Chapter Text
Chapter 2/Part 2
Two days later in the morning,I woke up at the front of the new gates with a large group of women dressed in armour waiting for my arrival.I didn’t expected that the amazons will come so quickly,but I guess that lord Ares doesn’t really want for his secret to be revealed.It would ruin his reputation and his relationship with the other gods.Weeell,good for me!I was now standing on the opposite side,preparing for their entering.
‚Your grace,are you sure of this?I heard that the amazons are pretty violent and wild!’asked Daphne.Behind me,many servants were following me closely,custom which became usual for me,since the crown was put on my head.
‚I am very confident that through this way, we can protect our land better,so don’t worry !’I reassured them,even though I am also a little worried that my plans will not work as I want.
As the large gates opened,the feminin warriors started marching forward,lead by a tall woman,middle-aged ,riding a white strong horse.When they stopped ,she descended on the ground and took off her silver helmed .Her black hair was braided and a pair of brown eyes started scanning me.Her slender,but strong body radiated power and respect.I straightened my posture,hoping that I would do the same and looked at her smiling with confidence. She bent down and after her,the other amzons followed.She clearly must be a general or a commander.
‚We welcome with respect Queen Kore !We are now under your commands!’said all in unison and then regained their posture.’
‚It is an honor to be served by the most powerful and desceplined soldiers in all Greece!I hope we will get along well!’I spoke as I had learned from mother and Hera.’You have traveled a lot to get here,so please follow me to your living arrangements!’ I continued.
Since the day of the talk with my brother,I have prepared places for the warrior women to stay ,next to the training grounds and stables,for them to train and to take care of the horses.It took some time to get along with my servants,but they managed to come to an agreement. After they started accomadating, the leader of the group approched me,while I was conducting some satyrs to move carts of supplies in the little caverns lying in the nearby hill,where I had decided to create a bunker in case of emergencies.
‚Excuse me your highness,but can I have a word with you?’
‚Oh,of course,but please,I don’t prefer to be called like that!I would like to be refered as my lady !’
‚Sure,my lady!I am commander Asteria,one of our queen’s most trusted people !’
,Pleasure to make acquaintaces!I am glad that I get to colaborate with such a remarkable woman !’I responded smiling warmly.From the corner of my eyes,I could see the woman noticibly blushing.Was she shy?
‚Let’s walk for a bit while talking,shall we?’she nodded and with that,we started going through the temple’s gardens full of colorful flowers.Many bees were flying without worry,working hard to carry the sweet polen.I directed my gaze towards the amazon who was admiring the graceful roses and daisies.I was surprised to see this how such a buff person can be so delicate.’So what is it ,general Asteria?’
‚My lady! Lord Ares sent word to us so suddenly and ordered us to come as fast as possible to you ! It was just so sudden!I want to know more about how you want to use us and why you called out for us!’said the amazon,now looking at me with a serious expression.I sighed.I guess she doesn’t trust a young ruler such as I.
‚I presume that you all know about the new war that has just started’and when she nodded,I continued.’Hearing that the enemies are getting closer and closer to our region makes me feel very nervous about the safety of my people and I want to protect them at all costs!The Olympians are all preocupied on the battlefield and also the olympus’ army,so how could I ask them for their help?I read lots of books about you, the amazons,daughters of Ares,the god of war,strong and well prepared...’I turned and started to watch the sun going down and preparing for his sleep’You are the only hope for me and rest of us,so please,aide us!'and with that I extended my hand to her. She looked at me ,with large ,emotional eyes and red tint on her cheeks.She almost reminded me of my sister,Zoe...
Asteria held my hand with both of her palms and knelt in front of me.’We,the amazons,will obey your orders with pleasure,Queen Kore!’
At her remark,I genuinely smiled.’Thank you very much!’When she stood up again,I declaired’I want as many amazons to watch the gronds from the walls,and three times a day,please form a patrol made ot of your most trustworthy warriors!I will personally go out with you !’
‚Are you sure,my lady?’asked the general surprised.
‚You’ll find out soon,lady Asteria,that I am a goddess that is true to her word!’and with that,I left her in the garden,still processing my words.I am relieved that my plans are starting to work. My people will sure be safe!Still,I couldn’t shake the feeling,that something bad will show up in the near future.
Yet another succesful campain in the north!Soon enough,Athens will be ours!And then Olympus!I wonder how will it feel to finaly tell my brother of my existence,about how I lived hundreds of years in the dark,with no love,no parties,no social life,no family...He doesn’t even know that he has an older sibling other than Poseiden.How will it feel to cut his head and throw it into the dephts of Tartarus,his ichor spilled on my face and on his throne,where I will finally stay upon.All of his rights and things will mine,the first son of Kronos.
When we arrived at our camp,hid in a vast valley sorounded by mountains,the sun was starting to descend under the peeks glistening with white snow.Seeing us coming,the people were freting and making us place.To my right,commander Charon was watching the beatiful twilight ,while riding his black horse,behind me ,the fury sisters were laughing loudly and whispering cruel ideas of punishment,and in my left,Lord Acheron ,one of the gods who helped me with conquering the throne of the Underworld,remained in his blissful silence,with his gaze fixed on the dark presence of my mother,who was fast approaching,wearing her transparent veil,accompanied by some nymphs,her court ladies.
‚Welcome,everyone!I see that you have succeded yet again!Our kingdom is forever victorious as always!’she said,after I stoped Cerberus right before her.Even tough the gigantic dog was overshadowing her in size,the powerful sight of Nyx,the night itself seemed to make us all small,even me sometimes.I got off the hell’s dog and leaned my face forward as for courtesy,I then looked up to all the other beings in the camp and said proudly.
‘Here,we bring the sign of our victory!’and from my girdle,I took out the flag of Thebes,with their sacred band shield in the middle and a little bit burned.’Your help and presence here was of great importance,and your efforts will be rewarded soon with our victory in Athens,where we will show this realm the Underworld’s power!’Everyone applauded and started to scream with joy their support for me, their king .I looked at mother and saw her wicked smile.Surely,she was pleased that her plans were working,but I wonder what is her next target?
The stars of the dark bright sky were glowing shyly above earth and the bright Selene was riding her white horse along her plain realm.I have never seen her in action,although she lives in the Underworld with Helios,their punishment for fighting beside my father,Kronos .I entered my tent,where some servants took off my armour and bathed me.My body was full of old and new scars,and the blood which turned the water in a pale redish colour was mostly my enemies’.It was a battle like all the others.It wasn’t hard to defeat the olympian army,but it feels like the time spent here is useless,without purpose. The dead can’t stay for long periods of time in the overworld,and that’s why our victories take longer to obtain.For me,it felt like a year,but my campaign has already lasted ten years.Even though I want to kill my brother so bad,I need to do what is best for my people.
After my bath,I chose a black cloth with golden accessories to wear,some long metal sandals that covored my knees,some long protective bracelets and a long cloack made out of a black bear’s hide.Finally,I put my obsidian crown,decorated with small little gems and while preparing myself to leave,Thanatos,one of my most trusted subordinates entered the tent.
I sighed’How many times will you come to me anonounced?If you weren’t my brother,maybe I would’ve already killed you!’
Thanatos didn’t even flinch,just adopted his innocent face like always’I am sorry,Your Highness!Old habits die hard!’I remember when I first entered the Underworld,Thanatos,who was younger than me, tried his best to help me adapt.Looking at him now, tall, strong and athletic,with his white hair put in a small bun and sharp golden eyes,it makes me think of my past self,when I was a just weakling.I smile in my head.
‘So,state your report!’I commanded.
‘Well,our delegates reported that Olympus’ wants to sign a treaty with you.It was pretty hard for them to convince Zeus with this agreement,but even he doesn’t want to lose anymore territories.’After he finished his statement ,I started to laugh.
‘Cowards!When the things don’t turn in their favor,even then they try their best to make it their way! My dear Than, shall we go to our meeting with Mistress Nyx ?’I asked.He nodded and togheter,we walked through tired soldiers,horses and passed by my sleepy Cerberus,with his three heads each resting on a pile of withered flowers. Next to a small forest,a tent rose mighty and unusual.Entering alongside Thanatos,mother,seated on her chair, which looked almost like a throne,smiled at the sight of her two boys coming togheter.She wore exactly the same clothes from our arrival .At her right, General Acheron looked at us emotionless and at her left,Hypnos,Thanatos’ little brother,was tiredly writing on his scrolls.Charon sat in corner quietly watching and playing with a coin,and Lady Lethe stared calmly at us,smiling slithly.
‘Welcome,my dear sons!We were waiting for you!’she said and I took my seat at one end of the table.Imediatly after that ,the others followed.’Let’s proceed with this meeting!’I proclaimed and a blissful silence covered the room.
‘Thanatos,dear,please inform us about the Underworld’s state!’started Nyx.
‘Well,everything is doing well!Lady Hekate takes very good care of the internal affairs,but there have been some issues with Tartarus!Without King Hades,some souls managed to escape,but fortunately they were captured before even fleeing!’reported the god.
‘I don’t see any problem with that!We will soon reach our goal and conquer Mount Olympus!Tartarus can wait a little bit!’said mother.
‘With all due respect,Queen Dowager,but what if the rates of these escapades will increase?Or maybe even the titans will try to make a run for it,if our King’s influence there will grow too weak?’commented goddess Lethe.Even though she was pretty quiet,her sharp mind has never left without a word to say.
‘I think my son needs to decide this,wouldn’t you think so?’mother responded and looked at me with a knowing look.Trough all this coverstion,I stood quiet,but I knew that eventually I would need to agree with Nyx in the end.She has the influence and the power that I need.I can’t oppose her,at least for now.’Our mistress is right!Soon enough we shall return victorious in this war,so no need to worry!’I responded and after my decision was taken,Thanatos reported all about what we discussed earlier,the sudden treaty for peace.
‘Haha!They are really desperate,I see!’said General Acheron.’I can already see them running with their tails put between their legs!’
‘But,couldn’t it be a trap?To lure us in to the agreement and then stab our backs?’remarked Hypnos.
‘With what?Because we stopped our trades with them,they certainly have many problems with stocking and economy!Fortunatly,their last hope is Poseidon,who is a helping them with money and supplies!But how much can that seahorse do?’
‘We need to show them that we will not stop until the Univers is ours!’I could see how Nyx’ wheels were running through her head,concevieng a new plan which seemed pretty vicious.’How about destroying an entire mortal city?’silence ruled over the entire tent.
‘What?’and I turned to see that the God of Death spoke.’What is our right as gods to take the lives of so many mortals?For how much time are we going to continue our life as monsters?’Rage fuelled his word.’For ten years,I needed to carry so many innocent souls in the Underworld!Children,women and men who had no sin!We as gods should protect the humans,not destroy them!’I was stunned to hear his words,his courage to confront his mother,the night itself.Mother was burning inside with a stong fury and I couldn’t let him be burned by it.
‘Lord Thanatos!Leave the meeting room right now!’I ordered calmly and without even a glint of emotion on my face.
‘What?Brother!You can’t let this be!’He said shocked.This was starting to infuriate me.Couldn’t he see that I am trying to help him?
‘I ordered you to go!’I said firmly looking into his eyes and the ground started to shook slightly under his feet.Frustrated and embarassed,he left the tent without a word,creating a gush of wind in his trail.After a few moments of silence,I started the conversation.’So what do you propose,queen dowager?
‘A demonstration of force!’she said’It is something simple,especially if we use our catapults!Question is:what city should we attack?’at her question,Lord Acheron responded.
‘The target should be something symbolic for the god that has damaged severly our army.In all our battles,Demeter has fought like a true warrior with cold blood and took out many soldiers,so logically we should attack Eleusis,where her cult is located.We should even try to invade her land,since she left and gave full authority to her daughter.’
‘That’s right!As always,your brilliance is most appreciated,General!’Nyx complimented him.I just stood there and thought about everything.The goddess of agriculture was smart and wouldn’t just let someone incompetent rule her land.At least,that was my opinion,but who would listen to me?The mother who has all the power and just wants more?I need to soon grow my own influence,but it was difficult to do it alone,without help.When I started to complot for the Underworld’s throne,I thought things would be different,but even if I was more powerful than everyone there,I couldn’t be king if the people didn’t support me.That’s true monarchy!Even the most powerful beings need alies!
After agreeing to the two’s proposition,I went straight to to my tent,where Thanatos awaited for me.You could really read the frustration on his face,the quirked eyebrows, the gloomy eyes…He was an open book!He pierced at me with same look and started to talk.
‘I am sorry,Hades!I know I could have been just chopped off by my mother that moment and I thank you for helping me,but…’he paused and stared to the ground.’It’s just doesn’t feel right to kill so many humans.I need to carry them every day to the Underworld and Styx is constantly filled with souls.Every day is becoming more and more tiring and sad.I am sorry to take up your time!I know you have a lot on our plate!’he finished.I looked down at him,being a lot taller than him and replied coldly.’Wars always mean bloodshed and death,but I don’t mind your opinion!Tomorrow, we will go ahead to explore the area where Eleusis is located!It will be easier for us to know where shall we put our catapults!’
This years passed like wind,the seasons changed in a repeated cycle and my rule has lasted certainly longer than expected.I haven’t seen my mother for ages,but from what Hermes said,she defenetly has a cold shoulder for the Underworld’s army,who unfortunately appeares to be getting closer and closer to our region.I increased the potrols and my program became more busier than ever.Every day,at dawn,lunch and sunset,I have to accompany the amazons in their walk through the land, which is pretty pleasant,because I can relax a bit from the piles of paperwork in which I had buried myself in.The conquered lands were burned from the ground and I had to send supplies in the south for the refugies and the Olympian army.They were so many,that I had to recalculate all the grains we produce in a year,to increase the production and save some for the people who live here.Luckly,I like maths,so it doesn’t feel as stressing as it sounds.
‘Your Highness!General Asteria is waiting for you!’said Daphne and bowed her head gracefully.
‘Please tell her I will arrive as soon as possible!’and before she exited my words slipped’Daphne,are you alright?’I asked her,seing that her mood was a little off.Under her eyes,you could slightly see a darker shade of skin tone.Has she not been sleeping well these days?
‘Oh!Yes!Of course I’m fine!Better than ever before, my lady!’she said laughing awkwardly.I let her be,knowing that it is not my business to interfere with and went straight to my room,where I found my patrol uniform resting on the bed.After a quick bath,I put it on and accesorised it with my golden armour and metal leggings.I never wore my crown while going out.It would be risky if there were any Underworld spies or soldiers around. The windows were open,letting the light caress the cold marble walls.It was autumn,and because the sun was situated much farther fromearth,there was a certain chill in the air that made me shiver while taking my clothes on.
I exited the temple and I was welcomed by the fresh smell of wheat,flowers,vegetables and fruits.The fall was the busiest time of the year and because of the war,we need to make provisions and also send resources to other regions in need.I am a little bit uneasy,because Hades’ army just conquered Thebes,a major powerhouse in the peninsula.That’s why I also spend some gold on developing our defences,the amazons’ armour and weapons.So far,we’ve managed to survive with what we had and there have been no complaints.
Returning back to reality, I woke up surrounded by a few nymphs and satyrs that started to ask me about some tasks and about my condition. It was so nice to be seen as someone special,to be respected and cherished.The people loved me, because I had a different view of the world from Demeter, my mother. I was kinder and more fresh,like the spring that is under my control.
I arrived at the stables,where Asteria and some other amazons were waiting.By now,I already knew all about them.Me and their general really created a special bond throughout this ten years and it was a pleasure to spar with such remarkable worriors.
‘Lady Kore!Good to see you!’said Asteria,and the others followed.
‘Sorry for being late,girls,but I had loads of work to do!’I responded awkwardly.
‘No problem,queen!Shall we start our patrol?’asked Diana,one of Asteria’s subordinates.She leads me to my horse and her brown long hair skilfully braided,reminded me of the days when my Zoe was just a little girl and always wanted to try new hairstyles with me!Oh,How I miis those blissful moments!
I mounted my strong white horse and after ordering the opening of our gates,our little patrol started to gallop towards the outskirts of our lands.I was happy when I saw some amazons on the walls that we’ve built,glad that my people will be safe while I’m out.At the same time,this outing brought me just the peace that I have desired all along.The wonderful sunset,the enchanting serenade of birds,the feeling of wild nature.I have known this land for all my life.Every flower,every tree that have grown in the grasp of my magic still taint my memory . In the West and South,an old forest protects us for centuries from the dangers of the outer world and in the east stands our city,Eleusis,where our cult and presence persists.We head towards dawn’s direction where we can overlook the eleusian people,minding their own business and lives.Such insignificant creatures,yet so special and important for us ,gods.
Like every time,the warrior women set up a little campside for us to stay and watch comfortably the green fields filled with color.In my moment of liberty,free of duties and responsabilities,I usually enter the forest,that is pretty close from our little settlement and enjoy the vibrant pulses of life that flows through the ground and air and remember small little moments of my childhood,when I looked at the sky for the stars and the lonely moon represented by Titaness Selene or when I hunted with Artemis,my step sister.This time,I have decided to go deeper into the dark forest.I took with me,as always,my spear and a small sword just in case there are wild and hostile animals roaming around here.And who even knows?Maybe some enemy soldiers.
Arriving in small clearing,I headed towards a small stream,flowing through the trees,that were now even darker,because of the arrival of night.I was never scared of darkenss.In fact,sometimes I was drawn to it,felt it in my bones and veins.In my head,at times,I could feel the presence of someone calling for me,telling me to follow her.I was scared at first,as I was young and inexperienced,but with time I blocked that hollow voice and locked somewhere deep in my consciousness.I took a sip of fresh water to end my thirst and started looking at my reflection.In thr moving image,I could clearly destinguish my golden locks,the green shimering eyes,my little nose and the few freckles that covered my cheeks.This was the portret of the perfect daughter,the princess sought out for her beaty and power by all the pretenders in Greece,a life created for me by my mother to follow.I am always grateful for every moment of it,but it is not the life that I chose.In my vision,I see myself as a worrior,a traveler, a powerful ruler that conquers everything in its path and I see myself sometimes sorounded by my own family,with children dancing around me and a strong husband holding me tight with love.Unfortunately,it is all a dream,made up in my head.I will never be totally free and my husband will not be for me to choose. ‘Crack-‘a sound interrupted the silence of my thoughts.I returned my vision toward the water and in paic,I saw how the white part of my eyes was now turning in shade of purple.Out of nowhere,the dark presence that I've always tried to ignore, started spreading its words like an echo in my mind. ’Behind you…’ Then,a cold shiver ran down my spine and I knew that a shadow was near me.
With adrenaline and an unknown power rushing through my veins,I took the spear and attacked with brutality the enemy made of shadows.