War of the Gods on Earth (Eldrithe & Rauk)

[Rauk]

The cool night air cut through Artemis like a blade through his soul, as the warrior captain braved the jagged and steep mountainside. Bracing himself on sharp rocks and loose stones as he made his ascent, the freezing wind swept across his body and danced through the torn red cloak on his back. His lone perilous journey had but one goal, to condition his body and mind further, as to build himself into the perfect warrior. The unforgiving landscape and cruel mountain took it's toll on the Spartan with every grunt and groan. Artemis knew that one slip would spell his certain death as he neared the plateau. Though physically impossible for the average person, and extraordinarily painful and deadly for even the most fit of warriors, this journey was only a training exercise for the determined captain. Nearly all of Artemis' time was devoted to bettering himself as a warrior, and his resolve was nearly inhuman.

Rocks and dust broke and fell underneath his large right foot as he shoved himself one more arms length up. Pulling himself to more stable ground above the jagged rocks, the tall man stood and inhaled a well deserved deep breath. The air where he stood was rarely ever breathed by humans, as few were even able to reach this place. Artemis gazed down upon the landscape surrounding Sparta as he reflected on the last time he was here, many battles ago. This was the second time he had reached this plateau and completed this trial, and his goal now was to survive for two nights before returning home. To allow his muscles to recover, and to contemplate his next move, Artemis walked a few feet across the barren lifeless mountain plateau and sat next to a boulder formation, using it to block the wind for the time being.

His naked figure was only clothed by a black linen flap around the waist, and the deep red cloak which covered his neck down to his ankles. Stoic stoic green eyes painted a combat veteran esque look on his face, as his short black hair and stubbly beard made it obvious that he had not been shaven in quite some time. The battered short-spear at his side was not of superb quality, but it was sufficient in arming him with the means to defend himself on this exercise, should threat show it's ugly face. Though there are few creatures ignorant enough to challenge a Spartan warrior, especially a captain in one on one combat. One can never be caught off guard, and a Spartan must always be ready to defend his land and fight for what he believes in. A spartan warrior must always be ready for war. Always ready to die.

Artemis closed his eyes as he lay his head back on the rocky terrain, and decided this was the safest place to rest his body to recover his strength for the harsh day ahead of him. As he drifted off to sleep, his mind hosted visions things to come. He felt that the land had become too peaceful over the years, and things were quiet... Too quiet. The captain could not reasonably put his finger on why he felt this way, but he could not shrug off his random hunch, and the worry lingered on in the back of his mind that soon there would be a day where his training and fighting prowess would not be sufficient to protect his beloved Sparta from what was certain to come. The whistling wind whipped past the warrior, as he finally submitted himself to an unconscious state, awaiting the morning sun.

 

[Eldrithe Whisperwind]

Sun blanketed the hills of Stagira, bathing the inhabitants with the warm caresses of light. The musty smell of sweat and grime permeated the city causing its inhabitants to wrinkle their noses in distaste. Traversing the cobble stone streets, Calysta was on her way to work, as per usual. Dust kicked up as her blue peplos lightly grazed the ground as she wound her way to the brothel where she made a living.

Calysta wasn’t a prostitute; she was much too beautiful for that, she was the maid who fetched wine for eager guests. Some would visit the brothel just to see her, regardless if they needed their sexual cravings quenched or not. Often, she would get guests who wanted nothing more than to sit idly nearby just to bask in her presence. Some stated that her beauty rivaled that of Aphrodite herself; Calysta had a hard time believing that she was that breath taking, it was silly to think a mere mortal could be more attractive than the goddess of love.

Entering the brothel, Calysta was greeted with a chorus of hellos and good mornings. Smiling, she walked down to the wine cellar to procure a ceramic jug of fermented red wine. Adjusting her strophion, she cradled the jug on her hip like a child and went back up stairs to serve guests that required drink. Roaming from room to room she encountered men and women openly engaging in wine and sex. Calysta blushed as she poured wine into empty goblets, sat abandoned while the owners satisfied themselves with flesh.

“Hey, Calysta!” came a booming voice from behind.

Calysta smiled recognizing the gruff voice, “Cronos.” She replies while turning around, her curly blond hair bouncing around her shoulders.

The big-bronzed man looks at her with folded arms, “we have some very important guests that I want you to exclusively attend too. They are very important men from Athens. You were specifically requested to entertain and provide them with wine.”

“They do realize that I’m no prostitute?” She groans. Cronos nods in acknowledgement “Then I shall entertain them with wine and conversation” She replies with a sigh.

 

[Rauk]

The barren wasteland of the lonely mountains glowed with a renewed warmth as the sun began to rise. Artemis woke up and dried his eyes, before he inspected his surroundings and stretched his muscles. The dirty red cloak kept his body heat contained enough to sleep comfortably during the cold night in the mountain. Was he going to survive this trip? If anyone had the strength and willpower to take on such a journey, he would either have to be a seasoned warrior such as Artemis, or simply an amateur fool taking on more than he can handle. Unfortunately, normal every day exercises and training routines were not challenging enough, and he required his limits to be pushed to higher extremes that only the unforgiving mountains could provide.

His first priority of the day, was to look for something to eat, as he was going to need energy for his strenuous journey before returning to Sparta. All warriors from this great land were obsessed with battle, and Artemis was absolutely no exception. During his stay in the rough freezing terrain on top of the mountains, he would go through rigorous training exercises, ripping and tearing at his muscles such that they would grow and strengthen. However, battle was about more than brute strength and speed, but cardio as well. Artemis' large muscles would do him no good, if he ended up out of breath and collapsed on the ground, defenseless.

After a few passing hours, the captain had done his meditations, and set up his animal skins collected for a half-tent and a place to camp for the night. As the day passed, and his survival skills tested to their limits, Artemis retired for the night to the sanctity of his make-shift bedding. His eyes closed as the mountain wind blew past his weary tired face, his hair blowing in the wind, and his cloak protecting him from the freezing cold. Slowly, the warrior drifted off into a the dream world once again. Tomorrow, he would begin his return journey.

 

[Eldrithe Whisperwind]

Calysta fetched a full jug of alcohol for her requesting guests. Walking up the sloping wooden cellar steps, she bumped into one of the working girls. The woman was young, maybe sixteen years of age, she smelled of oil and jasmine. Half naked, she turned towards Calysta and smiled. “I heard that you were specifically requested to entertain some very important men. What a shame.” She sighs. “They will be expecting some fucking, something which you will not provide nor have experience in.” Everybody at the brothel knew Calysta was still a virgin; something she had chosen for herself. She had always felt that her appearance always attracted men of the deceiving nature; it was hard to tell if they really liked her or if they thought only with their pecker.

“Jealous?” Calysta asks, a sly smirk peaking the corner of her lips. The woman scowled, aware of the meaning behind the question. “At least I can enthrall men without offering them my flesh. Something that you heavily rely on.” This made the young woman’s face flush bright red. Before she could reply, Calysta had turned and walked away.

Feeling confident, she strutted towards the VIP room. A room only reserved for high paying customers. She knew that there was no room to mess up with these men, they were offering up a large sum of money; one slip up and the brothel would loose business. With a deep inhale of breath she walked through the large blanketed doorway. The room was quite large, elaborate tapestries adorned the stone walls, while a statue of Aphrodite sat in the center of the room. Silken pillows surrounded the base of statue, short elegant stone tables within arms length. Five men lounging on the pillows greeted her as she entered the room.

 

[Rauk]

The morning had come early for the warrior Artemis, though the lifeless area offered not a soul of a creature to greet his awakening. To him, this was a good thing, as he wished to not be disturbed in his training. Artemis was a self-reliant man who depended on no one but himself and did not easily trust others. Quickly, he finished his rations and gathered his supplies and wasted no time in his route back to Sparta. The gravel and dusty paths crumbled and crunched below his feet, as he began to sense a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach, like something terrible was about to happen.

It was noticeable that there were several displacements in the mudcracks in the ground, and overturned rocks signifying that he may have been followed. His alertness heightened around him, as he walked through the boulders and gnarled dead husks of trees. Was he simply paranoid? Could it be the wind playing tricks on his mind? Perhaps he was not thinking clearly as there is no possible way anyone would be insane enough to follow him, one of the strongest Spartan warriors alive out into the wilderness this way.

Just then, a sharp swooping sound was heard, followed by a stinging pain in his back. Instantly turning around, in a battle stance, spear drawn and ready, he noticed the slight tingling feeling of poison entering his veins from a dart that had been planted into his back. Artemis' vision slowly tunneled out, as the last thing he saw was a shadowy humanoid figure walking out from behind a boulder, and into his direction. Collapsing to one knee, the incredible fortitude of the warrior overpowered the poison for a momen, as he aimed with the last bit of consciousness he had, and launched a powerful toss of his spear, impaling the figure in the chest. The person struck by the spear latched both hands onto it, as he collapsed, nearly instantly dead. Coughing up blood, and leaning forward, face-first in a pool of his own blood which was now gushing out of the sides of the spear. Unfortunately for Artemis, he was not alone. As his adrenaline and second wind escaped him, he felt two sets of hands at his side, holding him down, as he collapsed on the ground into unconsciousness... Artemis has been captured.

 

[Eldrithe Whisperwind]

Laughter erupted around the room as Calysta was busy filling empty flasks with red wine. “Come here.” Groaned one of the men as he grabbed her around the waist from behind, forcing her to fall into his lap. Calysta shrieked as she fell into him, almost dropping the jug of alcohol. The other four men laughed and cheered, egging the man on in delight at what he had done. “They weren’t lying when they said you were a looker.”

A wave of fermented grapes washed over her as he leaned in to playfully kiss her cheek. Calysta’s skin crawled at the muscular mans touch; not at all happy with how she was being treated. But these men were high paying customers. She couldn’t just scold them. Bottling up the urge to slap the man, Calysta forced her lips into a seductive smile. “Now, now. That’s no way to treat a lady. If you’re looking for a female to quench your appetite I can go fetch the finest one here.”

The muscular man grunted. “My loins are in need of service.” He cups Calysta’s face into his large hand. “I doubt any of the whore’s here can outshine your beauty.” He pulled her face close. Too close. “I deserve only the finest. Don’t you think?” he breathed into her ear. Leaning forward, he stuck his nose close to her neck. Calysta could feel his nose tickle her as he inhaled, taking in her scent.

With forced control, she delicately pushed the man away and giggled. She had wanted to knock his ass to the ground, but she knew very well what would happen to her. “I may be the fairest looking female here, but I’m no Aphrodite when it comes to satisfying men’s needs. There are other women better suited to your needs.” Calysta could see the determination on the man’s face. He frightened her. “I better fetch a new jug of wine. Honorable men such as yourselves should never go dry.” She gently slid off of the man’s lap. Grabbing the almost empty ceramic jug, she made haste to exit the testosterone filled room.

 

[Rauk]

The sun glistened through the clouds and illuminated the Aegean Sea, as the ship sailed in route to Stagira. The swells in the sea slowly rocked the frame of the boat to and fro as the sparkling waves crashed against the sides. The galley slaves rowed in time to the beat of a drum, with no choice but to obey their captors for fear of being killed. This was a cargo ship with the purpose of capturing and delivering slaves for auction to the various brothels, or simply to the highest bidder. In the storage bay below, is where they kept the potential slaves to be sold for the purpose of gladiatoral combat to entertain the masses, and even rulers. This is where Artemis was bound, inside an iron cell.

Naked, aside from a small leather flap covering his groin, Artemis lifted his eye lids and rubbed his temples to relieve his throbbing headache. Looking around, he noticed that he was locked inside a small barred cell cage, with three others in the same small, dark, damp hold. To his right, there was a similar cage housing a young girl, that seemed malnourished and near death. Her hair was a dirty black and scraggly, and her clearly abused figure was very thin and frail. She was completely nude, and it was hard to tell if she was asleep or dead. Cuffs and chains bound her wrists to one of the bars as she lay on her back, legs crossed and A-cup breasts bruised from repeated sexual abuse.

Turning his stiff neck to look to his right, Artemis saw a young man locked away as well. This poor soul had been here for too long, as he was clearly deceased. The glazed over eyes showed no life in them whatsoever, and his body had been abused and taken advantage of as well many times made evident by the scars and bruises all over his body. He lay on his stomach, with his arms both bound behind him, though the rope looked as if it had not been moved in days.

Ahead of him, on the other side of the room there was a 4th cage. Though, there was no one in this one, and the cell door was hanging halfway open. Gathering his wits, Artemis yanked hard at his shackles, easily breaking the rusted chain away from the iron bar. His mighty strength was easily enough to free himself from bondage, though try as he might, he could not bend or break his way out of the fortified cage. The stench of body odor and death filled the senses as everything around him seemed lifeless and desolate.

Managing to focus, he listened close to hear voices up above on a higher deck, though he could not make out what they were saying. Soon, the innocent moan of a woman in pain caught his attention, as the battered girl in the cage to his right shifted and tossed.

"..Mnnf. So how did they get you?" The broken girl moaned out as the chains binding her rattled as she shifted to a more comfortable position.

"I......Don't remember. Where are we?" Artemis closed his eyes, but had suffered memory loss and failed to recall his recent happenings.

"I don't know where we are, they won't tell us. But they come in here every day and.. they.." her eyes seemed as though they were ready to fill with tears, but due to malnutrition were unable to. The raven haired young girl simply bowed her head in disgust at her thoughts.

"Whoever 'they' are, they bit off more than they could chew this time. They'll soon learn how big of a mistake it was to do this to me." Rage began to fuel his spirit, as Artemis' eyes thinned in anger. He was determined and confident to slaughter everyone on board this ship as he believed he knew in the back of his mind what was going on at this point. He had heard rumors of various people being stalked and captured to be sold as slaves by dark black market merchants, and was almost positive this matched the predicament they found themselves in on this ship.

"My name is Imani. It's nice to meet you, warrior." Artemis could see the desperation in her eyes as she explored his nearly naked body with her hungry eyes. She had never seen a man with such a sculpted build, much less a warrior of his caliber. Though she felt sorry for him that he was captured as well, she found some comfort in knowing that there was someone else there for her to talk to other than the crew men that raped her repeatedly day after day.