Delos, 78.000 light-years from Earth
Noriko Null and Kari Zel materialize inside one the temples, together with their bags and a ton of questions. The first one being directed at Shaina, the Apollo Oracle in front of them:
<What are you doing here?> Kari asks her.
<As Chief Oracle, it is my duty to supervise the inauguration of the latest Supreme Divine Commander. As such, I officially protest against the presence of this nonbeliever in this most sacred palace.> Shaina replies; she has little sympathy for both members of the Vanguard, and she doesn’t seem to be interested in keeping that a secret.
<Correct me if I’m wrong, but as “Supreme Divine Commander” I’m your superior, isn’t it?> Noriko asks, knowing fully well the answer.
<You are.> Shaina replies, looking away.
<Objection overruled, then. Kari’s going to be my personal assistant: she answers only to me and you’re going to consider her every request as if it was a direct order from me. Is that clear?>
<Yes, Supreme Divine Commander.>
<Glad we have an agreement. How long before you can let me have a detailed list of all the Apollo troops and a comprehensive report of all current operations?>
<I will have one ready after the consecration.>
<The what?> Noriko asks, raising an eyebrow.
<The Supreme Divine Commander is consecrated and anointed in front of the highest levels of the government and of the aristocracy. It’s one of our most sacred ceremonies.>
<How long’s that gonna take?>
<Traditionally no less than seven days, but it is very often extended up to…>
<Yeah, I’m not gonna do that. Just show me my room, I want that report on my desk by the end of the day, preferably sooner.>
<But… no Supreme Divine Commander has ever taken office without…>
<Is this ceremony requested by Apollo himself? Or did the Oracles come up with it?> Kari asks, then turning towards Noriko to add:
<Happened all the time on Myridia, the Oracles kept coming up with new rules to get more powers for themselves. Demeter didn’t give a crap about it.>
<The Sun God is nothing like Demeter. The Oracles are only an extension of his will, we would never institute a ritual for our own gain!> Shaina protests vehemently.
<Then no ceremony is necessary: Apollo granted me my new title. Or are you suggesting that his wishes are somehow dependent on the decisions of his Oracles?> Noriko replies.
<Well… no, but…>
<Then I am the new Supreme Divine Commander and I don’t need a stupid ceremony. Now can you show me my room and get busy on your assignment, or should I find another Oracle that is actually willing to carry our Apollo’s will?>
<Your residence is this way.> Shaina answers, with hatred seeping through every syllable. As she walks away, Kari gets closer to Noriko to whisper:
<You’re getting scarily good at exploiting religious zealotry. But make no mistake, those people are not our friends.>
<You don’t need to tell me. Let’s speed this up… I’m sure we’re not the only ones preparing for war.> Noriko highlights.
Kerynitis, 35,000 light years from Earth
The peaceful forests of Kerynitis don’t reflect the complicated history of this planet. Artemis conquered the planet over 10,000 years ago, slaughtering its entire population and converting every available piece of land into her personal hunting grounds.
Once Artemis was deposed, the Oracles of Kerynitis weren’t even informed. Both Enyo and Ilithyia barely noticed the planet in the list of their possessions. As the fourth goddess in less than seven years to formally rule over Kerynitis, Adrestia took advantage of the planet’s obscurity to order the construction of a secret base, where she could carry out her plans without attracting attention.
<It’s nothing special, I know, but it will do.> she explains as she leads her guests to a large but extremely spartan room.
<Very utilitarian. You’re not one for lavish ostentation, I’ll grant you that.> Leiko Tanaka acknowledges, taking her seat at the round table of shiny stainless steel.
<You mean it’s a dump.> Circe adds, more at ease in the typically baroque temples of her family.
<It’ll be fine. Can I, uhm, can I sit anywhere else?> Amaterasu asks, looking embarrassed at Aphrodite who instead of using a chair is sitting provocatively on the table.
<I’m sooooo bored! When are we going to have some fun?> she complains, adjusting her hair while at the same time posing for everyone present.
<You’ll have your fun soon, but first I have to be sure that we’re all on the same page. I don’t have to tell you that we are risking a lot by holding this meeting.> Leiko highlights.
<Well, to be fair, sweetie, you’re the only mortal here.> Aphrodite highlights, winking at her.
<Indeed I am. But opposing Hera won’t be without repercussions for anyone, and I need to be absolutely sure of your intentions. I ask you to raise your hand if you agree to attack and dethrone the Queen of Olympus.> Leiko proposes.
<Sure, whatever.> Aphrodite responds, raising one hand while checking her nails on the other.
<You don’t have to ask me twice. This reckoning has been a long time coming.> Circe adds, raising her hand with no hesitation.
Leiko and Adrestia don’t move. Amaterasu’s eyes move from one to the other, repeatedly.
<So why are we, uhm, why are we attacking this lady, exactly?> she asks nervously.
<Why does she hesitate?> Adrestia asks, still remaining unnaturally still.
<She’s a child. She won’t take a position before I do.> Leiko answers; if she didn’t need to breathe she would remain just as motionless.
<Then do.>
<I am the one who contacted you, Adrestia. I deserve an answer to my proposal.>
<With all due respect, Ice Queen… your reputation of betraying your allies precedes you. I am the goddess of revenge and retribution, so I recognize a double-crosser when I see one.>
<Then you have no reason to suspect my motivations, Adrestia.>
<I suspect everybody. But I cannot use my power to look into your future, not as long as you wear the Vial of Destiny.> Adrestia points out, looking at the small vial attached to Leiko’s chocker.
<Then you have nothing to fear from me.> Leiko answers, casually removing the piece of jewelry and placing it on the table.
<Amaterasu?> she asks, while still keeping eye contact with Adrestia.
<I will do what you ask me to do.> the young sun goddess answers.
There are several seconds of tense silence, broken only by Aphrodite yawning.
<Well? What do you see in my future?> Leiko asks Adrestia.
<You are a twisted bundle of cold hatred and self-serving cruelty. You will watch worlds burn as you sit on your throne of lies. The details of your future are uncertain, but I can be sure of one thing: you will do anything to gain power.>
<Glad we’re on the same page.> Leiko takes it as a compliment, recovering the choker.
<My answer is yes, Ice Queen. Let us depose Hera and rule Olympus together.> Adrestia answers, raising her hand and looking proudly at the mortal who she is beginning to respect.
Leiko Tanaka leans back on her chair, clasping her hands and doing the only thing that has made Adrestia shiver in the last five thousand years. She’s smiling.
<You know, there is one word on my planet that describes our current situation perfectly.>
<Really. What’s that?>
<“Checkmate”.> Leiko answers, as her body is surrounded by a glowing light.
Both the Ice Queen and Amaterasu are suddenly teleported away, to the shock of both Adrestia and Circe. Aphrodite also has no idea of what is happening, but she simply doesn’t care.
<What is the meaning of this?> Adrestia asks Circe, as they both stand up to watch the blue light flooding the room until it coalesces into a very, very upset blue haired goddess.
<Your death sentence.> Hera answers, her body glowing with a blue aura.
<Your majesty! I don’t know what you heard, but…> Circe begins to grovel, transforming herself into a cat to avoid the blast of blue energy that blows a giant hole into the building.
<When the Ice Queen informed me of her scheme to expose the traitors who would dare to attack me, I should’ve known I would find illegitimate children like you!>
<Grandmother, please, it’s the other way around. As the goddess of revenge I’ve seen into the Ice Queen’s soul, she has no allegiance towards…>
<Not one word, Adrestia! And don’t call me grandmother: Ares may be my son, but even if you are his daughter… allegedly… you are still the worthless spawn of this vapid harlot!!!> Hera shouts, pointing at Aphrodite.
<Did you just call my daughter worthless!?> Aphrodite replies.
Circe understands that this is the worst place she could be at the moment, transforming into a fly to escape Hera’s wrath.
<DID I SAY YOU COULD LEAVE!?> Hera screams, unleash enough of her energy to instantly vaporize the entire building as well as the forest around it… all just to hurt a fly.
Protected by a gravitational shield that deviates the space around her, Adrestia takes advantage of the situation to float away. She doesn’t go far before Hera grabs her ankle; the blue flames surrounding her are so hot that they burn through Adrestia’s clothes, leaving a mark on her otherwise indestructible skin.
<You wanted retribution, child!? I’ll show you retribution!!!> Hera threatens her; however someone grabs her by the shoulder and throws her into the nearest mountain, with the impact alone pulverizing billions of tons of rocks.
<WHO DARES!?> she yells, emerging from the devastation. She faces both Adrestia and her mother Aphrodite, whose eyes are glowing red with anger.
<Nobody touches my daughter non-sexually and lives. NOBODY.>
<You think you can take me, Aphrodite? I’m the Jewel Of The Universe, the Queen of Olympus!>
<Then maybe it’s time for a revolution.> Adrestia replies, floating next to her mother; the planet shakes as she emits more and more gravitational waves.
Hera hesitates for a moment, watching the latest form of Circe land behind her: a gigantic dragon, roaring to intimidate her. Hera chuckles.
<You children really have no idea of what a daughter of Kronos is capable of, do you?>
Those are the last words heard on Kerynitis: the first impact between the four goddesses is enough to lay waste to every single organism in the hemisphere.
In orbit above the planet
Amaterasu bites her nails as she watches the screen. It’s showing the surface of Kerynitis, and even from orbit it’s possible to see the chaos… blue wildfires that span continents, pink waves that transmute lava into rose petals, gravitational anomalies that play tug-of-war with the planet’s core.
<Should we… should we do something?> Amaterasu asks.
<Hera can take care of her own. You could probably defeat Circe rather easily, but Adrestia and Aphrodite would eat you alive.> Leiko replies.
<Besides, neither of them will defeat Hera.> Tyche adds; the teenage goddess approaches the Ice Queen, who gestures towards Amaterasu to leave them alone.
<How long will the battle take?> Leiko asks once Amaterasu has left.
<A day, maybe two. My vision wasn’t very clear… maybe because you’re still affecting the outcome. The Vial of Destiny shielding you from divine powers… complicates things.>
<You have my gratitude, Tyche. Without your help, Adrestia wouldn’t have fallen for it.>
<My precognitive abilities are superior to hers, yes, but you still convinced her when you weren’t using the Vial. How exactly did you achieve that?>
<I expected her to see that I will one day betray Hera; she failed to see that it will happen only when I have claimed my reward. You may not be able to see my future, Tyche, but I don’t need godly powers for that. I know that I’m destined to rule.>
<Even if you’ve won Hera’s favor today, you still have a long journey ahead of you… killing her won’t be easy.>
<Have a little faith, Tyche. So many people believe that the Slayer of Gods is destined to spell the end of Olympus, and they will need somebody to rule over what remains.>
“And of course I will be the one to rule” is what the queen and the goddess think simultaneously.
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