I stood between Artemis and Aflie, watching as Aion opened the final portal. Everyone else was already through. Deimos went with Kara and the others to see what they could do with the Valkyrie; those not with them were taken to the agreed-upon locations to wait for further orders. Ailin appeared with three other Kasha demons, her eyes were bloodshot and the dark circles around her eyes unmissable.

"Sakura, Haya and Mei will come with you." She told us, each other women bowing slightly.

"That isn't necessary Ailin,"

"It isn't up for discussion." Ailin hesitated. "Good luck."

She was gone and looking at the three, I got an idea.

"You will go see Genzo of the Oni, tell him I have arrived and to ready his soldiers. He is to wait for further instruction, there will be Valkyrie heading his way too. He is to listen to them." I decided, getting so paper to write a few things on which I gave to them.

The trio nodded, and without a word the second Aion was done, they went through first.

"Ready?" Artemis asked.

"I guess so." Alfie nudged me while Aion kept his distance from the snake. "Thank you."

"You have done so much for me it's the least I can do."

"Apollo?" I ask Artemis, who only shrugged.

"It may be best he sits this out. They only seem to live to antagonise each other, he never took to having another sibling and little has changed."

"Well, let's go then."

Artemis pulled up her hood, offering me a tiny smile. "Not all my huntresses are disloyal, so I will remain hidden with them until, well whatever happens. Good luck Elise. Until then."

I watched her go and hesitated. I had no idea what awaited us on the other side and as Alfie nudged my shoulder, I took a deep breath as he moved to go through first, yet my feet stayed firm and I couldn't bring myself to follow. Last time I went to this world, everything changed and I knew it was all about to happen again.

"You okay?" Aion asked, coming to stand beside me.

"Ask me once it's over." I sighed, pulling up my hood. "Thanks again."

I keep my eyes closed until I sense Alfie and we both turn to see the portal close. There was no going back now. Looking around, I can see the town below us and beyond that the main region that the Powers occupied.; Olympus. Smoke choked the air, and despite the darkness of night making it hard to see, the fires that burned all over flickered as if their light was struggling to remain. The pressure weighed down on my shoulders, and wiping my eyes, it was as if I was merely looking through a clouded window unable to see clearly. The ground was crunchy and still smouldering in some parts, and the shadows of buildings dotted the space around us. I was glad the night hid what was actually here, I wasn't sure I wanted to see it.

"Hunter?" I jumped at the familiar voice, while Alfie went into defence mode; tail spikes out and he snapped forward in a warning strike. "It is you!"

"Hermes!" He carried a small light, the shadows that it cast over him only highlighting how tired he seemed to be.

"I thought I sensed a portal, it's hard to tell, I've been feeling things all night. Why are you here?" There was a hard edge to his voice, reminding me of when Mum was about to tell Jordan and I off. "You need to go before-"

"I'm going to see the King. This needs to stop."

"You're not wrong there, but he won't listen. Do you want to die?" He coughs. "This isn't the place you left behind!"

"So I've been told. Artemis is nearby, I have others too. This all has to end, Hermes."

"Clearly you misinterpreted Cain's orders when we sent you back in time and why would Art come back? I got her out when I could!" He groaned, before standing still, listening. "Go home, I'll get you there myself. A patrol is coming, you don't have much time."

"Pretend I'm not here. I'm doing this, though if you're able to help, I won't say no."

He looks at Alfie, his frown deepening. "I know a place you can hide, there are too many things out in the dark to get far without being noticed. Especially with him. Then I have to go, I can't help you any more than I already have."

"Thank you."

Hermes takes my hand and I touch Alfie, as he takes us outside a small cottage. The one beside it has been destroyed, and no light comes from inside. I"m not even sure what time it is, yet he gently knocks and within a few seconds, the door is partially opened. I can't hear what they say, but it soon opens completely and the giant man looks at me like he's seen a ghost.

What did Hermes say?

Too bad he's gone before I can ask him. The hulk-like figure steps out, and I take a cautious step back. A smaller, female slips around him, her mouth forming a perfect o shape as she stares, before she throws her hands up as she gasps.

"It's you!"

I wait for more. Were these the kind of people that worshipped the God Killer; is that what Hades had said? I wasn't sure I was wanting to stay to find out.

"Faline, enough. Come inside, quickly." He orders, looking around nervously. "Now, Elise!"

Inside is warm and cozy, the few candles that are the table barely adding any light to the room. The kitchen is tiny, taking up one wall, while a large table sits in the middle of the room. A fireplace is on the opposite wall and Alfie positions himself near it.

"Welcome to our home, Elise Bunting from the other world." Faline greets, hesitating before lunging forward and giving me a hug. She smelt like bread and coffee, which was oddly comforting. "We've heard so much about you!"

"You have?"

"This is my husband, Mattew. Oh, I am so excited that you're here!" She goes over to the stove, filling up the teapot and busies herself making tea.

"I wondered if you were real or just a character in a story. As the days got darker, and months went by, I thought you may have been as mythical as others think. The news of your death broke my heart." Mattew sighed. "Yet here you are."

"Don't believe everything you hear. Tales of the God Killer are being extremely oversold."

"I wasn't talking about that, though it is hard to stop the fiction merging with the fact when you hope for something enough. I am talking about you, Hunter. I was once friends with the King. I heard all the stories of the girl from another world and also of the one who came here." He smiled, and I felt myself relaxing.

His presence was so calming and his voice was deep and smooth. Faline appeared with the tea, happily pouring three cups before sitting opposite me and just smiling. If they were going to turn out to be the enemy, I'd be happy to have been blindsided by these two.

"You're taller than I imagined and so pretty. Did you really become a mermaid?" She asked eagerly.

"Yes, but it wasn't for too long."

"I love the ocean. That must have been amazing! And that's Alfie, your demon pet?" She got up, hesitating as she clearly wanted to approach him. "I've heard other tales of his kind. They are extinct here."

I look at Alfie and he comes over, making both of them freeze. "He's very friendly, and loves to have under his chin rubbed."

Alfie nodded, and Faline bravely stepped away from the table to touch him. She soon found the spot and gave him a good scratch.

"This is, I have never-" She gushed.

"So you know Cain? I've come to talk to him, try and stop what's been going on. Could you ask him to come here?" I wonder, hopefully finding a way to get him alone.

"Oh dear girl, I wish we could help. Since the old ways returned, and our parliament disbanded, we do not see him anymore. All we get now is regular checks by the guards to ensure we are not conspiring against them. There were a few who tried, small rebel groups determined not to let it go back to how it was. They have all gone now." Mattew's good mood vanished, and he stared into his teacup.

Faline left Alfie, standing behind her husband she rested a hand on his shoulder and patted his arm with the other.

"It's worse than it was before. Even when Zeus got to his worst, we were mostly overlooked. He targeted the other kingdoms, not his own."

"Why? I don't understand how it could have all changed so quickly?"

"The pressure he put on himself maybe. Whatever that witch got into his head. He was tired of fighting and being King wasn't what he thought he wanted. He'd stay with us. He'd work as we did. He planned to establish a government, like your world. He told me all about it one night. We'd all work together and control our own lands." Mattew sadly smiled at Faline. "He didn't want it all to be left up to him. Then the attacks started, one of the new schools were destroyed. He didn't come by for a while after that. We heard things, those that still knew workers at the castle gave the rumours life. The war had started, Odin was no more. Everyone seemed to come after that."

"When did you last see him?" The pair shared a look. "Please?"

"When he came to tell us he did something bad. He wouldn't say what. He was drunk. Erratic. Nothing made sense. The next thing we hear-"

"Is that you were dead. Well, that the God Killer was." Faline finished, tucking back a stray piece of brown hair behind her ear.

"Clearly it wasn't as bad as he made it out to be, because here you are." Mattew added.

I finished my tea. "I have to go."

"Stay, tonight at least. It's not safe out there." Faline insisted.

"If they suspect we're here, leaving it longer will make it worse. Can Alfie stay here?"

"I ssstay with Elisse." He growled.

"He talks?" Mattew jumped.

"He does and he also has a sugar addiction but we won't go into that now. Alfie, I can't go there unnoticed if you're with me. I'll let you know if I need you, I promise." I assure him, moving to hug him.

"He can stay. We'll keep him hidden. Does he, ah, like children?" Faline glanced up and I instantly hated Hermes for bringing me here.

They were good people. There was a whole innocent family here and now they were all at risk.

"We are happy to assist you in any way, Elise. Do not worry yourself." Mattew assures me.

"Alfie loves kids. He won't be any trouble, I promise." I pulled my own hood back up and smiled at them. "Thank you."

"No, thank you. Especially if you can put an end to this." He stands, holding Faline close to his side.

As I go to leave, Alfie stops me. "Ssstay here. Ssstay ssafe!"

"Protect them Alfie. I'll be back soon," I give him a quick chin rub and leave before I can be stopped.

I go to what was just vacant land now, the first place we had stopped by when I came here with Cain. It had been his childhood home, and now nothing remained. Looking around, there wasn't a lot to see. Windows had been boarded up, even the pub was closed. I kept close to the buildings, wandering around town and avoiding the patrols as they passed. Faline had been right, it hadn't even been this bad when Zeus was in control.

"I had hoped Nieve got it wrong, yet here we are," Portia whispered beside me.

Nieve and Adala joined us as we stared up at Olympus

"War in her blood. I said it the first time." Nieve grumbled.

"So good to see you all again." I can tell my sarcasm wasn't lost on them by the way she continued to mutter softly and turn away from me. "Maybe we could just plan a coffee date. Then I won't need to keep getting myself into these kinds of situations to see you. I'm thinking the last Tuesday of each month?"

"Why would you come here?" Adala asked, ignoring my offer.

"Because I had to."

"No, you really didn't." Portia sighed.

I looked at her for a moment. "You said-"

"You've been seeing the child?" Nieve instantly accused Portia. "We told you-"

Everything got a little hectic then. They spoke in a language I couldn't understand but through their shouting and finger-pointing, the message was clear. I was in a no go zone, Portia broke the rules and she seemed to think that was okay which only made Nieve angrier. Adala stayed quiet, finally speaking once the other two stopped.

"We can all agree, Elise's status is different from others. She was our Third, as short a time as it was. Portia's connection to the girl is not something she can simply turn off, similar to how you always check on-"

"Enough!" Nieve growled. "I expect that from her, not you Adala!"

"Who do you check on Nieve? Don't leave us hanging like that!" I taunt, knowing full well what she was going to say.

"It's different," She huffed, her ancient form calming down after her outburst.

"Not from where I am standing," Portia said firmly.

"As fun as this all is any chance of a hot tip? Can I put money on my plan of action working or should I be better off backing the other side?" I hold up my hands as they all glare at me. "Worth a shot. Might save on another argument or I dunno, my life?"

Adala sighs, moving closer to me so Nieve and Portia have to step back. Nieve opens her mouth and her hand shoots up, silencing the Chrone.

"You have always been unpredictable, none know that more than our Maiden. It is only her odd vision that aids us now, fate seems undecided." She held out her hand and at the end of the golden thread it had frayed as if it had been poorly cut. Curly thin ends, some shorter than others with stronger glowing tips. Either way, it was a mess. "Tell me Elise Bunting, former third, Hunter and God Killer. What do you see for your future?"

"This actually makes a lot of sense," Adala frowns. "I like to keep people guessing, myself included."

"She jokes, even now when her future has never been more unclear." Nieve groaned.

"Perhaps if she didn't, the answer would be clearer or maybe we'd never had made it this far in the first place," Portia smirked.

"As much as I love our little chats, I did actually have something I came here to do." I remind them. "So apart from making me realise the universe really does hate me, my future is a mess just like my life, and everything I am about to attempt has no clear outcome, was there anything else you ladies would like to bless me with?"

They all look a little sheepish now.

"Good luck, Elise. I fear you may need it for what lies ahead." Portia sighs, hugging me hesitantly.

"What did you see?" I whisper into her ear.

"What I always do, and that is what scares me the most."

Then I'm alone.

Wind rustles the nearby bushes, somewhere nearby a dog barks. I think of my plan, what I intended to do and then of Matt and the missing Valkyrie. The way everything is so unclear adds new weight to the pile of pressure I'm already feeling. I try not to doubt the claims I made, that my faith in Cain was justified.

I go into the great hall, thankful it's empty and no one is around. It hasn't changed much since the last time I came here. It's easy to still imagine Hera and Zeus sitting at the end of the room like the royal couple they had been. Gold and that over the top luxury look remain the prefered decor choice, and nearing the thrones, I saw one tiny part of this room that made me smile. Beside the larger of the two chairs, just down under the front leg, partially hidden from view was a bottle of tequila. Picking it up, it was our prefered brand.

"You just missed him," Hades appears, sitting rather comfortably on the smaller throne chair. "He comes in here before bed, drinks until he knows he will be able to pass out and then off he goes."

"I thought you were banished."

"I thought you were dead, again."

"You know it never lasts!' He smiles, standing up we hug. "How are you?"

"Fine. Well, I was until Hermes appeared and told me you were here and clearly planning something. Though, to be honest, I'm surprised it took you this long." Hades frowns. "What are you planning?"

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you." I shrug.

"You have no idea, do you?"

"I was going to try and talk to him on his own, make him see sense?" Hades thinks this over and shakes his head. "You don't think it'll work?"

"It might if not for one little pain in my ass and I'm not talking about you either."

"Eris?"

"I don't know what I did to piss her off, but since day one she has made my life hell. Apparently ruling the Underworld offends her, or it's the next kingdom she plans to take down." He tenses, putting his finger to his mouth to be quiet.

We move upstairs, hiding in the dark with the statues up there as Cain came in with the lady of the hour. They had a small group following them, no one I recognized and Hades put a hand on my arm, shaking his head as I went to move.

"You are in danger and need to act now!" Eris argued. "The time you spent away gave them the opportunity they needed to set their plans in motion. How else would they even know if not for Hermes?"

"He has too much to lose to be involved." Cain snapped.

"Maybe he's willing to take a chance if he thinks they will succeed!" She threw herself down onto the smaller throne. "Why else would he have been out there tonight? You know I am right about this."

Cain got himself a drink, rolling his eyes as she continued to try and convince him Hermes was up to something. He just seemed tired, dismissing her at every chance he had.

"Your concern is noted. Did it warrant all of this? No. You are not the one in charge, remember that." If he tried to hide his anger, he failed terribly.

"Sometimes it feels like you don't want to be either, so where does that leave all of this?" She motioned to the space around this. "All I do is for you!"

"I never asked or expected you to do anything," He turned to the four that had come in with them. "Monitor Hermes. See to it he doesn't leave his chambers. If there is the slightest indication he has left or is conspiring with any of our enemies, notify me immediately."

They all bowed and promptly left.

"Will you sleep easier now?" Cain growled, throwing the bottle down yet it didn't smash, merely hovered an inch from the ground before returning to the same hiding place.

"A little." I didn't have to see her face to imagine her pouting.

Eris stood, moving to stand before Cain. She coiled around him, resting her head against his chest while he did nothing except taking down what was left in his glass. As soon as he was done, he stepped back, untangling himself as he glared at her.

"Not tonight."

"You keep saying that. Why deny yourself this way?" She spoke low, and seductively, making me roll my eyes.

"Not tonight." Then he was gone.

She groaned in frustration before disappearing too.

"Well, that was fun." I sigh, looking at Hades who seemed lost in his own thoughts. "You okay?"

"Hermes didn't bring you over, did he?"

"No, it was Aion."

"I don't even know who that is. Cain will know he hasn't been using his gifts, he'll be safe for a while longer." He seemed to be talking more to himself than me. "She won't stop until we're all gone. At least he appears to be a little less conflicted than he has been."

"What happened to you two?"

"I was set up, unable to prove it. Someone set loose a few ghouls to make a fuss, I was stopping them not releasing them. She'd already been on for days about my desire to take over. Art and I were in on it together apparently. I want both kingdoms, she was my advisor and co-conspirator. We only gave him bad advice and were making him appear weak to his enemies. Rubbish, all of it. But he listened." Hades sighed, the same weariness that Hermes had appearing on him now.

"Honestly, I gave up. I thought if I wasn't there to make it worse, he would see how wrong he got it. Instead, things only seemed to go downhill faster." Hades frowned. "We should go. If we are noticed here, it's not likely to end well. You won't get him alone tonight, your chat will have to wait."

We end up at a smaller castle, built into a mountain above the clouds. Olympus was to the north and we sat on the balcony looking down at the world below us. The moon was bright and clear here, stars sparkled and the haze that blanketed the town was as visible as the clouds.

'This place is beautiful." I tell him as he reappears with food and wine.

"It was Aphrodites for when she had to hide from Hera. No one comes here these days. Tell me how you've been, I didn't visit as I didn't wish to burden you with our troubles or bring any additional attention your way." He pours us wine and takes a slice of the pizza he'd created. "Have you still been training?"

I tell him practically everything, finally finishing as dawn appears on the horizon.

"You are right in thinking Eris would have taken them in hopes you'd come. It will add to the argument we heard last night over Hermes working against Cain. In the shock of your arrival, he may just forget he knows Hermes had nothing to do with it and didn't bring you here."

"Before we left the twins warned she'd be extra close to him, which makes my plan and chance for a one on one hard." I yawn, unable to stop myself. "I'm actually thinking I may give her what she wants."

"What do you mean?" He asks hesitantly.

"I'm going to make a scene, because thinking about it, that's what I wanted to avoid and possibly what she'll be expecting. How crafty would it be for Hermes to sneak me in, and then to set Cain up with me, either alone or just with her even, unguarded when they're least expecting it?" It was becoming clearer. "Imagine how she'd spin it. If they had time to prepare if everyone knew I was coming-"

"You'd be placing one enormous target on your back," Hades warned.

"But, I'm not hiding anything am I?" I smiled, knowing this was the right way. "She is. I don't think he knows about Matt being here, and as I said, he seemed clueless about my other visitors that he apparently didn't send. I bet she does though."

"It's a big risk."

"I need you to find Matt and the Valkyrie. If you get a chance, I want Hermes to send him home. Otherwise, keep them somewhere safe." I decide. "In the meantime."

I stand up, Closing my eyes I let my powers do their thing and I change into her; the God Killer. My hair is braided in a similar fashion to the Valkyries style feathers and other pieces entwined into the length. The slight weight of my headpiece returns, as my skin feels bare. It's different than before. Gold chains fall from the cropped top across my stomach and around my hips. I remember the impact Hera made on me that first time, adorned with gold as she flaunted her immortality and strength. I apparently just came back from the dead, no longer prisoner in the deep blue sea. For any to see me wearing what made us vulnerable, I wanted them to be afraid and to know that I wasn't.

"What exactly are you doing?" Hades asked after a few moments of just staring. "That ah, you look-"

"I need to spread the word that I am alive."

"I-I will go and I'll go find the mortal then." He finally managed to say, disappearing a second later.

I found Kara first. She slept on a single bed in a small room, I wasn't even sure where it was. Deimos was on the floor by the door, snoring softly as he seemed to twitch in his sleep. I bopped her on the nose a few times, and as she woke, she saw me. Instantly her eyes widened as she woke up and looking at me properly, her sword was instantly in her hand from under her covers before she realised it was me.

"You look like Princess Jasmine's evil sister." She whispered, rubbing her nose.

"The gold isn't too much?" I ask, feeling slightly self-conscious.

"No, no. The gold is perfect. Why are you so dressed up so early?" She yawned, looking towards the window. "I have the support of the Valkyrie by the way."

"Spread the word. The God Killer is alive and heading to Olympus."

"Is that the smartest thing to do?"

"I think so. I think going the less attention-seeking path is what she was expecting and planning for." I shrug. "It'll get twisted and used against me in some way, so no hiding, she got nothing to say."

"Maybe wear a crown to really piss her off." Kara laughed. "Be careful."

"You too."

I find the Oni and tell them to spread the news, Baheela too. I visit different places around the Others city; some cheer, others quietly watch me make my way through the streets. They all whisper. I can feel their fear and excitement, it matches my own and by that afternoon, I am making way to the great hall where even the guards just stand and watch, slamming open the doors as I make my entrance.

I wasn't disappointed.

Cain and Eris sit on the thrones, the powers that surround them are some I know and others I don't. Everyone stops what they're doing as I enter, the ones who recognise me gasp and I hear both my names being thrown around. I try not to listen, to get distracted. I can't afford to, not now.

I strut down the centre of the room with all eyes on me. I keep eye contact with Eris the whole time, enjoying seeing her squirm before I stop in front of them. Cain is wearing his crown, the full works and for a moment it leaves me breathless. The Dark King. I have to give it to Eris, she plays her role perfectly. The black robe dress suits her, and she manages to hide her initial surprise well, yet I still feel her eyes burning into me.  I can't read Cain's face when I finally look at him but pissed off is an understatement. The tension in the room is suffocating and I don't waver; I don't even know if I blink. It's too late for me to even consider changing my mind, and so keeping what control I have right now, I go straight to the point. The surprise on Cain's face as I speak tells me enough; I was right.

"You have my Seer. I want him back."

________________

And so it begins......