Chapter 15: Anger of a Cerberus

Back at the cave, Argentum was shaking his heads at Ares. Absolutely not. We are not shoving a scale down my wife's throat! he growled.

The wolf looked at the Cerberus. "It's the only way," it said.

The Cerberus roared and shook its heads. I know Caudus is on our side again, but what if he was ordered to tell you that, and this scale kills her. I don't want to take that risk!

It growled, swatting the scale away with its paw. The Cerberus then growled at Ares and lay protectively beside her, watching the two gods. Ares sighed and shook its head, then walked away.

"I don't know what to do. This is the only way to save her. What to we do?" Athena asked Ares, who was looking worriedly at Argentum.

"If he doesn't want to do it, then we won't make him," the wolf said. "I don't want to without him knowing, either; that would break his trust in us. Besides, gods can't interfere in mortal lives."

Athena nodded. "I know. But what else can we do?" she asked.

Ares shrugged. "I don't know," it told its wife. "We do nothing for the time being, and focus on our present mission to defeat Mars."

"So, we just sit around and do nothing?" Athena asked, at which point Pandora came out of her box.

"No, Argentum is just afraid. He is confused and he doesn't know what to do. Give him time, I'm sure he'll agree eventually," the spirit said.

They looked at her and nodded as se looked at the Cerberus. It was growling, looking at Flamma and the two gods. Pandora sighed and looked at Licinus, who saw her and laughed.

"At least he's happy." Pandora said, smiling at Licinus.

The two gods nodded. Pandora smiled and picked him up but was interrupted by a loud roar from Argentum.

Get your hands off of my son! Don't touch him! The Cerberus roared.

Pandora jumped and put him down, backing away quickly. However, Ares growled. "Alright, what is your deal?" he asked.

The Cerberus growled as it looked at the god and the spirit. I don't want anyone to hurt my son or Flamma again, it said. If they die...I don't know what I would do without them.

"So you're just going to assume that everything we do will hurt them. That we aren't trying to help," Ares said, his temper rising.

"Ares..." Athena said, warningly.

Shut up, both of you! It roared. Flamma and I, along with Licnus, had a peaceful life before you two came along! If it wasn't for you, this wouldn't have happened to either of them!

"Okay, that's it. Time to set your heads straight, because they has obviously done a complete three-sixty. I didn't plan for Mars to get out. I asked for your help and you gladly accepted, both you and Flamma. I didn't ask for your child to be captured. In case you haven't noticed, we helped get the Golden Fleece for her, we went to save your child and we got this scale so that all the effects of the hydra's venom would go away. But you are so blinded and stupid right now that you have completely forgotten that! Also, gods would not interfere with mortal lives unless we thought it was completely necessary! I am your friend! So let me tell you, if you hate me so much, if you really think that you will be fine without us, then go!" Ares boomed. Argentum stared at the god, completely dumfounded. Pandora and Athena had backed away from Ares in shock, and even Licinus looked at Ares in wonder.

The wolf grew to its full size and growled down at Argentum. The Cerberus growled back and whimpered, then shook its three heads.

I'm done, it said. Don't follow me. I'm not helping you any more.

It ran off into the forest, letting out a loud howl as it did so.