The Serpent's Curse

PROLOGUE

     The battle was at a standstill. Both parties were breathing with difficulty, clearly exhausted to the standard of anyone who might see them in that moment.
     One, a man in golden armor that glowed as brightly as the sun. A quiver, almost empty, was slung across his back. In his hands was a beautiful golden bow that would remind anyone who saw it of peaceful sunny days.
     The other was not a man;not in any way human either. It was a giant serpent, towering over the man in gold. Its eyes were a poisonous yellow, with black slit pupil eyes. It had green scales that simmered with a powerful and intoxicating aura of sickness and magic.
     The two had been locked in an eternal battle throughout history. This fight was  it the first one they had fought, and it likely wouldn't be the last either.
     The serpent's forked tongue flicked out of its mouth in annoyance. "You are indeed a sssssskillful opponent, Apollo." The serpent hissed his words with a smirk. Well, as much as a snake could smirk. "However, thissssss time there issss a ssssmall difference..."
     "Still your tongue, Python. I know too well of your treacherous words." The man in gold, Apollo, spoke. "You have made the mistake of offending the gods for the last time."
     The snake hissed in laughter, tongue flicking out again, this time in amusement. "I'm afraid that you are the one who has made a mistake, little god. I did not come to this fight alone."
     "What?!" The god turned in shock to see a familiar face behind him, wielding a scepter pulsing with magic.
     "Sorry, Apollo, but you have forced my hand." The woman spoke, casting a spell. The spell froze Apollo in place; he struggled against it in an attempt to draw his bow, but to no avail.
     "How could you side with this snake?!" Apollo demanded, struggling to move and glaring at the woman as she walked by him towards the serpent. Python coiled the end of his tail around her contentedly.
     The woman chuckled, as if she were amused. "Oh my dear, don't worry about it. You won't remember to tell anyone anyways."

     Then the world went into a blinding white.