Kara's scream is the first thing that makes sense as I step onto a new battlefield. She's angry and the loud clink of metal on metal is coming from her sword as it slams into another. The woman fighting her had to be another Valkyrie, and unfortunately for this 'Hildr', that's not all Kara was. I also knew Kara and she would only fight fair. The duo shout at each other in a language I don't understand and I don't need to as their tone and actions paint a clear picture of the mutual hate that they clearly share for one another.

The next thing that becomes clear is this isn't the place from Matt's vision - not that I really know if I can trust that anymore. Having the Furies so close sent a whole new type of panic rushing over me; the fear that this wasn't the time or the place for our success vibrating through every inch of my being. We didn't come to fight, not now. If we did, I knew we would lose.

Retreat.

Circe's lions roar as they attack, while all around there are balls of energy and fire being thrown around. This is chaos, a complete mess. There is no structure, no clear boundaries, not that any battle ever had them, but generally, you knew who was who and more importantly, who was on your side. I caught a glimpse of Apollo with Hermes, his light a beacon as a small group of some kind of troll creatures battled them, and across the field opposite them, Deimos and his magics had the majority of them in his hold, yet more seemed to be coming over the next hill. Their footsteps caused the ground to tremble and unaffected, Deimos merely raised a hand and sent a new crushing wave of power to stop them. Where the hell were we?

Retreat.

The voice echoed in my mind, my ears ringing before it cleared as quickly as it came. Hades was here; his creatures scurried across the ground a few metres in front of me, they filled the spaces Circe's lions left and attached with them. The horned demon they fought resembled the Oni but were read instead blue, looking even more devilish and demonic than those blue idiots and as I spun around to find Cain, a fist came out of nowhere and as it connected with my jaw, a whole new flash of pain echoed through my skull, all over my neck and shoulders and down my spine.

Retreat.

No. Fucking. Shit.

I barely managed to break my fall, landing awkwardly on my side as I practically put myself there to try and shake off some of the force of the hit. Luckily I also managed to move myself a few metres away, hoping to keep space as a blocker in case whoever was there decided to go for another hit or worse. Blood filled my mouth, and for a second I was tempted just to lay down on the dirt to nap it off, yet the metallic heat on my tongue made me gag, and then throw up.

Laying in my own bloody vomit wasn't on my list of things to do today, but then again neither was being nearly knocked out and forcing myself to focus and get up, I had never been more thankful for my powers as I was able to make it happen with more ease than if I had to psychically do it. Standing was proving a little more difficult than it had a minute ago, and swaying I tried to get my bearings back as best I could.

Blood dripped from my mouth, running down my chin and using the back of my hand, I quickly wiped it away as I tried not to throw up again. Instead, I spat out more blood, and hesitantly touching my lip felt the cut there. That was going to hurt a lot more later. Looking up, the man who stood before me could hardly be called a man. He had to be part giant or Hulk and I had no doubt that those muscles were not simply for show. Message received, you're bigger than me.

"Ow!" I huff, glaring at him. "Who the fuck are you and who the hell hits a pregnant woman? I bet you don't give up your seat on a train either."

A low growl leaves him as he stretches, cracking his knuckles as he lines himself up with me. Blueberry is suddenly doing flips, and I pray that means he's okay as every inch of my being is now intent on taking this asshole down.

"They call me Moros." His voice is broken, a deep rumbly sound like thunder in the distance. "Pretty little things like you are out of their league in a place like this. I don't know where you three just arrived from, but I think I will claim each of you as my reward."

"Keep talking big guy, the more revolting I find you, the better this is going to be for me or is that all your tiny brain knows how to say?" I spit more blood, heaving as the taste is still stuck in my mouth.

If I kept this up, looking super badass and powerful was going to be hard. I could almost see it now, The Empress, so mighty and amazing, but show her a drop of blood and she'll be a heaving mess in the corner until the next chosen one appears to put her out of her god damn misery.

His lips parted in a snarl, two big steps towards me and I could already smell the rancid stench of his breath. How had I missed that before?

The Furies could be behind me and I'd be pulling their swords out of my back while giving them a high five for sneaking up on me at this rate. Just in case I gave a very quick, not so subtle look behind me to make sure that wasn't the case and instead caught sight of more of those troll things marching this way. Well, this just kept getting better and better.

Retreat.

"I bet you scream, pretty too. You bleed it." He licked his lips.

"Where do all you deranged morons keep coming from? Is there a creepy villain school you all go to? I'm seriously asking because I'd like to shut it down."

"Let me show you how you will die, little thing. There won't be any mercy, and I can't wait to explore all the ways in which I can make you beg me to end-" He stops as I roll my eyes.

"That wasn't what I asked." I closed the distance between us, blocking the fireball that came a little too close to where we were and felt him squirming against my powers as if I held him in my hand. "And I don't beg, but you will. Shall we find out how you die?"

There was a part of me that was just like him or maybe worse. I could be vindictive, ruthless and lethal. I wanted to think I was better than them, I was justified in what I did, but when it was like this, just me and them, there was a part of me that enjoyed it. I had Moron on his knees, and I kept a hand on my stomach as Blueberry still moved happily inside. This was me showing mercy, for the fact this hadn't ended badly; at least not yet.

His eyes bulged, his face turning red then purple as I let my powers slither through his body and coil tight around his windpipe. I eased enough control for him to move, attempting to strike me again, and again yet I remained out of reach. Through our link, I could feel his heart pounding so hard and fast it might actually burst as in an attempt of survival, his hands started to beat at his chest as if he was performing CPR. Just when he couldn't take anymore, I released him. The choking, coughing gasp was as rough as his voice had been as he fell onto all fours, forcing as much air back into his body as he could.

"That' was for punching me," I tell him, and as he looks up at me in a mixture of confusion, fear and hate, Kara screams and this time it isn't only with her rage. Looking for her, I can't see her. "Kara!"

With a grunt of effort, Moros moves to tackle me, but I never let him go. Maybe he'd have known that if he hadn't been so desperate, but his fate was already sealed. He slammed down against the dirt with a sickening thud, a roar of pain leaving him that matched Karas and taking my sword, I forced down against the back of his neck.

I can't see her, but I follow Deimos' dark trail that clears a path for me. The Valkyrie she'd been fighting had her sword in Kara's gut, and two more had gathered around the pair. In an instant they were gone; I didn't care what happened to them as I tossed them aside and the way Deimos's mist curled around them told me they would be well taken care of. And then Kara was up, her own blade slicing through Hildr's neck before she fell down to knees and the Valkyrie collapsed.

"Oh shit. Shit." I cried, assessing the damage as I got to her side. My hands were instantly painted red as I touched her, dark and thick as it escaped her body.

"It's fine, just don't, you, puke on me!" Kara gasped, closing her eyes.

"Apollo. I need Apollo." I stand up, looking around for him and instead, I see Cain and Hades in the distance and how I'd miss them and all of that was beyond me.

It was like the Warlocks all over again. A large cyclone of magic stands between them and the Furies; this wasn't what we signed up for. This isn't what they should be capable of. Something was different, new and dare I say, improved?

"Fuck." Kara groans at my feet.

I needed Apollo.

I needed to get to Cain.

We needed to retreat.

I hide my face in my hands, before taking a deep breath and finding the balance I felt like I had lost. Feeling more like myself, Naive's words came back to me and I wish they feel so true. Maybe there was war in my blood, and maybe I just didn't care anymore.

I don't put any leashes or commands on my power instead I let it run free, and it does. It's like Alfie when he's had too much sugar, everywhere all at once, in the most annoying of ways - here, there, everywhere. It's in your face and behind you, one hand in the refrigerator grabbing the cola and the other ready to give you the middle finger if you try to stop it. Each creature and power on this field is inspected, the ones that are not mine tagged like a dot on the radar and the instant rush of silence breaks out of the field like a tsunami crashing into the shore. I get lost in the power, the magic, every little thing that makes up life itself.

I feel it.

I feel her and me.

I feel - everything.

This is what it means to be The Empress.

There's the dampness of the blood that paints the dirt and grass and I shiver from the cold wind as it caresses the roots of the fallen trees, exposed for the first time in their life. There's an ache deep inside my gut from the heat of the fire as it consumes what life exists in its tinder. I'm lost in all of it and none of it; my power flooding the earth like heavy rain, washing away all that is no longer required. The fire joins in, leaping onto those within its reach and forcing them down as the wind knocks into others with all its force. Skin is ripped from the flesh which is then torn from the bone. It takes forever and only seconds; our enemy is gone and only my people remain.

Opening my eyes I see the Furies.

They're not the only ones that are different now; we all levelled up. 

The roar of the lions is our victory cry and as Apollo's eyes find mine, he's there and so is Deimos, Hermes and Circe. Karas scream as they remove the blade isn't heard over the beast's chorus and as I appear beside Cain, the Furies are trying to get my attention; a warning or distraction?

"Retreat." It wasn't a question or suggestion; it was an order.

"We can do this," Hades argues, his voice tight with the effort whatever this is required.

Lightning strikes the earth, the weight of the power becoming too heavy for this storm. If this continues, it will erupt. Neither side will survive, and I had a feeling neither would this realm. Everything would change again and that's what they wanted.

"Aion!" I called into the nothingness behind me. "Take us home."

"Don't you-" Hades starts, groaning as I feel Cain pull back and face me.

"Elise, this isn't something-" Cain stops.

I don't know what I look like right now, but whatever he sees makes him reach out and grab Hades' arm, yanking him away from their battle of wills. His mouth opens and closes before he looks around as if in a daze. The storm's glow begins to fade, only one side now fuelling the battle. They had to go before it was used against us.

Or used against them.

The second I make a move towards it, Cain stops me but it's too late. A part of me is already gone and as e looked at Hades, the pair of them nod in silent agreement and I knew exactly what that was. One of them I can handle, two I would struggle, only that was before. Now, I wasn't entirely sure what would happen.

"What happened?" Cain growled, and I am not looking forward to this conversation later.

Later is the keyword.

"I'm fine, we're both fine, now help me, or go help our friends get home." I sense the portal near them, but now I've decided what to do, my power is already ten-steps ahead of us.

It's still free, unchained and as it replaces Hades and Cain, the force of the Furies fighting it has me stumbling back. Somehow I manage to stand my ground, silently begging Cain to stay with me and not to waste time fighting the wrong thing.

I need you.

The second he stands with me, I breathe in his scent, his power, his strength. It makes me feel dizzy in a good way, and the wind tunnel disappears up into the clouds that spark with lightning and a promise of destruction. It's the worst of all of us, gathered into one mass. I look up into it, forcing back the fears of my past as the clouds form faces of the Warlocks, of Cronus and Zeus glared down. Beyond it all there was something, someone else. A new face that created a fear I hadn't ever known or met before. Too bad fear had never stopped me any of those other times either.

Show me.

It wasn't my fear or power and I didn't fight it. I let it be, allowing my mind to drift along with it as I felt Cain's arms around my waist, his chin on my shoulder as he whispers words I wanted to hear but couldn't right now. He kept me safe, he kept me grounded and then I slipped beyond, to the Furies who looked nothing like the women I had first met. Their bodies were thin, their powers weakened and wounds unhealed. It was almost sad to see them this way, any fear or doubt about them vanished and I didn't hold back, letting them know I was there.

They didn't react, didn't fight; they let me move around them as my power desired. It whispered against the back of their necks, a finger ran along a spine, the cold fear that freezes you in place in the middle of the night.

A promise that I would be back.

"Blessed are the three, of Cronus creation. The great father gives. The great father takes. As it is, as it should be, blessed are the three of the great fathers." They mumbled like prayer as if that would keep them safe.

I searched beyond the storm to see the face that stared back at me and I knew this was what pure evil looked like.

"Who are you?" I asked, pulling back as his power pushed mine away from the Furies, and into the storm, which was preparing to consume me whole.

Its bite cut at my skin burned through my hair and tried to break between all the places Cain's body touched mine.

"I am the first." The hollow voice answered. "The great father of the sky, and you, are not worthy to know my name."

My instincts told me to run, to go and retreat as they had since the second I arrived, and I had every intention to do just that. I wasn't prepared to die today, but I wasn't quite finished yet. This wasn't a one on one I'd be able to survive and not even Apollo, Cain and the world could bring me back from. I felt the chaos behind me, the energy that was drawing my powers towards it, and I even let it give me a little tug; positive Cain would never let me go.

"If that's how you want to play it. Fine." I smile as I feel myself moving further away, the portal so close to taking me home. "But I'm going to tell you mine, it's The Empress, and I want you to scream it when you realise what I've just done."

It takes more energy than I expected to reign my power back in. It had done more than just toy with the Furies, and let me mock the guy pulling their strings. My power let go of all that it wound its way around, into and beyond, pouring back to me like Moros punch and I felt my feet leave the ground as we were thrown into the portal.

Yet I got to see it; the fragments of the storm my powers managed to hold together rather than let fall apart when Cain and Hades stopped fighting. As I expected, it didn't just break, it exploded. A dark and dangerous cloud that fell over the battlefield like a bomb. If the Furies did survive that, point to them but for now, the victory was mine. Almost mine, and as we stood back in the main hall of our palace, my feet firmly back on the floor, I used the distraction of our almost crash landing, to get free of Cain and grab onto Aion.

"Destroy it. The Portal between this world and that one. Destroy it and any others." I demanded, pointing at Hermes. "You too. Help him. Do whatever has to be done."

Aion looked at Hermes, his face pale and shocked as Hermes mirrored the same expression.

"As you wish, Empress." Aion reached for Hermes, the pair disappearing.

"So I'm not to go home then?" Circe's pout was clear in her voice, not just on her face as she turned to Deimos. "Roomies?"

"No." He snapped, the anger vanishing as he set Kara on the table beside them. "Are you alright?"

"I am. Thank you, especially you, Apollo." She smiled at him, and he smiled back. "Can we get the important stuff now? What the hell was that Elise, you- what- how-"

All eyes were on me and I didn't know what to say, so I used an old coping mechanism Richard wouldn't approve of; deflection.

"Who is the first father? No, the great father. He was the first?" I ask only earning a room of silence and empty stares in response. "Helpful."

Well, almost.

"What is this?" Cain titled my chin up for him to see better, and instantly I winced at the pain to the point my eyes watered; his fingers unknowingly pressing against the bruise not yet showing.

"Moron or something got one up on me. It's nothing. I handled it."

"We'll be back." Cain shares, and before I can protest we're in the bathroom and the girl in the mirror doesn't look like me.

Dark, almost black blood covers my face like a mask, lightening slightly around my chin to a brighter red. I remember touching Kara, and looking at my hands, they're stained red, covered in dirt and who knows what else. I had touched my face, each streak matching a finger from where I'd dragged my hands down. Some of this was my blood. My eyes drift to my lip, the split I was left with less noticeable with all the mess, but its harder to hide the swelling of my jaw makes it noticeably disproportioned from the rest of my face. It was just the mess that had my attention though. It was the delicate golden tiara braided into my hair, the rubies dark like the blood on my face in the dim lighting of the room. Yet still, they managed to glow, like the embers of a fire and similar to the God Killer costume, the red fabric that wrapped around my torso fitted itself to me like a second skin.

"You've accepted The Empress now, haven't you?" He asked softly standing behind me, his mouth by my ear as his hand traced down my arm and around the golden bands that resembled my snakes coiled either side. "Made her your own."

This time his hand followed my jaw, and with it, my face became mine again. I turned into him, looking up into his eyes for some clue as to what this meant exactly, for me, him, us. Blueberry. Cain's thumb ran over the bruise, the tingles replacing pain as it erased the injury. My lip healed, I licked over where the cut had been only seconds earlier, his eyes followed the movement before his hands stripped me bare. Instead of feeling naked and vulnerable, I only felt more powerful as I made fast work of returning the gesture, the hunger and need pouring off him now as it suddenly felt like a lifetime since we were last together. Just when I thought he was about to kiss me, Cain stopped. I flinched as his hand touched my side, and we both looked down to see the bruising on my hip.

"What happened?" I felt him healing me, then the searching and gentle caress of his power as Blueberry was checked on.

He stayed kneeling in front of me as I gave him the truth, his kisses finding each ache as I talked, a few extra wherever Blueberry gave away his location until I'm done sharing my side of events. We're soon in the bath, clearing off all remnants of what we had just gone through Scooping up a handful of bubbles, I blew them across the bath like tiny little snowballs while Cain told me about the altar the Furies had gone to after they made it through to that realm and anarchy had ruled as each of their allies made it a case of each man or woman for themselves over it once the three had gone all chanty and summoned some kind of cloud spirit which is how they got started in their battle rather than the initial plan of just wiping them all out.

"So that's where they got their new power from, only it wasn't theirs at all." I sighed, sinking up to my chin in the bath as his hands began to slide up my legs. "Why did you leave Circe out of your side of the story by the way?"

"What do you think of her?" He asked, sliding closer as I moved to sit up a little higher keeping just out of reach.

"She's interesting and knows who she is. I'm hoping she'll be a new friend. She hasn't tried to kill me yet, but it's still early." I relax into his touch, instantly needing to remove any space between us, as he leans closer. "Kiss me."

I get my wish as Cain delivers on both those wants. The weight of him over me with the water around me has me pressing into him as I seem torn between floating and being completely consumed. His mouth is hot and demanding, the only touch I needed as couldn't get enough as I slid against him. It felt like months, not days since we'd been together, and a new ache took over my body now.

"More. Please" I ordered, yet it sounded more like I was begging.

I don't beg.

Only with him.

The bath is abandoned, the softness of our bed welcoming as the water disappears. It doesn't last as I change position, and looking down at him I'm hit with a rush of overwhelming and unexpected emotions - one of which has me in tears which is completely ridiculous. In seconds we're sitting, wrapped up in each other; he pulls the blanket up over my back as he rubs it gently. I can feel his concern, the worry, all of which is not what I want right now but only makes me cry more.

"What happened? Are you hurt, did I do-" He fumbles as I can't stop, and shaking my head kiss him on the chin and cuddle in against him.

"I just, love you." I sob.

Cain's chest rumbles as he softly chuckles, and holds me tighter.

"Does whatever this is count?" Aion asked from behind me.

I freeze, sucking in a big breath as Cain turns to stone around me. A second later, I sense Hermes.

"No. I said fucking. What even is this, is she crying?"

"Get. Out!" Cain roars, confirming that I'm not imagining either intruder.

I wrap myself up in the blanket completely, as a suddenly half-dressed Cain is seconds away from ripping them both apart.

"It's important." Aion coughs. "The first. The great father."

"Unless it's to tell us he's currently destroying this realm too, it can wait. Even if he was, it can wait."

"Told you they were fucking." Hermes bravely says, and I turn around to face them as he collapses with a thud.

"Get him, and get out." Cain orders, but my curiosity was hooked.

"You're here. Just tell us." I sigh, dropping the blanket as Cain's t-shirt covers me instead.

Wrapping my arms around his waist, he guides me to stand at his side and holds me close. His anger is rolling off him in waves, and I'm impressed Aion hasn't fled yet as he looks like he's about to or even start crying.

"You mentioned the name, and I wasn't sure so I went back to check. The furies were gone, I couldn't get a trace on them as to where they went. We only found two portals, one was the one we knew about, the other was what they used but it went, nowhere. I've never seen anything like it, but we closed them both off and the one here." He quickly explains.

"Thank you." It wasn't great news, but one less portal had to be a good thing.

"And?" Cain managed to make it sound like a threat.

"There was once a time, I travelled with Cronus. It was to determine my lineage, a test to see if I would be blessed and acknowledged as an heir." Aion started, and Cain didn't flinch at that. "One thing I remember was the stories he'd tell the children. We'd gather in the woods, hunt and at night by the fire, we'd hear about other lands, the creatures there, how it all came to be and so he'd talk about the great father and all he'd done. He was the first. Older than ancients. His name was Uranus, and with Gaia, they became the sky and the earth."

"I'm sorry, Uranus?" I barely stopped my laugh.

"I've heard stories like this. Most are just that, a story." There was something there though that told me Cain was considering this. "Why is this relevant?"

"Because Cronus created the Erinyes at his command. They were not created as his progeny but as his sisters. They were bound together for that reason. We all know the temper he had, how jealous he could be and it's why those three are so damn strong."

"We defeated Cronus." I point out.

"He wasn't at full strength, old and weak. Imagine three of him, in their prime." Cain hugged me tighter. "And even then it was a battle. You died."

"Only for a few days."

I tried to brush it off, but the reality of the situation was brutal and everything was even more complicated now. "So why is daddy dearest back?"

"That's why they went there. They released him and in return, their reward was new life." Cain groaned. "Our little showdown probably only helped."

"You missed the part where she literally tore open the sky by reversing their power back at them, didn't you?" Aion didn't hide his surprise. "I wouldn't count on whatever they did working so well after that. No one is getting in or out of that realm now, and I've marked it, so if anyone or thing tries, I'll shut it down."

"Thank you, Aion." I meant it.

"Now get out, and if you're so good at breaking wards, fix them too." Cain huffed.

"So, this place is out of bounds? I love the nature window." Aion stood before the natural aquarium, letting out a low whistle. "Hermes said you wouldn't mind."

"Hermes lied."

Aion vanished and so did Hermes. I slipped back in front of Cain, the tension vibrating through every inch of his being. He held me back, but he stared out into the nothingness of the water lost in thought.

"Be kinder to Hermes. He's an ass, but with Circe here, and things with the twins tense, he'll need a friend too." I thought about how he'd been at not Deimos's birthday party. "Deep, deep, deep, down I think he does mean well."

Cain didn't answer me, he just stood there staring until I went to finally move away. Instantly his hand shot out, grabbing my wrist as he kept me from going any further.

"I'm not finished with you yet," It was a promise I wanted to be fulfilled and a swirl of butterflies took flight in my stomach as he kissed me slowly, drawing me back in. "Sorry, I was thinking."

"No thinking," I slipped his shirt off, dropping it at my feet. "Just feeling, but not too much in case I start crying again."

"Because you love me?" He teased, his skin warm against mine.

"I tolerate you," I confirm.

"I'll have to see if I can change that then."

"Good luck." Pushing him onto the bed, it's easy to pick up where we had been before I got stupid emotional.

The problem with that was, I could feel it starting to happen again. It was like, the better he was, the more thankful I felt, which filled up my heart so dam much with each of those tiny gestures that made this so much better; like he knew where to kiss, touch, and bite at the right time, every time and just when I think it might actually, horrifically happen, and I had to close my eyes to keep the tears in. I try to think of something else, anything else, and as Uranus circles my childish mind, I can't stop the giggle.

In seconds, he has me pinned underneath him. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing."

"Elle," he warns.

"I was trying to distract myself. You're making it so damn easy to tolerate you and this bed just smells like you, you smell like you, and the way you-" Oh fuck. I'm so close to getting what I want, what I need. I am aching and desperate for release, but instead of just going with it, I'm covering my face and nearly choking as I let out some weird sob sound. "I love you, please, don't stop, just-"

Cain let out a long breath, and the way he said my name was a mixture of a curse and a prayer. It was what I needed, my mind switching off as I followed my own advice. No thinking, just feeling and I felt everything; we both did until we completely lost to it and each other, and I wasn't sure I ever wanted to be found.

Two hours later, my brain did find me again and two pieces of information rose to the surface of my mind and demanded attention.

Uranus was Cronus's sire.

Gaia was Cronus's mother.

Well, this family tree just got a hell of a lot more complicated.