'To me you are the most hateful of all the gods who hold Olympos.

Forever quarreling is dear to your heart, wars and battles . . .

were you born of some other god and proved so ruinous long

since you would have been dropped beneath the gods of the bright sky.'

-[Zeus to Ares]

Homer, Iliad 5. 699


Chapter 4, Part A:

DEATH'S WARNING


Ares opened his eyes, stung by the sun light peering through the division of the velvet red curtains hanging from the ceiling high windows of his chamber. He grunted and sighed annoyingly, trying to call back his slumber although his mind was obviously active. Unable to return to the minutes when he never worried anything about the happenings of the world, he finally threw the white blankets covering his nearly naked body and sat at the edge of his bed, his toes touching the carpeted floor. He swiftly twisted his neck at both sides until the cracking sound came forth, allowing him to stay focused. He sighed and stood, heading towards the table in search for liquor. Finding no goblet in place, he drank the Medoc straight from the pitcher, unmindful of the excess liquid trailing through his chin down to his chest. His throat burned at the stinging sensation of the wine, and at last he consumed the last gulp before tossing the tin pitcher back at the table. He stayed still for a moment, controlling his vision, letting his stomach churn at the fill of wine even before having breakfast.

He heaved another sigh as he shook his head to clear the ringing on his ears. Tugging his feet towards the lavatory was a very heavy task after drinking. He dipped his hands on the cool water and catching some of it on his palms, straightened it to his face, allowing it to completely awaken him. His eyes closed at the moment the water splashed, and he repeated more than once, rubbing palms to his face until satisfied. At the last splash, only his one palm wiped the water still clinging onto his skin, enabling him to open his eyes.

The sight of scratches on the wall in front of him caught his attention. He touched the edges of the scratches before remembering what those were. They were made from his own dagger, and he remembered putting those there: scrapings of lines, exactly 27 lines all in all. Twenty-seven lines for 27 days he has been waiting for the fated hour that he will feel the most victorious glory of his life. He felt his heart pump massively in expectation of the moment, and deep inside he was feeling sick to know how long three days will be before fulfilling his devilish scheme.

He imagined what he will do to her. In his mind he can almost see her drenched in blood, awaiting the final seconds of her life. He wanted to slay her so bad but he would rather take it slowly, to keep her paralyzed for a moment, turn her into a helpless creature. He wanted to maim her, to run his blade on her limbs, dismember her while she lies consciously. Her screams would be like music to his ears, one to give him more pleasure than having sex. This time he will have no trouble doubting for the attack or not. For this time she is mortal. How his skin heated at the expectation of this. Many thoughts ran his mind which curled his lips into a devious smile.

Ares' sadistic fantasies melted, though, at the knock on his door. He turned his head to the sound, eyes turning into slits for the distraction. He headed towards the knocking and opened a fraction enough to fit half his face to see who was bothering him.

"Good morn'" Hermes gave a soft greeting, peeking through the slight opening of the door. Ares raised an eyebrow; his stare asked Hermes what his business was. The messenger merely smiled and announced a brief meeting called by Zeus. Ares clicked his tongue and sighed, expecting another hour of nonsense speeches and queries. What only kept him awake during the council meetings were heated arguments between the gods, most especially if one has challenged for a duel.

Hermes left to announce the same to the other gods, only when Ares shut the door at his face. He felt dipped in the mud for not having a bath before coming out of his chamber. Forcing his hands to pick up the clothes and armory needed to cover himself, he dressed and afterwards headed to the council hall.

He walked groggily, feeling the bite of liquor overcoming his soberness. As he passed by the rooms through the halls, his eye caught something that sparkled among one of the empty chambers. He headed his feet towards the faint light, and finally saw it come into view: Athena's aegis, her helm with the red horse crest hair, her shield, and spear. It lay on a flat surface held by a statue of a woman adorned with wings. His eyes scanned at the weapons of warfare, blood boiling from distinct jealousy for her sister to have such beautiful things. How Zeus loved her so much killed his conscience.

His fingers ran slowly through the spear and felt the smooth surface, enjoying its lovely touch. It was the first time he would meet it skin to skin, and he cannot deny his heart racing in thundering pulses. Finally he drove his hand to hold the spear and feel its power concealed within. But no more than a second when his palm burned at its touch and he saw the spark that came from underneath his hold. He cursed at the pain that stung, and the spear fell to its place. He breathed between gritted teeth and looked at his marred palm, watching the burnt skin slowly fix itself to make it so none had ever hurt him. He spat at the feet of the statue and almost drove a fist into its head when he remembered the council meeting taking place. As he left the chamber, it crossed his mind who would have placed the protective force around the weapons. A force which pained like thunder strikes.


"Father, you are taking this too far on your self." Apollo pinched his temples, brows furrowing with eyes shut. Beside him Artemis held his free hand to calm him down. Ares entered the council hall with the ongoing argument and passed through the circle of gods to fill his empty throne. Aphrodite gave him a look, breathing in deep yet Ares pretended not to notice her. He had decided to have nothing to do with her after they have been humiliated by her Hephaestus at the bloom of their lust making.

"Dear father please consider this more so, free the titans from Tartarus? You cannot trust them." Artemis finally spoke in behalf of her twin. They possessed the same line of thought anyway. Zeus sighed and shook his head slowly as he bowed it down, "I have no other choice, they are the only one who may have to know where Athena is,"

Ares chuckled while closing his eyes, covering half his face with a palm, unable to hide the differing joy he was feeling.

"And what is it that amuses you, god of war?" Hephaestus, still at the fire of hate for Ares, stood in deep distraction. Aphrodite shot her husband with a look and slapped his arm to sit back. This time Ares laughed, drawing everyone's attention to him. He spoke in an apathetic tune, "Do not you worry, Hephaestus, right now I am keeping my mind clear of crawling into your wife's body!"

"Why you!" Hephaestus stirred a commotion which led Apollo to spark light at the incensed god of crafts. Everyone stood to stop the upcoming chaos except an amused Ares biting on the fingernail of his thumb and a sulking Zeus who never cared for whatever happened. After a series of insults from Hephaestus, everyone finally set to where they were to continue with the meeting.

"I only want you to stop with your sulking, father!" Ares raised his voice as he faced Zeus, eyes fired with every inch of war god he is. Zeus raised his head to listen to him.

"You sit all day, doing nothing! You forget your duties and spend the whole day searching in panic for this goddess who is just as fitting as I am!" Ares continued, uncontrolled.

Everyone drew their attention in curiosity of him, trying to mend what he wanted to speak out. Zeus' brows met, "What are you talking about?"

Ares chuckled, "Father… open your eyes!" he stretched his arms to emphasize how blind his father has been all the time, "We are both gods of war! Why do you need to have two? I-I can be as cunning as she is. I am as she is! I can fill the space she has emptied! Her same blood runs through my veins and –"

The speech was cut short when everyone felt their stations shake. They looked around to feel what could occur more, and their shrewdness acted upon the black shadows which surfaced at the center of their council hall. In the middle of the space black lightning spread as Hades emerged from the fog of abyssal smoke. He appeared to be feared once more, to give another troubling visit to the home which casted him down below.


A/N: I need reviews... *sniff* thank you! xD

~AthenAres~