Chapter 8: Griffin?

Standing if front of what Thanatos said to be the entrance to Tartarus, Ares was; Upset? Confused? Disheartened? Its a cave. A simple cave entrance to separate man from hell. "Is this all?" Ares asked Thanatos, his voice couldn't help but sound unimpressed. Thanatos looked at his friend with eyes that spoke, "Yes, did you expect more?"

Turning his head back to said entrance, Ares began walking towards it, not thinking further on its looks, or lack there of. Just as he was about to step foot inside the cave, Ares stopped. "Hey… How are we going to hold this fire anyway? Even though we're Gods I'm pretty sure we can't just hold the fire and take it out." Ares said said out loud, more to himself than anyone else. This made Thanatos think as well. It was only because of Ares impatience that they didn't think to ask questions and quickly left. Looking at Ares, Thanatos could only shake his head. 'Why does it always have to be me that follows him in his foolishness?'

Praeco then spoke up from Ares' shoulder, "Master, my sisters and I have been told stories from our mother when we were young. Stories about the past. There is one story I think might come in handy on this endeavor. My mother told my sisters and I a story of a giant who stole fire from the Gods and gave it to the humans. He was imprisoned by Zeus on a mountain where he is subject to death everyday. Each day, vultures would eat his liver killing him, but it would regenerate and the next day the same process would occur. The reason I'm telling you this because there is also another story about this person; one much less known. There is said to be a chalice created by the man in this story. His name is Prometheus, Titan God of Fire. He created this chalice in order to one day, if the Gods decided to take fire back, allow the humans to still hold a portion of it through the chalice. It is said to be able to hold any fire of any nature. As it's creator was a God of Fire it's natural for such a thing to exist. The only problem is that no one knows if such an a treasure is actually real. Master, I only suggest this because I know of your strength. I suggest you go to the mountain where the Titan Prometheus is imprisoned and find out if the chalice is real or not." Praeco finished, both Ares and Thanatos listening intently.

The latter of the two spoke, "Prometheus is chained on the Caucus Mountains." Thanatos' raspy voice sounded rather irritated and Ares picked up on it. "Why do you so sound so flustered Thanos?" Ares asked, his voice full of amusement. "I thought so told you stop calling me that!" Thanatos' aura exploded of his body. Everything from where he stood began to die and the radius grew every second. "I am not this Thanos person you speak of! I am THANATOS! GOD OF DEATH! Do not disrespect me by calling me what I am not!" Thanatos' aura grew considerably. Everything that wasn't a God began to die. Tress, the grass, nothing was spared.

You might think that one would be scared of this display of power; but not Ares. Standing there unaffected by his friends deadly aura, instead of thinking about how to calm his friend down, Ares was thinking about how to get to the Caucus Mountains without the other Gods finding out. Ares is pretty sure that there were beings guarding Prometheus. He also knew in order to get to said mountain he would have to pass through human civilization as well. He wasn't scared. All he has to do is make himself invisible and mortals won't see him. It's the Gods and guards that would be the problem.

"Praeco. How far are we from the mountain?" Ares asked, completely ignoring his friends breakdown. Thanatos in the meantime had surprisingly calmed down from his earlier rant. He wasn't however surprised by his friends dismissal, he was used to it.

"Master…" Praceco's voice was solemn. "The mountain you seek is at the end of the known world." There was a deafening silence; not even the wind blew. "How far is the end of the know world from here" Ares asked his crow companion, not at all deterred.

Thanatos cut in, he couldn't stand his friends foolishness much longer. "Are you serious? You have to find another way. That trip would take us years to make even for Gods like us. Tartarus! We don't even know if this chalice is real! For all we know we could be going on some unnecessary adventure." He was right. The end of the known world is not just a portal away. It's a journey; an arduous one. And the chalice is a borderline myth even to the Gods. Only Prometheus knows of it validity.

"So what do we do now?" Ares' hope was waining. He didn't want to ask any of the Olympians for help, most of them are too intrusive. From the time he spent with them, and not, he knew they would want to know why he needed such an item. Ares didn't want the other Gods know he wanted to forge such a weapon. He didn't want them to know because he knew they would be jealous. And with jealously comes envy. Even though Ares is always up for a good fight, at the moment, fighting his godly counterparts isn't on his to-do list.

While both Gods were thinking on how to proceed, Praeco once again provided key information. "Master, If I may. I suggest we travel to the Forest of Sacred Beasts and Monsters and find the king of the animal kingdom, the Griffin."

"A Griffin?" Ares asked. Thanatos too was intrigued, turning his head to face Praeco. "Yes master. They are said to be the dominant species in the forest where they reside. An animal with the body, tail, and hind legs of a lion and the head, wings, and front legs of an eagle. Though their number is few their strength makes up for it as its been told they are able to fly to the edge of the known world and back within a weeks time." Praeco finished, who while talking found her way from her master's shoulder to his head.

"At this point Praeco, anything that could get me closer to holding my weapons in my hands I would gladly do. Where is this forest you speak of?" Ares asked, his once dwindling hope returning slowly.

"The forest you seek is a two day journey non stop in the north east direction of our current location." Praeco replied, snuggling deeper into her golden nest. "Two days?" Ares muttered to himself. Turning to Thanatos he was about to speak when Thanatos beat him to it, "No. I've put off work long enough for for mother and your whims. My subordinates having been doing well but it's time I go back to the underworld. They could only do so much without my presence." His raspy voice said indignantly. Ares knew better however. He knew despite his friends cold facade he has enjoyed the century they've spent together.

"I'll miss you too Thanos." Ares said with his famous smile, turning and sprinting off before Thanatos could do something. "ARES!!!!" Ares laughed as he heard his oldest friends cry.

"You said north east right Praeco?" Ares asked his companion. "Yes master. I will let you know when we get close." "Good! I'll be counting on you. Now, let's tame a Griffin!"