Thief Of Truth's Heart

Chapter 29

The war was finally coming to an end.

But as usual, Ares had no intention of stopping, much to Athena's exasperation.

"Ares!! The war is almost won!! Stop the bloodshed already!! Moreover, you aren't working according to the plan which we made earlier!!", Athena yelled at her half brother in irritation.

"What plan Athena?!", Ares asked, giving a brutal smile as he expertly slashed a mortal warrior's chest open, blood spraying on his armor from the wound. "This is a battle!!! Not a freaking celebration that we need to plan!! In a battle, there's no time to think!!"

Using his spear, Ares took down another warrior with a war cry. "In a battle, there's only WAR!!!"

Athena face palmed. "Ares, I meant that you should stop killing people unnecessarily. Mother won't be too happy with you if she found out that you have hurt people without proper reason."

Ares stopped his spear from piercing through the mortal's body, who was dangling from his hold after he had picked the pathetic man out of the battlefield and onto his own moving chariot. Frowning, he slowly agreed. "As much as I hate to agree with you about anything, you are right that mother would be sad. I don't need her sad because of a few dead mortals."

Looking at the man struggling in his hold, Ares sneered. "Today's your lucky day, mortal. I won't kill you."

The man could barely hold back a sigh in relief before Ares flung him back into the battlefield.

Grinning at the fuming Athena, Ares called out brightly. "As long as the man isn't killed by me, mother won't be sad. And I will be happy as long as he is killed by anyone who wishes to step up to do the deed. See, in this way everyone wins!!"

Athena just shook her head and went on to help the mortals in need.

Ares shrugged in reply before looking at his mother who had taken on her giant form and was looming over the centre of the battlefield with the green power of her domains glowing in her eyes and hands.

Smiling innocently, Ares called out. "I didn't kill the mortal!! An enemy soldier did!!"

I know sweetheart, came the soft reply in his head.

With another war cry, Ares entered the battle with renewed fervour.

•

•

•

After another hour of killing and maiming on the battlefield, the hostile commander of the army of Pylos was finally taken down by Ares with the blessing of Atlanta, which drew the war to an end.

Amidst the cheers of satyrs and  wood nymphs alike, Atlanta shrunk down to her original height and hugged her two children fiercely. "You both were amazing, sweethearts. You made me so proud."

Ares grinned. "Thanks Mother!!"

Athena gave a shy smile. "It wasn't much, really."

The Goddess of Innocence looked at Athena in confusion. "That was brilliant, my dear. Give yourself some credit. I shall report back to Uncle Zoos about both of your battle prowess. He will be extremely pleased."

Suddenly, Atlanta was taken from the hold of her children with a shriek of surprise before she was engulfed in a hug from Pan. "Thank you so much for saving the trees and my followers, My Lady!!"

Atlanta patted the God of the Wild on his shoulder awkwardly while struggling to get out of the tight hold. "That's alright. Really. The least we could do for our fellow God in need. Who can we rely on if not on each other?"