Greece 500 AD
I’d just meant to pop into Greece briefly to meet with Eros and get what I needed for the trap I was planning against the demon of chaos.
However, Eros informed me the potion would take a few centuries to brew, and my homeland was in complete disarray.
News of Rome’s fall had traveled quickly; however, the great empire was not the only civilization that was being impacted by the rapid rise of Christianity.
Greece was constantly under attack.
I extended my stay in an effort to support my human followers as my sanctuaries were destroyed by the new Christian Emperor, Justinian.
Once the potion was complete, Eros asked to meet me in secret, as he believed that our home was now just as dangerous for us as it was for our human followers. He informed me that Justinian had outlawed our people’s spiritual practices while I’d been away. Pagan priests were being persecuted for worshiping their deities, and several gods and goddesses had disappeared entirely.
“Surely they are just going into hiding?” I frowned, looking out over Athens from the shady knoll Eros had agreed to meet me on. The winged god of desire pursed his lips as we watched the humans riot and fight with each other beneath us.
“That is what I believed at first; however, I am close friends with Hypnos, the god of sleep. Do you know of him?”
“Yes, of course.”
“I cannot find him anywhere. He would have told me if he were going underground. His realm of dreams has been abandoned. His nightmares have faded away. Something is happening, and it’s not safe for us anymore. I believe we’re being hunted.”
I frowned. All of this was very concerning. However, I had a more immediate stalker that needed to be dealt with before I could concern myself with this looming threat.
I turned to Eros as he handed me the potion I’d asked him to make for me.
“I’m currently being chased by a chaos demon. I need to deal with him first before I can truly give my energy to this cause.”
“You misunderstand me. I do not think this is something you should be facing head-on, Hecate. You should be in hiding. I plan to do so myself. Whatever is happening is big. What sort of being is powerful enough to wipe outgods?”
I hummed, slipping the potion into a secret pocket between realms where I could snatch it up next time I needed it.
“Likely another god,” I replied, turning back to face Athens. “I would guess the god of creation, based on how aggressive his following has become.” I pointed to one of the many Christian churches that Justinian had ordered to be built after the forced closing of Plato’s academy.
“He weakens us with the destruction of our sanctuaries,” I observed, and Eros nodded.
“I have noticed my own strength fading. Even together, I am not sure we’ll be able to fight this.”
My skin prickled suddenly, and I stiffened.
“He’s entered Greece,” I groaned.
Eros frowned at me. “The god of creation?
“No. Shemhazai. The demon of chaos. He finally found me.”
A look of irritation flickered across Eros’ face. “As if we didn’t have enough to worry about.”
“I must go.” I sighed. “I have a plan for him; however, I don’t have the space I need to set the trap here. Things are too unstable.”
“Here, take this.” Eros handed me a heavy golden coin. I took it and examined it curiously. On one side of the coin was an etching of Fenrir, the Doom Wolf, and on the other was Sköll, the Sun Chaser.
“I encased them in gold after Sköll tried to eat the sun.” Eros smirked, seemingly amused by the wolf’s antics. “They need house training. However, they are loyal guardians, and dogs are a natural enemy to cats. Flip this coin if that demon of yours gives you any trouble, and they will be released from the crate I have bound them in.”
I grinned at the god of desire, grateful for this gift.
“Thank you, Eros.”
He gave me a grim smile and nodded. Placing a warm hand on my shoulder, he squeezed gently.
