The first town they came upon was almost deserted. Only one or two people were walking around but they were hurrying somewhere. Ares looked to his brother who shrugged as they decided to follow one of the stragglers; he was a young man no older than fifteen.
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He wore brown leather trousers with black knee high boots. He wore a black tunic with Ares symbol of the ram on the back. His shoulders were covered in thick black leather guards that had one-inch spikes in them. On his wrist were two black leather bracers like Ares own but they were less ornate and more practical. He had two short daggers attached to a thick black studded belt the buckle of witch also held the ram symbol.
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He had long red hair that curled slightly at the ends with hazel brown eyes his skin had a rich tan his arms were lightly muscled from had work he had small scars running the length of both arms. He also had one scar on his face that ran from his right eye down to the tip of his mouth in a wide sloping style.
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The young man walked at a fast yet leisurely pace to the largest building in the town. It was a long Parthenon type building. It was made of white marble the support columns were made into statues of fallen heroes. At the entrance were Achilles and Hector looking away from each other there eyes told the tail of countless horrors they had seen in battle.
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Next to each of them were Perseus and Odysseus. They each had longing expressions on their faces as they looked to the sky for guidance. These for great heroes stood in the front of the temple on the front fore columns. The five columns that ran the length of the temple had on each side Leonidas who looked choragus and unshakable like the man himself, but a fierce and regal look to him like a man who would not fail those who were dependent on him.
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His statue had him in his full amour without the helmet witch sat at his feet. His right hand held his spear and in his left was his hoplon shield. Agamemnon looked both mournful and fierce but he had the look of a man desperate for power he wore heavy looking armor that was very ornate it looked more for decoration than battle.
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Ajax looked as fierce as a lion he had a cocky and overconfident smirk on his face as he wore no armor and had a great hammer made of long oak and a sharp looking bolder. Paris looked full of hope he wore light armor with a bow in one hand and the other reaching in the quiver at his back for an arrow.
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On the other side was Themistocles who looked knowingly out to the direction of the sea a small smile graced his lips. He wore the armor of a hoplite with no cape, his helmet under his right arm and his hand on his sword. Ajax the Lesser he was smaller than the other Ajax known as Ajax the great he held a charming smile and a copy of Achilles armor under his arm.
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Jason had a look about him of a natural prankster with a cunning smile. He wore the same armor as Hector with no helmet or shoulder guards. Theseus looked very smart intelligent and cunning he wore just normal clothes. Orion looked brash and cocky he wore bare skin clothes that looked very barbaric. On the back of the temple were plain columns with detailed and decorative art work that tied in to Ares.
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They followed the young man into the inside the temple had oak made pews each full of the local towns people. They were all looking above a great stone alter to a grand throne that was higher than the altar at the top of great stone steps. The throne was ornate with skulls and a sharp spike the seat was made of black velvet, as was the backboard at the head of the seat was the symbol of the ram.
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On the throne itself sat a statue of a contemplative Ares.
The chanting of men and women suddenly broke the silence of the temple. They entered from hidden doors behind the stone steps from the throne. There hypnotic chanting suddenly stopped when a man in black battle armor entered. He raised his arms to the statue of Ares in respect he bowed then turned to the people.
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"Welcome faithful followers of the lord Ares," he said in a deep and gritty voice. "As you know our patron lord has become Mortal." some people nodded others stayed still, "the faithless warlords believe that he should be killed," several hushed whispers broke out then were silenced, "those same warlords that our lord gave their armies,"
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He said, "The same warlords that begged for help off of others and were turned away but he accepted them." He continued, "he helped them gain power, money, and all that goes with it. Honor strength pride and most of all hope."
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He said looking over the people that stood under his voice, "We know why he did it, why he betrayed the other gods those same gods that demanded the death of an innocent child barely a few days old he did it for love. The same reason anyone would stand against those who would harm our families." He looked over the people, "We each would stand against anyone who threatened our families" He cleared his throat, "now I would like for us all to stand and sing War hymn number 3:16 die with honor." The people stood up each with a small booklet made of papyrus and they began to sing.
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If I Should Return
With My Body On My Shield
Tell My Son I Chose To Die Than Yield
Though My Life May Soon Be Gone
I Hope You'll Carry On
Remember Me As One Who Would Not Kneel
Fight With Blood
Fight With Steel
Die With Honor
Never Yield
Fearless Hearts
Filled With Pride
Into Glory We Shall Ride
Into Glory We Shall Ride
I am Driven On In The Face Of All Despair
Trust In Steel You Will Find Me There
A Sinner's Fate Awaits Me
But My Vision Guides Me On
I Will Not Stray From The Path I'm set upon
I'll Fight With Blood
Fight With Steel
Die With Honor
Never Yield
Fearless Hearts
Filled With Pride
Into Glory We Shall Ride
Into Glory We Shall Ride
If I Do Not Return
Bring My Body On My Shield
Tell My Son I Chose To Die
I Chose To Die Than Yield
Fight With Blood
Fight With Steel
Die With Honor
Never Yield
Fearless Hearts
Filled With Pride
Into Glory We Shall Ride
Fight With Blood
Fight With Steel
Die With Honor
Never Yield
Fearless Hearts
Filled With Pride
Into Glory We Shall Ride
Fight With Blood
Fight With Steel
Die With Honor
Never Yield
Fearless Hearts
Filled With Pride
Into Glory We Shall Ride
I'll Die Fighting With My Brothers Side By Side
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When the song was finished the people sat back down. The warrior priest who had preached to the villagers drew his sword and placed it facing the people.
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"Hard times are coming to us faithful of Ares but if we stand together like Leonidas and the brave three hundred we can overcome these times and if we are strong enough our lord will not be disappointed in us when he returns he will see his faithful and reword them," he said beckoning a one of the clocked men to him he held a box it was small and highly polished the warrior priest then opened the box and grabbed something from within it.
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"Now begins the ceremony of ascension where a boy becomes a man and a warrior of our lord Ares"
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He pulled out a ram head necklace it was made of steel and had quite a thick chain. He put it on and began a ritual. Many young men and women stood up along with the young man they had been following they each walked to the altar. He knelt in front of it the warrior priest who then came around with a golden goblet he nodded each of the young men and women. He took it and drank from it.
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Each individual who stood up were announced as a warrior of Ares. They then stood away from the warrior priest. He then took another necklace exactly the same as his from the box and placed it around the young red heads neck. He nodded and looked to the people
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"Hear stand a new man a new Warrior from our lord, hear stands Praxis son of Alex new warrior of Ares," he placed his hand on Praxis's shoulder, "as a warrior of Ares you must conduct yourself with honor always follow your commanders orders and follow the warriors code as laid down by Ares himself," finished the warrior priest. They were about to begin another scripture when someone came running into the temple.
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"Bandits are attacking a caravan on the out skirts of the village," shouted the man. The men and woman who had just been ordained into the warrior followers of Ares charged out to meet the bandits. Hercules and Ares followed on behind them.