The sky was pitch black despite crackling streams of lightening slicing through it with claps of thunder. I backed up, stumbling on my own feet as my attacker advanced with his sword raised high. The cool touch of brick halted my retreat, rain sprinkling down while the swordsman approached with a sickening smile. I was cornered. Hope fizzled out inside my chest as he continued to smile and saunter forwards until his breathing tickled my face. Fear rushed through me as I rose up my arms in a pathetic attempt of defense, the sword coming down without hesitance. The pain was numbed as shrill screams ruptured the air. It took a few seconds to realize those cries were my own.
——–———————————
The rush of air slapped my face as I sat up, fists clenching instinctively while my heart hammered wildly in my chest. A bland, white ceiling stared back at my wide eyes. I blinked hard before sitting up and looking around in confusion. I was laying in the small bed of a camper, still dark despite the early morning light sneaking through the windows. A ragged cough escaped my body as the memories of last night came flooding back, and I ran a hand through my soft hair before throwing back the blankets. A scowl found my face as I stared down at my clothed frame. A pair of white boxers with a loose tank top hung from my body awkwardly with strange stains adorning them.

"Bad dream?" The low voice of another person cut into my head as I tore my vision upwards. My twin brother sat on the tiny camper-couch, sitting cross-crossed while munching on a granola bar. He looked rough. His dirty blonde frohawk was unkempt from sleepless nights, his skin paler than normal. Thick, pure white bandages concealed his eyes, secured around his head tightly. His freckles were looked like a sea among his bruises. His shirt was missing, though he wore baggy jeans and mismatched socks. I didn't blame him, he could exactly see where he put his clothes.

"Nah," I broke into a yawn, slowly stretching my sore limbs. "I just didn't get much sleep last night."
My brother, Axel, rose a thin brow as he gulped down some food, "C'mon, Bailey. I thought we said no secrets anymore."

A sigh escaped me while my shoulders slumped, surrendering to Axel as I stood and glanced out the window. It was a beautiful morning, with heavy mist gathering able the trees.

"I dreamt of a swordsman..." My brow furrowed as I recalled the faint dream. "It was storming out... I got killed."

Axel snorted, "Geez, that's blunt."

I rolled my eyes while smirking and snatching up the package of granola bars, "Hey, if I had my sword I would've kicked the dude's ugly butt."

"Did you see his face? Did you know him?" Axel grilled while crumpling up the wrapper.

"I didn't actually get a good look. It was dark." I replied thoughtfully, ripping open the package.

"Hmmm," Axel rolled back his shoulders. "Well I'm gonna go on a flight to clear my head."

"Not without me you don't," I remarked sharply. "Last time you crashed into the Hollywood sign."

His laughter pulled my mouth into a grin, "Hey, that was once. And anyways, I was drunk."

"You were flying while intoxicated?" I crossed my arms as humor reached my face. "And blind?"

Axel smirked while nodding proudly, as if fond of the memory, "Dude, it was awesome. Anyways, you're welcome to join." His muscles shifted as sudden shadows swarmed behind his shoulders.

Two huge bird wings stretched outwards in the small space of the camper, each feather colored to match his messy blonde hair. Each wing was thick with muscle and nerves, connected to his back and spine. Axel reached out, groping for the counter where his shirt sat balled up. I easily reached out and moved it into his striking fingers. He threw the shirt over his head, folding in his wings to slide the fabric over his skin before slipping the feathery limbs through two long slits in the back of his shirt. I twitched my own wings, desperate to stretch them after a long and itchy night of feathers rustling impatiently.

"Just a quick recon to make sure They didn't find us." I moved towards the bathroom where I hoped my pants were. Axel mumbled in response as I moved into the shrunken bathroom and glanced at my features in the faded mirror. I had two challenging hazel eyes that glinted in the sunlight filtering through the window. My blonde pixie cut was styled into a crewcut, short and out of the claws of monsters. Despite trying not to look, my eyes found the double scars stretching from under my right eye and trailing off onto my left cheek. The scars were jagged and light pink, and yet looked incredibly stupid and ugly. The heavy dog tags around my neck jingled slightly as I moved to open the pill cabinet and remove my inhaler. Closing the cupboard, I discovered my jeans in the miniature bathtub, pulling them on and shoving the inhaler in my pocket.

"While we're still young, Bailey!" Axel whined loudly from the outside of the vehicle. Grabbing up my oversized bomber jacket, I slipped into the comforting sleeves and jogged for the door, throwing it open and rushing into the warm sunlight. An exhilarated breath escaped my lungs as I unraveled my large, dark wings in joy. Axel was smiling at the ground, already hovering above the ground with heavy wing flaps that kicked up dirt and grass.

"Stay close to me, follow my wing flaps!" I yelled above the loud flaps, beginning to exercise her feathers before letting my feet leave the ground. "Don't wander."

Axel continued to grin lopsided at where he guessed my position was, his freckles glowing in the light. I turned and began heading North, feeling the wind brush through my wings with ease. The trees below my sneakers blurred by, a green mesh that barely made sense. Axel was close behind, his brow knit as he focused on following my wing flaps to the best of his ability. Birds sung from their branches happily, wings fluttering slightly as they watched us fly by. There was nothing like it. Flying was something I was addicted to, the rush of adrenaline, the heights and the feeling of air rushing through ever inch of your body.
"Weird, normally at least a harpy is wandering close." I wondered aloud, searching for the monsters that normally hunted down our scent.

"You probably scared them off with your snoring." Axel teased lightly, groping out his hand to assure himself I was still close by, his fingers brushing my shoe.

"Hahaha." I monotoned, scowling at the dark trees. There had to be one. They're always up in our grills. And yet it was quiet. Too quiet. "Axel." The sound of my voice instantly made Axel realize something was wrong. He fluttered closer, gripping my jacket in his fist as he looked at my chin with his empty sockets.
"Listen." I whispered, craning my neck as I waited for the chirps of bird or rustle of wind. There was nothing but our wing flaps which sounded like thunder compared to the silence. "Something's wrong."

"Spawn of Mors." A voice that shook the air particles vibrated through our chests as we whirled about to see who addressed us. A man stood a few feet from us, his radiance beaming power and ancient knowledge. He wore a suit that was the deepest black color I'd ever seen, his hair was also so black it was entrancing, slicked back to reveal his tan face with eyes of pure darkness. Two wings stretched from his back, much larger than our's, and made of complete shadows that twisted and played in the blaring sunlight. "I am Erebus, of Chaos and grandfather to you two."

The silence following his sentence was heavy, Axel flying forward suddenly as he crossed his skinny arms, "Grandfather?"

Erebus tilted his chin up, "Indeed. One of my many children, is your father. He goes by many names, one such as Thanatos. You two are spawn of Mors, correct?"

I nodded instantly, "Yeah, da- Thanatos gifted us with our wings. So, if you're our grandfather... Why are you here?"

The question almost came off rudely, but had no affect on the god of darkness. His wings shifted slightly as he considered his words carefully.

"Olympus is a train wreck. Zeus found Hera sleeping with Hades, and the fighting only got worse from there. Many have chosen sides between the two brothers, but like Poseidon, I remain neutral to prevent further violence. In fact, I'm planning on taking the throne for myself." Erebus paused to watch my face flicker from shock to confusion.

"Why do you want the throne? And aren't there like twelve thrones?" I questioned the god.

"My father is Chaos, being that I am one of the most powerful gods in existence, I should be ruling Olympus. Not Zeus." Erebus growled lowly, his clothing, eyes and hair growing darker.

"So why did you pick two children of Thanatos?" Axel jumped in softly.

"I need help in order to take Olympus for myself, I already have Nyx, Thanatos, Hypnos and Tartarus with my cause. My siblings are strong, as are my children and so on. As my decedents, do you accept my invitation to helping my cause? The rewards would be plentiful." Erebus's brows raised in question, staring into my eyes as he wasn't able to with Axel.

"Give us twenty four hours." Axel responded quickly. "To think over our options."

"As you wish, sightless one. But time is short, and I'd hate to be forced to eliminate my only grandchildren." Erebus did another head-tilt before evaporating into shadows and disappearing completely.

I signed out a breath of relief as his departure, "Geez, that was intense."

Axel scowled at my feet, his brows narrowed, "I think it's time for a talk with dad."

Notes

Hey all~ so it's been a long time since I've written a fanfiction, so I apologize if it's a little rough. All feedback is appreciated and awesome! I'm excited to start writing again and I hope you a
l enjoy it!