Chapter 7- The Burden of Power

Warning! This chapter contains explicit violence, child abuse, and mentions of child neglection. Viewer discretion is advised!

Power, so sacred and wild

Turns out to be a curse.

No one ever smiled,

If life only gets worse.

Location: Heaven, Olympus

“What’s going on?! What’s all this fuss about?” Hera asked angrily as she stepped towards the gathered Olympians. “I was just about to enjoy my peaceful evening… Who is responsible for this turmoil?!” The “Godmother” asked her step-daughter Athena while trying to fix her golden hair, already stressed before she was even able to dress up.

“Ares is at it again…” The young goddess of wisdom responded with a barely hidden sneer. “Seems like he never learns.” She rolled her eyes and turned around to leave and continue her studies.

Hera narrowed her eyes at that, a deep frown gracing her features as she made her way through the murmuring crowd. “Ares!! What is this about-” She asked him with hidden anger, only to freeze at the unbelievable sight before her.

The young teen in front of her stomped onto the bloodied form of a beaten demigod, his features pulled into a mask of aggressive fury. More blood splashed onto his blood-soaked form as his red eyes were narrowed to raging orbs of brutality. The man below him coughed up blood as a sinister chuckle left the teen’s lips, the fire of bloodlust burning brightly in his eyes. “What’s wrong…? And you call yourself a son of Zeus? WHERE IS ALL YOUR BRAGGING ARROGANCE NOW?! STAND UP!!! ARE YOU A WARRIOR OR JUST A USELESS PIECE OF SHIT?!” Ares shouted violently, harshly picking up the man before punching him in the face. 

The sickly sound of cracking bones filled the air as Ares’ punch broke the man’s jaw. The demigod fell back to the ground with a gurgled outcry of pain, more blood splattering out of his mouth as his form was unrecognizable. His body was now only a miserable mess of blood, flesh, and broken bones after Ares beat him up with his bare hands.

The young god huffed angrily, a deep frown of rage gracing his lips as he clenched his bloodied fist by his side. The blood of the demigod slowly dropped from his skin like crimson tears as even his usual bright golden hair was stained by striking red.

“Do you want me to rip out your organs one by one before you beg for mercy?” Ares asked with unforgiving eyes as he cracked his neck to ease his tense muscles.

Hera’s eyes widened in horror, covering her mouth in shock at the brutal violence her son displayed.

“How brutal… He has already beaten the demigod. There’s no need to continue beating down a man that has already lost...” 

“Ares started this just because of his bragging. While I agree the demigod shouldn’t have insulted him, this is too far…”

“This is scary… How can Zeus allow his son to behave like this?! It makes me fear for Olympus’ future…”

“Just imagine what would happen if Ares runs havoc. It would be a disaster!”

“Not just that, just look at him… You can’t tell me a sane person would do this!”

“What? You don’t mean-”

“Why do you think they tried to hide Ares from us Olympians for so long?”

The crowd whispered, glancing at the brutal display in front of them with scared yet disapproving gazes.

Hera gritted her teeth angrily as she clenched her fist by her side. The humiliation of the gossiping was the worst, she couldn't take it to have more rumors spreading around. It would ruin her reputation, the status she fought for…

Her shoulders shook in rage as her bangs covered her eyes. ‘How dare him… How dare he humiliates me in public after everything I did for him!!’ She thought in sheer wrath as she bit down on her tongue hardly.

“ARES!!” She shouted with hidden rage as she stepped closer to her son. She clenched her fist tighter by her side as Ares didn’t even spare her a single glimpse. “Stop this mess, right now!” She demanded loudly as she stepped between him and the unrecognizable form of the demigod.

The young God of War stared at her with a cold gaze, the fire of his eyes only burning to new intensity. “Step away, mother. I won’t stop until everyone learns to treat me with respect! Even if I have TO KILL HIM TO PROVE IT, I WILL SHOW IT TO EVERYONE!!” He shouted out with deep hidden hatred burning in his chest.

Hera’s blue eyes narrowed to slits of outrage at his unbelievable words he dared to utter to her, the woman who gave birth to him. She took a sharp breath as she unclenched her fist by her side. “Ares, I told you a million times…” She whispered to him in an understanding way, making the teen’s shoulders slump slightly in defeat.

“DO NOT DISGRACE YOUR FAMILY IN PUBLIC!!” Hera screamed at him and suddenly threw her hand back before slapping him. The sound of her hand hitting his cheek rang loudly through the air as the impact whipped Ares’ head back painfully. 

The young god’s eyes widened in shock, his anger puffing away as a look of betrayal graced his features. He reached up to touch his burning cheek, his eyes filled with disbelief. “...Mother…?” He asked in shock as he looked up to her enraged features with hidden fear.

Hera gritted her teeth before slapping him again, this time even harder than before. “WHY DON’T YOU LEARN?! I TOLD YOU! I TOLD YOU TO NOT ATTACK ANYONE AND DISGRACE YOUR FATHER!! WHY AREN’T YOU MORE LIKE YOUR SISTER!!! WHY CAN’T YOU HAVE AT LEAST HALF OF HER INTELLIGENCE INSTEAD OF YOUR BRUTAL STUPIDITY!!!” She screamed out in fury as she hit him again and again.

Ares jaw clenched tightly as the teen let her hit him, his head held low as his fist clenched by his side. Not a single word left his lips anymore as the god stayed completely silent while enduring his mother’s violent outburst.

The crowd watched in surprise, soon their gossiping whispers turning to taunts and laughter at the expenses of the hated young god.

Ares gritted his teeth and closed his eyes in emotional pain, his shoulders shaking slightly as he tried to ignore the humiliation. His cheeks were long numb from the slaps of his mother, yet he still could feel the pain of her harsh hits. 

‘It’s always like this… They don’t care about me at all… I’m always the laughing stock. Even when I defend myself against their fucking gossips and arrogance, I still end up being the bad guy.’ He thought as his frustration, pain and broken heart boiled up to more anger in his chest. ‘It’s always Athena. She is the best at everything… “Oh, why aren’t you more like your sister?” “Why can’t you be as smart as Athena…” Athena, Athena, ATHENA, ATHENA... BUT NEVER ARES! EVERYTHING I DO IS ALWAYS WRONG! WHY CAN I NEVER DO ANYTHING RIGHT?! WHY DO THEY HATE ME SO MUCH?!’ 

Angry tears glittered in his eyes as he gritted his teeth visibly, catching Hera’s wrist harshly before she could hit him again. “I think that’s enough, mother.” He spat out at her in disgust, making the goddess pause in shock.

“Ares…” She hissed out before ripping her wrist out of his grip and grabbing onto the piece of golden armor connected to his shoulder. “I have enough of your disrespectful behavior! It’s time to see your father. It seems like you have to be taught another lesson.” Hera said coldly as she turned around and yanked him with her.

The crowded Olympians started to giggle and laugh at this turn of events, pointing at the young god in high amusement. 

“Hahahaha! Hopefully, Zeus will teach him a good lesson!”

“Pfft- Such boosting talk about being a man yet he can’t even stand up to his parents.”

“Ridiculous. He doesn’t deserve a place on Olympus.”

“Hmph. Maybe this will teach him some manners…”

Ares ignored their taunting shouts and laughter as he silently walked next to his mother, his head held low so no one would have to see the fear and tears in his eyes.

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