12 His Eternal Rival

The sky was still dark, Ares relied on the rays of the stars and moon to lit his way. He met his lover Aphrodite in some city that was also inhabited by humans. Most humans wouldn't think that there was a real god who roamed there.

The only noticeable difference between gods and humans was that they were usually physically more attractive. The humans thought that the gods were nobles and wealthy landlords or relatives of kings who had enough money to bought expensive food and clothes.

They weren't always stayed on Olympus. Their race are scattered throughout Greece and even in other countries. They are called Titans, with Zeus as their leader. The Titans formed their own communities and mingled with fellow Titans. Sometimes they also interacted with humans and behaved like ordinary civilians.

The Titans either became Oracles, blacksmiths or farmer. It was not uncommon for Titans to married humans and had children from them. But usually they tend to avoid.

Titans can't really mingled with humans. Because they are immortal beings who cannot age. They kept their secrets well for thousands of years. Zeus also ordered to place all the artifacts and technology of the Titans on Olympus mountains which was heavily guarded with layers of protection. He didn't allow the human race to know their secret

The appearance of gods among humans is not always depicted as dramatic and majestic. Humans may often pass by them without knew their identity. Like now, Ares rode his gallant horse calmly.

He wore a suit of armor made of wild bullskin similar to that of mercenary knights in Greece. His head was covered with a helmet. He carried a sword and spear behind his back which was never far from him. It wasn't that he wanted to dress up as a war god. Ares had to face danger almost every day. Because he had many enemies.

Herion—his black horse's name— was actually a special horse. He had the blood of the Akhal Teke horse from Turkmenistan who was famous for being tough. But it was also over fifty years old and when it opened its mouth— they could see sharp fangs lined there. Herion ate meat and hated vegetables.

Ares often used it to killed monsters that try to attacked him. As a god, Ares didn't really liked to use his god power to fight. He liked sword arts. He liked throwing spears. He enjoyed the sensation of blood splashing profusely from the veins of every enemy he slashed. The swords and spearheads he carried were forged by the renowned Titan blacksmith.

Even so, Ares always hoped that Hephaestus would made a new sword for him. He was the best blacksmith in the world—befitted his title as the god of volcanoes and blacksmiths.

Unfortunately, they hadn't really greeted each other for thousands of years. Because his wife Aphrodite, having an affair with Ares.

Herion outruns any horse born on a human farm. Even the wild Akhal Teke horse could not matched it. It was almost morning, Ares had arrived at the foot of Mount Olympus. Here human settlements are rare. Because humans who walked too deep into Olympus will not returned alive.

But not only humans are wary when entering Olympus. Even he had to be careful. because he can ran into a monster that guarded Olympus. Sometimes they were not very good at choosed its victims.

His vision was getting darker because the thick leaves in the forest of Olympus had covered the moonlight. But he had been on that road for thousands of years so it didn't matter to him.

Herion's pace stopped because Ares suddenly saw something and pulled the reins.

In front of him at this time, there was a bull. That was Bull monster that related to the Minotaur. Except, that thing was not very smart and had three horns. Even so its strength was not a joke. He could knocked down a hundred year old oak tree with just a single jolt.

Ares put his helmet back on and jumped off his horse. Herion already knew Ares' habits. when he drew his sword it meant he was asked Herion to stay away. The horse neighed and ran away. Left Ares in the dark with the monster bull that snorted furiously at him.

Someone had sent the monster for him. because that species was not common to roam around Olympus. In addition, usually monsters will not directly attacked a Titans like him. They were designed to kill humans, not Titans.

Ares thrusted the tip of his sword at the bull. Tried to get him to moved first. the monster rubbed its hind legs as if take a stance. Then it shot towards Ares with its three horns aimed at his heart.

Ares quickly dodged. His alert and trained eyes immediately plunged the tip of his sword into the bull's neck deeply.

A loud groan was heard. The bull moved away tried to stay alive. Ares' sword managed to hit his vital veins. The monster's bull's blood gushed out, turned the mulberry bush in its path into red.

The bull struggled and with the last of its breath tried to escape with the sword still stuck. Ares jumped forward and hit the bull's nose with a fist wrapped in copper plates to made it lose its balance.

The bull fell to the ground, Ares used his sturdy arms to hug and squeeze his neck. Ares forced its bleeding to speed up. The bull finally succumbed to death without any meaningful resistance.

"That's the God of War, killing a monster bull alone, that's awesome!" there was a cynical clapping sound near Ares.

It was Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war strategy. She was also the eternal rival of Ares because they were both the Gods of Olympus who worshiped by humans before going to war.

humans pray to be given courage and strength to Ares. Humans also pray to Athena for victory.

"This forest is not your territory. Why are you here?! Was the bull sent from you?" Ares was annoyed.

Athena, like most of the other Olympus gods, was born beautiful. Her hair was curly red and her skin was slightly pale. Somewhat different from the other goddesses, Athena wore a half-faced war helmet and did not wear a dress. Athena looks like a female warrior from the Amazons.

"If it was me, I would use my poisoned arrow and then let it die slowly," Athena informed.

"I'm reluctant to comment on the way you fight. But I think that's too cowardly. The female Amazonian knights fought better than you. besides, you didn't answer my question, Athena," Ares replied sarcastically.

"You sound emotional Ares, do you still hold a grudge against me since the Trojan war, where Diomedes managed to hurt you so badly?" Athena purposely annoyed Ares.

"Aren't you tired of talking about it all the time? I killed Diomedes in a fair fight after I recovered," Ares said. He fought using human weapons at that time. Diomedes turned out to be quite formidable as a fighter and managed to defeat him.

Thousands of years ago there was a great war between the Trojans and Sparta. The story is immortalized in Helen of Troy. Legend said that Ares the God of War was also involved in the war and was the one who accepted defeat.

"What's fair? he's just a mortal, whereas you're the mighty God of War, aren't you ashamed?" Athena refuted.

Area took a breath, he knew his sister. He's good at twisting facts and get people to took her side.

"Go away, I don't want to argue, nor do I care what you're here for. Get out before I force you out," Ares ordered. Ares and Athena never fought head-to-head, but everyone thought Athena was stronger. all because in every war, the side that Athena defended usually won.

"I heard that you wanted to marry a princess, and I just got the information that the princess is my devoted servant of my temple. What's your plan Ares?" Athena probed.

"None of your business," Ares replied curtly.

"Are you trying to win Zeus' heart? Trying to get him to like you? You know they always told you to marry and leave Aphrodite," Athena guessed.

"Again, it's none of your business," Ares insisted.

"Too bad, Ares, as long as I live, you will still be known as a pathetic loser god and nobody wants. As for me? Well... Did you heard that the humans in the city of Athens want to build a statue of me that is the size of a hill?" Athena boasted.

Ares originally wanted to leave his sister without looking back. He had gotten used to heard her intimidation during the thousands of years he was alive. The more he argued and responded, the louder she would be. So Ares had better relent and get away from her.

But for some reason Ares now was disturbed and turned to look at her.

"So what do you want, Athena? if we want to kill each other, do it now! The bull wasn't strong enough to scratch my skin. Get down now and face me!" Ares challenged.

Athena smiled at him and chuckled as if disdainfully.

"Later, Ares, later..we will meet again in battle soon. That time I will confirm who is worthy of the title of god of war between us," Athena disappeared after saying that.

Ares stretched his neck muscles felt tired. Athena never wanted to stop bothered him. For the Goddess, Ares was like a pebble that kept getting in hee way. According to her Ares was a disgrace to the Titans because he was barbaric, vile and immoral.

The god of war sheathed his sword again after he was sure that no more monsters would attacked him. He saw the dawn started to rose and the sky turned reddish. His bride should be arrived today.

Ares saw the fresh carcass of the bull he had killed earlier. Ares scratched his chin while looked at it and suddenly got the idea to bring a present for his new wife.