Modernized Greek

3rd

Gia and Ares

I want out. Ares stated his tone flat. He stood at the entrance of her temple. Gia sat next to the marble pillar on a beautiful blanket. Eating the offerings left by the worshipers. A confused expression played across her face at the sudden unexpected request.

What do you mean? Asked Gia, she tossed a handful of grapes back into the decorative bowl. Ares had never visited her before. She had watched him during the war and she had seen the fight between him and Aphrodite. She could not help but feel sympathetic to him. Gia did not pass judgement or forge any biases, that was part of her gift as an observer. After seeing Ares in person, she could not help but feel a little tug at her heart. She had never felt this sensation before. Ares continued.

Take me out put me away destroy me. I don’t care I don’t want to be part of this anymore. He said staring ahead. Gia frowned not knowing what this feeling was, pain maybe she thought but banished the thought from her mind. That was the beauty of being an all-powerful being if you did not want to feel you did not have to. Regardless of her banishing the thought it returned the second she met Ares green eyes she took them the gold flakes around his irises blazed with determination. Gia sighed.

Okay. I cannot destroy that which I love but I have another option. I want you to visit your uncle in the underworld he and I have been in discussion regarding the current events. Gia smiled at Ares and sent him on his way. Ares arrived in the underworld. Hades stood aware of Ares’s situation. He watched the events that unfolded on the battlefield, they turned towards the dark corridor, Hades walked Ares to his chamber. Ares raised his wrist and eyed the blacked beaded bracelet one last time before shutting his eyes. Hades secured his bonds Ares closed his eyes.

Ares and Hades- Awakening/ Ascent

Ares and Hades walked to the entrance of the underworld. Hades had explained his dilemma and Ares agreed to help. Ares began his search. It lead him to the corners of the world. He eliminated many possibilities. Ares then had a thought. Gia. Ares closed his eyes and all thoughts went to Gia. When he opened his eyes he was standing in front of a small preschool. Huh he thought fitting. Ares walked through the doors and made his way to the office. At the desk was a small old woman typing wildly on a keyboard. He silently looked at the photos on the wall. One photo stood out. Gia smiling brightly in the circle of little kids smiling brightly one little girl was especially close cheek to cheek. Ares turned silently and made his way down the hall to her classroom. He stood at the open door and waited for Gia to notice.

Okay children lets all prepare for nap time grab your books and find a quiet place to relax. Gia was dressed in a white sundress with yellow daisy print. Her hair was in long black waves. Her face and skin unchanged unaged. Her smile was infectious to all the children her soothing tone would calm the wildest of beasts. Ares relaxed just being in her presence. The music started to play and the small children drifted off to sleep. Gia walked casually to Ares putting a hand on his arm and gesturing him to the hallway.

Hello again. I was not expecting to see you. Gia spoke looking intently at him.

I was sent here to find someone. Persphone is missing. Has been for a long time. Hades is concerned and I was tasked to find her and bring her home. Ares stated.

Well that’s too bad. I have no intention of her going home until she has finished what he refused to start. Gia said flatly. Ares gaped at her.

What exactly is that? Ares questioned her.

I told Hades years ago that if he did not want to help me until it was his business I would make it his business. If you try to take her it will be no use. I took her memories. She would not be the same woman returning regardless better just let her work. Gia said smiling.

Could I at least protect her? Until she is done. I have already been woken up. I don’t have much going on anyway and to be far I not in a hurry. Ares said the words and was just as confused by them as Gia.

Since when did you start to care about protection? Gia asked a broad smile crossing her face.

Look I have been out for awhile I can always go back to sleep. I am offering to help but if its not good enough for you. he said turning to leave. Gia reached for his arm. She snatched his wrist in both hers hands. Her fingers running over the black beaded bracelet.

I never said no. She said smiling. But I will need to take something from you. She put her hands to his temple. Close your eyes. Ares lids slid shut. When you wake up you will be with her. Your objective is to protect her at all costs. When your task is complete these will be returned to you. Gia kissed his forehead.

Cooper and the god of war

Ares opened his eyes to a cloud of sand. The air was hot tension was high. You good sergeant. A small female with wheat colored hair sat next to him in the backseat. Her grey eyes concerned but focused. Cooper pay attention to the road not the sergeant he will figure it out the driver said white knuckling the wheel. Ares looked down at the uniform he was wearing his tag read sergeant David Williams. What the f**k? He thought to himself. His mind blank. How long had he been here? The vehicle shifted violently and flipped. The crew inside was thrown around the inside.

FUCK f**k f**k. The driver screamed. Hadley laid unconscious on the roof of the vehicle. David grabbed her and kicked out the window. David threw Hadley over his should and took off. He kept running until he got to the village. Buildings were burning smoke and sand blew. Gun fire broke out as he put her against a wall. He touched her neck. Still beating. She sucked in a deep breath and opened her eyes. Terror seized her when she realized they were no longer in the car. I’m sorry this is my fault she whispered tears forming on her eyes. I should have seen. I am sorry. They are dead because of me. David put a hand to her mouth and shook his head. Not now he mouthed. Hadley nodded.

David and Hadley waited until the gunfire stopped. The world seemed to slow. David and Hadley made coordinated movements to reach the meeting point for extraction. Hadley and David were on the last stretch when a single gun shot was heard. Hadley was pushed to the ground. David was on top of her. Williams she screamed. He did not answer she grabbed what she could of him and dragged him with her. A second shot was fired as she reached the destination. The world around her went black.

When Hadley opened her eyes she was in a hospital room. Monitors beeped nurses were coming in and out. A brown-haired woman with a gentle voice snapped her out of her haze. Hadley Cooper my name is Dee I am very happy to see you are recovering well. I am sorry you were injured. This injury while non life threatening is going to still cause you pain from time to time but nothing a little physical therapy won’t cure. She smiled. Hadley nodded.

What about sergeant Williams? Where is he is he okay? Hadley asked her hands beginning to shake.

Let’s save that discussion for another time. What you did was very brave. Unfortunately, you will not see Williams again. Dee said quietly. Dee scribbled some notes onto the clip board her smile faded into a tense line. She put her pen into her scrub pocket nodded and walked to the door. Dee walked to the hallway bathroom. Demeter closed the door and took a deep breath.

That was close. She whispered. She put her hand to the mirror and thought of Gia. Gia appeared in the mirror.

I want him gone. She is here. I can watch over her. I never agreed to this. Demeter demanded.

Not up to you. Gia smiled knowingly and vanished from the mirror. Demeter slapped the mirror.

Fine I will handle this myself. She smiled at her reflection. Demeter opened the door to the bathroom and Dee walked down the hallway to Sergeant Williams room. He was unconscious after surgery. The bullet didn’t kill him but enough to slow him down. Demeter was not fooled this was clearly Ares. The description of the situation no one would have survived that without a master strategist. She took his chart and began the process to transfer him out. Hours later a team arrived and took him to a “more suitable hospital.” Demeter smiled internally as he was loaded into the back of a bus