Chapter 16: The God's Problem

Ares sighed. "I'm going after him."

"But Ares, it told us not to!" Athena told the giant wolf.

"I don't care. I refuse to let something happen to him/"

"The Cerberus can take care of itself."

"But I won't leave him. I didn't mean what I said when I told him to leave, I was just annoyed."

Athena sighed and shook her head. The wolf walked off into the forest, looking for the Cerberus. He finally found it killing some animals. Argentum turned around, and froze at the sight of Ares. I thought you said I could go. I thought that meant you wouldn't follow me, it said, coldly.

"I did, but I want to know if you'll ever come back. I was annoyed; that's why I said it."

The Cerberus growled. I don't think I will. Just let me be, Ares. Leave me alone.

"No! I don't understand. You knew the risks of putting your family in danger, and now you're like this. You need to snap out of it," Ares growled back.

Argentum lunged and him as it pounced on the wolf, its three heads growling ferociously. Yes, but I didn't expect my son to be taken from me!

"Neither did I! But we saved him! And we have the cure to help your wife!" Ares snarled, pushing Argentum off him, and crouching down low, ready to pounce.

The Cerberus growled as the two animals charged at each other. I do not want that so-called cure given to my wife! It might do something else to her instead, and I can't risk it!

"People take risks everyday! What else can you do to speed up the process! Would you rather wait years and years for her to wake up?!" Ares yelled, as he smashed into the Cerberus.

Argentum growled as it lunged, pouncing on the wolf and biting into its chest, wounding Ares. I don't care! It said. I just want to keep my family safe and if you aren't going to do that, there's no reason for me to help you anymore!

"You act like I'm not trying!" the god yelled, as he pushed Argentum off and the wound healed. "It hurt me so much when she went into a coma, it was painful to see your son being taken and having to go through all this! But it doesn't hurt as much as seeing you in this state! I remember when you were so eager, and ready to help. But I didn't think this would happen to you! LET ME HELP YOU!"

NO! The Cerberus roared as it attacked him again. I have had it! Do you know what it's like to find out that Flamma dies while serving Mars, and then coming back only for this to happen again? I will not participate in this!

"She came back, didn't she, because I made sure of it! You agreed to help me, and I trusted you to keep your word. I promised myself I wouldn't purposely harm any of you! Why can't you see that?" the wolf howled angrily, launching Argentum into a tree.

The Cerberus growled. You have harmed us, although not on purpose! Maybe you shouldn't interfere with mortal lives anymore because all you are doing is messing everything up!

Ares sighed. If that was what Argentum wanted, then he and Athena would no longer interfere after this is all over. "Fine." Ares spat. "Take your wife and go. If you truly believe that we messed up with mortal lives, then you can forget about us. Good to know you've lost faith in the gods."

The Cerberus nodded. It walked back to the cave and grabbed Flamma and Licnus, then left Athena sighed, watching the Cerberus run away with its family, and looked over at Ares.

"We should leave after this is over," she said. "The mortals don't need our help. We can take Mars and the other evil gods on our own with the help of some other gods."

The wolf nodded. "I know. That was all I was trying to do. I didn't mean to hurt them. I didn't know this would happen!" he said, in an almost pleading way.

Athena sighed as the two gods vanished and appeared in the heavens. "We need your help," Athena said.

She was talking to Zeus who was frowning. "You understand that this is was Ares' quest, my daughter. You weren't suppose to help unless it was required. Ares was asked by the mortals for his help. You were not. I can't stop you from helping him, but the other gods will not help unless you need it," the old king said.

Athena nodded and bowed. "I am sorry," she said. "The mortals who wanted our help no longer want to help us."

"What do you mean?"

This time, Ares spoke. "I got a cure for the mortal Flamma, but her husband didn't want it. He got frustrated and upset that his family kept getting hurt. I tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't see reason. He hates us and blames me for what happened to his family. But I swear I didn't think this would happen" Ares said, looking down in shame. "How can you trust me as the new king of the gods if I messed up so bad?"

"Ares, you did not mess up. It was not you, but he who made that decision. If the mortals do not want the gods' help, then you must continue your quest without them," Zeus said.

Ares looked up. "Very well. Is there anything you can do to help us?" he asked.

"We will tell you what to do every now and then, but this is your fight now."

The wolf nodded. "Fine. If you can't help us, then what can we do?"

"Have Caudus help you in secret. The hydra will be a good ally."

Athena cut in at this. "It could work, because it has his free will. But Hades is still its master."

Zeus nodded. "Are there any other mythical creatures that would be willing to help?"

Ares thought about it for a moment. "Not that we're aware of. Do you know any?"

"I'm afraid not. You could merge yourself with Athena to create a mythical creature."

The wolf nodded. "It could work. It wouldn't be permanent, right?"

Zeus shook his head. "No, the two of you can defuse but you'll be in that form for a while."

"I feel that would be a last resort," Athena said, with Ares agreeing. "Well, thank you for the advice, father. We'll do our best to stop Mars and the others."

The god smiled, and the two others vanished.