If you are new to this story, this is not the first part. Please read the first part as it also contains the warning label.
Part Two: Death and MiseryÂ
Reina and Aeon were in the ritual chamber when Otrera and Megara arrived. Reina placed wicks where Aeon wrote scriptures from an ancient book of the dead. The words were from a dead language only known to followers of Hades. On the floor was a large circle drawn in blood that aligned with the circumference of the glass dome.Â
âPriestess.â Aeon greeted. Reina had nothing to say. Otrera thought back to her coldness towards Kratos. She remembered when the girl was sixteen, coming into the temple with nothing but the clothes on her person. Reina devoted herself to Hades, to the point of obsession. Otreraâs mother had told her no God was worth blind admiration.Â
âThe Gods do not care for humans. Hades' sense of duty to humans is better than any God, nonetheless he has no love for them eitherâ. Otrera tried to teach her followers the same but every generation there was one who gave blind devotion to Hades. Reina was one such devoter.Â
Otrera looked over the words Aeon had written in ink, each phrase was circled and a wick was placed over it. He would continue this pattern until the outside of the blood circle was surrounded by these words. The enchantments would draw in the restless and countless souls from the depths of the ocean.Â
Tonight would be a full moon, which would strengthen the ritual. The last thing needed would be a suitable host for Hades to possess.He couldnât leave the underworld, but he could put his essence into a vessel. There was only one person Otrera knew of that might be able to take the strain of a God being in their body and survive it. But after everything heâd been through with the Gods, she wouldnât dare add on to his trauma.Â
As night approached, Otreraâs anxiety grew. She kept reciting the summoning spell, over and over. Summoning Hades required perfect execution. If she messed up there would be a deadly rebound. That and she knew meeting the God of the Dead would not be a joyful reunion. She sat alone in her room; Kratos decided to explore the temple and had yet to return. She was in deep concentration when a knock on her door nearly made her flinch out of her skin.Â
Reina opened the door enough to peek through. âWe have the sacrifice, Priestess. The ritual chamber is ready.âÂ
Otrera nodded and was left alone. Sweat built on her forehead. Hades, easily, could communicate with the temple whenever he wished. But whenever his attention was urgently needed, he could be called. It had been eight years since sheâd had to. Otrera continued chanting, the words flowing out of her lips flawlessly even though her mind was occupied.Â
Otrera couldnât stay in her room forever. She gathered courage, praying to her Amazon ancestors for strength. She pulled from her wardrobe a long cloak, as black as midnight, and pulled its hood over her head. She didnât bother putting soot over her eyes and lips. Followers were supposed to wear it, but Hades preferred her without it. She walked out, clutching the spell book firmly. The halls were deserted, everyone would be waiting in the ritual chamber. She wondered where Kratos had gone, but thought it best he stayed away. She didnât want him to see how Hades would treat her. She had a feeling he would react badly.Â
The ritual chamber was dark, save for the lit candles and the perfect circle of light shining directly in the center of the room. The sacrifice was a middle aged man, bound by hands and feet. He had short, ragged hair like a wild dog and deep blue eyes that were full of panic. His mouth was gagged so he couldnât speak. His tanned skin was drowning in sweat. She hoped the man wasnât important to anyone, but whether he was didnât matter.Â
When the followers of Hades demanded a sacrifice, no one could refuse less they wished to be cursed by Hades himself. Human sacrifices were rare and it wasnât common practice in the temple. But an animal vessel wouldnât be enough to summon a God. Not even this frightened man was an ideal vessel. Hopefully Hades would possess him, otherwise the man would lose his life in vain.Â
 Megara came up to Otrera, taking the book out of her hands.Â
âGood luck Priestessâ she said as she left. One by one, the followers approached her and gave words of encouragement. When she was alone she almost began to cry.Â
âYou have to do this,â she said to herself, âYou have to for Agave.âÂ
Once she stood in the center of everything she didnât hesitate. With raised arms, she spoke out the spell, the dead language reverberated in the chamber as her chant grew stronger. Soon the moans of the restless dead poured into the room, their wallowing was almost deafening. Like a typhoon, the souls swirled around her. The flames went out, but were replaced immediately by acidic green fire.Â
The flames burst into an inferno, engulfing the souls. Through their screams Otrera still chanted; she couldnât stop until Hades possessed his host. The man wept as he stared at the flames of hell. And when the flames suddenly surged onto him he screamed. The flames digested every part of the man, transforming him into a mock image of a godly being. When the flames finally dispersed, Hades towered above her.
His war helm was steaming, she could see angry red eyes through the slits. Before she could even think about what to say he backhanded her. Otrera held her cheek and tasted blood on her tongue. He was a bulky god; she knew he could have hit harder. She was fortunate he wasnât wearing his gauntlets.Â
âIf you were not my daughter I would have let the flames burn the flesh from your bones. How dare you call on me.âÂ
âI need your help.â she was surprised by the confidence in her voice.Â
âYou will not have it.âÂ
âMy Lord-âÂ
âWhere is that murderous filth? Do not tell me you allowed him in my sacred temple,â
She kept her mouth shut this time.Â
âAnswer me.â he seethed.Â
âI⊠I need your help.â
 In a single step, the God was upon her. He gripped her neck with his large hand. His skin was uncomfortably hot. Otrera gripped his forearm with both hands, as if that would keep him from squeezing. If she didnât tell him the truth, he would harm her for real.Â
âHeâs not the man you think he is.â Otrera clenched her eyes shut as Hades roared, the sound so tumultuous it caused the room to quake.Â
âYou disgraceful, disobedient child! Your mother was too soft on you, clearly you are in need of discipline.â Hades bellowed as his fingers tightened around his daughterâs neck. Otrera felt tears prick in her eyes as she gasped for breath.Â
âPlease, Father,â she pleaded, âPlease, help me find Achyls.âÂ
The God glowered at her as he stood in silent contemplation. Just as Otreraâs vision began to blacken, he let go. She held her throat, wheezing and coughing. Â
âI told you to abandon this foolish mission. You are so stubborn, like your insufferable mother,â Hades spited, grasping Otrera by her shoulders,Â
 âListen to me, ungrateful child of mine. The Ghost of Sparta sows misfortune and reaps tragedy. Achlys is no different. Stay away from them. Death does not spare the bad just as it does not spare the good, your mother taught you that.âÂ
Otrera felt her heart sink. âAre you telling me to let my sister die?âÂ
âShe is weak, so weak I could not bestow any of my powers to her. Let her die.â
Otrera didnât think people saw red when upset, but like a burst of lighting the color flashed in her eyes. She had only summoned the flames of hell once in her life and when they came they danced around her in a fury. Hades laughed mockingly; with a beckoning finger, the flames raced to him acknowledging their true master.
âHave you forgotten from whom your powers originate?â
The strain of calling such power made Otrera want to vomit. She fell to her knees, her skin paling and her body shaking. She scolded herself for summoning Hades at all.Â
âI beg you, Father,â tears streamed down her cheeks, âAgave is the last blood I have on this earth. Please, help me save her.âÂ
Hades looked down at Otrera, a low growl sitting in his throat. âOn your feet, pathetic, pleading wench.â
 Otrera did as told, shakily rising to her feet.Â
âYou are your motherâs child. One way or another you will do as you please⊠I suppose that is why I favored her in the first place,â Hades wiped her tears with plump thumbs. His skin felt abrasive along her smooth cheeks.Â
âMisery is the one thing humans can never escape from. Where you find the most misery and death, you will find Achlys. I believe she has taken roots in Thebes. The city has just been through war and since Apollo was on the losing side he decided to strike it with a plague arrow,â Hades tangled in his fingers through Otreraâs coiled hair.Â
âGo to your sister. And never return to my temple... You are no servant of mine.â
Hell flames enveloped his entire body, and in an instant he was gone leaving behind a skeleton that used to be a middle aged man from Athens.Â
I donât know how I feel about God of War 5 being on PS5. I feel like they could wait on the release (especially with whatâs going on in the world right now).Â
If you are new to this story, this is not the first part. Please read the first part as it also contains the warning label.
*Continuation of Part oneÂ
The Priestess was visibly shaken from her last encounter. Kratos was tempted to comfort her, but he was never really any good at that. They found an inn, reasonably far from Apollodorosâs accommodations. There was only one room available with a single bed. The Priestess was encompassed in her thoughts, not paying any heed to his gaze as she stripped from her black peplos and sought relief under blankets. He thought back to what Apollodoros had said.Â
âWhat you seek is Misery and Death personified. Your sister is bait, what took her expects you to come after her.âÂ
âIâve done nothing to warrant the attention of a God!â the Priestess had yelled.Â
âI suspect Misery is need of one of your gifts.âÂ
âPlenty of Hadesâ followers can whisper to ghosts-âÂ
âBut I only know of one that can resurrect the dead, bone, flesh, and soul intact,âÂ
Kratos saw her skin blanch. Her expression was one of genuine terror.Â
âIt is a power Hades has never bestowed on anyone since the beginning of his reign, except for you.â
Kratos didnât believe a God would burden a mortal with so much power. Hades, especially, was more reserved than all the other Gods. Who was this woman that the King of the Dead decided she deserved such abilities? He decided to put these thoughts on hold for now, and try to rest. Kratos placed his blades on a small table close to the window. He shed his pelt and sandals and chose to sleep on top of the blankets. It was rather hot on the island. He hoped to dream nothing at all, but his nightmares rarely spared him.Â
He stood in a desert, the air unbearably dry and hot. Ash fell from the sky like snow and the scent of sulfur made him wheeze. He was exhausted, he could barely keep hold of the sword in his hands. The Blade of the Gods radiated power, he could feel it seeping into his body like a sponge absorbs water. It kept him from passing out.Â
The God of War was on his knees before him, defeated and hateful. Kratos finally bested the cause of all his pain...but where was his sense of triumph?
âYou think killing me will end your torment, you ungrateful pet?â blood spat out Ares mouth as he spoke.Â
âYou were the one helpless and begging for my divine intervention. I gave you power beyond imagining. I gave you purpose. Everything you are is because of me. And yet you despise me. For what?â
âShut your mouth.âÂ
âFamilial bonds are worthless and pathetic. A true warrior lets nothing blind his path. But you are no warrior. And you will never be spared from your past deeds. They will haunt you until the end of days.âÂ
âEnough!â Kratos roared, raising the sword and thrusting it through the Godâs throat and wrenching it out. Ares clawed at his neck as blood sprayed from the lethal wound. He fell onto his back, trying to scream as blood filled his mouth. Flame erupted from his chest like lava erupts from a volcano; Kratos couldnât escape as the flames came down and scorched the battlefield.Â
He wasnât breathing when woke up. He clutched at his chest, his mouth opening to allow in air. But he couldnât breathe. He was about to panic when arms wrapped around his chest.Â
âIt was only a dream, Kratos. You must calm down,â the Priestess whispered into his ear. âBreathe.âÂ
He inhaled deeply, air flowing into his lungs. He remained motionless as the Priestess held him.
âDo you want to tell me about it?â she finally spoke.Â
âNo.â he sat up, forcing her away from him. He stood to leave, until she grasped his hand. He glared back at her but upon seeing her pleading gold eyes he reluctantly sat back down.Â
âCan I tell you of my dream then?â the Priestess said. He didnât refuse. Â
âIt was a peculiar dream. I was standing on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the ocean. There was no sound, though the waves crashed against rock and the breeze was quite strong. The sky was grey but it was warm. I had this sense of⊠finality. Like I was ready to move on to the next life. But it wasnât a solemn scene. I was content... Strange, isnât it?â he kept his lips sealed, but his heart quickened in pace as he recalled the same dream in his perspective. He said the first thing that came to mind, anything that didnât involve dreams.Â
âYour name is Otrera.âÂ
âIt is. My mother named me after the first Queen of the Amazons. She admired her ancestor greatly.âÂ
âYou are Amazon?âÂ
âHalf. My mother was twenty years old when she left her homeland, Anatolia, and came to Greece. She was exiled by the Amazons for trying to overthrow her younger sister Hippolyta, the Queen at the time. She never said how, but she eventually came into the service of my Lord Hades. By the time my sister and I were born she had served as Head Priestess of our temple for a while. She used to tell me how she longed to return to Anatolia. She passed away, never seeing her warrior sisters again.âÂ
âHow did she die?âÂ
âShe was old. My mother was seven hundred and six years old. Amazons age slow- and donât bother asking. A woman never tells her age.âÂ
In the morning they journeyed to the docks, boarding the Myrmekes trireme. The Priestess whispered indistinguishable words and the crew came back to life.Â
âIt would save us more time to use your mist.â Kratos said.Â
âIt would. But I cannot trust that mode of travel anymore. Achlys, the Goddess of Death and Misery is also the creator of the mist. She is likely the reason why we jumped all the way to Troy instead of Lesbos. I would rather not use a power that is unpredictable.âÂ
Once the boat was well into the sea the Priestess finally revealed where they were heading.Â
âIt is not an easy feat to track a God. Not even Apollodoros has the power to do that. If Iâm to figure out where Misery is waiting, I need all the help I can get.âÂ
When they reached the shores of mainland Greece, the sailors were put to eternal rest all jumping into the sea never to be seen. Kratos was familiar with these lands. Ten miles west would be the city of Athens.
âWe are very close. Itâs a mile north, we just have to follow the coast.âÂ
The temple was not what he expected. It was massive. Golden pythons wrapped around thick black pillars. The roof was flat save for the dome in the very center composed entirely of glass. The entrance were two doors that looked as thick and tough as steel, all painted in obsidian black. Without a word from the Priestess, the doors opened wide enough to allow them to step inside. Kratos was surprised to see an absolute juxtaposition of the dreary outside appearance of the temple. A light shade of gold with intricate lines decorated the path before them. The entire ceiling was covered with paintings depicting the God of the Underworld and some of the stories mortals would retell. Vines crawled up the marbled walls, creating purposeful patterns. The Priestess smiled at him, âWelcome to my home, Spartan.âÂ
 A small girl, who couldnât have been any older than twelve, ran up to the Priestess wrapping her arms around her.Â
âHello little one.â the Priestess greeted with a gentle smile. Others appeared before them, all dressed in black clothing with black soot over their eyes and on their lips. Some were welcoming and some were not. They all stared at him.Â
âMy travel companion has been helping me search for Agave. He is Kratos of Sparta.âÂ
âWe know who he is,â a low and taut voice spoke. The woman was also clad in a black sheer peplos. Her hair was waist length and white. Her pale skin was slightly flushed- she was not pleased by his presence.Â
âLord Hades has spoken to us during your search. The Ghost of Sparta is not welcome here.â he almost flinched at the mention of the alias. He wondered if heâd ever get over that name.Â
âI am Head Priestess of this temple. You will all do as I say and I say he is welcome,â her tone is absolute, there was no room for arguing.Â
âPrepare the ritual chamber. I will speak to Lord Hades myself.â
Waiting was difficult. He tried to busy himself by sharpening the Blades of Chaos. But merely looking at the cursed weapons didnât help his mood. Eventually he took to looking around the room. It was decent sized; a large bed was placed by the window topped with many pillows. A wardrobe was on the opposite side, filled with black silks, skirts, and few peplos. âWhose room is this?â he thought just as the Priestess entered. She held a tray with a bowl of grapes and plates of cheese, flat bread, and roasted lamb legs. Following behind her was the small child named Megara, who held a pitcher of wine in one hand and two cups in the other. There was a short table in the middle of the room with cushions on every side. After the child placed the pitcher and cups on the table she fled, but not before glaring at Kratos with a disapproving pout.Â
âDo not mind her. She is a jealous child, but a promising apprentice.âÂ
They ate in silence. The Priestess didnât look in the mood for small talk, neither was he. She had a book in front of her, her gold eyes glided over the words. Every now and then she would mutter something from the pages. She said she would speak to Hades; in his experience Gods rarely intervened in the mortal world unless there was something to gain from it. But she spoke as if the God would answer her summoning like a servant would answer his masterâs call. What was her relationship with Hades?Â
âWho is Lysandra?â the Priestess suddenly conveyed.Â
His eyes narrowed, âHow-âÂ
âWhen you were sick from the poison, you spoke her name. I donât think Iâve ever asked you who she is?âÂ
âShe⊠She was my wife.âÂ
âHow did she die?âÂ
Didnât she know the story behind the Ghost of Sparta? Why bother asking questions she has the answer to? He kept silent, not wanting to engage any further.Â
âIâm sorry. Sometimes I can be too intrusive. I used to be married as well. My husband and I had a difficult time conceiving but eventually I became pregnant. I gave birth to a little boy, his name was Aegean, after the Amazon Queen Aegea. He was a sweet boy. But death does not spare the good just as it does not spare the bad. He was ten years old when he died. My husband blamed me and leftâŠâ the Priestess closed her book.
âHe wasnât wrong to blame me. I was performing a dangerous ritual, one that required a living soul. An old woman had traveled hundreds of miles to our temple, pleading for a miracle. It was very dry that year and with no rain to nourish the lands thousands of people everywhere were starving. Her village was in the midst of famine, and no amount of their prayer and offerings would make the Gods intervene. I knew of a way to bring life back to her peopleâs lands, but that required a life.Â
The ritual chamber was supposed to be sealed completely from the outside. Somehow, Aegean got in. I will never know what possessed him to enter the chamber while a ritual was in place. He knew better but he did it anyway. The sacrificeâs soul was spared and his was taken instead,â tears gave her eyes a golden sheen. Kratos found himself holding his breath; the priestess always seemed so reserved, like himself. Yet she confided her tragedy to him of all people.Â
âI begged Lord Hades for his soul back. I offered my own in exchange but he refused. I could not undo my mistake. After that, I learned that I have some resilience in me. Agave was always by my side and I by hers. No matter what we went through, we had each other... I donât think I could live in a world without my better half.âÂ
Kratos couldnât stop himself. Despite everything screaming within him to block out her pain, he was moving closer to her. When he was close enough he placed a hand on her shoulder, hoping the gesture was comforting. This was pain he understood.Â
The Priestess leaned into him, pressing her back to his chest. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed his nose into her hair, scenting lavender. âIâm sorry about your wife. Of course I know the stories but people have a way of distorting truths. I wanted to know your side.âÂ
He wished the stories were all lies.Â
âMy wife and my daughter,â his tongue felt like lead as he spoke,Â
âThey meant the world to me.âÂ
The Priestess turned in his arms to face him. âTell me what happened. Everything. No detail spared.âÂ
That unbearable screaming within him would not retreat. If he listened to instinct he would have pushed her away, left, and likely never returned. His family was territory he still could not face head on. But with the Priestess he didnât feel alone in his pain. Even as he told her his memories, omitting nothing, he felt lighter. He hadnât known there was such tremendous pressure bearing down on him. He even went past that event, telling her about his reunion with his daughter in the afterlife. A memory he had forced deep down within himself.Â
âWe are almost the same you and I,â the Priestess said when he finished.Â
âBut thereâs a significant difference between us.â there was a knock on the door and the voice of a small child yelled for the Priestess. She kissed him on the cheek before leaving the room.Â
if u dont acknowledge the fanfics u read, the writer wonât think anyone is actually taking the time to read their stuff, which makes our effort feel wasted and our passions feel worthless
If you are new to this story, this is not the first part. Please read the first part as it also contains the warning label.
*Continuation of part one
The city of Knossos was at the peak of its trading season. Merchants from all around the Mediterranean had come to sell their products such as jewelry, finely made vases, and silk and cloth dyed expensive colors. In the cityâs center, people were more focused on negotiating prices of goods than a Spartan warrior and a Priestess of Hades strolling through.Â
Every so often, however, someone would notice the Priestess in her all black attire. For once Kratos was entirely ignored, which somewhat relieved him. Eventually they came upon a small building. Above the entrance was a carving of a bow and arrow, one of many symbols representing Apollo. The open archway led to an atrium where many women and few children were busy doing laundry in large basins.Â
âWhat is this place?â Kratos questioned.Â
âYouâll see.â was all the priestess had to say. They continued on. Some women nodded to the Priestess. Some stared at the pale warrior, especially the children who hid behind their mothers watching him cautiously. There were a few doors on the ground level of the white sandstone building. Towards the back were a flight of stairs leading to the second level. At the end of a long hallway they found a man sitting on the floor in an antechamber. Surrounding him was a copious amount of vases and corked vials. In his hands, was a long parchment.Â
âGood to see you again, Otrera. How long has it been? Ten-fifteen years?â the older man spoke, his eyes still on the parchment.
âThe last time I was here, I was with my mother.âÂ
âYes, I remember. She passed peacefully I heard.â the man placed the parchment on the floor as he slowly stood. He stretched his back as he came to his full height that hardly surpassed the Priestess. The man turned to them and gave a wide, toothy grin.Â
âBy the Gods! You have truly been blessed by Aphrodite, Otrera. And you have brought a man along with you. But I must warn you, child, this man will not bring you good fortune.â Kratos stepped forward but the Priestess grasped his arm; she looked at him sternly, urging him silently not to cause a scene.Â
âHe is helping me, my Lord Apollodoros. My sister-âÂ
âShe has gone missing.â
â-y-yes. How do-âÂ
â-The last time I saw your sister, I had given her five vials of feverfew oil, three vases of poppy milk, a few vials of black walnut essence, seven vials of nettle root tinctures, the usual requests. She left here almost a month ago with her husband.âÂ
âShe hasnât returned to the temple. I need you to use your sight-âÂ
âAnd what are you willing to give for my sight?âÂ
â100 gold coins. That is more than enough to at least point me in the right direction.â a shroud of black mist surrounded her hands and when the mist dispersed a fat bag of coins resided in her palm. Apollodoros held out his hand and the Priestess promptly plopped the bag onto it.Â
âThe Head Priestess of Hadesâ Temple does not leave her post unless of great urgency. The moment I felt your presence in this city I knew something had to be terribly wrong. And the only person you even remotely care about is your sweet sister⊠She is invisible to me, all I have seen is darkness.âÂ
âThatâs not a lead my Lord.â the words were forced through teeth tightly clenched. Kratos noticed the room darkening but when he peered out the window he could still see the sun high in the sky. It occurred to him that had never seen the Priestess angry.Â
âShe was taken by something that comes from the underworld. Perhaps if you cannot see the woman, you may be able to see this creature.â Kratos added.Â
âUsing my powers to search for the Underworldâs abominations will require much more payment Iâm afraid.â Apollodoros said with a grin on his lips.Â
âMy temple has faithfully traded with you for decades. Surely you can do me one favor.âÂ
âMy sight was given to me by a God. A favor is not payment.âÂ
âI wonât relieve your body of its head, surely that is a fair exchange.âÂ
âYouâre rather beautiful when your angry. How about this. In exchange for private time with you tonight I will gladly use my sight to reveal the creature Achilles sold your sister to.â the Priestess gold eyes darkened like storm clouds darken the sky. She hadnât mentioned Achilles.Â
Kratos was sick of the old manâs bantering. Before Apolldoros could fantasize about the Priestess his neck was being squeezed. The old man grasped at Kratosâ arm, his face already turning purple from lack of oxygen. Before he could pass out Kratos let go and let him fall to the floor.Â
âHow dare you!â the man said in between gasps.Â
âYou will use your sight to find this creature. The other option is death. Your choice, old man.â Apollodorosâs skin reddened but the old man did nothing to retaliate against the Spartan. Despite his rage Kratos could see the fear in his eyes.Â
âFine! Fine! But I officially renounce my services to your temple, Priestess, indefinitely.âÂ
âSo be it.âÂ
Apollodoros sat on the floor, his legs crossed, his eyes closed, as he concentrated. Itâd been ten minutes since he went into a trance. Kratos was running out of patience. The Priestessâs calm demeanor had been digressing ever since they arrived on the island. He could understand why she didnât want to meet Apollodoros.Â
âApollo give me strength,â the old man groaned; he was shaking and sweat slicked down his body. His skin turned ghostly white.Â
âNails, long and sharp as daggers⊠skeleton thin⊠it is mourning, Gods, that wailing!â Apollodoros opened his eyes, inhaling sharply. He looked to the Priestess, pure terror in his eyes.Â
âWe have not seen eye to eye Otrera, but I must say this. Abandon this mission. What you seek is Misery and Death personified.âÂ