Ares P.O.V.

Olympus

Year 1, Day 235 (Age of the Divide)

The arguments and fights are what make the Olympian council meetings. Before The Divide the chance for heated arguments forming into fist-fights were slim to none, really we just argued, but now the new council formed by Zeus often came to blows. More than likely the new additions are the cause, but I think father's "alliance" (more like the others swore fealty to him) have a few dissenters; I'll need to investigate that later.

The New Olympian Council or simply the Council (which we prefer) was created by Lord Zeus to include him, myself, my mother Hera, Artemis who had lost the battle of New Athens for us, the voluptuous Aphrodite, that misshapen fool Hephaestus, the drunkard Dionysus, my aunt Demeter, the titans Prometheus and Krios, Aeolus, master of the winds, whom Zeus upgraded to some sort of messenger, and Hecate who recently apologized for siding with Kronos. Needless to say, every time we meet each god, goddess, and titan tried to one up one another. I love the anger, fear and potential fights that ensue; this is better than reality television that used to air on mortal television before The Divide.

In fact, right now I'm itching to rip Dionysus into two right now, the little punk dare accuse my city-state to be in a state of disarray. I wonder what father will say, his eyes are letting off a bit more yellow than usual right now which usually means his temper is about to go.

"Dionysus, enough about the shortage of wine and revelry in New Sparta and the surrounding land, that's Ares' domain. If he wishes to allow more drinking, then I'm sure that you will be the first to hear," said Zeus. Dionysus, the little punk, sat down in a purple frenzy and fiddled with a zipper on his tiger jogging suit. I'd love to let him try to bring his spoiled grapes and parties to my domain; I'd let Derfel or Petro deal with him, they both love making examples of people. Thinking of punks, what does Krios want this time from my father?

"Krios, Titan of Stars and Constellations, Lord of the South, you have the floor," Zeus said to Krios.

The Titan shifted his hulking frame in his newly made throne courtesy of Hephaestus. The throne, I admit, is spectacular; made of a deep midnight black with varying different stars and constellations all along the sides. Krios stood and moved to the center of the room and bowed, "Thank you my Lord Zeus. As the council knows my forces have been stationed along the southern borders of our holdings. The rebels have only made small incursions into our territory, mainly to free our food supply."

"Humans as food!" yelled Prometheus as he stood from his throne, his hand drifting to a dagger. "This is too much. I thought we had laid this matter to rest, humans are to be used for our benefit, not for those damned monsters Krios keeps."

"Sit down and know your place nephew! Those damned monsters are the only things stopping Poseidon and his pitiful son Percy Jackson from ripping your larynx out and using it as a flute. Besides there are plenty of those puny beings around to be your puppets," responded Krios. Prometheus moved to take on his uncle, Demeter and Aphrodite all started yelling at Zeus asking Krios stop this horrid practice, while Krios drew his battle-axe waiting for a chance to use it. At this I could feel my blood boil; no one and I mean no one except me is allowed to draw a weapon in the throne room. As my father's champion I have this right. In one fluid movement I stood and transformed into my full battle regalia, summoned my Morningstar and took two steps toward the center of the room. Before Krios could even blink, I had brought the morning star in a swooping arc over my head to crash down on Krios' should shattering his right arm. He grunted in pain and went to a knee, Prometheus s squealed some sort of challenge, so quickly I reversed the swing and caught Prometheus in his stomach sending him flying back into his throne knocking it over and rendering him unconscious.

Glowering at the rest of the council, I wishfully looked for another stupid enough to challenge me; unfortunately it was only the stupid Titans that ever seemed to be stupid enough. "Enough Ares. I think you made your point," said Zeus. "Krios, please continue with your report and try to maintain composure or I'll let Ares have more fun with you."

"Thank you my lord," grimaced Krios. "As you all know my forces are maintaining the southern border of our holdings. Poseidon's whelp continues to make sorties into my borders but, as I said before, only to make raids on our camps. In my opinion the Poseidon forces pose no threat to the South."

"Thank you Krios. Artemis, report on the East." All eyes turned to the virgin hunter. Father trusts her because of her promise, but I don't and never will. The bond she shares with Apollo is too great. Her defeat at New Athens still burns inside me. I knew that I should have gone in her stead but Camp Half-Blood was too great a prize. I think I'll need to get a few of my daughters to join her merry band to ensure that she is trustworthy.

Artemis stood and dutifully spoke, "Father and fellow councilmembers, the East is strong. The humans are creating new metropolises throughout the entire land. The largest is one that many call New Delphi and is the cause for the greatest concern because it is on the coast. As we all know cities that are on the coast may be easily attacked by the rebels. It's my suggestion that we send forces from High-top (Zeus' main city, named thus because it of being placed in the center of the world at the highest point to help support the city and its defenses -"

"Out of the question," interrupted Zeus, "High-top's troops are still being trained and those that are trained are needed to keep the peace. You and cadre of new hunters, whose numbers have reached the thousands thanks to me, must make do. If there is nothing else, let us adjourn until the morrow."

At this point Lord Zeus stood to leave but only raised half-way out of his chair when the throne room burst open with Petro and Derfel carrying a bloodied human mercenary who wore Krios' colors.

"HALT," bellowed Zeus, "Children of Ares are, you bluthering idiots or do you truly want to meet my brother Hades!"

"My lord. Please forgive us but this human refused to speak to none other than his master. His horse was nearly dead from a hard ride and this human claimed to have lost ten men on the ride. He brings news from the South," explained Petro.

Zeus curtly nodded so the mercenary tried to speak, but only was able to make a gurgled noise with all the blood in his mouth. Father looked on in anger and the air began to hum, his bolt appeared. "Speak now human or I will make sure your end is not quick but extremely painful."

The human's eyes widened and he tried to begin once more. The gurgling noise emitted from his mouth once more and Zeus raised his hand to bring down his bolt, but was stopped by Hera's hand.

"Husband, if you were listening rather than thinking of how to torture the poor mortal, then you would have heard his message."

"Well, wife" Zeus acidly responded," Pray tell what the weakling reported."

My mother, always the one to put a thorn in her husband's side, smiled slowly and almost in a whisper said "The South has fallen."