#arenea

Antiquity, Perfection, Alone in the desert

Ares was wandering along a path, he doesn't remember how he got there but he kept walking. It was a beautiful day without a doubt, it was one of those days where he stopped to see and enjoy from dawn to dusk. It was not something new, he always did it every time he was in Thrace, but he enjoyed a little more being in the company of his children or with Argenis and Athena. And lately the god of war seemed to become a little more tame and even admitted a mistake to the goddess, leaving her puzzled but accepting his apologies, but he still fought with her about some things, for example: Should Argenis see his "uncles"? No, not after Agnes.

Oh Zeus, that damned bastard; Ares knew that his brothers were not guilty (although he is still looking for proof) but it was thanks to them that Argenis was in danger and it was Agnes who paid the consequences, Evan could not cope with the pain of a broken heart and died of sadness. The soldier dies when the reason for the battle comes to an end. After that, Ares took all he could and took everyone to Thrace where Zeus had no power there, he could not enter without permission of the fierce god of war.

Argenis had no consolation, even when he seemed calmer one could see in the boy's eyes the loss of his sister. Evan's death didn't help the little boy much either, the habits he had vanished and the guilt seemed to tear him apart; there was a time when the boy said to them "Lords Ares and Athena".

Oh, the god of war and blood was always filled with pride when his soldiers called him "Lord Ares" but in the mouth of his son… he repudiated it. It was a long talk with the boy and a hug but Ares was beyond angry but Athena convinced him to save his anger, that Zeus would target the boy if Ares attacked or declared his wrath.

Atmosphere, Atom, A Star of Chance

In the distance he saw Athena sitting with Argenis, but she looked different and Argenis looked a little more cheerful and taller, even though he was bent over. Ares hurried a little to get closer, making the aforementioned gods turn in his direction causing Argenis to run to his side and grab his hand, bringing both gods closer and finally he could see why Athena looked different.

That's when he woke up

Ares looked at how Athena and Argenis were curled up, sleeping peacefully, and he couldn't help but smile at the peace that reigned. Without any problem he carried both of them and put them on a bed so they could rest properly, he thought about letting them sleep there alone… but decided to join them, lying down next to Argenis.

Yes, the child of Earth

Argenis was awakened by a big squeeze from both sides, in his desperation he tried to get free and with great difficulty he succeeded. With a grumble he looked at his parents in their arms and went to his room, annoyed at having been awakened so rudely and, without Helios still standing up, what a sacrilege; he wrapped himself in his blankets and went back to sleep, surrendering himself once again to the arms of Morpheus.

Meanwhile, Athena dreamed that she was surrounded in a field of lilies and a few poppies and violets. The goddess looked around her until she saw Ares and Argenis in the distance, the god was sitting with a bundle in his arms, Argenis seemed to observe the bundle with great curiosity and seemed to talk to Ares who responded with a loud laughter making the bundle move…

It is conceived

… and laughed tenderly, raising her little arms to touch Ares' short beard…

The child of philosophy

An instinct made the goddess of wisdom approach them, it was the laughter of the non-existent infant who called her but as she approached everything vanished and Athena woke up. The owl-eyed goddess did not expect that the first thing she saw in the morning was the chest of Ares, nor did she expect to feel how the bloody god embraced her in her sleep. For the first time in her life, she felt her cheeks redden with an embarrassment totally different from the previous ones she had felt before, this was one where Ares' actions… did not bother her, rather, the embrace made her feel safe. She took a deep breath and with a shyness typical of her she returned the hug, it was strange but it didn't make her feel bad.

Egg, perfection originated in a nest.

--- Hey, haven't you noticed that your parents are getting along? --- Enyo looked sideways at the gods of war, who were minding their own business with the people of their respective villages, while Argenis fished peacefully in a small river mouth.

--- They have always done it, in their own way but they have done it --- Enyo snorted at the boy's response and looked askance at the duo who always looked as if they were going to destroy each other --- sometimes I feel that I am in their way --- Enyo looked with some concern at the little boy, I am not a warrior, I am not an adult and I am not even an immortal --- Argenis looked at the heroes that Athena was leading and then looked at the warriors that Ares decided to train. .. he felt like a little ant that at any point would be crushed --- and Zeus hates me… for reasons I guess --- Enio wanted to explain to him but how to explain everything that was happening to someone who was not older than 11 years old? --- But my grandmother Hera liked me, in fact, she gave me a big cape with peacock feathers and I plan to wear it when the village celebrates her --- Enyo folded her arms and made a gesture at the mention of his mother, although when Argenis saw his aunt's bad mood he gave her a seabream.

---You know you don't always buy people with fish? --- Enyo took a bite of the fish while the boy watched in disbelief as she ate it raw --- Neither will you be tender and small, at least until you grow up --- Argenis was a little annoyed with the comment, maybe he was 10 years old but he was not a brute and he understood perfectly well how some things worked --- And when you grow up you will be someone strong enough to possibly go on adventures or join an army.

--- Or soon --- Enyo looked at him for a second, watching as Argenis continued fishing with a calm smile and humming a song unknown to her. When Enyo looked carefully, this was the tenth bucket he filled with fish, big and small, he even had 3 nets ready to use.

--- Hey, Nike --- called the Destroyer of Cities to the goddess of victory --- Could you keep an eye on Argenis, I need to… give some observation to the gods of war --- Nike, a little distrustful, accepted the strange request of that goddess and stood next to the boy.

--- Why does Charon demand coins, what does he want them for? --- Nike did not know how to answer, she believed that not even the very souls and beings that inhabited hades would know.

--- Why do you ask? --- the boy just answered with "nothing else" and began to ask other questions. Some for a purpose and some to throw him off.

Stamen, pistil, a single seed.

Athena looked proudly at her old protégés while Ares looked with some jealousy at some heroes, mainly Diomedes and Heracles. The former for being Athena's favorite hero and the latter for being officially declared as Zeus' favorite son, although there was also a third: Perseus. Argenis loved the story of Perseus and it seemed that the story of Argenis had gone all the way to hades since Perseus had told the boy that he admired his cunning in having deceived Zeus.

Athena did not know how to feel about Aphrodite's visits, being at first as a lover of Ares and now as a loving advisor to both of them. She was also grateful that she had decency in front of Argenis and changed the subject quickly; the bad thing is that Argenis is cunning, curious and stubborn, her cunning, his own curiosity and Ares' stubbornness, may Olympus protect him when he does something stupid.

Yes, the child of Earth

--- So… haven't you started to get… spicy in bed? --- Athena almost choked on some ambrosia, causing her to spit it out and her face to turn red at the comment of the goddess who was smiling with a certain mischievousness --- Already a year together and nothing, I'm surprised that Ares has endured so much.

--- Please, Ares sleeps with anything that has a dress and a vagina --- Aphrodite laughed at the comment of the owl-eyed goddess and her reddened face.

Grow up

--- I know, I know perfectly well --- Athena wiped her face while looking sideways with some anger at the goddess of love --- But, even knowing how he is, he hasn't got himself a mistress, he hasn't even come to visit me --- Was it a claim? It did not seem so, rather it seemed to give some credibility to her argument and suggested something else --- Think about it, they know each other intimately and, by the way, give Argenis a little brother or sister --- Athena felt that with Argenis was enough and the thought of the sexual act… made her nervous.

The child of philosophy

Meanwhile, Enyo and Nike were arguing with Ares about the strange behavior of Argenis, who was keeping all the fish in two large baskets, Hera's blanket, three toys made of fine wood, a dagger given by Ares and a shield made by Hephaestus and Prometheus, a gift from Athena. The Moiras watched silently as the boy prepared for his second feat, never before had they seen up close the deeds of the great heroes.

--- A little fisherman will become a great adventurer --- said the youngest of the three, preparing the obols and drachmas for the little boy --- A great warrior who begins to forge his own legend.

--- And, on the other hand --- The three Morias watched as a tired Ares and Athena entered, ignoring everyone and going into the room --- Really, they are so adorable when they get along --- said Lakessis as she prepared Argenis' dinner.

Then

--- And when they find out what their little boy is planning --- Atropos was cutting threads of life, ending today's threads --- If he survives his adventure, they're going to kill him.

The cool of the night was beginning to get a little stronger. Into the room entered both gods of war; Ares stretched lazily as he laid his cloak on a chair, seconds later he proceeded to lie on the bed face down.

Athena for her part let out a sigh, it had been a somewhat tiring day and she had to admit that she needed to lie down, so she did, lying down on the bed while looking at the ceiling of the room.

The lunar sky, the mercurian sky, the venusian sky.

The brown-haired man turned to his left and managed to see the profile of the goddess.

--- What's wrong with you? ---He asked as he put his hands under the pillow to lean back. --- You've been kind of… distracted --- The female turned to her right, her gray eyes met the amber eyes of the god. Was it so obvious that she wasn't feeling well? She let out a sigh again.

--- Do you think we'll ever be able to fix this? --- He answered the god with another question. Ares didn't bother, but raised his eyebrows at the question. --- Do you think… we could go back to Olympus?

--- I don't know, you're the smart one --- He joked a little, but it only made the goddess frown in annoyance. The brown-haired man tried to be a little more understanding? --- I do not know Athena, Zeus must still be very angry and you know it is very difficult to make him see reason… Remember Prometheus --- The female couldn't help but let out another sigh. Ares knew that this one was different, this one was depressed ---Do you miss Olympus? --- He asked her, the brunette put her hands on her belly and stopped looking at the god to observe the ceiling --- Athena?

--- Yes, I miss it. I know, Zeus is angry… But, I need to know how they are doing, not for Hermes to come and tell us about it. I want to see it with my own eyes, I want to walk the halls again and see my other siblings there --- The god noticed that the woman's tone was melancholic, sad, to tell the truth. --- I know Zeus only wants me to be well, but… sometimes he exaggerates, I mean, I came out of his head as a woman, so he doesn't trust me? O… Could it be something else? --- Athena felt that despite her efforts, her father still viewed her with some caution because of the prophecy that the son of Metis had.

--- I don't think it's distrust --- Ares commented as he pulled his left arm out from under the pillow and stretched it out to put his hand on the goddess'. --- Not for nothing are you her favorite. I think that goes without saying; honestly the only thing I miss about Olympus is seeing my mother --- Athena, who had sent her gaze to the brown-haired man's hand, turned to look at him when he said the last thing, reflecting on her half-brother. Zeus always seemed to behave rather dryly with the god of war, she remembered how her father had declared his disownment in the Trojan War, even she felt sorry for him at the time.

And the goddess of wisdom herself, with the time she had spent with him, knew that none of what she might have been told was true, or at least not the vast majority of it. Just the odd detail. She felt embarrassed by the same.

The free hand she had she placed over the brown one.

The solar sky, the Martian sky, the Jupiterian sky.

Their eyes collided and they stared at each other for several seconds.

--- I'm sorry --- Athena confessed and then broke eye contact with her familiar. Ares lifted his head slightly from the pillow at the words and gestures of the female, smiled without being able to help it, turned to lie on his side, but without taking his hand away from hers --- Do you think that Argenis… still has the idea that we are his parents --- She asked to change the subject. She felt that it was not the time to give explanations about that apology, she still felt embarrassed about it. The god, although amused, tried to answer the new question asked by the female.

--- It is obvious. It is what she longs for the most and it is normal Athena. She needs parents and found in us that --- The voice of the god sounded calm, calm, without any hesitation, as when he led a troop of soldiers to war. Athena, on the other hand, changed her embarrassed countenance to one of concern.

--- But… I'm not even a person who deals with children, I don't know how to be a good mother, or a mother for that matter --- Ares, who for several minutes had been watching the profile of the chestnut, pulled away the hand that cradled the fine hands of the goddess and brought it to her beautiful face, making her turn to look at him.

--- You can learn it Athena. Just as you are capable of leading humans to victory in a war, you can be the mother that little one desires --- Her cheeks had turned slightly red. The brown-haired man brushed one of her strands of hair behind her ear --- Although it may not seem so, you have changed your attitude towards him a lot. And I've seen him happy because you already accept that he calls you "mom" --- maybe Ares was not a good match, but he was a good father and he knew that Athena was trying hard to be a good mother even though she had never shown any taste for children. And even the gods didn't know how to be good parents, it's something to be learned by heart.

--- Do you really think I will be a good mother? --- whispered the goddess

--- I would take it for granted --- replied the god, giving a sincere smile to the woman. She returned the gesture in kind. --- If not, I could teach you princess --- Athena quickly wiped the smile and frowned, picking up a pillow and hitting the god with it. Ares laughed a little and defended himself with his left arm, stopping caressing her beautiful face --- Calm down. I'm not kidding, seriously, I can help you to make it easier for you to deal with the little one --- He commented stopping laughing and Athena hitting him with the pillow. She still looked annoyed. Ares settled back on the bed so that he was in a more comfortable position, but still on his side.

The gray-eyed one did the same and settled herself so that she was facing Ares.

The Saturnian sky, the stellar sky, the sky of motives.

--- Speaking of Argenis, haven't you noticed that he is behaving strangely? --- Asked the god again. Athena looked at him for a few seconds.

--- Have you noticed it too? I've noticed that he's paying a lot of attention to the warriors' training, when before he didn't do that ---Ares raised his eyebrows in surprise --- Besides that… he's fishing too much. I've been trying to think why… but, I still can't find any reason why Argenis should do that --- They could live without human food, ambrosia was their main food and drink, so the boy's overfishing was too strange.

--- Overfishing? Training observation? No, I hadn't noticed that. I have seen him write something on a scroll, but I haven't really looked into it…. Besides that, I've seen him talking to his reflection, as if he was having some kind of conversation or practicing what to say. --- The goddess made an astonished face; Ares took a blanket to cover himself as the coolness of the night was turning cold and soon after covered his companion. --- I've also noticed that he looks in different clothes…. Do you think the same thing is happening to him as to Narcissus? --- Ares sweat coldly at the thought that Argenis could end up like Narcissus without even having grown up.

--- I don't think so. This is different --- She replied as Ares finished covering her --- It's something else, but I still don't know what it is --- Possibly it was that the boy had been influenced by one of his brothers, the last words of Ares pointed to Apollo, but he would have to talk to each of them.

--- I think we should talk to him --- Ares suggested, to which Athena nodded, agreeing with the brown-haired man.

The bull continues on into endless eternity

Both gods of war looked at each other. There was no heavy atmosphere between them, instead, it was a calm one, something that had not happened between them. Athena averted her gaze, she began to see the blanket with which they were both covered…. It wasn't two blankets, it was one.

She was not the only one who noticed it, Ares barely reacted to the closeness that the goddess of wisdom had with him… too close. Maybe only 10, 15 millimeters was what separated them. They blinked a couple of times when their gazes met again, after the third blink they both opened their eyes in surprise.

And the face of both of them looked a little flushed…. They were in the same bed! Just the two of them! without any third party (a.k.a. the compulsive fisherman).

When? How? How could they not have noticed this detail when they were so close to each other?

A single organ system

But at the same time, none of them moved. As if the first one to do so would put an end to the peace they had. There was no candlelight, because they had not lit one when they entered the room. The moonlight had been enough for them to see each other without problems. Athena looked down really ashamed and surprised…. It was strange for her to be so close to Ares without having approached him for a fight.

The god for his part also averted his gaze, but it was to the face of his half-sister, he did not deny that she was beautiful, but it was the first time he saw her in such detail. He also saw how she blinked a few times in a heavy way, maybe Morpheus was already doing his job.

A single prepetual motion machine

They had always hated each other, they always talked about how both gods who represented the same thing could not even see each other. Athena always beat Ares and considered him a brute while Ares bellowed about his wounded pride and raged.

It was something eternal, prepetual and close, then? why did it feel so ephemeral and distant?

Hate gives strength but weakens the soul, it is hard but hollow. Emptiness is to feel it but it is understood to have it. But in them? what was the reason? Broken pride? It made no sense.

Ah, it's an empty movement

--- You should sleep now. Tomorrow we can talk to Argenis. --- He suggested as he brought his hand back to the goddess and caressed her face. Athena's gray eyes looked up to see him. She did not give birth to him and he did not stop. --- Calm down. We will find a way to solve Zeus and you will be able to return to Olympus.

--- Thank you Ares --- She commented and brought her right hand so that she could hold it over the hand of the god that caressed her face. Another sincere smile came from her to her companion --- For accompanying me… And to the moiras, although you could have gone elsewhere. You stayed --- It was true that both of them could have stayed "married" and away from each other but… fate is capricious, sometimes not even the gods can help it.

Yes, it's an empty move

--- We got into this trouble together and we'll get out of it together. --- Maybe it was a reflex action, maybe it was those words of thanks. He didn't know it yet, he had just let himself go; he had approached the goddess of wisdom and kissed her forehead. He stopped caressing her face to embrace her. --- Rest, Athena. You deserve it --- The aforementioned did not push the god of war away. She felt she needed that show of affection, so she just rested her hands on Ares' chest and closed her eyes.

--- Also rest, Ares --- whispered the goddess.

Then

Zeus could not sleep, for some reason he felt restless, something had happened but he did not know what. Hera slept peacefully, without any remorse, making him envy her; he was still annoyed with her for having dealt with the little varmint, even loving him as a grandson of her own blood. What about her other grandchildren? She tricked Semele to death and wanted to kill Dionysus, not to mention the children of Hebe, Hephaestus and the others of Ares.

If he couldn't sleep, neither would that little spawn.

He summoned Morpheus to cause him horrible nightmares but the god only replied that as long as he was awake he could do nothing. So the child is awake? That he really wanted to see.

The sky of the Moon, the Mercurian sky, the sky of Venus.

Argenis mounted Arion, which he had obtained thanks to Prometheus and Momo, (who helped him to trick Copreo into keeping him); and put the things in his little cart and with the lighter things tied to the saddle. He saw his home for the last time, gave a little sigh, and departed.

The night, the stars and the horse were his only company. His thoughts wandered until he saw Cloto in front of him, almost giving a scream that would surely wake his parents, but she was smiling at him.

--- Argenis, what are you going to pay with? Forgetful child --- the moira said in small laughs making the little boy blush at what she said, turning around so he wouldn't give her any more buzz, but he felt in his hand a bag full of coins and looked back at Cloto --- the obols are enough but the drachmas will make him not question --- the young woman winked at him and Argenis only whispered a "thank you very much, I'll be back, I promise" and left.

The sky of the Sun, the Martian sky, the sky of Jupiter.

Zeus looked with great curiosity at that exchange that he did not notice Prometheus who was sitting next to him, just watching the little one who had also managed to deceive the aforementioned… and then Prometheus had an idea.

--- A very peculiar little guy, don't you think? --- Zeus let out a small squeak when he noticed Prometheus, causing the titan to let out a laugh that could be heard in almost all the hall of the gods --- Brave as his father and cunning as his mother, but stubborn as both, something to be feared if that remains when he grows up.

--- They are not his parents, he is a human and that's it --- muttered the king of the gods angrily, clenching his fists on the table where he saw the little one. His countenance, young and beautiful, reflected the repudiation he had for the child not only for bringing Ares and Athena closer together but also for having been deceived by him --- he is an easy mortal to kill --- Prometheus felt he had to act quickly before Zeus saw that he had the perfect opportunity to kill the child when he left Thrace.

--- Or prove that the child is worthless --- Zeus looked attentively at Prometheus, willing to listen to his proposal --- Do you know what he is looking for? --- The king shook his head and turned to look at Argenis --- Remember Orpheus? the same thing but with his sister --- Zeus looked at Prometheus and looked at the boy again --- You only have to make Argenis not find the entrance... --- Zeus covered the titan's mouth and looked at the little one.

--- I already know what to do: I will tell him where the entrance is, as he won't believe me he will take another path and get lost, causing both of my children to hate each other again --- Zeus patted Prometheus on the cheek and went off to "divert" the child. Prometheus could only think that fate, and the related gods, was as mysterious as it was capricious. When Zeus left the room with a triumphant face, Hera entered from the other side with a bad temper.

--- Your husband is not cheating on you --- said Prometheus, already accustomed to Hera's face that always bellowed --- Zeus is not in bed, he is cheating on me again --- and the comment made her calm down a little --- But he wants to get rid of Argenis.

-WHAT?!

the sky of Saturn, the stellar sky, the sky of the motives

--- …. after a river, on the left you will see the entrance to hades --- Argenis looked at him carefully, trying to remember everything Zeus told him --- Now, I know you must be wondering why I helped you.

--- Because we are family and a grandfather helps his grandson --- Argenis smiled at him in a sincere way, making Hera and Prometheus let out an "aww" in the hall of the gods. --- Either that or you are really bored up there and only something new could fill your boredom in an adventure where my chances of dying inside hades are huge causing my early death and a lesson for mortals not to venture out at a young age --- commented Argenis with some seriousness until his tone became lighter --- Or I get stuck up there and start counting souls until my parents realize I am gone --- Zeus scratched his chin a little and looked at Argenis again --- Well, good, nice to have talked to you grandfather and to have solved everything, now I must continue my journey.

--- Why do you do it? Forgive my memory, sometimes I tend to forget things --- the king and the child looked at each other, both analyzing each other as if they were going to reveal something hidden.

--- Agnes, you killed her because of me? see you later, I must go --- sadness flooded the little one but his determination made him move forward, ordering Arion to move, until he disappeared from the king's sight.

the bull continues in the endless eternity

--- I think your grandson is more perceptive than I thought --- confessed Prometheus, he knew the boy was cunning but trusting…. well, he didn't know if trusting was the right word --- Zeus' face is priceless - the titan mocked when he saw the king's face.

--- I'm not going to lie, that was weird --- said Hera as she came out of her little shock caused by the boy's words. --- I thought I was going to give him false directions. Will you help him?

--- He thinks that if he tells him the true path, Argenis will distrust and follow another --- Hera thought for a few seconds about what Prometheus had said until a certain truth came out.

--- But Argenis believes in his heart that Zeus is helping him --- Hera sighed in relief knowing that her grandson was at least going to reach his destination.

Prometheus was not going to deny that the plan of the king of the gods, obviously flawed, was better than his own that could have caused the boy's parents to fight. Best of all, this time Zeus had fooled himself, so he would have no punishment to endure again and Argenis would not be lost.

a single organ system

The titan was known as a do-gooder, civilizing figure, making possible the progress of mankind and trying to equalize man with the gods. Also for having deceived Zeus several times and for having saved him from his punishments. Taking all this into account, it was not surprising that Prometheus was fascinated with the son of Ares and Athena; that is, a human who deceived Zeus and did what he could not: get rid of Zeus' punishment.

Actually, Prometheus adored his creation, loved humans and would give everything for them. So Argenis already had someone on his side. Fate seemed to be preparing him for something that could turn very dark, it only remained to wait and see what fate's plans would be.

a single prepetual motion machine

Love, like hate, is a force that moves mountains, but it is fragile. It also causes all kinds of emotions: it makes you enjoy life, feel and express gratitude, have moments of serenity, feel curious and interested in the world, live with hope, be able to feel pride in a constructive way, have the ability to have fun, find sources of inspiration and maintain our capacity for wonder.

But Love and Hate have a limit, an end: Death.

ah, it is an empty movement

Death, an inevitable change, to stop or avoid it is impossible, no one can. And no one can raise the dead, only the gods can.

But Argenis had faith, he had hope, he was determined to leave the underworld with the soul of his sister and achieve what Orpheus could not.

Yes, it is an empty move, it is