"What in the seven hells do you think you are doing, Ares?" a voice called out. The deep masculine voice booming through the golden hall of the gods.
A figure with the appearance of a man in his mid-twenties turned around at the authoritative tone. He faced the accuser with a raised eyebrow and his hips cocked to one side. "Why Koray, good buddy. What brings you over to this side of the realm?" Ares asked the golden-haired man. His eyes burned with intensity and fire as he turned to glance at the fool that was in his way. He had much better things to do than to entertain this good-natured brat. The sight of the god before him was enough to turn his stomach sour.
Koray frowned as he looked at Ares. He had short black hair with skull-and-crossbones earrings in both his ears. His dark red eyes filled a face with soft, gentle features, a contrast to his bloodthirsty desires. "What are you doing, messing with my shifters?" Koray demanded as he stormed over to the God of War. "Why are you so intent on messing with the shifters?" Koray continued his questions. Why did this god always have to go around causing chaos among the mortals? Couldn't he just live peacefully for once?
Ares raised an eyebrow and let out a boisterous laugh. His laughter caught the attention of the other gods mulling about the hall. Heads turned and curious stares watched the altercation. His laughter had enough power to even make the flames flicker in the golden braziers scattered about. "What business is it of yours?" he asked Koray. "Why do you care about the deaths of the mortals? They exist solely for our entertainment," Ares said as he crossed his muscular arms over his chest. He glared down at the shorter, blonde god. "You forget your place younger brother," Ares reprimanded him. "You are several millennia away from being able to boss me around you punk."
Koray stepped closer, rage filled his features as he glared at Ares. "We are not to directly intervene or interfere in the lives of the mortals. The treaty is in place just for this reason," Koray spat into Ares face. His normally controlled emotions were bursting out in his anger and rage. "Your actions have started a chain of events that you will not be able to prevent," Koray said, nearly shouting in Ares face. His voice was echoing all through the grand hall of the gods the two currently found themselves in. He knew he was being insolent to an older god, but he didn't care. He had to find a way to stop him.
Ares leaned forward his breath tickling Koray's cheek, Ares' arrogant smile plastered on his face. "Then why don't you try doing something to stop me?" Ares challenged, confidence pouring out from him. "Oh, that's right! The last time you did so, my agents slaughtered your people to the edge of extinction. Is that what you want?" he asked Koray. He took a breath before he continued, "Do you want the rest of your pathetic shifter minions to be slaughtered and erased from the history books?" Ares continued his questions. His body was tight and poised to strike, as if he was just waiting for an excuse to inflict pain and suffering on Koray. The gods' were forbidden to fight in the hall itself. The rules forbade it. However, if this young fool took a swing, Ares would remind him who the stronger god was. He'd remind everyone what a God of War is capable of.
Koray gritted his teeth. It would do him no good to lash out against this other god right now. He had to play his cards right and bide his time. "You know what you are doing is wrong. The human lives down there matter as more than just playthings," Koray argued back as he took a single half step back, his chest deflating. This wasn't the time or place for the gods to be fighting among themselves.
Ares noticed the move and smirked at him. "Smart move; backing down. Perhaps if you did that last time I wouldn't have arranged for the slaughter of your precious shifters," Ares said with a glint of aggression in his eyes. He was itching for a fight. Unfortunately, Koray was too smart to give him an excuse right then and there.
"I will make you suffer for what you did to my people, make no mistake of that Ares. You are not all powerful," Koray countered, resolve set in his tone. He was done being bullied by Ares. He took a step forward, squaring up with the much older god.
"What's all the commotion going on over here?" Another voice called out as a young-looking male with short blond hair that fell just past his shoulders came running over swift as a breeze.
Ares let out an annoyed sigh and glanced at the newcomer, "Nothing much, brother Hermes. Just the usual, plotting war, death and destruction among the mortals," Ares said as he snapped his fingers, and he vanished in a cloud of smoke and brimstone. "Stay out of my way Koray. Treaties or not, I will personally gut your wolf if you continue to be a thorn in my side," Ares called out with a final word of warning, his voice echoing through the chamber. The power behind his words made the golden braziers flicker back and forth. Koray winced as the threat hit him like a slap across the face.
Hermes raised both eyebrows as he heard that parting comment from his older brother. "Well, he sure doesn't mince words much does he?" he asked Koray. His shoulders were tense and his face grim despite the humor in his words.
Koray sighed as he rubbed his temples. He was a god; they were immune to all diseases that humans could get. Yet, he could swear he had a god sized migraine coming on. He had to find some way to help his wolf. Gavin had the potential to go down the wrong path in his search for his mate. This was the last thing he wanted. For Gavin to stay on the right path, he needed Erza whole and by his side.
"We have to find a way to stop his plans, Hermes, or the entire world will be involved this time," Koray whispered, his voice barely audible to Hermes hearing.
Hermes nodded. "Do you want me to find father, or any of the other pantheons to assist in this matter?" he asked Koray as they watched the smoke dissipate in the air from where he flashed out of the room.
Koray shook his head as he turned to face the messenger god. "No, not yet. I will figure something out. But Ares must be stopped," he replied. He would find a way to help Gavin, he just hoped he wasn't too late.