Chapter 10: Scapegoat

[3rd POV]

"Huh?"

Upon hearing Zeus' decision, the current Prometheus visibly had disbelief written all over his face. 

However, before he could even point at himself and argue, Zeus continued:

"Furthermore, Athena shall also possess strategic warfare, crafts, medicine, agriculture, justice, navigation, and music. Additionally, she will take my place in victory from me on my behalf."

The moment Zeus finished speaking, Poseidon, Apollo, Demeter, Themis, Hephaestus, and Ares all simultaneously felt deeply offended.

Several unfriendly gazes instantly focused on the newly born goddess, who hadn't even had time to understand her situation.

At that moment, both Prometheus and Ares realized what was happening.

They quickly adjusted their expressions; Prometheus took a step back and swallowed his words, while Ares also put on a furious expression.

Zeus' actions were clearly intended to force Athena to offend all the powerful gods present. This would keep her in check and prevent her from gaining too much power.

Judging by Athena's expression, she quickly grasped the meaning behind her father's scheme. 

Since Athena had grown up inside Zeus's mind, she naturally understood how he usually thought. 

However, Zeus had played his move so openly and cleverly that she couldn't avoid it. For now, she had no choice but to endure it and plan her moves carefully in the future.

Athena looked around at her uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters with a friendly expression. However, she received wary and unfriendly stares in return. 

This left her feeling helpless, but with Zeus present and her divine authority granted by his decree, none of the gods dared to openly voice their dissatisfaction, even if they were unhappy.

Given their personalities, among all the major gods present, only one god might have the audacity to defy Zeus' decision and openly stand against him.

So, Poseidon, Demeter, Apollo, Hephaestus, and Artemis all turned their eyes toward Ares. Hephaestus, Artemis, and Apollo, who had a good relationship with Ares, looked slightly worried.

However, Poseidon and Demeter had more of an impatient look in their eyes.

Feeling their gazes upon him, Ares immediately understood that this was his moment to take the stage. And for his own purposes, he had no problem stepping into the spotlight.

He took a deep breath, gathered his anger, and acted outraged. Then, he stepped forward, raised his hand, and shouted, "I object!"

The sudden outburst startled the Gods of Olympus, but when they saw that the speaker was Ares, none of them appeared particularly surprised. 

In fact, Poseidon and some of the older gods even sat back, ready to enjoy the show like spectators watching a fight.

"Oh?"

Hearing Ares's objection, Zeus didn't seem surprised either and simply asked, "Why do you oppose my decision?"

"Zeus, this is completely unfair!"

Struggling to maintain his furious demeanor, Ares loudly accused Zeus, "I am the God of War! I should be the one who commands strategic warfare and secures victory on your behalf! Why should Athena suddenly step in and take what rightfully belongs to me?"

"So, are you saying you intend to defy your father's orders?" 

Zeus's expression darkened with displeasure. However, judging by the clear skies outside the palace, it was evident that he didn't seem that upset.

"I just don't accept it!"

Seeing Zeus' reaction, Ares acted like someone who was full of anger but still too afraid to truly disobey his father. 

After pretending to ponder for a moment, Ares suddenly shouted, "Since Athena wants to take what belongs to the God of War, then let's settle this with strength. We'll fight to see who truly deserves victory!"

Afterward, Ares drew his flaming sword and blading shield and banged his sword against the shield with loud clang clang sounds.

"Wait, Ares! Don't be reckless!"

Hephaestus stepped forward to stop him, but before he could continue, Zeus immediately cut him off, "Since you're so confident, Ares, then let's proceed. Athena."

Zeus looked at the newly born goddess with bright, intelligent eyes. After a brief contemplation, Athena met his eyes and gave him a small nod.

"Good! Then let a duel decide Athena's divine authority!"

Zeus lifted his mighty Thunderbolt high above his throne and declared, "The duel shall take place in the Mediterranean!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zeus struck the Thunderbolt down with great force. Instantly, a blinding flash of lightning tore through the sky, crashing into the Mediterranean Sea. 

The impact split the waters apart, revealing a vast stretch of land beneath the sea.

Seeing that Zeus was serious, Leto, who had previously owed Ares a favor, hurriedly spoke up, "Zeus, please reconsider. The gods of Olympus shouldn't be fighting each other like this over something like this."

But before Zeus could reply, Hera scoffed and said, "Leto, just focus on your own children. I refuse to believe my son would lose to this little girl." 

Then she turned to Ares and commanded, "Ares, use your full strength. Show them the true power of the God of War."

Ares nodded at Hera and quietly apologized in his heart.

He started this fight on purpose, but he never planned to win. He needed to lose to Athena so that Zeus would see Athena as a more significant threat than him. 

That way, Zeus would stop worrying about him, making it easier for him to do what he wanted.

As soon as Zeus declared the duel had begun, Ares secured his helmet, gripped his weapons tightly, and jumped down from the clouds. 

He fell straight into the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, crashing into the ocean floor like a giant meteor and creating a huge crater.

On the other side, Athena, looking as strong and fierce as a true Valkyrie, descended gracefully onto the battlefield.

After a few moments later, Zeus arrived, bringing many gods with him. 

They all floated in the sky above the battleground. 

Raising both hands, Zeus looked down at his two children and asked, "Ares, Athena, are you both ready?"

Athena took a deep breath, looking slightly tense, but still nodded in affirmation.

On the other side, Ares nodded slightly, signaling he was fully prepared.

"Then, let the duel begin." 

Zeus declared.

At Zeus' command, both deities raised their weapons.

As soon as Zeus gave the order, both gods raised their weapons. Ares' flaming sword burned even brighter as his power wrapped around it, while Athena's spear started to glow with a mysterious light.

"Come, Ares." 

The golden-haired, bright-eyed goddess declared as she fixed her gaze upon her half-brother.

"I will prove to all that I am victory itself."

"A mere words won't make you the Goddess of Victory." 

Ares sneered. He knew words alone wouldn't make someone the goddess of victory and looked at her and spoke to her quietly:

"Come, Athena. I'm ready too."

The God of War took a deep breath, summoning all his strength—getting ready to... pretend to get injured by Athena on purpose!

To be continued...