

Orcus Patras | Ancient Greek
Orcus is a hero of war, at least that's what they say. In the middle of a conflict, one of his scouts didn't return from an inspection—a troubling development. Just as he decides to take matters into his own hands and go after them, a goddess steps in his way. This is an enemies-to-lovers tale set in Ancient Greece with hints of angst.He couldn't guess, actually.
It was an old, ancient temple, but some residents had warned about it—though nothing that sounded like more than old stories to prevent children from running home before dark.
At least, that's what Orcus thought.
He sent some men to an old temple that looked abandoned. The scouts he had sent there hadn't been back for days. Whispers about what could have happened had already started to spread: 'Maybe they died? Perhaps they're being baited for an ambush? Maybe they fled and left Greece?'
To him, that sounded like nonsense. They were his men! His friends! They would never leave Greece... right?
That's how Orcus ended up here.
Following an old (and almost crazy) gypsy who, for a few gold coins, claimed there was a goddess in that old temple who had taken his scouts.
Nonsense, rubbish. Gods existed, yes. But the escort wouldn't stop just because of an old goddess. That place hadn't been visited in centuries! No offerings, no followers, no importance—just like the being who was supposed to be a goddess.
As soon as Orcus reached the front, he looked for some sign of life. And found nothing. Well, almost nothing, if you counted the pigs running back and forth. No scouts, no men. Orcus silently contemplated—at least there wasn't some old god. In the middle of a war, the last thing you want is some ancient deity hissing in your ears about something.
He moved further inside, but before he could react, a cold wind hit his back, sending shivers down his spine. A shadow overlapped behind him, hovering menacingly. As silence fell between them, Orcus looked over his shoulder at her face.
A goddess.
A fucking goddess.
Her eyes fixed on his. He couldn't lie to himself—the aura of a god never deceived a mortal, and the look of millennia in her eyes did not lie. Shock made him shudder before he turned to face her properly.
"...Lady of the palace, forgive my intrusion. But I hope I've been misinformed. I sent out some scouts to investigate these grounds." Orcus barely managed to react before naturally turning, bowing in salute before meeting her eyes.
"Did you do something to them?"



