Athena

Antares was confused. What did Athena want from him? How did she find out about him? Did Artemis tell her? But what mattered to Antares was what this goddess's problem was. These thoughts filled his mind as Antares stood up and shouted to the sky.

Antares: "Athenaaaa! Come before me; I'm ready to accept whatever you want!"

Athena touched Antares' face.

Athena: "Well, well, well. Our dragon who fights with gods is here. How tame you are."

Antares slapped Athena's hand away.

Antares: "Don't you dare touch me… BITCHHHHH!"

Athena's face started to show signs of anger, but she calmed herself.

Athena: "What's your problem? I've done you no harm. Isn't it wrong to reject a beautiful woman like me?"

Antares spat on the ground and looked Athena in the eyes.

Antares: "I'd rather be with Medusa, the one you turned into a snake, than with someone like you."

Athena's anger grew, but she remained calm because an idea crossed her mind.

Athena: "Since you called me, I guess Jason told you about me. So, are you ready to accept my request?"

Antares: "Tell me what you want."

Athena: "Become my dog."

Antares' aura flared, and his hand suddenly grabbed Athena by the throat, choking her. But Athena's face didn't falter, and she spoke again.

Athena: "So, are you going to abandon your friend? Ghhhhh… Stop it, you scum!"

Antares released his grip, and Athena gasped for air, touching her throat.

Athena: "Wow, you're strong."

Antares: "I'll be your servant, but if I ever see Jason hurt, I won't hesitate to kill you. Also, I reserve the right to refuse some of your commands, especially if you ask me to lick your feet or kill someone I care about. Know this, the day you make such a request will be your last."

Athena jumped with joy.

Athena: "Hahahahaha! Artemis, did you see this? I'll make this lizard my loyal servant. Come now, you'll be my servant for the next three years. I hope you're ready."

Antares bowed his head and swallowed his anger. These gods were driving him crazy. Then, a leash appeared in Athena's hand.

Athena threw it at Antares' feet.

Athena: "Put this on. For three years, you'll be my servant."

The leash bore Athena's symbol, essentially marking him as her property. Athena's smile twisted into disgust, and she punched Antares in the stomach with full force. Antares felt dizzy as the energy overwhelmed him, but after two seconds, he regained his composure.

Athena: "Now, go tell your family what's happened. You have one day. Let your friend know, too; he has my full support."

Antares nodded and returned to the camp, where everyone was training. He waited until dinner to speak. Thetis, Antares, and the other heroes would usually gather for their evening meal. When Antares arrived for dinner, everyone greeted him with smiles.

But some were in shock. These were Thetis and Chiron, who had noticed the collar around Antares' neck.

Thetis stood up, ready to slap him, but Antares caught her hand and looked into her eyes.

Thetis: "Why is Athena's leash on you?"

Chiron began to calm Thetis down.

Chiron: "Calm down, Thetis. Antares must have an explanation."

Antares looked at his mother with disdain. Jason was trying to piece together what had happened, likely understanding that it involved Athena since Thetis had mentioned her.

Antares: "I asked Athena for a favor for Jason. In return, she demanded I serve her for three years."

Upon hearing this, Thetis was shocked and fell to the ground.

Thetis: "Why did you do this, Antares? Why did you sacrifice yourself for Jason? Why are you abandoning me?"

Antares: "Thetis, go live your life. And let me just say, thank you for raising me, but you were a terrible mother."

Thetis' eyes widened, and she ran off crying.

Chiron's face darkened with anger.

Chiron: "Why did you say that to your mother, Antares?"

Antares' face relaxed.

Antares: "If I hadn't said that, she would've followed me to Athena's side. I don't want that. It's better to push her away myself; I don't want her to get hurt because of me."

Chiron placed his hand on his head, looking troubled.

Chiron: "Damn it, Antares. How long will you stay with Athena?"

Antares held up three fingers.

Chiron: "Three years. That's nothing for a dragon; it'll pass quickly. I hope you know what you're doing."

Antares smiled.

Antares: "It's no big deal, Master."

Chiron sighed.

Chiron: "Go explain the situation to your friends. They don't understand what's going on."

Antares nodded and saw Chiron walk in the direction Thetis had gone.

Jason: "What's with that leash around your neck, Antares? And did Chiron say, Athena?"

Antares grabbed Jason by the shoulders and lifted him into the air.

Antares: "This is a threat to you. If, within these three years, you haven't claimed your kingdom with Athena's help, I swear I will declare war on your entire kingdom and kill everyone there. Jason, I will be Athena's servant for three years because of you."

Jason's eyes widened. No one would've done what Antares did for him.

Antares released him, and Jason fell to the ground, then stood back up.

Antares: "I hope you understand what I'm saying, Jason."

Jason showed a confident smile.

Jason: "Believe me, I won't let you down."

Antares: "I hope you mean it, Jason or the consequences will be dire. And whatever happens, don't trust Aphrodite. If she asks why, tell her I said so."

Jason: "You can count on me, Antares. I won't forget this favor."

Antares: "I hope you remember."

Then, a white light radiated from Antares, and he found himself far from the camp in a green field.

Athena: "I hope you're done. You're such a bad dog."

Antares ignored Athena's words.

Athena: "Now be a good dog and bark."

Antares: "Screw you."

Athena's expression changed, and she delivered a divine-powered kick to Antares. A drop of blood dripped from his mouth, the result of the overload from the divine energy.

Athena didn't know about Antares' special ability. Each time she hit him, it only made him stronger, allowing him to convert divine energy into Scarlet King's energy. If this continued and he absorbed enough divine energy, he would become a god in this universe and slowly tap into the power of the Scarlet King.

Athena transported herself and Antares to Olympus, to her personal chambers. She lay down on her bed.

Athena: "Finally, I've found a good dog for myself. None of those heroes were fit to be my pet."

Antares' eyes widened. It seemed Athena's desire to train someone stemmed from her need for a loyal dog or servant. On Mount Olympus, everyone obeyed Zeus, and Athena wanted her own dog to follow her will.

Antares: "So, what's your plan now, Athena?"

Athena: "There is no plan. You'll do whatever I say, and you'll follow no one's orders but mine, got it?"

The necklace around Antares glowed.

Antares: "Understood."

Athena smiled and turned over in her bed, but then her expression darkened again.

Athena sighed.

to be continued....

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