Chapter 220 – First Wave

"Heh… whatcha doing Ikarus?"

"…"

"Ikarusss… don't ignore me. I'll get your attention one way or another"

"…"

'Already know the silent treatment isn't going to wor-, d-damn it! Is she trying to get me to kiss her? Don't you be touching there!'

For the last few days since we've returned, we've been nonstop working making sure the defence is secured and getting the Gods to the correct places they need to. For some that can fight, it's less challenging as they can just join our military. For the other faceless lot, most have no intentions of fighting. They can still support the war effort but just in a different capacity I suppose.

Quick example being someone like… ah, Pan, Hermes's son. He's basically a shepherd and would have no use to anything but tending sheep. He strangely enough looks part goat but we've got beastkin already over here so that matters little.

Another lesser known one being Iris, the Goddess of rainbows. Not entirely sure what use she can provide because she can't create pots of gold at the end of them unfortunately. Apparently, she once served Hera as a messenger but has no discernible backstory? There's over a hundred more of these sorts of Gods and Goddesses all around the place, so much so you forget most of their names. Also met the Gods of sewage and turds as well, he was a right shifty fellow… heh.

Anyways, as for the situation I'm currently, that being prodded, pinched and groped by the wife, I'm standing up on a defensive wall overlooking the channel between here and the mainland as one of the scouts. You can call it an excuse for getting away from the political side of things. Chilling with the troops isn't so bad for something relaxing to do though. Albeit, the awe in our soldiers eyes can get tiresome pretty quickly.

Petra herself is clearly shirking her duties to come pester me while I'm clearly turning into the professional phoenix out of us! Not like I dislike the attention, it's just that she needs to find a hobby… so do I but that's beside the point!

"Heh… yummy"

"…"

Continuing to ignore her, she changes from the groping to something that even I can't ignore, nibbling against my ear. She's so annoyingly loveable, I can't stand it!

"O-Oh come on Petra! Can't I have five minutes to myself?"

"Heh, do you want to be left alone Ikarus? Just say the words and I'll go"

'Huff… as if I'm calling that bluff'

Continuing to stand on duty with Petra losing her interest in being a pest slightly, she seems to get a slight glint in her eyes when a question comes to mind.

"You know… what the deal with you and Brooklyn anyways? I know that you sometimes dislike yourself Ikarus, it's just that it doesn't seem healthy if it's hatred"

Petra abruptly asks that that unfortunately gets my attention fully away from guard duty. I'm all for asking the tough questions, but when the foot is on the other shoe, it's difficult. The hug into my back Petra is giving me helps though, breasts are always great, even smaller ones.

"I could ask the same thing wifey. For some reason, you seem obsessed with my ol'guy body. What, my girliness not good enough for you now?"

I jest but she definitely has a weird fixation on wanting to get 'Brooklyn' in the bedroom. I know that she's bisexual and all but do we really need to ruin the yuriness we've got going on over here?

"Heh, it's nothing like that Ikarus. It's just sometimes… it seems like you can be your own worst enemy. Maybe getting in touch with your old self might help a little?"

…

I can't help but pause and stumble when like usual, she speaks wisdom even if I don't want to hear it. There's self-deprecating humour but at times, I think even I go too far with my own slander. Maybe Brooklyn is just a stark reminder of a past best left forgotten? Believe it or not, this has nothing to do with the completely necessary third leg fear I've still got. He always was a small and shy fella… I really need to stop now.

"Eh, maybe someday. It's not like I have any real need for it though, this body is perfect for me… and hopefully you as well"

"Heh, you'll always be perfect Ikarus, even if you end up as a head in a jar. So… you're fully onboard with staying female? Even if I up my game and make sure to make you as pink and feminine as possible?"

…

Not even giving her the acknowledgment despite being curious on what shenanigans she can even come up with now, my attention switches when something steadily flies into range across the sea…

"Oh shit… that better be a flock of birds, right Petra?"

"Maybe Ikarus, wyverns can be that size… they might be a little small and white to be wyverns though"

Spanning across the mountainous horizon is hundreds, maybe thousands of white winged creatures, all gliding towards the Lesbos islands. Me and wife come unstuck for a second at the sight, we both seem to know just who or what the flying creatures are. Asmodeus needs a beating for this.

As they gradually get closer, most appear to be wielding weapons so their intent is clean. Whether it be down to revenge or wanting to finally rid the world of evil, it matters little to us. All angels must die… except Uriel… even if she was probably Leone.

Before we even have the chance to do anything, air raid sirens begin to scream all around as clearly, we're not the only people to see the attackers. Looks like our defence force are capable enough to detect danger. Let's see if they can withstand it as well.

'It's time to get down to business…'

__________

(Temporary Perspective Change)

"All of you, don't get involved in a fight you have no chance of winning. This is between me and him"

"Bah! You think you stand any chance brother!? Stand down and get out of my way unless you want to be crushed!"

Deep in the Underworld, right at the hellish gates of Tartarus, a terrible scene rattles inside this dungeon, as the brothers of Olympian legend square off against each other.

Master Hades stands strong against his brother as I try to back him up, yet, despite the outweighing brilliance of my master, I can't see him pushing back his brother as the overwhelming strength is enough to put the strongest of Gods into the ground. Even I can't get close enough to launch a swing, despite my weapon having a reach that surpasses a spear.

"You too Thanatos, your scythe is practically useless against him"

"Bah, let me pass brother! Or I'll personally make sure this world of yours ceases to exist"

"You dare threaten me in my own realm? You may have lost your world but this place will never fall, even if my own blood is spelt. You have no control down here Zeus"

"We'll see about that!"

I try to back Master Hades off only to get pushed away into where the other defenders of the Underworld remain. Me, the fury sisters or the Erinyes, the three headed dog Cerberus, sleepy Hypnos, too many to count yet none of us stand a chance of supporting our master. The power they let out pushes all but the strongest away.

"Let's handle this quickly so I can get back to sleep! Nightmares don't defeat themselves, you know"

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https://i.ibb.co/RhmJYHy/Hypnos.jpg

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"Kharrrr…"

Even brother Charon has taken a break from his ferrying to lend a land, but none of us can get close to the extreme power tossing everyone aside. Mistress Persephone is also with us, unable to return to her husband's side, not even holding her famous smile, as the two men try to destroy each other with their own two hands.

Other than the rulers of this place, most of us have a relation of sorts as Mother Nyx has her eyes in every nook and cranny of this land of the dead. If only she were here to lend a hand, then maybe things wouldn't look so bleak.

Even Cerberus, the three headed dog himself has tried to bite down and rip Zeus to shreds, only to be kicked unconscious. Poor dog, he deserves better that to be treated like a rabid mutt.

More explosions follow as both men try to strangle each other, power backfiring as the sheer anger crashes into each other over and over again.

Like our prayers have been answered, Mother Nyx forms and arises, right in the middle of the battle alongside the two world ending dragons. If we have any chance to hold him back and possibly defeat the God that rules all, now is the chance! Zeus may be strongest but there is a reason why he's always been afraid of mother…

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https://i.ibb.co/xLXGWRX/Nyx.jpg

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All of us siblings and Underworld defenders take this opportunity, only to be forcibly pushed back by Mother Nyx herself.

"My children, this isn't a battle for you to worry about so please… stand back"

Mother Nyx has resilience and determination none of us are able to match so if she believes we're not worthy, then so be it. I was always meant for bringing souls who have departed their mortal vessels peacefully back to the Underworld so, I may be out of my depth here. Being labelled as the grim reaper has always been a façade mortals created because death is a concept they have yet failed to comprehend.

<You two idiots have complete ownership of this place, yet, he's able to break in easily? Was not a dungeon which is yours command?>

<Dermakvar! Not the time for undermining them!>

(Hades) "This place is ours to command! You underestimate just how absurdly powerful Zeus is, ancient dragon"

Things start to spiral even more out of control as Zeus switches his attention to my mother, the Goddess of the night, forming Poseidon's trident and trying to pierce her with it.

Using her darkness, flames begin to envelop both of them but Zeus just simply just shrugs it off and walks through the hellfire. The smell of burning flesh lingers in the ashy air so he clearly is using a mix of anger and adrenaline to power through it.

"Bah, step away Nyx or face my full wrath. I assure you; it'll be your children that suffer most… the same thing applies to you lizards"

"You enter a world in full view of these two all-knowing eyes and yet, you stand there like a petulant child who has to have his way. Do not tempt the full wrath of Chaos, especially in a place like this"

"Always were the false prophet, weren't you? You no longer hold that immense power so I no longer fear you Nyx!"

<Darling, calm yourself and ignore him. He won't lay a hand on them>

<… >

The power that explodes from Zeus's provocation of Mother Nyx and the dragon is insane, throwing all of us not strong enough to withstand it an entire lake away. Only she, Zeus, and the two dragons are able to stand it, as even Master Hades himself is unable to hold back the force.

The dragons try to help but only find Mother Nyx refusing their help as well. This really isn't going well.

"Bah, I'm not here to wipe you all out! What I'm here for is that one soul that dared to try and escape my grasp when the heavens collapsed. I WILL NOT BUDGE ON THIS!!!"

Again, power crashes against both fighters as the sheer force shakes Tartarus. Every punch causes a chain reaction that would destroy even the strongest of mortals in the vicinity.

"Trespassing is a sin you should've learnt eons ago; you are not welcome here so leave"

Instead of continuing to rage, Zeus finds an opening on Mother and crashes down the trident right into one of her breasts. Then, electricity begins to charge and all our surroundings begin to rock, forcing us weaker lot to stumble or fall again.

Suddenly, an explosion rocks between the two of them and in the embers of ash and static, only one fighter remains but is bleeding profusely.

"*Cough cough*… apologies my children, it looks like age is finally catching up with me. Even Chaos itself would find a challenge against such a foe. I could only send him a short distance away"

Spluttering blood, Mother must've forcibly sent him to someplace else down here so we have a chance to recover and not end up being impaled on that stolen weapon. Zeus must've planned for this because his usual lightning bolt normally needs some access to the sky to work. Down here in Tartarus, there is no such thing so a powerful conduit was needed. Poseidon alongside Master Hades were always unable to hold him back if he sets his mind to something.

"You've done more than enough Nyx… we can only hope that soul knows how to hide. It's likely he will find and revive it though"

<Will Hades explain to us why that soul is so important? We want help but we need more go off>

<Darling is right… apart from the helping bit. We could understand if it either little or littlest one's souls were in danger, that soul cannot be of such importance>

…

Silence and uncomfortableness fill the hellish landscape as no one seems to be able to answer why Zeus is so desperately in search for that soul.

"Sorry ancient dragon, we don't actually know. This one hasn't appeared on any paperwork, nor did we hear about its arrival after the heavens fell. It's almost as if it doesn't exist"

"My Hades is right. This isn't the first time Zeus has came down here looking in plac-… huh. Could it be that?"

Mistress Persephone seems to have regained her smile when returning to her husband's side but also looks to be thinking heavily on something. Has she figured out what the connection is?

(Kell) <What is Persephone?>

"The phoenix Petra, I remember she asked something about her mother's soul when last down here. Kell, could it be related?"

While those few are chatting together, the rest of us servants and siblings tend to Mother Nyx's wounds and dare not interrupt or eavesdrop an important conversation the leaders are discussing. This isn't our place.

Her care for other's can never be understated so receiving the same treatment has to be priority. Back in those Olympian games, she purposely lost to Hermes so she wouldn't have to bring any harm to those who don't deserve it.

My reason for being up there was down to the master. If Master Hades hadn't asked me to keep an eye on things and report back on what was going on, I never would've dared entered that show. Ares himself makes my skin crawl.

(Thanatos) "Mother, may I ask something… about the dragons"

Unknown to all of us is why the two dragons of legend ended up down here. Shouldn't they be where their two children are?

"*Cough*… it's fine my child. Presumably, the demon knew I had to be woken? I was deep in sleep when they arrived and informed me of the chaotic situation unfol-"

The Goddess of the night has always been a heavy sleeper and it's her biggest weakness. It's unfortunate but slightly humorous how that segues into what interrupts her.

"*Snoring*"

Cutting everybody off, it appears Hypnos and Megaera have both been tuckered out from the brief encounter and choose to hug and sleep together. I'd give them credit because the brimstone is supposed to burn and itch to the touch, they really look peaceful considering just how hellish this place is supposed to be.

"Bah… those two idiots really need lecturing about their duties. I'm becoming too soft on you all"

<I remember Ikarus said something about a special drink that keeps one awake? What was it called again?>

<She called it coffee darling… say. Didn't she once say a friend of hers is stuck serving time down here? Whatever that means?>

…

Most of us looking around confused, everyone excluding Mother Nyx and the sleepyheads seem to be confused on the words the ancient dragon speaks. Ikarus, the phoenix who fought with us in the rebellion has a friend down here stuck? Who could that be?

(Nyx) "*Cough cough*… it appears you've all forgotten about the child imprisoned inside this realm itself. Does the Dionysus replacement refresh your memory?"

Almost instantly, Hades's face drops as depressed as I've ever seen. I wouldn't worry about it too much because his business is handling the dead, not dealing with prisoners who are still alive… unless he's now starved to death of course. That'll save me a trip moving his soul along… although that might not be considered peaceful.

"Bah, shit! The beastkin that was servant to the demon… Geld it think? You Erinyes were keeping him fed, correct? I reckon with Zeus's influence in the heavens collapsing, his cell should just open up. Not sure how we're going to send him home though…"

__________

"Ikarus, to the left!"

"I see them Petra! Let's go burn some shit"

Angels, hundreds of angels, getting closer and closer to our islands by the second and joined with the wife, we're on the hunt.

From above, we can see our prey flapping their wings, not having a clue what's above them like a bunch of idiots. I'm sure we've done something like this before but the solution still holds some merit, no one looks above them when traversing the skies like a hunter bird searching for prey. There will always be something deadlier higher up…

Just as we're about to pounce on our prey and flame grill their arses, Apol-, I mean's Nathan's air defence system kicks in and javelins begin to fly true, homing in on their targets.

All around the three islands, a dozen or so extending poles have been set out away from buildings that fire upon any who dare show ill intent towards our lands. These pillars fire javelin like spikes, similar to the ones back in Olympus but much weaker in power. They still can split an angel in two though and that's what we're seeing, our kills being stolen by the second.

Unfortunately, the group we were aiming for may be wiped out but many other angels manage to break through our first line of defence. These temporary artefacts he's set up do have restrictions and due to the haste of getting them sorted, they aren't perfect. Reloading is a major concern and the coverage isn't great, they still pack a punch though.

The weather also isn't helping as a rapid storm has just hit the coast. Thunder, rain and lighting falls all around. I just hope it's a coincident and unrelated to this current attack. For the life of me, I can't see Zeus or Poseidon working with angels so the weather must be a bad coincidence… right?

"We're losing too many righ-, there! Look up above, we're under attack!"

"Aargh!"

Sweeping in from down above at the few who have noticed us, me and Petra spray flame all over those who get a glimpse of our fluffy bodies. You may be thinking how our magic works in the rain, you just need to more magic in it and it'll burn like normal… for a bit. The rain is going to put the fire out but the initial heat works a charm for fried angel wings.

And surprisingly enough, the cover of the storm provides an ample distraction for us to break through this remaining group with no witnesses. Now behind the enemies lines, they won't know what hit them.

'These fuckers are going to have fun finding out a genuine demon lord is coming in from behind… that sounds so freaking stupid…'