Chapter 1: The Discovery
The sun rose brightly shining through his bedroom window, letting him know another boring day was at hand. Ares had everything that a man could ask for, so one thought. He lived in a condo on the 20th floor; one bedroom, with the best view in his building. Every night, he sat on his couch watching the downtown traffic and lights dance across the spaces below him. On the east side of his condo were all windows.
He was the God of War in a very modern world. Occasionally, he would get bored, and by occasionally, we're talking everyday. He never gave TV an honest try. Out of boredom, he would materialize himself to different parts of the world just to see how it's changed from when he was last awake (which was about two thousand years ago). Therefore, each day, he would explore a new area of the world.
Ares decided he needed a change, something that could occupy his time better. He pulled out his laptop and began his search. Since money wasn't an issue for him, he explored various means that would keep him the most entertained. After hours of scrolling, he ran across personal trainers. "Perfect," he said. Then he wondered, "Which gym should I apply for?" After weighing his options, he decided to open his own gym, as he couldn't see himself, The Great God of War, working underneath a mortal. He laughed to himself.
A month later, Ares had his own gym opened called Godly Gains Fitness Center. He was the only personal trainer there from day to night, since he didn't get tired or require sleep. He actually enjoyed doing this everyday. Educating people on fitness, pushing the brave ones to their limits, and customizing workout plans. Ares was a fierce trainer. Many loved him for that and others feared him.
His gym memberships grew and grew. Ares soon realized that he needed to hire a staff. A few weeks later, with the other staff on board, provided him more opportunities to work with his elite clients based on their membership plans.
On one regular sunny day, Ares hopped in his black convertible sports car, pulled his dark shades over his eyes, and headed to his gym. He wore a black tank, grey sweats, his silver God of War chain, and black sneakers. Ares arrived to the gym, as he normally would. He pulled open the door and the cold gym air hit his nose. Taking in a deep breath, letting the atmosphere fill his senses.
As soon as he took one step inside, he froze, unable to move. The hair on his body stood up. A very familiar scent filled his senses. It was faint but very recognizable. He walked in, looking around intensely and quickly, scanning the whole gym for who the scent could have belonged to. To no avail, he got started about his day.
Walking, he noticed a dumbbell out of place, against the wall. When he picked it up, a familiar presence filled his aura. He immediately had a flashback in his head, '"Ares." He couldn't see anything but he heard a woman's voice. "That voice," he thought to himself, "I know that voice."
He shook the idea out of his head and began working. As he started to move about the gym again, he closed his eyes and his brain took him to the same flashback,"Ares." The flashback was foggy, but his name was clear, and her voice was clearer. Opening his eyes, he noticed he was sweating.
"Something very strange is going on," he thought to himself. He went to the front desk to check the new applicants he received so far, a daily task of his. While flipping through the applications, that intriguing scent hit his nose again and instantly, a vision flashed before his eyes. "I love you, Xena."
XENA! His brain screamed. It was like a ton of bricks hit his chest all at once. He looked down and saw her application in his hand. His hands started to tremble. Then, he had another vision, the vision of her tenderly touching his face, while he sat on a rock, shooting his shot, and her saying "You never give up, do you?" and them sharing a loving kiss.
Ares jumped up from the desk, his heart racing like a freight train. He frantically searched the gym again, looking for her, anywhere and everywhere, but he couldn't find her. Slumping back down at the desk, he put his head in his hands. He heard footsteps coming his way but being in a sour mood now, he didn't even look up. The footsteps kept going until they exited the gym. Then, that scent hit him again.
Immediately, he looked up and outside just to see the most beautiful, raven hair blowing in the wind as she got into her car. It was Xena. "Of course, she was in the women's locker room!" he said out loud in a grumble, placing his hand on his head. He wanted to run outside to stop her from driving away, but his knees wouldn't let him move. So instead, he just watched her drive away from his gym and possibly his life forever.