Chapter 29: Two Hundred Years

984 BC, Ares: 315 years old

Other than visiting Arestia to check on progress, or resting and spending time with Aphrodite, Ares has been with Hecate in her small corner of Tartarus learning magic for two hundred years.

For the first fifty years, Ares was worked on hemokinesis, being it was the easier of the two to learn.

Tasked with manipulating his own blood first, Ares would cut his finger and allow it drip, stopping it each time before it hit the floor.

Unlike human blood, a God's ichor is denser, making it harder to manipulate but also a boon, as it makes it easier to control the likes of humans and animals when achieved.

Ares then moved onto manipulating his blood to create weapons such as daggers, spears, and swords along with defensive tools like shields, and walls of blood.

Next, with the help of Primo, Ares was able to gather small animals and practice manipulating the flow of their blood.

He slowed it down, sped it up, and even stopped it entirely, eventually mastering it, and moving on from smaller animals to the unfortunate humans who were also caught by Primo.

It took him a while, but he eventually was able to gain enough mastery over blood, allowing him almost complete control over man and animal.

It's almost because unfortunately for Ares, no mater how many times he tried, he could not control Hecate's blood.

As it stands, at the moment, the only godly blood he can control is his own.

Over the decades Ares was training his hemokinesis, he realized that though the power is amazing, it has its fault.

Although it's not that much of a fault, one of them would be its range.

Ares could create small blood domain the size of a football field (105 meters x 68 meters), as well as form projectiles and other constructs that could travel its length.

With out the field, Ares can control his or others blood and form projectiles that are at its strongest within a diameter of 50 meters without exhausting himself.

That's another drawback.

Ares does have godly stamina, however he found that using hemokinesis for extended periods of time makes it hard for him to breathe.

The exhaustion aspect of hemokinesis has dwindled some during Ares' fifty years training, but to his chagrin, hasn't left entirely.

The last fault was a simple one that could be worked around.

Users of hemokinesis cannot will blood to appear out of thin air like water or stone, instead they need a conduit.

Ares has been using a pouch of animal's blood fastened to his waist allowing easy access, but it would often limit his movements or his ways of attack.

Because of this, to himself and to Hecate, Ares often voiced his frustration.

"Is it possible to, like water, will blood into existence? He would always ask.

And every time with a smile, his teacher would reply, "At present it hasn't been done. But as a God, and with enough patience and practice, you could be the one to achieve such a feat."

Gravity magic or manipulation was the hardest thing Ares has had the privilege of learning in this, and his past life.

For one hundred fifty years Ares tirelessly, through blood, sweat, and literal tears learned gravity magic.

To say it was hard would be selling it short; what Ares experienced was sheer torture.

It took Ares five years to find even a wisp of gravitational energy and another ten to take hold of it and call it forth.

After finally calling and conjuring the energy for hours at a time, Hecate informed Ares that flying was next.

He knew how to fly as it was ingrained into his psyche since birth.

Like how all Gods know their divinity at or around birth, flying comes all the same.

All Ares had to do was manipulate the newly found gravitational energy, like he does his divine energy, then boom- flight.

But it wasn't as easy as Ares thought.

The amount of times he used too much energy or too little and was injured as a result was too many to count.

It got so bad that Hecate wanted to cease his training in gravity manipulation and focus on hemokinesis, but Ares was persistent.

To him, this was something he must conquer. Like a soldier in front of his enemies gates, he wanted victory. His pride wouldn't allow defeat.

Another five years and Ares was flying, albeit shakily, but flying nonetheless.

Hecate then gave Ares a bit of a reprieve for a couple of years.

Her reasoning being his body should acclimate to his newly found powers and even though he's a God, with his body being under so much stress, she didn't want anymore injuries occur; regardless of his regenerative abilities.

His rest over, Ares then started with the basic level of gravity manipulation according to Hecate.

Push and pull.

Ares started with attracting and repelling numerous rocks varying in size and distance.

Once he was able to easily almighty push and pull inanimate objects, Ares excitedly moved on to humans that were gracious enough to help.

And surprisingly, or not, Ares garnered much better results.

Similar to Pain from Naruto, Ares can pull or repel people using this ability as well as create a human sized "Planetary Devastation".

He tried, but he's not quite capable of creating a moon just yet.

Ares was content with his current abilities.

He wondered if it was necessary to continue his exploration into gravity manipulation. The set of abilities he now wields, if mastered to their peak, could make him the strongest.

When he voiced this to Hecate however, he was quickly reprimanded.

"Because you wield power you think your special? You are nothing but a budding tree in an already existing forest. Don't let the feeling of your accomplishments stoke your pride. Even with the little power you do wield I could swat you like a gnat. You have potential Ares. Only if you don't let pride get in the way."

Taking her words to heart, and with his want for strength being higher than ever, Ares began rigorously training, even surprising Hecate on occasions.

In the following years until he finished his training, Ares would master the basic level of gravity manipulation as well as the advanced, allowing him to manipulate gravity to directly harm his opponents, and overall give him a better understanding and control of his abilities.

Unfortunately, Ares cannot yet create a black hole with his power of gravity.

Yes, he does have an advanced mastery in the art of gravity manipulation, but beyond the advanced level there is so much more.

Hecate once said that it in theory, if one reached the absolute level of mastery, they could manipulate space and time.

The stars, the universe; the one who reaches the absolute level of mastery in gravity manipulation will be at the apex.

When Ares heard Hecate words, he trembled, not in fear, but excitement.

He would accept this declaration of war.

Ares decided. He would reach the apex

——

"But why Japan?" Hecate asked, sitting across from Ares, her eyebrow raised.

"I've heard of a sword-"

Before Ares could finish, he could feel his back vibrate furiously.

"The sword I seek will be a tool. You are not." Ares said peering over his back.

With only those words the swords began to calm, vibrating softer before falling silent.

"Like I was saying. I've heard of a sword that may, or may not be capable of achieving wondrous things."

"Wondrous things?"

"I won't say what it might be capable of. But if this sword is what it's rumored to be, trust me, it's wondrous." Ares smiled widely.

Narrowing her eyes, Hecate sighed, shaking her head.

"And how is Arestia?" She asked changing the subject.

"Nothing has changed really. The population has stayed the same for the most part. Achilles and Helen are getting along as I hoped. Once they begin having offspring, and then descendants, I'll begin a project I've been waiting to employ. The island is growing nicely, structures are being built at a steady pace, with a stone statue of myself in the center of the island, towering over trees, and visible by sea."

"They gave you a statue?" Hecate asked genuinely surprised.

"I didn't ask for it. When I arrived one day, I was immediately pushed to the center of the island, where they presented it to me. I don't mind though. I mean, why should I?" Ares said, shrugging he shoulders.

"You shouldn't." Hecate said, taking a sip from her cup. "I too have statues in my image. Overtime those statues will come empower you. Take pride in having your likeness carved. Not many Gods have this honor."

Not saying a word, Ares only nodded his head, before getting up and patting himself down.

"This is the longest time I've spent with someone. Not even Nyx was graced with my presence for as long as you." Ares smirked. "It's been a pleasure Lady Hecate. Don't miss me too much."

Hecate didn't respond however.

Raising her hand, she swiped it outward towards the exit, and gravity shifted.

But nothing happened.

"Not this time." Ares taunted, a wide smile on his face.

"Get out Ares." Hecate said smiling.

Red clouds rose from the ground enveloping Ares, and in the next second he was gone.

Shaking her head, Hecate sighed.

"Ha… you're right."

(A/N: I know I messed up on his age according to the myths, but it is what it is. It's my story after all. Also, what do you think about the abilities? Let me know. CK)