Morning came quietly over Dreadspire Academy.
Sunlight spilled through tall stone windows, stretching across the dorm floor in long golden lines. The academy, which had roared with rumors the day before, now breathed with routine—students moving between classes, voices overlapping, the distant clang of training grounds echoing through the air.
Ares walked the halls alone.
His presence still drew attention.
Whispers followed him like shadows.
"That's him…"
"The one from the arena…"
"He fought Professor Achilles…"
Ares ignored them all.
His gaze stayed forward, expression unreadable, steps steady.
Then—
"Ares!"
A voice called out behind him.
Familiar.
Panicked.
Ares stopped.
He turned slowly.
Odyssey.
The boy was running toward him, slightly out of breath, glasses crooked, clutching a stack of books against his chest like they were shielding him from the world itself.
Behind him—
Three larger students.
Laughing.
Closing in.
"Oi! Get back here!" one of them shouted.
Odyssey stumbled slightly, catching himself before reaching Ares.
"H-hey…" he said quickly, trying to straighten himself. "Sorry—didn't mean to—"
A hand grabbed his shoulder.
One of the bullies.
"Thought you could run?"
The hallway slowed.
Students nearby stopped to watch.
Ares didn't speak.
He simply looked at the hand on Odyssey.
Then at the boy.
Then back at the hand.
The bully scoffed. "What? You got something to—"
Ares moved.
It wasn't fast.
It wasn't dramatic.
It was simple.
A single strike.
A short, controlled motion.
The bully dropped instantly.
No scream.
No warning.
Just unconscious before he even understood what happened.
Silence.
The other two froze.
Ares' gaze shifted to them.
Cold.
Empty.
"Leave," he said.
No anger.
No raised voice.
Just a statement.
They didn't argue.
They didn't hesitate.
They ran.
Fast.
Odyssey blinked.
"…Thank you," he said, adjusting his glasses again, still trying to process what just happened.
Ares said nothing.
He turned.
And kept walking.
Odyssey hurried after him.
"You didn't have to do that," he said nervously. "I mean—you did—but—well—thanks."
Ares glanced at him briefly.
"You are weak," he said plainly.
Odyssey winced slightly.
"…Working on it."
They walked in silence for a moment.
Then—
A shift in the air.
Heavier.
Sharper.
Ares stopped again.
This time, he didn't need to turn to know.
"They're here," he said quietly.
Odyssey looked confused. "Who—?"
"Oi."
A voice called out.
Confident.
Firm.
Ares turned.
Hercules.
He stood at the end of the hall, arms relaxed at his sides, towering over most around him. His build was massive, muscle layered like armor, his presence alone enough to part the crowd.
Behind him—
Two others.
A woman stepped forward first.
Athena.
Her presence was quiet—but commanding.
Long silver-blonde hair fell neatly down her back, her eyes sharp and calculating, a cold, focused gray that seemed to dissect everything it looked at. She wore light armor fitted for movement, a bow resting across her back, her posture perfect—every step deliberate.
She studied Ares like a problem waiting to be solved.
Then—
Another stepped forward.
Apollo.
If Athena was precision, he was brilliance.
Golden hair, almost radiant under the light, fell just past his shoulders. His features were striking—too perfect, almost unreal. His eyes burned with a faint amber glow, calm but intense.
A bow rested loosely in his hand, unlike Athena's careful grip—his was casual.
Confident.
Like he didn't need to try.
His presence drew attention effortlessly.
Even the surrounding students seemed pulled toward him.
Hercules stepped forward slightly, cracking his neck.
"So," he said, looking directly at Ares, "you're the one everyone's talking about."
Ares said nothing.
The air tightened.
Athena's eyes narrowed slightly.
"He's not what I expected," she said calmly.
Apollo smirked faintly. "He feels… different."
Hercules grinned.
"Good," he said. "Would've been disappointing otherwise."
Odyssey shifted nervously behind Ares. "Maybe we should—"
"Not now," Athena said, cutting him off without even looking at him.
Her eyes remained on Ares.
"Another time," she continued. "We'll test him properly."
Ares' grip tightened slightly at his side.
Not in fear.
Not in anger.
Anticipation.
Hercules noticed.
His grin widened.
"Yeah," he said. "Next time."
For a moment—
Neither side moved.
Two forces.
Measuring.
Waiting.
Then Hercules turned, walking away, his group following without question.
Apollo glanced back once, curiosity lingering.
Athena didn't.
Odyssey let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"…I don't like them," he muttered.
Ares watched them leave.
"They are strong," he said.
Odyssey sighed. "That's exactly why I don't like them."
Ares turned again, continuing down the hall.
Odyssey followed.
The academy buzz returned slowly around them—but something had shifted.
Lines had been drawn.
And this time—
No one mistook it for coincidence.