After speaking with Hera, Antares approached Athena and looked her in the eyes.
Antares, with disdain: "Weren't you supposed to save me from Hera, you pathetic goddess? If you can't keep your promises, how will you protect Jason?"
Athena got angry and stood up.
Athena, yelling: "You foolish bastard! Who do you think you are to question me?!"
Athena raised her fist, aiming to hit Antares, but his symbiote reacted, absorbing the blow, and tentacles covered Athena's body.
No matter how hard she tried, Athena couldn't break free.
Athena: "Let me go, Antares! I'm ordering you!"
Antares smirked: "I refuse."
Then Antares touched Athena's face. For the first time, she felt real fear. Antares' hand transformed into a hammer, and he struck Athena in the stomach.
The blow left Athena severely wounded, unable to move.
Athena, crying: "Please... let me go, Antares... please..."
Antares was surprised by her tears and released her. Athena collapsed to the ground, weeping and pounding the floor in frustration.
Athena, with tears in her eyes: "Why... why don't you obey? Why are you treating me like this? I'm doing my best..."
Antares looked at her, then helped her to her feet.
Athena lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze.
Antares placed a hand on her head: "I'm sorry, Athena. I overreacted. Maybe you're not as bad as I thought. So, what do you say? Besides me being your servant, would you like to be my friend?"
Athena was shocked, but her expression softened into a smile.
Athena, with joy: "Really? Are you serious, Antares? Will you be my friend?"
Antares: "Yes, Athena. Even after this service, I'll remain your friend. Just don't cross my boundaries, and I won't cross yours. That way, we can get along."
Athena smiled and hugged Antares.
Athena: "Thank you, Antares."
Antares: "It's nothing. I have some things to take care of now. I need to help Hera."
Athena: "So, Hera came to you, huh? She must have made you quite an offer if you didn't refuse."
Antares: "Yes. Anyway, I'll handle it quickly."
Athena smiled and patted Antares on the shoulder.
Athena: "You'll manage."
But Athena didn't know what Antares was planning. If she had, she would've tried to stop him. But she didn't ask, as they had just become friends and she didn't want to fight.
Antares, however, understood Athena. Despite being the goddess of wisdom and war, she had trust issues, likely stemming from her mother.
She couldn't rely on anyone around her, and she longed for someone powerful and dependable. Initially, Antares had misunderstood her, seeing only the negative, but things weren't always as they seemed.
Without saying a word, Antares teleported, and as soon as he arrived, his expression changed. He was now where Zeus often spent his time, with the nymphs who raised him. Among them was Thetis, who Antares had occasionally watched from the mountains, where he could see all of Greece.
Upon his arrival, he saw some nymphs attending to Zeus as he relaxed by the lake. But Antares noticed something that enraged him: Zeus was harassing one of the nymphs who had raised him.
Antares' aura flared, catching Zeus' attention. Despite this, Zeus continued his harassment and spoke.
Zeus: "Ah, the dragon. Do you also fancy these nymphs?"
The more Zeus spoke, the more Antares' aura surged. He was about to lose control. Zeus, now sensing the threat, stood up.
Zeus: "Control your aura, dragon, unless you want to regret it here."
A nymph intervened: "Please stop, Antares. Zeus is above you."
Antares: "I am the highest of all. Fools."
In a flash, Antares disappeared and reappeared in front of Zeus, delivering a punch to his face. Zeus was stunned; no one had ever dared to be this bold with him.
Zeus summoned lightning, darkening the skies, and the entire world trembled as all the gods sensed the battle.
Zeus, enraged: "You insolent dragon! What are you doing?"
Antares turned black, covered by his symbiote: "I will destroy you."
In response, Zeus transformed into lightning and hurled bolts at Antares. His symbiote absorbed them effortlessly, and as it absorbed more, the symbiote gained a new ability: controlling lightning.
Zeus appeared behind Antares, landing a thunderous punch that sent him flying into a nearby mountain. Although unharmed, Antares stood up, spread his wings, and flew towards Zeus, who was now rising into the clouds.
Zeus: "Dragon, today you'll learn your place."
Antares remained silent.
Zeus called forth his weapon, Astrape, and hurled it at Antares. It pierced him and exploded the mountain behind him.
Antares plummeted, his body reduced to the shape of an apple logo.
Zeus began laughing maniacally.
Zeus: "Hahaha! See, dragon? This is what happens when you challenge me!"
Zeus thought Antares was dead, but within ten seconds, the symbiote healed him completely. He was back to life. This regeneration was insane; if Zeus had taken the same injuries, he would've been severely wounded.
Zeus: "Why won't you die?! Die, die, die!"
Zeus kept bombarding Antares with lightning, but Antares eventually caught up to him, standing face to face.
Zeus: "You've endured well, dragon. Are you immortal?"
Antares: "The concept of death does not apply to me. Unfortunately, you will suffer greatly."
Zeus grinned: "I see. But know this: I am no easy opponent. I now see you as a worthy rival."
Antares narrowed his eyes: "Good. Very well."
They stared at each other and moved at the same time. Zeus, powered by lightning, was faster and struck Antares' head with all his might. But Antares kicked Zeus in the balls, and both winced in pain.
For now, Zeus' power was overwhelming for Antares but manageable.
Zeus, in pain: "You fight dirty!"
A tear fell from his eye.
Antares, spitting blood: "At least I get a bit of revenge."
Without giving Zeus a chance to recover, Antares drew his sword, aiming to stab Zeus' abdomen. But Astrapē blocked the blade. However, the more Astrapē came into contact with Antares' sword, the weaker it became.
All-Black, the Necrosword, was absorbing Astrapē's lightning and also draining Zeus' strength.
Zeus felt weak and struggled.
Zeus: "What... what are you doing? Aahhh!"
Antares: "Be a man don't be a fucking pussy."
With a final slash, Antares stabbed Zeus in the stomach. Blood poured from Zeus' mouth and eyes as he coughed in agony.
Zeus, coughing: "Ah... ah... damn it... is this really how it ends for me? It was a good fight... dragon."
Antares pulled out his sword, catching Zeus as he fell. Cradling him like a princess, Antares threw Zeus' unconscious body into Hera's palace at Mount Olympus. Zeus crashed through her chamber, destroying it.
Hera suddenly appeared, looking at Zeus, and a light emanated from her hands, beginning to heal him.
Zeus slowly opened his eyes: "Ahh... I hurt all over. Hera, is that you?"
Zeus tried to stand, but Hera stopped him.
Hera: "You're injured, Zeus. Stay still, husband. I hope this taught you a lesson."
Zeus' eyes widened: "So, you sent the dragon... I feel so weak."
Hera caressed his head gently and spoke softly: "I hope this will be enough to keep you from fooling around with other women. Because the dragon will come for you again."
Suddenly, Zeus remembered Antares' figure: a 1.80 meter tall, winged young man, covered in black, with long black hair and red eyes.
Antares appeared out of nowhere.
Here, upon seeing him: "Didn't you overdo it, dragon?"
Antares: "What you asked for is done. Now swear on the River Styx."
Hera nodded: "I, Hera, goddess of marriage, swear that I will not harm Heracles and will not take any action that will bring him misfortune. I swear this on the River Styx."
All realms shook as the oath was sealed.
Antares extended his hand.
Antares: "It was a pleasure doing business with you."
Hera: "The pleasure was mine."
But Antares forgets that every good thing will be punished.
To be continued...