The Pantheon entered the office and found themselves instantly transported to a field of battle. The smell of blood and smoke was everywhere. Cautiously they moved forward, as low growls sounded on either side of them.
The two huge dogs glowered at the group, red eyes shining brightly, as saliva dripped down from their lips. Bellona stepped forward, motioning with a gloved hand, her body concealed beneath her robe. "State your business with the god of war."
Aeolus stepped forward and bowed. "I am Aeolus, known as the lord of the winds." Aeolus rose and gestured towards the rest of the group. "I am joined by we who are called The Pantheon. We seek vengeance for the murder of the Gods of Olympus!"
Ares booming laughter sounded throughout the battlefield, deafening the group. His armored form loomed over them, twenty feet tall. He approached the group, shrinking in size, a vulture perched menacingly upon his left shoulder. The god of war doubled over in laughter, to the confusion of the Pantheon.
The battlefield vanished, in it's place a rather ordinary office, although decorated with implements of war. Alexander Mars sat back in his leather recliner still laughing. Bellona remained silent, her appearance unchanged, although she now stood behind Mars. The two dogs also remained at the desk's sides.
"I fail to see what is so funny." Aeolus stepped forward, the winds outside the building beginning to rise.
"You wouldn't, oh "Lord of the Winds," Mars began, his voice a mocking tone. "You wouldn't. Oh, do please give me a moment." Mars swiveled around in his chair, allowing his laughter to die down before returning to face the still confused group.
"So let me get this straight," Mars continued, "You have taken it upon yourselves to avenge the deaths of the Gods, correct?" Mars raised an eyebrow.
"Yes." Aeolus said resolutely. Winds were howling outside the building now.
"And you've come here to face me because. . ." Mars continued.
"Because your hatred of the Olympians is legendary." Medea offered. "Everyone knows how they shamed you during your little tryst with Aphrodite. . ."
"Still your tongue wench!" Ares momentarily returned, angered at the mention of what had been done to him so long ago. Returning to "normal" he adjusted his tie. "That was long ago. While we do not exactly see. . .eye to eye shall we say, we have agreed to let the past be exactly that. The past."
"I do not understand-" Aeolus began, cut off by a gesture from Mars.
"You know who I am, and still you brazenly enter my domain to confront me for Zeus' murder! I am the GOD OF WAR! I am power! Rage! Bloodlust! and sworn enemy to Olympus! But even I am not powerful enough to desecrate Olympus on this scale. Behead Zeus! Oh, often have I thought of such things. . ." Mars looked off into the distance. "But even I am not capable of it. Think, fools! The most powerful of the gods, my father, Zeus, my uncles Hades and Poseidon, divided the realms of sky, water, and the underworld between them! With Zeus, the most powerful taking his pick of all domains!"
The Pantheon looked among themselves, not fully comprehending what Ares was talking about at first, but then slowly, a glimmer of recognition began to appear in their eyes. "I am capable of many things, oh "Wind King" but destroy Olympus? Even I cannot do that, though the thought does give me pleasure. I am not the one you seek, and if I were, it would not be a secret. Were I the ravager of Olympus, I would have shouted my victory from the heavens!" Mars laughed again.
The winds died down as Aeolus' eyes dropped to the floor. A dead end. They had wasted their time in preparation for this conflict with Ares, a conflict that they had little hope of winning, for nothing. Though he was somewhat gladdened that they would not have to face him, at least, he hoped that would be the case. That they may actually leave alive.
"Hold," Mars looked upon the group. "One among you is known to me. Step forward, Amazon."
Lykopis did as she was bid, bowing to Ares.
"You are indeed one of my daughters." Ares sounded somewhat impressed. "I had thought none of you left. You have done well, Wind King. The God of War is pleased. What is your name, child?"
"Lykopis, sire." There was a slight tremble in her voice. She hopped no one else could detect it. Especially Sidewinder.
"The She-Wolf. Excellent. Are you all there is? No? No, I can see it in your face. There is another. Somewhere. Ares thought for a moment, holding Lykopis' chin in his hand. "I will grant you a boon, She-Wolf. One boon, of your asking. You may go now, Pantheon. Farewell, daughter." Mars returned to his desk, the dogs sitting on the floor, calmed by his show of affection (if you could call it that) to the Amazon.
The Pantheon, somewhat deflated filed out of the building. They were shaken and disturbed by the effects of Ares' presence. Medea did not even bother to flirt with Harmony on the way out.
Lykopis stood in silent thought upon the bow of the Argo. A boon from Ares. The gifts of the gods always came with a price. What price would Ares demand for his gift? She shuddered at the thought.
