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Athena hated having to do this. Her father was obstinate, there was no mistaking that. However, her friend was in danger. She hated doing it but she abandoned Odysseus first. It was only right she try to make up for that now. Odysseus had been a long time ally of hers. When he was young, he’d slayed a boar she’d raised to be incredibly tricky to handle using his ingenuity and intellect. After that, he’d managed to trick her into revealing himself on the feeling of being watched. He was a truly great person. When he went off to war, she rode with him. Frankly, the whole Golden Apple affair wasn’t one she was proud of. She’d let her emotions get the better of her. Her sister and mother had as well. She should have seen through Eris’ ploy but got too competitive and that had led to a ten year long war her chosen had gotten tied into. On his way home from Troy however, he’d blinded a cyclops and revealed his name to it foolishly. In anger, Athena had abandoned him. Seeing his crew destroyed by her uncle and father and all the hardships he’d gone through however, she regretted it. Especially seeing how hard his son was fighting to bring him home.
“ Father.” She began, adjusting her glasses as she knelt down before his throne. “ I seldom ask favours from you however, I have to beg for one now. I… there’s a mortal who’s been cursed. I wish to seek you to spare his life.” As she spoke, the clouds around her thundered with laughter.
“ And who might that be, my child?” Athena grit her teeth.
“ You know who I’m talking about, Father.” She said. “ King Odysseus of Ithaca.” At his name, lightning struck the throne in front of her. Her father appeared from the smoke, resting his head on his fist, a smirk on his face. His black hair and beard was neatly cut and he wore a fancy suit, complete with tie and waistcoat, folding one leg over the other.
“ Ah. Divine Intervention. Is that what you seek?” He asked. “ To defy the tragic fate that Greek was given.” Slowly, he rose up. “ You’re playing with fire, Athena. That man has twice offended the gods. Poseidon has been chasing him across the seven oceans and Apollo came to me personally to ask for his life. Still, it is true how rare it is for you to come to me for anything, let alone for the life of a mortal. Ha ha. This man must have left quite the impression.” Athena didn’t answer, keeping her head bowed. “ Very well. If he’s truly worth the risk, then why not make it a game?”
“ A game?” Athena echoed.
“ Indeed. If you convince us to release him, then I shall gladly send Hermes to tell Calypso to send him on his way home.”
“ Us?” She asked cautiously. Zeus chuckled.
“ Poseidon and Apollo may be the vocal ones but there are others unhappy with his actions. While Poseidon’s a lost cause, convince the other five that he’s worthy of releasing and I shall consider it.” He began counting on his fingers as he approached his daughter. “ Apollo, Odysseus’ crew ate the Cattle of Helios, Hephaestus, he’s not too happy over how Odysseus treated certain people, Aphrodite, still sulking over Troy…” He rolled his eyes. “ Ares, because he really doesn’t like you, and my wife. Because she enjoys nagging me. Well?” Athena stood up, looking up at her father as he loomed over her.
“ Bring it on.” She said. Zeus grinned.
****************************************
Finding Apollo was always easy. Just follow the sound of the Lyre. She found him in his old home of Delos, sitting against a tree and surrounded by Nymphs. He glanced up as she approached, sighing. He pulled a hair tie from his wrist, tying his long hair back into a ponytail but remained seated. “ Hey, sis. Hermes said I should expect you. Fancy a song first?”
“ I don’t have the time for music, Apollo. I just need your word.”
“ Ah ha ha ha. Nah, I’m good.” He smirked, putting his hands behind his head and leaning back. “ I mean, Ody and his crew ate ole Helios’ cattle. I said I’d look after them before he went into retirement. I like keeping my word. But Ody just had to let his men loose.”
“ His men were rebelling when that happened. They tied Odysseus up. He begged them not to do it but they wouldn’t listen.” Apollo hummed at Athena’s words.
“ Is that right? Hmm. What about the Sirens then?”
“ Huh?”
“ You know I’m a fan of catchy songs, sis. He killed an entire group of ‘em just cause they crossed his path.”
“ They would have killed him and his men if he hadn’t. You know that. They’re Poseidon’s people. You know what he says. Ruthlessness is-”
“ -Mercy upon ourselves. Yes yes.” Apollo sighed. Then he leaned forwards. “ Fine. Ody took his punishment that I asked for. I suppose a couple of years in time out and his men struck down is enough. I’ll tell Dad to release him.”
“ Thank you, brother.” Athena smiled.
“ Offer for a song is still there?” Apollo winked. Athena sighed.
“ Very well. One song.”
“ That’s the spirit.” Apollo smiled. “ I think you’ll like this one. I call it Open Arms.”
********************************
Mount Etna was just as hot as she remembered. Athena raised her arm to cover her face as she entered the center of Hephaestus’ forge. The sound of stone striking metal echoed around the room. She looked below, watching the cyclops work. She breathed out. “ Hephaestus!” She shouted. Hephaestus stopped mid swing.
“ Thought I told ya to call me Vulcan.” He said. “ I much prefer that name. Far shorter. The Trojan’s picked it up nicely.” He placed the hammer down and turned around revealing his heavily burned right eye. He scratched his crimson beard. “ Well, Hermes did say ta expect ya. Answer’s no.”
“ But Odysseus-”
“ How many people has that man thrown under the bus over the years, Athena? I understand ya’d congratulate him for makin’ the hard choices but he’s screwed his allies in so many ways. His craftsmanship of the Trojan Horse was frankly masterful. I appreciate that. But he threw my nephew’s glory away when he sided with the Achean King and sacrificed his crew to Zeus. And that’s before we even got into the fact he killed a kid so he could go ta war. I can’t just agree to help someone like that.”
“ I understand his decisions are controversial but they’re necessary. If he sided against his superiors, he wouldn’t have earned the trust he needed to end that war. If he didn’t come up with the idea to sacrifice Ipheginia, you know Nestor would have. And as for his men, they’d already turned traitor. He was just delivering to them what they had to him.” Vulcan sighed.
“ Yer logic is cold as ever.” He said. “ Why are ya tryin’ to save this kid, Athena? You and I both know mortals never last. He’s gonna die one way or another. Who cares where?”
“ I know that but… He’s special. And I… I abandoned him.” She closed her eyes. “ I met his son when I was wandering. He’s fighting hard to defend his home from a gang of thugs who would like nothing better than to break into Penelope’s bed chambers and rape her. Meanwhile, Odysseus is suffering and suicidal. I just want him to return home and have some happiness. I owe him that much.”
“ Hmm.” Vulcan nodded slowly. “ I don’t like him but I can tell you do. I’ve never seen ya like this about a mortal. It’s… nice.” He smiled. “ For you, Athena, I’ll agree to let him go.”
“ Thank you so much, Vulcan.”
“ Heh. Don’t thank me yet. You’ve still got a hell of a trial ahead of ya.” He said. “ Ya think Dad’ll let him go that easy?”
“ Not at all. But don’t worry. I’ll handle our king when the time comes.”
********************************************
Athena raised a hand to cover her nose as she entered her younger sister’s bed chambers. It stunk of perfume. In the middle of her room, covered in silken curtains and flowers, lay Aphrodite as naked as the day she was born. Aphrodite hated things that restricted freedom. Unfortunately for mortals who tried to deal with her, clothes counted as that. On Olympus, no-one batted an eye however. That’s just how she was. “ Aphrodite.”
“ Let me guess. Here to beg for the life of your high and mighty Odysseus?” Aphrodite raised herself up on her elbows. “ Y’know, I’ve always wondered how you are in bed, Sis. How about you and I-”
“ No.”
“ Psh. Such a stick in the mud.” She lay back down. “ How could I vote to save such a loveless man? His mother died of a broken heart waiting for him. Such a monster.”
“ He was busy fighting a war. One you caused, remember?”
“ One he should have lost. He cheated, making a gift and pretending the Greeks had retreated. Such a dirty tactic. Hee hee. You must be so proud.”
“ Enough of your taunts. Just agree to release him or I’ll-”
“ Or you'll do what.” Aphrodite slowly sat up, grinning mischievously. “ What are you gonna do?” Athena glared at her coldly. “ Yeah, that’s what I thought. You’re not as scary as everyone thinks you are, Thena. Sure you act all cold and calculating but, deep down, you're just like the rest of us. A creature who’s so quick to give into your basest desires. You’ve got a problem with Pride just like I am the embodiment of Lust. You act so high and mighty yourself. Come on. Sleep with me. Let’s see how many knots I can knock out of you.”
“ Enough of this!”
“ Ha, well if I’m not worth your tastes, maybe go play with the Cyclops! He sure fucked Odysseus hard! Ha ha ha ha!” Athena growled. A spear appeared in her hands and she threw it. Aphrodite gasped. There was a sudden rush of heat as a figure appeared, catching the spear in mid air. Ares cast the spear aside, planting it into a nearby flower bed. He lowered his sunglasses as he gave Athena a side glance.
“ Really Athena? Resorting to violence.” Ares grinned, showing a row of razor sharp teeth. “ How unlike you.”
“ Ares.”
“ Lord Ares.” Aphrodite wrapped her arms around her lover's neck, kissing him on the cheek. “ I missed you. Ah, but you ruined a flower bed.”
“ Sorry, babe. I’ll fix it once I take out the trash.”
“ Hee hee. Give her one for me.” Aphrodite let go, watching from her bed with a confidant smirk as Ares tossed aside his leather jacket and approached his sister, cracking his knuckles and rolling his neck.
“ All this for some mortal brat, eh?” Ares asked. “ And Odysseus of all people? Guess I should have expected you to have been tutoring him. A mortal can’t get that smart on their own.” He raised his fists, bouncing on his feet. “ Come on. Let’s settle this like warriors.”
“ I don’t care to fight you, brother.”
“ Shame. I wanna!” Ares struck out, striking Athena in the stomach. “ All this for a man like him! He’s a coward!” He swung again. Athena barely managed to block a right hook with her arm. “ Had to hide in a horse to win the Trojan War! Couldn’t kill a single person of value! Not like Achilles! Now there was a worthy warrior!” He kicked her hard, sending her rolling along the floor. He laughed, running a hand through his spiked red hair. Aphrodite cheered him on from the side lines“ And what has he accomplished recently? He failed to kill a Cyclops due to feeling bad, fucking his entire crew over, got seduced by a witch and didn’t even try to kill Scylla, letting her devour a bunch of his crew. He wasn’t even strong enough to put down his dissenting crew and had to beg our father to do it for him. Pathetic and weak. I’m sure his flesh and blood are no different.” Athena growled.
“ Hold your tongue!” She bellowed, launching at him, slamming a fist into his face and knocking him to the ground. “ You dare question the honour of my general?!” She shouted, stomping on him with her boot. “ You want him to prove his worth, Ares! His home is under attack as we speak! Let him go and see how Odysseus handles his enemies!” Under her Ares sat up, spitting blood before smirking.
“ Didn’t think you had it in you.” Ares said. “ Alright. He better impress me. If he doesn’t, I’ll stick him myself. I’ll tell the old man to let him go free.” He looked up to Aphrodite. She pouted in annoyance.
“ Ugh. Fiiine. If Lord Ares says so.” She said in annoyance.
“ Thank you!” She spat. “ I’ll leave you two to your make out session.”
“ You can still join.” Aphrodite teased. “ My bed’s big enough for three.”
“ Not a chance in Tartarus.”
****************************************
Returning to the high palace after her meeting with her siblings, Athena made for her step mother’s room. She didn’t find her there however a Peacock she owned led Athena into the garden where her mother was there, pruning flowers. “ Always thought that was more Aunt Demeter’s hobby.” Athena said.
“ It’s calming.” Her mother admitted. She picked up her cane and rose, turning to face her with a cold expression. With her off hand, she brushed some dirt off her purple dress. “ Your father tells me you’re playing a game with him all for the life of some worthless mortal. I expected this from someone like Apollo but never you, my dear.”
“ He’s a hero. He deserves to be saved.”
“ Ha. There are many who would love to be called heroes both living and deceased. Orion, Artemis’ favourite. Orpheus, who was Apollo’s. Heracles.” She spat the last name as if it was poison on her lips. “ Tell me one good reason why this… Odysseus should prevail where they did not?” Athena decided not to correct her about Heracles. Her younger half brother had even ascended to godhood after his life. However, Hera despised him. She wouldn’t earn any favours doing that.
“ He’s incredibly intelligent. The genius who won the Trojan war.”
“ Hmm. Your sister’s little conflict.” She rolled her eyes. “ Try harder.”
“ He’s very skilled with words. He can convince even the most stalwart of people to listen to him.”
“ Surely that’s not all?”
“ He’s… kinda funny?” Athena muttered. Hera gave her a death glare. Athena swallowed. What did Odysseus have that would convince her mother? One fact came to her mind. “ If we’re done here, I’m going back to my gardening.”
“ Never once has he cheated on his wife.” Hera froze. Her gaze became fiery with anger.
“ Don’t. Lie. To. Me. Athena.” She said slowly. Athena felt the ichor in her veins freeze.” I’ll give you the harlot he’s currently with however I am fully aware of his affair with that witch.” Athena looked down. “ What is your next excuse? He was bewitched?”
“ Perhaps he has been unfaithful once.” Athena conceded. “ But every action he made on his voyage home was all so he could return to his wife and child. Every monster he faced. Every sacrifice he made. You can’t say he’s not devoted to her.” Athena matched her stepmother’s gaze. They remained standing in silence for what seemed like an eternity. Then, finally, Hera sighed and turned away.
“ I suppose in this day and age, that’s close enough.” She said. “ I’ll tell my husband to release him.” Athena breathed a sigh of relief.
“ Thank you, Mother.”
“ Don’t flatter me, Athena. Save your energy when you have to deal with Zeus. You know how much of a sore loser he is.”
“ I am. I won’t falter.”
“ I trust you won’t. Just don’t think that will save you.”
****************************************
Athena returned to the throne of Olympus the next morning. The other five were also there. Zeus sat on his throne with an unreadable expression. “ So, I’m guessing you all want to release him?” He asked emotionlessly.
“ What can I say? Sis makes a compelling argument. I’m down to let him go.” Apollo said with a smile.
“ I stand with Athena. He goes free.” Vulcan folded his arms.
“ Yeah. He’s… super great.” Aphrodite said, still sounding unenthused.
“ I’m curious to see what he does when he gets back. Let him tear those suitors to pieces.” Ares stated.
“ Zeus. You have your answers.” Hera said.
“ I’ve played your game and won.” Athena said. “ Release him!”
“ Won?” Zeus said. Slowly, he stood up. “ You dare to defy me.” His voice rumbled like thunder. “ To make me feel shame.” Lightning sparked from his hand. “ No-one defeats me! NO-ONE WINS MY GAME!” Power radiated from Zeus, creating a shockwave across the throne room. Athena called her shield, raising it from the immense aura her father exuded. He rose into the air, lighting crackling all around him as the clouds around the throne room turned pitch black. “ I AM THE THUNDER BRINGER! THE KING OF OLYMPUS! YOU DON’T WIN-” A white bolt of energy appeared in his hand. “ UNTIL I SAY YOU DO!” Zeus plunged the lightning bolt into the ground. Athena raised her shield as her body was struck by Zeus attack. Her body quivered under the immense power and heat. Her knee bent to the floor as she struggled to over take it. With a scream of pain, her from was lost in the strike.
“ Sis!” Apollo shouted. Hephaestus watched quietly. Aphrodite covered her mouth with her hands. Hera closed her eyes.
“ Is… Is she dead?” Ares asked quietly. Zeus watched from the skies, his arms folded. The clouds created a smoke screen, hiding Athena’s body from view. Then, there was a glow. Before any of the gods could understand what was happening, a shadow shot from cloud cover. Zeus didn’t even flinch as Athena flew in front of him, the wings of an owl at her back and a sword digging into the side of his neck, earning a slim trickle of golden ichor from it. Her clothes were burnt, her shield destroyed and her glasses missing, showing her eyes glowing golden with energy. Her body was covered in Lichtenberg burns but she pushed forwards nevertheless, breathing heavily but still alive.
“ Let. Him. Go.” She breathed.
“ You can’t defeat me.”
“ If you wanted me dead… I’d be dead.” She said. “ You’d have struck me… before I could reach you.” Slowly, Zeus smiled. Then he started laughing thunderously. The tension in the air vanished immediately. He placed hand on Athena’s shoulder as both began to descend, the sword falling from her grasp.
“ Alright. I’ve had my fun. You proved your bravery by standing against me. This mortal must mean a lot to you.” Zeus said. “ I’ll release him, just like I said.”
“ It’s not over though.”
“ Ya ain’t the goddess of wisdom for nothing.” Everyone looked up as a new person entered the throne room. He was shirtless other than the large amount of black tattoos across his body and arms, wearing only a pair of shorts. He had long black hair and a friendly smile. Poseidon greeted everyone with a wave. “ Hey everyone. Hell of a show, yeah? My brother never does anything by halves. Sha ha ha ha ha!”
“ Uncle Poseidon.” Athena breathed, wincing under the pain as she landed.
“ Heya Thena. Hard working as ever. When my brother mentioned you were trying to bust Odysseus out of Calypso’s place, I knew I just had to see how far you’d go. Gotta say. Your work ethic is as impressive as ever.”
“ You’re just going to stand by and let Odysseus go free?” Hera asked. “ How very unlike you, Brother.”
“ Hey. Thena won Zeus’s little game. I’m not gonna stand by and let her efforts be in vain.” Poseidon smirked. “ I’ll let him get home.”
“ No you won’t.” Athena said.
“ Oh, I will. After that, well… Who can say?” His smile turned sinister. “ You got two choices here, Thena. I’m gonna let him go… mostly. Chary’s still on watch and I’m not about to tell her to back down. If he gets past her, I’ll even give him a favourable current. But when he gets back, he’s gonna have to prove to me he deserves his life.”
“ And if I disagree?”
“ Then I kill him the second he hits the waves.”
“ Not much of a choice.”
“ Only ones you’ve got.” Poseidon said coldly. “ I’m a nice guy, Thena. But I don’t take kindly to people who maim my kids, Thena. I know you can’t understand that being you and all, but I like them very much, no matter how many eyes they have. And your general was so brazen to announce himself that he was the one who did it. Idiots like that have to pay something.”
“ You killed most of his fleet.”
“ Very true. He’s also pretty close to just giving himself to me himself. Nice guy that I am, I decided to abide by the results of your game. But he’s gotta show me something first.” Poseidon summoned his Trident, rippling into the air as if from the sea, and raised it towards Athena. “ Well, little Niece. We got a deal.” Athena let out a pained sigh. Then she summoned her spear, raising its point to the triple points of her uncle’s weapon.
“ We have a deal.” She said. She just hoped Odysseus was strong enough to overcome her uncle after all of this.