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Mount Olympus.
The towering peak pierced the clouds, its slopes thick with lush greenery and ancient trees that seemed to hold up the sky. Twelve grand temples circled the mountain like a crown.
Lightly clad nymphs drifted between marble corridors. Handsome divine attendants hurried along polished stone paths. Majestic sacred beasts prowled lazily through courtyards. In the clouds above, winged angels hovered in silent formation, standing guard.
At this moment, Ares, tall and powerfully built, his hair blazing red like a banner of war, arrived at the summit before the Temple of Zeus.
Leaning against one of the massive supporting columns outside stood an avatar of Hermes.
Two chief gods. One in his true body, the other in an incarnation.
"My dear brother, you're a little late," Hermes said with a sneer, though irritation flickered behind his eyes.
"Get lost." Ares shot him a cold glance.
"You've lost your main authority. You're not even qualified to sit among the Twelve anymore. Might as well scram and stop embarrassing yourself."
A god's authority couldn't be stripped away. That was common knowledge.
Unless the god relinquished it willingly.
When Hermes had given up his Authority over Theft, transferring it to an avatar to prevent complications if that avatar were turned into a machine god, he had temporarily lost it himself.
It wasn't irreversible. But reclaiming it would take at least a thousand years.
During that time, his combat power would plummet. He might even fall to the bottom of the three-digit ranks.
Ares, on the other hand, though battered and diminished, still retained multiple Authorities. He could at least cling to his position among the Twelve.
Hermes's smile sharpened. "Funny. You talk like you're any better."
"You're the God of War, yet how many wars have you actually won? The moment your opponent's even a little strong, you lose without fail. I'm amazed you still have the nerve to call yourself a war god."
Ares tilted his head mockingly. "Want me to list which of your children weren't actually yours again?"
When it came to mocking his siblings, Ares would never concede first place.
Hermes's expression darkened.
In the past, he would have brushed this off and walked away. No point engaging with someone so crude.
But now? Now Hermes was worried about his seat among the Twelve.
He'd just received news: Heracles had broken through and seized the Authority of Strength.
That illegitimate son Zeus favored—and Hera tacitly tolerated—was suddenly a very real threat.
Hermes had no intention of being replaced.
"How about we call a truce?" Hermes said, his tone softening slightly.
"We have a common enemy. Until we deal with that Arcadia brat, we might as well work together."
"Can't beat him."
Ares said it bluntly, without a hint of shame. "The guy's explosive power is insane. In the lower layers where everything's restricted, not many can win against him head-on."
Hermes knew that. He just hadn't expected Ares to admit it so readily.
The loudest dog in Olympus sure tucked his tail fast.
"We can hire someone who can win."
"I'm broke." Ares shrugged shamelessly.
"But I heard your commercial community's doing pretty well."
It was obvious he intended to dump the entire bill on Hermes.
Hermes's lips twitched.
Those capable of defeating Ryo Yagami weren't cheap mercenaries. They were powerhouses, rulers of entire factions—some even kings of pantheons.
Splitting the cost would hurt. Paying alone? Absolutely not.
"…We should just persuade Zeus."
At least Zeus cared about face. He wouldn't charge his own son too much.
Worst case, Hermes could offer up a few beautiful men or women to offset the cost.
When Hermes suggested seeking Zeus, Ares gave him a strange look, as if picturing a lush green field sprouting atop his brother's head.
"You're surprisingly open-minded."
He'd just exposed the fact that one of Hermes's favorite lovers had borne Zeus's child. And Hermes could still swallow his pride and ask for help.
Ares wouldn't have tolerated that. He would've declared war on Zeus on the spot.
But for Hermes, pride ranked lower than regaining his Authority.
Fine by Ares. He wanted Zeus involved anyway.
If you can't win, call your dad. No shame in that.
"Let's go in."
Ares strode into the Temple of Zeus.
After a brief hesitation, Hermes followed.
They passed through the grand halls and entered a side chamber.
Zeus was there.
He wore a white robe draped loosely over one shoulder. White curls framed his face. His eyes were the blue of the open sky, though deep within them flickered something violent and untamed.
He lounged casually on a stone seat, holding a golden goblet filled with red wine.
"You're here."
A stag scrambled up from beneath him, casting a panicked glance at the two gods before bolting away.
Hermes stared after it, expression turning odd.
That… had been a male stag, hadn't it?
"Father."
Once Zeus had adjusted his robe, Ares acted as though he'd seen nothing at all.
Zeus smiled faintly but didn't respond.
"Father?" Hermes frowned.
Zeus's gaze wasn't on them.
"Show yourself!" Ares roared.
Unlike Hermes, whose avatar only ranked in the upper four-digit tier, Ares was stronger, sharper.
He tore a massive stone pillar from its base and swung it toward the hidden presence—
And then the concealed intruder stepped forward on his own.
Ares glared at the man, pillar raised.
For a full minute, he stood frozen. Not a single movement, as if Medusa herself had turned him to stone.
Zeus cast him a cold glance. "Stand down."
"Tch. If Father hadn't spoken, I'd have crushed you with this," Ares muttered, carefully setting the pillar back in place. A thin sheen of sweat slid down his back, hidden from view.
By the time he finished, Hermes had already retreated behind Zeus, glaring at the intruder like a small dog straining at its chain.
"Useless," Ares muttered, joining him.
Zeus paid no mind to his sons' disgrace. He gently swirled the wine in his goblet.
"I thought we would meet on the battlefield of a divine war," he said lightly. "I didn't expect you to walk into Olympus itself. That takes courage."
He smiled. "Very well. For that courage, I'll hear you out. Speak."
Across from him, Ryo met his gaze, expression cold. The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
"I'm here to end this war."
As the words fell, he raised his hand toward Zeus.
Stars gathered.
A galaxy condensed in his palm, swirling with blinding light—
And he unleashed it without hesitation.
"Galaxian Explosion."
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