The Armageddon

6. Plans

As expected, Poseidon was in a good mood after winning the main event on the first day of the Olympics and as the goddess of victory, I crowned him with a laurel and engraved his name on my victor’s shield. I had to make sure he was in a good mood for now.

The rest of the day, were other minor competitions which took place. I did not pay attention to them as I had much more important things to consider and plan. I had to get ready for tomorrows adventure.

At the end of the day, I retired to my chambers. Right now, I had to catch the peeping tom that’s been following me around first, before I do anything else, if not I was going to get a lot of interference and Zeus would probably personally fry me with his thunderbolt if he found out my plans.

The second day arrived fast. I set my plan to catch the unwanted audience in motion when the sword fighting had started. It may and may not work because he or she may also be a participant of the competition, so I looked to through the list of events and participants for today and I noted a few formidable gods that would on normal occasions participate in sword fighting in particular.

To narrow down my search for my unknown body guard, I pretended to sneak out of the arena and hid nearby as I took note of everyone present.

Just as the first match was about to begin, someone dropped out.

Ares.

I watched as he looked around like he was looking for something or someone. He was really subtle about it. I would not have even payed him any attention had he not suddenly dropped out of the contest. So, my prime suspect was Ares.

If the spy was truly Ares, then it would only be a short while before he found my hiding spot. I purposely did not completely conceal my aura. I wanted him to find me.

Just to be double sure it was him, I walked away from my spot and deeper to the forest towards the hills. I was sure whoever it was following my scent. I did not want to seem foolish and suspicious so I had concealed my aura, but let little bit out.

I smiled as I felt him draw nearer. He had concealed himself well, but I could still tell he was there, maybe because I was expecting him.

I kept walking till I reached a cave at the foot of a hill. I looked round like I was making sure there was no one before I entered the cave. There was very little light seeping through cracks in the walls of the cave, but I walked till I reached a dead end before concealing my aura completely and shrinking in size. I hid my small body behind a stalagmite. As I watched him search round for me.

I was right, it was Ares.

He gave a deep sigh before speaking “you caught me” he rose his hands in mock surrender.

“you figured it out “I answered “but it is too late” I added.

“hmm” he hummed in reply whilst crossing his strong muscular arms.

“so, what do you have to say for yourself Sherlock Holmes?” I asked.

“sherlock what?” he asked. I forget that I was sent back in time and the others do not have a clue about some of these things.

“Any way, I know Zeus sent you.” I said

“not surprised you know that” he said.

“and did you find what you were looking for?” I asked my voice echoing.

“not really, considering that I was never really looking for anything.” he answered.

“then what area you doing here?” I asked moving from my hiding spot behind him to hover in front of him.

“Following you” he stated simply and I laughed. Typical Ares.

“Well, I apologize, but I need you to not spy on me anymore” I said.        

“and I apologize as well, but you are not my employer, you are simply the assignment.” He calmly pointed out.

“and what have you reported to your employer so far?” I asked again. I suddenly feel like a detective.

“nothing… yet” he said “or was there something interesting that I missed?” he asked

“as you said, nothing… yet” I said and he gave me a little smirk.

“I really I do not understand what all this is about, but it better be entertaining” he said dryly.

I sighed. “I need you to not follow me any more and you need to report to Zeus. So, let us compromise.”

“I am listening” he said with a tilt of his head. His sharp gaze trying to read me, but I keep my poker face on.

“I will tell you what this is all about, we do this together and you tell Zeus some phony story and we are all happy.” I said

“why would I do that? I could just stick to my original instructions and tell Zeus whatever I truly find”

I scoffed. “you really think it would be that easy huh?! Trust me, you would not be able to find a thing if I wanted” I said.

“but you let me find bits and pieces. You have this all planned out, don’t you?” he asked and I smiled in response shrugging my shoulder.

“besides, you wanted fun. Telling Zeus, where the fun in that?”

He was silent for a moment. He knew this was a bad idea, but he was never one to back out of a challenge and there was just something about Nike that drew hi to her like a moth to a flame, hopefully he wouldn’t get burned.

“I agree.”

“good, because you did not have a choice.” I said and he gave me a look that said ‘seriously’, though he didn’t doubt that she could find a way to comply if she wanted.

 “now you will swear by my mother Styx” I added

He narrowed his eyes at me and I did the same. We had a silent battle with our eyes.

“fine I swear by the river Styx not to tell Zeus the truth about whatever we do” Ares finally relented.

“fantastic,” I said with a huge grin “meet me tomorrow at sunset at the flower field at the edge of the city” I instructed before flying away. I had to get back, can’t be gone too long.

Ares

I watched as her figure disappeared from my view. I silently scolded myself for falling right into her trap. I didn’t know what had led me to even go as far as swearing on the river Styx, but I knew I wanted to know more about her and what she was up to. I had a feeling that whatever she was doing was dangerous and I just had the urge to protect her, to be by her side.

Zeus was going to be sure to skewer us both if he ever found out, but for some reason, I did not feel weary at all, instead I was anxious and excited at what was to come tomorrow.

By the time I made my way back to the arena, the sword fighting competition was already half way through.

The crowd was going wild and everybody was at the edge of their seats with eyes glued to the center of the arena as hades and Zeus engaged in a fierce battle.

The battle very engaging and entertaining, but from time to time, my eyes drifted to where a certain goddess was seated with her chin resting on her palm like she hadn’t a care in the world.

I wondered what secrets she would reveal tomorrow. The gears in my head turned as I thought of different scenarios. She was like a puzzle I wanted to put together.

Nike

Now I had found out who had been spying on me and I had even managed to get him on my side, to be honest, I did not think he would agree that easily. There must be something he is getting out of this, but I would not think about that for now.

At the close of the day, Hephaestus approached me.

“Nike,” he greeted with a smile.

“Hephaestus, how are you today?” I asked.

“I am very well Nike.” He answered “I brought your order” he added.

“thank you so much Hephaestus” I said as I unwrapped the bundle, he had given me. It was exactly as the painting I had given him. It was truly magnificent. I would have also mistaken it for the real dagger of Delphi had it not been me who ordered for these ones to be forged.

“Do you like it?” he asked anxiously.

“oh of course Hephaestus these are truly amazing.” I gushed as I admired the dagger. “it is beautiful”

“I am glad to hear it. If you want anything else done, you know where to find me” he said with a smile and turned to leave.

“wait.” I called.

“yes?” he turned back.

I quickly took out a transparent looking marble and handed it to him.

“take this as a thank you for this beautiful work Hephaestus” I said.

Hephaestus looked at in awe. It was not just some normal atone, it was very rare and precious and only found at the very bottom of the river Styx which was an embodiment of my mother. It could not be acquired by just any god or goddess. My mother had gifted me this particular one many years ago. It had very unique properties and special powers.

Hephaestus looked from the object in his palm to my face several times like he could not believe that I was just handing it to him.

“I am very sure that you would make something spectacular and wonderful out of it” I smiled encouraging him to take it.

“thank you, Nike, I shall make something truly wonderful with this.” He assured me with a huge grin on his face.

“I am sure you will, you always do” I said.

I watched him leave almost skipping away as I chuckled.

After I had properly hidden the package, I met up with Athena to spend the afternoon. We spoke of many things ranging from Dionysus’ latest party to Zeus’ latest love interest.

Don’t judge, I had frowned at something similar earlier, but I had to play along with Athena and besides, these things could be entertaining sometimes. I might have a lot on my mind right now, but I am a woman, and women always find time for a little gossip, whether intentionally or unconsciously.

Like always do, I use the opportunity to fish for information. I purposely brought up the topic of Athena’s priestess’. I spoke of one in particular.

Medusa.

Athena’s face immediately turned sour at the mention of her name.

Athena scoffed “please, that one gets on my nerves. She thinks she holds the world in her hands because a few fools told her she was pretty”

I giggled at her reaction. She looked like she had just tasted a lemon.

“then why did you accept her as your priestess if you detest her so?” I asked.

“she hasn’t really done anything to me … yet, I am the goddess of justice, but trust me, the moment she steps out of line, I am going to teach her the greatest lesson of her worthless fragile human life” she spat.

I sighed heavily. I truly pitied medusa. Having time travelled, I knew that that Athena would be true to the words she had just spoken.

A few years from now, Athena was going to turn the beautiful woman into a creature of terror over a misunderstanding.

Sometimes, beauty could be a curse.

I made my way back to my chambers and had a very refreshing bath before snuggling under my covers. That night I had a good night’s rest for the next few days were going to anything but peaceful.