----------Amaterasu's Perspective----------



My mother is dead, I killed her, and Bellona is the new head of the Roman Pantheon. No matter how many times I repeat this to myself I still can't believe it, even as I follow Bellona wearing her crown and wielding her Aegis with pride. "I never saw point in ruling the mortals from a distance. Staying high up on a mountain while shouting our commands to them below. Just seemed rude. Besides, with this the mortals can look onto us gods daily, and see why they worship us, there is no mystery here, no skepticism. The mortals have nothing to doubt, for they can see everything." I can't deny her method does seem to work. Not a single mortal thus far has looked at us without bowing their head or dropping to their knees.



"Where is Chaac?"



"Probably still in the bedroom. We had quite the celebration last night."



"How do the Romans feel about their Queen being with a foreigner?"



Bellona smirks at me. "Well, how are they reacting to you?"



I tilt my head rather confused. "What are you implying..?"



"Oh nothing." She puts both hands behind her head as we continue to walk.



I'm rather awe struck by Rome's beauty. I know I saw it before when Izanami and I attacked with our forces, but it feels like this is the first time I'm truly getting to see it. The architecture, the weather, even the smell of it has an effect on me that's so refreshing and new. "I can see why you love this place so much."



"You can? I'm glad to hear that Ama. . ." Why is she smiling like that...



"You called me Ama. . ."



"Yeah. That's not offensive in your culture or anything right?"



"No, I just didn't really expect you to be that personal."



"Of course I'm going to be personal with you." It seems Bellona has led me to a scenic cliff overlooking all of Rome, and just as the sun is setting. How trite. She takes both of my hands. "There's something I needed to ask you Ama."



"Yeah?" This doesn't feel real. Her hands are rough, just what I would expect of a war goddess.



She gets down on one knee still holding both of my hands. I think I'm blushing, what is this? "Will you join my council?"



Okay, good... not some sort of love confession. "Council..?"



"Yes! I want this new Rome to be connected with the other pantheons. My relationship with Chaac solidifies my connection with Maya, I'm hoping my relationship with you can do the same for Japan." Our relationship. . ? She must just mean our friendship.



"I would need time to think about it. . ."



"Before you answer, you should know something. . ." She stands up and turns away from me, facing the cliff side with her eyes on her beloved city. "Any pantheon head who denies me, won't live to see their next sunrise..." The sun vanishes beneath the horizon as the sky and the world around us grows dark.



"What are you saying?"



"I want my Roma to rule it all. I won't let anything stand in my way Ama. I don't care if I have to take the world by force. . . It will all be Roman in the end."



I stumble backwards away from her. "I can't believe you. You are not the Bellona I know."



"What are you talking about?"



"The Bellona I know wouldn't plot to take over the world!" My heel finds the edge of the cliff.



"Then you must not have known me very well." She takes a step towards me with her arms raised. The Aegis Shield is still strapped to her forearm.



"What?! Stop this!" I draw my sword. "That lightning bolt has driven you mad!"



"Are you sure? Because you're sounding way crazier than I am right now." She takes another step towards me.



I swipe at the ground between us. "Stay back damn you!"



She stops. "I know you don't want a fight. I don't want one either, but. . ." She conceals one hand behind the shield. She's going to pull the lightning bolt out.



I can't control myself. I swing for her head, and the next moment passes in slow motion for me. She deflects my blow with the Aegis, and then strikes me in the stomach with the lightning bolt, the sound is deafening, the flash blinding, and the feeling is more intense than any pain I ever felt before. I fall backwards off the cliff.