Now, rewind a bit. Apollo appeared after Aella died do to chimera attack and took the hunters and I to the base camp, which was in the ruins of a temple so mortals would not stumble in on our battle that would happen soon.
Inside the abandoned temple was a full army base, obviously ready for attack. Weapons lined the walls and there was a table surrounded by the council with a power like to that window in the library on Olympus.
Athena was at the head, organizing the battle plan, Zeus next to her, checking for errors that wern't there. Artemis was choosing weapons and the hunters went over to her. I went with them, wanting to tell her about Aella.
When she saw me she nodded gravely.
"I know. She was a brave hunter, its a grave loss." I put my hand on her arm.
"She's hate for us to stop fighting." She nodded and shooed me away. I almost ran into Aphrodite.
"Ah you're back. Have to figured out which boy you love yet?" I blushed.
Only Aphrodite would think of matchmaking at a time like this. But then Apollo, thank the gods, came to rescue me.
"I need to teach her to shoot before the battle goes underway." He swept me away to a quiet area and held me close.
"Are you alright?" He asked. I nodded into his chest. He lifted my chin so I would look at him. I tried not to cry. He pulled me to him again and kissed me softly. Then he gave me one last hug before he got me ready to shoot.
I remembered what Artemis said. So I believed in the bow. I hit the target. Apollo gaped at me, surprised as I was. Then he lifted me up and swung me around, laughing the whole time. He set me down.
"I guess I don't have to teach you how to shoot after all." I laughed, more happy about a bit of happiness in this grief-stricken world than anything else.
Someone cleared their throat, he turned to see it was Hermes.
"Father sent me to tell you that its time to get into the positions."
The happiness drained from our very souls. Even the sky looked sadder, if possible. It was going to rain soon. Apollo nodded but said nothing.
I rest happened slowly to me, even though everyone was going fast, much faster than seemed possible.
We walked back to the base. I remember Artemis telling me to come with her and the hunters. I remember following. Apollo came with is men part way until he went to patrol another area.
Before he left he took my hand. He kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear one last time 'Good Luck'.
I couldn't tell you when exactly the battle started. I don' t think there was a starting blow or appearance. All of a sudden I was fighting some monster. Then I began to adjust and I saw everything in slow motion. Time was in my favor.
Suddenly I saw every attack, every blow in advance. I was on the ball, Aella had taught me very well.
Then I saw Eris. She was fighting hard, good for someone her age. But then I saw it, even from far away. An attack on her blind side. I quickly killed the chimera I was fighting and ran to at least lessen the attack. But I was too late. She fell to the ground.
Within seconds, much faster than I could have normally, I had killed the monster. I called over a spare healer but it was too late. She was too far gone.
"Eris? Eris? Come on." I begged through my tears.
"Stay with me." She shook her head slowly, the only movement she could seem to make.
"Your mother." She coughed.
"Tell her what happened. Tell her that, that, I get to see my mother again." Then, like a summer breeze, the life was gone from her, Eris was far away now. I wiped a spare tear from my nose.
I stood up and slowly watched the fighting around me. Monsters and hunters alike fell to the ground, dead. I was like the eye of the storm, no one approached me or noticed I was there. I felt more tears slipping down my already damp cheeks.
I saw Enyo, Hades's oldest son, was throwing monsters out like they were stones at a deer. I ran over, they would never expect my attack. I then saw Hades himself, his dark figure on an equally dark chairiot. I would deal with him later.
I got to Enyo and killed the monster he had just thrown out. He stared at me, surprised out of his stubborn, stupid mind. Then he grinned evily.
"I knew Koios didn't kill you. You know there's a punishment for that. What you two did, the feelings you have."
"What did we do?"
"You care for another when you are betrothed to another, one you chose willingly to boot. And then he saved you from Father's rath." He counted them off on his fingers.
"Oh and the fact that he cares for you back." he held his three fingers up so I could see.
"With just one offense you would be killed. With three," He held them out again. "You will be put to punishment alongside my brother, Ha, ha, and HA!"
"Don't you care about your brother?" He shrugged.
"Not really."
"Then you are no help to me."
Within five seconds Enyo was dead. he had quick death, better than he deserved.
Then all the monsters disappeared, all fighting stopped. I turned to see blank looks on everyone's faces.
Then Athena and Zeus appeared. Their faces were solemn and I knew we had lost more than Eris today.
"What's going on?" Athena sighed.
"Hades wants to meet with us in one hour. But in the meantime, you must know, Apollo is injured. I thought you'd want to see him." Thinking of Enyo I said.
"Where is he?"
~~~
Apollo was worse off than I thought. His face was bruised and he was bleeding. I stayed with him until it was time to go meet Hades. He didn't wake, but he was breathing. His mind was mending itself.
I stood up slowly, taking my time just in case he woke. He didn't and I grabbed my sword and bow. This was personal.
The war was about to really begin.
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Okay the next chapter is the negotiations. So, since its short it will take about until Sunday to write. If it is posted that day is up to you. So lets say, 10-15 votes for it to be posted Tuesday. 15-20 votes will have it posted Monday. 20 or more (and this is wishful thinking here) will have it posted ASAP on Sunday. Your choice. If I get less than 10 you wait until Wednesday unless I get REALLY good comments. Ciao!