Chapter 1: peace or war, it's up to you
Chapter Text
Hector loved Andromache so much, her fate was why he fought as hard as he did. The fall of Troy only terrified him because her destiny and his son’s were attached to it. His greatest fear was the ruins of the woman he loved and his child because there would be no one left to protect them.
Achilles loved Patroclus so much, he would have burned the entire world to the ground just to avenge his death. His grief was so mighty he would have ended the war single handedly had the Gods not intervened to stop him.
Two loves that powerful clashed in the worst sort of way and only one of them could survive while the other died - and this is the devastating tragedy.
The only lesson is look, look at what love can do.
It can make you a hero or make a monster out of you.
The Olympians looked at the weapon. Hephestus wiped away the sweat from his brow as he finished the final touches on it. All of them had a grim look upon their faces. One might have thought that something terrible would happen that they needed a sword, just a single long- sword made from bronze and gold, to defend themselves and their mountain. No, this sword belonged to someone else. Some might have thought Hercules, the only divine son. That would also be incorrect. For you see Hercules was not the only divine child born to a god. There was another one.
Hephaestus finished. The other Olympians had looks of awe on their face over the sword. It was deadly, a single weapon for one purpose and one purpose only. Death.
There written on the hardening bronze was a sentence: Life is killing all the time and so the goddess kills herself in the sacrifice of her own animal. Zeus approved it and so did Ares.
"The child will wield the sword if war comes, to this land," Zeus spoke almost hopefully yet he knew he was wrong when he heard his son laugh. The god of war knew in his bones, he felt it in his bones as did Athena.
Ares chuckled amused about the hope that old god had. He knew better. He was the God of War after all. "The war will come. The prophecy will come true all prophecies must. The Oracle speaks and the hero must go. It is only a question we must ask ourselves this, Father. When will the child come home? When will the child raise this sword and kill the bastard? When will the God Killer come home?"
Evie could honestly say that she felt guilty ever since the Tourney Game. Audrey's fallen face had been etched into Evie's mind since that day and secretly since that day, she wrote a letter to the other princess. The letter was written in the night under the guise of homework. It was silly bt Evie would be a fool to not say who the letter was for. Mal, for all her bravado at taking Audrey's apology, still did not like the other princess which made Evie roll her eyes at her friend. Not to mention how ridiculous Mal was now and Ben, acting as the favorite couple. She even felt it.
Yet now as she delivered the letter secretly to Audrey's letter in the dead of night, she knew she was doing the right choice with this.
A few days passed when Audrey reached out to Evie. She was nervous when she spotted the Princess of Auroria walking straight towards her during lunch. Ben was feeding Mal a strawberry when Audrey slowly appeared looking at Evie instead of the couple. She just handed Evie a brownie and simply said, "Thank you." Then she left without another word. Evie had to hand it to Audrey, she knew how to make an entrance and an exit mysterious.
Her friends all looked at her inquistively at what Audrey did. Doug looked back and forth with a furrowed brow. Evie already had troubles with Doug and his obnoxious ways, she had broken it off almost a week later. Mal was surprised by it but Evie shrugged it off.
Both girls did not talk after but it seemed that with Evie's apology it seemed to change Audrey, she even apologized for her words when they first met. Evie brushed it off but Audrey wouldn't, telling her that if she ever needed anything to give her a call. Evie was confused until she noticed one day that Audrey hadn't come to lunch. She hadn't come the next day and that was how Evie found out that Audrey had left school. For how long she had asked Ben but the young King did not know. Evie had a feeling it had everything to do with how everyone at school was now treating the fallen Queen Bee of Auradon Prep. She had immediately sent a text to Audrey. Just a casual hellow, nothing out of panic to not distress the other girl. She didn't want to spook her new friend.
Was she a friend? Evie hoped so!
After Audrey's sudden absence from Auradon, she stromed into Ben's office. She had told him flat out to send a letter or a text or call his ex and apologize to her. "You figured out you were under a spell but you never apologized after. Do that. If you want to be a better King, start with that and not destroy a friendship." It came out of nowhere but she was angry. Ben had been gobsmacked but he understood what Evie was saying. Guiltily he hadn't thought about Audrey that much but said to her that he missed her. He missed his best friend which made Evie's heart soften. "Let her know that. Reach out, please Ben."
Audrey had replied a few minutes later when Evie was doing homework in her room. When she saw the text message, Evie felt relief seeing the name and rapidly replied back. Audrey had said that Ben had sent her an apology and they chatted. Good. They begun texting one another about their days. It was how Evie found out that a) Chad and Audrey had broken-up and b) she was now being home schooled by tutors. It wouldn't go a day without Evie and Audrey texting one another until that faithful day Mal ran away.
That and the dreams.
"Let me handle Uma," That was what Evie had said and held no room for argument from her friends. Mal hated the idea and said she could deal with Uma and Evie could not help it-she laughed. All of this from the beginning was Mal's terrible plan from running away and breaking up with Ben to using the stupid spellbook. No, Evie was dealing with this and bringing Ben back. So if she had to trade herself for the King, so be it. She knows a way out, she just hates it. Hates using the coin to get her out of here.
Holding grudges was one of the deadliest things she could do for herself but her dad was never good either. It was his hubris and it was hers, slightly.
Evie walked to the pirate ship where Uma and her crew were stationed. She was glad she brought with her the necklace, if the message reached already then they already knew what was to come. Her friends weren't far behind. Evie could feel the frown Jay was shooting at her but she ignored it. She ended any argument with her friends. She was doing this.
She walked up the plank onto the ship where the pirates were. Uma cooly walked over to her, staring at her with suspicion. Evie did not blame her but she needed Ben safe. She looked at Ben who was tied up on the staff of the ship. He gave her a nod which meant that he was okay and uninjured. Good, this makes things easier for her then. There was a part of her, a small part she thought had been squashed away that... no. No. She had to focus.
"I want to trade the King of Auradon for myself," Evie said not stumbling over her words. She sounded like a Queen or a goddess.
Some of the pirates titered with laughter but Uma did not laugh or say anything snarky. She was just looking at Evie with a calculated look as if she did not truly believe what Evie was saying. Again, Evie could not fault Uma. She would think it was a trap as well but it wasn't. Mal was all for trading a false wand over to Uma but Evie knew better if any of her lessons from her dad taught her was that trickery could go either way. This trickery would just cause more hurt and frustration for Uma. Evie knew that all Uma wanted was for the Isle kids to be free and if Evie was honest she wanted that too now remembering Dizzy. She did not want them stuck here forever and Ben forgot that just as she and her friends did.
She then spoke in a different language than the others could not understand. Greek was something Auradon hadn't bothered to teach in the curriculum or with the Royal Children so Evie knew Ben or Lonnie would translate.
"I can get us out of here. The Gods are on our sides-" Uma scoffed at that but Evie pushed through the girl's skepticism. "With you out of here, I can get the Gods to put pressure on the King and Council to free more children."
"How?" Uma responded in the same language, her eyes narrowed but she was willing to hear her out. "How can you promise it? How do you know that the Gods, that the Olympians will be willing to hear a mortal-" Uma paused looking behind Evie's shoulders at Mal and then back at Evie a wide smile on her lips. She let out a laugh, her head thrown back. "I always heard rumors about some demigod on the Isle. Maleficent made it seem that her kid was that demigod, ha! Now I know it was you! I should have known! The blue hair is a dead giveaway."
Evie shrugged. The blue hair was a dead giveaway, it was true.
"Daughter of the Underworld, I should have known... How did you know?"
Now it was Evie's turn to smirk. "He took me in most of the time. It was better than staying with her," Evie did not suppress the snark which made Uma nod as if sympathetic but Evie was still unsure. She never talked to Uma like this but it was pleasant. "Let him go, Uma. I know this is between you and Mal but for Sappho's sake! I can get you out of there quicker than a wand could. Trust me."
For a moment, Evie was sure this would not have a good outcome. That Uma would reject her offer, even skeptically which Evie did not blame her. It was quite skeptical and she did not know if the person on the other side that held the other Drachma had heard her plea or if any of the gods heard her silent prayer. She was not going to lose any hope. Uma agreed which Evie felt was a small victory. Uma shouted orders to have Harry let go of Ben and throw him to Mal and that they would take Evie instead.
Evie could hear the angry protests from her friends, the loudest one being Jay but Evie ignored it. She was not going to break her deal with Uma. The captain of the ship told her that she would get her stuff ready and meet her by the entrance of the gates. Evie complied and left. Harry and Gil asked Uma a question.
"Why ya letting the Princess go? She's our prisoner!"
"She is but she and I made a deal that's better," Uma said and the rest of Evie did not hear as she made her way out of the docks to the road.
The limo drove away as Uma came walking up to her. No pirates in sight except Uma, Harry, and Gil. Evie held the Drachma in her hand tightly as if willing for any god to hear her. This better work, she thought.
The clouds up in the sky seemed darker and some were looming closer to the Isle. Evie's red lips curled up into a smile and Uma looked at her impressed. She quietly said her goodbyes to her boys, telling them some last orders which they would dutifully carry out. Evie extended her hand to Uma, the other girl took it. It was almost ironic that the prophecy began with a friendship, that is usually not how any other prophecy begins but fate was tricky.
Zeus and Hera had picked them up. Evie almost laughed at the scenario especially more when they landed in Auradon Prep where her friends and Fairy Godmother gawked at them. Ben seemed surprised (and pleased if Evie was correct) to not only see Evie but Uma as well. Oh sweet Ben. He was too good for this world, Evie knew that and loved that about him. Mal, not so much as seeing her rival.
"Your Graces!" Fairy Godmother looked at them with surprise. Her eyes darted between the gods and Evie. She quickly curtsied and Ben bowed. Mal did nothing just stare at Evie as if silently asking her questions that Evie couldn't answer. How could she? "T-this is quite a surprise! I-"
"Fairy Godmother," Zeus cut her off, impatiently. "We need to speak with you and her." He was not pointing at Evie but Fairy Godmother seemed to know exactly who the person Zeus was referring to. Evie looked at her Aunt who seemed to be avoiding her niece's stare. "It is time they met."
"The King and Queen-"
"Have held this off for as long but things changed. Circumstances have changed," Zeus's temper was not showing as the skies darkened with the clouds rumbling the incoming storm from the King of Olympus. Hera made no move to pacify her husband, she was staring at the fairy saying silently "Well?"
"What circumstances, Lord Zeus?"
"A prophecy that foretells Evie's faith. Her mother must be told. Now."
Evie looked at the two gods with confusion. What prophecy?! What the hell was going on? Hera and Zeus did not look their niece in the eye, instead escorting her away from her friends despite her protests. What was going on here!
That was what she asked once they were in the secureness of Fairy Godmother's large office as she called Ben's parents and apparently Evie's mom. She wanted to tell her that there wasn't any cell service on the Isle. What did the gods of Olympus want with the Evil Queen? Apparently, Evie was wrong about this. Because when Ben's parents came, with them was Cinderella, Queen of Charmington and Chad's mom. Now Evie was more confused.
"Isn't my mom supposed to be here?" Her arms crossed she was feeling annoyed by the secrecy and lack of answers from her family members. "What is going on Uncle?"
"Your father should have told you long about... about all of this," Zeus lamented, grief and anger in his blue eyes. "But a prophecy could have damaged you and sent you down a road... he should have told you about the... other stuff."
"Which is what?" Evie looked at the two gods. "What? Do I have a secret parent or something?" The joke should have landed with everyone but it didn't. "What?"
"Evie, child..." Hera trailed off, a pained look crossing her face. "Queen Grimhilde isn't your mother. She never was."
"Then who? Who's my mother?" She was panicking now as what she had thought was her truth was shattered in mere few seconds.
The King and Queen of Olympus shifted, unsure but Evie gave them a look that reminded them of their elder imprisoned brother. It was Zeus who spoke. "Your mother is a Queen in Auradon. The Queen of Charmington, Cinderella."
"Ella," Belle looked at her friend, scandalized at hearing the news that Zeus said. Ella looked only at Evie with tears in her eyes. Evie did not know what to feel, she just wanted answers. She was angry at her dad but her need for answers pushed it down. "Why - when? Why hadn't you told us? Does Charming even know?"
Ella's face contorted into that of pure agony. "He does. You were sending children to the Isle of The Lost with villains. You would have turned your back on her, not caring if she was born here or not! Don't play the victim Belle. You didn't have your child ripped from your arms!" Belle flinched and Adam had the descensy to look ashamed.
Evie felt glee seeing Ben's parents like this. Serves them right! But the glee died at the reality of the situation of it all, that even though Evie had a mother, a good one, there would be no time with her. A prophecy was demanded upon her.
Guess that's what all that training and lessons were for, all for the slaughter.
"Guess I won't be going to Cotilion then?" She asked her godly family members.
Zeus scratched his beard looking throughful. "You may go but once midnight comes, you must go. Rest and await for Hermes to take you to Delphi."
"Of course it's Delphi," Evie muttered under her breath. "Always there."
The night was a blur. She had been excited to see Audrey there, with Jay of all people! She was glad to see they had rekindled their flirtatious dance from the coronation, but even with that there was the public break-up of Mal and Ben. Lumiere had announced that there would be a festivity but no Lady of The Court. Every student and royal member whispered looking at the two teenagers.
Uma had raised an eyebrow at Evie, silently questioning the scandal. Evie whispered what had happened and Uma in response smirked. Evie rolled her eyes and introduced Uma to the many foods that night.
"So the prophecy?" Uma asked her. Evie could see her friends all gathering to where the two girls were sitting as the Yacht was making its way back to Belle's Harbor. "What's it about?"
"Prophecy?" Ben asked looking at Evie with concern. So did everyone else. "Evie?"
"It's just a prophecy. An old one before I was born. I don't know what's it about I only know that it concerns me and I have to go tomorrow to the Island of Delphi to hear the whole thing out."
"We'll go with you," Jay said instantly with Mal and Carlos agreeing. Ben, Audrey, Lonnie and Jane agreed as well.
"No, you can't." Evie said weakly. She remembered the argument of who would accompany Evie on this quest, the shouting match between the Gods and Royal Family."It's already been decided Jay."
"Says who?" Jay said hotly as if ready to fight. Oh Jay, she thought.
"Ben's the only one that can go with me and no one else. The Gods have spoken it. Zeus said so." And the heavens rumbled in agreement.
Chapter 2: the sword of olympia
Summary:
Evie goes to Delphi and hears the prophecy. Time for the quest to begin and for the Olympians to fight over a champion.
Notes:
So after much vacay with this pic I am back! Enjoy the short chapter!
Chapter Text
You smell of death.
Everything about you
is an endless goodbye
—Nikita Gill, Great Goddesses: Life Lessons from Myths and Monsters
Evie should have known better when she got up to pack that her friends were going to listen to her or the Gods. She found them standing outside the school with their bags. Audrey looked worried, her brown eyes flickering toward Evie and Ben.
Evie bit back a sigh. She knew there was no way to stop them. Uma just shrugged as Evie silently questioned her with a look. "I'm just here for the ride, Blue." Evie could live with that honesty from Uma.
She did not say anything to them as she gripped the map that was magically left for her on her nightstand when she got back from the Cotilion. Nobody else said a thing, not even Jane, who was a bundle of nerves, or Lonnie with a sullen-looking Chad. Evie realized too little, too late, that he might have been told the news of their familial relationship from Ella. It was odd trying to call Cinderella her mom. For now, Evie just called her Ella.
"So," Ben finally broke the silence as they continued to walk behind Evie. "Where are we supposed to go?"
"Athens," Evie looked at the woods as they entered a clearing. It was all on the map. "We'll be traveling from one temple to reach Athens. But if Herme’s is anything, he won’t be making it easy at all."
"There's a temple here?" Mal asked arms on her hips. "E, not to be a downer, but I don't see one."
"Well, that's because it's hidden," She snapped at her friend before apologizing. "I'm sorry. It-the temple of Hecate cannot be seen by mortal eyes or other creatures besides those of ancient blood like me... or Uma." The other girl raised an eyebrow but said nothing knowing now was not the time. "The goddess of magic leaves a trace of herself here in Auradon. I guess she liked it."
"She did!" They turned to see a man floating; his feet had sandals with wings flapping quickly to keep him above the ground. Hermes had arrived. "Hello, cousin. The rumors are true. Your beauty grows every day."
Evie blushed but curtsied to her cousin. "Hello, cousin Hermes. How's the Underworld?"
"Eh, you know, gloomy and full of dead people!" He said it as a joke, but his lips turned down as if saddened. The large shadow of Hades loomed greatly across the lands of the Ancient Lands and the Underworld. His presence was still felt to this day after years of imprisonment on the Isle of The Lost. "Ready to go, kid?"
She nodded, and Hermes took her away before anyone could react, leaving the kids behind, all but one more. When they landed, she rounded on her cousin. She realized that the King of Auradon wasn’t with her. "It was just me. Ben wasn't even going to go!"
No…
Hermes shook his head. "Zeus was never going to send the King to listen to the Oracle to help you with the quest. He just wanted to freak out the Royal Family and put them in their place, but he has something planned for the King and his royal parents." As he spoke, they could hear rumbling in the distance, the ominous sound of thunder. It seemed Zeus spoke to Hermes because there was a grim look on his face as his eyes flicked to Evie. “And that’s where the Princess of Auroria comes into play.”
"No," Evie said, anger surging forward and protectiveness over Audrey. She was no damsel in distress, but she did not want her around this drama from the greek gods. "Leave her out of this."
"It's not my place. Only Zeus can, and he does not like someone telling him what to do," Hermes told her. Thunder rumbled as if agreeing with Herme’s. "Let's go. Prophecies wait for no one, cousin." She could not go against her family, especially Uncle Zeus or Aunt Hera.
Hermes took Evie’s hand, and they were teleported with his magic to a rocky shore. Upon a hill, Evie could see a temple and smoke rising from behind it.
Evie walked behind Hermes to the temple of Delphi, up the rocky steps of the temple of Apollo's priestess. The hall was full of light smoke, and she saw the outline of a woman kneeling at the base of the statue of Apollo. When she got up and turned around, Evie was met by a girl no older than, sixteen at most, maybe fifteen. She wasn't sure. The Priestess of Delphi was more special to Apollo than any of the other oracles as she was immortal and pure but also the first Oracle, treasured most by Apollo. Red hair trailed down her back, and green forest eyes pierced Evie's golden brown ones with force. Pale skin with freckles across her body, she wore a blue chiton dress and thigh-high sandals.
She beckoned Evie forward.
She stepped forward.
Evie pushed her fear down and opened her mouth, but before any words could come out, the Priestess snatched her wrist. She held it in a death grip; her green eyes glowed, and smoke poured out of her mouth. It looked like a long snake of green smoke. The prophecy came out, the words sounding deep and sounding like the women who were Dephi's priestess before speaking to Evie.
A child born of the elder of gods. Death awaits a God who will destroy us all. Arise, the daughter of gods with the gift of Zeus. The God Killer to save or raze the lands. Only blood will spill, the endless sleep ending the wrath of Hades. A kiss of true love will break the slumber on her lips.
The Oracle slumped down, and the servants caught her before hitting the ground.
Evie stayed rooted to the floor. She looked at Hermes, who gave her a somber look. "The ending didn't rhyme," Evie said, not wanting to think of death or endless sleep.
"Most prophecies don't," Hermes shrugged. "Apollo is tricky like that. At least it wasn't a Haiku. He's obsessed with those." He looked down at his watch. "I got to take you back to Auradon. Hephestus will have dropped off your gift by now. Wield it wisely, cousin. Let's go then."
Evie nodded, not saying another word as Hermes flew her back to Auradon Prep. She knew that once she got back, questions would be directed her way. The only thing Evie wanted to do was figure this prophecy out and stop whatever Zeus was going to direct at Ben.
In the blink of an eye, she was back in her dorm room. On her bed, neatly left, was a large box. With shaking hands, she untied the red bow and opened the box. Inside was a sword in bronze and gold with Greek inscribed on it. Underneath it was black and red armor with black armor, with black bracelets. She traced a finger on the blade before taking it out of the box. It was light, at least to her, and she slashed the air.
She put the box down on the floor after trying the armor that fit her well and the bracelets. She grinned as she placed them back in the box but kept the sword on the bed. It felt daunting even with the weapons to help her on this quest, and she needed help figuring out where to start! Evie mulled over the prophecy the Oracle spoke. The child was her. Evie was the only daughter of an elder god. Which god awaited death? and who was the God Killer? The wrath of Hades... that part she dreaded to share because everyone would no doubt keep her dad under scrutiny, thinking ridiculous accusations towards him.
Prophecies are never simple, Evie thought to herself. She knew that Ben would help her in this even though she didn't want Ben in any part of this; she did not want Ben to end up getting hurt. Yet she knew that defying the orders of the Gods would cause more harm than good. Why did Hermes even think she and Ben were even a thing? Unless... it dawned on her the last part of the prophecy.
True love's kiss... Evie mentally groaned. It was talking about her and someone! It had to be. No doubt about that fact, as Zeus had Ben accompany her on this quest, it was only Ben that they pressured to join (threaten more like it). Perhaps it was someone else or even a fluke. That it wouldn't be True Love;s Kiss at all but something different.
She got to packing her stuff in a backpack. She kept her armor on over her outfit, a black shirt and a blue skirt. She had a red leather jacket and some combat boots. Her hair was in a high ponytail, and the bracelets glimmered on her wrists. She took one last look at her room and left, not knowing when she would return to her friends.
Yet it seemed it wasn't the case as her friends were there waiting for her. She was slightly touched but slightly disgruntled especially when Mal tried to take over only for Evie to put her foot down mentally as she overheard it. None of them knew about the politics and precaution that it took to being around the Greek Gods, let alone being a demigod entailed. Evie did.
So, she went to the other side of the campus and that's where Hermes found her with a sly grin on his face.
"The King will arrive later." Hermes told her as he spurred the horses to go, taking off into the night. "We'll be arriving at Olympus soon cousin. Many are anxious to meet you."
The Gods also had faith in the demigod it seemed. It still did not settle Evie's nerves. Something about this prophecy was off, she just didn't know it yet.
Up on Olympus, it was a long battle of words for the blue-haired daughter of Hades.
Many gods, mostly the Olympians, wanted the girl as their champion. Zeus was tight-lipped on what gift he would give his niece, his to give, and everyone else to find out later. Poseidon excluded himself from this fight-it had to be the younger gods, not himself or his siblings, to be the child's patron. It wouldn't do anybody any good, and Hades would be angry that his siblings had done so. Poseidon hoped it would be one of the gods of war. His money was on Ares. His niece needed the bloodthirsty fighting against this prophecy and what would come. Gods fought gods all the time and demigods as well. Chernabog would be another god that they had to get rid of. Zeus unironically hoped it would be his favorite child, Athena, that would be Evie's patron god.
Hera hoped it would be Nike, the goddess of victory.
Demeter wished Evie's patron would be Artemis or Hermes.
Hestia silently hoped it was Aphrodite.
Zeus had asked the Underworld gods, but they refused the offer gently. They reasoned that it had to be one of the Olympians; the Fates were clear about that when Hekate asked them. Not only that, but even if the child hadn't chosen them, Thanatos, Hekate, Nyx, Hypnos, and Erebus would all fight with the child. They were loyal to Hades and his daughter.
The only god that troubled them was Nemesis.
The goddess of revenge was keen to meet with the daughter of Hades for her reasons. What those reasons were, the goddess wouldn't say. The Olympians did not want Evie to meet Nemesis. It would not stop the goddess of revenge from getting her way.
After all, there was a reason the Olympians feared her.