He was confused—struck to his core by the sensation he was suddenly feeling.
"Compassion—compassion? How on earth and in heaven was I feeling pity for Athena? She is nothing but a thorn in my sight!" He told himself as he opened the door to the darkroom and ignored the curious eyes of Eris, Enyo, Deimos, and Phobos.
The goddesses raised a brow, yet none ever raised their prying notion at him. Deimos and Phobos were also the same—quiet, still, and at their best posture once their father chose to sit between them.
Ares continued internalizing for seconds until he raised his head and sternly observed everyone around him.
"Our time is running out. Where have you been?" Eris finally broke the silence.
"None of your business," Ares replied. "I just passed by Athena a while ago. That foozle is a pain on the neck!"
"Not even a dagger down her throat?" Enyo asked.
"No—I was not carrying any. Besides, this is not the time."
Enyo frowned, disappointed at what she could best describe as both stupid and a red herring. "So, when then? When would that secret harlot be killed? Our plan could no longer wait!"
"Why don't you do it then?" He pestered, plastering a smoldering grin at her. "I have not gutted her out of her secret."
"Rumors were rooted in reality. Do you have to squeeze Athena out of her secret, fa—I mean, Ares?" Phobos wondered.
Ares took a deep breath, inhaling logic, and said, "I know her secret is her prized possession. That would be her Achilles' heel."
Phobos nodded, though, in his head, he was concerned about the time wasted.
On the other hand, his brother, Deimos, did not say anything. The god was the same melancholic character, but his dark eyes wanted to say something. There were those hidden tales behind his stoic facade that might be better left unsaid nor acted.
Silence came in between them again. An agonizing nothingness as the aura shifted to curiosity and discernment at the god of war.
Nothing bothered Ares—that was what he thought. In truth, he could now clearly see the underlying failure of their plan of dethroning Zeus within the seven suns and seven moons of celebration. Athena, indeed, was an obstacle. If she was not dispossessed and out of the picture, his plan would go down, drained like a waste.
"Are we just going to remain in solitude?" Enyo spoke. "Please, Ares," She added as she went and knelt before him. "Let me take care of Athena. She might be strong, but I know I can destroy her."
Ares knotted his brows, balking from her spirits. He could read her sincerity but also understood the need for her to be with him—an offer he could not commit, even if the world would end.
The god sighed as he pulled his hands away from Enyo's grasp and faced the other direction, not wanting to see more of those transactional eyes. "No, I will deal with her." He answered. "Anyways, Deimos—have you done what I ordered?"
"Yes." The god of terror said as he handed a bag to him.
A smile manifested on Ares's face once he opened the plain wool bag. "At last! You did well!" He complimented Deimos.
The goddesses felt out of place when they saw the rudimentary understanding between the gods as they gathered at the sight of a diadem.
"What is that?" Eris asked, closely staring at the headpiece.
"It's no other than Erichthonius's crown. This headpiece was Athena's gift to him." He raised the crown and narrated, "Of gold with stones of precious sapphires, Erichthonius sealed his faith in Athens's destiny. His mother crowned him with this, and if she would show up tonight—I guessed that all of the chaos from the pits of Tartarus would let loose."
Eris and Enyo smiled, agreeing to his plan.
"I know nothing of that plan, Ares," Deimos confessed. "I just followed what you ordered me."
"And that is the best decision. I'd rather not say anything, knowing that all of us will open our mouths to nonsense opinions." He pulled his head and raised his chin at them before stretching his strategy for the night's celebration. "Let us not be hermits for tonight. Let us be one with the others, enjoy the feast, and hope that Athena shows up so we can execute our plan."
The majority was satisfied and complied with his plan.
After their meeting concluded, they all prepared—dazzling themselves in the finest silks and embroidered cloth, with golden trinkets and jewels of all colors to add more to their regality.
***
The moon smiled on the cloudless heaven. Stars were scarce, but the third night's celebration was still festive. The music was calm and still merry—it was more of a lovely ballad compared to a jumpy beat that could make one stomp on their feet.
Everyone was more relaxed this time, with no chaos in sight. Zeus was sober and more formal as he greeted the audience with the same enthusiasm and welcoming cheers.
While the others were having good conversations, Ares focused on searching for someone who still had not shown herself to the public. "Where is she?" He growled, annoyed that his plan might not work.
But at long last, she was there—gifting everyone with her ethereal presence.
All eyes were now on her, surprised to see the distinct change in her disposition. That usual shyness in her eyes remained, yet her beauty blinded everyone making some females jealous and others admiring her more deeply.
"Oh my—"Aphrodite commented, smiling from ear to ear once she saw Athena.
Her dark curls were beautifully kept, with one half in a rose bun and the other half flowing down to her leg. There were dainty flowers of soft colors that matched the pearlescent gown the goddess of love gave her. Who could have thought a known goddess of strong chaste virtues could awaken the male senses?
Athena's charm lit the whole ballroom. She smiled at those who greeted her and let those silver orbs smite an insult at those who frowned. Eris and Enyo were one of those envious little souls, whispering sham words as they ignored her and went to Ares to remind him of their scheme.
"Look at her," Enyo began, "as if all stars were on her. Let us not be fooled by her seduction. Tonight will be her last night. Hopefully, before her demise, her secrets will spew out from her mouth."
Ares did not say anything. Awestricken and stiff, he could not mumble words as his eyes followed his nemesis as she walked towards Aphrodite. Something about her smile and that certain bashfulness that shadowed her eyes. All of a sudden, his rigid hands began to convulse as he touched the dagger hidden under his toga.
The sounds and the talks blurred like a forthcoming storm. The place lit brighter, and everyone blended like a smeared painting on pottery. However, the music proceeded—not a dance commenced and tapping feet. There was not even the joyful noise with the clapping of hands—only Ares and Athena, delayed by time as she went on talking while he studied her move.
Athena and Ares.
The scene was similar during the battle at Troy—he and her were standing at the opposite ends: eye to eye, and not a breath out from their mouths. But the change in the recent moment was far more tranquil—only him, his amber eyes staring at her with unearthly emotions running up and down inside him.
How he hated her–despised her deeply. How his hands were eager to strangle her as he remembered the times she defeated him in intelligence and strength. Pallas Athena, ever revered and ever loved—oh, how he wished she never existed. Oh, how Ares—the god of war—wished he had no counterpart and wished Athena was a meek, weakling little goddess he could easily crush with his fingers.
But no. Athena was the favored one. The crown had an imprint on her head ever since she was still in her mother's womb.
Ares was ready—ready to attack. All set to let out the dagger and stabbed her in the middle of the feast.
One step at a time. Little by little, letting the madness brew inside his bloodstream. Farewell to the goddess of wisdom—he silently declared.
However, when Athena glanced shortly at him, Ares went still. "Huh?" He caught his breath once he noticed the naive smile she beamed at him. It was momentary but enough to haunt him when he sleeps.
The world around him stopped. There were no more guests—just him and her at the opposite ends. Like a statue on a pedestal, Athena became motionless, permitting the god of war to have his sight solely focused on her.
"What magic have you bedeviled me, Athena?" He exclaimed as he began battling the ghosts in his head.