Xenia rolled her eyes. She may have only been eighteen but even she recognized a cheesy pickup line when she heard one.

She turned her back on him as he held no weapons, but she was still alert to his every move. He was walking closer to her though slowly. It was as if he was afraid he might spook her, so he was moving the same way one approached a wild horse.

Something told her that he was dangerous. Yet, that same thought gave her a feeling of excitement she couldn't explain.

"My name is Ares, but you may know me better as Mars, since that is what the Romans prefer to call me."

She laughed as she turned back around. The gods were a story her father had told before bedtime. They were myths that had been handed down in Greek families like hers for generations and foolish beliefs that had once been practiced before Christianity had become the official religion of the Roman Empire. "You a god?"

He winced like she had struck him. "Yes."

She didn't know whether to keep being amused or feel sorry for this person who thought he was a mythical being. "Prove it."

He smirked, seeming pleased she refused to take anything at face-value. "I'm not as strong as I once was or I would be happy to demonstrate my powers for you. Fewer and fewer people worship me with each passing year."

"How sad for you," she said sarcastically. She could have shown more sympathy to this person who was obviously insane, but she was in no mood. Her brother had just died in front of her, and she had taken the life of another person. Her problems were much sadder than whether or not she was being worshiped.

"I'm not here for your sympathy," he groused.

"Then why are you here?"

He turned his palms upward, encouraging her to take in her surroundings. "Because you called for me here in my former temple. It's not like the old days when I could appear at will. As I told you before, you're the reason I'm here."

A chill went down her spine. How could he know she had thought of praying to Ares? Then she brushed the ludicrous thought away. He no doubt hung around here, knowing the historical connection the building had to Ares. "What would I want with a powerless god?"

"I watched you in battle today. You were dazzling, digging down and finding your raw passion to win. But you got lucky."

She frowned because it sounded a little stalkerish and because he called it luck, but he paid her no heed as he continued, "They weren't expecting nomadic farmers to fight back, and they definitely didn't expected it of a woman. Next time they will, and it won't be as easy."

"So what does the God of War suggest?"

He laughed heartily as if he was the one humoring her. "I know you use that title mockingly, but one day you will believe. I may not be able to throw fireballs anymore, but I happen to still be a very good swordsman."

Suddenly there were two swords in his hands. She blinked and shook her head to clear her vision. It was a slight of hand no doubt. Though where he had hidden two very large swords on his person when such tight leather allowed for very little room, she didn't know.

He handed her a sword. She had never thought of a sword being beautiful but this one was: a bronzed handle with a golden pommel and a golden crossbar inlaid with pearls. As soon as she gripped it, it strangely felt like holding an old friend.

Before she had much time to process that, his less decorative blade was coming at her. She held her sword with two hands much like she had earlier today and blocked it.

He may not have had all the powers of a god but he was more powerful than her. It didn't take but three of his thrusts before her sword clattered loudly on the stone floor, and she got the feeling he was going easy on her. He held the tip of his sword pointed right at her heaving chest, but she refused to show even a drop of fear.

He lowered it after her holding it there for a few terse moments, but it was sobering.

He was right about one thing. She had a lot to learn if she was going to make good on her promise to ensure the safety of all the groups in the area and wielding a sword was one of them. "Teach me."