in good stead."
"I know you will, Athena, you always were as sharp as a whip." He tweaked the goddess' nose in a particularly familiar way. "Well I suppose we'd best be going." He turned and extended an arm toward Hera, also dressed in a vacationer's garb--though hers was a sundress.
Behind them, Hermes was struggling with the remainder of the luggage. Zeus looked around once more, as if he were saying goodbye forever. He raised his hand and with a flash of lightning the trio disappeared.
Athena strode to the dais where the Father of Gods kept his throne. She sat down regally and crossed her legs. She looked thoughtfully across the courtyards of Olympus and smiled. "And now, I think it's time to make some changes," she said.

The artifacts intrigued me. I spent the morning sketching, photographing and attempting to analyze all the items on the tables. The coins were fairly common for the era, mostly drachma though there were a few coins from Egypt and Persia among them, dating the bireme closer to the time of Alexander. The pottery was fairly common too.
But the bracers and the apple kept drawing my eye back.
The golden apple had a history of causing strife, or discord in the ancient Greek myths. Fortunately, as I turned the apple this way and that I could not find the word "Kallisti" anywhere on it. "Well it's not the one that started the Trojan War, anyway," I said.
I worked feverishly, little noticing as the sturdents or Markus came into the room. But at some point in the day, Leonidas came into the room. He leaned over my shoulder and watched as I sketched.
"Lovely!" he said, in his big bluff voice. I turned and smiled. He returned it with a large one. His face was handsome, with dark eyes and a pleasant smile. His hark hair had a slight curl and I was strangely compelled toward him. I admit it, I wasn't thinking about Peter or Captain Valiant, but how it would feel to have Leonidas take me in his arms.
"Thank you Dr Diomedes," I said.
"Call me Leonidas," he replied. "After all, we're peers, right Dr Nikos?" He gave me a knowing wink and I nearly melted.
The rest of the day was spent in a blur. I daydreamed about Leonidas, craving him. It was only by sheer force of will I maintained any composure and got any work done. I was still going strong when Markus broke me from my reverie.
"Athena? Are you all right?" My head snapped back to the present.
"Ah ah...yeah, I think I'm fine," I replied. "Is it lunchtime?"
Markus laughed. "Lunchtime? Dear cousin, it's time to go for the day." I squinted out the porthole. Sure enough the light had shifted, and I could see twilight forming.
"You must have been deep into some thinking," said Markus, offhandedly. "You looked like you were a hundred miles away when I came in."
"I was...ah...contemplating the bracers. I wanted to know what sort of warrior would have worn them." Markus nodded, though I doubted he believed me.
We wound our way out the gangway, and I saw Leonidas standing on deck, talking to someone. His back was to me, but my heart fluttered. Would he acknowledge me?
"Ahh Athena!" he called, waving me over. I smiled and slipped over towards him. "I want you to meet my collegue and fiance, Dr Mia Stephanopoulous." My heart sank. What was this, the true love of my life was engaged to...to ....to this slut?
Dr Stephanopoulous was a tall slender brunette. She had a pleasant smile and with a soft voice she said, "I'm very pleased to meet you, Dr Nikos. Neither Leonidas nor Markus can stop talking about you." Her voice was soft, and her English flawless, if accented.
I replied. "I must admit, this is a great surprise to me." I think it sounded flat, but she smiled as if it was the sincerest flattery. I could feel my face burning in shame.
"The apple is beginning to do its work, my Father," said Eris.
"I thought I told you to leave Athena's messenger be for now," said Ares.
Eris nodded. "And so you did, but the apple was already in place. This one is more subtle than the one that started the fight between Hera and your sisters. Rather than an overt challenge, this is designed to encourage feelings of lust and jealousy in all who handle it."
Ares smiled, a fearsome sight. "It is good. Since it is tied in to her vocation, the White Owl will not be expecting a strike from that quarter."
"How fares your plan for Olympus, father?" asked Eris.
"Well enough. At this moment, my first blow is about to be struck."
Athena sat upon the golden throne of Zeus and surveyed the courtyards of Olympus. On one side of her was a quiver of lightning. On the other, a bowl of olives occupied the goddess of wisdom.
Artemis stepped to the dais, her clothing rumpled, her hair tangled from the wild life of hunting she eagerly embraced. "Hail sister!" she cred cheerily.
"Is this how one approaches theLady of Olympus?" scowled Athena.
Artemis laughed. "It is when I know you're play acting. Father may have left you in charge, but you're not the boss of me. Besides, I come bearing tidings."
Athena sighed. "Very well, what tidings, Artemis?"
"Only this, the satyrs and centaurs appear to be massing west of here, closer to the entrance to Hades Realm. Should we be watching for an assault?"
"No," said Athena. "They are participating in their celebration of the dead, there is nothing ot fear."
"I would still feel better if we could watch. Surely you could send your messenger?"
Athena mused for a moment. "She has been more and more a free agent of late," she agreed.
I got off the launch, my face red. Markus took me to the hotel, and I got to my room, avoiding the rest of the crew. "Please don't ask me to go out tonight,Markus. I really need to do some writing tonight. Tell them I'll buy my rounds later this week, please?" Markus frowned. He'd really wanted to show off his famous cousin, but he agreed.
"Are you sure you're all right Athena?" he asked.
"I'm fine," I snapped. "Just tired, and feeling a little foolish is all." Markus didn't say anything but gave me a knowing smile.
I got to my room and opened the balcony. I had a view of the bay, and could see the moon hanging low in the sky. As I turned to throw myself on the bed, I saw the room glow with another strange light.
I turned. Starry eyed Pallas stood before me. I knelt immediately. "Great goddess," I said.
"Arise my servant. I have work for you."
I stood. The all wise one stared me down. "Something is troubling you my daughter," she said.
"It is nothing, Mistress, merely a misguided heart." The goddess nodded.
"Then this should take your mind from your heart for a while. I need you to fly to the river Styx. Not into Hades Realm, that would violate treaties. But there is a mountain from where Styx flows. There myriad centaurs and satyrs are gathering. Insure there is no menace to Olympus and return to Delphi to the Oracle. There you may report to me."
She waved her arms, and my dusty jeans and brown jacket disappeared. I was in the garb of White Owl once again.

"But Mia, I have no idea what you're talking about!" Dr Leonidas Diomedes protested to his fiance. "I never said anything to Athena that would make her think I was interested."
Mia Stephanopoulous' brilliant gray eyes flashed. "So it's Athena, is it? Where's you vaunted professional distance? Your collegial respect? You don't even call me MIA except when we're alone."
"But..but...Mia, I swear I was being friendly, nothing more!"
Mia pointed her finger under Diamedes' nose. "Don't think I haven't seen you flirting with every woman you meet; from the women at the hotel restaurant to the coeds working the dig." With a dramatic flair, she slipped the diamond from her finger and set it on the dresser. "If you're so enamored with every woman on the continent EXCEPT me, then maybe you should be free to chase them. I am rescinding our engagement! Here's your ring back!"
Leonidas Diomedes stood in shock as the love of his life crossed to the balcony. She crossed her wrists before her in an "X" then touched them to her belt. A blinding light filled the room, and Diomedes averted his eyes. Had he been able to look, he would have seen the silhouette of Mia growing slightly taller and more powerful, her clothing burning away. The light dimmed again and Diomedes chanced a glance at the balcony.
Where Mia Stephanopoulous had once been, the form of the Olympian now stood. She uncrossed her wrists, and glared once more at Diomedes. "Don't try to follow me," she ordered. "I need some time! Wings of Hermes!" The Olympian drifted upward and out over the city.
In the room, Leonidas Diomedes stared at the ring on the dresser. Somehow his world had been changed dramatically in the last few minutes, and he was still clueless as to how it happened. "But I can find out," he said. For a moment, he contemplated donning his own heroic attire and following the Olympian. Then he reconsidered. "She's a capable heroine," he said. "And I think some distance would be good for both of us." But the room seemed too crowded and empty at the same time.
Diomedes took the elevator to the lobby, where he saw several of his crew enjoying drinks in the bar. Diomedes didn't really crave company at that point. Instead, he took his car back to the boat. "I may as well work," he said. The captain greeted him as he stepped on board. "Is there anything you need, Dr Diomedes?"
"No thank you, Phillip. Just a late night visit. I..uh..couldn't sleep."
Phillip nodded, aware that the relationships between his two employers was at best tempestuous. "I'll just be tending to my boat then," he said. Diomedes watched him stroll off, then headed toward his work area. He sat at the large computer screen and began arranging photos in the album, matching them up with notes. But his mind was still dwelling on his fight with Mia. She had always been ardent with him, but recently she'd become more distant. She often saw flirtation where none existed, and often mistook his friendly banter for pillow talk.
"Is she right?" He asked himself. "Have I forsaken the Spartan lifestyle to become a lapdog? Or worse, an Athenian?" He remembered the early days of his career; the heady thrill as he risked life and limb. But the celebrity aspect had appealed to him. He'd liked the attention of the women, and the press.
But more than anything, he'd loved the fiery Olympian. He'd gone out of his way to win her affection, and had continuously proven himself for her affections since. "And she'd throw me away for a few imagined slights?" he said. Leonidas got up, and walked down the corridor to the art studio. Athena had left the bracers sitting on the table, and Leonidas picked them up. He could feel raw power surging through them. He slipped the bracers on his wrists, smiling as they fit perfectly. His eyes suddenly glowed an unholy red.
"One has fallen, without a shot being fired, Father," Eris reported to Ares. "Or rather has turned his coat and is now aligned with you."
Ares nodded, the his visage still covered by the helmet of war. His deep voice boomed through the realm of Hades, "Slip the chains then, on my warhounds, and begin the assault. With the Spartan as my new messenger on earth, the heroines of the goddesses will be nothing more than playthings. As for the gods themselves, they shall kneel in obedience to the lash of Ares, beginning with that pretender to the throne, Athena."
On top of Olympus, Argus blinked fifty of his eyes. "By Polyphemus!" he said. "Can it be?" Charging up the hill, in a full assualt were Deimos and Phobos, and a large pack of howling, flaming hounds. Accompanying them was a company of spectral warriors. Argus turned to shout a warning and was cut short when a large rock bulleted into the back of his head.
"Now Hecate," said Deimos. The witch raised her hands and chanted. In a brief moment, the hundred eyed guardian of Hera had fallen into a deep sleep. His visage changed, his body contorting. A moment later, Argus had been replaced by a peacock, incapable of speech.
"Quickly, my hordes! The entry has been breached. Enter Olympus for the glory of Hades!"
The Olympian flew over Salonika, still fuming at her lover's betrayal. "I can't believe the nerve of that man, " she said to herself. In front of her though, a light shimmered. Olympian hovered, waiting. Before her Demeter shimmered into view. "Mother Goddess," said the Olympian. "How may I serve?"
"My daughter Persephone has not been heard from in several days," said the goddess of harvest. "I realize she is with her spouse in his underworld, but she manages to communicate with me on a regular basis. So if she misses more than a few days, I get worried." Demeter sniffed. Her dark brown hair was ringed with autumn leaves, and her gowns were colored in earth tones of brown and gold.
"How would you like me to find your daughter, O Goddess?"
"Could you go to the river Styx and enquire after her?"
The Olympian nodded, bowing to the goddess. When she raised her head, Demeter was gone. The Olympian gazed westward, but her long vision was unable to function, the vision of Argus failed her. Shaking her head in wonder, she flew westward. After several miles, the Olympian spotted another figure, flying in the same direction. With the wisdom of Athena, she divined it was...
"White Owl!" she snarled. "Or rather Athena Nikos!" Forgetting her mission on Demeter's behalf, the Olympian angled downward. Dropping her flight powers, she illuminated the night skies with the brightness of Helios at noon. White Owl shrieked, throwing her arms up over her eyes.
Demeter appeared in the courts of Hades. "I have done as you requested, great Lord, and set the Olympian after White Owl. Now I've come to request you bring my daughter to me, that I may see she is unharmed."
The god of the dead and the underworld turned to his mother in law. In a cold, enotionless voice, he responded, "It shall be as you have said." Demeter suddenly found herself surrounded by several imps. Chains were placed on her wrists and ankles and the goddess of the harvest was led into the cell where Persephone was still captive.
"Mother!" shouted Persephone, as Demeter stumbled into the room, falling to her knees. Demeter looked up, and glared in anger as Hades slammed the cell door behind her.
"I imagine you'll have plenty of time to examine your daughter, and see that she is unharmed," Hades said with his cold emotionless voice.

Apollo stood at the stable , making sure his flaming steeds were ready for the next morning. He'd seen his sister off as she made her nightly trip through the heavens, and now he was intent to see the horses well cared for before the next dawn.
Satisfied that his charges were well cared for, Apollo turned toward his palace, eager for a night of music, song and the opportunity to heal himself from the labors of the day. As he approached the palace, he heard a shuffling gait behind him. Apollo paused then turned smiling at his colleague.
"Hail Hephaestus! Come to take some libation with me?" The limping god said nothing but grunted and continued his shuffling toward Apollo. He pulled even with the grinning deity and looked up.
Astonishment crossed Apollo's eyes. "YOU! You're not Hephaeustus! You've been banned from Olympus!" Apollo raised his hand to strike the intruder, and coughed. A thick tincture filled the air around Apollo's head. The great god was unable to clear the air and unable to catch his breath. In a moment he stood stock still.
From behind him, a woman stepped from the mists and opened her palms. Several spiders crawled from her hands and began crawling all over Apollo. Soon the Sun God was tightly bound in fine spiderlike weaving. As the effect of the tincture wore off, he found himself completely unable to move.
"What have you DONE!" He demanded. "Release me! Do you hear!"
"He sings like a songbird, does he not Mistress Eris?" asked the woman who had released the spiders.
"Indeed he does Arachne, and you have assisted in our grand scheme to defeat Athena"
"I hate her, for what she made me," said Arachne. "Had it not been for Hecate, I would still be trapped in the spider's body." Arachne drew her hand across Apollo's brow. "This one will surely be missed come the dawn."
"Which is why we must operate in the night, and succeed."
I was low to the ground, just topping a low rise overlooking the encampment of satyrs. True to their form, they were unaware of my presence, focusing instead on the woodland nymphs. In the distance, I could see a glowing fire; no doubt the tent where the satyrs would offer oblations to Dionysus, their patron.
I doubted I would see the god here; bacchanals in universities seem to hold more attention for him. Still it wouldn't pay to be careless. About a mile ahead of me, the river Styx wound its way, disappearing into the mountain that dividied the upper realms from the underworld. Further north, I could see where the four other rivers flowed into Styx; Acheron, Cochytus, Phlegethon, and Lethe. I had flown past these on my reconissance mission, and by not touching them I had bypassed the sorrow, lamentaton and forgetfulness they caused.
The satyrs and centaurs seemed to be involved in their normal religious rituals, but who was I to judge? I was about to return to Athena when a glow of pure blinding light, like the dawn itself burst directly in front of my eyes.
"AUUUGGGGHHHH!!!" I threw my arm up to shield myself but it was of no use. I couldn't see anything; I fumbled forward trying to find my way when I felt someone or something land hard on my back. I felt fingers tangling into my hair, twining and yanking me backward, and to my feet.
I staggered up, then clamped the hand holding my head, pressing it down to keep from losing my hair. Judging from the angle I was being held, I swung with my free hand, slugging someone in the gut with my elbow. From the gasp and the outrush of air I deduced it was a woman of some sort. Flipping my arm up, I caught hold of something like a leather strap and gave it a good yank.
I heard a shriek as I flipped a trim body over my shoulder, and I heard it land with a thud on the ground. My vision was blurry, but I was beginning to see a form as it landed in front of me. Taking a page from her book I caught a hank of reddish hair and twisted. She screamed, and caught my wrist.
"Strength of Herakles" I heard. I felt myself thrust upward, than slammed downward. I hit the rocky ground on my back, every nerve stunned. As I lay there gaping like a fish, a heavy fist slammed into my solar plexus, driving all the remaining air from my diaphragm.
"SLUT!!" shouted a slightly familiar voice. My eyes were less blurry now, I could make out a distinct form--but the costume was easily identified.
"O..Olympian?" I managed to gasp. What on earth was she talking about?
"That's right White Bitch--I saw you making eyes at my man. Now you'll pay!" Her fist came flying down at my jaw. Instinctively I caught it with my free hand, and held it. She may have had the strength of Herakles, but my own goddess given strength was not inconsequential. I managed to push her back then threw her off of me.
I reeled to my feet, and held my hands up to stop her. "What on EARTH are you talking about?" I asked, fearing the answer.
"Are you so blind? Where is YOUR vaunted wisdom?" she snarled. "Even I know you're Athena Nikos. Surely you recognize me, Mia Stephanopoulous. I saw the eyes you made at Leonidas. You desire him, do you not?"
My mouth dropped. Had I been that blantant in my ogling? I knew I had been. Shamed I bowed my head. "Olympian, I assure you, I had no idea that he was engaged. I am ashamed of my thoughts and words. I honestly don't know what happened." She looked at me with a doubtful eye.
"Use your own divine powers, Olympian! Divine the truth as Apollo would."
Olympian nodded, then spoke, "Divination of Apollo; allow me to divide truth from fiction."
She stood there, and I saw a look of dismay cross her face. "It is gone! I cannot feel the powers of divine Apollo in my body." She howled in fury.
. I was winded and bruised, as though my own healing factor had been reduced. And I was worried about the Olympian's mental stability. But our little tussle, coupled with the Olympian's pyrotechnics had not gone unnoticed.
Behind me, I heard the grunt and laughter of the satyrs as they leaped from the bluff above. I dove forward, scooping the Olympian into my arms and dropped headlong into the air. My flight was delayed though, as a fury of arrows shot across the night sky at me. Unable to keep my bearings, I landed on the opposite mountain, a direct disobedience of Athena's command, but I needed to bring the Olympian around. Only together could we hope to defeat the satyrs, centaurs and other little monsters Hades minions had thrown at us.
I was certain now, that there was more going on than met the eye. Something big was afoot, possibly an assault on Olympus itself. I shook the whimpering Olympian and saw some realization crossing her face. "Kallisti!" I said.
She frowned but then nodded. "I think you're right. The Chaos of Eris is evident here. We need to plan an escape, to report back to the gods. "
"Can you fly?" I asked. She nodded.
"The speed and flight of Hermes is still with me," the Olympian said. "I can report to Olympus in...LOOK OUT!!" Behind me, a rock like giant emerged from the side of the montain, his fist barely missing me as I dodged.

"Watch Out!" The Olympian's warning came none too soon. I dove to my left as a massive fist slammed into the scree pile at the base of the bluff. I struggled to maintain my balance, and felt several hands grasping at my boot as it dangled over the cliff. Chancing a glance, I saw several satyrs scaling the bluff, several of the more vocal ones howling for their turns at myself and the Olympian.
The Olympian, using Hermes' speed raced past the elemental and grabbed my wrist. With a powerful tug, from the strength of Hephaestus, she pulled me back on the ledge with the rock beast. I heard the screams of the falling satyrs, and the resounding thuds as they slammed into their brethren and other obstacles on the way down.
I gained my feet as Olympian held me and she began to spin. I caught her intent and tretched my legs. She released me at the rock elemental and I pointed my feet, hitting him in the chest. He staggered back, into the mountain, then disappeared. "He's gone," I shouted to Mia.
"Good, I could use some help here!" she retorted. The desperate little goatmen were clambering up the mountain again, undaunted by the earlier failure. The Olympian was trying to be gentle, but was left throwing lightning at them.
"Try that blinding attack you used on me," I suggested.
"I can't," she replied. "Apollo's power has been withdrawn." The lightning struck all around the satyrs; Mia was pulling her punches. "And I no longer can control the winds, plants or water. It's as if all my god given gifts have been withdrawn."
At the gates of Olympus, halfway across Greece, the onslaught continued. Artemis continued firing her arrows at the intruders, as Athena's blade flashed behind her, protecting Artemis' back. Desperation was carved on the face of Olympus' regent. She had seen Asclepius working diligently on the wounded, Eros lay among the suffering. But she also saw Hygeia and Panakia being carried off by the cacodaemones toward Hades' realm.
Nearby, Alexiares and Anicitus, the gatekeepers of Olympus were attempting to redeem themselves from an onslaught of Deimos' fierce warriors. The terror was evident on their faces, yet they resolutely stood, their golden blades whirling almost invisibly now, driving the daemones back.
"Where is the Warlord?" queried Artemis, her arrows running low in her quiver. "Where is Ares? He should be here to defend Olympus!"
"I am afraid our brother is likely the CAUSE of this assault," replied Athena. "I would that Helios were here, rather than driving the sun on its course this day. But with brave Apollo missing, then he is needed to maintain order on the Earth below."
"Should we not summon Father? He would be able to bring order to the realms of Olympus, surely? Or at least summon aid from those we've enlisted into our service?"
Athena slumped. She did not want to involve her father in this battle, nor did she care to admit that she was in over her head. "My haindmaiden is already occupied in a mission. As to the Olympian, she is similarly engaged. And if there are others, I do not know them. But I refuse to yield," she said. "And I refuse to summon Father. This is something that we can accomplish Artemis, and prove to Father that his presence is not always necessary. I am trying to bring about a regime change of my own."
Grimly, Artemis accepted a fresh quiver of arrows from a Litae who had been pressed into service away from her delivery of prayers. The elderly woman shuffled away towards the rear echelons where Hephaestus' forge still blazed. Beside him, his wife Aphrodite fanned the flames. She was concerned for her son, but knew her place was here, to provide loving support and to assist in the victory, so that love could again bloom.
Artemis asked once more, "Then what of our earthly minions? Where are they?"
"I fear in greater danger than we are," replied Athena.
Back on the hillside, I felt my ribs crack as the Stone elemental emerged from the cliff again, pummeling me with his fists. Behind me, the Olympian grew weaker and weaker, as various gods dropped from the Pantheon in the frontal assault on Olympus. We realized we were fighting a rear guard, but I also suspected there was a reason Hades' minions hadn't killed us outright.
I heard a squeal and turned. The Olympian was struggling in the fist of the rock elemental. With a powerful voice she called to me, "Flee this place, bring help! Find Leonidas. The Spartan has powers apart from the gods; he'll be able to save me. But fly White Owl!!" The elemental slammed the brave heroine's body against the side of the hill and she slumped forward, unconscious.
I couldn't abandon her, no matter how bravely she spoke. But I realized she was right. I turned to flee and felt the concussive blow of a ton of rock on the back of my head. I fell forward, unconscious.
As the great messengers of the Olympians fell, the satyrs swarmed over the top of the hill. The shaggy goatmen began dancing in jubilation over the still forms of the maidens. They broke into two groups, one beginning to explore the limp body of the Olympian, the other White Owl's prone form. White Owl's boots were removed, and satyrs took positions at each foot, eagerly lapping at the toes. Two more bounced on the Olympian's chest, unbuckling her armor, and exposing her perfect breasts to the cheers and delights of the assembled mob.
"AWAY FROM THEM, YOU PESTULANT PARASITES!" Eris' voice was loud and carried authority that frightened the satyrs. As one, they dove over the edge of the cliff, as if they suddenly realized that this was a sacred moutain to Hades. she was followed from the cave's entrance by two others.
Eris strode to the unconsious heroines and summoned Hypnos to her side. The god yawned and looked at her. "My lady, I am at your service," he said in a dull monotone. Eris struggled to maintain her own alert state. She pointed to the Olympian and to White Owl.
"Keep them asleep until such time as I require them awakened." she said. Hypnos nodded, then poured a light sand over both heroines. Their bodies suddenly seemed more relaxed. Eris stripped both heroines of their weapons, then motioned to her second companion.
"They are ready for the translation," she said.
"I shall not kill them mistress," said Charon. "And e'en though they be not dead, I shall still require my pay."
Eris gave the powerful riverman an evil sneer. "You shall have your pay, Charon. But you will comply!"
"Not with you, m'lady. My contract is with Ares. And he's demanded them brought alive."
Eris knew better than to cross her father, so she could only grunt acknowledgement as the sephulchural boatman carried the slumbering forms of the two heroines over his shoulders. He dropped them into his skiff, then waited for Eris to pay him before he cast out over the river Styx.
Leonidas finished his fifth beer, and slid out of the bar into the cultural center of Thessaloniki. Nearby, he saw a group of tourists, finishing their own pubcrawl. The older man was with an older, yet still striking woman, who Diomedes deduced was the wife. Behind them, scowling and bouncing with incredible energy was a younger man. Their son? Leonidas suddenly intruded on them and with his alcohol induced bravado began to lecture them on the sights of Thessaloniki.
"You've never been here?" he began. "I can show you sights undreamed of--the Thessaloniki known only to the native and the historian. Leonidas tapped his nose. The woman wrinkled hers at him and whispered to her husband, who nodded.
"Clear your mind," he said.
All at once, Leonidas was back to normal, still feeling the pain of Mia's swift departure; of the betrayal he'd felt in his heart. "How...how did you DO that?" he asked.
"I can do much Leonidas Diomedes," replied the man. "I am Zeus, though I think you knew that." Leonidas looked shamed at the god.
"My lord, I didn't know..." he began.
"You did know," said the wife, whom Diomedes decided was Hera. "And you failed in our test. To redeem yourself, we have a special request for both you, and the Spartan. Do you desire to redeem your honor?"
Diomedes nodded. "Good, then here is what we require of you."

The door to the chamber opened and the two unconscious heroines were thrown unceremoniously into the room. Eris smiled with an evil leer and turned to make her way to the War Room. Her father was hunched over a map table, but Hades' grinning skeletal face turned to greet the goddess of discord.
"We are in the midst of battle, Eris," he hissed. His lipless mouth made it difficult to understand everything he said. "Your errand and message need to be of importance." His lipless mouth made sibiliant "s" sounds as he wheezed through his teeth.
Eris glared at Hades, ignoring him. "Father, I am here to report that our diversionary plan has succeeded. Even now, the Olympian and White Owl reside in 'comfortable quarters' within our generous host's abode."
"Have a care with your tongue, daughter," growled Ares. "You may not like him, but Lord Hades has been most generous with his realm, and with his hospitality. You are not to question him, and certainly not to treat him with the disdain I have just witnessed."
Eris stepped back, shamed by her father's words. Bowing her head, she turned toward Hades and said, "I am sorry my Lord. I was rude and disrespectful. Can you forgive me?"
Hades merely nodded. Because of his skeletal appearance, she was unable to gauge his expressions. Still he seemed mollified. Hades turned and spoke to Ares. "I know our plan is unfolding well, nephew. I will go and ensure that all continues to go well." He left the room, and moved to the corridor.
Eris looked at her father, confused. "I thought we captured the heroines to use as pawns against Athena? What further use could we have for them?"
Ares glared again. "Do not question me, daughter. I have my plans well drawn, and they will not fail. Hades is essential to those plans, and you would do well to keep from offending him."
Hades made his way to the cell that had been prepared for White Owl and the Olympian. His dog Cerberus joined him on the walk, snarling and slathering on the way. Hades stopped at the barred door and looked into the room. The Olympian stirred and sat up.
My head was throbbing and my muscles were aching. I felt like a thousand pounds of rocks had pummeled me mercilessly. "Ohhhhh I groaned. The light in my eyes was painful and even my hair hurt. Above me, I heard a ghastly voice. The blood in my veins froze.
"You mortals will never leave here alive," said Hades. "And even if you did, the world you know will be gone forever. Even now, Ares has mounted his all out assault, and the Earth is wheeling toward chaos. And you are now powerless to stop it. No one has ever succeeded in leaving my realm, alive. So prepare yourselves my little heroines. For when Hades returns, he wil return to allot your spaces in eternity."
I sat up as the god spoke. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Athena will grant us the wisdom to escape." Hades said nothing. Cerberus barked, then the two of them left. I came to my feet, and grabbed at the door of our cell. It rattled but I was unable to move it. Beside me, the Olympian added her strength as well, but it was to no avail.
"It won't budge," I said. "Even with our combined strengths we can't move it." I sat on the floor, and began to think. The Olympian looked at me with hooded eyes, and I could see she wanted to say something.
"What is it?" I prompted.
"I have been foolish!" she said. "Instead of trying to see clearly through this situation, I allowed jealousy to cloud my mind. I accused you of trying to steal my fiance, and in my jealousy I allowed rage to rule my heart. I apologize to you White Owl, can you forgive me?"
I smiled. "Only if you can forgive me. I WAS attracted to Leonidas. And had you not been his fiance, I would have made a play for him. Apparently I wasn't using all my wisdom either." We laughed weakly at one another and again studied the designs on the decaying yet all too solid cell we found ourselves in.
"It would seem that the solution is not in strength, but in wisdom," I said. "I can summon full reason from Athena's mind. That should help my thinking."
"I too can draw on the full measure of her wisdom," said the Olympian. "And as you Amercans say, two heads are better than one." I smiled at her, nodding my agreement.
"Sister, the western wall has been breached," Artemis reported. "Even now, Deimos' daemons are crossing the sacred glades. They have nearly reached the Peach Orchard. The goddess of the chase getured.
"Not now Artemis, I've more important things to concentrate on," said Athena.
"Like contacting Father?" Artemis' query was buried beneath Athena's withering grey eyes.
"I can handle this," Athena said. "There is no need to contact Father."
"NO NEED TO CONTACT FATHER?!!" shouted Artemis. "Look around you! Hades minions and Ares' forces hold nearly all of Olympus. Only the celestial city and Hephaestus' forge remain. You're so distracted and determined that you can't see it all crashing down about us."
Athena drew herself to full height, and a full aureola limned her form with a goddess like majesty. Her voice thundered through the marbled halls. "Take your forces to the little round top flanking the peach orchard. Hold the pass, do not let the Nycadaemons pass. I will marhall the remaining forces in support of Hephaestus."
"You're really starting to lose it sister. Just remember, the mortals have a saying, "Whom the Gods would destroy, the first make mad." With a flounce of her wispy skirt, Artemis turned to command her remaining archers.
Athena leaned back in the throne, her grey eyes hooded. For the first time in all her millenia, doubt clouded her eyes, indecision reigning in her normally wise soul. "Lord Zeus, what would YOU do," she pondered. "Why has my wisdom fled me?"
At the forge, Aphrodite was keeping Phobos' forces at bay. Her husband was drenched with sweat, his twisted form hammering madly at the damaged weapons and armor. "It's a good thing Love casts out Fear, eh darlin'?" he asked.
Aphrodite flashed a loving smile at her husband. "Indeed my lord. But I must stay and concentrate, and even so, the darkness is slowly gaining. I know not how repairing the armor will aid us, we have so few who can wear it."
"Leave that to Athena, she's a right smart one, she is."
"I hope so," said Aprhodite. At that moment, the wall to the forge cracked and Pandemonium swarmed through. Despite the efforts of Hephaeustus and Aphrodite, the Olympians were soon disarmed and surrounded. The daemons pulled at Aphrodite's shift, as the goddess of love shrieked. Hephaestus struggled against his own god formed chains.
"Here now, leave 'er be!" he shouted.
"Quite right, uncle," said a voice as chill as a January night. As the daemons scurried to the darker recesses, Phobos strode into the forge, and cupped Aphrodite's chin. "Father wants us to treat his siblings with courtesy, that they may do he fealty when he ascends to the Highfather's throne." He smiled smugly as he gazed into Aphrodite's face. "But he did indicate there would be some changes made."

The throne room in Olympus was nearly bare; the ornate statues and gilded vases safely stored from the invasion. The only furnishings in the room were the braziers and the elaborate marble throne where Zeus dispensed justice. Seated on the throne, her head bowed from frustration and impending doom, Athena pounded her hands into her temples.
Though the room was empty, Athena could hear the taunts of the minor deities; the fates, the furies, and more as they threw their challenges at her. "Wisdom is wonderful, except when it fails...." and "Weren't you always the clever one? What happened here?"
Tears filled the goddess' eyes as she pressed her mind to its limit. A sound of heavy footfalls filled the room, and Athena did not deign to look up. "Why has my wisdom failed me?" she wailed. "Where are my champions?"
A rough hand seized the goddess by her throat and lifted Athena from the throne. "I believe that's MY seat, sister," Ares voice boomed. He was garbed in black, a nightmare in gleaming ebony armor; with a spectral skull as the design of his crest.
Athena howled in pain as the God of War threw her to the cold marble of the palace floor. She scrambled, trying to gain her feet, but Ares pushed her to the floor again, his heavy foot on her heaving bosom. She wiggled ineffectively beneath his massive leg, but Ares held firm. From behind his back, kept in his war kit, Ares pulled a heavy slave chain and collar.
"NOOO!" shouted Athena, as the collar drew near to her face.
Eris danced gleefully as the tableau played on her palantir. Before her, White Owl and the Olympian studied the events with the fascination one finds in passing an automobile accident. "Do you see, little heroines, how useless Athena was before the might of my father? Your great goddess couldn't summon up enough wisdom to save herself. If her wisdom were gunpowder, Athena couldn't blow her own nose! She plays high and mysterious, but mostly she's smoke and mirrors. And YOU'RE to blame for her gutwrenching defeat."
I covered my face as I saw the complete defeat of my patroness. But the words of Eris haunted me. How did I cause Athena to lose her wisdom? What had happened?
"Confused, White Owl?" taunted Eris; her spiked red hair raising like a crest over her diminutive form. "Surely, even you know that Athena loses a portion of her wisdom when her champions call upon it. All too frequently, your own innate wisdom with a thimbleful of hers added, is enough to handle the so called menaces you face on a daily basis.
"But now, you're facing very determined gods, the like of which neither you, nor your new friend here have ever met before. You kept calling on more and more of Athena's wisdom, in effect draining her like a cheap battery. She couldn't recover quickly enough and my Lord and Father was able to beat her like a drum." Eris danced away, badly, humming a discordant tune.
"You may have us, Eris," said Mia, "But Leonidas will come for me. With his determination and strength, there is no barrier that can keep my beloved from me." She stuck her aquiline chin into the air in defiance of Eris. But the goddess of discord merely laughed.
"Look at this," Eris said. A fine mist swirled in the Palantir, and as it cleared the vision of Olympus was replaced by one of the Spartan. But something was vastly different about him. The heavy bracers I had been examining on the boat were on Leonidas' arms.
"Those bracers," I said. "Why is he wearing them, what are they?" ERis cackled like a laying hen.
"The mortal man wears the bracers of Ares," she hissed. "They make a man powerful, undefeatable in battle. But the side effect is a berserker mentality. "
She cooed at Olympian, caressing the heroine's cheeks. "Your man has become completley devoted to destruction, to war, to Ares. He's a thrall; and completely unable to come to your aid, for he seeks the glory of war and devastation.
Mia fell away, completely discouraged. I knelt next to her giving comfort. "Don't worry Mia, there's always a way out, but we have to have faith."
Eris hissed again, and looked at captives. "Lord Hades has requested you in particular White Owl. He wants your soul. He cannot fathom how one so blooded with battle; strife and iniquity can still have a soul so pure. I am not ashamed to say I wanted you for my own; but Father insists we play nice with the other god cousins for now. But when I am princess of this realm; I will care no more for niceties. I shall overthrow my father, and rule by fiat and whim! In the palantir, the Spartan attacked an older man and his wife, along with a young companion.
I had stopped watching, contemplating my situation and the words Eris had spoken. I knew I had commited several acts of which I was not pleased. How could my soul remain unsoiled in a world so full of filth? I was certain I was guilty of many transgressions.
From the hills surrounding the Peach orchard, Artemis saw the fall of the palace and the city. The Daemons were approaching from the south and west--and Artemis saw her only escape was to the north--to the wooded glades where her sacred stags ran. "To the woods, nymphs!" she called. "We will fight as guerillas for now."
Her troops disappeared one by one into the glade, with Artemis holding the line alone until the last of them disappeared. Then the sylvan goddess of the hunt became the hunted goddess, drifting into her sacred woods. She spared one last glance at the blazing palaces. "I hope you're satisfied, Athena," she said. "You've lost everything by your haughty arrogance. I only hope there's something left for us to salavge and redeem."
"Do you know, that's quite a good attack you have young man," said Zeus as he parried the Spartan's thrusts. "However, you'll find a better angle of assualt here." Zeus indicated a narrow opening along his left armpit. Leonidas nodded.
"Thank you excellency, I shall strive to be better with my assaults." Leonidas was winded, yet still eager to finish his preparations.
"I think though, that you're ready for the mission I planned for you before the vacation started," said Zeus. "I need you to go to Hades' realm and lead the captives free."
The Spartan stared blankly at the Supreme God. "What?" he asked dumbly.
"Oh come now," said Hera. "We knew all along that Ares would try something like this. He's had a grudge against Athena for a long time. And they've both been eyeing the throne for some time."
Zeus nodded. "This is why we took our leave of Olympus. In order to let the drama play itself out. But I need you to help put things to right. The minions of Ares' have yet to realize that Hera has restored your mind. Keep your way pure, and remember your mission." Zeus turned, to Hermes.
"My swift messenger will bear you to the gates of Hades' realm and over the river Styx. Remember, once inside, YOU will still be in mortal form, and subject to all the perils of death. And your friends, and the gods you rescue will be spirit until they reach the outer world. When you depart, do not attempt see who's following, lest they be forced to remain in Hades." With a dismissive wave of Zeus' hand, Leonidas found himself being sped across Greece in the arms of Hermes himself.

Ares sat in triumph on the marble throne of Olympus. In one hand, he held an orb, in the other a heavy scepter of power. The Scepter held a heavy chain at the bottom, which in turn was fastened to a strong collar and bracers. These in turn were fastened securely around the neck and wrists of Pallas Athena, one time regent of Olympus in the absence of Zeus. The goddess of wisdom sat in the dust beside the throne, stripped of all rainment save a simple shift. Her steely grey eyes were wild with frenzy, her golden hair a mass of tangles.
"Servitude becomes you, sister," laughed Ares. "Where now is the witty banter of how Wisdom would triumph over the powers and terrors of War? Wisdom is swallowed up in defeat. How I hated your mockery. And now I have my revenge, brought about by your own catspaws."
Athena looked up at Ares, fear and confusion marring her generally serene features. "What do you mean, my lord?" she asked.
"You spread your wisdom too thin, sister, by gifting it to White Owl and the Olympian. I devised a means which required them to draw on your wisdom, and added an assault here. You weren't clever enough to split your wisdom so many ways, something had to fail, and it did." Athena bowed her head again.
"It would appear, my Lord, that yours was the superior strategy. I can only kneel before such wisdom."
"Oh cheer up, Athena, it's not all bad. To the victor goes the spoils, eh? And while I'm a conquering god, it's not my mien to rule. I'll need an advisor. How would you like to be the power behind the throne? A good wife, quiet and submissive; except in my royal bedchamber?" The Dark lord rattled the scepter, forcing Athena to look into his dark eyes.
"I have almost attained all I want," he said. "I have conquered the unconquerable realm of Olympus, seized the throne of Zeus himself and within the hour, my new minions will be coming to pledge fealty at my feet. But it isn't until I have you firmly under submission--not just domination, that my reign will begin in earnest. Join me sister; allow Ares to claim your maidenhead and be the bride of war!"
"My lord makes a compelling arguement," said Athena. "Which maiden could possibly refuse such a handsome proposal as this?" She held up her wrists, and the chains clinked together once more. "No woman could ever be prouder to be claimed at the end of chains as I am Lord Ares." Athena's words were full of venom and spite as they shot from her mouth.
"I am to understand that not all of Olympus is undisputedly yours, either," she continued.
Ares' dark skin glowed as the anger smouldered within. "No curse it! Your sibling Artemis continues to elude my troops. The deeper into the forest they try to go, the more she slays with her dryads and nymphs. But that will change as Pan is about to enter with a host of satyrs to rout her." A heavy pounding thudded against the door to the throne, and Ares turned to meet it.
"We will speak of this later," he muttered to his captive. "For now, it is time for the reception." The doors to the throne room swung in, and Deimos, Phobos and Eris led the host of Olympus before their all conquering father.
"What's happening, White Owl?" said Mia, from the far corner of the room. That she spoke at all encouraged me. Since hearing that the Spartan was serving the cause of Ares, the Olympian had been despondent, with a deep melancholy that kept her silent and still. I looked up from the Palantir Eris had left for us.
"The situation is grim, Olympian; but I think I have a plan. And if we're going to escape, I need YOU." She looked up at me, no longer with doubt in her eyes, but hope.
"What do you have in mind?" she asked.
"Well if we're going to get out," I said, "we're going to have to get rid of Rover there." I indicated Cerberus. She nodded.
"If my memory serves, Orpheus lulled him to sleep with sweet music. I need you to call upon the god of music and put the puppy to sleep."
She shook her head. "Its no use, White Owl. Apollo left me shortly after the blinding attack I threw at you. He's the god of music, and I can't summon..." She paused, then smiled. "Maybe I can't summon Apollo's powers, but I CAN use Euterpe and some of her sisters. Mia's eyes closed then opened again. A serene look crossed her face and I heard the sweetest lyrics and tune cross her lips.
Cerberus sat up, and cocked his three heads at us. His snarling and slathering subsided, and his breating became more even. "Keep it up Olympian," I said, "I think you're making headway. Cerberus yawned, and stretched. Mia's concentration remained strong and I watched as Cerberus paced around in a circle, then lay down on the cold stony floor of Hades' dungeon.
"That's done it, Mia," I said. The Hound of Hell snored lazily. I grabbed the bars at the gate of our cell, and the Olympian grabbed the lintel.
"Kratos, grant me strength," she said. Together we pulled in opposite directions. The walls crumbled around the iron bars, and we passed into the hallway, eager to take our leave of Lord Hades' realm. The castle was strangely silent though.
"Where is everyone?" I wondered aloud.
"Hecate, goddess of the trifold crossroads and Hera, goddess of home and hearth, guide this one, your lost daughter home," intoned Mia. At once her face lit with understanding and she took my hand. "Come on White Owl, we're getting out," she said.
Unerringly the Olympian guided us through the labyrinth that was Hades' castle. We were approaching the top, and Mia turned to me. "We're almost there, White Owl. I can hear the rushing waters of Styx. And ....unnnnhhhh" The Olympian crumpled and fell to the stairs, unconscious. Behind her, the skeletal form of Hades stood, laughing.
"None who enter my realm may leave," he said. "For I keep all I claim. I am Hades, Lord of death, lord of wealth." His empty eyesockets fell on White Owl.
"YOU! You alone are MINE by right of the promise of Ares himself. I need to know WHY!"
"Why what?" I asked. Hades stuck out his hand, pinning it against my chest and I howled in pain. Memories began flooding into my mind, all the doubts, all the failures as White Owl, and as Athena.
"Your soul is so full of corruption, so many misdeeds! And yet, I cannot hold you!" Hades pulled his hand away as if scalded. "Why? It is almost as if something was purifying you moment by moment for your every misdeed!"
My heart was racing in my breast, and I reached down to still it. I felt the outline of my Greek Cross necklace beneath my leotard and felt a rush of relief. I could hear Father Timothy in my head, and a flood of memories from my father's funeral raced in. "Death is swallowed up in Victory, O grave where is thy victory, o death where is thy Sting?" And I knew. Suddenly I knew.
"Athena," I said, "You may be without your wisdom, for you've granted it to me. And that wisdom allows me to see Nike, Victory." I laughed at Hades, as he grew more confused.
"You cannot claim that which belongs to another, Lord Hades," I said. "My life and soul were claimed and freely given to another long ago. The purchase price was paid in blood, and I daresay you no longer hold THAT one any longer either."
Hades shrunk away, hands over his fearsome visage. "No, NO! I was promised your soul!"
"Well you can't have it, for it's no longer mine!" I responded.
Hades reached for the impudent female. "I was promised your soul, and I SHALL possess it" he shrieked. As he reached out for White Owl however, his corporeal form was torn to pieces as a heavy sword followed by a powerful fist pulverized his material body.
"The lady said, 'No' and where I come from, no means no!" The Spartan threw his head back and laughed. He surveyed the scene and smiled some more. "Looks like I got here just in time," he said.
"I could have handled him," I said, dusting bone fragment from my Nu Silk garments. "But the Olympian could use a hand." The Spartan's face fell and he knelt beside his fallen comrade (and lover) Feeling her pulse he smiled again though.
"I am here to lead you out, White Owl!" he said, smartly. "But I may not look back until we have all passed through the entrance to Hades' realm; so Zeus himself tasked me. I am ashamed to ask this, but would you carry the Olympian until we reach the material world?"
I smiled. "Of course." Beside me, the grinning skull of Hades was still shouting denial, how he had been cheated of his rightful gain. I lifted the slumbering form of Mia onto my shoulders and carried her upward; following Leonidas as we labored to the surface.
"How is she doing?" he asked every five minutes.
"Fine," I replied, "But be a man and don't look back." Bravely the Spartan endured, until at last we reached the entrance to the realm of Hades. Mia groaned just seconds before we set foot out of the caves. I saw the Spartan startle, and begin to turn.
"NO!" I shouted. I felt Mia's hands on mine, and as the Spartan looked, we passed right by him unnoticed.
"NO!" he wailed. "I've lost them. I've lost HER forever!" He dropped to his knees and began weeping bitterly. I wanted to go to him and comfort him, but Mia was faster.
"Silly man," she said. "Did you forget that Hades has the power of Invisibility?" She materialized beside him and the two of them fell into such happy hugging that I began to blush.
I heard a voice beside me and looked to see Hermes, now in his winged cap and sandals standing there. I knelt.
"Arise, daughter of Eve, and know that your service is not yet at an end. Nor are the services of your friends. The Lord Zeus would request your aid in a bit of housecleaning."
Well how could I resist. "I've seen Hades' realm," I said. "I...we would be honored to be of help to Lord Zeus."

Once bright and verdant, Olympus was now gray and dismal. At Hephaestus' forge, the flames were banked; there would be no arms or armor manufactured today. Demeter's gardens were burned, with stubble sticking through the furrowed rows. Helios bravely led the chariot of the sun to Apollo; but with a heavy heart, the sun god followed Aurora into the sky.
In the halls of Zeus, Athena had been stripped of her panoply; her fearsome aegis had been upended and held a bowl of grapes. The now nude goddess of wisdom had been reduced to slavery, chained to the throne; unable to break the power of Ares' formidible will. The god of war burst through the door (he never seemed to do anything gently or quietly), pinched Athena on the butt and sprawled lazily over the throne.
"What? No celebratory congratulations for me sister?" he said as he tilted Athena's head to meet his dark eyes. "After all, this is the day I am proclaimed Lord of Olympus!"
Athena eyed her brother; her captor closely. "No celebration is necessary Ares. The fates themselves have decreed that I am to succeed Zeus; and only when he is ready to step down. Even YOU dare not mock the fates."
"Ahh but I have little sister. Moreover, both Lord Hades and Lord Poseidon have agreed that I should be the ruler of Olympus. And when I am, then I shall give YOU to lord Poseidon, for his pleasure and revenge. Your little bird woman I have promised to Hades. As for the Olympian, well I can think of no one more deserving than my daughter. Yes Eris shall have the Olympian as her plaything."
"And just how are you going to keep those promises, brother?" spat Athena. "Unless you already HAVE them, my warriors are apt to show you a surprise or two." Athena's mouth dropped open at the thought. "You HAVE captured them, haven't you?"
Ares laughed and clapped his hands. The throne room doors swung in, and the Spartan strode into the chambers, dragging White Owl and the Olympian behind him. The heroines were bound and seemed only vaguely aware of their surroundings.
"What have you done to them Ares?" demanded Athena. "I swear if they're injured because of your machinations, I'll..UUURRRRKKK!!!" Athena's voice broke off as Ares pulled on her neck chain.
"YOU would do well to keep a civil tongue, slave. I let you stay nearby because you amuse me. But never, ever cross me again or I will spit you on your own spear." He dropped the gasping goddess to the floor and Athena sat up,, holding her hands to her neck and panting heavily.
"Your little pets are well, save for the fact that my newest ally here had to...tranquilize them for their journey up the big mountain. They're here to witness my ascension as well; before I turn them over to their new masters."
The Spartan dragged the two heroines to the throne and Ares attached chains and collars to the necks of both White Owl and the Olympian. Sparing a glance at the Spartan, Ares asked, "Are you experiencing anything right now, my servant?"
Leonidas stuggled to maintain his deception, for so much depended on it. He ached to claim and cling to Mia, to hold her and fight side by side with her once again but he knew stealth was the rule of the day. Keeping his voice carefully neutral, he said, "I am experiencing excitement my Lord, for your glorious hour is at last at hand."
Ares nodded, and shook the shackles to insure the floor bolts were secure. "Attend me then Spartan, that I may find a suitable way to honor you." The god and the hero departed from the chamber and the room grew silent.
I cocked an eye open and winked at starry eyed Pallas. I smiled as her eyes grew wide and I sat up. "Whew! That's a journey I don't want to undertake any time soon. How are you Mia?" Next to me, the Olympian sat up as well.
"I think I need to teach Leonidas again how I like being handled," she joked.
"Daughters? How.." began Athena. "Wait I understand. You've used my wisdom to enter into Olympus, in order to foil Ares' plan. Am I to understand the Spartan is part of the plot as well?"
"Sorry Mistress, but that would be telling," I said. "I'm sure you understand." I stood up and looked at Mia.
"Strength of Cratus coming up," she said. She tugged on my collar and I felt it parting. I stepped out and snapped the leather bands restraining my wrists. I returned the favor for Mia, then the two of us set Athena free. I handed the goddess her Panoply and she slipped into the breastplate, cinching it tight. I set the bowl of grapes on Zeus' throne and smiled as Athena slipped her Aegis over her arm.
"I thank you, daughters for your mercy. I fear I was not the wisest of goddesses. How desperate is our situation?"
"Majesty, Ares controls the streets and the gods are fickle. Many feel they have a legitimate right to stand against you and supposrt Ares. Forgive me Mistress, but they say you've been aloof and arrogant when responding to their needs." The words sounded harsh, but I knew they needed to be spoken. Athena looked shocked, but she nodded.
"You humans have a proverb for that I think, something along the lines of 'pride goeth before a fall?'"
I smiled. At least Athena was aware of the other sources of wisdom in my life. She finished buckling on her arms and armor and I motioned to the Olympian. "The only other way from this chamber is through the window," I said, pointing to a spot several feet overhead. "If we work together, we should be able to carry Athena through as well."
"I shall need no assistance," said Athena, wafting herself skyward. She stood on the ledge and waved back at us. "Coming loves?"
"I have one more chore to perform here, White Owl," said the Olympian. She closed her eyes and chanted, "Power of Dionysus." Her hands began shimmering and as I watched, I saw three forms, indistinct at first, but soon assuming the aspects of the three of us.
"Let us go," she said, satisfied with her efforts. We flew through the window, following Athena toward the sacred forests where the stags sacred to Artemis dwelled.
"Where are we going, Mistress?" I asked. Athena smiled.
"My sister is still fighting Ares here. But her resources are limited and I know several of her nymphs have fallen to the Satyrs. Only Artemis' brilliant strategies have kept her free. And I know they were brilliant, for did she not have my mind as guide as well? I had to allow Ares to think his plans had succeeded, and they nearly did. But I also knew you would prevail, my brave champions."
I admit, my head swelled with pride at that; though I quickly realized I needed to keep a level head as we faced the battle ahead. We came upon Artemis and the remaining nymphs on a bluff high above the forest. The satyrs were closing in, and I was reminded of their little attack on the Olympian and me.
"No rock elementals this time," I said, swooping down and scooping up several swirming goat boys I flung them into a nearby pond and watched as they bobbed to the surface. Behind me the Olympian was lobbing lightning like Zeus himself. In short order the satyrs scampered away and we stood in victory on the knoll.
"What kept you?" asked Artemis.
"Oh you know how it is, I was chained down at work and couldn't get free until just a little bit ago," laughed Athena.
I exchanged glances with Mia. Olympus was in deep peril and they were making wisecracks? In short order though, we were moving with Hermes' speed back to the celestial city. Travelling alongside us Athena flew and Artemis rode a large unicorn. We set down in the plaza, and a score of Ares' gurads surrounded us.
"Welcome back, slaves. Did you come to surrender?" Ares swaggered forward flanked by his minions.
Athena bristled. "If you would care to look Lord Ares, you would see that my forces outnumber yours."
Ares turned to look. All around him the gods of Olympus were sidling toward Athena. Even Hades stood with her, dragged by his ear into place by Persephone. Soon only Ares and his family stood, surrounded by the host of heaven. "You won't stop me! I've planned for all too long for this! I mean to rule Olympus!"
"Don't you think I might have something to say about that, son?" said a powerful voice.

Ares whirled. "FATHER!" he shouted.
Zeus looked at the carnage of the city and clucked. "I guess I can't leave you all alone for a few moments. Make a note Hera dear, that Ares and his kids are without their powers until they get this mess cleaned up." Hera nodded.
"That is so unfair!" whined Eris. "Athena was at least partly at fault!"
"Maybe she was, but she was also in charge and you really undermined her authority. So you're the ones who are in trouble." Zeus turned to the Olympian and me. The Spartan came up behind us.
"Your efforts were also exceptional in aiding us through this crisis. Indeed it might not be too difficult to say that you all managed to keep Olympus safe. I grant you a safe return to your realm, and a special gift for you."
With a wave of his hand I saw the realms of Olympus disappear and we found ourselves together back on Leonidas' yacht. I looked at Mia and Leonidas as they gazed lovingly into one another's eyes. "Athena? Would you excuse us?" asked Mia.
I nodded politely and left their presence. I stepped onto the deck and flew myself back into my rooms. Love was wonderful, all was right with the world and I felt alone.
I placed a long distance call to Queen City...and shared my love that night with Virgil.
the end.