The explosion of light swallowed everything. The arena shook violently, shockwaves tearing through marble, scattering dust and broken stone into the air. The spectators shielded their faces, their voices lost to the roar of divine energy colliding with something far older, far deeper.
And then, silence.
When the light faded, two figures stood in the center of the ruined amphitheatre. Ares knelt on one knee holding onto his spear burrowing in the ground, his crimson aura flickering like a dying flame. His armor was cracked in several places, golden ichor trickling down his arms. Yet, even as pain flashed across his face, his grin remained wild, proud, and alive.
Kousuke stood a few meters away, calm and steady, his blade resting loosely in his hand. There was no sign of exhaustion, but there was some sweats drip down his forehead. His golden aura had also receded, leaving only the faint shimmer of power still coiling around him like lazy smoke. At this sight, it was obvious to all who overwhelmed the other.
"That's my dear husband, even the God of War weren't his match~" Morgan said out loud, her voices filled with pride and a slight hint of mockery toward the crowd who was booing at Kousuke earlier on.
They became quiet, almost deathly silent as none dared to even utter a word. The God of War, undefeated among gods and demigods alike, was on his knees before a human. More importantly, the human doesn't even seems to even have any scratch on him. Ares slammed his spear into the ground to steady himself, then barked out a laugh that echoed across the shattered floor.
"Hah! Hahahahaha! Glorious! Absolutely glorious!"
He rose slowly, his laughter genuine, the sound of a warrior who found joy even in defeat. "You… human… no, Kousuke, you're no mere mortal. You've reminded me what it feels like to fight without knowing the outcome! For that, I have to thank you from the bottom of my heart!"
Kousuke smiled faintly, he couldn't help but felt slightly closer to the God before him. Then, he reach his hand out to him. "Glad you enjoyed yourself. I was worried I might've gone a bit too far."
Ares shook his head, he grabbed the hand and pulled himself to stand as the flames around him flaring weakly before dissipating entirely. "Going too far? As far as I can tell, you're barely holding yourself back. If you'd fought seriously, I might not be standing here with just these fleshy wounds. You're strong, no doubt even stronger than anyone can possibly imagined if they didn't experienced it firsthand like me."
The tension in the air began to ease, and murmurs rippled among the spectators. Some demigods looked at Kousuke in awe; others in fear. But one presence cut through the noise, cool, sharp, unshaken. Athena stepped forward from the shadows of the archway, her footsteps measured, her expression unreadable. The goddess's silver armor glinted faintly beneath the fractured light filtering through the dust.
Morgan's lips curved into a knowing smile, she also stood up from her seat and flew toward Kousuke, her sight remained on the Goddess. "I was wondering when you'd stop watching from afar, Goddess of Wisdom."
Athena's golden eyes flicked briefly toward her before going back to Kousuke. "You should always keep your eyes on her at all time, just an advice. If it wasn't for her stirring discords in the background like a little troublemaker, I could be spending my time watching the ongoing drama series. Instead, I was forced to go through politics so that another Great War won't becomes a reality."
Morgan smirked, wrapping both of her arms around Kousuke's arm. "Wow, I'll take that as a compliment. I mean sheesh, can't a woman have hobbies these days?"
"Your hobbies could end the world as we speaks." Athena retorted, her expressionless face almost falling apart at the witch's jest.
After calming down with a deep breath, Athena's gaze shifted back to Kousuke. "I've witnessed countless battles across the ages," she began, her voice calm but weighted with thought. "But never have I seen a human match Ares blow for blow, much less leave him kneeling. Your strength...is unheard of. And that by itself is dangerous."
Ares grinned, his laughter still echoing faintly as he wiped the ichor from his lip. "He's something else, isn't he? A man with power that clearly sings of war, yet refuses to revel in it. I really like him, Sis!"
"You too Ares, what will you do if your fight ends up affecting the crowd watching from the stand? The building can be rebuilt, but the dead can't be resurrect, not without a price." Athena said with a sigh, then turned to Kousuke. "Fortunately, you held back."
"Everyone, return to your duties. There's nothing more to see here."
Athena's words carried weight, and the crowd understood the meaning even without her gaze turning to them. The demigods and lesser gods exchanged nervous glances before Athena raised her voice, her tone still soft but imbued with divine command.
No one argued. Even Ares' warriors, those famed for their stubborn pride bowed their heads and quietly withdrew. The amphitheatre's vast arena, moments ago filled with noise and awe, emptied until only four figures remained amidst the drifting dust: Ares, Athena, Morgan, and Kousuke.
The silence that followed was oddly serene, broken only by the faint crackle of dissipating divine energy. Athena's eyes lingered on the fractured ground where Ares' spear had struck, then shifted to Kousuke.
"I'll be direct," she said finally. "A man with strength rivaling a god cannot simply wander freely without consequence. Even if you have no ill will, others may not share your restraint. Power draws fear, and fear breeds conflict."
Kousuke tilted his head slightly, amused. "You're worried I'll bring trouble to the Greek Pantheon? This little me? Surely you jest."
Athena met his gaze without flinching. "Not just the Greek. The balance of the entire world is delicate. If the other pantheons learn of a human who defeated Ares, they'll seek you, no doubt about it. Either to recruit, to test, or to destroy. That's the nature of gods, rather all beings toward unfathomable strength."
"Wise as ever," Morgan murmured with a chuckle, leaning her chin against Kousuke's shoulder. "But you shouldn't worry so much. My husband doesn't have grand ambitions like those moronic people."
"Yes, I'm here because I'd like to sightseeing the divine city Olympus. A while ago, Morgan showed me some delicious bread. I'd like to check out that bakery today at the very least before I leave." Kousuke said nonchalantly.
Athena's brows furrowed slightly. "Sightseeing?"
Kousuke laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Pretty much. Let's just say I've seen things that normal people wouldn't normally see, so this time, I'd rather just... enjoy what's in front of me. Travel all around the world, and maybe try some new food I missed out on."
For a brief moment, Athena was speechless. The man before her who had clashed evenly with the God of War and left him kneeling, spoke with the simplicity of a mortal who wanted nothing more than to live.
Ares roared with laughter again, the sound echoing off the broken marble. "Hah! A man who fights like a god yet thinks like a philosopher! We might just be good friends, Kousuke!"
Morgan giggled softly, looking up at Kousuke with that mischievous gleam in her eyes. "See? Even the God of War approves of your retirement plan~"
But Athena remained thoughtful. Her golden eyes softened, losing some of their sharpness. "You truly are an enigma, Kousuke. Power without ambition, strength without arrogance. Perhaps that's what makes you so dangerous." 'Even more than those foolish mortals that keeps chasing after strength to fulfill their dark desire.'
"Or maybe," Kousuke replied with a faint smile, "it's what makes me human."
The wind swept through the open arena, carrying away the dust and lingering energy. Athena studied him for a moment longer before she turned to leave, her silver armor glinting under the late sunlight.
"Then I'll be watching, Igarashi Kousuke. Just remember, Greek has eyes everywhere."
Upon hearing her warning, the corner of his lips curled up. "Iyaaah~ Goddess Athena you pervert~"
Athena who was planning to walk away comes to a halt, her body trembling for a bit before she continues walking.
"Hahaha! I can't believe you would make a joke like that to my sister!" Ares said with a laughter, his hand lightly petting him in the back.