The Challenge

Fifteen

One week later...

The majestic halls of Olympus echoed with the laughter and chatter of gods from various pantheons. Having been granted the rare opportunity to stay and strengthen the alliance between the Norse and Olympian realms, the gods of Olympus had welcomed them graciously, recognizing the value of unity among the pantheons.
Ares had offered to show Namira to the sacred orchard to see the state of the garden and assess their chances.

Meanwhile, in another part of Olympus, Thor paced restlessly, his thoughts consumed by the separation from Namira. The mere idea of being away from her, even in the divine splendour of Olympus, irked the thunder god.
Loki, being his usual self, approached Thor with a sly grin. "Brother, why the furrowed brow? Has Olympus lost its charm?"
Freyr rose from where he sat in the chamber, slowly drawing closer, but Loki simply pressed on, "Ah... That's right! Its charm to you was the bedpartner you'd find here... and how sad to know you were separated from him too."
Thor shot him a glare, the storm in his eyes matching the anger that raged within him. "Enough of your jests, Loki. This separation from Namira is unbearable, I could help her... I should help her."

Loki chuckled, leaning against a marble pillar. "Oh, the mighty Thor, brought to his knees by matters of the heart. Who would have thought?"
Idly Loki plucked at his sleeve, "Perhaps you should focus on the pleasures Olympus has to offer rather than brooding over a mere whore, who's likely spending her time bedding your ex-lover."
Thor clenched his fists, lightning crackling around him as he approached the trickster God, "You will not speak of her like that, Loki. She is a formidable Goddess who's already done great things for our pantheon and you. Our bond is unbreakable. Do not belittle what we share."

Loki's eyes glinted with mischief. "Unbreakable, you say? Perhaps, but distance can be a powerful force, my dear brother. And who knows what adventures Namira might find herself in without the thunderous protection of Thor and in the company of another God?"
Thor's patience wore thin and he seized Loki by the collar of his elaborate Asgardian attire. "Enough of your games, Loki."
Loki grinned, unfazed by Thor's display of anger. "I speak only the truth, or perhaps you are afraid to face it. Enjoy your time in Olympus, Thor. I, for one, find the prospect of mischief far more entertaining than sulking over your pet."
Thor released his grip on Loki, his jaw clenched. He turned away from his brother, contemplating whether the alliance was worth the torment of being separated from Namira.

Loki's laughter echoed in the halls of Olympus and followed after the God of Thunder, leaving the possibility of severing ties with his brother hanging in the air like an impending storm. Loki needed their help. He couldn't manage a thing on his own in this realm. Perhaps it was time for them to simply let the traitor God sink or swim.
As far as Thor was concerned, Loki no longer deserved their aid and if it were up to him, he'd make sure Odin knew that whatever alliance was forged here had nothing to do with the Trickster God that no one would trust or entertain.
Thor felt, rather than saw, Freyr's presence at his back. The quiet caress of love and warmth that the God exuded brushing over him and soothing his soul.

He needed to see Namira. She'd taken her mission very seriously, but it had been a week and he'd seen her just once. It wasn't enough. His heart ached in her absence, even with Freyr doing his best to soothe him. If Namira and Ares didn't return to them soon, nothing could stop him from finding her in that garden.

In the heart of Olympus, Ares and Namira stood before the neglected remnants of the sacred garden, determined to restore its former glory. The once vibrant blooms had withered, and the air felt heavy with the weight of neglect. They surveyed the desolate landscape, acknowledging the challenge that lay ahead. It was clear that that the nymphs meant to take care of the garden had failed as their own powers had dwindled. This wouldn't be an easy task. They'd known that immediately.

Namira, with her connection to nature, could sense the latent potential within the soil. The usual fiery demeanour of Ares had been replaced by a focused determination, he would help her however he could.

"We need to breathe life into this sacred ground." Namira's declaration was met with a nod from the God, "You are right, but the land has been dormant for too long. We'll need to channel our powers and work together to awaken its latent magic."
The duo had begun the arduous task, starting with clearing away the debris and dead vegetation. Ares summoned his divine strength, effortlessly uprooting thorny vines and clearing the way for Namira's nature-infused energies to take root.

Namira knelt beside the barren soil, her hands glowing with a soft, golden light. She whispered ancient incantations in the Ancient Norse tongue, coaxing the earth to respond to her call.
Ares simply watched her in awe.
As Namira worked her magic, the soil gradually softened, and a subtle hum of energy reverberated through the air. Ares, recognizing the signs, joined in the effort. He plunged his hand into the ground next to Namira, allowing his power to mingle with Namira's nature magic.

Together, they had channelled their energies, weaving a delicate dance between strength and growth. The once desolate garden began to stir, a soft breeze carrying the promise of renewal. Sprouts emerged from the earth, and tiny buds formed on the previously barren branches as some of nature started to come back to life.
Namira smiled, a reflection of the newfound life mirrored in her eyes, "This is a start... one that took us days to achieve, but we're far from successful yet. There is much work to be done."

Ares nodded, his gaze fixed on the rejuvenating garden. "You won't fail us, Namira."
As their collaboration transformed the neglected garden into a lush haven, Namira produced a small pouch containing a seed from Yggdrasil. It had taken them a week to get the garden ready to create new trees as the old ones had been uprooted.
With great care, she planted the seed in the centre of the garden, envisioning a new tree that would bear golden apples, a symbol of unity between the Norse and Olympian pantheons.

The sacred space, once forgotten, now thrived with vibrant colours and the promise of divine abundance. Olympus's sacred garden had been reborn, a testament to the power of collaboration and the resilience of nature. Ares and Namira, satisfied with their accomplishment, stood side by side. The tree would need time to grow, to bloom, it'd be a while yet before Olympus would harvest the fruits of her labour, but Namira had done her part and with care, the success was inevitable.

Whether it was the heat of the moment, the celebration of success or simply the time they'd spent together this last week, Namira found herself leaning into the God of War, ready to kiss him.
Ares gently gripped her chin, tilting her head up and away from his lips to press a kiss to her forehead. He wasn't sure what motivated Namira now, but he would respect Namira's request of not being kissed on the lips until he was specifically told this had changed.

He smiled, before gazing in the distance then, "We should return to the Great Hall of Olympus, it would seem Sparkles is upset."
Namira followed Ares's gaze, gasping lightly at the sky that had tinged completely black but for the heavy lightening that illuminated the realm every now and then.

Something had upset the God of Thunder and whatever it was, Namira wouldn't leave him to suffer it alone when her work here was done for now, "Let's go."

TBC...