Young Writers Society

Chapter 37: Foolish Goddess

Josephine readied her flames, Jase summoned his shadows, and Aphrodite’s aura shined even brighter than before. The ground beneath them trembled as Hades summoned his dark magic. Shadowy figures rose from the earth. Josephine, Jase, and Aphrodite stood their ground. They weren’t going to falter now, especially to a god that seemed lost and confused. They needed to prove a point. Josephine's flames licked at the spirits that rose from the ground, incinerating them as they approached. She focused. She had to focus.

Jase commanded his shadows to wrap around the spirits, restraining their movements and diminishing their power. He knew they couldn't afford to lose here. They had come too far and faced too many dangers to let Hades stop them now.

Aphrodite stepped forward. With a graceful wave of her hand, she summoned a brilliant shield of light that repelled the spirits. Her voice rang out, “You don’t fight your own battles, Hades? Oh, I thought I knew better of you.”

Hades summoned his staff, a large metallic looking spire that seemed to glow a bright orange within the darkness of the plains. He smirked, “You dare mock me, Aphrodite?”

Hades sneered and unleashed a wave of dark energy towards them. Josephine countered with a massive burst of flames, their fiery light clashing with the darkness in a brilliant explosion. Jase's shadows wove through the flames, creating an intricate barrier that absorbed the impact.

As the smoke cleared, Hades looked rather irritated. His lips were not curled into a grin anymore, and instead, his eyes gleamed with pure hatred, “Oh, so we want to play games, I see. So be it.”

With a swift motion, Hades slammed his staff into the ground, causing the earth to crack and tremble. Dark energy poured from the cracks, creating a swirling vortex of shadows that threatened to engulf them. Josephine, Jase, and Aphrodite stood their ground. Josephine’s flames flared brighter, “I refuse to be afraid of you, Hades.”

Hades didn’t take his eyes off Aphrodite. She seemed to be struggling, her hands almost shaking in attempt to keep the barrier up between them. This domain was too strong, Aphrodite’s magic was getting drained in Tartarus. And Hades knew it. Hades smirked once more.

“Your power drains, Aphrodite. Give up while you can.”

Aphrodite’s aura flickered but she stood firm, “Even in your domain, Hades, love will always triumph.”

Hades laughed darkly and unleashed another wave of dark energy. This time, it was more potent, a concentrated blast aimed directly at Josephine and Jase. Josephine's flames struggled to hold back the burst, and Jase's shadows strained against the force.

Aphrodite gritted her teeth, stepping forward, “You will not harm them.”

She raised her hands, summoning every ounce of her remaining strength to create a shield of light around Josephine and Jase. The dark energy clashed with the barrier, causing a violent explosion of light and shadow. The force of the blast sent Josephine and Jase flying, but they were fine. For a second, Josephine thought she’d died. Aphrodite, however, staggered back, her strength visibly weakened. Hades seized the opportunity, his eyes blazing with fury. He raised his staff, summoning a cloud of dark energy that swirled around him.

“You cannot protect them forever, Aphrodite,” Hades hissed, “Your end is near.”

Aphrodite’s eyes met Josephine's and Jase's, “Run,” she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of urgency and love, “Get out of here, now!”

Josephine shook her head, tears streaming down her face, “I’m not leaving you.”

Hades unleashed his fury, a massive wave of dark energy surging towards them. Aphrodite threw herself into the path of the attack, her shield of light expanding to absorb the impact. The collision of dark and light created a blinding explosion, and Aphrodite’s scream echoed through the plains.

When the light faded, Aphrodite was on the ground, her aura dimmed and flickering. Hades stood over her, “Foolish goddess,” he spat, “You thought you could defy me?”

“No!” Josephine tried to run to her, but Jase stopped her. Josephine could feel their bond break, and she dropped to her knees. It felt as though… as though the light was drained out of her. And now she was filled with nothing but rage.

And just as they thought it couldn’t get any worse, Ares, Hermes, and Apollo materialized next to Hades. Ares stood tall, his armor gleaming under the dim light. His eyes surveyed the scene before him. Beside him, Hermes looked smug and satisfied, as if excited about the chaos he had helped create. Apollo, radiant and serene, stood as if he was bored, as if the events unfolding were merely a spectacle to him.

Hades turned to them, a triumphant smirk on his face, "Ah, Ares, Hermes, Apollo, you've arrived just in time.”

Ares crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. He glanced at Josephine, "I see.”

Hermes chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Children meddling in divine affairs. How quaint. It seems we have the Forbidden Child right where we want her.”

Jase stepped Infront of Josephine, “Give us Persephone. And all of this can end! You will get punished by Zeus; do you realize that?”

Hades chuckled and turned back to them, “Right. My dear brother, you say? Not when we take your power for ourselves. We will be… unstoppable.”

“Father,” Josephine managed to squeak out, “Please.”

Ares refused to meet her gaze with those words. He seemed to be battling himself internally already. He had to have one ounce of respect left for Josephine—he had to. She was his daughter, after all.

Ares' stern facade wavered slightly. His gaze softened for a fleeting moment, a hint of paternal concern flickering in his eyes. But then, with a deep breath, he hardened his expression once again, steeling himself against the emotions that threatened to surface.

Hermes, always quick with a comeback, interjected, "Oh, how touching. The Forbidden Child begging for mercy. What a sight."

Apollo, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke up, his voice calm yet commanding, "Hades, enough games. Kill them. We have the trident. All we need is her.”

Hades smirked at Apollo's words, "Ah, Apollo, always the voice of reason," he said mockingly, "But killing them outright would be too merciful, don't you think?"

Apollo's expression remained calm and collected, but there was a glint of impatience in his eyes, "We cannot afford to delay any longer. Time is running out."

Josephine didn’t stop looking at her father, “Father. I know, I know you wanted me to be a hero. But now look at you? You get… you get one once of power and now you’ve made yourself a villain. You allowed Hades to kill the woman you love. I know you love Mom. And I know that it’s burning your core. Please. I’m asking you to look at me as your daughter for just one second. Join us. Do the right thing.”

Ares glanced at her, his expression softening momentarily.

Hermes snickered, "How melodramatic. Trying to guilt trip her own father. What a spectacle."

Hades, sensing the tension, spoke, "Ah, family drama. How delightful. But remember, Ares, power is the ultimate prize."

Josephine locked eyes with Ares, "Please, father," she pleaded once more, her voice cracking with emotion, "Choose us. Choose what's right."

Ares closed his eyes. He took a deep breath.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ares opened his eyes. His gaze met Josephine's, and for a moment, there was a glimmer of paternal love and regret in his eyes.

Josephine smiled faintly.

Ares dissipated, and reappeared next to Josephine. He moved to stand in front of them, “You lay a finger on her, and you’re all dead.”

Ares' sudden shift in demeanor caught everyone off guard. His presence radiated authority and power.

Hades smirked, seemingly unfazed, "Always the protective father. But do you really think you can stop us?"

"Try me," Ares said.

Hermes chuckled, "Oh, this just got interesting," he commented, a gleam of excitement in his eyes, "Shall we see how far you're willing to go, Ares?"

Ares remained silent. His eyes moved between Ares and Hades, assessing the situation.

"Let's not make this any more complicated than it already is," Apollo spoke up.

“Too late for that,” Hades snarled and gripped his staff tighter.

“Indeed, too late,” Ares growled.

Jase finally spoke, “Hades, you will fall with Tartarus. And Persephone will never forgive you for what you’ve done.”

“What do you mean?” Hades chuckled, “She has betrayed all of us, as I’ve said before. Now, enough talking.”

Hades raised his staff, dark energy crackling around it, ready to unleash another wave of power.

Ares didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, he summoned his own weapon, a massive spear "Stand back," he commanded Josephine and Jase.

Josephine, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and determination, took a step back, clutching Jase's hand. She knew her father was powerful, but they were facing not just Hades, but Hermes and Apollo, too.

Hermes darted forward, moving with supernatural speed. Ares intercepted him, their weapons clashing with a thunderous impact. Sparks flew as they exchanged blows. Apollo, watching the chaos unfold, finally stepped into the battle. With a gesture, he summoned beams of sunlight that shot towards Ares. Ares deflected them with his spear, but the force of the attack pushed him back.

Hades, seeing an opening, aimed his staff at Josephine and Jase. Dark swirls of energy snaked towards them. Jase reacted swiftly, summoning his shadows to create a barrier, once again. Josephine, her heart pounding, knew they couldn't hold out much longer. She felt the weight of her power, the flames within her burning brighter. With a fierce determination, she summoned all her strength and unleashed a blast of fire towards Hades.

Hades snarled, raising his staff to counter the attack. The flames and dark energy collided, and the darkness dissipated. Ares seized the opportunity. With a powerful leap, he closed the distance between him and Hades, his spear aimed at Hades' heart.

Time seemed to slow as Ares thrust his spear forward. Hades, caught off guard by the sheer intensity of the attack, couldn't react in time. The spear pierced through his chest, and for a moment, there was a stunned silence.

Ares stood over Hades, “This ends now.”

Hades, gasping for breath, glared up at Ares, "You think this will stop me?" he hissed, "I am the lord of the underworld. I will rise again."

Ares tightened his grip on the spear, "Not if I have anything to say about it," he replied.

With a final surge of power, Ares channeled his energy through the spear. A brilliant light enveloped Hades, and within seconds, Hades was gone, leaving only a crater where he had stood.

Hermes and Apollo looked even angrier, and they stalked towards Ares, “You are a traitor.”

“You are speaking of yourselves, it seems,” Ares turned around, and for the first time, caught a glimpse of Aphrodite’s lifeless body. His eyes softened, but he soon regained his hard exterior, “You two are next.”