An: I'm over FF and how tedious it is to upload or even edit a chapter. for better formatting go to wattpad instead. All of my stories, fanfiction and my own are there. This is my 6th attempt at trying to upload this chapter, and my last.

I hope you're able to enjoy.

~oOo~

All he could hear was the echo of his own steps. The hall before him felt long, even though the building itself was the length of two school buses. Despite the electric white light on the ceiling, the building felt dark. As he marched to the open door at the hall's end, he felt the twist in his throat caused by his anger and frustration from earlier be replaced by a knot in his stomach sired by the approaching door.

He rounded the corner and peeked inside the room. She was sitting up in her bed. She no longer needed the aid of the breathing apparatus he first saw her in, and the golden color of her skin and aura was returning. A cup of tea, held by slender and delicate fingers, rested on her lap. Adiya sat at her bedside, a mug of hot chocolate in her own shaky grasp.

He watched them for a moment. He observed their movements and words. Hera's hair was down, brown spiraled curls cascading over her shoulders. Her usually taut lips in a relaxed smile. She was no longer in the hospital gown Apollo had managed to nab from the mortal world, but in a silk white nightgown. A light cardigan rested over her shoulders, covering most of her exposed skin. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen her so - what was the word? Comfortable?

His eyes moved to Adiya. She was dressed in a floral wrap over dress, tied at her waist. Her blue eyes frequently met with Hera's own brown ones, but what caught his attention most was her hair. It was brown. Was it not blonde? When did she make this change? He noticed her posture, hunched over her stomach. The dark circles under her eyes. She kept glancing behind him as if expecting somebody else. The more he observed her, the more he realized something else seemed off about her. Something that wasn't as obvious as a slight posture change or energy level, but he couldn't quite put a finger on it. Was it her figure? Or the light in her eyes shining differently?

As he mulled over the last time he had spoken to Adiya in person, he heard the soft voice of his mother calling his attention finally, "Ares. Will you stand by the doorway and continue spying like a small child? Or will you approach and properly greet me?"

"Ah, apologies." He responded as he realized both women were now watching him. Ares finally entered the bedroom fully. The room itself basked in light, most of it from the full-length window allowing the sunlight to stream in. Something about the room felt warm; however, he was sure the sun's rays had nothing to do with it. He bowed down to his mother and stayed that way, "I came earlier to see you, Queen Mother. But you were asleep. I didn't want to disturb you."

"That's alright, my love," she responded gently. She stretched her hand to Adiya, "Our Little Vex tells me you fetched for her to keep me company. It was thoughtful."

"I thought she could aid in lightening your mood."

"Ares?"

"Yes?"

"Please... straighten up and look at me. I'm your mother, not Rhea." She chided patiently.

There was a pause. Ares lifted his head and automatically locked eyes with his mother. He remembered in that exact moment. He remembered the last time he had seen her so casually.

She was pregnant with his second sister, Eilythia. They had just moved into their palace on an extremely young Mount Olympus. She was resting in the kline in her weaving room when he stumbled inside. Her hair, so seldom free and untamed, was in its natural state here. She was free of her crown and golden jewelry, save for the rudimentary ivory wedding band Zeus made for her when they still inhabited the cavern, and yet the scent of vanilla permeated the room. She had fresh love bites on her shoulder from Zeus the night before, and she was glowing in the morning sun's rays that day. Happy. Safe. Comfortable.

Here she was again. Slight bruises on her arms due to her body's current sensitivity, but nonetheless glowing. Her brown eyes were warmer and sunnier than any summer day, and they chipped away the tension in his shoulders. Her smile was closed but inviting. The warmth in the room was her.

He felt the knot in his stomach unravel. The tightness in his throat returned, but this time, it pricked at him uncomfortably. His mouth synchronized with his throat and also tightened as a quiver threatened his lips. His vision became blurry, and he blinked a few times to clear it. He heard his mother's voice, softer than any breeze he had ever felt, reach his ears again, "Ares, my dear? What troubles you?"

He finally straightened out, and his gaze lifted to the ceiling. Another short pause followed as he tried to compose himself before he finally responded, "Nothing, Mother. It's relief for your well-being."

"Ares," she chided again. This time, it was slightly annoyed.

"Yes?"

"Come here, child."

He froze again. Another memory, as vivid as the moment before him, now came to his mind.

His mother beckoned him inside with an outstretched hand, inviting him to feel her belly. Her hand cupped the back of his head, and her other rested over his own as he felt his sister's kicks on the palm of his small chubby hand.

He looked to Adiya. How was she doing this? He thought, his teeth gritting together in frustration. What was she doing that caused these memories to be brought up. Thoughts and feelings he hadn't felt since he was a child? This wasn't the first time Ares' memories were stirred in the mortal's presence, and he knew they wouldn't be the last either. He approached his mother, six years old again, as she placed her tea at the stand beside her. He knelt down on a knee to be at her level and leaned in, "Yes?"

The force of her pull left him vulnerable. Her arms wrapped around him, and he felt himself melt into her. His mother would not fade. She was here. She was happy. Comfortable. Safe.

He felt it again. The quiver, but this time his body accompanied it. His breathing hitched, and his arms wrapped around her. "Mama -" Ares croaked. Her grip tightened.

Her hand gently held his back, and her other hand caressed the back of his head. "I know. I was, too."

The two stayed in this position for a while. He could feel his eyes sting more now, and he kept burying his face in the sleeve of his mother's cardigan to dry anything that fell from them. He realized She would take this as a sign that he didn't want to let her go yet and would hold him tighter. A surprising gesture he found immense comfort in. Finally, they both slowly started to unravel, his hands sliding down her arms and hers caressing his shoulders and then cupping his cheek affectionately. He had forgotten how physical of a person his mother was. To elongate the touch, he leaned his head forward so her hand would remain on his cheek longer before the two slid away from each other.

Eventually, he straightened out again. His eyes still connected to her now glassy ones. She gave him a soft smile. He found himself blinking away another onslaught of invading tears before looking outside to the window again.

The sky had grayed slightly, but the sun continued to shine. It was still a bright day, and the room itself seemed ever warmer. He finally stood fully once more and cleared his throat. He stood at attention, his chest strong and sturdy as he reported his actions before coming here, "I sent Hermes to let my siblings, your children, know you had awakened first."

She seemed amused. Her lips curled into a more playful smile as she responded, "Do you know if they will be reporting here anytime soon, Ares?"

"I'm not sure, though I'm assuming Hebe will be the first after me."

"I see. And Eris?" He saw her smile fall. Her eyes morphed into a strange emotion he didn't see from her often. He wasn't sure what to make of it. Her brows furrowed upward and he saw her hands tighten around each other in anticipation.

Ares swallowed something uncomfortable in his throat, and he felt the room gain a slight chill. He had sent for Hermes to let his twin sister know Hera was okay, more out of courtesy than as a formal invitation to return to Olympus, but he wasn't about to admit this to Hera. The embrace they shared was the first formal act of affection the two had had in years. Quite frankly, he was becoming wary of old family grudges from getting in the way in the modern year. He wasn't about to lose Hera again for an action he had done before this moment. He finally met her eyes again and shook his head, "I did send Hermes to contact her. I'm not sure if he was able to reach her... I'm sorry."

Hera's mouth became taut. He could see her swallow as her eyes faded with thought and came back again to their present. Slowly, she responded with a nod and a shaky breath. He saw Adiya's hand slide over and hold hers, and Ares felt a rise of tension fill his chest. His teeth gritted as he watched the mortal girl comfort his mother at his news and focused on Hera's words to distract himself from the sudden rise of upset he had just felt, "I'm sure she'll...realize that with my being fine she won't need to visit me. If there is a moment, either you or I can reach out to Hermes and have him send Eris my well wishes."

Ares could only nod. He was eager to change the topic, especially now that the room had gone quiet. He didn't have to wait long. The mismatched echo of footsteps was heard down the hall. He heard a pair of familiar voices, a man and a woman arguing with the other. A smile formed on his face as a memory of adolescence creeped up on him. They always held the best arguments. They were amusing, and Ares often ended up using insults overheard from within the dialogue. He gave a slight chuckle and turned to his mother, "As predicted, Hebe is here after me. Though, I believe she rushed Hephaestus along as well."

"Rushed-?" Adiya tilted her head, an eyebrow raised.

"They tend to go to my mother's location in pairs. Though I'm afraid Hebe inherited the patience of both our parents," he explained with a lilting tone in his voice.

"Hephaestus, any slower and we'll be the last to arrive!" Hebe's voice rang into the room.

"Ah yes, let me give my foot the memo, Hebe. I don't believe it realized how awfully important the situation was," Hephaestus' voice followed shortly after.

Hebe burst into the room. It was quite startling at times to see her. Hebe, the youngest daughter and child of the offspring of Zeus and his wife, resembled said woman in an almost uncanny way. While she inherited Zeus' dark blue eyes, she resembled her mother as she was at 21 years old. She had spiraled brown hair held in place with a golden headpiece and pale, easily sunburned skin. Her nose and jawline were their mother's own. Even her figure resembled the younger version of his mother he had recently turned to become nostalgic for. Her smile and her brows curved the same way his mother's did. It was, quite frankly, a miracle Hebe never attracted the attention of their father. Their father. Where was Zeus?

Ares walked past Hephaestus and Hebe as the two crowded around their mother inspecting her to make certain she was indeed fine. As he stepped out into the hallway, he found no other sign of life other than himself. Was Zeus really going to present himself to his wife so soon? What was he even hoping to gain?

Ares gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, feeling the anger rising within him like a tide. Pig, he thought. A dog has more self control in front of a bitch in heat.

He huffed and turned from the hall when he felt the presence of another God. Not Zeus, but someone anxious. The aura itself was hot, like the sun beating down on a scorching day. He turned and came face to face with Apollo. The latter god leaned forward to look inside the room and then back out of sight. He seemed paler, his hair slowly becoming undone. His blue eyes met Ares' brown ones, and he gestured for him to walk out of earshot.

"What do you want?" Ares scowled.

"Just follow. It's important," Apollo kept his voice low, almost to a whisper.

"My mother just woke. I want to be with her."

"You sound like a kid, dude. Chill. Besides, this is about your mom," Apollo turned beginning to walk away from the room, his steps quiet.

Ares' brows furrowed together. He followed after him, his own footsteps reverberating off the walls, "What do you mean? Is she okay? Will she be alright? Is she still immortal?"

"I said chill, geez." Apollo raised his hands up in surrender, his face showing obvious signs of annoyance, but he quickly regained composure as he finally stood in the middle of the hall and turned to Ares again. "It's more about Adiya, but it will affect your mother."

"What are you talking about?" Ares hissed, his voice echoed through the hall, and Apollo, equally loud, shushed him immediately after.

"Gods, really? I'm asking you to follow me so they don't hear and you're just gonna do that?"

"Get to your point," Ares snapped impatiently.

"I'm getting to my point!" Apollo hissed. He took a moment after, taking a deep breath and finally straightening his posture, "Adiya needs help. She specifically asked me to ask you. She requested that Hera not know."

Ares furrowed his brows together again. He thought back to Adiya earlier, how she kept fidgeting and glancing behind Ares. Was she waiting for Apollo? Or for someone else? He looked to Apollo again, waiting for him to finish.

"Adiya came to me yesterday. Seeking sanctuary and help. She's asking the same from you."

"Why me?" He scowled, his lip curling in disgust.

"I don' t know. You'd have to ask her directly," Apollo gave another sigh. Calming his anxiety before continuing with exposition, "Just before Hera collapsed, Zeus summoned Adiya again. He went too far this time. A-Adiya is- well she's - " Apollo hesitated clearly trying to figure out if this was the best way to break the news. Ares knew what he was going to say. He turned back to the room. His throat tightened again, and his breathing hitched. The memory of the conversation he and Zeus held earlier fresh in his mind.

Then, finally, he remembered his mother and Adiya holding her hand earlier. He closed his eyes, a tactic he often used to gather his fury, and in his breathing a different memory of his mother projected in his mind.

Zeus and her argued, lightning flashed behind them. She was pregnant again, this time with Arge. They stood on the balcony of their bedroom, rain falling upon them. Zeus' hands gripping her wrists tightly, "You left my side! What was I supposed to do?"

"You soil our marriage and you soil the legitimacy of your own legacy, Zeus! Why can't you ever follow your own word!" She cried.

Lightning flashed, and Ares saw her tears with its light. He and Eris hid behind the door frame, watching the two carefully. It was here where they saw her fall to her knees, "Is nothing I care for sacred to you? Marriage? Family? Daughters? Why must you always take from me to prove your reign? Why must you always steal my support and make it yours?"

She slumped her back to the balcony's railing. Zeus kneeled in front of her and cupped her chin, "You're sacred to me." He leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the lips, one she didn't return, "I do this because I love you."

Ares heard his sister leave his side with an annoyed huff. He asked, "Where are you going?"

"Skipping this part of the story." Her back was to him, her black hair braided and her large black wings hiding her body.

"What do you mean?" He turned to her fully.

"You're so dense, Ares. That mortal. Zeus' newest conquest was Her priestess, a close and devoted follower of Hera's. He violated her. Stepped upon sacred ground and took her because He could."

"Well, Mother didn't know," He rose his voice defensively.

"Mother," she mocked his tone. "Never does. And when She finally does, it's never His fault." She turned her head to him sharply so he could only see half of her face. Her usual brown eye was replaced with a deep crimson glow. "You can stay and comfort her if you want. Or you can come with me. There's worthwhile battles to be fought elsewhere."

Apollo rested his hand on Ares' shoulder, knocking the taller god loose from his memory, "Hey... what're you thinking?"

His voice quavered, and the touch on Ares' shoulder was light. With how far away he stood from Ares, one would think the god of war was about to bite him. Ares knew why, though, Apollo really was expecting a violent response from him. He was anticipating a rudely worded no from Ares at the very least.

Ares looked down the hall again to the open door, hearing the laughter from his youngest sister inside. His head became clear for the first time in a very long time. He finally set his jaw, and the tension in his body released.

"I'll give her sanctuary," Ares turned his head to Apollo, so he could only see half of his face, and where a brown eye should be was a deep crimson glow.