After talking with all the gods, Antares left with Athena. Athena led him to her room, sat on the bed, and commanded Antares to sit on the floor, which he did.
Athena, angry, said: "You stupid lizard, do you even realize what you've done? You've angered Zeus! Luckily, you've earned Hera's favor."
Antares turned his head, but Athena kicked him with her foot.
Athena: "Don't act like you don't care, and how did you withstand Zeus's lightning?"
Antares looked at her and smiled, "I'm built differently."
Athena was about to lose it and threw a pillow at Antares.
Athena: "Anyway, you're mine now, so you must be punished for your actions. Let's see, what punishment should I give you?"
Antares replied indifferently: "You can throw me into Tartarus, but I assure you, it won't take long for me to return."
Athena smiled but knew she couldn't send him to Tartarus. What if he encountered Kronos or Atlas there? That would be the end of them. Besides, Athena wasn't sure of Antares's full strength and thought it might be a good chance to test it. But she quickly dismissed the idea; if she did that, it might cause issues with her uncle, Hades.
Suddenly, Athena's door burst open. She stood up, and Antares followed.
Athena angrily: "What gives you the right to barge in here?"
It was Artemis: "You bitch! How dare you claim him before me! I was supposed to torture him!"
Artemis drew her bow.
Athena, standing firm with her shield and sword, faced her. They were about to clash.
Antares grinned from the sidelines.
Athena: "What does this have to do with you, Artemis? It seems my servant taught you a good lesson."
She laughed, looking at Artemis's bandaged hand.
As Artemis pulled the string of her bow, Athena gave Antares a command.
Athena: "Living shield! Become my protection and take the full impact with your body!"
This way, Athena could observe Antares and see how durable he was. Without thinking, Antares did as she said and stood before her. A blue energy-filled arrow shot from Artemis's bow and struck Antares, causing the room's walls to crack from the force. But when the arrow hit him, his symbiote silently absorbed all its energy, storing it. This was because Antares wanted to further develop his symbiote by feeding off the divine energy of the gods. He had already done this with Zeus's power.
Artemis was shocked because Antares didn't move an inch, and the arrow didn't even penetrate him.
As Artemis angrily prepared to leave, Athena smiled wickedly.
Athena: "Antares, throw that goddess off Mount Olympus."
Antares bowed: "With pleasure."
Black tendrils extended from his arm, grabbing Artemis by her limbs. Now encased in the black symbiote, Antares walked with her to the edge of the mountain. Artemis struggled with all her might to escape, but she couldn't. The tendrils were slowly draining her strength.
Artemis enraged: "Let me go!"
Antares smirked: "Next time, choose your words more carefully."
Then, without hesitation, Antares released the tendrils, and Artemis fell off Mount Olympus. Antares and Athena watched her fall, and after about ten minutes, they saw her crash into a sharp rock. But the rock shattered, and she continued tumbling down.
Athena was clutching her stomach, laughing hysterically, while Antares watched silently from the side.
When Athena finally calmed down:
Athena: "Hahahaha! That's what happens when you mess with me. Your punishment is lifted. You made me happy today."
Antares sighed.
Athena stood up and winked at him: "Now come, let's have some tea."
Surprised by the offer, Antares quietly accepted.
They finally reached the tea garden, where the fairies were ready. Athena commanded them to prepare tea. She sat down and motioned for Antares to sit as well.
Athena: "So, Antares, tell me about yourself. I'm curious. For example, what's that black thing?"
Antares: "I'd rather not. Instead of talking about myself, I'd sooner jump off the mountain and follow Artemis."
Athena was getting angry, and it felt like a slight earthquake was happening.
Athena: "Drink your tea, and then we'll talk."
The fairies placed a cup of tea in front of Antares. He thanked them and took a sip, but something was wrong with the tea.
Antares started coughing: "Ahhhh, what did you put in this?"
Athena smiled: "Nothing too serious, just a potion to make you answer my questions truthfully."
Athena was serious this time: "How old are you?"
Antares: "13."
Athena was shocked. She didn't expect him to be so young.
Athena: "What kind of dragon are you?"
Antares: "Abyssal."
Athena couldn't believe what she was hearing. Abyssal was something older than this universe itself, something no one dared to even mention, and this boy was claiming to be an Abyssal Dragon.
Athena: "What was that black thing?"
Antares: "One of my abilities. It can absorb energy, transform it into a weapon, and regenerate the body. Even if just an atom remains, I can come back."
It took Athena a while to process this and understand why he could withstand so much. Finally, she asked her last question:
Athena: "Why does someone like you serve me? You could have helped Jason instead."
Antares clutched his throat: "To prevent gods like you from hurting him. After all, the contract is for three years. But if the gods keep pushing me, I'll kill some after that."
As he said this, Athena tried to stab Antares's neck with a knife, but it didn't penetrate, and only Athena's energy was drained.
Athena pulled her hand back: "Why do you trust me to help Jason?"
Antares: "Because I haven't lost hope yet. I have my reasons for not wanting to kill gods. If I do, the consequences will be much bigger, and I'm not talking about Zeus. Something far greater."
Athena was surprised and started to understand Antares a little more.
Athena: "Very well, Antares. I'd like to inform Jason that you'll be going on a journey. I've given him the Argo, the divine ship. He'll go on a quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece and become king during this journey."
Antares smiled: "It seems my trust in you wasn't misplaced."
Athena laughed: "I keep my word. I hope you do as well."
Antares: "As I said, I'm at your service."
Athena felt a strange sensation because Antares trusted her, and oddly, it made her feel good to be trusted.
Athena smiled: "So, Antares, is there anything you want?"
Antares: "Just protect Heracles from Hera."
Athena was surprised. She knew Antares was friends with Heracles, but she didn't understand why he wanted protection from Hera.
Athena: "Alright, your wish will be granted."
Antares nodded and stood up from the table.
Antares's eyes shifted into dragon eyes, and he looked far into the distance from Mount Olympus. He could see Jason now, sailing with Atlanta on the ship.
Antares smiled, watching them.
He laid his head down and sighed: "I'm tired. I miss Rias, Akeno, Valerie, Scathach, Tiamat... all my wives. After I fulfill my oath in this world, I'll retire."
Antares closed his eyes and fell asleep.
But what Antares didn't know was that Athena had heard him. He had mentioned female names, and she didn't even recognize most of them, except for a few. Tiamat? The dragon? Scathach? Who was that? It sounded familiar. She wasn't aware of the others, but one thing was certain: these were people close to Antares.
As Athena watched him from afar, Artemis suddenly appeared next to her and touched her shoulder. Athena calmly turned around.
Athena, with a strange smile: "Come on, sister, we can talk about this calmly."
Artemis looked furious, her clothes dirty and covered in dust. She kicked Athena in the stomach suddenly, making her clutch her belly.
Athena: "Ahhhh, that hurt!"
Then, Athena grabbed Artemis by the hair, and just as their fight was about to escalate, Hera appeared, clearly having sensed the quarrel.
Hera: "What is wrong with you two? Why are you fighting? You're gods, not children!"
Athena pointed at Artemis: "She started it."
Artemis puffed her cheeks but said nothing.
Hera sighed, rubbing her temples: "What am I going to do with you two? Anyway, Athena, we need to talk."
Athena straightened up, becoming serious.
Athena: "As you wish, Queen."
Hera walked, and Athena followed her into her room. They both sat on the chairs.
Hera: "So, Athena, tell me, why is a dragon serving you?"
Athena turned her head: "He wanted something, and I gave it to him."
Hera narrowed her eyes: "What could you have that a dragon doesn't?
Athena: "Actually, what he wants is something you have as well, but he doesn't trust you."
Upon hearing this, Hera slammed the table: "How dare this lizard not trust me? Tell me, why doesn't he trust me?"
Athena's eyes widened; she didn't want to speak, but Hera was getting angrier. Eventually, Athena had no choice.
Athena: "He says Heracles will be your downfall. He doesn't trust you."
Hera calmed down. Now it made sense; this child was friends with Heracles.
Hera: "Alright, if I leave Heracles alone, can I ask him for a favor?"
Athena was alarmed—someone else wanted to use Antares. Antares was hers, her property. She couldn't allow it, but denying the queen would not go unpunished.
Athena: "Ask him yourself."
Hera nodded and left Athena alone.
Hera then went to where Antares was sleeping and pressed her foot against his face.
Hera: "Wake up, lizard. I have a request."
Antares got up.
Antares: "How can I assist you, goddess Hera?"
Hera: "From what I understand, you're friends with Heracles. Is that right?"
Antares' eyes widened: "Yes, did something happen to him?"
Hera: "Not yet."
Antares understood and listened to Hera.
Antares: "What do you want?"
Hera: "Simple, go beat Zeus."
Antares' eyes widened: "Why should I do that?"
Hera: "Or would you rather see Heracles cursed by me?"
Antares lost his temper and grabbed Hera by the throat, lifting her, his hand transforming into a dragon's claw.
Hera struggled to breathe as her divinity was being drained.
Hera, coughing: "Let go of me, lizard, and listen to what I have to say."
Antares released her and listened.
Hera: "I promise I won't touch Heracles, but my husband, Zeus, keeps chasing after other women. Recently, I found out he went to a place full of water nymphs and... well, you get the idea. Go teach him a lesson about respecting women. I promise, when you return, he won't be able to lay a finger on you."
Antares extended his hand, and Hera shook it.
Antares: "We have a deal. Be prepared because Zeus will be nursing his wounds for a few days."
Hera smiled: "I'll take care of those wounds."
Antares grinned and disappeared. Hera looked at her neck and saw the mark left from where Antares had grabbed her. She almost thought she was going to die.
(comment and give power sones, and there are some mfs make me angry they know themselves)