Antares, as usual, was fighting with Hercules in the pankration.
Although he had long surpassed Hercules and his strength exceeded his, Antares always controlled his power, not wanting to crush his sparring partner's skull accidentally.
While he was staying here, Antares got along with everyone—except Atalanta. Whenever he saw her, he would turn his head and ignore her. If Atalanta weren't around Jason, Antares wouldn't bother with that cat-woman at all. While training with Hercules again, he noticed the commotion around them this time.
From what he heard from the others, a goddess was coming today, and for some reason, Atalanta seemed happier than usual. Antares already figured out who was coming, so he didn't care and continued training. Hercules knew a goddess was coming, so while resting, he decided to bring it up.
Hercules: "Antares, aren't you nervous? A goddess is coming. Who do you think it'll be?"
Antares: "I don't care. There are certain gods I don't like, and one of them is coming today."
Hercules was surprised because no one would ever admit they didn't like the gods, no matter which one.
Hercules: "Antares, please stop. I don't want to get divine punishment."
Antares smiled.
"Hercules, let me give you a piece of advice: No matter what, especially in your case, don't trust the gods. Especially don't trust Hera. That goddess will likely ruin your life. Know this before you marry."
Hercules laughed. "I'm trying to please Hera, hoping she'll understand one day."
Antares: "As I said, don't trust the gods, but know this—whatever happens, I'll always try to be by your side."
Afterward, Antares got up and offered his hand to Hercules, who took it and stood up.
Hercules smiled: "Same for me."
(If you're wondering why there wasn't much fuss when Thetis came, it's because she didn't inform Chiron.)
Since a goddess was coming, everyone lined up and stood at attention. According to Chiron, she was about to arrive. Suddenly, someone appeared in front of them.
It was a young woman with round blue eyes and long white hair. Everyone's mind immediately went to the same name—Artemis.
Everyone, without exception, was staring at Artemis. She was enchanting, but Antares didn't care. He glanced at his mother on the side and saw her calmly observing Artemis.
Artemis: "You may all relax. I'm here at Chiron's request. Since it's a full moon tonight, your teacher has decided to test you. We will be hunting, and men are not included."
Antares turned to Jason beside him and whispered.
Antares: "Just another usual bitch goddess."
Artemis heard this and wondered who would dare say such a thing.
The gods present knew Antares had said it, but the students weren't aware. Artemis looked at Antares and pointed at him.
Artemis: "Step forward, three steps."
Antares did as told and stepped forward. Artemis looked angry.
Artemis, frowning: "Bow your head. You're standing before a goddess."
Antares still stared straight at her.
"I only give respect to those who deserve it. If your followers are as useless as you, especially ones like Atalanta, I understand why you're the virgin goddess. No one would want you with that personality."
Everyone's face fell.
What Antares had said was a clear challenge and defiance of a goddess.
Artemis' face hardened: "Do you understand what you've just said?"
Antares' smile turned devilish.
"Yes, I wasn't the one who killed Orion with an arrow, at least, right?"
Chiron stepped in. "Antares, stop! Even I won't be able to save you if this goes any further!"
Antares, with the same expression, said, "I'm not afraid of a failed goddess."
When Artemis heard this, her eyes went wild. Space around them began to crack, and all her killing intent was focused on Antares. Some of the children behind them had already fainted from the aura. A moment later, an arrow was aimed at Antares' head, but Antares caught it.
It wasn't Artemis who shot it.
Atalanta couldn't take it anymore:
"How dare you insult my goddess, you scum! You'll die, and I'll die with you if necessary!"
Antares didn't say anything. He'd been training with Hercules for three months, building up all his energy, and his power had increased at least threefold. He pointed a finger at Atalanta, and then a small black and red energy appeared, rapidly manifesting in front of Atalanta.
Antares: "Jio Graze."
The magic appeared suddenly in front of Atalanta, and if it hit, it would explode, turning her body to dust.
Even Chiron was wide-eyed, and Artemis had been trying to block the energy with her arrows from the start. She had been paying attention to Antares, and her arrow clashed with Antares' magic. Most of the students were blown away by the wind from the clash, leaving only gods and the powerful standing.
(Jason had fainted.)
Artemis' face was firm: "So you're not just all talk."
Antares: "At least I don't kill those I care about."
In response, Artemis fired a single arrow, but it suddenly turned into a thousand energy arrows. Antares was hit by all of them, and his body was torn apart.
He was now missing an arm. Thetis, watching in shock from the corner, was about to cry but stopped just before using a special technique.
Antares suddenly regenerated and returned to his previous form. Absorbing the energy arrows was difficult since they were filled with divine power, so Antares had let them pierce his body to absorb their energy.
Artemis was stunned; the man had been in pieces, his brain exposed, but now he was whole again, though his clothes were torn, leaving him in only his underwear.
Antares then snapped his fingers, and suddenly, black wings emerged.
"Today is your end, goddess. You've angered a dragon."
Everyone was in shock. A dragon? Were they even real? Weren't they supposed to be rare?
Suddenly, a black aura rose from Antares, and he extended his hand.
"Dragon Nova."
Before anyone could understand what was happening, a massive energy descended upon them, and Artemis was blown away by the energy. The force didn't stop. Eventually, Artemis regained her balance and tried to stop the energy with her bow, but then something unexpected happened. Thetis approached Antares and pulled his ear.
"I haven't raised you properly. Goddess Artemis, please forgive my child before this escalates further."
Artemis was in a miserable state, her hands covered in burn marks, and she was not pleased.
Antares then pushed his mother away. "What's wrong with you, Thetis? Are you trying to disappoint me?"
Antares' eyes were bulging with rage; what his mother had done felt like betrayal to him.
Then Chiron intervened.
Chiron: "Please forgive my student, Goddess Artemis. It's my failure to train him."
Artemis began to calm down but remained cautious.
"This child cannot go unpunished, but since Chiron and Thetis have stepped in, you're spared this time, child."
Antares looked at her calmly. His mother tried to close his mouth, but Antares, in his anger, directed his energy toward it.
"Let me go."
Thetis unwillingly complied with this command. It was a word of magic; Antares could make anyone do whatever he wanted with words.
Furious, Antares gave the goddess a disdainful look and went off to sleep.
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