Two weeks passed since Kain's death. The Tenebrasque In Territories suffered lightning storms since the moment of his death. Mother Earth herself seemed to mourn the Guardian's passing. There was a massive change in the overall mood in the territories. The sadness was so intense the people under Tenebrasque In rule were grief-stricken by Lord Aizen's death. As Kain's death was mourned, another collective celebrated his passing by scheming. A collective of spiteful angered Gods sat at a gold table within Hades' palace in the Underworld. Golden chairs adorned with skeletal engraving surrounded Hades' golden table. Slaves wearing rags or nothing at all and shackles walked around with platters serving food and drinks to the Gods in their presence. Dirt caked on their hands and feet. The poor souls were condemned to exist as slaves for Hades and fulfill his every desire, including the desires of his guests.
“Where are Tartarus and Hades? I know Hades was murdered, but this is taking too long and I am growing impatient.” Anubis had been complaining for the last hour about waiting for Hades to be returned from his death despite even now, Hades still had a few minutes to arrive. Anubis was an impatient God, and any who held a position similar to his were in his opinion, forced to act as he would. He was as arrogant as he was unbelievably powerful.
“That's my uncle you're complaining about Anubis. He is as necessary as the rest of us to release the Titans. The deal was already made before the fate which befell him.”
“Then what are we still waiting for?” Pluto shamelessly interjected and was responded to by Osiris.
“We need him to come back to help finishing breaking the seal keeping the Titans imprisoned. Remember, we need either him, Zeus or Poseidon to shatter it since those three were the original seal creators and with Zeus in hiding and Poseidon's lack of love for the Titans, Hades is the only way this can work.”
“Well Hades needs to-”
“I need to do nothing, Anubis. I have returned thanks to Tartarus. Being dead is far from being as fun as one would expect but it enables time for working on strategy. Which is how I came to this plan of releasing the Titans.” Hades' sinister grin could be seen through the black curtain of oily hair covering his face and dancing on his onyx colored armor. He appeared in a puff of black ash still sprinkled with embers. In his right hand however, was the most powerful weapon forged by the Gods, the Blade of Olympus. It's brilliant blue light illuminated the room.
“It took you long enough, Hades. We've been here for the last hour, waiting for you.”
“I would offer my condolences, but Gods with dog faces make me want to play fetch rather than apologize.”
“Don't you dare speak to me with such insolence! I-”
“Enough Anubis!” Ra's voice thundered in the room. He was adorned entirely in gold plating and extravagant silk clothes. His voice rumbled with elegance and royalty. He changed his focus from Anubis to Hades. Then he spoke once again.
“Hades, why have you decided to do this now? Why have you decided that after going all these years without praise, without proper worship from the mortals to release the Titans? We could have released eons ago. They've had more than enough time to accrue power and heal from the battle with your brethren. They could have waged war on this ungrateful planet before you had your life taken from you as well. What makes this the perfect time?”
“Have you all lost your senses over the years? The one bond keeping the balance together has finally cracked. It's gone. Kain Siegfried Aizen took his own life. The Guardian of the balance of darkness and light is dead.”
Erebus raised a curious eyebrow at Hades' words. He proceeded to questioning his host after removing a drink from a nearby slave girl. He eyed her butt as she walked off as well. “We're all familiar with Kain. But he is, excuse me, was, one man and while there is no arguing his power, he could not have stopped us on his own.”
“You fail to know who what he was entirely it seems my friend. He was never, just a God. He was the Guardian of the balance. Darkness and light were his to command with a single whim. He was the original Horseman of War and led several apocalypse events. He was never alone.”
“So we waited because you fear him?”
“Stay your tongue when you speak to your uncle, Ares. We also waited for his death because that would make the seals much weaker. Without his being dead, we would need Zeus and Poseidon to come along which for obvious reason, is not an available possibility. His death opens the door for us to take over, to do what we must do. To gain their praise and spread our influence through the universe. The more who pray to us, the more powerful we will become. The Titans are only a means for us to achieve that goal. Dumb brutes to be discarded once they outlive their usefulness to us.”
“The Titans are uncontrollable Hades. We cannot stop them on our own. We don't have anything to keep them in line and slay them once these mortals are begging for us to rescue them.” Proserpine countered Hades flawlessly.
“That's what the legends would have you think. We have something, they do not. We have the most powerful weapon forged by Zeus, we have the single tool responsible for their defeat, the Blade of Olympus. Its full power is unknown. Zeus imbued it with more power than even he expected. It will destroy the Titans, in addition to slaying the rest of our enemies, man or God alike.”
Hades looked around the room to see his cabal contemplating the plan. They all appeared to approve of what Hades proposed. They all knew their power would increase from praying mortals and the countless deaths brought about by the released Titans. The Titans were led to believe that they would be allowed to exact vengeance on those who dared to attack them with only having to leave Hades and his cohorts to their own devices. Hades would let them kill, while they would spare him. They both yearned for the death of Zeus ergo it was an even trade.
Finally, Veles broke the silence. “Fine Hades, where do we begin?”
“We need to destroy shackles of course. Fear and death strengthen the Titans as much as they strengthen us. Let us assist in their liberation, shall we?”
Back on Earth, there was still new coverage for Kain's death. The services would run for exactly 30 days, they were on day 15. Several familiar faces paid their respects to Master Kain. Soldiers were everywhere as civilians filed around to respect the vampire who promoted peace, the man who promoted equal living for every single race despite their various differences. The sadness was undeniable. It was a virus plaguing the people of Tenebrasque In. Stories were told of Kain's brutal, but kind brand of leadership.
Charlie Todd wore a black suit at the memorial. His hands were firmly in his pockets. Charlie leaned his head against Aurora's. The master of trap magic reflected on the events of Kain's death. His suicide was still so uncharacteristic. Nothing was adding up to him. He was unable to smile, unable to even make rhymes like he often did. So much changed in the last few weeks, so many lost. Todd's normally joyful fuzzles did nothing. They would not hop along Charlie's shoulders, they simply nestled in his hair.
Rain poured on the visitors. Wind whipped around turning drops of rain into shards of ice. Lightning cracked with roaring thunder following close behind. Dead leaves blew in the Russian winds on this freezing afternoon. Pictures of Lord Aizen adorned his tribute area. A few of his standard weapons hung up for display as well. There was low volume conversation between the participants.
Suddenly, the ground began to shake and the sounds of metal slamming against metal rang in everyone's ears. Everyone's eyes shot around in search of what caused the noise. It became louder and louder with each passing second. It sounded like the million man march was approaching from over the hill. Charlie turned his head and saw several men in armor charging towards them. Those several men quickly multiplied into a few dozen. Then a few hundred and finally, a few thousand. Soldiers were charging down hill towards Kain's memorial service. Tenebrasque In's Royal Guard prepared for battle in a moment's notice. Charlie's scattered traps activated randomly creating barriers and waves of instant death to fight off the threats. The children were forced to retreat inside while the adult civilians took up arms against the incoming threats. Other defenses activated firing canons and fully automated turrets fired away spraying soldiers with a hail of explosive bullets.
“Grab your weapons and file inside, we cannot fight them in here! Archers, climb up to the roof and attack, there are ranged weapons in corridors leading up top!”
Charlie was screaming orders for the others to listen. Thankfully before committing suicide Kain began having his people practice military combat techniques. It was very similar to Spartan society specifically for these kinds of events. War would not allow his people to be weak or defenseless but they had not been training for too long and would be better off inside where they had an advantage. Aizen's soldiers continued to pour out of the building to attack enemy forces. Another squad began attacking from behind the memorial service. Things were quickly getting out of control. All of the Tenebrasque In Territories were being attacked by these various soldiers. France, Russia and Iceland were all falling victim to the attacks. A television set being watching the adults inside also reported the swarms of soldiers in various other countries; The United States, Africa, Canada, Italy with new names popping up every few seconds.
In Hollywood California several large beasts bulldozed through the Hollywood sign. A single black Cerberus led the charge into the city trampling cars and slapping whatever vehicles stood in its way. Axe wielding soul-wraiths galloped on horses beheading nearby passers by. Police Officers fired handguns and shotguns at the marauders. They managed to kill a few of these beastly attackers before falling victim themselves. Panicked citizens ran in terror from the Yamashiro building as Gorgon hordes slithered behind them.
Ancient Slavic troops stormed Madagascar with hordes of monstrous Bies behind them. Tour trucks were broken in half by the Bies' wrath. African predators fought back against these new invaders. Packs of Lion and Hyena teamed up to take down the soldiers as Bushman fought against the horrific Bies. They faired no better than the California police force sadly. Death claimed them as well despite the noteworthy rebellion on behalf of the vast wildlife crawling from the wood works. Crocodiles attacked from the water as if Water Buffalo were crossing the street.
Canadians were being torn apart by some unseen force. They would be impaled by swords and other random sharp objects. Brutality ensued. Several police officers tried shooting at their unseen attackers but only succeeded in shooting holes through their comrades. It was the work of Daemons, or Genii; invisible beings with superhuman strength. Cyclops stormed Parliament Hill and quickly began crushing it into rubble. Innocent people were being bludgeoned by these hulking masses and thrown clean through the walls. Canadian soldiers were not prepared for the appearance of invisible people and Cyclops.
Florence, Italy was plagued by terrifying Sphinxes. The half human half cat abominations romped through city streets devouring everyone standing in their way. Bullets rained down on the hideous beasts effectively slaying several, yet still proved ultimately ineffective. Three-legged-crows clawed and pecked everyone they could. They sky went black with their countless numbers. They moved as one enormous mass blending into their infinite blackness.
It was the same story everywhere. Monsters and soldiers spawning every possible place in the world. More and more innocent people died with each passing second. Blood served as a new paint for mankind's artificial creations with agonized screams serving as melody, shrills of terror were the music itself and prayers for salvation, redemption and mercy serving as lyrics. This was just the beginning of the chaos. Things were going to be come far more complicated, far more bloody and far less forgiving. Someone, would cease to exist at the end of this conflict. This is the Final War.
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