IV.

The New God of War (Enyo)

Enyo looked up from her motorcycle when she heard the thunder clap. Zeus must be mad again she thought and returned to her task. Eris had been whisked back to work. She'd see her later with her brother. Aphrodite said that her and Eris could join them that evening. Speaking of her brother, she thought she had heard his voice say something like "Don't call me boy." Ares, come on bro, she thought. Stop letting that bother you. Then she heard his motorcycle engine about a few minutes later followed by shouts and bolts of lightning. Something was wrong. The meeting had only been going for like 20 minutes. She threw her tools down and ran towards the Hall of the Gods. No no no, she thought. What did he do now? She knew Ares had an incredibly short temper, she did too but still, the fact that a commotion started not even an hour after Enyo had seen him? That seemed off. Ares had been genuinely happy an hour ago which in itself was rare, well except when he was with Aphrodite or her nephews. Enyo noticed many other minor gods were running away from the Hall of Gods with herself being the only one that was going towards it. She sped up, hoping she'd reach the hall before Ares did something stupid. The comotion got louder as she approached. It was a combination of voices yelling in chaos. Enyo caught words like "break", "throne", "kill" and "Ares." Enyo's eyes blazed blue and ran inside. The sound that greeted her eardrums would have made a mortal's head explode. She looked at the assembled gods who were pretty much beside themselves with rage. Hades was holding Zeus, who had a bloody and broken nose, back. Poseidon was doing the same for Hera, who looked apoplectic with rage. Artemis was holding back Athena who was yelling at Aphrodite. Aphrodite looked scary. Enyo had only seen her look that angry that time Ares killed Adonis because he was jealous. The look of fear on Ares's face when Aphrodite found out originally made Enyo laugh but she ended up having to break up the fight that followed. Speaking of Ares, Enyo had just noticed he wasn't there. Zeus, Hera and Athena seemed to be trying to get to Ares's Throne. Enyo knew it was the source of his power. If they destroyed it, they would kill her brother. She decided to make her presence known.

"OI! DO YA MIND?!" Enyo yelled. So loudly that the Gods had noticed she was there. Zeus's eyes flashed furiously. Hera's mouth opened in a leer. Athena had snarled,

"You." Enyo was not at all scared of her half-sister. In fact, she was still furious with her for almost killing Ares, even if it was thousands of years ago.

"Where is Ares?" she demanded. The moment Enyo had said Ares's name, Zeus had hurled a lightning bolt at her. Enyo barely had time to jump aside. The bolt sailed into the door.

"No dice Big Guy. Would you like to try again?" Another bolt of lightning flew in her direction and again she dodged. After regaining her footing she brandished one of her swords at Zeus. Zeus looked outraged.

"Wow...didn't think you'd actually do that but I'll ask again. I'll even ask it slowly cause you know, you're old. Where. Is. Ares." she asked, walking forward and tossing her sword between her hands.

"And who is asking? You have the nerve to come into MY hall and demand where that disgrace went" Zeus responded.

"2 things. 1. Do NOT call him a disgrace and 2. Hi Pops. Remember me? The daughter you actually had with your wife unlike," she pointed to Athena.

"It's Enyo," Athena said, looking offended. "His twin sister." Enyo stopped tossing her sword and folded her arms.

"That's right. You know, the sister he actually likes. The sister that doesn't chuck spears at him. The sister that doesn't get all angry when she gets beaten by him at Axis and Allies. The first female that actually cared about him while his own mother yelled at him constantly. He found comfort in me." Enyo said. She was bouncing on her feet just in case someone tried to attack her again.

"He had it coming. Fighting for Troy. After promising Hera and I he would fight for Greece. But then his little girlfriend persuaded him to fight for Troy," Athena said. Aphrodite still looked ready to strangle Athena, her eyes were alight with pink energy. Enyo gave her a hand signal that basically meant "chill."

"For a goddess of wisdom you are being very unwise at the moment," Enyo said. "You'd switch sides too if someone you loved convinced you to. Plus I still remember when you wounded him. You helped that Diomedes dude do so. He was terrified of Ares wasn't he? You helped him see where Ares was because you were still mad at him for not fighting for Greece weren't you? But me? Oh man, I still remember your face when you saw me after nearly killing him. You were beyond scared. You ran. You left Diomedes on the battlefield to save yourself from MY wrath. And you have the nerve to call him a coward when you NEARLY KILLED HIM and ran away from my challenge?! Or did you tell everyone something else? Coward." Athena threw her spear at Enyo. Enyo caught it right before it would have struck her face.

"No," Enyo taunted and threw it aside. Meanwhile, Hera had broken free of Poseidon and began to approach Ares's throne. Enyo noticed. She ran forward and blocked Hera's advance with the blunt edge of her blade and then shoved her back.

"Now we can't have that, can we mother?" Enyo asked mockingly. Athena had gone to throw another spear at Enyo but Enyo unsheathed her other blade and threw it at her. The blade lodged itself in Athena's throne, right near her raised arm. Athena chose not to engage.

"YOUR BROTHER IS AN EMBARRASSMENT," Hera shouted "Have you seen Zeus's face?"

"I try not to, to be honest. The broken and bloody nose is a nice improvement however. Ares's work right? I'll be sure to give him a gift basket after YOU TELL ME. WHERE. HE. IS. AND WHAT. HAPPENED. I should also flay you alive for calling him an embarrassment oh great Goddess of Family." Enyo snarled. She leveled her sword at Hera. Zeus had pushed her aside and got into Enyo's personal space.

"Where is he? WHERE IS HE?! GONE. Mark my words, if I ever find him, I'll hold him over Chaos," Zeus said. Enyo returned Zeus's ferocity

"You will do no such thing Old Man," she growled. "I'll kill you if you even say that again. Understand me?" Zeus laughed.

"You? Kill me? Please. Who taught you how to fight? The boy?" he said. Enyo was once again, quick to respond

"Of course he did genius. He'd actually go and fight his own battles rather than you, sitting on your ass doing jack squat. His skills may be all power based but I am all speed and ferocity. In fact, it's taking all of my willpower to not beat all of you to a pulp for driving him out of here. Including you, you stupid Old Fart" she said. Zeus had raised his fist to punch Enyo but Aphrodite finally yelled

"STOP." Zeus had staggered at Aphrodite's voice and missed Enyo's face by a mile. Enyo smirked and flicked Zeus on the nose causing him to yell in pain.

"Got ya Pops. Now, am I gonna get some answers?" she asked. Hera stepped forward while Zeus was clutching his nose cursing under his breath.

"You want answers you little sl-" Hera began

"Not you," Enyo said, holding up her hand and shoving Hera away with her sword. "You have no lines in this play. Aph, please continue" Enyo deduced that it was time to move away from the others as she saw Hera's look of pure hatred. Hades had moved in front of Ares's throne reassuring her that it would be safe with a look. Enyo retrieved her other blade, taking care to walk into Athena while doing so. Then she walked to Hesia's fire and turned to face Aphrodite.

"He...he got angry," Aphrodite said, clearly holding back her grief, "They insulted his son-"

"Leonidas?! HOW DARE YOU!" Enyo yelled and went to charge but saw Hades shake his head.

"Sorry," Enyo said and lowered her sword. "Aph, continue." Aphrodite did so,

"Yes. Athena," Aphrodite had put quite a lot of venom in her voice when she said Athena's name, "decided that it would be appropriate to insult his son again. Knowing full well that he still grieves for him. It's really sweet." Athena rolled her eyes and Enyo's fiery blue eyes flashed in her direction.

"He's been dead for thousands of years. He needs to get over it" she said. Aphrodite looked outraged.

"Just because YOU have trouble showing emotions to your kids doesn't mean we all do" Enyo responded. Enyo suddenly remembered seeing a Spartan warrior from ancient times lying dead on the ground. She remembered something else. Misery.

"Oh I'm SORRY, where are your children? I thought you liked to be with that irritating Eris all the time," Athena said.

"One of them was just recruited by Artemis's Hunters." Enyo pointed her head towards Artemis, who looked over in alarm.

"What? Who?" Artemis asked.

"Reyna," Enyo said. "I haven't really had any Greek children in quite some time. Figured with Ares being the more suitable warrior, especially over Owl Face, I didn't really need to have demigod children to fulfill that role."

"Wait...Reyna is Bellona's daughter isn't she?" Artemis asked.

"Did you forget who my Roman si-" Enyo began but Aphrodite interrupted.

"May I continue E?" she said. Enyo stopped speaking to Artemis when she was called "E." For a split second, she thought Ares was talking to her but she realized it was Aphrodite

"Yes. Go ahead, Aph. I'll kick Athena's ass later," Enyo said. Athena started forward but Artemis held her back again.

"Anyway, Zeus goaded Ares unwisely. He blamed Ares for something that CLEARLY was not his fault. Ares got angry, went on a rant, said he quit, dueled Athena and...left" Aphrodite finished. She clutched her heart and fell into her throne and began to cry silently. Enyo noticed that she had what looked like Ares's jacket folded neatly on her lap. Hephestus didn't even bother to comfort her which struck Enyo as odd behavior for him. Normally, he was all over her.

"So, lemme guess. The Big Guy blamed him for the attacks in Greece? We have been keeping an eye on them recently but we have done NOTHING to cause them. Then he called Ares a coward, listed his faults, threatened to throw him into Tartarus and then insulted his son?" Enyo asked. Aphrodite nodded. Zeus rolled his eyes.

"Jeez, no wonder he left. Do we know where he was going?" Enyo asked

"No," Aphrodite said through her fingers "He wouldn't tell me. I followed him outside and he...he told me to...leave him alone and not to go looking. He was done with everyone...including me. I tried to pull him back but I only managed to get his jacket. It still smells like him," she said tearfully.

"Oh, so failure?" Hera asked.

"SHUT UP!" Enyo and Aphrodite yelled in unison.

"SAY THAT AGAIN AND WE'LL SEE WHAT COLOR YOUR INSIDES ARE!" Enyo continued, taking aim at Hera's head with a knife she had conjured. Aphrodite tried to add on to Enyo's comment, but was unable to. Enyo's anger abated and she sheathed the knife in her boot. She approached Apphrodite who had resumed crying silently. Poseidon and Hades grabbed Hera and Zeus instinctively but neither attempted to attack Enyo again...even though Hera looked ready to strangle Enyo with Ares's jacket. Enyo patted Aphrodite's shoulder.

"It's ok Aph," she said. "It's ok. I'll find him. I promise." Aphrodite leaned her head into Enyo's shoulder.

"So...what is to be done now? We can't have 11 Olympians. Something about balance of power or whatever right? And 12 being a perfect number?" Hades said. Zeus addressed him.

"You can take the empty spot brother." Hades shook his head.

"You know full well I can't do that Zeus," he said. "My place is the Underworld. You saw to that."

Zeus scowled in frustration.

"Well, you got any bright ideas?" he said angrily. Hades pointed at Enyo who was currently giving Aphrodite a one armed hug.

"I'm sorry?" Enyo said. "Me?" Zeus and Hera burst out laughing. Athena even chuckled.

"You think we want her on this council? Please. She'll be just as unruly as Ar- I mean, the failure was" Athena said. Enyo had bellowed in rage, broke free of Aphrodite and charged Athena. Athena finally won an encounter that evening and shoved Enyo back towards Aphrodite.

"CALL HIM THAT AGAIN AND I'LL KILL YOU! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!" Enyo shouted and went to charge Athena again. Aphrodite had gotten to her feet, placed Ares's jacket on her throne and held Enyo back. Enyo stopped and glared daggers at Athena. Athena gestured to Zeus as if to say "see what I mean?"

"This sub-goddess is unfit to be anywhere near us," Athena said. Enyo's rage nearly broke but she thought of a better way to upset Athena.

"Call me a sub-goddess again Wise Ass and I'll mosey my way to New Rome, find this blonde haired girl named Annabeth Ares told me about and kill her in front of you. Slowly. She'll see how much you care about her then," Enyo growled.

"I kind of see Hades's reasoning brother," Poseidon said quickly as Artemis and Demeter had to hold Athena back. "With Enyo on the council, we would finally be balanced. Plus you know she IS a war goddess. Pretty much just female Ares. She'll fill in while we give Ares time to cool off." Athena looked even more outraged at this. Zeus also looked furious.

"You think we want Ares back after what he just did?!" Zeus exclaimed in outrage..

"She just threatened my daughter! I just...Why…" Athena spluttered.

"Oop! Look! She can't think of anything! Someone get a picture!" Enyo taunted. She couldn't wait to tell Ares about thi- oh yeah…that's right. Aphrodite seemed to have the same thought and looked even more crestfallen than before.

"Are you serious Poseidon?! It would be even more unpleasant around here with her around! I mean look at what just happened!" Hera said angrily. A few of the others nodded in agreement, including Hephestus. Enyo stared at Hephestus angrily who had made Ares's love life quite a mess. Enyo remembered the day where Ares and Aphrodite had been caught in his net. Ares had come back to his fortress absolutely fuming and yelling about having to pay Hephestus an adulterers fee. He had to give him 10 wagons full of his best armor, weapons and spoils of war. Enyo had snuck out later that evening and stole some of the better items back from her blacksmith brother. She even got a "thank you" from Ares.

"That might be true but she is quite attractive. Wouldn't mind her sitting next to me," Apollo said, glancing at Enyo. Enyo however took out her phone and pulled up a video of Reyna Ramirez-Arrellano laughing at a dorky looking teenager. She had almost dropped it when she saw her wallpaper. It was a photo of her and Ares in the crowd of an Iron Maiden concert during the World Slavery Tour in the 1980s. Apollo looked horrified. The others looked astounded.

"How...how did you get that? Do...do you know Bellona or something?" Apollo asked. Enyo rolled her eyes in exasperation. Did Sunny Boy forget that she said Reyna was her daughter not 15 minutes ago? Her form shifted to that of a young woman in a US Special Forces military outfit. Her hair was still in a ponytail and stuck out from the cap on her head. She still wore aviator sunglasses but her eyes burned gold rather than blue. A sniper rifle was slung across her back and a large combat knife was strapped to her belt. An SPQR insignia was patched on her right shoulder. She had the military rank of General. Her Roman brother Mars also held the rank of General.

"Sunny Boy, I AM Bellona. I just said my daughter Reyna joined the Hunters," she said. Her voice had become slightly deeper and more crisp. Apollo looked embarrassed. The others also seemed to have forgotten that Bellona was Enyo's Roman form. It wasn't until later in the Roman Empire's reign that Romans began to associate Bellona with Enyo. Despite being an important war god for Rome, she was not one of the 12 Olympians which is why Enyo/Bellona believed the others had been so shocked. Unlike some of the others, Enyo could remember some things she had done as Bellona quite clearly and vice versa. Enyo knew of Reyna and her leadership at Camp Jupiter before joining Artemis's Hunters. She had reverted to her Greek form when Reyna delivered the Athena Parthenos to Camp Half Blood like the rest but not before lending her strength to Reyna as she killed Orion. She had been annoyed that Athena had helped as well.

"Quite an entertaining display there Sunny Boy," Bellona said. "Trying to "get with" my daughter. I have favored that family for centuries. Many of them are great warriors. Including Reyna and her sister. I seem to recall being the 2nd war god during the Roman Empire unlike that waste of space over there. Gonna do some crafting later Minerva?" Enyo returned to her Greek form and continued speaking, "I'll do it," she said to Hades. Hades nodded and Enyo continued "Albeit it will be temporary. I will find out where he went. You will reappoint him. You will not do anything to stop me. And YOU," she pointed as Zeus, "Will NOT hold him over Chaos when I find him. Or I will kill Athena. Understand me?"

"You. Will NOT speak to me like that," Zeus growled. Athena had the decency to actually look afraid. Good, Enyo thought. Freakin' goody two shoes.

"Oops. Just did." Enyo said. "Hold on a sec, you liked Ares in his Roman aspect a lot more did you Big Guy? I remember bits and pieces from being Bellona. He was almost as important as you in Roman times. Why is that Big Guy?" Enyo said.

"Maybe that's because Mars or whatever his name was was a brilliant tactician and fighter. No idea why he just doesn't stay as Mars. Was a much-" Zeus began but Enyo cut him off

"I'll tell you why he wants to remain Greek. The same reason we all do. Greece was first. I'm not a fan of being Bellona but when the mortals began associating her with me I kind of had to. Still though, you're still a terrible father in both aspects. Ares told me how you reacted when that dude Jason Grace died." Enyo said. Another bolt of lightning flew at her and again she dodged.

"Parenting Advice. Step 1. Don't throw lightning bolts at your children. Doing so will cause them to resent you and punch you in the face" Enyo said. Artemis stifled a chuckle.

"Anyway," Poseidon said loudly and grabbed Zeus's arm as he went to attack again. "Should we discuss amongst ourselves on Enyo's appointment as the 12th Olympian. Even if it is to be temporary" Zeus nodded reluctantly. The Olympians, plus Hades had begun to converse with themselves. Enyo decided to sit in the middle of the hall near Hestia's fire.

"Ares was quite angry with Zeus, Hera and Athena. Said things that made sense honestly. His actions over the years hadn't been as severe as theirs," Hestia said. Enyo looked at her, surprised by her presence.

"He's done nothing but fight in wars mortals start. Myself too. He doesn't just go picking fights as everyone likes to think. If you ask me, he is very caring to his family. I mean, that is to say his children and Aphrodite." she said. Hestia nodded. She had a calming effect on anyone who stood or sat near her. Enyo found herself at ease with everything.

"You as well. I know he cares about you." Hestia continued.

"He didn't care enough to stay. Or say goodbye. This appointment will be temporary. I need to find him. Perhaps punch him in the face," Enyo said bitterly

"I agree but let us get through this problem first. I do wish that he had sat with me instead of punching Zeus in the face," Hestia admitted. "Although, I have never seen him that angry before. Even after that Golden Net Incident." Hestia had put a comforting arm on Enyo's shoulder. Enyo's anger and self loathing had been replaced by a sense of calm. Enyo eventually lost track of the time as she sat near Hestia. Minutes turned into perhaps an hour or 2 as she sat there. She found herself reliving memories with Ares. She thought of meeting Leonidas as a baby. Ares had been so happy when he was born, saying that he would lead Sparta to glory and usurp all of the other city-states. She remembered comforting Ares as he was consumed with grief and anger when he found out Leonidas was betrayed and subsequently killed. She remembered fighting in wars alongside her brother, bestowing their blessings on worthy warriors. She remembered holding Lysander in her arms when he was born and Ares standing near her smiling at his new nephew. Enyo shook her head vigorously when she thought of her son. He had perished in battle and she had been devastated just like Ares had been when Leonidas died, to the point where Ares and Thanatos had to pull her away from Lysander's dead body and she was yelling at Thanatos to bring him back. The memories of Lysander were replaced with memories of just sitting with Ares, Eris and Aphrodite gossipping about the other Olympians, while shooting "clay" pigeons. Enyo was jolted from these recollections by Hesita's voice

"Look, I believe that they are done conversing. Good luck E" she said. Enyo was reminded of Ares when Hestia called her "E" and her anger came back. She wanted to pound the lot of them for making him leave Olympus. What she wouldn't give to have him back. Meanwhile, the Olympians had taken their respective places.

"It has come down to this Enyo. We have conversed amongst ourselves in regards to your appointment as the 12th Olympian. I still believe it should be Hestia"

"No Zeus. I refuse. You will vote on Enyo's appointment," Hesita said. Her voice echoing from her fire. Zeus glowered in annoyance

"FINE. Fellow Olympians, we will go around and either say 'yay' or 'nay' on her appointment as the 12th Olympian and Goddess of War." Enyo was currently tossing her sword in the air and catching it.

"Well don't keep us in suspense Big Guy" she said, catching her sword, twirled it behind her back and tossed it in the air again.

"Ungrateful little...Hera. You will speak first"

"No." Hera spat.

"Hermes?"

"Yes" Hermes responded. Zeus's eyes narrowed.

"Athena?"

"Absolutely not," Athena said.

"Wow. A 4 syllable word. Did you short out your brain on that one Wise Ass?" Enyo said. Athena glared at her gripping her spear. Enyo pointed towards her with her sword before drawing the blade across her neck. Zeus ignored Enyo's comment

"Apollo?"

"No," Apollo said. Enyo wasn't surprised. She had basically insulted him in front of everyone else.

"Aphrodite?"

"Obviously" she said. Enyo nodded in her direction.

"Hephestus?" Zeus continued

"No," he answered. Again, not surprising. Enyo had a feeling that he hated her as much as he hated Ares. Granted, she HAD stolen some of Ares's payment back from him.

"Artemis?" Zeus asked.

"Yes" she responded. Enyo was surprised at this. Artemis looked stern however and flashed Enyo a smile.

"Dionysis?"

"Nah," he said.

"Demeter?"

"Yes," Demeter said. She had grown a flower in her hand that matched the color of Enyo's eyes.

"Poseidon?"

"Yes," Poseidon said, nodding respectfully at Enyo.

"REALLY?! No matter, it's fine. Because I say no which makes it a majority rule that Enyo is unfit for this appointment. GET. OUT." Zeus shouted. Athena looked relieved. However, Enyo didn't move.

"Hold on there Big Guy. You forgot someone didn't you?" she retorted.

"Mhm, sure. Who?" Zeus said. Enyo pointed to Hades.

"Forget about him again? Man, you suck as a brother too huh?" she said. Zeus turned to Hades.

"Hades, what is your verdict on this appointment?" Zeus said through gritted teeth

"I appointed her brother," Hades said. "So my answer is yes. We are now tied. I am aware our sister is currently in the hall as well? I feel that she should get a vote as well to break up the tie" Hades looked toward Hestia who had appeared next to Enyo. Zeus nodded and motioned for Hestia to speak

"My vote is yes," she said. Hestia smiled warmly at Enyo who was looking at her in pure amazement. Zeus snarled, flipped his own throne in anger and left the hall, Hera following suit. She gave Enyo a contemptuous look before leaving. Athena sat back down absolutely seething. Demeter, Hermes, Poseidon and Artemis clapped politely. Aphrodite smiled sweetly, draped Ares's jacket over her shoulders and joined in on the applause. Hades had gestured towards Ares's throne.

"Welcome Enyo, the newest, albeit temporary, Goddess of War" he said.