19 Issue #18: X, Aftermath.
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X---------------------------X
(General P.O.V)
"Alkyone!"
A voice sounded out from the other side of the huge double doors that led to the Throne Room.
Alkyone's face paled on the Throne she was seating on.
"No. I thought I had time! How is 'she' here?"
The self-proclaimed Queen demanded from the hapless guards around her.
She and her contingent of Amazon's had bailed the second things got heated.
The plan was to raid the Royal treasury, have her people load everything they could onto the galley's moored in the docks, then use the secret exit behind the Throne to escape what she knew was on its way.
Retribution.
The only thing that had kept her waiting was news. News on whether Circe had won.
But with the Queen's Royal Guard here...basically on the other side of the chamber, things were not looking too good.
"Capt-"
Izah standing at the foot below the Throne, begun, only for Alkyone's death glare to silence her.
"Captain? I'm your bloody Queen!"
Punctuating the statement by slamming a palm on the arm of the Throne, Alkyone stood up to her full height, sneering down at her squad members, her sisters.
"I have been chosen by fate itself to be the one seated on this throne. To lead our people. How dare you-"
She launched off into a delusional tirade of complaints and insults.
At the steps of the Throne, Izah and the other Amazons who were still loyal to Alkyone looked at each other.
A secret conversation seemed to pass through them.
(A few minutes later)
"On my signal!"
Pillyphus raised a hand outside the throne room.
The warriors with her tensed, holding onto a long log they were using to try and break in when...the double doors swung open.
"Halt!"
The General gave the order, curious as to what Alkyone was planning.
"We have you surrounded."
She announced.
"The only way out of here is through the secret entrance behind the throne room, which we have already blocked off or...through me. It's over Alkyone."
The sound of steps rang out, approaching the doors.
Pillyphus tensed, hand hovering over the sword on her hips as she readied herself for a fight.
Only for a strange expression to befall her when something round and smooth was thrown out into the hallway.
The General stepped forward and scratched her chin in confusion.
"Well, that's one way to deal with the problem."
Lying on the ground before her, eyes shut with pain and mouth open in horror, was Alkyone's head.
And through the doors, on their knees with their hands held behind their backs, was Alkyone's squad.
Izah stared up at Pillyphus.
"We had no idea she would go so far as to put any of our sisters in danger. That was not the Captain we knew. So we took matters into our own hands."
The two of them looked at each other for a few tense moments before Pillyphus sighed.
"You're lucky the Queen said she wanted her head."
The Squad was ready to relax when a word stopped them.
"But"-
Lyra, Izah and everyone involved readied themselves. They knew what awaited them. The punishment for mutiny.
"-That means little when dealing with traitors. Prepare yourself to follow your 'queen'. May the gods have mercy on your souls."
Pillyphus finished, the sound of weapons being drawn from sheaths, alerting Alkyone's squad to what fate awaited them.
"Enough."
Hippolyta's voice cut through the tension with the force of a guillotine.
She stepped from behind Pillyphus.
"Thats enough death for today. Cuff them and take them to the dungeons."
She directed, sternly gazing down at the Amazons who couldnt even meet her eyes.
"They earned a hearing by being the ones to dispatch their former captain."
"Yes your majesty."
Pillyphus nodded, turning to the warriors behind them.
"Well, you heard the Queen. Get to-"
KRAAAKK!!!
A loud sound, like that of something tearing apart, reached their ears.
As one, all attention turned to the Coliseum in the distance, only to witness the ancient structure collapse into a pit of green flames.
(20 minutes later)
Hippolyta stood at the Palace balcony, staring down at the Garden that her daughter loved to visit.
The Queen had an unreadable expression on her face. But the tightened palms hidden within the sleeves of her dress showed that she was less than happy.
No. 'Less than' couldn't quantify the well of tumultuous emotions within her.
Her daughter- her light-
"Mmmh...your Majesty?"
Pillyphus cleared her throat, snapping Hippolyta out of her thoughts.
The mother breathed in a shuddering breath. Upon exhale, the prim and regal Amazonian Queen returned.
"Yes?"
She asked, turning around.
"I'm sorry my Queen."
Pillyphus bowed her head in shame.
"We scoured the whole city. The Princess is nowhere to be found. The news is...not good."
She stepped to the side, revealing a scared Bulma with a haunted expression in her eyes.
"She saw everything. I'll let her explain."
The Queen's gaze landed on the young girl.
"Speak up Bulma. What happened to Diana? Where is my daughter?"
(General P.O.V)
Bulma fled the palace in haste, her young heart pumping wildly due to the tense atmosphere she'd just escaped.
She cut through the Royal kitchen, snagging a couple of Apple-mangos that only ever grew in Themiscyra.
The head chef was barking orders in a frenzy, ensuring that Bulma could even get her hands on the special Ambrosia bread only served to the Royal Family.
It simply melted in her mouth.
She almost moaned in delight when she nibbled on a loaf, hiding behind the Garden storeroom while ensuring the coast was clear.
At this time of the day, the Garden would usually be abandoned as it was reserved for Diana.
And the princess would normally remain there for the whole afternoon, reading or simply relaxing.
And seeing as Diana was stuck in the Underworld, no one would disturb Bulma.
She brought out the last of the Applemango and quickly finished it off, leaving the Ambrosia bread tucked away in the shed for the return trip.
Zeus only knows how tired she got whenever she flew to and from Mount Olympus.
Any other means of transportation would only jeopardize her cover.
Bulma cast a look around the garden, making sure for the last time that the coast was clear.
Sighing, she closed her eyes and when she opened them, her entire form had shifted.
Divine sprendor surged out, only to stop, contained by an ironclad will. The will of a God.
A will that belonged to a stalwart figure, power to his frame, a straight spine and skin that shone like gold.
His beautiful face, impassive as stone, only lost its attractive pull due to the pair of wings on his ankles, a feature of authority.
A feature of the God of Messengers.
Hermes' grim countenance was shattered by a long suffering sigh.
"Father won't be happy with this."
(Sphere of the Gods)
(Mount Olympus)
(Zeus' Personal Office)
Hermes landed on the Parapet at the top floor of a massive mansion, his form that of a Warbler.
The mansion was built far away from Mount Olympus, being the summer house of the King of Gods.
The warbler chirped(part of protocol he absolutely detested and wouldn't do if it wasn't for who he served directly under), staring through the window into the inside of the mansion.
On the other side was an opulent office, exuding timeless authority.
The room featured classical elegance, with a central mahogany desk complemented by modern executive furniture.
Ancient Greek-inspired artwork adorned the walls, blending harmoniously with a subtle touch of mythological finesse.
Ironically, a large poster of Liam Neeson as Zeus framed the backwall of the office, looking out of place but no less magnificent. (A/N: I know the timeline)
The view from the window reflected Zeus's dominion, his arrogance and most importantly, Authority.
At the very center of the desk, next to a picture of the King of God's posing with The Jade Emperor, was an instrument of incredible might and power.
A silver Lightning Bolt.
Slik
The window was slid open by a wave of hand from the King of the Gods.
And finally Hermes turned to the center of everything in the office. Nay, the center of everything in Olympus. Though the one in question would claim to be the center of the Universe.
Zeus would never be mistaken for an unassuming man.
Tall despite being seated, his posture alone demanded attention. You couldn't help but bow your head before him.
Which is what Hermes did right after flying inside the office, shifting into his godly form on the tiger striped carpet before Zeus's desk.
The sound of a pen scribbling on paper continued on even after Hermes had arrived.
An undermined time later, a sigh could be heard.
"Any news on Ares' whereabouts? I'm still getting reports from the Asgardians on his raids on their territory."
A soft voice inquired.
Hermes winced.
"Apologies father but...big brother is proving to be unusually stealthy."
"I admit, it is quite strange of him."
Zeus acquisced.
The scribbling stopped. Hermes took that opportunity to look up, meeting the eyes of the most powerful force in Olympus.
A face that was similar to his. Only manlier. Hair just as lustrous only silver where Hermes' was golden blonde.
And lastly, the distinguishing factor, a beard where Hermes was clean shaven.
He could have easily passed for the God of Beauty, his aura alone radiating an otherworldness that when compounded with the sheer power hanging in the air...was simply breath taking.
The SkyFather's stormy gray eyes,
cool, like a pond in the early morning, bored holes through Hermes.
The God of messengers had no confidence on them remaining that way after what he was about to say.
"Father I- there's been-"
"You know why I gave you another task on top of your primary job, boy?"
Zeus cut in, placing both hands on the desk between them.
The God of messenger's blinked, looking for the right response
"Ah, because I'm the only one who can fly fast enough around the world?"
"Besides that."
Zeus prompted, dismissively.
A certain pressure appeared in the room, growing in intensity with every passing second.
For Hermes, it was steadily getting harder to breathe. A trail of sweat fell down the side of his face.
What made it worse was that he had no response. Luckily one wasn't needed as the King of Gods continued,
"It's because you're reliable. Everyone has a part to play. For example, I'm the King. So I delegate. I order. I command."
Hermes gulped, the look in his father's eyes changing into something hard.
"I let them see the arrogant, lustful and reckless Leader because when all is said and done...the only way to live with snakes is to be one of them. They're no different than children. Incompetent. Worse than humans because we are in all possible ways: better. And we know it."
Zeus leaned back on his chair.
"But you, you're different Hermes. I let you see this side of me because you're useful. Your place in Olympus is to be USEFUL. Do you understand me?"
Hermes straightened up, not daring to meet his eyes.
"Yes SkyFather. I'll have Ares' whereabouts in a day."
"Good."
Zeus nodded and the pressure seemed to drain out of the room.
"This really is not his style."
Zeus hummed, tapping his chin in thought.
"I would have sensed him were he moving through the air, and I've ordered Hades and Poseidon to be on the lookout for him, covering the ground and the sea. I suspect foul play. Someone must be helping him hide from me..."
"You think it- might be someone from a different Pantheon?"
Hermes chanced a question.
Zeus eyes fell on him.
"What are you still doing here?"
Hermes shivered, turning his gaze to the floor. His wings twitched, palms growing sweaty.
"There's...something you should know Father. It's about Diana."
The God of Messengers paused.
The pressure returned.
"What about your sister?"
Zeus asked in a frigid tone.
Praying that he survived what was about to follow, Hermes or to the Amazons in Themiscyra, Bulma told the King of Gods everything, from Kane and Steve's presence on the island, to Alkyone's rebellion, Circe's death and Diana falling to the underworld...
He left nothing out.
And that day everyone on Olympus, the Major and Minor Gods, Divine Spirits and all cowered under Zeus wrath. Wrath that was contained in one name.
"HAAAADDDESSS!!!!!"
(EARTH)
For 7 days and 7 nights, a worldwide storm raged.
The weather was rough enough that the Great War stalled.
