Chapter 29: Feast and Fury!
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the arena as the final battle concluded. The spectators were still buzzing with excitement, their voices blending into a symphony of admiration and anticipation. The victors stood tall, their bodies weary but their spirits high.
Zeus raised his hand, and a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned to the king of the gods, anticipation thick in the air. He stood atop a dais of pure white marble, his electric blue eyes scanning the arena with pride and authority.
"Demigods, gods, spirits, and spectators," Zeus's voice boomed, echoing across the arena. "We have witnessed incredible displays of skill, power, and determination. The trials are now complete, and we have our five champions!"
A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd as Zeus paused for effect. The air crackled with anticipation, the very atmosphere of Olympus seeming to hold its breath.
"Step forward, chosen heroes," he commanded.
"Damon, son of Hades!" Zeus announced. Damon stepped forward. He turned and faced the cheers of the crowd, his dark eyes scanning the faces until they found his father. Hades, seated in the shadows, gave an almost imperceptible nod of approval. Damon's expression remained stoic, but inside, a small flame of pride flickered to life.
"Naia, daughter of Poseidon!" Naia's sea-green eyes shone with determination as she took her place beside Damon. Her long, dark hair was still damp from her water-based trials, and she carried herself with the fluid grace of the ocean.
"Brick, son of Ares!" The muscular warrior who had just triumphed in his match raised his fist in acknowledgement, letting out a fierce battle cry. His dark red-tinged armour was dented and scratched, a testament to the brutal nature of his victory.
"Eudora, daughter of Dionysus!" The victor of the most recent battle stepped forward, vines still coiling around her staff, a flirtatious smile playing on her lips. Her eyes, a deep purple, sparkled with mischief and barely contained power.
"And Thalios, son of Zeus!" Zeus's voice swelled with pride as he introduced his own offspring. The young man, crackling with barely contained electrical energy, stepped forward with an air of confidence. His golden hair seemed to stand on end, small arcs of lightning dancing between the strands.
The five champions stood before the assembled crowd, each a testament to their divine parentage and their own hard-won skills. The arena fell silent as the gravity of the moment settled over everyone present.
"These five have proven themselves worthy," Zeus declared, his voice carrying to every corner of the arena. "They shall be our champions in the trials to come. Let all of Olympus celebrate their victory!"
The arena erupted in thunderous applause and cheers. The other demigods who had participated in the trials looked on with a mixture of respect and envy, knowing that they would soon be working alongside these formidable allies.
As the applause died down, Thalios turned to face his fellow champions. His eyes lingered on each of them before settling on Damon. There was a challenge in his gaze, a spark of rivalry already igniting.
"You had better not get in my way," Thalios said, his voice low but carrying an undercurrent of electricity.
Damon returned Thalios's look with a hard glare of his own, refusing to back down. The air between them seemed to thicken, the tension palpable. "I earned my place here," Damon replied coolly. "Just as you did."
Naia, sensing the growing tension, stepped between them. "We're all on the same side here," she said, her voice carrying the calming quality of gentle waves. "We should be celebrating, not fighting."
"I'll fight you any time any place," Brick said, standing next to Damon as he also accepted Thalios's challenge.
Eudora watched the exchange with amusement, twirling a strand of her vine-entwined hair. "Boys will be boys," she mused, catching Naia's eye with a wink.
As the champions made their way out of the arena, the crowd's cheers following them, Damon couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he would meet them head-on and face whatever was coming his way with determination.
---
That evening, the grand banquet hall of Olympus was a sight to behold. Massive columns of polished marble stretched towards a ceiling that seemed to shimmer with the very essence of the sky as dusk approached. Constellations danced overhead, and the occasional shooting star streaked across the magical expanse.
Long tables laden with ambrosia, nectar, and a feast fit for gods stretched across the room. Golden platters held mountains of succulent roasted meats, exotic fruits from the farthest reaches of the mortal world, and desserts that defied description. The air was filled with the mingling scents of the feast and the rich, intoxicating aroma of Dionysus's finest wines.
Laughter and chatter filled the hall as gods, spirits, demigods and other magical creatures alike celebrated the new champions. The Muses provided enchanting background music, their melodies weaving through the conversations and adding to the festive atmosphere.
Zeus stood at the head of the hall, raising his goblet. The king of the gods cut an imposing figure, his beard neatly trimmed and his eyes sparking with power. "Tonight, we honour our champions!" he declared, his voice carrying over the din. "Let us celebrate their victory and the trials they have overcome. To Damon, Naia, Brick, Eudora, and Thalios!"
The hall erupted in cheers as the five champions raised their goblets, clinking them together in a show of unity. But beneath the surface, tensions simmered.
As the night wore on, Thalios's eyes frequently darted to Damon, a glint of rivalry burning in his gaze. Damon, ever vigilant, noticed the attention and met each glance with a calm, unyielding stare. The son of Hades couldn't shake the feeling that Thalios was looking for any excuse to prove his superiority.
Seated beside his sister Artemis, Apollo sipped his wine, his golden eyes keenly observing the interactions. "Looks like Thalios hasn't quite accepted the outcome," he mused, his voice tinged with amusement as he watched his demigod brother.
Artemis nodded, her silver gaze equally sharp. "Indeed. It seems his pride is greater than his wit. This could get interesting." She absently stroked the ear of a spectral deer that had materialized beside her, her fingers glowing softly in the low light.
Across the room, Naia approached Eudora, raising her glass in salute. "Eudora, you were amazing out there," she said, genuine admiration in her voice. "The way you used those vines in the final trial... I've never seen anything like it."
Eudora smiled, taking a sip of her wine. The deep purple liquid seemed to glow faintly as it passed her lips. "Thanks, Naia. You weren't too bad yourself, the way you use water is amazing."
Brick joined them, a huge grin on his face and a platter piled high with food in his hands. "This is what I live for!" he exclaimed. "Good food, strong drinks, and a chance to test our mettle. Speaking of which, who's up for an arm-wrestling contest later?" He roared, looking back over to Pyrrhos, son of Hephaestus seeing if he wanted to go a second round.
Meanwhile, Thalios stood off to the side, his eyes fixed on Damon. A storm brewed within him, his jealousy and resentment bubbling to the surface as everyone seemed to flock around him. How could the son of Hades, of all gods, be counted among the champions? It was a slight he could not let stand. The air around him crackled with barely contained energy, small sparks dancing between his fingers, getting the attention of a few who could sense the anger within him.
As the feast continued, the tension between Thalios and Damon grew. The other gods watched with varying degrees of interest and concern. Hades, seated in a shadowy corner, observed his son with keen interest. Poseidon and Athena exchanged knowing glances, sensing the brewing conflict.
Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, Thalios approached Damon. The son of Zeus moved with deliberate steps, each footfall charged with purpose and barely contained energy.
"Damon," he called out, his voice dripping with disdain.
Damon turned, his eyes meeting Thalios's with a calm, unwavering gaze. "Yes?" he replied, his voice level despite the clear challenge in Thalios's tone.
Thalios stepped closer, his fists clenched at his sides. Static electricity made his hair stand on end, giving him a wild appearance. "I don't understand how someone like you was chosen," he spat. "Your father is the lord of the underworld, not a god of Olympus. You don't belong here, among the true heroes."
The hall fell silent, the festive atmosphere evaporating in an instant. All eyes turned to the two demigods, the tension between them palpable. Even the Muses' music faded away, leaving an eerie quiet in its wake.
Damon's expression remained neutral, but his eyes hardened. He set his goblet down on a nearby table with deliberate slowness. "We were chosen because we proved ourselves in the trials," he said, his voice carrying a hint of steel. "It's as simple as that. My father's domain doesn't define my worth or my abilities." Damon said, not liking the insult.
Thalios's eyes narrowed, his frustration boiling over. Sparks danced along his arms as he struggled to contain his power. "It's not that simple," he growled. "You don't belong here. I challenge you to a duel, right here, right now. Let's settle this once and for all."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Challenging another demigod to a duel during a celebration was unheard of, especially in the presence of the gods themselves.
Damon stood his ground, his demeanour calm but his eyes cold. The shadows in the corners of the hall seemed to deepen, responding to his rising emotions. "If that's what you want, Thalios," he said evenly, "then I accept your challenge," Damon said, standing up to match his cousin head-on.
Zeus, from his throne, watched the exchange with a mix of pride and concern. He had hoped the feast would unite the champions, not divide them further. "Thalios," he said in a warning tone, his voice reverberating through the hall. "Remember, this is a celebration, not a battlefield."
Thalios turned to face his father, his chin raised defiantly. "I remember, father," he replied, his voice tight with barely contained emotion. "But how can we truly celebrate if we haven't seen the full measure of each champion's strength? I only want to see the power of my fellow demigods... and prove my own."
Hades, who had been watching the exchange with growing amusement, spoke up from his shadowy corner. "Why not let them fight, brother?" he suggested, his dark eyes glinting with mischief. "A duel to first blood only. It would certainly liven up the evening."
Zeus turned to his brother, a frown creasing his brow. He could see the eagerness in the eyes of the other gods and demigods. Even Athena, usually the voice of reason, seemed intrigued by the prospect.
"Very well," Zeus sighed, seeing that the situation had already spiralled beyond his control. "But there will be rules. This duel is to first blood only, and it will take place in the courtyard, away from the feast. We've had enough destruction for one day."
The crowd moved en masse towards the grand doors of the banquet hall, excitement buzzing in the air. Gods and demigods alike jostled for position, eager to witness the clash between the son of Zeus and the son of Hades.
The courtyard of Olympus was a marvel in itself. Lush gardens stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with statues of heroes and gods. Fountains burbled peacefully, their waters gleaming silver in the moonlight. At the centre was a large circular area paved with smooth, white marble – the perfect arena for a duel.
Damon and Thalios took their positions at opposite ends of the circle. The crowd formed a ring around them, gods and demigods alike jostling for the best view. The air crackled with anticipation, the very atmosphere of Olympus seeming to hold its breath.
Among the spectators, the gods watched intently, each with their own thoughts on the duel.
Hades observed with a calm, calculating gaze, his dark eyes following every movement of his son. "Show them your strength, Damon," he murmured, his voice a low rumble. "Prove that the underworld breeds more than shadows."
Poseidon, his trident resting against his shoulder, leaned towards Athena, his expression one of keen interest. "Thalios is strong, but Damon has a certain resilience," he remarked. "This will be interesting."
Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. Thalios fights with passion, but Damon... Damon fights with purpose. Let's see which prevails."
Ares, the god of war, grinned widely, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "This is what I'm talking about!" he roared, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. "A true test of might! Let's see some blood!"
Dionysus lounged on a conjured chaise, a never-empty goblet of wine in his hand. He watched with relaxed but keen interest, purple fire dancing in his eyes. "Ah, the fire of youth," he mused. "Let the sparks fly and the vines grow wild. This should be quite the show."
Zeus stepped forward, his presence commanding immediate silence. "Very well," he intoned, his voice carrying the weight of divine authority. "I, Zeus, king of the gods, allow this duel to commence. In the name of Olympus, let the challenge begin!"
For a moment, neither combatant moved. They stood, eyes locked, each waiting for the other to make the first move. The tension was palpable, the air itself seeming to thicken with anticipation.
Suddenly, without warning, Thalios charged. Electricity crackled around him, arcing off his body in brilliant blue streaks. His eyes, now glowing with power, were fixed on Damon with laser-like intensity.
Damon stood his ground, eyes focused and body ready. As Thalios closed the distance, the son of Hades could feel the hair on his arms standing on end from the electrical charge in the air.
With a fierce cry, Thalios unleashed a bolt of lightning. It sizzled through the air, leaving the scent of ozone in its wake as it streaked towards Damon. The crowd gasped, some shielding their eyes from the brilliant flash.
But Damon was ready. With a swift, fluid movement that spoke of countless hours of training, he sidestepped. The bolt scorched the ground where he had stood just a moment before, leaving a smoking black mark on the pristine white marble.
Thalios pressed on, undeterred. He summoned more lightning, his attacks relentless. Bolt after bolt flew from his hands, each one aimed with deadly precision. The courtyard lit up with each strike, shadows dancing wildly across the faces of the spectators.
Damon moved with grace and purpose, avoiding each attack. But he wasn't just dodging – with each movement, he was also gathering his own power. Blue hellfire flickered around him, growing stronger with each passing moment. The temperature around him began to drop, the very air seeming to shiver in the presence of underworld energy.
Damon used his hellfire to counter the lighting strikes, tossing balls of fire and raising shields of the flames of Tartarus itself as the fire and electricity clashed in the air, exploding on impact over and over again.
Among the onlookers, Naia watched with wide eyes, her heart racing. "They're incredible," she whispered, her voice filled with awe and a hint of fear.
Brick nodded, his expression serious for once. "This is no mere duel," he said gruffly. "They're fighting with everything they have."
Eudora twirled a vine between her fingers, her eyes never leaving the combatants. "The question is," she mused, "how far will they go?"
As the duel intensified, the gods leaned forward, their interest piqued.
"Looks like they're getting serious now," Apollo remarked, his golden eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Indeed," Artemis agreed, noting the intense focus in both Thalios and Damon's eyes. "This could turn ugly if we're not careful."
Damon, realizing that mere evasion would not be enough, decided it was time to go on the offensive. With a determined look, he drew his sword – a wicked blade of Stygian iron that seemed to drink in the light around it. Blue hellfire engulfed the weapon, the flames dancing along its edge without seeming to harm the metal.
"So be it," Damon said, his voice steady and resolute.