[Training Ground, Olympus]

It's been a full day since Ares' birth and the subsequent Breast Feeding Ceremony. In that time, Hera had spent every moment doting on her divine son, watching him grow and marveling at his extraordinary abilities.

Ares, now in the form of a young boy, had quickly adapted to his newfound existence. His celestial blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as he explored the halls of Mount Olympus, his snow-white hair trailing behind him like a celestial comet.

As Hera watched Ares train in the divine training grounds, she couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in her heart. Despite his youthful appearance, Ares possessed a strength and agility that surpassed even the mightiest of gods. His movements were fluid and precise, a testament to the divine powers coursing through his veins.

"Hah!"

A wood sword clattered against a training dummy as Ares delivered a swift strike, his movements guided by an innate sense of combat prowess. With each swing, he demonstrated a natural affinity for battle, his divine infusing each strike with a raw power that reverberated through the training grounds.

Hera, observing from a distance, marveled at Ares' prowess. The celestial symbols adorning his skin pulsed with divine energy, amplifying his abilities and marking him as the god of war.

As Ares continued his training, Hera sensed a presence behind her. Turning, she found Hestia, the goddess with crimson hair, watching with a serene expression.

"He is truly a marvel, isn't he?" Hestia remarked, her gaze fixed on Ares as he honed his skills.

"That he is, and much more. He has an intent instinct for battle and a strength that belies his youthful appearance," Hera replied, her voice tinged with pride.

"Ye-"

!!!

"WHO'S THERE???"

Hestia immediately paused and looked in the direction of the disturbance, her expression calm but alert. Hera, too, turned her attention toward the source of the voice, her senses heightened by the sudden interruption.

Standing at the entrance of the training grounds was Hermes, the messenger of the gods, his mischievous grin in place but his eyes betraying a hint of urgency.

"My apologies for the intrusion, Queen Hera, Lady Hestia," Hermes spoke, his tone respectful but urgent. "I bring news from Mount Olympus."

Hera stepped forward, her maternal instincts on high alert. "What news do you bring, Hermes? Has something happened?"

Hermes nodded, his expression serious. "It's his majesty, my queen. He has summoned all the gods to the throne room. There is a matter of grave importance that requires our immediate attention."

Hera exchanged a glance with Hestia, her heart heavy with concern. "Very well, Hermes. Lead the way."

With a sense of urgency, Hera and Hestia followed Hermes out of the training grounds, their thoughts consumed by the unknown threat that had prompted Zeus to summon the gods. Ares, sensing the tension in the air, paused his training and followed behind, his youthful curiosity piqued by the unfolding events.

"Son, You go back to our chamber. I will be back in just a moment," Hera instructed Ares, her voice firm but gentle.

Ares nodded obediently, though a flicker of curiosity danced in his celestial blue eyes. "Yes, Mother. I will await your return."

"Ah! If I may interject," Hermes spoke up, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Perhaps it would be wise for Ares to accompany us to the throne room. After all, he is now officially recognized as the God of War, and his presence may prove invaluable in whatever matter his majesty has summoned us for."

Hera considered Hermes' words for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Very well. Ares, you may accompany us to the throne room, but remember to remain composed and respectful in the presence of the other gods."

Ares beamed with excitement at the prospect of joining the assembly of gods, his youthful energy palpable as he fell into step beside Hera.

As they made their way through the divine halls of Mount Olympus, Hera couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gripped her heart. Whatever had prompted Zeus to call for the assembly must be of significant importance, and she braced herself for the revelation that awaited them in the throne room.

Upon reaching the grand entrance to the throne room, Hermes stepped forward and announced their arrival in a voice that echoed through the marble halls.

"Hear ye, hear ye! Queen Hera, Lady Hestia, and the newly recognized God of War, Ares, have arrived!"

The doors to the throne room swung open, revealing the majestic interior bathed in the golden light of Olympus. Hera led the way, her regal presence commanding the attention of those gathered within.

Zeus, seated upon his throne at the head of the room, regarded the newcomers with a solemn expression. Around him stood the other gods and goddesses of Olympus, their faces a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Welcome, Hera, Hestia, and young Ares," Zeus greeted them, his voice resonating with the power of thunder. "I have called this assembly to address a matter of grave importance that threatens our pantheon and the very fabric of our existence itself."

As Zeus spoke, a hushed silence fell over the assembly, each god and goddess leaning forward to hear his words with rapt attention.

Zeus stood from his throne, his presence commanding the attention of all who were present in the grand hall of Olympus. His gaze swept over the assembly before settling on Hera, Hestia, and Ares with a mixture of gravity and concern.

"As many of you are aware," Zeus began, his voice rumbling like distant thunder, "We lost some of our power and divinity due to the birth of Ares. It seems that the balance of power within the pantheon has been disrupted, and our enemies have taken notice."

A murmur rippled through the gathered gods and goddesses, their expressions reflecting a mixture of shock and apprehension at Zeus' revelation.

"Yes, Norse and Egypt pantheon have sensed our moment of vulnerability," Zeus continued, his voice echoing through the hall. "They have begun to encroach upon our territory, seeking to exploit our weakened state and claim dominion over Olympus."

Hera's heart sank at the news, her mind racing with the implications of this threat. The idea of Olympus falling under the control of another pantheon was unthinkable, and she knew that they must act swiftly to defend their home and protect their divine heritage.

"As we speak Thor from the Norse pantheon and Seth from the Egyptian pantheon are amassing their forces at the borders of Olympus," Zeus continued, his voice thundering with authority. "They seek to challenge our supremacy and claim Olympus as their own."

Hera exchanged a worried glance with Hestia, her mind racing with thoughts of how to repel this imminent threat. The prospect of facing off against gods from other pantheons was daunting, but she knew that they could not afford to show any weakness in the face of such aggression.

"We must unite as one pantheon and stand together against this common enemy," Zeus declared, his voice ringing with determination. "We cannot allow our enemies to divide us or exploit our vulnerabilities. We must fight with all our strength and defend Olympus at all costs."

The gravity of Zeus' words hung heavy in the air, weighing on the hearts of all those gathered in the throne room. The threat posed by the encroaching pantheons struck a chord of urgency within each deity, igniting a fierce determination to protect their home and heritage.

"Athena, Apollo, and Artemis are already mobilizing our forces and preparing for battle," Zeus continued, addressing the assembly. "But we will need every god and goddess to lend their strength to our cause if we are to emerge victorious."

"I will not participate,"

A voice silence till now echoed through the throne room, cutting through the tension like a dagger. All eyes turned to the source of the unexpected proclamation, and there, standing with an air of defiance, was Poseidon, the god of the seas.

Poseidon's declaration sent shockwaves through the assembly, his refusal to participate in the defense of Olympus casting a shadow of uncertainty over their plans. Hera's brow furrowed with concern as she regarded her brother, his stance betraying a stubborn resolve that seemed unyielding.

"Why do you refuse to stand with us in our time of need, Poseidon?" Zeus demanded, his voice tinged with frustration. "Do you not understand the gravity of the threat we face?"

Poseidon crossed his arms over his chest, his expression unyielding as he met Zeus' gaze with a steely resolve. "I understand perfectly well, brother. But I will not lend my strength in this created due to this abomination." while looking at Ares.

Zeus' expression darkened at Poseidon's words, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "You dare refer to Ares, my son, as an abomination?" he thundered, his voice resonating with the power of the storm.

Hera stepped forward, her temper flaring at Poseidon's disrespect. "How dare you insult our family, Poseidon! Ares is a divine being, recognized as the God of War by the entire pantheon. His birth may have disrupted our power, but he is no abomination."

Poseidon remained unmoved, his stance unwavering in the face of his siblings' anger. "He may be your son, Zeus, but he is not of Olympus. His presence weakens us and invites further aggression from our enemies. I will not risk the safety of our pantheon for the sake of a child who embodies chaos and destruction."

Hera's eyes blazed with fury at Poseidon's words, her fists clenched at her sides. "You speak of risking the safety of our pantheon, yet you stand idly by while Olympus faces its greatest threat in millennia. Your refusal to stand with us is a betrayal of everything we hold dear!"

Poseidon met Hera's gaze with a cold resolve, unmoved by her impassioned plea. "I have made my decision, Hera. Nothing you say will sway me."

Before Hera could respond, Zeus stepped forward, his voice thundering through the throne room with an air of authority that brooked no argument. "So be it, Poseidon. If you refuse to stand with us in our time of need, then you shall bear the consequences of your actions. But know this: if Olympus falls, you will share in the responsibility for its downfall."

With a final glance of disdain at Poseidon, Zeus turned to address the rest of the assembly, his voice ringing with determination. "We march to war, my fellow gods and goddesses. Let us show our enemies the strength and unity of Olympus!"

.

..

...

[To Be Continued]

---------------------------

Thanks for reading.

Peace Out✌️