Embarrassing the Gods

"Welcome to the Olympian Sanctum. My name is Ganymede, cupbearer for the Twelve Gods of Olympus. I will provide you with anything you ask during your stay." 

With marble floors, golden chandeliers and golden bed frames, Illian tossed himself on the bed, the mattress feeling as though he were resting in a cloud.

"This is great." Illian contemplated tucking in and resting till he no longer felt like he'd been shooting through the sky all night.

But he had other priorities.

Getting up to his feet, he glanced at the man who was patiently waiting.

Illian couldn't help but stare for a second. 

The man bowed slightly, wearing a similar attire to Hermes, a white cloth over their torso and ended at the knees, a gold belt wrapped around the waist.

Though, this sight didn't compare to his charming features. 

His chiselled jawline and blue eyes were the most notable to name a few. Just this could put Hermes' looks to shame.

"If you need a change of clothing, you'll find that in the wardrobe to your left." 

Illian turned, seeing the large dark oak wardrobe with a golden handle. 

"The banquet will begin in one hour. I'll be back to escort you when the time comes. Until then, feel free to do as you please." 

Bowing once more, Ganymede turned, pulling the large dual white doors by their handles, leaving as he shut the door, leaving Illian by himself.

Seeing this, Illian took a deep breath.

With his expression calm and his mind deep in thought, he pulled open the wardrobe.

'From what I've been told, six of the Twelve Gods will be present in the banquet as well as a few other lesser individuals.' 

Illian noted, pulling out the generic white clothing he'd seen on everyone in Olympus.

'It's perfect. Enough for me to do what I need while not making my life any harder.' 

Thinking this, he removed the clothes he wore. It was the slavery attire forced on him while in Thalia.

'I've already met one of them, Hermes. I'm completely in the dark about the others. But…'

Illian paused as the mere thought of Ruyi made it radiate a warm sensation inside his abdomen.

'I have one bargaining chip to leverage.'

Illian didn't know what to expect, however, from everything that had happened with Hermes, he was better off than he was when he first arrived.

Because of this, he was prepared for the Banquet.

Slipping into the clothing of Olympus, Illian now stood tall as he fashioned similar clothing to Hermes and Ganymede.

Brown leather sandals, a soft white fabric covering his torso and legs above his knees.

But most importantly…

-VUASHH

Illian felt a euphoric rush as a cool feeling brushed over his body causing his hair to flutter.

Though it lasted a second, the effects were clear.

'Self cleaning? Nice!'

The clothes seemed to carry what Illian could only guess to be magic as the sweat built up from the night of travelling seemingly disappeared.

Illian's very skin seemed to be glowing now as he fashioned quite the pleasant odour.

'Though, I'll still probably look like a hobo to these Gods.'

Illian joked, heading toward the door as he pulls it open.

Thankfully, despite its size, the door wasn't heavy and he easily pulled it with his hands, heading into the hallway of the Palace.

With marble walls, ceiling and floors, chandeliers hung from the ceiling as statues and sculptures occasionally lay on the side.

With glassless windows frequently presenting themselves on the walls, Illian was able to get a breath of fresh air as he continued to look around.

He was tempted to sneak into some of the doors lined up but ultimately decided against it.

'I doubt Zues will be pleased with me walking into his wife's living quarters.'

One of the many possibilities made Illian shiver.

After all, Zues, and the others, were gods. He was sure they prided themselves on their loyal and powerful relationships.

'Eh, maybe not. Maybe they're susceptible to their lust like they are their greed. Who knows.'

Illian shrugged. The more he learned about the gods, the more he realised they weren't so different to the scumbag humans he knew all too well.

'What…'

Just as Illian thought this, he paused as something caught his eye.

Just as another hallway presented itself on his right, at the end of it was a large wall of pure gold.

But what surprised Illian was the more he stared at it, the more the 'Wall' started to seem like a Door.

With windows lined on the walls, the plantlife snuck in, adding colour to the plain white marble hallway.

The colourful birds frequently hopping in sang as they perched on the golden door and window sills.

As Illian walked closer, he soon stood before the door.

'What the hell is behind this?'

Illian's face slowly formed into that of a child upon witnessing their favourite superhero come into reality before them.

Gently running his fingers over the golden door, he inspected every corner of it with a large grin.

Though he could tell it was a door, he wasn't able to find a way to open it. 

He had no confirmation on it being a door, the gold surface seeming like a safe to a large bank rather than a regular door, but to him, it was an entrance with something behind it.

"Never mistake stupidity for courage." 

A chill ran down Illian's spine as his reaction was so sudden he wasn't even able to wipe the grin off his face.

It was as if his survival instincts had kicked in faster than his brain could keep up with, causing him to slowly turn his head back, the smile still on his face.

A tall figure with…armour?

With a breastplate, greaves and helmet, he walked toward Illian, each step letting out a rumbling THUD.

The helmet made it so an ominous shadow was cast of his face while the rest of his armour made him look far bigger and wider than he really was.

However, it wasn't just the armour.

No, the intense features of the man and roaring tone showcasing his pure aggression paired well with his dagger-like gaze that almost pierced Illian's skin.

It wasn't long till the man stood before the boy, towering over him as Illian stared up, the smile still on his face.

In that moment, Illian felt a heavy pressure weigh atop him as if the mere presence of the figure caused him difficulty.

He felt miniscule, like an ant facing an elephant. The air had become so heavy that it was almost suffocating, making it hard for Illian to breathe as he sweat.

"You? You're the one who possesses a Godly Weapon?" 

Illian blinked, the words repeating in his mind like a broken record.

'My leverage.'

Hearing and thinking this, Illian gulped as he bit his tongue, forcing himself to look upward and face the figure.

"T-That's right. A weapon so great it would put anything you got behind there to shame." 

Illian pointed to the golden door behind him, sweating as he continued to grin with his heart racing.

The warrior stared at Illian, quiet as he scrutinised the boy.

"I wouldn't know. That's father's private quarters. It's said he keeps his valuables there so I wouldn't be so arrogant if I were you." 

Illian's grin widened but for different reasons as to before.

'I was right. I know valuable shit when I see it.'

In the next second, silence prevailed as the figure's glare seemingly intensified.

"It was my idea to send Philosia to find whatever treasure was under Thalia. Had it been anything promising, I'd have been rewarded greatly by it or my father."

Illian stayed quiet, not that he could speak anyway. He suddenly understood why the sudden aggression against him.

Illian had spoiled his plans and whatever he had already gotten himself excited about.

However, the presence suddenly calmed as Illian felt as though a boulder was lifted off his shoulders.

"Let's see if you are worth all this trouble."

Illian raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, seeing the man frozen as if he were waiting for something.

"Show me this all powerful weapon, then." The man clicked his teeth in annoyance.

To this, Illian regained his composure, exhaling as he straightened his back, grinning and simply shrugging like a spoiled child.

"I don't wanna."

-VUAM

The pressure instantly returned as Illian tried his best to keep his cool but struggled as his lips curled further upwards due to the anxiety.

"What did you say to me?" Though he muttered, each word of the warrior felt as though he was roaring at the top of his lungs.

"We wouldn't want to ruin the surprise would we. After all, the banquet won't be long." 

"Actually, the banquet is ready to be held." 

Ganymede seemingly appeared from thin air behind the two as Illian felt a sense of relief but made sure to not outwardly make it obvious.

The man paused, looking back at Ganymede then to Illian, soon grunted as he turned, walking away.

'I didn't expect him to leave so easily. I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't allowed to meet me so early but did anyway.'

Illian thought amusingly, finally letting out a heavy breath, standing beside Ganymede and turning to him.

"Remind me to give your superiors a good word about you." Illian patted Ganymede on the shoulder as he chuckled.

"Sire, the individual you just interacted with was my superior." 

Illian froze as his eyes looked back to the departing figure.

'I do remember him addressing Zues as his father. So he really is one of them.'

"I'll enjoy what the gods have planned for you." The figure mumbled, though loud enough for Illain to hear.

"That was Ares, the God of War and one of the Twelve Gods of Olympus." 

'War? What the gods have planned for me?'

He didn't know a lot about war but he did know that anything could act as a catalyst for one to start.

In short, he shouldn't be surprised by any petty ploys Ares may have in store for him

But more importantly…

'It seems the gods have already set up some sort of game plan.'

Despite knowing this, it didn't change what Illian had planned.

***

-TAP TAP TAP

With each step, Illian's heartbeat thumped quicker. His lips curled upwards as the hallway he was being escorted through showed no signs of ending.

'Banquet with the Gods.'

He failed to truly conceptualise the gravity of what he was about to do at first.

But as he stepped closer, reality slowly started to set in.

Despite this…

'I'm ready.'

Despite his stomach turning, despite sweating profusely and despite his face hurting from how much he'd been smiling, the thought of turning back never even occurred to Illian. 

After all, this is what he wanted.

To be the best. Equal to the Heavens.

'And to think, I have yet to even make it to the Underworld.'

"We are here." 

Due to being deep in thought, Illian hadn't noticed they now stood before two large doors.

To Illian, it seemed completely impractical due to its sheer size. But remembering this was made for the Gods, it felt fitting.

"My services end here. I cannot guide you any further." Ganymede bowed to which Illian nodded.

-VUUU

But before he could push the doors open, they began to move on their own, clear that those on the other side knew Illian had arrived.

'It's time…'

Taking a deep breath, Illian stepped into the light without hesitation, grinning as his eyes fell onto a few figures.

'To embarrass the Gods of Olympus.'