Opposite Councils

In the heights of Olympus, under a sky dotted with lightning, the gods gathered in their council chamber. The atmosphere was tense, quite different from their usual self-assurance. The defeat of Ares had left its mark on everyone. Sitting on his gleaming throne, Zeus watched the other gods, their silence speaking volumes.

Zeus: "I want to hear your opinions. What do you think of what has happened?"

His voice echoed throughout the hall, compelling a response.

Thor, the god of thunder, broke the silence first.

Thor : "This tournament was supposed to demonstrate our superiority. But Ares... he was crushed by a mere human."

He clenched his hammer Mjöllnir, a gleam of anger crossing his eyes.

Thor (lower, to himself): "How could he fail?"

Hera: "He failed because he relied too much on his brute strength. Mortals are not powerful like us, but they have a cunning and perseverance that we underestimated."

She turned her gaze to Zeus, seeking his approval.

Loki (with a smirk): "It's fascinating, isn't it? We thought it would be a fun show, but humans are more resourceful than we expected. Perhaps we should take them more seriously."

Zeus (in a firm tone): "We must not allow ourselves to be troubled by a single defeat. This is a war, not just a battle. We have to adapt. It's time to show them that their victory was an anomaly."

Ra, the solar god, nodded slowly before speaking in a calm voice.

Ra: "We must choose our next fighter carefully. This tournament is not just a show of strength. It's about restoring our honour and proving our superiority. Thor should be our next champion."

Susanoo, the Japanese god of storms, nodded in agreement.

Susanoo: "Thor is a good option. He's powerful, but also strategic. He won't take humans lightly like Ares did."

Zeus stood up, looking each god in the eye before declaring:

Zeus: "Very well. Thor will be our champion. Prepare him. The humans must humiliate us no longer."

On the other side, in a modest room steeped in history, the humans had gathered around a large wooden table. The flickering light from the torches illuminated their serious faces. Spartacus, still scarred by his battle with Ares, stood in the centre, listening to the proceedings.

Spartacus: "We have won a victory, but it would be foolish to believe that the next battles will be any easier. The gods won't make the same mistake twice."

He passed his gaze over each person around the table, seeking their opinion.

Leonidas, the Spartan king, crossed his arms, a confident smile on his lips.

Leonidas: "They can send anyone they like, it won't make any difference. We're not here to bend. Every battle is a chance to prove our worth to them."

Miyamoto Musashi, sitting calmly nearby, replied thoughtfully:

Musashi: "Leonidas, your bravery is inspiring, but it won't be enough. We must also be strategic. Who will be our next champion?"

Alexander the Great stepped forward, his eyes shining with ambition.

Alexander: "I think Leonidas would be an excellent choice. He embodies the human courage and discipline of a true warrior. But that's not enough. We need to know who he will be up against."

Gilgamesh, silent until then, put a hand on the table.

Gilgamesh: "It doesn't matter who they choose. Their forces mean nothing in the face of human determination. Leonidas can take them on, but he'll need a powerful artefact."

Spartacus: "You're right, Gilgamesh. We must choose carefully. This tournament isn't just about power, it's also about strategy. Leonidas, are you ready to represent humanity?"

Leonidas stood up, his eyes shining with unshakeable pride.

Leonidas: "I was born for this. Give me the weapon I need, and I'll show these gods that mortals never bend."

In both camps, the discussions gradually died down, with everyone meditating on the battle to come. The gods were preparing to send Thor, their most formidable warrior, while the humans were placing their faith in Leonidas, the symbol of their resilience. The stakes were rising, and the outcome of this battle would decide the direction of the tournament.