Battle of The Gods

Preparing for the underworld is difficult given what little information is known about the realm. At best, there are tales from the handful that have ventured in and survived. The most famous are from Hercules yet even those tales have been transformed after many years.

“Our actions have been noticed by now, I’m sure they will stand in our way. My question to you is are you willing to stand against the gods of your people?” Nikolas asked.

“That goes without saying. Will the Titans be punished for helping us?” Theodoros asked.

“I doubt it, the Titans are far too powerful for any further punishment. I’m sure you’re all aware of this but I’ll extend the warning, do not underestimate the gods. Even if they are new, they will be powerful. I will also offer this to you all.” Nikolas rests his hand on the hilt of his sword. “I will take the responsibility if you do not wish to bear it.”

“I’d like to avoid killing them.” Atalanta said. “At worst, we can hold them off as you make way for the underworld. We may be able to convince them as well as her sacrifice is now void with your return.”

“That would be ideal, it seems I should prepare for her wrath instead.”

“You should, she can be frightening.” Nikos said.

“We wish you luck, but we won’t help there.” Atalanta said, the three laughing as they share many memories of an angered Calista.

The door to the underworld is a temple north of Mount Olympus. Mortals and Olympians alike stray away from the temple by nature as the temple fends off visitors with a curse. Like a protective charm, the temple remains safe, though the true challenge is within.

As Nikolas expected, the gods of Olympus are waiting for them as they reach the top. Alexios, inheritor of Ares’s seat. Helen, inheritor of Aphrodite’s seat. Ourantos, inheritor of Zeus’s seat. Pelagon, Inheritor of Poseidon’s seat.

“Hearing your name dragged through the mud saddens me, Nikolas.” Alexios said. “Our world wishes to heal, I beg you not to endanger it. To you all as well; as Olympians you must understand why their relationship cannot be.”

“Nikolas’s name has returned, Alexios. It means Calista must return as the deal is broken.” Atalanta said.

“That was the god slayer’s decision, neither of those in the making of the deal broke it. She shall remain where she belongs.” Helen said.

“No matter what you say, we are going to retrieve her.” Theodoros said.

“Entering the underworld is a grave crime, we will stop you by force if we must.” Ourantos said.

“You underestimate us.” Nikos said.

“You are overconfident in your abilities.” Pelagon said.

Alexios reaches for his sword. “Not another-”

All four gods raise their guards and draw their weapons as Nikolas steps forward. Like prey encountering their greatest predator, they fear what appears before them. No longer just Nikolas, the true nature of the god slayer appears before them.

“Twelve gods, thousands of Olympian soldiers, countless mortals, I slew them all. What makes you believe you stand a chance against me?” Nikolas draws his sword. “Move aside, I’m simply retrieving someone who does not belong in the underworld.”

“You are making a mistake, Nikolas. You and her can never be together. Such is law. Cruel and unjust perhaps, but even I cannot defy it.”

“I ask you to step aside one last time.”

“You do not scare me; you’re far from your prime.”

Alexios and Nikolas begin to fight, their swords meeting and their initial strength equal as the others begin their own battle.

Atalanta faces Helen who summons a whip of light but is unable to hit the shapeshifting Olympian.

“Annoying imbecile!” Helen said.

Atalanta's constant transformations make it impossible to hit her, her counterattack bow strike even manages to cut Helen’s arm.

Across the temple, Theodoros and Ourantos face off in a battle of magic. Ourantos summons lighting to strike Theodoros but is countered by Theodoros sending a large blast of fire his way.

“To think you can use magic now.” Ourantos said.

“You’ll be surprised what more I can do.” Theodoros said.

“It’s over!” Pelagon strikes through Nikos with his trident only for the body to disperse into smoke.

“Hey! Keep that nuisance over there.” Helen said.

“Damn it.”

As Nikos keeps Pelagon at bay, he’s also able to aid his friends in their own battles. A warning, a smokescreen, even a small ball of magic to distract the magic, Nikos has no interest in his own victory, but for total victory on the battlefield.

“You’ll never be able to catch me.” Nikos said.

“You’re a coward then.” Pelagon said.

“So be it.”

“Out of my way Alexios!” Nikolas pushes Alexios back. “Do you believe you will be any different from my previous battles?”

“I will be! For I do not fight for myself. I will protect this world, or give my life for it!”

Their battle of steel continues, each demonstrating the best swordsmanship on the planet, an even match that surpasses even the best sword users of the old gods. Alexios’s merit has always been known, but even Nikolas underestimated his skill.

“Then your life will end today!” Nikolas strikes through Alexios’s sword, kicking him away after winning the exchange. “Kneel.”

“I refuse.” Alexios removes his armor; a single mistake will be the end so he has no need for it. “I’m disappointed in you, Nikolas. I always held you in high regard, I knew of the truth. The gods fought for their own selfish desire, you and your team for the world. But now, you have become just like them.”

“Quiet! This is a different cause. I fight for her; she has no reason to suffer in the underworld. If you dare step in my way again, I will not show mercy. Move.”

“You will have to kill me. But I ask that you do so without such hatred overtaking you Nikolas, a warrior of your caliber should not allow himself to be overwhelmed by such emotion.”

“What?” Nikolas looks to his blade wielding hand, dropping his sword as he realizes his state of mind. His mind travels back to the memories of the god slayer. “To think I would go visit her in such a state. But that is no longer who I am.”

“Can a man who derives his power from hatred fight without it?”

“He can. For it was once admiration. Although, I once believed the world could only change through force and fought with hatred. I watched as the world fell apart without such force. And yet, in weeks, her kindness and intelligence changed my perspective once more. Alexios, if nothing else, you know better than I that she does not belong in the underworld.”

Alexios sits down, the man across from him no longer wishing to fight. The man across from him is no longer one he is willing to fight.

“I agree. But even she cannot prevent the fallout from your marriage. If you can promise that you will only bring her back, and seek no further, then I will allow you to pass.”

Nikolas sits next to Alexios. “Do you know why you were chosen?”

“Because I am worthy of a seat.”

“Yes, but the reason for that is that you were the first Olympian to question the gods directly. The first with such bravery, there was no better candidate than you. But I imagine it must not be easy to carry such responsibility.”

“I only did what I believed was right, nothing more.”

“Say, do you not question the old laws then?”

Alexios sighs. “I do. Amongst the many that I question, marriage between mortals and Olympian is a strange law. As I see it, it was made to keep mortals powerless. But, Nikolas, you must understand that if there is even a hint of truth to it then it could be disastrous. I do not wish to bring them any more harm.”

“Neither do I. You have my word, I will protect it for her, and I will protect all that she loves.”

“Swear it then.” Alexios raises his hand. “Swear upon your name Nikolas. Your life for theirs, your life for the world.”

“My life and my very soul. On the name of Nikolas, the bringer of disaster, I will sacrifice everything if I must.”

“Fine then. God slayer, no, Nikolas, I wish you luck. Return Calista to where she belongs.” Alexios stands and claps, stopping the other battles as he does. “We’re leaving.”

“What?!” Helen grabs Alexios’s neck. “You coward! You may have lost your fight but we are not done.”

“He did not lose.” Nikolas said. “He fought with conviction and righteousness whereas I fought with anger and fear, any longer and he would have found victory.”

“You give me too much credit. I will take responsibility for any harm to come, but killing each other will do us no good. Such is the burden of a god; we must make the best decision for the future. You three.” Alexios smiles at Nikos, Theodoros, and Atalanta. “I expect you in the Abode of Gods very soon. Until then.”

Against Helen’s cries, the gods return to Mount Olympus by light.