There is another, darker part of the Repository of Lost Gods. It is not evil, per se, but more somber than the part which houses the Greek, Norse, Celtic, and other gods. This is the part where the deities who delight in strife, darkness, battle, and sickness, as well as the other dark fates which can befall a man, come.

Here they discuss old glories or bicker among themselves and are not annoyances to the deities of light, who gather in their respective groups on the other side. The battle gods usually walk between both areas, as do the deities of death and rulers of the underworld. No one is barred from either side, and there are often times when Thanatos or Hel will spend a good amount of time with the gods who represented benevolent forces, and Freya and her Valkyeries enjoy the banquets held on the darker side. Fenris Fenrir, depending on his mood, calls either side home.

Eris, though, was unhappy with the arrangement. Unhappy, however, would be a bit of a misunderstanding. She was listless and pale, and she ate very little. Her cheek bones were more prominent, and her sharp collar bones could now cut bread. She could often be found sitting under the large oak tree, which marked the boundary between the two sides, sighing. The sound of an argument would cause her to turn her head, only to sigh.

Strife, political or battle strife, even the strife found within the home, was decidedly lacking in the repository. Even Zeus and Hera had stopped fighting, which was why she sat on this side of the repository. The chances of an argument turning into a brawl were much higher here.

On this particular day, Ares walked over to her. She looked up when he stopped, the savage war god gleaming in the pale light.

"There's to be a great banquet tonight," he said simply.

"There's always a banquet Ares," Eris said exasperated.

"The Norse gods are coming over."

"So?"

"Thor will be sitting next to Artemis, and Fenris Fenrir on her other side." Eris stared at him, a smile lighting up her face.

"Oh Ares, really?" she breathed. The brutal god grinned savagely and extended his hand down.

"Coming my dear?"

--

The banquet, if one was not sitting on the left hand, end corner of the second highest table, was quite nice. That is, until a loud scream of fury finally escaped from Artemis' throat and the table was almost overturned (but the food still fell on everyone) as both she and Thor leapt up and reached for something to attack the other with.

Fenris Fenrir had leapt up as well, and the wolf was crouched beside Artemis, ready to attack the scowling thunder god. Artemis, so distasteful of all men (excepting her twin and her father, who were not quite as awful) finally had enough of the posturing and boasting of the very male thunder god. And Thor, prince of the Norse gods and their saviour, was infuriated by this slender girl who dared to look down on him because he could not hunt. Thus, when one comment too many was heaped up (no one knows for sure by whom), both sides came to blows, and Fenris Fenrir was only to happy to side with the goddess of the hunt.

Eris and Ares smiled over their wine cups, smirking only as much as their natures were expected to. Eris' skin had regained its colour, and her eyes sparkled in malicious enjoyment as the shouts of both gods, pierced by the growls of Fenris Fenrir, became louder and louder.

It had to be ended, though. A voice of thunder resounding amongst the mountains, tempered by the clashing of bronze on bronze rang out,

"ENOUGH!"

All three paused and looked up to see Apollo, who had been sitting on Zeus' left, standing and glaring down on them. All three glared back at him defiantly; Artemis because he was her brother, Thor because he was a prince, and Fenris Fenrir because he was the wolf who had killed Odin. But when Apollo continued to speak in his terrible voice, all three slowly backed down.

"Artemis," he said darkly, "You are a host, and as such you must honour the guest, even if he is a barbarian. You dishonour our father with your behaviour.

"Thor, prince of the Aesir," Apollo said, turning to look upon the huge, blonde god, "I have no respect for one who cannot hold his temper. You seem to delight in the senseless crashing of thunder and lightning, and while I cannot hold you to the same standards as one of my kin, you are a guest here. Your father has given his pledge; I ask that you honour it, if you can.

"Fenrir! As a wolf, you are exempt from the rules of hospitality. But, remember that it also means you are not protected if Zeus decides not to protect you." Apollo paused, staring each in the eye one last time, and spoke again.

"Now, if you are able to behave yourselves, sit and allow us to continue." Thor, due to the tugging on his shirt sleeve, sat. Artemis, however, glared at her brother, and then at Athena who sat beside him, before storming off. Fenris Fenrir growled a question at her, only to be waved away.

Eris and Ares were almost unable to hold in their laughter. The lingering anger of Apollo was all that allowed them to. Both delighted in the strife and momentary chaos which had been created, but the terrible fury of Apollo, and possibly that of Zeus, was not something either wanted to tempt. They thus soaked in the moment, storing it in their memories to be brought out for later retelling, when they could laugh and not be punished.

--

Artemis stood, stony-faced, on a ledge which overlooked a smooth lake. She was in the heart of the forest of the Repository, and all was silent. As she watched the clouds move across the sky through their reflection, she felt some of her anger dissipate, the anger against Thor.

The rest, the anger directed against Apollo and Athena, remained however. And when a soft footfall caused her to look at the bottom of the ledge, it flared.

"What?" she snarled at Athena, "Come to lecture me?"

"No," was all the grey-eyed goddess said. "Apollo was going to come, after you left, but I told him not to." When Artemis remained silent, Athena continued.

"You're angry that I am no longer a virgin, and that Apollo was the one." Artemis clenched her hands into fists and took in a savage breath.

"And why shouldn't I be?" she hissed at Athena, "Or wait, is it because it is not logical?"

"Artemis," Athena began, only to be cut off.

"No! You know why I am so angry, Athena, goddess of wisdom? Neither you nor my oh-so-reasonable brother would ever understand!"

"I understand emotion!" Athena cut in, stopping Artemis cold. "I understand betrayal and heartache, what it feels like to be alone. And that is why you are angry, is it not? You feel that I, no longer a virgin goddess, have left you."

"Figured it all out, eh?" Artemis snarled, trying to push back her tears.

"Artemis, had it not been Apollo, I would still be a virgin goddess with you. I did not drop my role carelessly, but since there was no need for it anymore, I did not feel obliged to keep it."

"You still changed," Artemis protested, though weakly. Athena walked forward and clasped Artemis' shoulders with her hands.

"We all have," Athena whispered, "Man's memory no longer keeps us set in familiar patterns and roles. We no longer are obliged to be what the myths made us; look at Zeus and Hera! Or even Aphrodite and Hephaistos; she no longer cheats on him, and is even happy being with him."

"I haven't changed," Artemis remarked sullenly, "and neither have the Muses, Hebe, Heracles, the Graces, and others." Athena laughed softly.

"But that does not mean that we cannot. If we remain in the ruts man made for us, not letting those around us change or even changing ourselves, should we choose to, then he has won. Even though I am no longer a virgin, and even though Apollo has chosen me, we are still who we were before the Repository was opened. And we will always remain the same, in our very core of being."

--

When the two goddesses returned, the banquet was almost over. Only a few hardy gods remained drinking, the rest had left or were discussing some obscure topic. Neither Thor nor Fenris Fenrir was to be seen.

Artemis brushed past her brother, sticking her tongue out at him as she passed. Apollo grinned, causing her to roll her eyes. He knew that she was still mad at him, but he also knew that she was willing to forgive him at some point in the future.

He slid his hand around Athena's shoulders, and she hers around his waist, and they walked quietly away from the banquet.

--

A/N: I'm leaving this up as unfinished, for I want to add to the repository. But I'm warning everyone now: it will be slow.

That said, I hope you enjoyed it, and reviews are always appreciated!