trial of Ares and Poseidon - (1)
After taking over the affairs of Thebes, I sat down with the goddess Styx and talked business.
It's thanks to her that I'm not overwhelmed with work every time I leave the empire...
"I swear by the River Styx that I am telling you the truth, Goddess, your hair is shiny again today."
"Ugh... don't keep swearing strange oaths in front of us! You haven't for a while, but then again..."
Even today, the goddess Styx is very shy about swearing in public.
But I can't help it when her beautiful black hair, like silk woven by Athena, flutters in front of my eyes.
I put the parchment down for a moment and stare at the black waves growing in front of me...
The goddess blushed slightly and opened her mouth.
"Then touch it... Do you want to see it? Just a little..."
I couldn't stand it anymore.
I nod dumbly and the Oath Goddess stands next to me, pressing her body against mine.
My nostrils catch the scent of piles and piles of parchment, or is it her olive scent?
I run my hand through her hair as she bends over her work, forcing herself not to look at me.
As I slowly stroke the goddess' hair, which seems to flow in my hands, I feel a strange, unrecognisable current of air.
"Mmm..."
Am I happy right now?
Spending quality time with a goddess, despite the hard and hectic work of the other world...
A thud.
"Hades, there's Ares at the entrance to the underworld... Huh?!"
"Hmph... What's going on?"
"Ugh...!"
It was Persephone, the goddess of spring and seeds, who opened the door and entered.
She quickly scanned the room, and as soon as she saw me and the goddess Styx clinging to each other, she pouted and put her hands on her hips.
"Blood... You're with the goddess Styx again and I'm nowhere to be seen, Hades?"
"You don't even call me uncle anymore..."
"That's because I have to call you when we get married, so when are you and I going to leave this world together?"
"...? You and I will leave this world together?"
"Oh, you act like you don't know. Rumours of Hades leaving with his favourite goddesses have already spread like wildfire in the underworld. Styx, Lethe and your mentor have also spent time with lesser gods, so why only me..."
Please. He's my nephew...
Of course, it's not a big deal between gods, but there is some psychological resistance...
Perhaps your presence is a little... premature for me.
The beautiful goddess of spring has given me a chance to reconsider my thoughts, but I'm reluctant to have anything to do with her...
Let's change the subject.
Ads by Pubfuture
"...What do you mean by Ares coming to the entrance of the underworld?"
"Oh. That's right, he said he had a big fight with Little Poseidon's father and needed help to hold a trial..."
Poseidon and Ares had a big fight?
I thought the only time they had clashed before was during Poseidon's rebellion.
* * *
Just like that, I saw a male god step into the real world.
Muscular as iron, the armour of the gods forged by Hephaestus, a greatsword at his waist.
Ares, my nephew and god of war, knelt before me on one knee with an awkward smile.
Ares, who had been freaking out since the Flood, what was wrong with him?
"Good morning, Big Brother Hades."
"Yes. I've heard the story. What happened in the great battle between you and Poseidon, and why did you come to the other side?"
"I'll tell you slowly, what happened is..."
According to Ares' story, it was because of a demigod called Halirrothios, son of Poseidon.
Halirrothios was the child of Poseidon and a nymph called Euryte.
He believed that his father was Poseidon and went on a rampage in Athens, the city where Athena was the goddess.
"You're a priestess of the goddess Athena, so you're not bad-looking, are you?"
"Oh... please don't do that. We've all taken a vow of chastity..."
"Vow of chastity? So what, you know who I am, right?"
I'm not the kind of guy who habitually gropes the breasts of Athena's shrine maidens...
Pfft!
"What?! Did you just tell me to leave because I don't have any money?"
"No matter how much you are Poseidon's child... Pfft!"
"No, no. No. You are so favoured by the sea and you dare to treat me like this?"
In the various restaurants and inns of Athens, he took things without paying or went on a rampage...
"Wait! Wait a minute, that's an olive tree, the symbol of the goddess Athena...!"
"What?! My father is Poseidon."
Ddddd... Boom!
The olive tree, symbol of the goddess Athena, had been cut down by Poseidon, incurring Athena's wrath.
However, Athena didn't dare to confront Poseidon directly, so she only scolded him moderately...
Ads by Pubfuture
After listening to this story, I asked Ares a question.
"Are these the stories you heard from Athena herself?"
"Yes, that's right, that bastard did it."
"Well, go ahead and tell me."
Ares, the god of war, had a daughter who was a demigod.
Her name was Alcippe and she grazed in a field near Athens...
She had the misfortune to meet Halilithios, a cripple.
"Do you know who I am? Follow me," he said, "and marry me, for it is for your own good..."
"Who... Who are you! Gahhhhhhh, father!"
"Be quiet, my father is Posei... Kwak!"
Chwaak-degurr.
"Alkipfe, are you alright?!"
"Ah... Burge... Hmph. Thank you..."
Halithios, who was about to take Alciphae by force, was confronted by Ares, who had rushed over after hearing his daughter's screams...
Naturally, seeing the madman trying to rape his daughter, Ares swung his sword and beheaded him.
With his son dead, Poseidon lashed out at Ares.
"Ares, you son of a bitch, you cut my son's throat?!"
"What?! Poseidon's own son tried to rape my daughter!"
"But you did!"
"I didn't do anything wrong!"
So their quarrel became increasingly violent,
Zeus and the other gods decided to hold a trial to settle the matter... La.
"Yes. The man who tried to rape your daughter is probably being punished by the three Minoan brothers. So why did he come to the underworld?"
"Everyone said that Big Brother Hades is the most worthy judge, so please give him justice!"
The god of war looks at me with great emotion as he rants in front of me.
You want me to judge you in the underworld?
* * *
"The man who tried to rape your daughter is already dead, so it's my jurisdiction, but your quarrel with Poseidon is Zeus' business, isn't it?"
This is clearly a matter of this life.
Shouldn't Zeus decide for himself? But the fact that it was brought to me...
"It is... Because, as I said, everyone recommended Big Brother Hades."
"Tell me more."
The situation on Olympus, as Ares told it, was as follows.
Zeus, King of the Gods, decided to hold a trial in Athens because their quarrel had become so intense,
and the other gods had expressed their intention to attend.
But...
"Hmmm... So this Zeus is going to listen to both sides of the argument and make a judgement..."
"Zeus. Don't you think it would be better to ask Hades to do that instead of you?"
"I suppose that's Hera's point... After all, hasn't Hades always been in charge of such things in the underworld?"
"I think Hades is used to passing judgement..."
When Zeus offered to take on the role of judge, the goddesses disagreed and recommended me.
Hera, Hestia and Aphrodite gave their opinion and the other goddesses agreed...
"Ha! Yes, let's give it to Hades."
"I don't mind either, there's no fairer god than Hades."
"Hmmm. So everyone agrees to let Big Brother Hades be the judge?"
Even Poseidon and Ares before me agreed that I was a better judge than Zeus.
When Ares had finished, I looked at my nephew.
"So it is, big brother."
"And now you leave the affairs of this life to me."
"My father has said that if you help him, he will give you a ring of similar power to Harmonia's necklace."
The necklace of Harmonia, daughter of Ares and Aphrodite and wife of Cadmus, is a divine object that brings youth and beauty to its wearer.
But our gods are immortal and have no need of such a thing.
Nevertheless, the ring of youth...
It could be given to a favourite mortal, or it could make a fine collector's item.
"Hmm..."
Poseidon's son ran amok in Athena's city, by the way.
He may be an asshole, but I don't think Poseidon would have allowed or encouraged that, would he?
Athena and Poseidon don't get along, so it's quite possible.
I can see why the other goddesses told Zeus about me when he offered to preside over the trial...
I can also see why Zeus declined the offer.
Normally he would have offered himself as judge to keep Poseidon in check,
I'm sure he assumed that my character would side with Ares, and it wouldn't look good for him to be so blatantly against him.
Poseidon must have thought I was better than Zeus.
For now, that is what Ares told me.
It's something to think about, having heard both sides of the story.
"I see. I understand. Where do you want me to go?"
"Thank you. There's a trial tomorrow on a hill near Athens, and if you'd like to attend..."
Huh... Yes. There's another fight between the gods and I have to mediate.
I'll just have to go through the memories of that Halolithios... the one who was killed by Ares and became one of the people of the underworld... and go to the trial.
Trial of Ares and Poseidon - (2)
The next day I went to the hills near Athens.
This must be the place Ares told me about.
I have to go through Athens, so I'll have to take the main road.
While I'm at it, let's have a look at Athena's city.
As you would expect from a city dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, there are many olive trees planted along the streets.
It was as prosperous as my own Thebes, with many free citizens carving statues of Athena from cedar wood.
"I sell bronze lamps brought from other cities!
"I have olive oil blessed by the goddess Athena for a mere penny..."
"I need some sacrifices for the goddess, can I buy some of these pigs?"
The folklore of the goddess was not bad. It was easy to see that most of the citizens were Athena's followers,
and the olives she distributed had long since become a staple of every city dweller's diet.
After a bit of exploring, I soon came across a Nexus in the hills near Athens.
I passed through the lattice, which contained the power to bite the people around it and to illusionise the landscape within...
"Hmph. Do you think Hades would side with an asshole like you? I'm sure they'd be rather bothered if the population of the underworld increased with the war."
"Nor would I side with the son of a bigot who tried to rape my daughter!"
"Enough, both of you. The other gods will arrive in a few minutes, so let the trial decide."
Ares and Poseidon are already having a nervous breakdown, and Zeus is trying to mediate between them.
All the gods were there to give their opinion on the matter. Even Amphitrite, Poseidon's faithful wife, is there.
"The consequences... I want this, for not a day goes by that Olympus is quiet.
"The goddesses Demeter and Artemis have not yet arrived.
"If we wait a little longer, perhaps... Ah, Hades!"
The goddess of beauty, whose beauty even her flowery veil can't hide.
Hestia, the goddess of hearth and home, sees me and calls out.
"Hestia, you're here too."
Ads by Pubfuture
"I usually try to stay out of these things, but..."
The goddess of the braziers sighs and shakes her head, her eyes still on Poseidon and Ares, who are in a foul mood.
Ah, now that Zeus has intervened, they're backing off.
"Well, Hades is here and the other gods... I think we're all here, so we'd better get started."
One by one the other gods arrived,
and finally the process of settling the flirtation between Poseidon and Ares began.
* * *
So began the first trial of the gods on a hill near Athens.
The court was well furnished, with stone chairs arranged in rows.
Off to the side was a separate room for Zeus, Hestia and other gods of high rank...
"Let us begin, then."
I stepped up to the appropriate dais as judge and looked down.
Let's see, first... Was it Ares who argued in his favour?
The Goddess of Wisdom, parchment in hand, stepped forward and bowed to everyone.
She exchanges a glance with Ares before stepping forward... Athena has decided to speak on his behalf.
"Let me begin by saying that Halilithios was a man rumoured to be the bane of Athens. He was known to harass and assault the nymphs and priests who served me, to eat in my dining hall without paying... to cut down my symbol, the olive tree, and so on, I can attest to his unworthy behaviour."
"What do you have to say about this incident, apart from Halilithios' behaviour?"
Athena cleared her throat at my question and continued.
"The sin of forcibly attempting to rape a chaste woman is a great one. Ares, on the other hand, only reacted in defence of his daughter, and if the daughter of Great Father Poseidon was about to lose her virginity to another man, I believe that Great Father Poseidon would have punished that man as well."
"Hmph... but that doesn't mean you dare to kill my son with a single blow..."
"Poseidon, this is the time to hear Ares' side of the story, so please control yourself."
Poseidon paused and nodded to Athena.
"Finally, I will present as evidence the testimony of the nymphs who witnessed Halithios' attempt to rape Ares' daughter, as well as the whispers of the flora and fauna."
"Evidence from the gods of nature, Pan and Demeter."
A quick glance at the parchment revealed the testimony of the nymphs to what Halithios had done.
They swore on the River Styx that it was all true.
"Next, Poseidon, it is your turn to speak."
"Hmm. Hades, as a god of the underworld, you know the weight of life, and no god would think it right to wield a sword and slit my son's throat for a slight misstep in his courtship of a woman he disliked. It is a matter of my dignity, and it is also the murder of a kinsman, so the goddesses of vengeance must act".
Poseidon cleared his throat for a moment, then continued.
Ads by Pubfuture
"I sympathise with Halithios for his mischief in the temple of Athena, but otherwise his actions were reserved for mortals, and it is unjust that my son, the demigod of the sea, should be considered unworthy of honour because he played a little prank on mortals."
First of all, Poseidon isn't entirely wrong. Killing relatives is right.
But he doesn't dare accuse the 12 Gods of it, so the 3 Goddesses of Vengeance don't come...
But shouldn't the rape of relatives have happened before the murder of relatives?
In my opinion, of course, Poseidon was to blame... We should hear from the other gods.
He turned to the chairs where Zeus and the other high gods sat.
"What do you think, my friends?"
* * *
"The son of Poseidon deserves to die for attempting to rape an innocent woman."
This from Hera, who crossed her arms and looked displeased.
"That's what I think too."
"It is not right to take by force without true love, and I would have punished him too."
Artemis, Aphrodite, in that order.
The goddess of purity and the goddess of love would naturally side with Ares...
"Ugh... If this had happened to my daughter, I would have torn the earth apart".
"Life is precious, but isn't that a justified reaction from a father who cares for his daughter? I think Ares is right.
Demeter and Hestia also side with Ares.
"Hmmm... I won't say anything, I'm sure you're the better judge."
Zeus looks pleased, but doesn't say much.
He's already decided that the trial has turned in Ares' favour.
I look over at Poseidon and he's frowning.
Perhaps he thought he would win the trial because of his position and Ares' usual warlike behaviour.
"Then I will give my verdict. I too believe that Ares had no choice but to kill Poseidon's son."
"Hades, you are also his nephew, how could you..."
"And the daughter of Ares, who was nearly raped by my nephew, is my great-granddaughter."
Poseidon interrupted, unable to accept the outcome.
"I have searched the memories of Halilithios, who came to the underworld yesterday, and he was just as Athena said... He even tried to rape Ares' daughter. Ares even killed him, not realising in his haste that he was the son of Poseidon. I doubt anyone would wield a sword to do such a terrible thing to their own daughter."
"No, but..."
From Beverly Hills To Bravery: Shannen Doherty's Iconic Moments
Moments Of Angry Outbursts The Royal Palace Wants To Be Deleted
[Poseidon. I have searched your son's memory with the help of the goddess Mnemosyne... I see that you had a small part in the mischief Halilithios made in Athens].
[Athena has often interfered in my affairs].
[Do I really need to reveal all this here, I'll save your dignity in moderation]...
[...]
He looked at Poseidon and used his divine powers to make his point.
Zeus isn't paying attention, he's chatting to Hera next to him, so no one can hear him.
It's true that Halithios was an asshole, and it's true that he tried to rape Ares' daughter.
But there's also a bit of Poseidon, who deliberately sent his son to the outskirts of Athens to get him to go rogue.
"And while Ares' actions were justified, he did kill Poseidon's son. It was technically kinship murder."
"But Big Daddy, that's..."
"So, Ares, you will spend two months in the underworld."
[Ares, understand that if you go unpunished, Poseidon's retribution will surely follow].
[Ah... no, thank you for your consideration].
Ares lowers his head slightly towards me.
Zeus is nonchalant, and Poseidon grumbles that the punishment is too short, but that's about it.
I think that's enough of a setback.
The other Gods nod in agreement with my judgement.
"Hmmm..."
"So Ares will be punished for two months?"
"Well, that seems about right."
"Mild for a punishment for killing the son of the Lord of the Sea."
"Nonsense, Hades is trying to save face."
"Aha! In the judgement of Hades and the other gods, Ares' actions were justified, but as punishment for killing Poseidon's son, he will spend two months in the underworld..."
Looking around, Zeus rose from his seat and cleared the room,
I stepped down from the dais and advised Poseidon.
"Look after your own children. That Triton I saw the other day seemed to be in good shape."
"That's why he's my heir. The others have many sore fingers."
As he turned and left, the Sea Lord looked rather lonely.
It wasn't Poseidon's orders that made Halithios go rogue near Athens, it was his own personality.
He doesn't know how to treat his own children, and not everything goes their way...
The way he embraces his children should be seen as a twisted affection.
It may be a characteristic of the ocean that it constantly creates rough and unruly waves, but it embraces all life below the surface.