"That's one fine-looking guildhall you got there," Ares said, once he'd gained access to our guild menus.
"We're still growing," I replied, "but it looks even better up close. You'll see it once we get back home. Speaking of which, is there somewhere you want your things transferred from?"
"Not really," he said, and his voice lowered again. "I'm not one to settle down. I mean... I wasn't."
"Does that mean you changed your mind?" I asked.
"I joined your guild, so I guess I had better start calling Mount Olympus my home now."
"If you really feel like you can settle down now, what brought about the change in you?"
"I was in Niflheim for a few years," he said after a deep sigh. "I saw a lot of battles. People being killed, families being broken. That is the nature of mortality, but it really got me thinking."
"About your sister, right?" I asked, understanding now why he lowered the volume of his voice again.
"Yes, Aphrodite," he agreed. "There are few things that are important to me, and she is at the top of that short list. Immortality distorts your perspective. I always thought that I had all the time in the world to spend with her in the future. I would do other stupid things and postpone being with my sister because I knew she would be there in ten years or in a hundred years from now, as would I. But why waste all this time on trivial things?"
His words threw me into a spiral of thoughts and regrets about how I had chosen to spend my own time so far. My siblings had been off doing their own things, probably thinking in a similar way, and I had been too busy partying, romancing, and having selfish fun to spend any amount of time with them. At least, any amount of time sober.
What I wouldn't have given to have taken a long trip with Poseidon, exploring all of the major elemental planes filled with water, or to spend days helping Hades with his studies in magic. Or talking with Demeter. Just talking and taking in the enormous complexity of her mind.
Had I known that our time together was on a countdown, I would have cherished every single moment. I would gladly have denied the party invitations and the inexhaustible numbers of sexual encounters. I would have given anything to have spent my days with my siblings.
"I'm sorry for bringing these thoughts to you, Zeus," Ares said, having noticed how I spaced out for a few moments. "This is a truth I stumbled across while by myself in the Norse wilderness. But had you not brought my sister to me with this crazy plan of yours to take over the Greek throne, I might never have acted on it. I will be forever grateful to you for reuniting my life's path with that of my sister."
"You give me far too much credit," I said, pushing all thoughts of my own siblings to the side. "The decision was yours, and yours alone. I'm happy you will now have each other. But enough thanking each other. We'll be here for a few days, and it would be best if we talked about each other's strengths and skills."
I had already considered teleporting us all back with my divine skill but since I needed to save my DP to build the rest of the divine realm construction projects, I decided against it. The six DP I would need to take us all back might soon be used on something far more useful.
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After all, going back instantly would not give us any tangible benefits. We all needed to take some more time off our guildhall work, and it looked like it would be best if Ares got used to us before we presented him to our followers. Not to mention that we needed to plan for our next bit of divine recruiting.
"I have already showed you my skills that can offer assistance to the party," he said. "The rest are more or less fighting-oriented."
"We've got enough time to analyze every single one of them. I'll show you mine too. But first, what's your Divinity Level?"
"It's only two," he said, with a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Not too many people in the Greek world are fans of war, only a few thousand bloodthirsty warriors and wise merchants. I'm telling you, it would have been a completely different story if my followers were Norse."
"What can I say, we're lovers, not fighters," I joked, but Ares didn't seem to particularly appreciate my remark. "Anyway, what kind of divine skills have you got?"
He hesitated a bit, as if what I was asking was too personal a question.
"I'll show you mine if you show me yours," I said.
This time he showed his clear dislike for my joke. I noted his lack of humor and waited for him to send me his first divine skill to inspect.
* * *
Name: Master of War
Level: Divine Skill
Type: Active
HP Consumed: 0
MP Consumed: 0
DP Consumed: 1
Power: n/a
Range: 7000 inches
Precondition: None
Description: The divine domain of Ares covers all aspects that might ignite the spark of war. This includes manipulation of the desire for more material wealth, revenge, and patriotism. Ares is able to control all of these elements with a single thought or even direct them in specific individuals for 4 hours without expending any concentration or MP.
* * *
"I have something similar, but I can control storms and the like," I said. "It's interesting how you get to do this with emotions other people are feeling. Did you use this today?"
"As soon as the brothers met," he replied. "I don't think they really needed any of my pushing to go at each other's throats though."
"And they don't realize that they're being manipulated?" I asked.
"Do the clouds know that they are being moved by the wind? After all, it's not manipulation. The feelings are already in there. I am only amplifying them."
"Playing with words," I said, raising one eyebrow.
"That is what makes or breaks us," he responded. "But to answer your question, no. They have no idea that I am acting on them. Nor do they feel unlike their usual selves. They really are clueless."
"That's fascinating. I think Aphrodite will be able to make great use of this skill of yours when dealing with ambassadors and traders."
"I am aware," he said, and smiled. "It will be good to work in synergy with her again."
"Is that the only divine skill you have?"
"I have one more," he said, "but it is of a more active nature."
"Please," I said, and opened my arms, inviting him to show me.
* * *
Name: Rain of Swords
Level: 2
Type: Active - Divine
HP Consumed: 0
MP Consumed: 100
DP Consumed: 1
Power: 26000
Range: 7000ft.
Precondition: The skill is only usable in outdoor environments or indoor places with a height of more than 100ft.
Description: There is nothing more terrifying than staring into the cruel face of war as it swipes away centuries of civilization in mere moments. The terrible divine power of Ares, the god of war, materializes 100,000 swords in the air, which fall with great force and impale everything they come crashing down on. Friends and foes alike are damaged by this attack if they are in the area selected by Ares.
* * *
"That is one serious attack," I said, honestly impressed. "I can only imagine the fear in the eyes of the enemy when the sun is hidden by a hundred thousand blades."
"It is a sight worth seeing," he said with pride, "and I hope that I will soon get to show you. Your turn now though."
"Of course," I said, and started sending him my divine skills.
* * *