Perseus was sleeping peacefully on his cot, enjoying the scenes Morpheus had given him in his slumber. It had been a few weeks since he had rescued his half-brother Eros from Hecate's clutches, and during that time, Perseus had began transforming the temple into his new headquarters. For starters, after discovering the entrance into his uncle's abandoned forge, he had remodeled it into a training room as well as an armory. The room he had battled the Goddess of Magic in had become the war room, containing a viewing pool much like his father's so he could track the world's events, as well as the sleeping quarters.

Along with reforming the old temple, Perseus had also gotten closer to his half-brother Eros. Both had discovered they share a wicked humor as well as a strong sense of honor, something that both immediately recognized. Eros had become so close to Perseus that when he discovered the Hound of War was no longer welcome upon Olympus, the Love God moved into the temple, a choice his brother was ecstatic for.

However, while they may have been brothers, that didn't mean they weren't above playing tricks upon each other.

Eros silently crept his way to his brother's cot, not making a single sound. After sneaking for another few feet, he smiled evilly at Perseus' prone form before drawing his bow and notching one of his non love-enchanted arrows. With a near silent twang, the arrow sailed right into the Hound of War's rear, making him yelp in pain and dart up, only for him to slam his head into the wall the cot faced before falling onto his back, his brother's roars of laughter drowning out his own groans of pain.

Quickly recovering, Perseus leapt from the cot and yanked the arrow from its precarious position, before glaring at his soon to be regretful brother, who had yet to stop laughing.

"Eros, I'm going to kill you." Perseus' tone promised pain and misfortune upon his brother, who had finally been able to take a hint.

With a panicked expression, Eros spread his wings and took flight, sailing to the entrance of the temple in a feeble attempt to escape his brother's wrath. Perseus let him fly a bit before he summoned a whip formed from water and cracked it upon his brother's rear, sending the Love God flying out of the temple and apparently off the island as well.

Perseus laughed at his brother's distant cries of pain, before stiffening and drawing his blade, extending it to the immortal presence that had just formed behind him. When he caught a glimpse of the visiting immortal, he scowled.

"Athena. Leave. You are not welcome here" Perseus did not lower his blade as he glared at his least favorite goddess.

Athena narrowed her eyes in return, "Watch your tongue boy. I have not the time for your meaningless words, so I'll get to the point: Zeus has ordered me to take you to Olympus.

Perseus' scowl only deepened, "No. I do not follow that fools commands, even if he is somehow your king. Now, if you're done playing messenger girl, I suggest you leave, seeing as how I'm not going anywhere with you, especially not to see that coward you call a king."

Thunder shock the entire temple, making Athena scowl before walking until she was face to face with the Hound of War, her gray-eyes clashing with his crimson ones, "And what, pray tell, will you do if I make you boy?"

Perseus returned her glare full force as he drew Hecate's Torch, "Care to test how immortal you are witch?"

Both Goddess and Demigod had their hands on the weapons, waiting for the other to make the first move. Both glared with fierce anger, hatred for each other almost chocking the temple with its vile hold. Before either could do anything however, a piercing blood-red light appeared and distracted the two before they could begin to battle.

Ares was standing in full battle regalia, both his Olympian Steel swords unsheathed, their blades glinting in the morning light. His Stygian Iron armor seemed to absorb the light within the already dim room, and his cloak was like a river of blood flowing down his back. The eyes of the God of War glowing under his pitch black Spartan helm seemed to burn through the two warriors before him, picking them to pieces as a raven might a corpse. Apparently, Ares had not had a good day, and his son being face to face with his arch-rival about to fight just sealed the deal.

He turned his fury-filled gaze upon Athena first before speaking, "I believe my son has already told you to leave. So go." Ares' voice was filled with barely contained rage, something Perseus' immediately recognized, leading him to decide it best to relocate a bit farther away from the current conversation. But, unfortunately, a certain prideful Goddess of Wisdom didn't seem to pick up on it and decided to verbally abuse the God of War instead of his son, who was waving his arms and pleading for her not to say anything foolish.

Too late.

"I don't heed the words of demigods or immortal curs like you. You call yourself the God of War and labeled your Spartans as the greatest warriors to walk the earth, yet they all lie dead by my and mine sister's hands. So it appears that we are the ones that are superior. Now, how about you take those swords of yours and stick them right up your-"

To give his father some credit, it did appear to Perseus that his father really tried not to cut into Athena and splatter the newly repaired and repainted walls with her Ichor. It also appeared that he didn't try to break both her spear and Aegis on her head while she had been leaning against one of the pillars. But even he had to admit it had been a bit harsh to tie her up and blast her all the way back to Olympus with his godly power with the shards of her former weaponry stuck into her. In all honesty though, she really did deserve it. He may not have been the wisest person on the earth, but even Perseus knew better than to goad his father when he's clearly angry.

With his once burning fury depleted, Ares took his helm off and ran a hand through his dark hair, the eye-length brown strings brushing up against the various scars that adorned his face, before sitting in the nearest chair and pressing his face into his hands. Perseus came over as well and took the seat next to him. Both kept silent, with Ares gathering his thoughts, and Perseus waiting for his father to speak of what had been troubling him.

Silence prevailed within the temple walls.

It didn't last.

"Zeus wanted to throw you in Tartarus for slaying Hecate, despite all the evidence arrayed against her."

Perseus was angry at first, but confusion quickly took over, "He doesn't anymore?"

Ares laughed humorlessly, "Oh Hades yes, I'm sure he would still love to. But Hera decided to intervene and had the council consider a secondary option."

Now Perseus was curious," What is this 'other option', father?"

Ares grimaced. His son would definitely not be happy with the secondary option, but it was either that or Tartarus, and anything was better than being tortured in a lightless pit for all of eternity. Sighing one last time, Ares decided to get it over with. 'Quick, easy, just like removing a bandage...'

"Well, you would have to um… watch over… a certain Son of Zeus?" It came out more like a question than a statement, but the point still got across. Perseus' face gained a thoughtful expression before he scowled darkly and looked to his father.

"You cannot be serious."

"I'm sorry. It's either that or Tartarus for eternity."

"…Is Tartarus still available?"

"Perseus…"

"Ok, ok, only joking…maybe. But why would Hera of all people want me to do this?"

The God of War merely shrugged, "I couldn't tell you. Possibly to make sure he doesn't get into trouble. She hasn't ever really been a fan of his."

Perseus snorted, "Yes, because the Goddess of Marriage should love Zeus's children by other women, right?"

"The point is, if you do this, not only will you be able to return to Olympus, but you can also earn the respect of the rest of the Olympian council."

"Because slaying a traitorous goddess was just not good enough…" Perseus muttered.

Ares sighed once more before rising to his feet and placing a hand on his son's shoulder, "I know this is not what you want, but this is your chance to prove yourself worthy to all who see you, mortal or immortal. To prove yourself as the greatest warrior in the history of Greece, no, the world! Can't you see it Perseus?" He smiled seeing Perseus' expression, but his face quickly shifted into an angered one.

"However," he growled out, "since Zeus has seen fit to make this as difficult as possible for you, he has demanded that none of the gods interfere with your task. No contact, no aid, nothing. You will be on your own for the next three years." Perseus could tell his father was quite worried about both his quest and him, and if he was honest to himself, he was as well. Before he could reply, however, a new voice beat him to it.

"He did not say anything about aid before the quest did he?"

Perseus and Ares snapped their heads in the direction of the new voice, only to see what appeared to be a whirlpool of blood forming and a woman walking from it. Dark hair the color of blood wreathed her neck, off-putting her corpse pale skin. Her hands were gnarled into what appeared to be claws, looking quite capable of severing flesh from bone. But the most terrifying part of the goddess's physique must have been her eyes. The foul orbs were a murky red, reflecting scenes of horrible pain and suffering whenever she met the eyes of the pair of warriors.

Both knew which goddess they were dealing with almost immediately.

"Odyne." Ares growled out. He quickly stood and drew his twin swords, preparing to slay the goddess if she tried attacking him or his son. "What do you want?"

The Goddess of Pain merely smiled at the War God's display, "Oh please, as if a bit of shoddy swordplay could scare me. We both know you would have to do much better than that. And besides, I am not here for you. I am here for him," She finished as she pointed to Perseus, ignoring Ares' disgruntled 'Hey!'

Perseus, who had been studying the bloodthirsty goddess since she appeared, was curious, if not a bit wary of her intentions. "What could you want with me?"

Odyne chuckled, "You joke, yes? Who would not be interested in the demigod who made Hecate fade? There is not one god or goddess not speaking of it. Of you. You are quite powerful, but with my help, you could be unstoppable."

Ares' eyes widened in realization before he aimed both blades at her. "No! You will not play your games, not here, not now, not ever again! I will not allow you to curse another one of my sons with your twisted 'blessing'!" His voice was full of anger and…was that grief?

The Goddess of Pain grew an annoyed expression, "It is the boy's choice, not yours. And I believe another one of your sons accepted my blessing in the past, did he not?" She smirked at the God of War's enraged expression.

"Leonidas was a good man, but you twisted him into some sick weapon of war! You gave him your curse, and instead of dying a hero's death like he deserved, he was made insane and forced to fight until both his enemies and allies laid dead, their arrows and blades piercing his flesh but not slaying him. He threw himself off the cliffs and into the sea just so he could escape the torture you laid upon him!"

The goddess waved it off, "Details, details. The point is, my power, be it considered a blessing or curse, can and will preserve your son from death. Unlike his brother, Perseus' mind is strong enough to withstand the power without losing his mind." She turned to Perseus again as she spoke.

Perseus looked between the Goddess and his father before speaking, "Father, if there is any chance I can come back from this quest alive, I have to take it. I do not like it either, but at this point, it is the best chance we have."

Ares' eyes lost their anger and were replaced with worry and bitterness, before he gritted his teeth and turned to the goddess, motioning for her to approach. As she passed, he latched onto her wrist and forced her to look him in the eyes, their entirety filled with a silent fury yet to be released.

"If my son dies," he whispered, "or loses his mind, you will pray for Tartarus before I am finished with you. Are we clear?"

At her nod, Ares released her from his grip. Rubbing her wrist, Odyne made her way to Perseus before placing a pale hand on his shoulder. She frowned at his expression once she met his eyes.

"Why do you not show fear boy? You could die from this."

Perseus merely chuckled, "Spartans show neither pain nor fear, not even in the face of Thanatos himself."

Odyne grinned wickedly, "Let us put that to the test, shall we?" Digging her nails into his shoulder, the goddess began pouring her power into him, gradually giving her blessing as well as trying to incite some sign of pain from him that she could feast upon, for her powers drew from the feasting of pain and suffering of both mortals and immortals.

She starved that day.

Perseus did not flinch; rather, he began laughing at her attempts. The laughter grew louder and louder until it spread throughout the temple, filling all who heard the depraved with fear. For who cannot help but find fear in the face of a man who feels nothing himself?