章 25: Chat With Diana, The Call, Scared Little Billy, Big bad guys.
Diana's brow furrowed as she poured a glass of water. "That's concerning. I've heard of no disturbances from Themyscira or Mount Olympus. But if what you're saying is true, then something very wrong is happening."
"Can you contact Themyscira?" Ethan asked.
Diana nodded thoughtfully. "I'll reach out to my mother, Queen Hippolyta. She might know more."
Before she could act, Ethan's phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with a call from an unfamiliar number. He hesitated, then answered.
"Hello?"
"Ethan, it's Billy," the voice on the other end said hurriedly. "You need to come now. Monsters—everywhere. We're holding them off, but it's bad. The wizard's here too."
"Where are you?" Ethan asked sharply.
"My house in Philadelphia. I'll send you the address," Billy said before the line went dead.
Ethan pocketed his phone and turned to Diana. "It's Billy. He's dealing with the same thing—monsters attacking. He says it's bad."
"I'll come with you," Diana said firmly.
Ethan extended his hand. "I can fly us there."
Diana shook her head with a small smile. "I have a better way."
Before Ethan could question her, she knelt and closed her eyes, murmuring a prayer in ancient Greek. The room seemed to hum with an unseen power. Suddenly, a crack of thunder roared through the sky, and a brilliant lightning bolt struck the two of them.
Ethan barely had time to blink before he felt himself enveloped in light and energy. When the brightness faded, he found himself standing on the front lawn of a suburban house in Philadelphia.
"That," Ethan said, shaking off the disorientation, "was impressive."
Diana gave him a small smirk. "A little favor from Zeus."
The sound of roaring and screaming caught their attention, and they turned toward the house. Billy, now in his Shazam form, burst through the door, fighting off a Minotaur. Behind him, his siblings, also transformed, were battling hordes of Greek monsters.
Ethan and Diana exchanged a glance before charging into the fray.
With the monsters defeated, the group regrouped inside Billy's foster home. The cozy house, filled with remnants of the chaotic battle, seemed eerily calm in contrast to the earlier pandemonium. Billy and his siblings stood awkwardly as the Wizard, Diana, and Ethan convened in the living room.
The Wizard's eyes narrowed as he studied Ethan, a perplexed expression etched on his face. "You... there's something about you," he muttered. "I can feel a divine aura radiating off you, but I cannot trace its origin. It's like you exist outside the framework of the gods entirely. Who are you?"
Ethan crossed his arms, wary but calm. "I'm Ethan Reyes, and my powers don't come from your gods."
The Wizard frowned but didn't push further. Turning to Diana, he recounted the calamity that had befallen the world. "The ancient artifact that powered the spell binding malevolent gods and keeping monsters at bay is broken. With the spell undone, the barrier separating these beings from Earth has shattered."
"What's the solution?" Diana asked, her voice steady but urgent.
The Wizard hesitated, his usually confident demeanor faltering. "I... I do not know how to repair the spell. The wand's magic was ancient, its knowledge lost even to me."
Diana frowned but maintained her composure. "If the spell originated from the gods, we must seek their guidance. We will go to Mount Olympus and consult Apollo himself."
The Wizard stiffened, his reluctance palpable. "I cannot go there. The gods of Olympus will not welcome me. I stole fragments of their power to create Shazam. I would be struck down before I could utter a word."
Ethan leaned forward, his sharp gaze meeting the Wizard's. "Then show us the way."
The Wizard hesitated again before conjuring a glowing portal, its shimmering edges pulsating with energy. "This portal will take you to Themyscira. Diana knows the way to Olympus."
With a nod of thanks, Diana, Ethan, and the Shazams stepped through the portal, emerging moments later in the lush and idyllic land of Themyscira.
The Amazons greeted them warmly, their respect for Diana evident in their reverent bows and bright smiles. Ethan marveled at the sight of the island, a paradise untouched by the modern world.
"My sisters," Diana addressed the Amazons, "we need to use the path to Olympus. The world is in grave danger."
The Amazons exchanged glances before the captain of the guard, Philippus, stepped forward. "You are always welcome here, Princess. The path to Olympus lies open to you. But tread carefully—the gods may not be pleased to see mortals in their realm."
Diana nodded and turned to the group. "Come. The entrance to Olympus lies at the peak of the tallest mountain on this island."
As they ascended the mountain, the air grew thinner, and an ethereal glow surrounded them. Finally, they reached the summit, where a massive golden gate stood, shimmering with divine energy.
Ethan looked at the gate, then at Diana. "So, this is the way to Olympus?"
Diana nodded. "Yes. Beyond this gate lies the home of the gods."
With a deep breath, Diana pushed open the gate, and the group stepped into the realm of Olympus, a place of breathtaking beauty and divine majesty. Towers of gold and marble reached the heavens, while rivers of liquid light flowed through the landscape.
Now they would seek the guidance of Apollo, hoping the god of prophecy and light held the answers to their dire predicament.
Ethan and the group walked through the streets of Olympus, their senses overwhelmed by the divine beauty of the realm. Towering edifices adorned with gold and precious gems stretched into the heavens, reflecting the sunlight in dazzling colors. The streets bustled with activity, populated by mythical creatures, satyrs playing melodic tunes on their pan flutes, and nymphs flitting about with radiant energy. Minor gods and goddesses conversed in small groups, their ethereal forms glowing softly.
The air thrummed with magic, and yet a hush fell upon the crowd as Ethan's group made their way through the streets. The Olympians could feel the immense power radiating from the group, and Diana's presence—daughter of Zeus—commanded respect and reverence.
"They're staring," Billy whispered, fidgeting nervously in his Shazam form.
"They won't dare interfere," Diana assured him, her tone calm and regal. "As long as we tread respectfully, we are safe."
Ethan, however, was scanning their surroundings with analytical precision. "This place… it's a living nexus of energy. No wonder the gods are so powerful here."
Diana led them purposefully toward a grand temple, its marble columns carved with intricate depictions of Apollo's victories and deeds. Golden flames burned brightly in ornate braziers, and the sound of lyres filled the air.
At the temple's entrance, an aura of calm enveloped them, as though the very essence of the god of prophecy and light radiated out to greet them. Diana gestured for the group to follow her inside.
Within the temple, they found the Oracle of Apollo, a serene figure draped in flowing white robes adorned with golden symbols. She sat cross-legged on a dais, surrounded by a pool of shimmering water that reflected visions of the past, present, and future. Her eyes, glowing faintly with an inner light, lifted to meet the group's as they approached.
"Diana, daughter of Zeus," the Oracle said, her voice melodic and haunting, "you come seeking answers in a time of great upheaval."
"Yes, Oracle," Diana replied, bowing respectfully. "The barrier imprisoning malevolent gods has been broken, and monsters roam the Earth. We need your wisdom."
The Oracle's gaze shifted to Ethan, lingering on him with an expression of curiosity. "And you, mortal yet touched by divinity… You carry no mark of the Olympians, yet your aura is unlike any I have seen. The threads of fate entwine strangely around you."
Ethan stepped forward, his tone steady. "Whatever I am isn't important right now. We need a solution to repair the wand and restore the barrier."
The Oracle closed her eyes, her hands moving in slow, deliberate patterns as she divined the answer. The pool of water rippled and glowed, images forming and dissipating like fleeting dreams. After a long silence, she spoke:
"To restore what is broken, you must seek the Golden Fleece. It holds the power to repair even the most powerful of artifacts, for it is imbued with the essence of renewal and divine restoration."
"The Golden Fleece?" Billy asked, his brow furrowed. "You mean the one from the story of Jason and the Argonauts?"
"Yes," the Oracle confirmed. "It lies hidden in the sacred Grove of Ares, guarded by the eternal dragon and shrouded in the protections of the war god."
Diana frowned. "The Grove of Ares is no place for mortals. Even the gods tread there with caution."
"But it's our only option," Ethan said, his tone decisive. "We'll find the fleece and bring it back. Tell us how to get there."
The Oracle gestured to the pool of water, which shimmered and revealed an image of a dense, foreboding forest wreathed in mist. "The Grove of Ares exists in a realm adjacent to Olympus. You must travel through the Labyrinth of Pallas to reach it. Beware—the Labyrinth shifts constantly, and its trials are not for the faint of heart."
Diana turned to the group, determination etched on her face. "We don't have a choice. If we're to save our world, we must retrieve the Golden Fleece."
Ethan nodded. "Then let's not waste any time."
The Oracle's voice followed them as they turned to leave. "Be warned: the journey will test your strength, your resolve, and your unity. Only through trust and courage will you succeed."
With those ominous words ringing in their ears, the group left the temple, steeling themselves for the perilous quest ahead.
________________________________________
Location: unknown void Time: unknown
In a realm beyond mortal comprehension, outside the boundaries of the universe, a vast void shimmered with chaotic energy. Here, in this desolate prison of timeless existence, three titanic figures stirred. Massive chains forged from divine will and primordial force had once bound them, but now those chains lay shattered. The titans Hyperion, Iapetus, and Perses stood, their colossal forms radiating ancient power.
Hyperion, the Titan of Light, stretched his golden form, his eyes glowing with a brilliance that could rival the sun. "The barrier is broken," he rumbled, his voice a deep resonance that shook the fabric of the void. "We are free."
Iapetus, the Titan of Mortality and Craftsmanship, clenched his fists, his hardened features twisted into a grim smile. "After eons of torment, we will reclaim what is ours. The gods shall pay for their treachery."
Perses, the Titan of Destruction, laughed darkly, his shadowy form flickering with the chaotic energy of destruction itself. "And the mortals who worship them… they will burn."
The trio surveyed their surroundings, the void quaking as they stepped forward. The monstrous beings who had been banished alongside them now emerged from the shadows—Chimera, Lamia, the Hecatoncheires, and countless others. Their roars and howls filled the void, a symphony of vengeance and bloodlust.
Hyperion raised his hand, his radiant energy silencing the horde. "Listen, my kin," he declared, his voice commanding and regal. "For too long, we have languished here, cast away by Zeus and his wretched Olympians. But the time for retribution has come."
Iapetus stepped forward, his voice cold and sharp. "We will rally our forces, prepare for war, and return to Earth. There, we will free our father, Chronus, from his prison in Tartarus. Together, we shall reign supreme once more."
Perses grinned, his eyes gleaming with malice. "And the mortals? They will serve as our slaves or perish beneath our might. The gods' cherished creation will be their undoing."
The monstrous horde roared in agreement, their hunger for destruction ignited.
Hyperion lifted his golden spear, its tip blazing with celestial fire. "But we must be patient. The gods will sense our return. We must hide our presence, infiltrate their world, and strike when they least expect it. Only then will victory be assured."
With that, the Titans began their descent. Guided by Hyperion's light, they tore through the barriers of reality, their immense power carving a hidden pathway into Earth. Emerging in the remote corners of the mortal world, they cloaked their presence, gathering strength and numbers in the shadows.
The world above continued in ignorant bliss, unaware of the storm brewing beneath its surface. But the Titans' whispers began to echo across the globe, stirring ancient monsters from their slumber and planting seeds of chaos in the hearts of men.
In the darkness of their hidden lair, Hyperion, Iapetus, and Perses plotted. The Titanomachy would begin anew, and this time, the gods would fall.
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