Chapter 51: Returning to Olympus

Ares POV

I wanted to tell her...to explain why I was a god again...I really didn't have a choice come to think about it, but the lie simply exploded in my face again because of that bitch...I looked at her, sprawled on the floor as she was, with that big chain around her- a chain that Hephaestus made for me centuries before…

I could feel that the time was near- my fury would have brought the truth on the plate anyway, sooner than later, but I somehow thought that if Xena was to hear it out from my mouth she would understand…I wasn't so sure about it now.

I wanted to open a portal to see how she was doing but I finally chose not to...Seeing Hercules there with her, the mere thought of them together...it was better just to vanish it from my mind for now...I needed to resolve this problem first and in order to do that I needed to find Dite first, so I materialized in her room in Olympus and that's where I found her. Looking at her, I instantly understood what Athena had meant when she said that she had taken good care of her.

"Bro..?"

The second she saw me her eyes lit...

" It's so good that you're here...My arms and feet hurt so much...And look what she made me wear...I look like a Hestian Virgin!"

My sister was held in her throne by a chain and she was wearing a very long and dark dress covering her all.

"This is not fashion…this is...torture!" she added, pausing a bit to search for her words, when she finally read the anger on my face.

"No, she didn't…Ares what happened?"

"Do tell...What happened?"

"Would you please let me go first?" She looked with puppy eyes at me.

I took the chain off her and let it drop...She immediately changed in her usual clothes letting almost nothing to imagination, as always.

"This is heaven..."

"Dite…" I stressed out.

"Well...she found out, don't ask me how, but she did. And then, she came and asked so many questions and I guess it must have been written all over my face that I was on your side…..She just hates me for always having liked you better, that jealous Bitch! So….where was I? Oh yeah! So she kept searching for you two all day long and then she finally found you…...I'm sorry…I let you down again...You said that you didn't want to see me anymore...Thanks for coming to rescue me though..."

"Now…where are all the other Gods?"

"How would I know...?

"You are living on Olympus..." I highlighted… "I need them all convinced that Eve isn't a threat to their pesky lives- before this day ends because if not, well you can do the math by yourself."

"Ohh poor Evie...Is she alright?"

"I think so…Could you let them know that I will be holding a meeting later today?"

She nodded.

"Ares…Xena…she does know about this, doesn't she?"

I think that I didn't need words to offer her a response. She already knew the answer.

"Aaaa..." I made Athena appear on her throne. "I almost forgot!"

"Ar…" she smiled… "What did you do...?"

"She is just dozing off for the time being...Keep an eye on her." I said, and with that I disappeared.

I needed a plan...a really good one too, a fabulous plan to protect Eve and to make Athena pay for all that she'd done to us- starting with that stupid poison, and ending with the ransom…

Zeus's throne room was empty, just the marble white table in center of it and the 12 chairs representing the power of each Olympian God.

Without my father there on the great throne, it was strange...He had a presence and authority that Athena didn't and hopefully she wouldn't ever get to claim it as her own…

…Soon all that empty space would be full again, all except Hera's place….Once again, I couldn't help wondering what had happened to my mother but I guess that Zeus's death was the seal upon that secret...They were my parents and now, they were gone, I somewhat missed them even if they didn't do such a great job with their children.

I took a sit on my father's throne...I was the rightful heir with Athena out of the equation, maybe I would need that power to make them all obey and let Eve live her life in peace.

I still couldn't believe how much my priorities had changed over the years, ever since Xena had entered my life. And now the children…

I decided that it was wise to take a short glimpse at what Xena and my children were doing, before the meeting began.

My portal opened and I saw her. She was ready to go to sleep. The Bard was already snoring as usual, with Evie encased safely into her arms…..They were all fine.

My Princess had just put our son in his basket and then Hercules appeared in the clearing, bare chested, drops of water coming down his abs…He approached Xena and I instantly felt my blood beginning to boil inside my veins.

"Xena..."

His hand was on her shoulders. "Don't worry, if Athena comes back...I am here...I won't leave your side."

I couldn't believe my ears! That Bastard was actually comforting her, keeping her and himself away from the real fight, while I was doing all the hard job! Gods how I hated him!

"Thanks...It means a lot..."

She kissed his cheek and then got in her bedroll and closed her eyes. I tried to decipher something from her face but it was all a blank as always but I was sure I was on her black list.

My mongrel brother gazed longingly at her for a couple of seconds more before going to sleep, thankfully on the other side of the fire, far away from her.

My jealousy had started to reach immeasurable heights when the first God made his appearance in the room. I closed the portal instantly...

"Ares...you...came home."

"Artemis…Good to see you too...Take a seat..."

I swallowed drily…The new Olympus and the Fate of my children was to be decided that day…