Ares: The War God

Ares: The War God - Chapter 1

Ares gazed around him at his fallen foe and smirked. He had wiped out every single last one of the men who had dared to stay and fight. Though he respected them for their bravery, it did not spare them from his anger or win them any pardons. Now they lay dead amongst the burning grass, cut to pieces by his unforgiving sword.

He reached out a hand and summoned his fire back to him. It twisted and roared like a chained animal, unwilling to cease its wild destruction. Yet it could not help but obey him, disappearing into his body from all directions with surprising speed. The land was left charred and crackling, marred my flames, war and blood. Fortunately he knew that Demeter, the Goddess of Harvest & Fertility, would repair it soon.

For now, he had other things to deal with.

Ares moved through the wreckage that lay around him. Smoke stifled the night air, lit only by the dying embers of the fires that had torn through the battlefield. Most of it his own. Darkness fell thick around them all and brought with it the hushed tones of peace.

The Amazons were seeing to their wounded and carrying their deceased sisters from the field. As he passed, they gave him thanks with a bow of their head and grateful words, and then carried on with their work. He acknowledged them with a nod as he worked his way through the field, pausing at any fallen Amazon to pay his respects, or end the suffering of those on the edge of death. It both angered and pained him to see the lifeless bodies of his valiant warrior women.

He stopped beside one of his own, and knelt to cradle her body in his arm as he closed her eyes in death's everlasting sleep. Amynta was her name – Defender - and how true to her name she was. He watched her soul pass through the veil between realms with one of the Keres, and as he lay her body gently back down onto the grass, he heard someone call him.

"My Lord."

Ares turned his attention to Calendrea, the Amazonian Queen, as she approached. Though bloodied and worn, she still stood tall and regal. As the leader of her people she was never one to bend, even when most of them would. It was a quality he admired in her and one that kept her on the throne.

"The surviving invaders have fled back into the mountains. Do you wish us to pursue them?" she enquired.

"No," Ares instructed as he stood, straightening to his full height. "Let them be, but have them followed. I do not want any more surprises."

"As you wish," she said, veering away from him to carry out his orders.

"Calendrea," Ares stopped her before she left.

"Yes, my Lord?" She turned back to face him.

"When you have given out my commands, return to me."

Her brow creased slightly, but she held back from further expressing her curiosity and concern at his words. "Certainly, my Lord."

Ares continued moving through the fields, overseeing the aftermath of the battle. War came at a high cost, though it was often necessary. Words did not always settle disputes, and it was clear that these invaders did not have any sort of co-operation on their agenda. He lifted a fallen tree off a chariot, placing it as securely back into the ground as possible before proceeding. Fortunately, the Amazons that were stationed close by were able to intercept the enemy before all of their forces infiltrated Greece.

Calendrea returned, quickly falling into step with his long strides, "My Lord, you wished to speak with me?"

Ares halted, turning towards her and crossing his arms as he focused his displeasure upon her. "Tell me, why did you wait for so long to summon me?" Red seeped into his eyes and lined his pupils. "Your numbers have severely depleted and there are many wounded."