STORY 1: PAWNS AND ROOKS

By: Amanda A. Hilliard “Shadowstar”

**This is a prelude to the climax of my six stories. Most characters mentioned here were in at least one of my past six stories. A character guide should be written soon so that the backgrounds of the characters are more clear. This takes place after “Hunters Moon,” “A Dying Light,” and at this time, Flicker is whole (this will hopefully be explained in stories that are missing in this gap).**

~”In your head, they are fighting with their tanks and their bombs and their bombs and their guns. In your head, they are crying.” ~Zombie: The Cranberries~

~For those who seek answers, there will be an answer~

CHAPTER 1: Visions

The images streamed through Shadowstar’s mind like an echo from the future laced with the past... a prophecy of fear. The cries shattered through her conscience as the faeries were drowned in a blood bath of violence. Her friends fell around her feet by the sword of an unseen villain. Puck, Allison, Rhayna, Oberon, Titania... all fell. She ran along the mud and tripped over the putrid and decrepit remains of death... echoes from the past were haunting her mind today... as were visions of the future entangling in her mind. As the land dropped from below her... water around her arms... raging gods and evils swarmed above her head... she was to weak to fight it...

“Flicker,” she gasped as the waters poured over her head.

She watched the past with her own eyes. As the waters pulled her under, the two became one... the Flicker’s emerged into their rightful essence... whole... and lightening shattered through him and struck the water below.

Shadowstar screamed as the electricity crippled her in a sheer pain, and her eyes flew wide to take in reality. The morning light bounced off of her pale skin and entered her eyes. She quickly sat up in her bed and pulled her knees close up to her chest. Her body lurched with rapid breathing as the shades of the dream trickled away... but not to be forgotten.

“The past haunts me... as does the future,” Shadowstar whispered rolling back onto the soft down pillow.

The gargoyle like faery rested to her side and stared at the silver clad bracelet on her arm... she is no longer Kindred but still used their sorcery to remain flesh like the faeries.

“And why shouldn’t I? I’m half fae,” she replied justifying her reasoning.

Her life was one giant web of lies. For 500 years, Shadowstar believed herself to be an invulnerable, all powerful gargoyle. She was told her memories became lost when she was given the gift of immortality... recently, the truth was revealed through painstaking memories that were pried from her mind. She, in fact, was born over 2000 years ago of Oberon’s eldest, Rhayna, and the gargoyle Midnight. Her power was weak but the potential stood. The Kindred took notice and stole her away to their realm. Every time Shadowstar found it within herself to leave, they stole her memories and she once more remained a puppet. Shadowstar, in fact, was not a lone soul, a being without family... She had a mother, a sister, a brother, and what remains uncertain... is a daughter... The years of Kindred manipulation brought her more pain than a sould should bear, but the years gave her skill and an unbreakable will.

“They thought they could wait out their time... I would never know the truth... bide your time and before I die by the hands of the Olympians, they make their final strike... but I survived, Iara... I escaped it... and I remain... faceless,” she sighed rolling over to face the large window.

The winter sun broke through the glass and filled the dim room with a cold light. The medieval style gave her a feel of days of old... Her eyes remained helpless as her will became weak. For even 5 months ago, she was Shadowstar, the all powerful and majestic... and now, her heart is so lost... and she feels unwanted, unloved, betrayed...

“My identity.. is lost,” she frowned sensing a presence walking down the hallway.

Shadowstar pulled her blanket up over her head wanting to ivade any visitors. Not even Flicker’s presence was enough to change the heavy feeling that clenched to her heart.

“...and the future is going to be the most painful,” she mumbled feeling an object wrap around her ankle.

“Wake up!” A comical voice replied trying to pull Shadowstar off the foot of the bed.

Flicker had his whip woven around her. She gripped the bed telekinetically not to be bothered by the games of the newly rejuvenated faery.

“Come on, Shadow. You can’t hide all day,” he replied yanking at the whip.

“Can’t I?” she remarked pulling the whip away from Flicker.

Surprisingly, her surge of power and temper took Flicker with it. Flicker was lifted off of the ground and soared on a direct coarse with the wall. She released her power which brought him down over the bed and his elbow into her back. He bit his lip hoping not to anger her... it wasn’t fair to him, but he always had to walk on egg shells not wanting to cause the temper to react. These past weeks have been trying on both of them.

“Ouch,” she grumbled clearly unaffected.

She sighed knowing fully that her attitude was harsh...

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled from under the tan blanket.

Flicker nodded his head sympathizing for her yet not understanding why Shadowstar refused to share his pain. He was not fully from this reality. When Ladybug created him from the mirror, a shard broke away from the whole. Two realities touched and tore away essential emotions and control. The shard was the Flicker that Shadowstar had loved completely and fully. When the ‘real’ Flicker pulled Shadowstar through his birth mirror, pieces slowly came together and it was realized that the shard had to be reunited with the whole to survive. He knows that only a piece of himself is the one she loved, but the emotions merged with his own. He sees what the other saw... and is marveled by it. He is the shard as it is him.

“Do you really think you are the only one hurting in these days?” Flicker replied gruffly looking down at the blanketed gargoyle wishing she’d appear, “You aren’t the only one who has to accept a new life. Hell, I suddenly have emotions for a gargoyle who I’ve only met twice before hand... Geez, I’ve also got a whole new set of memories. Who is the Asher character that I remember? How about Athena? Geez, Shadowstar.”

“I am not a gargoyle,” She mumbled stretching her arms above her head to rest.

He stared at the scarred talon with his now intense green eyes. It was almost futile for him to argue with the queen of all stubbornness. He ran his fingers over the scars that lined her talon... they were from a mirror. She twitched her fingers and loved the touch of his skin.

“You know I’m not going to just go away. I have vowed my life to protect you more than once... and you know we both need each other,” he told and flopped down onto his back, the more serious side of his character taking effect.

Why did she remain so selfish until the end? Life causes people to do things the never could have imagined they’d do.

She clenched her scarred talon and started speaking, “A year ago, I would have never imagined that I of all people would be so self absorbed... and never pick up my head to look at somebody else’s problems,” Shadowstar replied taking the blanket off of her head.

She sat up with her feet hanging off the side smoothing back her black hair. She slouched her shoulders forward and lowered her head fully generating the depressed mode set forth from her dream.

Flicker watched her closely. This was not the same Shadowstar he knew. Something was backing this emotion in her... and he had to know what it was.

“There’s something else,” Flicker stated sitting up and placing his hands on her shoulders.

She placed her talons on his hand, “Come, look at this.”

She stood up and took Flicker over to the large window. They took in the constantly thriving forest of Avalon as the winter wind remained cold and harsh.

“What do you see?” She questioned.

“Avalon, you loon,” he laughed wrapping his arms around Shadowstar’s ever thinning body, a body that once was very strong.

“What if I told you I see a blood bath coming to these shores?”

Flicker took in a deep breath and let it out not wanting to recall the events that occurred in his reality... a massive massacre... and she was the only thing that could keep him together.

“Please no more talk of war... it grows old after awhile.”

“You don’t understand, Flicker... you haven’t been here long enough to know what is to come,” she replied resting her head back on his shoulder.

“I know what I’ve seen, and please... can we forget of all the Olympians and war... I do have those memories, Shadow... let’s focus on us,” Flicker told looking down on her weakening figure, “You used to be strong... this war is breaking you>”

She closed her eyes and turned around to fall into Flicker’s arms. His lightheartedness was a barrier as was her intensity.

“I know... it will break all of us,” She replied recalling all her dreams sent her... death.

Flicker sensed the pain emanating from her psyche. He had seen much bloodshed and understood the fear of the inevitable. Yet, all they could do for each other was be there.

And somewhere, the dead was laughing.

CHAPTER 2: Alpha

Death surrounded the cool depths of Hades. The darkness swarmed his armor only to let in few hints of light. Dark eyes crept through the air waiting... the Olympians had to bide their time, and now, the waiting is coming to an end.

Hades smirked in a sinister fashion as the air shifted quickly and dust rose from the dreary ground. The messenger was arriving with the awaited news. The wing footed god stopped at the foot of death’s throne. Hermes smirked and looked at Hades with villainous eyes.

“The day has finally arrived... all the pawns are finally set... and Shadowstar is too weak to even be a threat,” Hermes rambled on.

“Ah yes, our dear Shadowstar... funny how the mighty always falls. Despite Eutaru’s faliur to kill her and that damned virus of Hestia, she was left very weakened, by no fault of our own. Hehe, oh how the Kindred have helped us. And so it comes, the Olympians will walk again,” Hades said sitting back in his darkness.

Hermes stood in front of his living brother feeling the echo in the silence. He, of all, were waiting to feel the freedoms of life. Here, he was servant to Hades... and on Olympus, he was servant to himself.

“Fetch Ares and Uly... its time to start building our rooks,” Hades commanded as Hermes took flight through the dark caverns.

For years, Hades has construed a plot to tear Avalon from Oberon’s hand. It would have been so simple if Shadowstar had not arrived. Her presence indirectly foiled every plot Hades had constructed: Hellfury, Eutaru, the death of Jeremy Nathanial... but in the midst of the failed plots, he learned where the weaknesses lie. And now, the plot is constructed to a perfection that can’t be denied. Power be to the gods.

“Avalon will be mine,” Hades growled under his breath as shadows entered the cavern of Hades’ throne.

Hermes stopped his swift feet as the dust and air settled around him, “The players have arrived,” Hermes said slyly exiting in the speed in which he arrived.

“Hardly players... they’re our first front,” Hades replied to himself standing up form his throne.

Ares and Uly walked across the shower of darkness knowing that the time has come. They watched death stand and come forth in the dim stream of light that rippled across his armor seemingly illuminating his evil and pride.

“The game begins,” Ares replied as his war like stance ran forth from his brown eyed stare.

“It began when Avalon was born and Oberon took it’s mystical reigns. We are now going to finish it... for all things have come together.”

“My sister, Brie, has gone back to Avalon?” Uly questioned gripping his katana with metallic gloves.

“No, but she will... in good time, Uly. You will be sending her home, to hell.”

Uly walked around the room contemplating Hades’ words and questioning his own motives. His black hair tossed and trailed to mix into the darkness surrounding. He was indeed the youngest of Oberon’s first born children. His love for power and destruction took him to death’s doors, and when his sisters challenged Hades and failed, he was condemned to forever serve Hades... and now, his emerald eyes hate. The grey streak that angled down his face showed his heritage which means nothing to him... nothing to anybody... He looked up to the silent Hades and straightened his grey tunic preparing himself for a strike on his own emotions and his past.

“What is your plan?” Uly questioned gruffly both hiding the doubts that he had in himself, not wanting Hades to see through them.

“Why, Uly, you sound unwilling?” Hades taunted.

“Hardly.”

Hades flicked his hand, and two flames scorched along the wall electrifying the room with light. Hades stepped down from the throne with a metallic thump on the ground. Uly stopped pacing as Hades walked up to Ares and Uly. His dark eyes met theirs as he began explaining his villainous plot.

“The first front is ready to form and you two are it. The only way to win this war is to free you to your immortal status. We’ve tried it before. I can revive vampire, gargoyle, humans... but not gods. The potential lies in Oberon’s children. Combined, they outpower Zeus in his fullest.”

“They would never comply! Not even for Ares would Brie do such,” Uly stated realizing his protectiveness of his own family despite the atrocities that had occurred.

“No, the unknowing, the vulnerable, the children.”

“Continue,” Ares said stroking the rough surface of newly forming whiskers.

“First, you travel to Delphi,” Hades started as he exited the cavern with his rooks.

They guard the walls, build the defense, and sweep away all that lays in front of their views. And now, Tartarus is going to emerge... and there is no one power alive... not even Oberon himself... can challenge the will of the gods.

And the shadows of immortality struck the surface... the winds picked up the sent and took it through the earth... and they eyes of mighty beings raise to the moon for their bones feel it.

CHAPTER 3: The Ties That Bind

Death and immortality laced the air as the moonlight beat upon the back of the vampire called, Roc. He walked through the mysterious Luxembourg forest as a nightly routine. His mind wandered in and out of the events of the past... and much had happened.

Nothing seemed to catch up with him until recently. Wwhen the strange gargoyle, Shadowstar, had appeared to help their people... and Athena... things for him changed, he changed. He grew up.

Roc’s eyes caught glimpse of the moon through a part of the clearing... What it gave him was a feeling of concern.. He looked down and wrapped his cloak around himself shrugging it off. Yet he walked slowly sensing a presence near him, an unseen immortal... one he knew very well.

“Brother,” it whispered mixed with the trees and wind.

Roc looked up widening his brown eyes. How did they know who he was? He spent years hiding from the others. Even his sister who had resided with the vampires did not recognize him, only the Shadowstar knew... but she would never tell.

“Brother, join us once again... Olympus is arising...” Ares’ voice trailed off into the midnight air.

His face faded away to reveal it’s brilliant, true form. Instead of the Spanish, dark hair and dark eyes, golden strands of hair fell in front of his blue eyes, that reflected the sky. The golden armor of a god appeared in place of Gothic clothing. His eyes closed in fear for what will be... he was Apollo, the god of sun... Apollo, the poser... changed to be what he was not to hide from the past.

“What are you going to do now? Nothing but immortal power to the fullest can power you now...” He trailed in thought trying to think like his brethren.

The moon glistened across him as his eyes stared at the ground... and the revelation came to him... “No.. you will not harm my son... for Rhayna’s sake... the past must be broken, once and for all... we are not who we used to be,” Apollo replied teleporting away in a flash of light.

* * *

The Grecian breeze filtered through the temple of Delphi sweeping with it a presence of death and Olympus that no mortal can ever detect. The gaurdian, the slave, of Delphi was hardly a mortal and the feeling opened her sapphire eyes to the moonlight. She knew one of them was coming, but she didn’t know why... The smell of death strengthened as familiar footsteps made its way up the stone steps of Delphi... and ultimately, she was frightened.

“What do they want of me now?” She questioned with resentment coming into her voice.

She looked at the orb of mystical power that centered the back wall. In its heart, remained a babe suspended in time, and Brie’s to protect forever. She slid her mystical sword to generate a shield to hide the orb away with illusion. The glow departed from the room and her three red tears were highlighted no more.

By these markings, she was the second of the triplets of Oberon. When she and her twin sister challenged Hades for the life of their brother and lost, Brie was banished to Delphi, to be it’s guardian, it’s slave. Apollo wanting to spare the hardships on his love, Rhayna, and the child she was bearing, took the child from it’s mother’s womb. And here, in Delphj, Brie is forever bound to watch the child that Apollo took from her sister. And Brie’s pain is that of her sister.

Her eyes watched the doorway as a shadow of her past made its was into the entrance. He smiled upon the amethyst haired girl as her teal and black garments echoed off of the candle light.

“Uly?” She questioned uncertain for she hasn’t seen him over 2000 years.

He made his way closer into the light as Brie stood to meet his green eyes. Her brother has come to light after so long. And yet, she knew his arrival had to have a price. He was a servant of Hades now. He may have once been the loyal subject to Oberon, but now, Brie could only question her brother’s heart.

“Why have you come?” She questioned suspiciously pulling away the black streaks of hair that lay in her eyes.

“Sister, do you not trust me?” Uly questioned with a slight laughter in his voice. “The three have always remained loyal to each other and our father, but we have no clue as to how two thousand years have changed us... and I do not know if your heart lies with Hades or Oberon.”

“Oberon?! He abandoned us to this hell of punishment!”

“He could not defy Zeus!”

“Join me sister once more. Let us travel back to the old days. Be on my side, fight with me,” Uly persuaded placing his hands on Brie’s shoulders.

She backed away and paced across the rom with her thigh high boots striking the ground rhythmic. Her mane of hair followed her every movement as the tails of teal cloth strung from her wast trailed behind her... as Ares focused on the black spandex like shorts that clung to her always well shaped warrior’s legs. Her arms crossed in front of her showing stomach and pinched against the sliver armor that ‘v’ed down her front bound together by black cloth. She was a feminine tomboy, a contradiction in the least.

“Join you?” She cracked laughing at his offer.

“Final revenge.”

“Never, Uly! I do not bow to the feet of any Olympian. Not even Ares himself could make me cower my thoughts. The past is long gone. I have paid for my hate. Have you? No, you cling to it, Uly, and hate the wrong person. Oberon is your father, our father. I will never turn against Avalon and join you in hell!” She sneered stepping closer to her brother with every word.

“I thought you would understand, sister.”

“And I thought you would gain a conscience.”

Uly grabbed Brie’s arm suddenly and twisted it behind her.

“What?!” She screeched.

She could not fight back for Uly’s male strength greatly over powered her.

“I didn’t want it to be this way. Ares!” Uly hollered.

Brie fought back against her brother with her might but failed with a neutralized power. She watched in pain of the soul as her past love entered the temple and walked over to her. His face remained the same as the one she loved and he looked at her with evil in his eyes. The past was seemingly gone...

“So you remain the same, love,” Ares said taking her face into his gloved hands.

“I can’t believe you would be so hateful,” Brie said fighting her brother’s hold.

“You could have taken the easy road. But that’s what I always like about you, you would put up one good fight,” Ares said walking over to the sword, “You don’t think we would guess your secret?” He questioned kicking it across the floor.

The magic rippled way as the light shattered the night. The orb pulsated with the living child. Ares smiled with a sinister evil as he reached out to the orb. Brie’s heart thumped into her lungs as she knew she was helpless to fight against the clear villainy.

“Please, don’t, for the love of our son... Leave Rhayna’s alone!” Brie cried across the temple.

Ares stopped for a second as old memories swept across his heart. He recalled the days when he and Brie were happy walking with immortality... and their son. Asher was but a small boy when Brie was condemned... By Oberon’s request, the children were released of the memories in order to stop further wars. Ares, himself, became one of Hades’s dead and lost further contact with his son. Asher was lost to them when he left during the banishment to humanity.

“Our son is gone, Brie. You might as well blame that on yourself,” He said roughly searing through the orb with god like hands.

“No!” She screamed as Ares took the baby from the protection.

The babe would no longer be safe and would age in time. And he was going to be left tin the hands of demons.

“Ares, please. You were never this heartless,” she said becoming weak and limp against Uly’s arms. Brie felt the turmoil in the hearts of her captors. They were under Hades’ command. To defy him would be to deny any chance of life... and revenge. Ares took the babe into his arms and walked over to Brie. He held her chin up with his hands.

“My head doesn’t go without hurt,” Ares whispered to her with his forever changing tone.

“Then end this,” She whispered with a cracking voice.

“It is out of my hands,” Ares replied kissing Brie gently then stepping away from her.

He and Uly disappeared in a blinding light. Her knees crumbled beneath her as she flopped to the ground in failure. Her body jerked with the heavy sobs of a woman who has lost her livelihood: Her brother, her love, and her mission was settled in failure.

As the shadows departed for other lands, the wind whispered through Delphi and brought forth the scent of another immortal presence that passed by her sorrows. The sun god quickly scurried up the stone stairs hoping his arrival was not late. He stopped suddenly almost toppling forward to his knees. His beautiful eyes of sky beheld the purple mass of hair and heart break.

“No,” He gasped, “I’m too late.”

CHAPTER 4: The Call of the Warriors

Apollo stumbled over his own feet like a father in pain. The agony of seeing his child, his son, missing from his protection.

“Brie,” He replied falling to the faery’s side.

She looked up at the god with tear stained eyes. His face bore a deep agony that only a parent could truly understand. Brie understood and she despised Apollo for what he had done.

“It’s your fault the child is gone,” She sneered wiping the tears away from her eyes.

“But-” he stammered finding no words to answer with.

“You should not have left the child here! You call yourself a parent. That was your son who you should have been raising!”

“And where is your son?” He questioned coldly,” Asher ran away from Avalon because you are here!”

“My son has nothing to do with this! Ares and Uly kidnaped Geoffe because I do not have the power to protect! You should have been here!” She screamed staring directly into the eyes of the god.

Apollo stood up enraged by this position, this cold predicament. He was angered at himself, his fellow gods, Brie, and this temple. His hands swelled up with the fiery energy of the sun. His eyes grew narrow and stared at a design of all Olympians on high.

“I hate all of you!” He roared sending a stream of flame that charred the marble. As the flame dispersed off the wall, Brie pulled her power over her to shield herself by a mad rage of a god. She feared the Olympian as he destroyed his own temple... Delphi...

“The truth? You want the truth! This place will burn by the hand of it’s owner only to destroy the way of the old.. And Avalon will dawn anew... as the Olympians finally fall after their blades have too long ruled...” He roared in a sinister tone pulling our pillars with the strength of the sun. His red cape twisted about his fury, and Brie knew he was finally done bowing to the fear of Zeus.

“I lived in fear and hiding and felt this hate for too long... Olympus is through,” He said summoning all power on the sun.

Brie’s eyes widened in ultimate fear of Apollo’s anger. Never before had Apollo show such a rage. She grabbed her sword and shielded herself from falling rubble. She made her flight towards the door but was stopped dead. Her punishment forbade her to exit Delphi.

“I will surely die today,” She replied as the power of Apollo shattered through everything.

The walls and pillars exploded as it was struck by burning rays of the sun. Brie dove to the ground and summoned all her power around her faery body. The light reflected itself off of her will of strength. Apollo looked at the crumbling walls and at the helpless Brie. He ran over to her and picked her up in his arms.

“I absolve you of any bonds that bind you to Delphi by the name and power of the Styx,” he said quickly running them both through the doors of the temple. He tripped down the steps and they both landed hard on the ground. Apollo watched his temple fall for its final defeat.

“I am no longer an Olympian,” he replied softly.

“What do we do now, Apollo?” Brie questioned softly picking up her sword off the ground.

“Olympus is arising... this has to only be the first part... why didn’t I see it, Brie? Have I lost touch of my heritage so badly?”

“What, Apollo? We don’t have time for these rumblings!”

“Then, quickly, we are returning to Avalon. The defenses must be set.”

“Avalon? We can return home?”

“Yes, and your sister is awaiting her siblings.”

Brie’s eyes perked up with the news of her eldest sister. This day would be one of mixed emotions.

“and does she know of you? The children?”

“My time has been needed elsewhere... I... don’t know... Athena says that she and Allison are reunited... I miss my Sun... She’s supposed to look like me, you know... and the gargoyle child is there, but-”

“She feels abandoned.”

“She should... I feel for the girl even if she isn’t mine...” His voice trailed off in a very gentle tone.

“Come, Apollo, let’s go home, finally.”

Apollo smiled and took the outstretched hand of Brie. As her light of teleportation swarmed around them, Apollo took in the last remains of his once glorious temple and closed his eyes to wash away who he was.

* * *

Athena walked around the castle of Rosell. Medusa watched the immortals that walked around the floor ways. Athena ran her fingers over the pattern embedded in her breast plate recalling the days of old. It has been far past the time of her Olympian status. She now roams with the vampires and faeries, a much kindlier clan.

“What is it?” Jeremy Nathanial, the most powerful of all, questioned her preoccupation.

“The battle is coming, Remy. I can feel death emerging.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Stop Hades.”

“Then go, Athena. Stop the Olympians once and for all.”

“I will return, Remy.”

“You always do.”

Athena nodded and quickly teleported away from her home, Rosell. The scene flashed in front of her eyes and she was at the steps of Delphi. She behind the ruins which remained of her brother’s temple. “Dear god, my brother,” she replied walking up the stairs. She rubbed her fingers on the broken marble. The fiery remains of his power burned on touch. She jerked her hand back and remained confused.

“Why would he destroy his own temple?” She questioned as the Grecian air swirled around her. She took in the remnant auras that the air gave her.

“Brie, Apollo... gone... the baby, Geoffe... Ares. Uly.. Shadows... it begins...” Athena replied looking around at the open sky. Her mind threw questions out a mile a minute. Conclusions were far from being grasped.

“I have to prepare the troops,” She sighed, “First stop, Manhattan.”

CHAPTER 5: Final Initiative

Bronx lay contently next to the crib of baby Alexander. The night had remained quiet but something in the sixth sense of the dogoyle kept him near the baby. A small click in the night caused his ears to twitch. His head raised and let out a deep growl. His eyes followed the shadows outside the door as one entered. Instantly, he leapt forward and War knocked back tot he ground.

“Uly, go!” Ares replied knocking the dog off of him.

Bronx hit the wall with a whimper as Uly ran into the room with one babe already in hand. The wailing sound of Goeffe sent a parent into motion. Xanatos ran down the hall and tried to tackle Ares from behind.

“You cannot stop the will of the gods,” Ares replied as Uly lifted the other baby into his arms.

“You will not take my child,” Xanatos said jumping up to challenge both shadows.

“I doubt that,” Uly replied as Ares teleported them away.

“NO! PUCK!” Xanatos hollered running over the spot where they were standing.

Owen ran into the room holding onto the doorway to stop his motion. Xanatos looked panicked and gripped the crib.

“They took my son,” Xanatos replied.

“Who?” Own questioned furrowing his brow.

“The... gods?” Xanatos replied looking confused.

Owen gasped knowing what was happening. He took off his glasses and placed them in his pocket. Xanatos watched Owen spin about and transform into the trickster, Puck.

“Olympus is arising,” Puck replied levitating through the air, “No time to talk. If you want your son back in good time, get your exosuit and we’ve gotta get our butts to Avalon,” Puck replied streaming out of the room with Xanatos following. Xanatos was blind sided by an unfamiliar face. She cursed as her warrior body fell over Xanatos.

“Who are you?” Xanatos questioned pulling her up by the arm.

“Athena!” Puck exclaimed adding to Xanatos’ confusion.

“You! A god?! Where is my son!” Xantatos squeezed her arm.

“I assure you, I am far from my brethren. I see I’m too late...”

“Barely,” Puck stammered.

“We have to get to Avalon, now,” Athena commanded.

Xanatos nodded and left to get to his exosuit.

“He had no clue,” Puck replied.

“He will when we get there...”

“Do we have a chance?”

“What do you think?”

“Well, if Shadow was up to par...”

“But she’s not... her power has been much strained...”

“Then we fight to win, not just for survival.”

“Exactly.”

Athena remained quiet as her dark locks of hair trailed down her face. Her mind was calculating a million thoughts at once. Her grey eyes shot up when she heard the mechanical feel of Xanatos ran down the hallway.

“Do you have a plan?” Xanatos questioned.

“No,” Athena replied.

“Then how-”

“Never doubt the power of the gods,” Athena replied enveloping them into a sphere of light.

* * *

And now, night was dawning on Avalon. Her eyes took in the radiating twilight as Shadowstar paced about the balcony concentrating on the psyche’s that have graced her telepathical mind. She could feel the visitors come, and she knew and silently she waited for their call.

Flicker quietly watched the one before him. Her cobalt eyes danced about the air not to remain in the same place twice. Her ways were strange, but that fascinated him.... It was a sight to watch her mind at work, but in truth, he hated it. Her mind power almost scared him due to the limitless possibilities. She can easily influence others, but if she was manipulated, it would be destructive... only the Kindred have ever manipulated her... but her heart was so pure that she fought it and won... he trusted her with his life as she trusted him.

“Shadowstar,” he replied pushing his auburn hair back.

Her mind stopped working for one moment with the rapture of his voice. She was not irritated and remained tranquil in tone. She knows in her heart that she has no clue hereslf when enough is enough... she is still learning... the Kindred took a lot away from her.

“Please stop,” He requested sitting against the wall.

“They’ve been moving,” She simply said.

“We will deal with it when the time comes.”

She suddenly twitched her head sensing the latest arrivals on Avalon, “We have vistors.”

“Oberon will call us when we’re needed... he has a nack of doing that,” He smirked.

“Ah, Flicker,” She replied dropping her shoulders.

He reached out his hands signalling for her to come to him. Her wings folded around her neck as she walked to the outstretched arms. Her seriousness changed to a smile as he placed his hands on her waist and pulled her down to sit with him. She rested against him and felt security for once. Flicker rested his face against the top of her head and wrapped his arms around her. He watched her soft movements and tried to imagine life without her. Even if he never knew love, they had an unbreakable bond. They’ve seen to much pain and agony not to find each other, a weird combination, for a weird life. Shadowstar closed her eyes to enjoy a moment of peace in her life... of course, any peace she has ever found had to be interrupted by something... this time, Oberon’s voice.

“Avalonians, it is time,” his voice echoed through their ears.

Shadowstar sighed and slouched forward. She looked over her shoulder to the light blue eyes of Flicker. He shrugged wishing that Shadowstar’s predictions were not true... but in his heart, he knew that everything she and Rhayna had ever said was happening now. Eutaru, Hades, Hellfury... they all were leading to this...

“I guess things can’t ever be peaceful aroudn this place,” He commented.

“And they won’t be unless we stop this,” She said placing her hand on his.

“So all your babble about war has paid off.”

“No, it has only driven a spike between us,” Shadow mumbled standing up. Her looked up at her hurt for an instant but knew she spoke a truth. Ever since he came to terms with the fact that he had a serious side, that he wasn’t all about fun and games... things with him were different... things were always different... he looked at her different, and yet the same.

He understood her way of thinking and knew it wasn’t true... no spike could ever drive them apart. They have seen each other’s soul... They were two of a kind, but they thought in two different manners. All Flicker knew was that he will fight Hades himself for Shadowstar... something that would come all too soon for the both of them... And she knew that she’d give her very life blood to save his soul...

“You’re too pessimistic, Shadowstar... then again, if I had the Kindred on my back...” Flicker started moving towards Shadow.

“Yea, but you had Oberon trying to kill you... in two different realities... not to mention the Styx and Shade to deal with... and about a zillion other evil villans...”

“Hey, I can’t help it I’m a magnet for trouble,” He smiled, “It’s all in the past.”

“We’re waiting for you,” Oberon’s voice echoed to them.

“Hey, we’re coming!” Flicker yelled knowing that his answer was not to be heard.

“Ah, what would I do without you?” Shadow questioned as they headed inside the castle.

“Go crazy,” Flicker answered as they headed towards the gathering... of the pawns.

Shadowstar closed her eyes as the auras started to hit her... Faeries, gods... gargoyles... She opened her eyes and looked at Flicker. Her mood almost changing to that of a prophetess... “So, it begins.”

~Fin~

~This story continues in my next instalment of ARMAGGEDON: THE BATTLE FOR AVALON.~