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Back when the world was young, before men walked upon its warm soil and smelled the seas. Before the gods sat atop mount Olympus and had divided up the worlds elements. The universe was engulfed in chaos, but it was a violent place a realm that swirled around an endless abyss that had no beginning, nor an end. In this void two lovers were divided by a large wall called the wall of fate. The two lovers were known as Aetmasia a young male god that appeared very handsome and wise as his silver hair caressed his face and flowed before deep starlit eyes. The young girl of whom he was so devoted and blindly in love with was known as Reign she had lochs of gold and eyes of blue. The two found each other when a rift in the wall that separated them opened letting them see each other but sadly it was not large enough for them to go through so they were forced to be content with just talking to each other. But as all lovers know this could never suffice and the youths tried to find a way around the wall and soon they came to a place neither had never been before a place that had solid ground and was beautiful but yet still barren as there still were no plants or signs of life. Reign arrived at the place first and was soon to discover that there was something near. That something was a snake and it was the first sign of true evil in the universe. This creature struck at the young goddess burying its fangs in her arm passing the venom throughout her body. Within seconds Aetmasia had arrived to find her lying on the ground her skin turned pale by death. Aetmasia saw the snake that had killed her right in front of him within moments he had drawn his sword and struck the foul creature down cleaving the poisonous head from its long serpentine body. Blood spewed from its body drenching the soil. Aetmasia turned back to his love with tear-filled eyes, unable to bare her death he fell to his knees saying,

"My love I am truly sorry! I have failed you..."

Then he lifted his sword and prepared to thrust it into his chest, but then he heard a voice,

"My love! Do not despair for I will live on... but only if you live!"

The young maidens body began to glow as her spirit rose out from it in the shape of a blue orb that sparkled and glowed like starlight. Then in a final whisper she said,

"I will become a tree... and from this tree shall come all life! You must guard me for someday there shall come one who wishes to abuse my gift to this world!"

And so Reign's soul buried itself in the fertile soil and just as she said a wondrous tree sprouted from where she rested. From this tree the soil became fertile and all forms of life sprouted into existence. Aetmasia honored Reigns final request and guarded the tree from all that might destroy it.

Sparta: The city of Thieves!

Voice,

"Ares...Areeessss... Ares! Wake up!"

A young boy shuttered as the searing voice startled him awake.

"Huh! Uh urm... is the answer Apollo!"

Then as he looked around he wiped wet sticky saliva from his face and chin, as he thought, he realized he had obviously fallen asleep. Before him a stern old man with no hair and a long flowing beard glared at him, waving an oak stick that he used for walking and sometimes to intimidate his less than eager students. Then the old man whacked the stick on Ares's desk, as he said with that same distinct voice that was filled with that familiar scolding tone towards his Naïve pupil,

"Young Ares it would be nice if you would stay awake through just one of my lectures! You might just learn something of the real world instead of that dream world you're often wading into whenever I see you!"

Ares looked around the classroom as if he was unsure if the old man was addressing him. His friends and classmates snickered in the background, Ares smiled as he said to the old man,

"Well maybe I would be able to stay awake if you would stop teaching about boring old stories that are about long dead heroes!"

The old man whacks Ares with his stick landing it solidly upon his forehead. Then he raised his voice, which was filled with irritation towards the young Redheads defiance,

"Boy! Be careful how you mock the heroes who fought for your countries glory! It was they alone who allowed you to live in this golden age of prosperity! They enabled you to be able to serve the state and get an education as a warrior of Sparta. Someday you will fight for your country as well and you will want to be remembered young Ares... just because you are named after the god of war does not mean you're invincible. Quite the contrary young master you are quite vulnerable seeing as you are still lacking the discipline you will need to survive the riggers of war and death.

Ares just laughed it off as he said fully assured of himself,

"Well then I guess I'll have to harden my feelings and kill anyone who challenges me to a fight then huh! I mean that's what you're teaching us here to go into war and die a glorious death for the state!"

His master looked down knowing to well that same Naïveté

"Young Ares War is not a grand thing that anyone... any of you should want to partake in...no...No it's a horrid bloodstained Hell that none should wish for... you here the crying of men and see the last expressions of your friends and enemies as there bloodied body's fall, with severed limbs strewn across the battlefield slicked up with there blood! Their faces are still scorched into my brain as if etched by hot iron... so many of my beloved friends perished in war and battle for the sake of honor!"

Ares unfortunately had blocked out what the old man was saying and had started to think of what he was going to do that afternoon after he had gotten out of this boring place! He thought of maybe going fishing in the Mediterranean, or perhaps taking a nap under a tree as the cool breeze blew up from the nearby river or stream and lapped against his skin. Then that familiar pain whacked him out of his daydreams yet again and the old man was staring angrily into his sandy brown eyes, then the old man smiled lightly as he said,

"You can go young Ares class is over for today!"

Ares smiled, relieved at the sound of school being over, and he showed his joy as he jumped from his seat with a shout,

"Wahoo! Yeah time for me to get out of this dump and put some miles on these sandals of mine. Goodbye Old man!"

The old man laughed as he said to himself,

"Hahahaha... ah to be young again! It's a wonderful thing... That boy will be the death of me if he keeps this up... it's like going into battle all over again! What a day...few"

Ares ran for what was to him freedom, then when he finally cleared the front entrance of the large temple, He jumped high in the air clearing the marble steps that lead up to the temple complex. Ares ran for his favorite fishing spot, which was right by the sea and a tree set just a few yards away from it. This is where he spent most of his time out of class often sleeping under the tree, or watching clouds pass by his way. The tree was unique to this part of the world as it was a fig tree and he often climbed it for the very fruit for, which it was named. But not today he wanted to swim in the ocean and explore the coast that he already knew so well. He swiftly kicked off his sandals before removing the cloth tunic that covered his chest and midsection. This dive would be different than past ones for young Ares, fate was soon to reveal his destiny and bring him glory or destruction only he could decide which was the end result. Ares jumped into the Mediterranean with a light splash as he dove underwater exploring the depths that were filled with mysterious marine life of all shapes and sizes. Ares was familiar with most creatures in these waters, as he had been diving since he was a tot. Then as he rounded a large rock he saw something that even he was not prepared for. It was the entrance to an underwater shrine that he must have missed out of the hundred visits to the oceans depths. The entrance was large and had a tile floor that stretched out for several feet past the entryway. Two stone pillars were placed on either side of the shrines entrance as well and held up a large stone slab that was larger than any he had ever seen. Ares wasted no time he swam towards the shrine entrance still in awe at the sight of such scale and precision. Finally he passed the enormous pillars and was inside the shrine. He swam upward where he saw light shining down into the water from above. With a loud break in the water he surfaced gasping for air as he had pushed his lunges to their absolute limit swimming this far. After he had caught his breath Ares looked around the inside of the shrine that was obviously very old and had been built before the water levels had risen. It was filled with glittering stones that had been placed into the dark slate ceiling possibly to resemble the night-sky, as there was what appeared to be a full moon rising from the east. Ares saw a large stone platform that was just above the water line as light waves smacked up against it. Atop the platform was what appeared to be a small tomb that was long forgotten by his people? As he climbed the steps he reached a stone slab that was written in Greek, he read the words aloud,

"Here we of the Trojan War dedicate this tomb to the Ancient War god Ares who may watch over all valiant warriors who die in the field of glory! May any who find this place pay their respects to the dead of this shrine!"

Ares waited for a moment then without thinking he walked towards the tombs entrance and pushed open the doors that had been sealed centuries before. Inside the tomb were remnants of human skeletons that were still garbed in war armor and had their brass shields placed below them as they had been carried into the tomb. On the far end of the tomb was a light that gleaned down towards a life-size statue that was depicting the War god Ares as he was dawned in full battle-armor ready for war. At the statues feet was what appeared to be a highly polished shield that was almost as big as he was and shining armor that was untouched by the elements it seemed along with a spear that was made from black walnut and had an adamantine tip that gave it special properties and was extremely sharp. Just as he reached the statue of Ares he heard a voice call out to him that sounded proud yet at the same time gentle as it spoke,

"My son... my dear son! Ares you have come to visit me at last!"

Ares turned around to find the statue of the god Ares, was now gone. Ares was freaked out by the strange voice he had just heard and was about to leave when a young man looking almost like him but was dawned in full armor now stood before him with pride in his war-torn eyes. The man laughed as he sized up young Ares and said,

"Well! Don't just stand their give your old man a hug! I mean I haven't seen you or your mother for thirteen years since she first gave birth to you my son."

Ares was taken aback by the mans claim and he shouted,

"What the... you're my father! Where have you been and why the hell didn't you stay with us. Mom died three years ago of heart-brake as she waited for you to return. But you never did...she wasted her life looking out to the sea or the mountains and even the sky waiting for you to return."

The man looked away in sorrow as he said,

"I am a god of war! I can't stay in the realm of mortals for long or war would overtake all men's hearts and destroy everything that we have strived for... that is why I am bound to this place and this place alone... but I do wish to give my only mortal son his right of passage! I wish for you to dawn my armor... it's on the floor beside you as you probably have already seen."

Ares said unsure,

"But... I um don't have any clothes on right now. I am bare!"

Ares's father smiled then slammed his spear against the floor, instantly Ares found himself garbed in the finest clothes he had ever worn in his life. He was garbed in a blue war robe that was specially designed for Greek warriors! Over his robe was his father's armor and on his arm he bore his fathers shield, which had a Canine depicted on it. His father stood before him and said,

"My son you must now go on a journey to restore balance to the world... to do this you'll have to unlock the seven seals of Olympus! The first being the statue of Zeus that is in the ancient city of Olympia! Home to those great games of unity known as the Olympics, after the town for which it is named."

Ares became filled with anger as he realized the reason his father appeared,

"Who the hell do you think you are? You're gone for the entirety of my childhood and then when you do finally appear the only reason is because you want me to go on some sort of quest! Look I've gotten along fine without you thus far and I don't intend to let you influence me now... I mean what do I care? If I'm known as the bastard son of the god of war and protector of Greek soldiers.... I...I don't care at all what people think!"

Ares began to cry as he thought of all the times he was made fun of for his lineage, which made him different than the other kids. Then his father who saw his pain embraced him as he tried to hide his tears. Then the god of war spoke calmly as he addressed his son,

"I'm sorry I was not there for you my son! I wish that I could have seen you grow up and become the young man that stands before me now. But sadly my duty as a god comes first and I am unable to relinquish those duties lightly! But I ask you this favor not as a god but as a father who knows that only his son could take on this task! Now I shall not lie to you my son this journey shall be perilous maybe even dangerous to say the least. But I know you'll prevail my son!"

Ares looked up at his father with tear filled eyes and said brokenly,

"But how can I even get to Olympia? And even if I do, I don't even know what to do when I get there!"

Ares's father smiled as he said with confidence,

"You'll know what to do when you get there! I know you can do this you are my son after all... I'll see you when you get to the first seal! Goodbye my son..."

Then the legendary war god vanished his voice echoing through the tomb as he said,

"I will transport you back to the shore where you first jumped in... you can decide what to do first from there!"

Slowly Ares found the world around him disappearing as if it were another dream...then

He felt as if he were drifting through space. His body just seemed to float as the black sea of darkness that swirled around him with stars mixed in the chaotic abyss. Then as if he was forcibly awoken from this strange ephemeral state finding himself lying under his favorite tree. The stars were out in the night sky along with the moon as it made its journey across the sky said to be lead by Apollo the sun gods twin sister Artemis goddess of hunting and the moon. The leaves on the tree blew as wind rustled through them, Ares looked around him finding that all he had just experienced had indeed occurred as his fathers armor was still upon him and the shield strapped to his wrist and elbow. The youthful redhead jumped up as he heard a noise nearby, realizing he was unarmed he looked around for the source of the noise as he grew more and more uneasy. Then behind him his master appeared with a proud smile as he said,

"So you plan on leaving on an adventure young one!"

Ares patted the back of his head as he said to the old man,

"Yeah, sorry old man! But I won't be there to fall asleep in your class anymore!"

The old man laughed as he thought for a moment then said to his young pupil,

"Well before you leave I want you to have this! It is what we give our soldiers when they graduate from the academy..."

Then the old man revealed a long spear that he had concealed behind his back. Ares reached out and took the bronze tipped spear that had strange symbols etched into the metal. Ares leaped for joy as he was overcome with excitement then he hugged his teacher and shouted,

"You're the best old man... haha..Woo! Yeah, this is an amazing gift."

The old man patted Ares's head as he said,

"You will become a legend among our people! I believe in you my young student, now go and face your destiny!"

Ares nodded, as he understood then rushed off into the night.

Meanwhile far away a great evil was brewing! The spawn of lady earth, Typhon was ravaging the city of Olympia as if he were an unseen enemy he slipped by all as he was able to change his form at will having one hundred heads at his disposal. Slowly he walked towards the temple where the statue of Zeus laid, the city laid in ruin around him as he smiled glossy black hair whisked in front of his serpent green eyes. Several Greek phalanx, dressed in full battle mail and shields with their family crest portrayed on it, rushed out from the temple. Typhon just kept walking towards them unfazed his blue cloak flapped as he drew a large sword made of a strange unfamiliar metal. The hilt resembled a serpent as it wrapped around the lower part of the blade holding it in place. The phalanx charged at Typhon who smiled overcome with bloodlust as he admired their insolence, then with a single sweep of his blade he released a powerful wind that slaughtered all those in its path. The few soldiers that survived charged at Typhon in a futile effort to protect their homeland. One jumped up in the air and brought his great bronze spear down upon Typhon, but as the tip smashed down on him it snapped upon his silver tinted armor, that seemed to be of the same material as his sword. Before the poor soldier dropped to the ground Typhon had him in his grip. His hand taught around the mans throat as he said,

"Foolish mortals! What did you intend to do? You cannot challenge the will of the fates... hahahaha! Now die!"

Typhon threw the man high in the air then impaled him upon his sword as he quickly spun it around, then with a violent jerk he swung the dying corpse at the only other remaining Greek soldier knocking him to the ground. The Greek looked on in fear as the blood of his former comrade leaked all over his body. Then Typhon who decided to ignore him walked past, heading towards the temple with eager intent. The lone remaining Greek soldier pushed his friends corpse away before jumping up his spear gripped tightly in his hand then rushed fearlessly towards Typhon. The soldier lunged his spear at Typhon who grasped the shaft tightly in his iron grip and snapped it with his bare-hand before he forcefully pulled it from the dumbstruck soldier's hands that now had all but gone limp. Then he spun the broken spear around facing the broken side towards the man and thrusted it into his abdomen. The man screamed out in agony as he dropped to his knees, his eyes dimmed slowly as he said between painful gasps of air,

"You're.... you monster! Gaugh...cough*...cough*... the Greek people will never surrender to the likes of you!"

Typhon just snickered at this responding with death glaring in his eyes,

"Oh? You think this is about surrender? No foolish mortal... This is about extinction. Gaia is angry with the gods and mortals alike. I am her instrument of correcting the path mortals are taking."

No sooner than he said these words, Typhon swung his sword forcefully cleaving the already dying soldier's head clean off. The head hit the ground with a bang as the bronze helmet smashed against the stone. Then the body limped forward fully drained of life, Typhon wiped his blade clean upon the wet earth, then sheathed it at his side before finally moving on to the temple with the knowledge that nothing stood in his way.

Back around the outskirts of Sparta it was now day and Ares was walking in the direction he thought Olympia was likely in. as he walked along a figure lurked high in the trees of the forest that he was now entering. Ares realized he was now on the very edge of his homeland; just a few steps further and he knew he would be unable to ever return. Then Ares heard music playing in the wind as the melody flowed with the wind from the treetops.

Ares began to hear an unfamiliar voice that was singing along to the music,

They say there's a place! Where dreams have all gone.

A place where our friends dwell eternally!

A place with no pain or suffering too!

This is where I shall soon be gone....

Ares looked up in the tree where the singing had come from and saw a boy about the same age as himself, strumming a lyre made from a turtles shell and leather strings that had been drawn tightly across the shell, thus causing the beautiful melody to resonate as he strummed his fingers across. The boy jumped down from the tree landing lightly on his feet as he touched the ground still playing the instrument in his arm. The boy opened his eyes revealing the deep ocean blue pools that glistened as light refracted off of them.

Ares looked at the boy curiously as he said,

"Who are you?"

The boy smiled mischievously as he swiped his thumb across his nose, before placing the lyre on his back and replied with a calm yet dangerous intelligence exuding from his voice,

"You my finely dressed friend may call me Autolycus! Master thief and son of Hermes the messenger god deliverer of souls and protector of merchants! Now surrender and I may just be lenient upon your pathetic mortal life."

Ares couldn't help himself as he became dumbstruck by the boy's claims then finally after a few moments he managed to say,

"You...you're the son of a god as well? Haha...hahaha...hahahahahaha....HAHAHA! Oh this is to rich..."

Autolycus began to blush as he said angrily,

"Hey don't laugh you should be quaking in fear o... wait, what do you mean as well?... you don't mean? HAHA! You mean to say your father is a god as well! Oh what is your name friend so that I may know the name of the one who shares my pain and joy?"

Ares had managed to regain some of his composure as he answered,

"I am Ares son of Mars the god of war, Bringer of death and blood and the protector of those who fight to defend their homeland!"

Autolycus placed his hands upon Ares's shoulders as he was overcome with emotion then he embraced his newfound friend in a hug as he said,

"Come, come my friend! Come to my humble house, so that we may talk more thus binding our friendship with the knowledge of our gift in an eternal bond!"

Ares smiled as he found Autolycus's words comforting, he was whisked away by the mysterious boy as he grabbed him forcibly by the hand. The two ran off through the dense wood that seemed to change into a realm filled with shadow. Rain began to fall soon after resounding through the forest as it pelted the leaves like hundreds of tiny drums. The two boys ran toward a small hut in the distance.

Meanwhile Typhon had reached the inside of the temple where Zeus's statue stood. The ivory body of the great god was cloaked in a robe made of gold and precious stones that glistened in the light escaping from bowls that were filled with oil that was burning fluidly as the red and orange light flickered and danced in energetic harmony. The sound of Typhons footsteps echoed through the large inner sanctum of the temple resonating off the walls and large statue that was the pride of Olympia. Thump... thump... thump... came his steps that would have struck fear in the chords of any who heard them, knowing the unspeakable horror that this demon of the earth could bring with just a swing from his lethal sword. Typhon looked up at the large ivory statue his eyes glaring angrily then a proud grin replaced the anger as his strong voice broke the silence,

"You failed to kill me the first time old man! Hahahaha... I've finally returned."

Typhon drew his sword pointing it at the ivory depiction of his nemesis,

"And this time I intend to defeat you!"

Then without flinching or even remorse Typhon struck the head of the statue lunging at it with lightning speed. The head fell to the floor of the temple smashing into hundreds of tinier pieces. From the pieces of head came swarms of rats that scurried away in fear as they sensed Typhons bloodlust. Typhon stood atop the statue peering into the now gaping hole that was cleanly cut at the neck. Typhon stepped without fear into the hollow body moments later he landed with a clap of his boots as they touched down on the hard stone floor. Before him stood an altar that had a glowing thunderbolt laid upon it that resonated a bright purple glow as static charges escaped from the bolt in sporadic patterns. Next to the alter he saw a large underground stream, which flowed throughout the region. A smirk appeared on Typhons deceptively kind face as he said,

"This is my first step towards victory against that fool Zeus, who grieved my mother so! I will have revenge even if it kills this world!"

As Typhon reached for the mystic bolt of energy it disappeared as a figure flashed by with tremendous speed gripping it in his youthful hand. The boy stopped a few feet from his opponent still clenching the bolt of energy tightly in his hand, then slipped it in a leather bag pulling the strings taught sealing the bolt within it's protective covering. The boy instantly went for his quiver, which was upon his back and spun an arrow out from its confines. Then with expert precision pulled the mystic hue bow that was in his other hand until the string was tight against his shoulder, with shaft held fast to the string that would soon lead it to its mark. The boy shouted with a commanding voice that was full of teenage determination,

"You shall never get your hands on the lightning shard! Now surrender or I shall be forced to strike you down with my bow that is trite and true!"

Typhon gripped his sword tightly in his right hand as he snickered at the order given to him by the young boy. Then he swiftly turned around facing the boy as he said with unconcern,

"That's a laugh boy; you can't even keep your bow steady as your hands quiver in fear can you?"

The boy glared at Typhon his cherry red eyes brazen with that strength only a youth knows as he responded,

"I swear on my name as Eros that you shall not take this from me!"

Typhon wasted no more words quickly he lunged at Eros who released his arrow. Typhon deflected the arrow with his sword before swiping at Eros, who jumped high in the air to evade the strike, then as he spun overtop of Typhon he readied another arrow his pink hair swept in front of his eyes. Eros quickly landed behind Typhon releasing another deadly bolt into the fiend, but sadly Typhon was able to move out of the way enough that it merely grazed his side lightly tearing the cloth robe that covered the powerful armor that glinted underneath. Typhon spun around slamming his blade against Eros's bow shaft, Eros pushed back with surprising strength for one so small. Typhon glared at him angrily as he realized he wasn't gaining any ground on the youth. Eros began to snicker at Typhon, who now enraged by this cried angrily,

"What are you laughing at boy? Do you think it's funny that you're staring down at your own demise?"

Eros now had an arrogant smile on his face as he said while still forcing back Typhons sword,

"No! I was...urgh just thinking about how my moms gonna feel when she hears that I killed the great monster Typhon without even receiving a scratch!"

Typhon became even more enraged by this, and then finding strength in his anger Typhon pushed Eros back with a powerful swipe from his sword. Then as Eros was off-balance Typhon swept his swords sharp edge across the youth's stomach opening up a grievous wound in his chest. Eros collapsed to his knees then as he placed his hand upon his chest he felt the red hot liquid that was his blood seeping out of the gaping wound that was on his chest. Eros used the last of his dwindling strength to jump high in the air then in a final effort to live he shot off six arrows in quick succession but instead of at Typhon he fired them at the ceiling. Eros then let out a shout that echoed through the entire chamber as he spoke,

"Olympian secret art: Petals of destruction!"

Eros's whole body began to glow as hundreds of Rose petals danced around him. Slowly the petals gathered in the palm of his hand, which he clenched tightly into a fist before slamming it hard against the hard bedrock that was the temples foundation. Large cracks began to form in the rock above before finally giving way and large rocks began to fall all around the chamber. Typhon looked on in disbelief as he found himself in serious danger rocks fell all around him then right above him a huge part of the bedrock above dislodged and slammed down upon where he stood. Eros fell into unconsciousness as he dropped into the stream down bellow where he drifted away from the destruction to safety.

Ares and Autolycus had just barely made it inside the hut when the storm outside began to downpour and a flash of lightning lit the inside of the hut. The hut consisted of a hearth on the far side of the room that held a caldron filled with what appeared to be stew. A small oak table sat near the hearth with a bare surface. Around it was a pair of mats that were meant to be sat upon. Ares placed his shield and spear beside the door on the way inside the warm den of Autolycus. The smell of the stew brewing filled the nostrils of the two young demigods as they ventured over closer to the hearth in order to gain warmth. Ares decided he would pop the first question to his new acquaintance,

"So... Autolycus what..."

Before Ares could finish Autolycus corrected Ares,

"Please... Call me Auto; all of my friends back home do and I feel pronouncing my full name gets a bit tiring on the tongue and the ears."

Ares picked back up with his question even more curious than before,

"What brings you to this dense wood just outside of the city of Sparta?"

Auto smiled at the question as he answered,

"Well I guess I could ask you the same thing... a young Spartan boy outside of his home and garbed in full battle dress I might add."

Ares placed his hands behind his head and started to smile and laugh as he responded teasingly,

"Hehehehe... well at least I'm not in the middle of the forest living alone!"

Auto just laughed at this and smacked Ares hard upon the back in a show of good spirit and the fact that he was enjoying the company of his newfound friend,

"You my friend are right! So how about we fix this problem of us both being on our own by joining together and, then neither of us will be alone and we can keep one another's company."

Ares smiled at this proposition saying with great joy,

"That would be great Auto, now it won't be so lonely anymore along my journey to Olympia."

Auto looked at Ares with a perplexed look on his face as he asked him curiously,

"What are you headed all the way to Olympia for?"

Ares sighed at this question saying,

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you Auto!"

Auto now really curious as to what his friend was up to said,

"Trust me... I'm the son of a god not much can seem out of the realm of believability to me."

Ares let out another deep sigh as he decided to give in to his need to tell someone other than himself about his journey.

"Alright... well it all started yesterday afternoon; when I had decided to go for a swim in the sea."

Several moments later Ares had explained everything he had experienced up until now and in the greatest amount of detail he could muster at the present moment. Autolycus listened to Ares's rendition of what happened with great enthusiasm. Ares acted out certain parts and even caused Autolycus to crack up with laughter as he retold what happened with his teacher at the academy. Finally when Ares was finished telling the story of how he had arrived at Autolycus's home. Autolycus slammed a hand down upon the table and said without hesitation,

"Well it would seem that you have got quite a bit on your plate right now. But the good news is you've now got good old Autolycus at your side. We'll conquer one thing at a time, like right now it seems imperative that you get to Olympia. Don't worry Ares you can count on me to stick by your side no matter what. This is going to be so much fun it's the adventure of a lifetime. Plus I bet there will be lots of treasure to find in those old temples and such."

Ares chuckled at his new found friend's love of treasure hunting.

"Yeah I don't think you'll have any problems with finding treasure in the places we're likely to see along the way."

Just then a flash of lightning and then a thunder crack resounded through the room. Ares jumped slightly out of fear and greatly from surprise. Then out of the corner of his and Auto's eye they spotted the hearths fire grow larger then flashed out. From the large fire the shape of a beautiful maiden appeared. The maiden appeared to be garbed in holy robes that were a mixture of white and purple. The maiden looked over at Ares and Auto with a kind look in her eyes as she said with a stern, but loving voice,

"Well young hero's the winds of change have been stirred once again... and it would seem that the gods will be powerless to stop it unless the two of you stop the great evil that is now upon us."

Ares looked at the woman curiously as he said,

"What great evil? Who are you? This doesn't make any sense I thought I was just supposed to retrieve the thunder shard from Olympia."

Hestia looked away slightly with sadness in her eyes as she said,

"I am sorry young Ares, but things have taken a dire turn for the worst, and the evil banished long ago by Lord Zeus has returned. My name is Hestia goddess of the hearth and I warn you. You must not go anywhere near Olympia right now... the evil has already arrived at the temple of Zeus... and laid waste too much of Olympia's people. Young Ares and Autolycus I must make a request of you though. The young god Eros was injured in his battle to protect the shard from Typhon the great evil... I request that you locate him and bring him to one of my hearths and I should be able to heal him."

Auto perplexed by the goddess Hestia being in his house was eager for further explanation. The youth wasn't about to do anything without further explanation. Especially if there was something dangerous in the area.

"Whoa whoa whoa... hold on you mean to tell me that out there somewhere is a crazy, evil, hundred headed monster and its hunting for the shards too?"

Hestia nodded signaling that Auto's repetitive statement was correct.

"Yes young Autolycus that is indeed what I just said! And as I also said you are to avoid this monster at all costs. Or you will die. Now Eros fell into an underground river before the evil Typhon could finish him off and managed to stall Typhon's efforts to get the shard... but he is slowly regenerating and when he is well, he will come after you or anyone else that seeks the shards with full vengeance."

Ares sighed at this new revelation and just looked out the window wishing that the sky was blue again so he could stare up at the clouds. He always did his best thinking when he stared up into the heavens to spot the numerous cloud formations.

"So how do we find Eros anyway... seeing as he's in the same area as the monster and that he's currently in an underground stream?"

Hestia thought for a moment then snapped her fingers together as she said,

"There is a small cave to the south of Olympia that the river empties into. As long as you get there before Typhon heals himself you should be fine. Eros will have most likely washed up onto the shore of the small pristine lake just outside the cave. I wish you good luck my young hero's and bid you farewell until we meet again... may your journey be filled with excitement and much joy!"

Auto and Ares just looked at one another then Ares fell back upon the floor with a clamber as his armor smashed against the dirt,

"sigh* this is why I should have stayed in Sparta! All I really wanted to do with my life was to stare up at the clouds... maybe get married have kids and forget that I was ever a demigod. Maybe even swim in the ocean and explore ancient caves for treasure... but no, the fates have a tendency of screwing up everyone's existence and enjoying it as they do."

Auto laid down next to his newfound companion and sighed as well,

"Yeah my friend we've got a lot ahead of us! But hey at least we got each other... a world out there just waiting to be explored and treasures as high as the eye can see."

Ares just laughed at this then said,

"Everything goes back to treasure with you doesn't it?"

Auto patted his friends shoulder heartily as he responded with the same wit that Ares had become accustomed to,

"Yeah it's kind of my thing you know! If I don't have treasure I can't buy food or make a living. Plus things get so damn boring if I don't steal or find something."

The two talked a while longer before finally falling asleep until the next morning. Autolycus was the first to rise and he went to look out the window to see if it was still raining. The storm luckily had passed and left a bright and beautiful morning that resounded with the sounds of nature. Auto ran over and shook Ares saying,

"Ares wake up! The rain has stopped and we have to rescue Eros remember."

Ares sat up slowly and began rubbing his eyes as he did,

"urgh... gah... I'm up... I'm up.... alright then let's get a move on!"

Ares stood up and was about to head out the door when his stomach made a rumbling sound. Ares blushed slightly from embarrassment as Auto just chuckled and said,

"Well we should probably take care of that first... huh Ares?"

Ares pressed his hands tightly against his stomach hoping it would silence the rumbling for a few minutes.

"Yeah... I haven't eaten since yesterday morning sometime... I'm starved!"

Auto's stomach began to groan as well as he said,

"Come to think of it neither have I urghhhh! And the worst part of this is I was originally out in the forest foraging for food when I spotted you and thought it would be an easy pick."

Ares got a look of concern on his face as he came to what Auto had already realized,

"Wait so you mean... there's no food anywhere in this cabin!"

Auto shook his head signaling no and caused Ares to have a look of horror and unhappiness appear over his face.

"Urghhhhhh! Why does this always happen to me!"

Later Ares and Auto were well under way on their trek towards Olympia. Ares was slumped over in a sad pose as his hunger pangs grew inside his stomach. Auto was playing his lyre as he passed the time along.

"ohhhhhh! Ares and I are hungry... so very hungry... nobody knows how hungry except my friend Ares who's so hungry.... His face is blue.... His tummy's groaning louder than a god of war! Ohhhhhhh! Ares and I are so hot... so very hot... nobody knows how hot except me cause I'm so hot... my pits stink... my pits stink like a wild boar!"

Ares couldn't help, but laugh as his friend started dancing in tune with his music and random singing. Before Auto could start another verse a loud cry was heard in the distance. The two readied themselves for anything as Ares lifted the shield so that it was directly in front of him. His spear was at the ready as he looked down into the forest depths waiting for anything to appear. Auto stretched out his hand and with just a thought he made a strange weapon appear that was a scepter with mystic serpents wrapped around the length of it. The top was round and had a blue sphere with wings stretched outwards from either end. Ares who was still focused on whatever might be coming at them glanced over at the strange weapon as he said,

"Neat weapon, where did you get it Auto?"

Auto just smiled as he replied,

"It's the only thing my father ever gave me in my fourteen years of being alive. I would say thanks for all the good it's done me, but the bastard isn't ever around. Probably ferrying ungrateful souls to the underworld or doing a stinking errand for that ungrateful Zeus."

Ares smiled as he let out a laugh and said,

"Yeah this armor and shield is the only thing my father ever gave me, so I know the feeling. But still that thing looks badass man!"

Before the two could converse further about their dad problems a figure appeared in the distance he was garbed in Trojan armor and wielded a shield with a horse depicted upon it over his right arm. At his right side was a sword and in his left hand he wielded a long spear that appeared very old and well used as it had nicks in the wooden shaft. The figure appeared to be the same age as both Ares and Auto as he stormed closer and closer until finally he stopped a few yards away panting lightly as he shouted,

"You sons of Greece, I challenge you to a fight... if you wish to get past this place I suggest you accept my proclamation of battle."

Ares and Auto both sort of tilted their heads in confusion as they stared blankly at the unknown fighter before them,

"Huh...?"

The two of them said in unison. The boy now enraged at the two shouts,

"I am challenging you to a duel do you choose to accept willingly or do I have to start cutting the two of you up in order to get the point across."

Auto trying to remain calm says,

"Who are you? Why do you wish to kill us we have done no wrong to you."

The boy spins his spear around and plants it in the ground as he says

"My name is one all of you should remember from the war except the tales of my death are greatly exaggerated as I am here before you now. I am Astyanax son of Hector and Andromache of Troy. I am the future ruler of Troy all I have to do first is rebuild it and free my people from their oppression under the Greeks. My people still live despite everything your people did to us. The biggest mistake you made was sparing me as I have come back for revenge and I shall have vengeance upon those who burned my city to the ground, Killed my father and grandfather and forced my people into slavery."

Ares and Auto looked at one another in shock as Ares said,

"So how did you survive? The epic tale says that Achilles son dropped you from the walls of Troy and your mother was forced to watch."

Astyanax drew his sword revealing its long glinting duel edged shape as he shouted once more,

"It matters not at the present how I lived only that I am here now and I am about to slay your sorry excuse for an ass."

Ares was now enraged by this comment as he shouted,

"Leave my behind out of this it is perfectly fine for an ass."

Auto just shook his head at his friends comment as he said,

"Ares; Just shut up and leave this guy to me!"

Astyanax laughed at this as he saw Auto step forward and readied himself to fight. Auto focused his energy by placing two fingers in front of his face as he closed his eyes and a powerful aura began to envelop around his body. He then glared directly at his opponent and shouted,

"This will teach you not to laugh at that which you don't understand! Come forth secret art: divine hurricane... FLY!"

Auto swung his Caduceus in a wide arc dispersing the mystical energy across a wide area. As he did this a huge gust swept through the air and slammed right into Astyanax knocking him sideways onto the ground with a loud thud. Ares looked at auto then down at Astyanax then back up at Auto as he said,

"Whoa... Auto how long have you been able to do stuff like that! I mean that would have been nice of you to tell me you could use magical spells like that back at the hut."

Auto started to walk over to Astyanax as he replied with a cheeky voice,

"Well you never bothered to ask and besides it's not magic I'm using, but a very refined technique that.... Aaaaaaaah!"

Astyanax had reached out and grabbed Auto by the leg as he got to close and pulled him off balance. Auto fell hard on his back knocking the air out of his body as Astyanax simultaneously pulled himself up over top of the now bewildered youth shouting,

"Refine this! As I shove my spear through that scrawny body of yours!"

Astyanax spun his spear rapidly before aiming the point directly at Auto's neck and slammed it down forcefully, but he found his attack interrupted by Ares's shield. Ares glared fiercely at young Astyanax as he said in a brutal almost feral tone,

"You will not harm my brother! He is too important to me to be taken away by the likes of you. From here on out you will fight me Trojan."

Auto looked up at his friend slightly surprised by his words as he quickly discovered that Astyanax was completely open to attack from his end. Auto aimed his Caduceus strait at his opponents open stomach and shouted,

"Go divine hurricane!"

Astyanax had no time to react as he found himself again shot off balance, and this time high in the air as gravity simultaneously took over and he landed with a thud. Now finding himself on his back again Astyanax cursed out loud as he tried to stand up. Ares and Auto looked at one another and began laughing as neither one had expected the attack to work so well.

"Oh man Ares! I owe you one for that... did you really mean that? About us being brothers and all?"

Ares kind of scratched his head as he said in a bashful tone,

"Yeah of course I did! You are my brother in arms after all we have to watch each others backs."

Auto punched Ares in the shoulder as he said with a loud cheer,

"Yes! Thank you my friend; I will try not to do anything that would lower your trust in me in any way."

Astyanax had finally gotten to his feet and began crying out in a frustrated voice,

"That does it I'm going to kill you both now. just you wait I haven't shown you my full potential, the potential of a future king of Troy. Bow before my mighty sword and spear as they come down hard upon your weak flesh."

Astyanax dropped his shield and picked up his spear from where he had placed it in the ground before turning and facing Ares and Auto,

"Now I shall take you down with my technique Trojan arte: Hasta Absido!"

The Trojan threw his spear high in the air as he simultaneously disappeared from view as he seemed to move at the speed of sound. Ares was barely able to raise his own shield in time as Astyanax's blade flashed across it leaving a light streak, as it clanged into the center of the shield. Ares stammered backwards as he tried to remain on his feat. Astyanax then slammed into Ares from behind sending him sprawling as he tripped over his shield and spun several times and landed face first into the ground. Auto looked around frantically for any signs of movement when he saw Astyanax burst into the air gripping his spear as it came down and threw it in the young demigod's direction. Auto just barely dodged the long shafted weapon as it slammed into the earth directly in front of him. Auto swung his caduceus in the direction of his opponent as he gripped the spear in his free hand. His caduceus let loose another burst of wind energy that blasted Astyanax in the shoulder. Astyanax spun slightly as he was forced to hit the ground with a thud. Auto then lifted the spear out of the ground before simultaneously throwing it at his adversary. Astyanax stepped to the side dodging his spear as he reached out and grabbed it with his bare hand. Ares had finally stood up and was agitated towards his opponent who stood their seemingly unfazed by everything he and Auto had just thrown at him.

"Wow for a couple of demigods you sure are getting your asses whooped by a pathetic human such as myself."

Ares tried to get to his feet; he became overcome with rage as he glared at his tormentor. His knees were bloodied from the fall and he stammered from the pain as he tried to stand. Astyanax smiled evilly then threw the spear he had just caught at Ares. Ares blocked with his spear, but the projectile glanced off and scraped his thigh as it went towards the ground. Ares cringed as the full effects of the cut were felt throughout his body. Ares then looked at Astyanax with even greater bloodlust as he shouted,

"That's it your mine! You bastard son of a fallen land."

Ares charged Astyanax head on without even a second thought as he readied his spear to strike. At the same time he focused equally upon his shield for blocking and deflecting anything that the Trojan might throw his way. As he ran he felt a rush of energy overtake his body as the adrenaline started pumping and the unrelenting will to live overtook any doubt in his mind. He let out a loud cry that hadn't been heard since the great battle fourteen years prior. The first battle-cry of a demigod on the human plane erupted into both Astyanax and Autolycus's ears. Astyanax lunged his spear at the oncoming redheaded Spartan who in turn swept his shield upwards. The strike was just hard enough to snap the shaft of Astyanax's spear. Ares then spun around with his own spear and plunged it into the Young Trojans armor. Eerily Astyanax was unfazed by the blow as it didn't pierce his armor. Astyanax starts to laugh at this then smashes his armored head against Ares's unguarded one. As Ares fell to the ground he heard a voice in his head,

"Ares just let go! Let your powers be unleashed and you can beat him."

Ares found himself responding to the voice,

"Just let go, but how?"

The teenager was still falling as he muttered these words. Time stood still; he was writhing from the blow he had just taken. Blood flowed from his forehead and nose and he didn't know what to do.

Ares quickly found himself enveloped in a bright and powerful light. Then somehow he was standing on his own two feet. Before him stood his father who was smirking with a proud look in his eyes as he said,

"Well it would seem that you've taken your first step into real combat. Sadly your getting your ass handed to you by that Trojan boy though. So I feel that I should be able to remedy that by teaching you how to properly fight with the gifts you've been given as a son of an Olympian."

The war god walked over to him and snapped his finger directly in his face as he continued to carry on the conversation,

"Alright first things first, you my son need a helmet over that pretty little head of yours."

Ares reached up to his face to find a traditional Spartan helmet adorned upon his head that matched the rest of the armor he was already wearing. Ares's father then continued to say,

"Next I am going to teach you fighting techniques that only a god could truly master, but I am confident that you as the son of a god will have no trouble perfecting such techniques. The first one I shall teach you is the Dogs of War technique!"

Ares looked at his father with anticipation. The boys father raised his spear circling it around as he shouted,

"Divine Art of the gods: Dogs of War! Howl as you tear into my enemies."

Ares saw his father become enveloped in a red glow as he lunged forward striking what appeared to be a straw dummy set up nearby. As his father's spear slammed into the dummy he could see that it hit with such ferocity that it actually shook the straw loose and pieces began to fall. Ares's father then swept the dummy up into the air higher and higher until wham! The god of war smashed the dummies body down hard against the ground, then pulled the spear out before jumping into the air and bringing the full force of his shield down with him. The war god crushed the dummy in half with little effort. The god of war then looked at his son and said,

"Now you try it."

Ares walked over to another dummy set up close by and shouted,

"Divine Art of the gods: Dogs of War, Howl!"

Ares feels a powerful energy flow into his body and all around him time seemed to slow down. Then he lunged forward like his father had done directing his spear at the straw dummy in front of him. He swiftly struck the dummy with the point of his spear and with a loud forceful cry lifted the dummy into the air and launched it off the spear. Next Ares launched himself high above the dummy aiming both his shield and spear upon the straw figure. Ares slammed down upon it with such force that it just exploded into a thousand pieces. The remnants of the dummy fluttered through the air like leaves in the fall.

His father smiled proudly and even began to clap as he spoke to him,

"Very good my son, and I'm sure you noticed that time slows down in your mind when you perform this technique. Well that's because it speeds up your reaction time to that of a gods, but there are certain drawbacks. For instance every time you use that technique in a match your opponent will have an opportunity to figure out how you're doing it. So only use this technique in dire circumstances like the one you're in now. These techniques I'm teaching you can and will save your life on multiple occasions, but you have to be smart when you use them. Also as you progress on your journey the techniques you learn will no doubt become stronger and more advanced. So good luck and don't die."

Ares blinked as he was again struck by a bright light, then he found himself back in reality. His head was still throbbing from the painful blow he had been dealt, but he now felt the cold touch of his metal helmet against his face and head. Ares let out a loud and terrible cry as he felt the power of the technique he just learned surge through him. The bright red light of his aura enveloped his entire body and he stood up to the surprise of both Astyanax and Auto. Both of whom stared in dumbfounded admiration though Astyanax would never admit it. Ares looked straight at Astyanax who now felt a slight sensation of fear crawl up his spine as he looked into the young redhead's eyes. Ares shouted,

"Divine Art of the gods: Dogs of War! Howl and petrify my enemies!"

Ares slammed into Astyanax with his shield knocking him backwards as he spun around and lunged his spear into Astyanax's chest. Although he didn't break through the armor with the blow his opponent found the wind escaping him as he was thrown high into the air. Ares then jumped up past his adversary and with his spear and shield he dropped down first driving the spear hard against Astyanax's back and followed up with a hard shield bash that flung Astyanax into the ground with such force that he bounced three times before coming to a stop. Ares landed just a few feet away as he began to pant heavily with exhaustion from the fight. Auto ran over to Ares unsure what to say as he shouted for joy and even hugged his companion.

"You did it Ares! You took down the last of the Trojans."

Ares looked over at his friend and smiled nearly collapsing as the strain he had just put on his body became evident. Auto put his friends arm over his shoulder to ensure that he didn't completely fall to the ground.

"Yeah, I won my first fight against a true adversary. I have to get stronger though... he almost beat me. That can't happen... I have to make sure that I finish this journey.... and save the world from that monster."

Auto and Ares stumbled off towards where they hoped Eros would be located.

Auto unsure as he asked his question looked proudly at his friend and said with almost a tone of begging in his voice,

"Sooo... Do you think you could teach me that technique you pulled off back there? Because I'd really like to kick some ass in our next fight."

Ares chuckled as his friend looked at him eagerly awaiting his response,

"Yeah I'll teach you, but don't worry man I'm sure you'll kick plenty of ass in our journey to collect the shards. I mean it's going to take a long time."

Astyanax struggled to get up as he shouted curses knowing he had been beaten by his newfound rival. As he got to his knees he began to cough up blood from the injuries he had sustained from the fight. Then he shouted,

"I will beat you Spartan, I will beat you damn it!"

End of chapter 1