Blood of War

The Bus- 2013

The bus was as quiet as the grave as each of the team processed the information they were given. That Ward, one of their teammates for nearly a year was hiding the fact he was half god, and they knew nothing about it. Skye was in shock, out of everyone here, Skye would think she was closest with Ward. He was her SO for Christ’s sake! They spent nearly every day together. How could she not know about this?

While this was happening, Artemis and Apollo looked at the confused agents. Artemis leaned over to whisper to her twin brother. “Brother, have we as the mortals say, broken the humans? They seem incapable of uttering a word.” The goddess asked. Apollo shrugged his shoulders, whispering back to Artemis.

“I think they’re just in shock, Sis.” Apollo guessed, before taking a step forward and flashing an eye-blinding smile, spreading his arms out wide like he was. “Greetings mortals, yes, I am THE lord, Apollo. Phoebus Apollo, the Greek god of the sun and light, slayer of the mighty python, the greatest archer in the universe and the most stunning deity on the whole of Mount Olympus. Please no pictures.” Apollo obnoxiously requested. The action makes Artemis roll her eyes in annoyance.

“Apollo...” Artemis warned. “We do not have time for your ego.” Artemis then rushed up the stairs without any explanation, pushing past Coulson and May. Coulson didn’t take this well, however, following the Olympian as she made her way to the bunks.

“Excuse me? Excuse me, Your Highness! What are you doing?” Coulson asked her, but his question fell on deaf ears. Artemis then stopped at Grant’s bunk.

“Is this Grant Ward’s quarters?” She asked, to which Coulson nodded.

“Yes, but why are you-.” 

Without hesitation, Artemis pulled the door to the bunk with little effort. Artemis then started to scour the bunk from top to bottom. Coulson watched as she tore the bed apart.

“What are you doing?” Coulson asked her, but Artemis just ignored him.

“She’s trying to find something to track Grant,” Apollo spoke out, coming into the room along with the rest of the team. “We know he and Lorelai are heading somewhere west, but Lorelai then put a cloaking spell on them, so we need something personal for us to locate them. Artemis is Olympus’s best tracker, she’ll find it.” Apollo insisted, leaning up against the doorframe of the cell.

Coulson looked at the blonde man. “Great, so while she is doing that. You can explain the part about our teammate being a demigod?”

Line break Skye

As they all sat in the lounge of the bus save Artemis who was still looking in Ward’s bunk. Apollo sat at the bar, pouring himself a drink. Skye looked at the god, he was flawless. From his spotless, golden-tanned skin, his wrinkleless clothes and his bouncy golden hair that shined like the sun. Skye wondered if all gods were as stunning to look at as Sif and Apollo.

“This is a very nice plane, and good alcohol too. Dio would love this spot, it would make for a hell of a party.” He commented, taking a sip of rum.

“Glad you like it. Now, I think you owe us an explanation, your highness.” Coulson told us. Apollo however waved him off.

“Please, just Apollo. Only my father and stepmother care about that type of stuff.” The sun god told them, taking a seat on the sofa next to Fitz, the young man looking like an insect compared to the tall muscular deity.

“Okay, Apollo,” Skye spoke out. “Can you explain what you meant by Ward being your nephew and a demigod?” The young hacker looked like she should still be on bed rest with her pale skin and half-lidded eyes, but like hell was she going to be sleeping while Ward was still out there being brainwashed by that psycho.

Apollo nodded his head, placing the glass on the table and then relaxing into the chair. “Right that, about 30 years ago, one of my brothers came down to earth to Massachusetts, claiming they had business on earth that had to be dealt with. Our family didn’t think any of it, but then the visits became more frequent, and we then found out what that business was. A child, a child of an Olympian, we were stunned, to say the least. My father, Zeus wanted the child destroyed.”

“Why?” Skye questioned. “What’s so bad about a god having a kid? There have been plenty of them in the myths.” Hercules, Perseus. Gods had kids with humans all the time in mythology. At least, she remembered. Skye always slept through those classes as a kid.

“They are forbidden,” Sif told her. “Not just with Olympians, but with all the realms.”

“However, my dear lady is correct.” Apollo applauded her. “There were many demigods in ancient times, but the gods soon realised that the mixture of divine blood and mortal blood was a deadly concoction. Demigods or half-bloods as we call them grew to be too powerful to remain standing. So, our gracious king slaughtered all the living demigods, commanding every one of us to create natural disasters that ended with every living thing with a drop of godly blood in their veins killed.” Apollo said, his eyes looking at the floor, his expression becoming filled with sadness. This made Skye wonder if Apollo himself was forced to kill his children. The thought of massacring innocent people making her wonder how cruel a man, much less a god can be to his own family.

“So, then why is Ward still alive if Zeus wanted all demigods’ dead?” Fitz wondered out loud, the question making Simmons gasp in embarrassment and hit the young engineer lightly in the arm. “I mean- How is he still alive?”

Apollo shrugged his shoulders. “From since he was born, Grant had shown no sign of his divine blood, so we presumed he was mostly human. Until a few months ago, when he encountered an object known as the Berserker Staff.”

The mention of the berserker staff made Sif stiffen, turning to glare at Coulson. “A Berserker staff? In Midgard? What is the meaning of this, son of Coul?” The Asgardian warrior’s hand itching closer towards her weapon.

Coulson just raised his hands in surrender. “We encountered a Berserker Staff a couple of weeks back. You have my word. It’s in safe hands.” He told her, this however did not satisfy the warrior, her facial expression telling them all this topic will be brought up again after they save Ward.

Apollo coughed, continuing with his story. “From there, we monitored him, making certain he had no other abilities, but we have been noticing a few things. Extreme temper, added strength beyond the abilities of the staff and a more powerful aura in general. The council is beginning to believe that Grant is tapping into his power from his father.”

“So, are you going make us guess who Ward’s dad is?” Skye asked sarcastically.

Fitz perked up. “You said it was one of your siblings? Is it Hermes? Dionysus? Hephaestus?” He listed off, but Skye couldn’t help, but think he was missing one, someone important.

“I found something!”

 Artemis came into the room, holding what looked like an old switchblade in her hand. Skye had seen Ward with it a couple of times on the bus. Artemis then showed the object off to everyone as if it was the key to everything in the universe.

“I found something that can locate our nephew. It was hidden with an illusion spell. I almost missed it.” Artemis told her brother. The moon goddesses then looked at the rest of the team. “We should all prepare for what it is to come. if Grant is anything like his father. We should be at the utmost caution for his father is the most violent god known to man.”

Coulson nodded, crossing his arms and looking at Artemis inquiringly. “Who is he then? What god could be that horrible?” Skye wondered that herself, Ward hardly ever talked about his parents enough to get an idea what they are like.

“Who else? Grant’s father is Ares, the god of war.”

Line break- Grant

“It is strange, for a species as insignificant as humanity to create something rather beautiful.” Lorelai said, looking down at the city of Las Vegas from their suite. Grant watched her from the bed, admiring her beauty. All his life, he had despised the gods with their arrogance and pettiness, but now that he looked at Lorelai, he felt nothing, but pure love for her. May and even Skye lacked in comparison to her.

“We can do alright by ourselves.” Grant commented.

Lorelai chuckled. “Maybe, but what this realm truly needs is a queen. A goddess who can guide them, make sure they know their place in this world. I will be that goddess.”

“You will be. I’ll make sure no one stands in your way. Any idiot with eyes would see you were born to rule.” Grant said to her, with all the devotion and love as a puppy. Lorelai hummed in agreement, now looking back at him.

“High praise, coming from someone from such a noble bloodline as yourself.” Lorelai stated. This made Grant’s smile drop. did she know? How could she know? Grant had kept it hidden all his life, his other family wasn’t a topic he discussed and wouldn’t like to discuss with anyone.

“What are you talking about? I’m no one.” Grant lied, as he was trained to, but the attempt seemed lost on the sorceress. Lorelai began to seductively walk towards him, swaying her hips as she crawled back into the bed and straddled him.

“Don’t play games, not with me. I can feel it in you. The bloodline of Olympus flows through your veins. As does the fuel of rage and war, son of Ares.”  Lorelai breathes against his neck, gently biting it, making Grant groan.

“Don’t...C-Call. Ah call me that!” Grant gasped out through moans as Lorelai begin to kiss down his neck. Grant felt his anticipation rise as he felt the soft pecks against his skin.

“Why? It is your birth right. The strength of the war god lies deep with you.” Lorelai whispered.

“Ares is nothing to me! Nothing else matters to me, but... Ah You!” Grant grunts. “Nothing else matters, but you!” Grant complimented her, trying to change the subject away from his father.

“Aw, you’re sweet.” Lorelai cooed. The Asgardian then grabbed Grant’s hair, pushing their lips against each other in a forceful kiss, forgetting about their conversation to more... Pleasurable activities.

Line break- Skye

She couldn’t believe it, all this time she had known Ward. He was hiding this big of a secret. Being the son of a god was already enough, but finding out your dad is the personification of war? That’s... That’s therapy worthy trauma. Skye sat in the armchair on the bus, it was the spot she would always catch Ward sitting in whenever they were outside of training. He would either be reading some book she or Agent Hand gave him to read, or he would be fiddling with the switchblade Artemis found. Each time Skye saw Ward with the knife, he would be staring at it. Looking at it as if he hated the thing, like it was the thing that caused immeasurable pain.

“Lady Skye.” A voice came up behind her. Skye was drawn from her thoughts to see Apollo looking at her. The god of the sun seemed to be skittish, the blonde man avoided looking at her eyes, tapping his right leg with his fingers.

“Lord Apollo, what can I do for you?” Skye asked.

“Apollo, please. May I have a seat?” He requested, indicating to the chair opposite her. Skye gladly accepted. “All yours, and please call me Skye then.” She said. Apollo smiled, relaxing into the chair, but Skye could see he was still nervous, now bouncing his leg up and down, tapping the leather of the chair instead of his leg.

“So, what can I help you with, Apollo?” Skye asked him.

Apollo rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “Um- What’s Grant like?” He blurted out. Skye’s eyebrows burrow in confusion. “Ehm- I beg your pardon?” Skye said.

Apollo facepalmed himself as he heard the words come out of his mouth. “Shit! I’m sorry, I should’ve clarified more.” Apollo then took a deep breath and exhaled, steadying himself to ask again. “I haven’t been the greatest uncle to Grant. He’s the first mortal nephew I have had in nearly 700 years, and I wish to know what kind of person he is. Personality wise, of course.”

That definitely wasn’t what Skye was expecting a god to be asking her. Skye hesitated before answering him, making sure to choose her words carefully in front of a god. “Oh, ....Well, He’s stoic to name one thing. He’s not really a people person and he can be quite blunt at times. He doesn’t like to talk about himself much, no matter how hard I try. He does a dry sense of humour and he likes old stuff. You know, reading, board games, muscle cars. Definitely a neat freak, I’ve seen his bunk, and it looks like nobody has slept in it.” Skye laughs and Apollo chuckles along with her.

“He’s also such a robot though.” Skye then straightens her shoulders and does her best facial expression of Ward. Her lips locked tight in a frown, narrowing her eyes to seem like small slits with her nose scrunched. “It’s all. Target acquired; threat neutralised! Yes, sir! No, sir!” She impersonated in a deep voice. The act making Apollo break out a laugh, his laugh sounded like music from a harp playing a happy tune.

“He’s kind though when you get to know him. He cares a lot about the team, I can tell. He can be overprotective at times, kind of like a German Shephard or a Pitbull, but it does come from a place of love.” She explained to the sun god who sat in the chair with a knowing smile.

“If I didn’t know exactly who we are talking about here.” Apollo said, indicating the conversation between the two of them. “I would assume you’re talking about Ares. You’re describing him to the T.” He stated. The comparison made Skye’s eyes widen.

“Seriously?”

“Absolutely. Ares is exactly like you described. He has such bad people skills. He makes Artemis look like a social butterfly and she spends most of her time with forest nymphs and animals in the woods.” Apollo commented. The comparison made Skye wonder how alike Grant and his dad truly are.

“Why? Does Ares not like his family or something?” Skye asked. Apollo shrugged his shoulders.

“More like he doesn’t like anyone in general. Apart from Aphrodite of course. He does love his kids though. I would see him training with Phobos and Deimos, making flower crowns with little Harmonia. Its hard for him though, to show emotions that’s not rage or hate with parents like Zeus and Hera. Especially when you’re the god of something so brutal as war.” Apollo tells her with a warm expression.

“So, did he and Ward not get along or something?” The way Apollo described Ares with his immortal kids, it was exactly the type of dad she wished she had growing up. Did Ares not love his demigod kids as much? Or at all?

“I don’t think they ended on good terms, no. Though, I believe that’s down to Ares not wanting to get hurt a second time around.” Apollo told her with a saddened expression. Apollo then saw Skye curious expression and his face softened, his golden eyes turning to sad amber. “When my father demanded we all... Take care of our mortal children.” Apollo put finger quotations up to really tell Skye that ‘take care of them’ was really to murder them. “I think it was Ares was among the ones who took it the hardest. We all mourned our children, don’t doubt that, but Ares... Ares was a mess. He was moody, threw random fits of rage, wouldn’t let any of his immortal children out of his sight for decades. I think he feared Zeus would come for them next.” That Skye sick to her stomach, she knew Zeus was the worst of the Olympians, but this took it to a whole ‘nother level.

“I do believe my brother loves his son, it’s just hard for him to come to terms with having a demigod child again.” Apollo finished off with before looking out the plane window.

Skye nodded, all this time she thought Ward’s parents were just a pair of bastards who hurt him, but now she’s starting to understand her SO more than she originally thought.

It was then May came into the room, looking at the two of them. “Artemis got them in Vegas, your sister says you, Sif and her will go after Lorelai and Ward, while we work on keeping the civilians away.”

Apollo nodded his head. “Understood, my lady.” The god said, getting up and looking back at Skye. “Thank you for the delightful conversation, Skye.” He thanked her and Skye nodded her head.

“You’re welcome.” She replied. Apollo then headed down to meet the others, while Skye got up from her seat to follow him, only to be stopped by May.

“Not you, Simmons still has on bedrest.” The stern woman told her.

Skye gaped at this. “May, Ward is still out there. I have to help!” She protested, but May would hear none of it.

“You’ve already helped enough. Now, go on, back into your bunk and get some rest. We’ll be back in a couple of hours.” May told her, looking at her expectantly. Skye groaned, seeing the argument was going nowhere and stormed back to her bunk and flopping onto her bed. Skye breathed through her pillow as she kept thinking of Ward and what Lorelai could be doing to him.

“Please come back, Grant. Come back to me.”

Line break – Artemis

Artemis hated this city.

Okay, she hated most cities. Disgusting displays of mankind and the boasting of their egos through jungles of stone buildings and large displays of masculinity. She had a deep sense of hatred for this city though. The blinding lights made her eyes hurt, the loud sounds of cars, people and multiple types of debauchery made her want to scream.

How she yearned for the smell of the woods, the soft touch of grass under her feet, an arrow being aimed through her bow as she hunted in the moon’s eye.

Artemis along with the others entered the casino and the statue of Julius Caesar catches her eye. The moon goddess scoffs at the monument to a pathetic mortal man who’s ambitions run taller than the peak of Mount Olympus.

“We checked the records. Ward and Lorelai are in room 2238.” May told them as they stepped onto the elevator. “Remember, make it quick and quiet. We don’t need any civilians getting a clue about what is happening.” She reminded them, before the doors to the elevator closed and Artemis prepared for what was about to come.

They soon reached the floor and walk up to the room Grant was currently hiding Lorelai in. Artemis looked at Apollo who was currently holding an arrow with a strange green glow to it.

“Sleep arrow?” Artemis questioned. Apollo nodded. “It should knock out Grant long enough to de-spell him from Lorelai.”

“Good. On three.” She told them, all three prepared to breach, Apollo and Artemis locked an arrow into their bows, while Sif readied her sword and shield.

“1......2.........3!”

BANG!

Apollo kicks the door down with his foot, blasting it off its hinges. All three of them rush inside weapons drawn, Artemis aims her bow at the ill clothed woman, staring at them as if they were nothing but insects compared to her.

“Who dares-.” Lorelai’s would be rant is cut off by Sif punching her in the face, the sharp steel of her gauntlets driving a cut into the sorceress’s cheek and driving her to the floor.

“Cease your talking, Lorelai, it has done enough harm already.” Sif warned her.

Apollo is then rushed by a man nearly as tall as him, forcing him to collide with the wall. Apollo starts to wrestle with Grant, pushing the demigod back with his bow. Grant without a sweat, rips the bow from Apollo’s hands, then grasping the sun god by the neck and lifting him in the air. Artemis gasps at the impressive show of strength. She knew Grant would be strong, all children of Ares were. However, being able to lift an Olympian without much trouble went far beyond her expectations.

“Arty? Arty! A little help would be much appreciated!” Apollo was able to blurt out through Grant’s iron grip around his neck. Artemis shook herself out of her thoughts, aiming her sleep arrow at Grant and shooting him in the back. Within a second, Grant collapsed onto the matted floor. Apollo came sliding the wall, clutching his sore neck in pain.

“What in the name of Olympus was that?” Apollo’s voice was now hoarse and rough from the choking. “No demigod has ever had that amount of strength. Not even the children of father or our uncles!”

“I do not know, brother. It seems Ares left out quite a bit of details about his son.” Artemis said out loud. “Take Grant out of here, we cannot trust men around the witch.” Apollo nodded, carrying Grant out of the room.

“Urgh, release me!” Lorelai’s foul shriek came from the corner room. Artemis looked to find the sorceress struggling against the vice grip of Sif. “I demand you release me!”

“You demand nothing, witch. You have no power now.” Artemis looked down at her. “Do you know who I am?”

Lorelai just sneered at her. “I do not.”

“Well then, listen very closely. I am Artemis Diana, Goddess of the moon, hunting, nature, animals who hunt in the wild, the protector of children and maidens. Daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Leto. You have chosen to foolishly harm my blood, the blood of my brother Ares and the blood of Olympus.”

Lorelai’s eyes widen as she realizes she was in dire shit. “My lady please, have mercy. He was just a man. Nothing of consequence!”

Artemis just glared at her with her piercing silver eyes, promising death and pain to the woman before her. Drawing a dagger and rolling it through her fingers. “My nephew may be a man, despite my dislike for his kind. He is still my family and no one harms my family and leaves without facing the consequences. You brainwashed him to submit to you. For that I’ll take your face so no other man will look at you the same again, for forcing him to kill for you, I’ll take your thumbs, each one for each kill. Finally, for forcing him into your bed. I’ll take your tongue, so you may never control another man with your voice ever again.” Artemis told her in a cold voice.

Lorelai started to squirm, struggling to escape Sif’s grasp and escape punishment. “Please! Please! I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!”

Artemis looked unaffected though, she just looked at Sif with a cold impression. “Hold her down.”

Sif looked hesitant though, she looked to be concerned. “She may be a criminal, but she is still an Asgardian citizen. She will be tried and punished according to our laws.”

Artemis did not back down, however. Her nose flared in anger. “She has committed crimes against the royal bloodline of Olympus. Zeus himself, has commanded a lesson taught, a lesson taught in blood and pain. Now, do you have the stomach to what comes next, or do I have to hold her down myself. Granted, I am capable of it alone, but it will take longer and be more painful.” She clarified, not against the thought.

Sif stood there for a moment, looking at Lorelai who was shaking her head, tears coming down her cheeks as she begged Sif not to comply with the order. Sif steeled herself, straightens her shoulders and nodded her head. “Very well.” She agreed, hardening her grip on Lorelai, who kept pleading for mercy.

Artemis looked back at Lorelai, crouching down to meet at her eyes, she then pressed the cold metal of the blade against the Asgardian’s cheek. Lorelai flinched as she felt the cool metal , beginning to draw blood.

“I wouldn’t struggle as much if I were you. It would only make it seem longer.” Artemis whispered.

“No! No! NNNNNOOO!”

The Bus- five hours later.

“You guys think he’s going to wake up, anytime soon?”

“We don’t know, whatever Artemis knocked him out with, it has quite the effect supposedly.”

“Hey look, he’s beginning to wake up.”

Grant’s slowly began to open his eyes, surrounding him was Skye and Fitzsimmons, all looking at him with worry deep in their eyes. Grant then looked around him, slowly realising he is no longer in that hotel suite with Lorelai, he was in the med bay of the bus, surrounded by his teammates.

“Hey sleepyhead.” Skye’s warm voice sounded like music to his ears, but it didn’t do much, to stop the pounding in his head. Grant sat up in his bed, groaning as he was clutching his head in pain.

“What happened?” Grant asked them. All three of them looked at each other, a hidden message of “who is going to be the one to tell him” through their expressions. Deciding she was going to be the one, Skye looked at him, sheepishly. “What exactly do you remember?” She asked him.

Grant shrugged his shoulders. “Lorelai and I were in the hotel room in Vegas, doing.... Things. Then, the door bashes open and these people start coming into the room, I try to help, but I was knocked out by something.”

“Sounds about right. Artemis told us she shot you with some kind of sleep arrow.” She told him,

Grant’s eyebrows furrow in confusion. “Arte-who? Guys, what are you talking about? Who shot me with an arrow?”

“Ward.” Skye got his attention. “We know, we all know about you” Grant froze as he wondered what she meant by that. She couldn’t possibly mean- How could they know?

“Skye, what are you talking about?” Grant expertly lied.

Skye tilted her head at him, with a very unimpressed look. “About the fact, your dad is a literal god!” Ohshitshitshitshitshitshitshit! Grant felt like his whole world had just been exploded. Grant began to think a multiple of excuses in his head he could use to get out of this situation.

“Guys, I can explain.”  Ward began but seeing the disbelief in his friend’s eyes, struggled to come up with a good answer. His biological father’s side of the family is so addicted to drugs and alcohol, they believe they are actually Greek gods? Nope, They’re all a bunch of lunatics who should be in an asylum? Nope. He’s got nothing. Grant sighed in defeat, for once in his life, Grant Douglas Ward was unable to lie his way out of something.

“Okay, no I can’t.” He admitted, partly in guilt.  Skye just look at him with hurt in her eyes.

“Why didn’t you just tell us, Ward? We’re meant to be a team. We’re meant to trust each other.” She reminded him, Fitz and Simmons nodded along with her, the science twins looking at him like he just told two 6-year-olds that Santa wasn’t real.

“Skye, you don’t understand.” Grant began. “If Shield found out about this, I’ll be on the Index for the rest of my life. It won’t even matter if I have powers, the fact my grandfather is Zeus, and my old man is the god of war? I’ll be in a cell right beside Blonsky.” Locked up in a tiny room, only coming out for maybe 10 minutes a day? Sounds like a living hell to Grant.

“But, they won’t.” Fitz interrupted. “Coulson and May, they’ll protect you, you’re one of us, we don’t give our own.” Oh Fitz, sweet naïve Fitz. Grant’s heart almost warmed at the young engineer’s positive choice of attitude.

“They’ll not have a choice; they both made an oath to Shield. It’s their duty.” Grant told him, a half-smile on his face as he did.

“There is another option, nephew.” Another voice was heard, all of them to find Artemis standing at the doorway of the medbay, her silver bow slung over her shoulder. The goddess was looking at Grant with calculating eyes, as if judging him. The thought of someone judging like a piece of meat drove anger deep within Grant’s heart.

“Who the hell are you?” Grant demanded, his voice full of agitation. Artemis was unmoved by this though, leaning against the doorway, inspecting her nails.

“Artemis, your father, Ares is my half-brother by our father, making you my nephew by the same lineage.” She told him.

Within seconds of hearing that, Grant had leaped from his bed and stood in front of Skye and Fitzsimmons with a protective arm barricading them and Artemis.

“You want them; you go through me.” Grant growled. Artemis just threw him a very unimpressed look side-eye at him.

“If I wanted any of your mortal friends dead, I would’ve done it hours ago, with remarkable ease as well.” Artemis said uninterested as she flicked a piece of dirt from under her fingernail. Artemis then looked over at him still holding his protective position. Artemis let out a light chuckle at the pose.

“Oh, do drop the guard dog act, dear nephew. I could take you out without breaking a sweat, you may be strong for a demigod, but you aren’t that strong.” She told him. Grant eased on the pose, but remained where he stood, in front of his teammates.

Skye placed a hand on Grant’s shoulder. “Ward, she’s right. She had all the time in the world to kill us, if she wanted to kill us, she would’ve had no reason to wait.” She whispered in his ear, the warmth of her breath against Grant’s skin made him shiver, it almost made him forget where he was for a moment. Skye then looked at Artemis. “You said there was another option for Grant, what is it?” She asked.

Artemis looked at the brunette girl, giving her a nod in thanks before looking back at Grant. “His Majesty, Lord Zeus, King of Olympus offers you asylum in our realm. With you away from the mortal realm, we can be sure you are safe from the mortals and the mortals are safe from you. We can also allow you to grow in a home with those who you share blood with.” Artemis explained, she then pulled out a small scroll, handing it to Grant.

“Your father told me to give this to you, he said it would convince you.”

Grant snatched the scroll from Artemis’s hands in a childish manner which only made the goddess roll her eyes. Breaking the seal and tearing the scroll open to read it. Grant only stares at the parchment for a few moments, before throwing it back in Artemis’s face.

“You tell Zeus I decline his ‘oh so generous offer’ and remind my father of my final words to him the last time he had the balls to face me. That I never want to see his face for as long as I breath air.” Grant ranted, while pointing at Artemis.

The room remained quiet as Artemis stared emotionlessly at Grant, her silver eyes expressionless and unnerved.

“Hmph. Very well.” Artemis shrugged, going back to inspecting her nails. Grant narrowed his eyebrows in confusion, Skye gawked still shocked at Grant’s bravery or stupidity at saying no to a goddess. Fitz and Simmons just looked at Artemis in fear, still half expecting Artemis to strike Grant down in anger.

“Wait... Seriously? You aren’t going to force me to go?” Grant questioned.

Artemis shaked her head. “I am a firm believer in the line No means no, regardless of my disapproval at your decision. If you do not wish to come to where you truly belong, that’s your choice, so on your head be it.” The Olympian then pushed herself from the doorway, Artemis then dug into her jacket pocket and threw it at Grant. Grant caught with lightning-fast reflexes, then opening his palm to find his old switchblade in it. “Do be sure to carry that with you in the days to come. Your father gave it to you for a reason, not so it can collect dust and thrown away. It was.... An experience meeting you, dear nephew. Pray our paths do not cross again for it may not be in your best interest, Chaíre.” Artemis farewelled, leaving the room without another word with purpose deep within her step.

The group stood in silence as they stared where Artemis once stood. Grant half-expected a bolt of lightning them to strike them down right then and there.

The loud silence was then cut by Fitz letting out a deep breath, the young engineer looked one jump scare away from soiling himself. “Okay, we’re all thinking it, but I will be the one to say it.” Fitz stated, pointing his finger in the direction Artemis went. “That woman is bloody terrifying.”

“Seriously, and I thought was May was the scariest woman on the planet, but I gotta tell you, Ward. Your aunt has May beat by miles.” Skye added. Grant couldn’t help, but agree with the two of them.

‘If that is what my aunt is like, then what is the rest of my relatives like?’ Grant thought, clutching the switchblade in his hand.

Line break- 3 Hours later

Coulson and May stood outside the Bus along with Sif, Lorelai, Artemis and Apollo. Sif held the now disfigured Lorelai, the once beautiful sorceress was missing both her thumbs and her face now looked like someone put it through a meat mincer, bloody and messy. Coulson also looked closer to see she was now missing a tongue. Coulson grimaced as he looked at Artemis’s handiwork.

“It seems my work here is done.” Sif said, holding tightly to Lorelai’s arm. “I will deliver Lorelai to Asgard and be sure she be sentenced by Odin for her crimes.”

Coulson whispered into May’s ears. “Damn, you’d think she had already been punished enough.” May just silently nodded her head.

Sif then put a fist to her chest in salute. “I am honoured to have fought by your side.” Sif then walks away with Lorelai in tow. Coulson then looked at Artemis and Apollo, both of then leaned up against the wall of the Bus. “Ward declined your audience; Zeus won’t be happy.” He stated. Apollo nodded his head begrudgingly. “Indeed, but the offer Zeus made was just that: An offer. Our nephew was free to decline, no matter how foolish his choice is.”

“Is it really that bad if Ward stays on earth?” May asked.

Artemis nodded. “The blending of mortal and immortal blood only brings destruction. Surely even you humans can understand, you have told your youth of the legends of demigods and what they were capable of, the strength, the brutality they brought with them. It will only be a matter of time before Grant begins to show these traits. You want our advice, Coulson. Convince him to accept the offer, it might just be the only thing that saves you from crossing paths with Hades.” Artemis tells, bowing to them and walked away. Apollo sighed, putting out his hand in front of Coulson.

“May Tyche favour you in the events to come.” He said, Coulson nodded appreciatively, returning the gesture. The sun god nodded to them both before walking to catching up with his twin. Coulson crouches down to his knees, placing his face in his hands in despair. May crouches down beside him, looking down at the ground, deep in thought.

“These changes things.” She states, Coulson nods through his fingers. “I know.” His muffled voice comes out.

“We should report this back to headquarters.”

“We should.”

“But we’re not going to... Are we?” Coulson looks up from his hands, staring at the setting sun, turning the sky to a mixture of deep orange and yellow.

“We have larger things to worry about it. Centipede still have Mike Peterson and Ian Quinn is still out there. We just have to be cautious for now about we handle Ward in the field.” Coulson decided, rising back to his feet and began to walk back into the bus, but was stopped by May.

“What if we do what Artemis said? Get him to accept the offer. Report Ward died on assignment. Everybody wins.” She offered, May was thinking of the team, she was here to prevent danger to the team and right now, Ward definitely seemed like a danger. Coulson just spined and snapped at his second in command.

“Ward’s one of us, May. Doesn’t matter who his father is, we don’t abandon our own, you know that better than anyone.” Coulson bit out, before walking back up. May grunted in frustration, gripping her palms into fists and stormed back into the plane. She was just about to climb the stair, before he noticed Skye hiding behind the banister. The betrayed expression that painted her face, told May that she heard everything.

“You want to give Ward up?” Skye asked rhetorically. May steeled herself and looked back at the hacker.

“We might not have a choice, Skye. We still don’t know the dangers Ward possess.” She said unemotionally. Skye just gawked at the empty voice May spoke with.

“Might not have a choice? This is Ward, we’re talking about. The same guy who has laid down his life for us more times than I can count. You just want us to give him up to some strangers?”

“There is no us! If it comes down to it, the choice will be up to me and Coulson.” May told her, walking closer to Skye, making the young woman back up into the wall. Skye began to sweat underneath May cutting gaze.

“What you have to choose, Skye. Is if you’re going to fall in line with the chain of command or be given up alongside Ward.” She whispered, not waiting to hear an answer and walking back up the stairs to the lounge. Leaving Skye with a chill down her back and a decision in her hand.

Line break

Apollo and Artemis watched as the bus took off from it’s landing and fly back into the sky, disappearing from sight.

“It’s a shame.” Apollo said regretfully. “I was really hoping to meet our nephew.” The sun god then looked at his sister. “Do you think he’ll accept the offer?”

Artemis shrugged. “I can’t be sure, our brother has not been known for making great choices, perhaps the same can’t be said for his son.” She summarised.

“You got something to say to me, little sister?” A voice came from behind them. Artemis and Apollo looked behind them to find a large man carrying a very large sword in his hands. The man’s tanned face though battered and scarred was looked to be made from marble. His jaw sharp and broad was covered by a clean stubble beard. his black hair was cut into a military hairstyle, the sides of his head cut, while the top of his hair was slicked back. The man wore the classic biker outfit, open leather jacket, black shirt with combat trousers and combat boots. The man also wore biker sunglasses, but one could see two very bright red orbs glowing behind them if they got close to the man. Keyword if.

“Ares...”  Apollo muttered under his breath. Artemis frowned in displease, while Ares remained neutral in his expression, pushing past both of them to look at where the bus once stood.

“What are you doing here, brother?” Artemis questioned.

“I am here, to make sure one of you didn’t kill my boy.” Ares retorted back.

“Zeus’s orders were clear, I was to leave Grant Ward alive.” Artemis reminded him, a look of offense on her face at the accusation.

“Yeah well, it wouldn’t be the first time you killed one of my children.” Ares reminded her, the venom clear in his voice as he spoke to his half-sister. “So, if you don’t mind, I would like to keep this one alive.”

“If you want to keep your son alive, it is in the best interest of everyone involved that he stop playing mortal and come to Olympus, where he belongs.” Artemis ranted. Ares spined around to face Artemis, pointing his great sword at her neck, his face fuelled with rage as he pointed his blade in her direction.

“I would sooner kill you both than let him be trapped on Olympus for eternity.” He growled. Apollo quickly drew an arrow and pointed his bow at Ares.

“Sheath your blade or I’ll shoot so many arrows in your head, one might just hit that little brain of yours.” Apollo warned coldly. Ares just smirked at the action. “I would like to see you try, blondie.” The god of war goaded.

“You hurt him, and you’ll have me and father to deal with.” Artemis reminded him. The sentence made the smirk on Ares’s face drop. The god looked at the male archer before begrudgingly lowering his sword.

“Leave! Or I will cut each of you down where you stand!” Ares threatened. Apollo and Artemis both looked at each other before they started to walk away. Artemis then stopped for a second to look back at her brother.

“I hope you have a plan, brother. Father won’t be patient for much longer. He will want Grant on Olympus before the year is over.” Artemis told him, before disappearing in a flicker of light along with Apollo. Ares stood still, looking at the landing strip where the bus was, Ares sighed, digging into his pocket and pulled out a photo. The photo had the picture of a small child. A boy with black hair and innocent brown eyes looking in the camera with all the innocence in the world. Ares’s face softened as he looked at the picture, placing it close to his heart.

“Not if I have anything to say about it.”