FanStory.com - Battle of the Gods-Part 1by davisr (Rhonda)

Background
Years after a fire took her parents' lives, Echo worked at a small town newspaper. She was rescued from danger by her old friend, Theo, who took her to live in his world, one full of its own danger.

End of Last Chapter:

"I don't have a feather to give you," Theo said.

"No, but you have something else, something I've wanted for years." Thanatos nodded his head toward the paddock.

Incredulous, Theo's gaze followed the Master of Death's. It landed on the copper stallion who was still frolicking around the pasture.

"You have one of the only immortal horses in the world," Thanatos continued. "He's fast, strong and beautiful."

Theo's blood ran cold. He whirled and faced Thanatos. A million thoughts ran through his head, but it always came back to one thing. He had agreed to give the brothers anything they asked, and one simply doesn't try to cheat sleep and death!

Beginning of New Chapter:

Theo bowed his head. He wouldn't fight tears in front of the Personification of Death. The pain in his heart matched the pain in his shoulder, which still throbbed and oozed. Whatever pain he felt, however, he must keep locked inside. Still, he owed himself and Nifty something in the way of a protest.

"He's like my brother, Thanatos. What would my father think about me giving him away?"

"Your father is being held hostage," Thanatos said, "and I see no way to save him without my help. Do you?"

Theo shook his head. "If I could've thought of another way, I wouldn't have endured such a dangerous trial to reach you. Is there no other gift you would take in his stead?"

Thanatos allowed a smile, tilting his head to the side. "Not unless you want to give me Echo. She's a pretty amazing young lady."

"I couldn't agree more," Theo said. He returned the smile. "But I think there are enough of us fighting over her as it is, and she's definitely not mine to give."

Theo paused to gather his thoughts. He made eye contact with Thanatos, who nodded for him to continue.

"I know I'm asking you to help people you barely trust, and I'm sure there are many stories behind that relationship. To be honest, there are times I feel the same way, but the Olympians are my people and the Concordians, mine to govern. I would give my life to save them, and was willing to offer as much if asked. Your request is just. Although I'll miss him, Nifty is yours, Recovery, too, if you'd like."

"Him, you can keep. He's not immortal, but he's a noble steed and will serve you many long years. Like you, he is both valiant and kind."

Theo nodded. He avoided saying he didn't realize Thanatos cared about kindness.

"What will you do with him?"

Thanatos broke into a huge smile and slapped Theo on his good shoulder. "Ahh, young king, I'll use the feather of Hermes and with it, grow Nifty wings."

For the first time, Theo felt a twinge of joy penetrate his sadness. "Like Pegasus?!"

"Ah, yes, very much like that noble steed. Pegasus is an incredible creature that can travel between mortal and immortal realms with ease. He belongs to your grandfather, as a matter of fact. Now I'll have one to match it. I'll bring him to visit you now and then. This I promise."

Relief flooded now over Theo. He'd sacrificed something he loved to save his people and in doing so, had given wings to his friend.

"I can live with that," he said. He faced Thanatos and held out his hand. The Being, greater than the gods, returned the gesture. Theo was surprised to find his grip firm and his hand warm. How many had shaken the hand of Death and lived?

"Can we go to Concorde Valley now?" Theo asked.

"Not yet," Thanatos said. "First we need to visit my mansion to tend your wound and pick up Hypnos. Afterwards, there's another stop we need to make on Mount Olympus."

"It's besieged," Theo reminded him.

"That makes no difference to me. You'll find few, immortal or otherwise, who would dare bar my way. As my companion, you can have access even to the throne of Zeus."

"Is that who we're going to see?"

Thanatos shook his blonde head. "No, someone more important to your quest. I'll explain later, and, Anthos, I don't promise you success in saving your people, only my help. Decisions will have to be made I can't control. Even I have rules."

"That's all I ask."

********

Echo sat on the silver mare, Forbearance, and gazed across an open field. It was flanked by a mountainous wall and ringed by a forest. The locals called it, Skeleton Field, since it was the site of many battles between Concorde Valley and their former enemy, Carack. Today, both armies stood together against their common foe.

For days she had watched the people of this valley prepare for war, even as she fought an invisible enemy in her dreams each night. Her enemy was theirs, and they were as ill-equipped to fight him as she.

Most of the women and children were housed in homes throughout the valley, as ordered by Georgios. He and his captains hoped that scattering their people might confuse the enemy, or at the very least, slow them down. Those skilled in weaponry, were with her waiting for the inevitable onslaught.

Echo thought about Phillip who sat next to her on his horse, Loyalty, and waited with bow and arrow to take his part. Tall and lanky, with a headful of auburn hair, it had been this 14-year-old who had rescued his little sister from Hades. No longer a boy, his countenance was commanding and fierce.

On her other side was Theo's sister Rebecca. She was Echo's age and her closest friend in Concorde Valley. With her baby in the arms of the family friend, Mary, this young lady stood poised for battle. Theo's other siblings, too young to fight, had stayed behind with Mary as well.

The men of Concorde Valley, alongside those in Carack, formed the frontline and were on foot or horseback. They were well armed, their bodies covered in metal armor forged in the foothills of the Concorde and Carack Valleys.

A line of archers, also on horseback, waited behind the infantry and calvary, while others secured themselves in the branches of trees surrounding the battlefield. They were made mostly of tall nimble men, but were joined by any women or youth who could shoot.

They were a tough and fearsome lot, Echo thought, but would they be enough to fight back the waves of enemy forces that were soon to fall upon them?

She wasn't sure any of these people had seen Specters before, but she had, and she certainly didn't want to have to face them again. She knew Hades had many more servants he could call on and she didn't want to face them, either.

Her job today was simple, in principal. She had been in touch with a local newspaper and would serve as an embedded reporter to note as much as she could of the battle. If it came to it, though, she would fight with the bow and arrows young Phillip had taught her to use.

Echo watched the sun creep slowly over the mountaintop, casting brilliant light on the battle clearing below. It might seem like just another day in the valley, but for the tense warriors who stood with their backs to the forest and their stern faces towards the field. It would be a day shrouded in eternal shadow.

Where have our leaders gone? Echo wondered, and where is my beloved Theo?

Echo glanced over at the grim Rebecca and thought back to what she had said to her that morning when they were discussing those very questions.

"They must have been captured," Rebecca had said. "It's up to us now to defend the valley."

"But we can't do it alone," Echo argued. "The army of Hades is too strong."

"Yes it is, and I guess he'll try to offer us a deal with Theo and Adam gone."

"Will we take it?" Echo asked.

Rebecca's face and body language displayed defiance. "We will not. Georgios, Brandon and Hank have already declared they would rather see the whole valley destroyed than to submit to the rule of Hades. The captain of the Caracki agrees."

"But, Rebecca, we won't die, you and I.".

"No, and for that very reason, this war will be more painful for us than for those who die. In the end, we'll still have to stand before Hades, while the others have the escape of death."

Echo turned her head toward the battlefield. She pushed the worries of the morning aside to face the upcoming day. She had so enjoyed her time here in the valley with Rebecca, her husband, Hank, and Theo's siblings.

They had taught her to ride a horse, shoot a bow and arrow, and enjoy the company of a family. She was glad for the week she spent here as a Concordian. She would always have those memories, no matter what Hades did with her.

Just as the morning light turned Skeleton Field to gold, she watched as a crack appeared in the mountain wall and a horde of hideous soldiers marched onto the field in front of them. They were dressed in black, crimson sashes flowing from their helms. In their hands were gripped crooked swords, and their eyes glowed red.

They cried out as they walked in a language few on the field could understand, but the effects of the words were undeniable. They brought with them terror, worse than any Echo had ever dreamt, and, yet, no Concordian broke the line or attempted to escape.

"Bring us your hordes, Hades," Georgios cried out, lunging forward on his chocolate brown horse, "and we'll show you how Concordians fight."

The golden sunlight seemed to make the man, part Centaur and part god, glow like he was on fire, an ancient god fighting an eternal battle.

Brandon joined him in the forefront, followed by Hank and the Caracki captain who beat his spear against his shield. The four stood side by side as the only leadership of the armies of Concorde Mountain.

A single horseman broke out from the enemy legions and approached the warriors. He rode a white stallion, its snowy coat bathed in the same gold that covered everything. The man was dressed in pale robes, a gem studded crown sitting regally upon his black hair. He went as far as the middle of the field and stopped.

"I come to speak to Echo," he cried out in a voice that reverberated across the field. "Send her to me now and avoid unnecessary bloodshed."

Echo stirred on her horse and started to ride forward, but Rebecca held up a hand in warning.

"Don't go easily," she insisted. "If he wants you, make him fight for you, or better yet, don't go at all. We'll fight for you this day."

Echo nodded and remained still.

"Do you wish to see your people die?" Hades demanded. He held up a long saber that glowed with a black flame. "I know you're here, Echo, my sweet. I can feel you."

Echo suddenly felt an enormous surge of power flow towards her. It grasped her in its clutches and began to pull her towards the object of her nightmares. She struggled against it, fighting with all she had inside her. It was not the first time she had been forced to face Hades' power.

"That's it," she heard Hades cry out. "Come to me, Echo. You belong by my side. Come now and I'll turn back my army. Resist me, and you'll watch them all die before I claim you as my bride."

"Don't do it," Phillip said. "He'll kill everyone, anyway."

Echo ignored Phillip's plea, and urged Forbearance forward, half because she wanted to save the people from battle, and half because she couldn't resist the force Hades was exuding.

Phillip snaked out his arm and grabbed the horse's mane. He leaned in and spoke to her in the tongue of horses. "Take her to the garden of Theo, and go with the speed of your mother."

Forbearance, the firstborn daughter of Eternal and Champion reared up, pawed the air like an enraged stallion, then charged into the woods toward the garden of the young god who currently ruled the valley.

Behind Echo, she heard a war cry from Hades and then the sounds of battle as warriors collided with warriors.