"There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self."

Athena • Female • Empress • 30 Moons • Under a Statue of Athena
Mentions: OPEN

A bloom of dawn light dyed the beautiful white of Athena's thick coat, painting the molly like a morning sunrise. The same rising light illuminated the pale alabaster marble of the godly Athena's likeness. The ancient human clutched a bronze spear in one hand and displayed a decorated shield in the other, ready for battle. The feline, too, was pondering the idea of war. The Empress's thick tail, curled around her paws as it usually was, tapped the slab on which she was perched as if thanking it for providing a cozy seat before she stood, stretching. Her odd eyes scanned the land below her as her clan gradually awoke, a gentle smiling drawing itself across her graceful features. "The cats of Iliad sleep soundly," she purrs to herself, almost-maternal pride welling up through her veins. "And I sit alone upon the highest point of Olympus, no Emperor to accompany me." Her features suddenly turned sour and the female swiped at the ground with a small snarl, suddenly frustrated by her current situation. She couldn't fully rule Iliad until she found herself a mate. How stupid a rule that was! Emperors can live their entire lives without a mate, why couldn't Empresses? Why, when fully aware of the ancient rule, did her parents choose her to take over? Couldn't they have chosen a strong male to inherit their rule? Held a tournament to determine the most able male? Athena paced across the marble slab, weaving around the goddess's pale ankles until she halted, eyes wide. The tournament was not a bad idea.

Erebus | Male | Gladiator | Camp | Mentions: Athena {Directly}

As the sun rose, so did the large black tom, leaving his warm and cozy nest to peruse the camp. The clan was slowly awakening, stirring as the first light of dawn touched the ground, bathing it in a pale golden glow. It caught fire to the creamy slabs of marble, some of the only remaining testaments to the once grand city and its impressive buildings, steadily warming the stone as the heat grew more intense. There was a gentle breeze carrying the scent of the sea, a tantalizing mixture of salt and water. Perhaps the day's temperature would be more tolerable than the ones prior. Although times were a little tense, the cats of Iliad seemed content, after all, the gladiators were still around to protect them. Erebus sighed, settling his broad body into a sitting position, calm golden gaze studying everything around him. His position was a coveted one, something he was proud to be a part of. Thoughts clouded by plans of training, he only barely managed to land his focus on their Empress. She seemed distressed, her usually serene demeanor broken by a sour expression, one that he had rarely seen grace her features. Athena's parents had only just retired, leaving Iliad's rule to their more than capable daughter, a she-cat just as graceful and poised as her dam and sire. With a single flick of his ear, Erebus made his way over to her, greeting her softly as to not intrude too greatly.
"Empress," His deep voice rumbled through the air, smooth as velvet, holding a level of respect due to one in her position, "I could not help but see that you seem... upset. Forgive me for interrupting.". The gladiator stood with his head dipped low in a bow, hoping that if she needed it, he could provide help.

[ Hades ]
Male • 4 Years • Aegean Cat • Gladiator
Location: Under Statue of Athena • Mentions: {D} Athena, Erebus

Mismatched eyes watched dawn slowly rise above the horizon, the sky dappled with streaks of color and clear waters below mirroring the brilliant shades. Hades had been alert for quite some time now, night still enveloping the city when his consciousness first returned him to the waking world. He'd slipped away from his resting area on silent paws, moving through camp like a shadow before pulling himself up to the top of a crumbling wall overlooking the sea, sprawling his body across the chilled stone to await the sun. It was a daily routine. He awoke each morning long before the rest of the clan to greet the coming day. Many presumed Hades a creature of the night. Assuming he preferred darkness over light. If only they knew how he longed for the warmth of the sun seeping into his black pelt whenever the moon took its place. "Hades did not choose his place in the underworld," he murmured philosophically. "Does he too long for the touch of Helios?"

Lifting onto his paws, he walked along the wall for as long as it would bear his weight, leaping from stone to stone when it broke away into large chunks of rubble until he safely reached the ground. A flicker of movement caught his attention mere seconds later and he nearly missed Athena settled among the marble, her pelt just as white and pure as the surrounding marmoreal. He watched as her formally peaceful countenance grew embittered, a paw lashing out to strike dirt and a frustrated noise emitting from her throat. He did not have to hear her softly uttered words to know the cause of her frustration. The whole Clan was aware of their Empresses' situation. By law she needed a male by her side to rule. Curiosity prickled beneath his pelt and quietly he approached the pale she-cat. Another cat appeared from camp, his pelt just as dark as Hades' own. "Greetings Empress, Erebus," he commented once he was within hearing range, dipping his head politely as Athena's pacing ceased. "You looked troubled, but I can see that has passed," he acknowledged, noting her change of expression. It would seem Erebus had come to her for similar reasons. Athena's distress had not gone unnoticed by the more observant members of her company.

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[ Artemis ]
Female • 3 Years, 6 Months • Oriental Longhair • Hunter
Location: Camp • Mentions: None - OPEN

Part of Artemis was aware her mind still lingered in the realm of dreams, but it all felt so real. Her senses brought to her the familiar, comforting scents of her clanmates and she could feel the soft bedding of her nest caressing her body, and yet darkness still surrounded her. The savage barks of dogs filled her ears. Her paws clawed at the earth, propelling her faster and faster across the ground in the hopes of outrunning her pursuers. No matter which way she turned or how swiftly she ran she could not escape them. They were everywhere. A desperate wail exited her lungs as a shadowy figure loomed in front of her, eyes flashing red and white teeth glistening menacingly. She awoke with a gasp, her body forcefully jerking her out of the nightmare. She twisted onto her feet, darting out of the den and kicking up bits of nesting material as she fled.

Only once she reached the center of the camp did she realize she was not under attack. The sky was clear, the sun bathing the cats below in warm, gentle light. The darkness was gone and so were the dogs. She skidded to a halt, ears flattening against her skull. It was extremely uncharacteristic of Artemis to become worked up about anything let alone a scary dream. What had made this one so different from the rest she had received throughout her lifetime? Falling back onto her haunches, she began lapping at her ruffled chest fur in embarrassment, hoping no cat had witnessed her fearful display. Panicky and easily spooked was not a reputation she desired to acquire for herself. The sound of paws padding closer had her face lifting to meet her mother's green gaze, finding silent disapproval glinting in her eyes before she moved past her daughter in search of her mate. Cold anger seized Artemis momentarily before her own eyes rolled. "Good morning to you as well," she meowed dryly before finding a patch of sunlight to lounge in while she groomed the rest of her tangled pelt.

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[ Hermes ]
Male • 2 Years • Balinese • Loner
Location: Outside Camp • Mentions: None - OPEN

Dainty ginger flecked brown paws left grass behind for stone, and though the texture of this new ground felt harsh against his soft pads exhilaration filled their owner, his bright blue eyes sparkling with triumph. He made it! Nearly a year had been spent searching for this city. Seeking out the deteriorated buildings and grand carvings created from marble that marked the home of the Iliad, the kin of his kin. His mother had spoken of this place and the cats who lived within with such fondness and love Hermes knew he must find it. If she could not return to the land that held her heart he would do it for her. Would they remember her? Would they recognize he resembled her so strongly at times gazing upon his own reflection made him grieve her all over again?

Phoebe. That had been her name whilst she lived among them, though he had only ever know known her as Mother. His wispy tail shuddered with delight and without a moment's hesitation he dashed across the border, breathing in the varied scents of the Iliad cats. It did not cross his mind to wait and request permission to enter from a patrol nor that he might be seen as a threat. He had never met a group of cats so organized nor any that guarded their territory. In the wilds beyond the only thing that was worth fighting over was one's captured prey, water and breeding rights, but land could not be claimed. 'I'm here Mother! Can you see it too?' He wondered as he paused every now and then to investigate an interesting sight or smell. A figure in the distance caught his attention before long and he padded closer, eyes filled with wonder as he gazed upon a statue resembling one of the great Greek gods, though he knew not his name.

Apollo
Male • Six Years • Hunter
Location: Stones • Mentions: {ID} Athena, Erebus, and Hades

Apollo yawned as he watched the sun start to raise, he glanced around from where he was resting, he spotted the two toms talking with the Empress. Apollo let out a quiet snort watching the two before he stood from his spot stretching his back leg muscles and his front legs before he started making his way down. As he got to the bottom he stumbled a bit over a few spare pebbles, he let out a hiss before making his way towards the others, mainly to see what the other hunters were awake or not. Apollo wanted to see who wanted to go hunting, he was a bit bored if just laying around even if it was a simple quick hunt he would be happy.

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Astraea
Female • Four Years • Gladiator
Location: Ocean • Mentions: Open

Astraea laughed at the approaching water on the shore line, she jumped backwards away from the water watching as the water filled the paw prints she left behind. The white patchy female did this quiet a few times before she just eventually just stood in the water, twitching as the cold water soaked through her paws. Astraea put her head down her nose just hovering above the water as she watched the little fishes swim up to her paws, she lifted a paw up causing them to skitter before she stepped out of the water heading towards the stones. Her stomach, tail and chest, but the she-cat paid no attention as the sand clung to her.

Thanatos
Male || Gladiator || 36 Moons || Locations: Camp || Mentions: Athena, Xerxes, Hades, Erebus

Thanatos rose with the dawn, unfurling himself from his comforting nest and stretching out his limbs. A soft yawn escaped his mouth as he arched his back, and he stopped stretching to trot out into the centre of camp. He basked in the warm sunlight, feeling the rays strike through his fur and settle on his skin. His sharp green eyes settled quickly on the Empress, and a crowd of toms around her. Athena appeared agitated, the toms there for reassurance. Cautiously he approached; dipping his head low as he neared the others.

"Good morning, Empress." He addressed Athena first, then raised his head and spoke to the others. "Good morning, Erebus, Xerxes, and Hades." He did not separate greetings for them; they were not accorded this honour as he felt the Empress should be. He stepped back a little ways, examining Athena's expression: she appeared slightly less agitated then when he had first spotted her; perhaps the others had said something to soothe her. Thanatos felt no inclination to bother the others further; were he to talk again, it would only be if he was addressed. He settled onto his haunches and wrapped his tail around his paws, pricking his ears as he bathed in the golden sunlight.

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Ker
Female || Sentry || 36 Moons || Locations: Outside of Camp || Mentions: Hermes, Dionysus

Striking golden eyes peered through the underbrush, intent on their target. A lone tom, padding ever closer to Olympus, and a possible threat, by the look of his teeth. Just as Ker was about to approach, however, Dionysus emerged just ahead of her, confronting the tom on his own. Well, fine. If the hunter wanted to take on a possible threat, let him, Ker thought to herself. The sudden flare of distaste that had burned in her chest was fading, however, and she decided to backtrack and join Dionysus. She crept out and silently joined his side, hoping to startle him. Her sleek pelt was ruffled with suspicion, and the few white toes she had were covered in dirt from hiding for so long. Ker had just managed to catch the tail end of Dionysus's question, and so she stood waiting for the loner to answer.

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Boreas
Male || Youngblood || 6 Moons || Locations: Camp || Mentions: Open

Despite the rise of the sun, Boreas remained curled in his nest, a look of loathing upon his handsome face. It was too much of a hassle for the pampered little cat to pull himself to his paws, and so he continued to bury himself in the warmth of his nest. Eventually, however, as the other youngbloods awoke, Boreas removed himself from their collective presence; he had no urge to entertain the company of others. He padded out into the sunlight, casting a dirty look at the clear sky. True to his name-and personality-Boreas preferred the cold; bright, sunny weather was quite high up on his list of things he would rather not exist. Were there even a slight breeze, or if the ground was swathed in mist, perhaps he could resign himself to accepting the sunny weather; unfortunately, it was not to be. He paced around a corner of the camp, his lengthy tail trailing along the ground behind him. Boreas's attempt to seclude himself went rather well, and he remained alone in his little corner.

Selene
Female | Mentor | 34 moons | Location: Camp | Mentions: Pythia, and Athena(Plus her little crowd of comrades)

Selene stretched out as she awoke, her cozy nest now disturbed slightly. With a morning related grogginess she looked about her eyes glazing over all of the crowd surrounding her empress, though they fixated on the slashing tail of her beloved sister. Selene studied her for a moment, Them- Pythia seems unwell, what's the best greeting.... her thoughts processed momentarily. She decided to just casually walk aside her sister. "Hail, Oh great oracle Pythia, seer of the gods, tallest sister from her litter and waver of tail." Selene had said the first one in a more respectful tone, but the other two were slightly teasing in order to hopefully get a reaction out of her sister. Her eyes did peer once more ofer to her Empress being surrounded by others.

"There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self."

Athena • Female • Empress • 30 Moons • Under a Statue of Athena
Mentions: Xerxes, Hades, Erebus, Thanatos

Athena's pensive thoughts were interrupted by the smooth voice of a familiar Gladiator. "Oh! Erebus," she chirped, turning to face the muscular black male. "It's nothing. Really. Just some morning thinking." As the tom bowed, the white molly grew warm. It was still unusual being bowed to, but nonetheless, she responded with a nod and a gentle smile. Soon, the Stygian figure of another tom, his eyes mismatched similarly to the Empress's own, approached, offering more sympathy. "Just some morning thinking," she repeated, offering a smile and delicate shrug in return for Hades' concern. As if by clockwork, another male arrived and an odd twinge of suspicion passed Athena's mind. Was the total presence of males simply coincidence or something more? Were they suitors trying to up their position by courting the Empress and, by extension, become Emperor? Not wanting to worry the small crowd by allowing another glance of frustration to pass her fine features, she pushed the thought into the back of her mind. Now she fully realized who was approaching: Xerxes, the towering spotted giant of a feline. In his mouth hung a nicely-sized hare, its feet just barely scraping the ground. A gift, by the looks of it. Athena's blue and brown eyes followed the hunter as he bowed, placing the bloodstained hare at her feet. "Thank you, Xerxes," she mewed, giving her voice a kind and accepting cadence. Lastly, the vaguely wild-looking Thanatos joined the party, approaching with a somewhat cautious air. He too offered his greetings to the party, receiving a nod from the Empress. "Now that you four have gathered here," she began, sitting and curling her long tail around her legs as she often did, "As I haven't seen any sentries yet, I would like you to go on a small patrol around the camp, perhaps sharpen your hunting skills, Gladiators. You never know when you'll need it. I will inform Commander Tyche."

Thanatos
Male || Gladiator || 36 Moons || Locations: Camp, Edge of Camp to patrol|| Mentions: Athena

The ashen tom rose steadily to his paws, tail tip flicking in slight acknowledgement of Athena's words. He dipped his head yet again, an offering of courtesy, and spoke. "Of course, my lady," Thanatos mewed, raising his head to catch her gaze. The moment he met her eyes, however, he saw slight unrest hidden there, and he tilted his head away. Turning tail quickly, he set off at a trot for the outside of the camp, the swiftly rising sun beating down upon his fur. Once he reached the edge of the clearing, he turned his head just slightly to see if anyone was around.

As no one one was, he was alone with his thoughts, and Thanatos went off at a quick pace. His head held high, nose sniffing the crisp air constantly in an attempt to catch the scent of invaders. His lip curled at the very thought- he could almost imagine the rank stench of dog. Turning his full focus back to his surroundings, Thanatos tread carefully over fallen leaves surroundig the camp, pricking his ears to catch any sound.

[ Hades ]
Male • 4 Years • Aegean Cat • Gladiator
Location: Under Statue of Athena • Mentions: {D} Athena, Thanatos, Everyone else around Athena

It was not lost on Hades either that every cat who had rushed to Athena’s side was of the male gender, amusement sparkling in his gaze as he shared a brief glance with the white she-cat before dipping his head in acceptance. “As you wish Empress. May your day be blessed.” As he padded away from the gathered group, Hades wondered how she would ever manage to choose with so many toms vying to share her throne. For her sake he hoped she picked a cat who valued her for more than just her title. It would be a shame to see the beautiful molly trapped in an unhappy marriage for the sake of tradition.

As Thanatos seemed to wander away from the other gladiators Hades trailed after him, long strides seeing him walk beside the other tom within seconds. “I believe the Empress meant for us all to patrol together,” he commented once Thanatos seemed to snap out of his thoughts. “We don’t know what could be waiting for us out there.” All the same, he pulled ahead of the other cat, nose lifting to scent the breeze and mouth parting to pass smells over the glands inside. Mouse.

Flicking his tail to signify he had found something and to remain quiet, he lowered into a crouch and slid across the ground as smoothly as a snake, heterochromic eyes watching a hole in the stone wall a few paces ahead. The mouse hadn’t appeared yet, but he would be ready at the first sign of it, body posed and ready to pounce.

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[ Hermes ]
Male • 2 Years • Balinese • Loner
Location: Outside Camp • Mentions: {D} Dionysus, Ker, Tyche

Hermes rose onto his hind legs, stretching a paw skyward while the other rested against the marble figure as if he were trying to reach its face. A voice sounding from behind him had his head turning to glance over his shoulder, a large tom with lengthy canine teeth standing a few paces away. Though his size was intimidating the stranger didn’t appear all that hostile and Hermes returned to all four paws, stepping closer to Dionysus, feathery tail raised in a friendly greeting. “Hello! I’m here looking for the Iliad cats? Are you one of them?” He inquired eagerly.

He paused as Ker slunk up beside the tom, her dark coat rippling with mistrust and golden gaze seeming less friendly. His ears folded back and he glanced between the newcomers nervously. Would they attack him? “I-I’m Hermes, but some cats call me Twitch because-” he was interrupted as his head jerked in a minimal, yet still notable spasm, returning to its former position almost immediately. “Well...for that. You can call me whichever you prefer. I-I’m not really picky.”

He resisted the urge to twitch again. Cats tended to assume he was diseased or mentally impaired when he did. They didn’t like it. Anxiety twisted his stomach into knots. This wasn’t the practiced first impression he’d been hoping for! “I promise I come in peace! I haven’t taken any of your prey. My mother used to live with the Iliad. I wanted to meet the cats she called her family.”