The Fall of the Olympians
By Annushka
Prologue: A New Beginning
It was a cool midsummer’s night. Dark and starless. The sun had been overshadowed by the moon, glowing with an ethereal feel. It was a beautiful night. A scream echoed through an empty hall, lit up by pale beams of moonlight.
“Push!” said the man in a commanding yet comforting voice.
“Oh my gods it hurts!” yelled the small girl lying in the hospital bed. Her swollen stomach looked even bigger on her small frame.
“You’re doing great Lysanna.”
“ Will she be alright?”
“Sir, we are doing our best.”
The voices were coming from everywhere. Lysanna couldn’t tell who was saying what. Was it supposed to hurt this much? Her fine silver hair stuck to her pale face and tears mixed with sweat ran down her body. Her big violet eyes were bloodshot, staring at the blinding light above Lysanna. Suddenly, she felt a violent kick in her stomach. She screamed louder.
“Don’t worry sir, this is a good sign. This means the baby is strong and ready to come.” A nurse’s voice echoed. Lysanna did the breathing exercises that the man in front of her had taught her. He is a doctor. Yes, he is Dr. Rynn. Dr. Rynn continued to tell her to push and the nurse said comforting nothing to a shaken man pacing around the small birthing room. That’s my husband Lysanna reminded herself.Jonathan. His name is Jonathan and I love him. The pain was too much. The room was spinning and the last thing she heard was Jonathan yelling her name before the darkness surrounded her.
When Lysanna woke again, the room was empty. Her stomach was small again.
“Hello?” she called out. “I’m awake! Jonathan!”
“Ah. Ms. Knight. I see you are awake again. You were out for an hour.” said Dr.Rynn.
“Where’s my baby? Where’s my husband!”
“Don’t worry Lysanna, they are safe. You gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby girl. We sent your husband home as there are some matters we must discuss with you.” Dr. Rynn took her hand and helped her out of her bed. He led her through many confusing corridors. Lysanna looked out one of the airy windows of the hospital. It was still the beautiful night that Lysanna saw when they came hours ago. The birth must have been very quick. That wasn’t a good sign. Dr. Rynn took her to a room with a sign that read “Authorized Personnel Only”.
“What’s happening? Is something wrong?” Lysanna was confused.
“Dr.Rynn, you may leave. I will take it from here.” A light and melodious voice called out. It’s owner was an impressive woman, wearing a sleek outfit and dark hair in a smooth ponytail. The woman’s dark eyes were speckled with gold and silver flakes, confirming who she was.
“Emilia di Rivere. What an honour!” Lysanna exclaimed. “I’m so sorry that you have to see me like this.” Lysanna knew she looked like a mess with her bedraggled hair and wrinkled hospital gown.
“Not at all. I assume you know why I’m here Ms. Knight. You’re daughter was examined after birth as all other newborns are and something has caught my eye regarding her. You were Lysanna Blackthorn before marriage, am I correct?” Emilia asked in her beautiful voice.
“Yes, I was.”
“And I assume you are aware of the recessive argentum gene that the respected Blackthorn family has and that it hasn’t been seen in any of its member for the past 25 years.” Lysanna knew where this was going. But it's not possible.
“A-Are you saying that m-my baby is a pyrokinetic?” Lysanna whispered. She was trembling.
“No. From your reaction, I assume that you aren’t aware that the Knight family also has the recessive argentum gene?” Emilia said ominously. “Your daughter is an umbrakinetic, as the Knight family are. But she also seems to have another power. As we were taking the tests, her brainwaves reacted the same way they would have if the technician had created a loud noise in her presence. A few minutes later, another technician reported that his computer overheated and exploded. He is in the opposite wing.” Emilia paused. “Lysanna, your daughter might be a psychic as well as an umbrakinetic.”
Lysanna was speechless. One ability was rare enough, but two? And two of the most powerful ones at that. That was extremely rare. Her baby would never have a normal life.
“Are you going to take her away?” Lysanna asked in a small voice.
“No, but she will be required to join the Argentum Patronuses, as all people with the argentum gene are required to. But on one condition; you must not tell her any of this until she is of age. Do not attempt to teach her to control her powers and she may stay with you. Most of the vision she will receive will most likely be seen as strange dreams or deja vu if you don’t tell her.” Emilia sighed “Well I guess I 'll leave you to it. It was a pleasure to meet you. If I may, what do you plan on naming your daughter?”
Lysanna thought for a moment. No. She knew exactly what to name her child.
“Her name is Lilith.” That was a bold choice, naming her after a queen from the time of the Devastation, accused of murder with her power over darkness, umbrakinesis and causing the Devastation. But Lysanna knew the truth. Few people did. Emilia certainly did not, so her reaction was expected.
“Hmm. That is quite a name.” the woman said gravely. Emilia walked out without another word. Lysanna smiled to herself. She was quite the actor. Once she was sure that Emilia was gone, she lit the fire. It was a small thing. Flames danced across her long finger, casting a soft orange light across her face.
“ Hasn’t been seen in any of its member huh?” Lysanna said mockingly. In truth, every single one of her family members has had the powers in the supposed 25 years. It was a survival tactic. Joining the Argentums Patronuses was a death sentence. She would have to call Morg to erase all records of Lilith’s powers. Lysanna would keep her baby safe until the day she dies. She got up and left the room. Dr. Rynn was waiting for her outside.
“Emilia told me you decided to name your daughter Lilith? Beautiful name.”
“I know.” she replied.
“Well, all the paperwork is done and the baby is healthy, so you and Lilith can go home.” Lysanna paused for a moment.
“Actually, do you have a phone I could borrow for a moment? I need to make a call.” Lysanna asked sagely.
“Of course, I’ll leave you to it.” Dr. Rynn proceeded to walk away. Lysanna dialed a number she has known for longer than she could remember.
“Hey Morg, I have a job for you.”
Chapter 1: Little Miss Orphan Strikes Back (Sort Of)
18 years later
Lili was running. It was very dark. There were so many trees, blocking the moon, save for a few patches that were able to break through the thick canopy above her. Lili didn’t know why she was running, or who she was from. Or what. She just knew she had to run to survive. To thrive. Suddenly, there was no more forest. I’ve survived. It’s over she thought. The scene shifted once more, to reveal the true danger… “Wake up! Lilith Alice Knight! GET UP!” screamed a voice.
“Wha..” Lili said half-asleep. It was a dream. It wasn’t real. But it was so vivid. Why does this keep happening she thought to herself. Wait. What time is it? Lili looked over to the clock. In a bright red, it read 8:45 a.m.
“Holy Hera I’m late!” Lilith ran to her bathroom to look at the mess she had to deal with today. Her thick silver hair looked as if a manticore had gone through it. Her violet eyes were bloodshot and there was so dried drool on the side of her swollen lips. So hot. Her nose was red and great, there was a pimple right in the middle of her forehead. It looked way too big to use her Smoothing Potion on, but she tried anyway.
“Why, Aphrodite, why!” She yelled to the goddess. At least the pimple was smaller. She would just put some skin canvaser on it. Lili brushed her hair out with a bit of Knotless on her brush while she brushed her teeth. She also put some skin shimmer, lip paint, flusher and lined her eyes with black eye paint to create a beautiful feline look. Lili didn’t care if she would be more late, there was only a week of the Academy left anyways, since she was almost 18. Morg always said “Looking hot is the best revenge!”, and Lili definitely agreed. She chose a pretty white sundress with a strappy back and a brown braid belt and some matching Spartan sandals. She put her hair in a long Grecian braid and put on some white earrings.
“There you are come on it’s- Oh my gods you look so hot!” called the same voice that woke her up.
“Aww thanks Morg. You’re such a sweetheart!” she said happily.”Is there any breakfast? I’m starving. Like, I could literally eat one of Apollo’s cows.”
“Sure, but you’ll have to eat it in the Hoverchariot.” Morg replied cheerfully. He clearly didn’t care that she was late, nor should he, because Lili got good grades in the Academy anyways. The Academy was the school that all people under the age of 18 go to. There, they learnt basic Arithmetics, Linguistics in English, French, Latin and Ancient Greek, History, Science and Philosophy, until 11. After that, they started training for their future jobs. Lili was training to be an Enforcer. Her best friend, Hera was training to be a birthing doctor. It made sense, she is a sweet and caring friend, exactly like the goddess she was named after. The gods chose the right job for Hera, but she felt like the one she got wasn’t the right one. No, Lili mustn't talk ill of the gods. They saved us after the Devastation. Lili took a heaping bite into her breakfast, a pancake sandwich with apples, nectar and ambrosia inside. It was her favorite, Morg knew.
“Hey sweetheart, we’re here!” Morg said cheerfully. He was impeccably dressed. As always. He was wearing a beautiful navy pinstripe suit with a red tie and matching silk handkerchief. He was chosen to be a Fashion Adviser. Lili looked up. The Academy was a beautiful building. It was a big marble building, with with corinthian columns and a big staircase. It looked like the Parthenon of the old world, as most of the important buildings looked these days. Usually, the stairs were packed with students waiting for the bell to ring, but since she was late, it was empty. They’re probably all at prayers She thought to herself.
“Bye Morg, see you later!” Lili replied cheerfully. She climbed up the steps. The sound of her sandals clacking behind her mixed with the soft whoosh of all of the Hoverchariots on the busy street.
“In the old days, people used motor vehicles that made a lot of noise and polluted Gaia’s realm. After the Devastation, we realised that the gods were punishing us for treating their creations so terribly. So we improved our way of life and the gods have been content.” A stern looking woman was lecturing as Lili walked in,
“Ah, Miss Knight, so thoughtful of you to join us. The gods are quite merciful.” Ms. Anastas said mockingly. Lili hated her. She just walked in and sat at her usual seat, back row, near the window beside Hera. Even tho they are training to become different things, it was still mandatory to take History and Godly Studies.
After class, as Lili and Hera were walking by, a certain boy stopped them.
“Hey there Beauty Queen, you wanna give me a kiss? That was quite the show you put on in History.” Cedric Jenevers said with a disgusting smirk. Ugh. Lili hated him more than she hated the Academy.
“ Perite, Cedric.” Lili growled. She loved swearing at people in Latin. Lili basically told him to screw off in a more vulgar way. Cedric’s smirk turned into a mean sneer.
“Oh, little miss orphan thinks she can do what she wants because her parents are dead doesn’t she? I bet your father didn’t just die in a car crash, he just killed himself and your mom probably died of shock when she saw how ugly he was. If she was still alive, I’d make he-” Cedric broke off. A loud alarm was blaring across the Academy. 1 toll. New announcement. 2. Important change. 3. Fire. 4. 4! That meant that it was time.
“ALERT! ALERT!” screamed a monotonous voice.
“CEDRIC AEGON JENEVERS REPORT TO THE GATES OF MOUNT OLYMPUS!”
Everyone was quite. 4 tolls meant a death sentence. Every year, the gods would speak to the high priestess, currently a woman named Emilia di Rivere she believed, and send for seven men and seven women from across the world to be the High Sacrifice to the Gods. It would be a collective sacrifice from the existing world to help the Gods keep the Titans in Tartarus at bay each year. It was a great honor. Lili thought something was wrong. If the gods are merciful, why do they kill 14 people each year? None ever knew who all 14 sacrifices are either. Sometimes she wondered if the gods were becoming to ruthless. No, she mustn't talk ill of the gods. She never saw Cedric reaction, because as soon as his name was called, he was escorted out by two teachers. The next day, everyone forgot that Cedric Jenevers ever existed. Everyone except Lili.
Chapter 2: All’s Fair In Human Sacrifice
Today was an important day. It was the day of the High Sacrifice. All classes at the Academy were cancelled and everyone made their way to the New Parthenon, the big marble temple, so big, it made the Academy look like a toy house. The New Parthenon was were they made their annual High Prayer to the gods, to protect the people of the High Sacrifice as they make their way to the gods. Lili hated it. She thought the gods become savages around this year. Why would all powerful being need human blood to defeat Titans. Especially from people like Cedric.
“Come on Lili, let’s go near the front.” Morg told her. “We can see the service better from there.” Today, everyone wore the same thing. A classical white greek chiton with a twine belt. It was only worn during the High Sacrifice and was super itchy and ugly. She wasn't even allowed to wear any makeup of jewelry. Everyone was supposed to look as plain as possible, except for the High Priestess, who looked like the sun. Emilia was wearing a luscious scarlet robe, cinched at the waist and encrusted with rubies, garnets and topazes. Her long thick hair was in big dark curls and her dark gold and silver speckled eyes were lined with black eye paint and her lips were blood red. A matching red crystal crown sat on top of her head, adding at least a foot to her already tall height. Surprisingly, her feet were bare, except for red cloth slippers.No decoration on those slippers either.
“Friends! We, the people of New Athens, are gathered here to celebrate the gods today for the High Sacrifice!” Emilia sang out in her musical voice. Lili saw that everyone around had a dreamy look on their face. Everyone also looked more sluggish. Everyone except her. Lili found that really strange. Did they do this to people all the time? Were people being brainwashed? She heard of people from before the Devastation doing this to others to control them. Maybe. Maybe Emilia was one of the Silvers. They were so cool. They had power like the old demigods, except that the gods these days didn’t sleep around with humans anymore. Maybe Emilia was Hypersuasive, or someone who could control people with their voice. That would mean tha-
“No please! We’re supposed to be sent to the gods!” a woman pleaded to a man in a grey bodysuit with a silver sword across the chest. Her hands were bound. Thirteen others were similarly tied up and wearing blood and other fluid stained rags, including Cedric.
“Shut up you wench!” The man shouted loud and hit her so hard she fell. “You will be sent to the gods. Well, at least Hades!” The man laughed. There were others behind him. Strong young men and women, all dressed in the same grey bodysuit, laughing. Lili knew who they were. Silvers, or the Argentum Patronuses She saw a big man, at least 7 feet tall, with huge muscles but a stupid look on his face. She saw another woman, short, thin and lithe, with a long blue braid and intelligent pale eyes. Lili could tell that she was even more dangerous than the big man. The big man turned to the Silver Hunters.