Gone Native: Battle of Gods (ch. 42) (Patreon)

"So, if I call this Zeus guy a sissy, he'll come down to fight me?" Elery questioned and, upon reflection, I realized I made a terrible mistake by bringing my family to this event. Because my mother wasn't any better.

"Or make fun of his dick size. Doesn't matter the species or gender, that one always riles them up," Mom responded, looking directly at a pillar that was decorated with iconography dedicated to the god Zeus. I did my research. The Greek gods had fallen out of favor on Earth. Once they were widely worshiped, but that was more than a thousand years ago. Closer to two. As far as gods went, they sounded like a dysfunctional bunch.

Normally, I would be content to leave them as non-issues. Either they were mythology, thus not real, or they were isolationist. During my battle on Earth, I saw no hint of the gods' activity. As far as I could tell, the Greek gods were content to let Earth be, regardless of what fate it suffered due to their non-interference. The closest thing to an active influence from them on Earth was Wonder Woman.

The reason I was increasingly concerned was the fact that we were currently in one of their last bastions of power. A place where their existence and worship was still strong.

And my family wouldn't stop trying to pick a fight with them.

"You can issue a challenge to the Hellenistic gods when we aren't on a diplomatic mission. And only after you've defeated me," I tacked on. My mother and sister were strong, but I stood no chance against a god. And they stood no chance against me. Both Mom and Elery looked like they bit into something sour based on the looks they were giving me.

"But that's impossible," Elery muttered, her expression one of supreme bitterness.

I cocked an eyebrow, "And defeating a god isn't?" I questioned her before looking out at the island of Themyscira. My family stood in a place of honor with Clark, who looked like he was trying very hard not to laugh at the byplay, as we watched the rituals to celebrate the harvest. The rituals involved a lot of singing and dancing from dedicated priestesses for the harvest gods.

Elery tsked under her breath while I turned my attention to Diana, who watched the festivities with an expression of fierce pride. I swallowed my question to watch in silence -- a priestess jumped around, waving her hands in a rhythmic pattern, which circulated the smoke from burning incense towards the statues of the harvest gods. All the while a number of other priestesses began to… cook, for a lack of a better word.

I couldn't see this ritual lasting. Not if Diana got what she wanted and Themyscira made a push to rejoin the wider world. I had tens of thousands of planets dedicated to producing food for my empire and they produced continuously. There was no harvest day. That was something that planets that were stuck with only one growing season got to celebrate. What's more, I didn't see the worship of the Hellinistic gods spreading.

There were many worshiped deities in my empire, but the only thing that they all had in common was that they all did nothing. Not when Frieza enslaved them. Though, many were getting credit for getting people through the war, even though it was just luck and strategy that they made it instead of others. Wonder Woman seemed convinced that her gods did exist, and that she had interactions with them, so I could accept that they were beings of power. Still, if they didn't use that power in tangible ways, the people of my empire would have very little reason to want to worship them.

All that being said… it was enjoyable to watch. The ritual was flawless, well practiced to the point of perfection, and when the priestess stopped dancing as the sun dipped below the horizon, there was uproarious cheering. The intent of the celebration was clear -- a thankfulness for the food that they received and gratitude to the one that provided. My empire had no such holiday. Or any holidays.

Diana looked to me while Mom clapped, seemingly impressed for some reason, "Your thoughts?" She prodded, and I think she was just looking for a reason to gush. She was proud of her homeland and her people.

"Next year, I would like something like this for my entire empire," I admitted. I did feel a bit bad for Ada'la, because I knew she would end up doing the legwork to figure out how every race of my empire could celebrate on the same day, but she always did like planning parties.

Diana offered a wide smile while her mother, Queen Hippolyta offered a thin smirk as she pretended that she wasn't listening.

"How'd 'ya know that your gods hear you?" Elery questioned, narrowing her eyes at the statues of Demeter and Persephone made out of carved marble. "Back during the war, I always heard aliens scream out for their gods. Usually before they died. But they never seemed to hear them 'cuz they still died." It seemed that Elery was having similar thoughts to me, but she lacked the filter to swallow her questions.

"We know because each year the harvest is bountiful," Queen Hippolyta answered, an quite edge in her voice. "That this place is protected by the gods. The gods do not have to speak to be heard." She said, her voice warmer than it was when she spoke to me but still frosty. Elery scrunched up her face while Mom reached out her hand and rubbed to top of Elery's head.

"She's talking about when people get lucky in war -- like when we attack a planet, and some idiot manages to survive the initial bombardment even though everyone else around him died," Mom explained, and Elery nodded, the example maked sense to her. "At least until we swoop in and blow 'em up!" I swallowed a sigh as Elery cast a suspicious look at Queen Hippolyta.

"... But they still die, though? Why'd their gods protect them the first time and not the second? And why not protect everyone else the first time? Gods are supposed to be strong, right?" Elery questioned, sounding like she didn't at all buy into the nature of gods or the car of praying. "Are you sure you're not being scammed? I'm a member of the hero-force, and I've been stuck dealing with a bunch of them lately! This sounds-"

"Elery," I sighed. "Please don't call their gods scam artists in their own home." I gave Wonder Woman an apologetic look while Clark looked everywhere but at the conversation. Wonder Woman seemed understanding but Queen Hippolyta looked increasingly displeased under her mask of indifference. "Their ways aren't ours, but we are guests, so we will respect them."

Elery couldn't appear more doubtful if they tried, "If you say so, Brother…"

"And stop trying to pick a fight with the gods," I added, narrowing my eyes at her.

"Tsk." So, I got that one right, huh?

"My daughter informed me that you are a race of warriors," Queen Hippolyta. "But, I must ask, is war all that you know?" She questioned lightly, but it was without a doubt a provocation. One that Mom and Elery latched onto with little hesitation.

"Yeah?"

"Sounds about right," Mom seconded. Clark looked to me at their quick and simple answers. I'm pretty sure if I met his gaze, I'd find pity there. So, I didn't in favor looking at Queen Hippolyta, who seemed mildly surprised by the honesty. I didn't think she was expecting that.

"It's a work in progress," I admitted, earning a slow nod from the queen. Elery rolled her eyes at the prospect of enjoying anything but fighting, and I knew it was going to be a very long road until that work in progress was completed.

"In that case, I have good news -- the rituals are over and it is time for the feast to begin," Queen Hippolyta said, going with what she knew my family would like. She was right on target too because they perked up, wearing identical expressions of eagerness as they turned to the tables full of food.

However, before they could in turn begin feasting, and probably step on some toes in the process, a harsh breeze blew across the island. The various flames that illuminated the darkened village flickered and more than a few were snuffed out. A gasp ran through Themyscira as a sudden tension filled the air as everyone's gazes turned upward. I felt a presence before I saw anyone.

I could only compare it to one I felt twice before -- Cyborg, whose ki signature tried to hide from me by becoming more elusive the more I focused on it. And, a second time on planet Sadala when I stood before Yamoshi, the god of the Saiyan race.

"Ares," Diana spoke, a snarl on her lips as she gazed up at who emerged from the swirling black clouds above. He was a tall and broad man wearing twisted black armor decorated with a rather unnecessary amount of hooks and spikes. His face was hidden behind a horned helmet, dark shadows obscuring the little of his face we should have been able to see. Ares, the Greek god of war, rode a chariot pulled by two massive bulls, the chariot itself appearing to be made out of wood and metal.

I could feel Themyscira holding its breath. Queen Hippolyta placed a hand on her daughter's shoulders while Clark tensed, ready for a fight.

"You don't seem happy to see one of your gods," I remarked lightly as Ares made his descent. He was taking it slow, making sure that everyone on the island could see him. I did notice that he had a large broad sword strapped to his back -- it had a skull embedded in the cross guard and the blade looked serrated on both sides.

Diana stepped forward, squaring her shoulders as she glared up at Ares. "We honor all of the gods, King Tarble, but some are more welcomed than others." She said the words loudly as Ares neared, making sure that he could hear them. I placed a hand on Elery's shoulder to stop her from doing something stupid and felt her vibrating from excitement. She looked at me with big eyes that screamed, 'Can I fight him?!' Mom wasn't much better in that regard.

Ares came to a stop in front of us at the edge of the pavilion, his bulls huffing what seemed to be lightning, standing on empty air as if it were solid under their feet. Now that he was in front of me, I saw that Ares was just over seven feet tall and he sounded unnaturally heavy when he stepped into the edge of the pavilion. "I cannot say that I feel honored, Princess Diana," Ares remarked, something… odd with how he spoke. Almost as if there was an echo in his voice, but more than that, his words carried a power I couldn't identify.

His presence was elusive. The more I tried to pin it down, the more it slipped away from my grip. But, with a handful of words, he convinced me that he was powerful. Upon hearing them, they had a weight and force behind them that couldn't be denied.

"Forgive my daughter, Lord Ares," Queen Hippolyta said, dropping to a knee. I saw that the others began to do the same throughout the city in a wave. In a few seconds, everyone in Themyscira was bowing except for a few hold outs -- my family, Clark, and Diana. However, with no small amount of difficulty, Diana dropped to a knee and lowered her head.

At last, Ares turned his attention to me. I felt power radiating from him like electricity dancing across my skin. Despite myself, I did feel my heart pick up in anticipation at the prospect of a fight because I couldn't imagine what else the god of war was here for. Elery was at risk of vibrating right through the stone and Mom tensed, ready to kick things off.

"I hope you don't expect me to bow," I told Ares, making no move to follow the others despite the sharp look that Queen Hippolyta shot at me. It might not be the wisest course of action, I could admit to myself. My very brief experience with gods involved Yamoshi going back in time to carry some words I had given myself, causing a closed time loop. Something he did effortlessly.

Ares was a god. Perhaps not the most powerful one in his pantheon, but the little I knew pointed to the fact that I was dealing with a force of nature beyond my ability to deal with.

"What insolence. I will allow you to speak your reason," Ares decided, his tone as arrogant as Frieza's had ever been, but that arrogance wasn't underserved. Frieza has been one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy, possibly the universe, and was only held back by his laziness. Ares was a god. He didn't posses god-like power. He was a god.

"I've already decided that I've knelt my final time," I answered. It was pride that spoke for me, but it was how I felt. For the entirety of my life, I lived underneath the boot of Frieza. I had shaken it off and now I was in complete control over my fate and the fate of my empire. I refused to give up that control to anyone. Not another petty tyrant nor a god.

Ares regarded me for a long moment before he offered the barest hint of a nod, "An acceptable reason, King Tarble. I shall allow you to stand," he said, making my eyes narrow a fraction at the 'let' part of the sentence.

"I'm not kneeling either. I just don't want to," Elery blurted and I really, really, really regretted bringing her to a diplomatic mission. Diana said my family was welcomed, but I should have known better.

"Lord Ares," Diana interjected before my sister's thoughtless stupidity had disastrous consequences. She sounded tense, like a string pulled too tightly and it was about to snap under the pressure. "May we ask what is the purpose of your visit? We are celebrating Demeter and Persephone, your kin."

"Do I need a reason to visit my chosen people?" Ares questioned and I think he sounded faintly amused with his low brassy voice. "There was a time when all of the Amazons would have welcomed such a visit. Before you were my mother's cult, you were mine."

Diana stiffened under the weight of Ares' gaze, "Then Herkules came to this island," she spoke, making Queen Hippolyta's lips thin at the name.

"My father's doing and none can deny his whims. Not his children, nor his brothers," Ares remarked lightly. "But," he continued tersely, "I have not come here to discuss the past. I have arrived to discuss the future." He said, turning his attention to me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Diana frowned deeply, wearing her displeasure openly.

I couldn't see Ares' face, but I did feel the weight of his gaze as it settled heavily on me. "Olympus is discussing matters regarding the fate of Earth. We care little that you've conquered it," he admitted callously, not at all hiding how little he cared. Beside me, I saw that Clark pushed his glasses up to hide his unhappy expression that slipped for just a moment. "You Saiyans have roused my interest in a way that hasn't happened since the days of Sparta and the Amazons. Your people are warriors. You can only ever be warriors. In recognition of that fact, I shall reward you by becoming your patron -- your god of warfare."

I let the words wash over me. That was worse than my worst case scenario. I thought he was here for a fight. Perhaps to issue a challenge and dispute my claim to Earth. Instead, he wanted to become a god for my people? A god of warfare? Something I was so desperately trying to stamp out?

The progress I made to that goal was little, but accepting that offer would not only undo it, but kill any thought of the Saiyan race being more than just warriors that could only fight, kill, and die. Because, with a god of war to pay homage to, my race would want nothing more.

"Is this an offer on behalf of Olympus," Queen Hippolyta spoke up, her tone cutting through the tension like a wickedly sharp knife, "or are you here for your own ends, Lord Ares?"

Clark spoke up, breaking his silence, "Forgive me if I'm wrong, but if this was on behalf of the gods, then wouldn't they send Hermes to deliver this message?" He stated, though he did put in a token effort to making it sound like it was an actual question.

I saw the game that Ares was playing. I was uncertain on how much being worshiped affected a god's power, but I had to imagine being widely worshipped would have a positive impact. The Amazons were the only ones left that considered the Hellenistic gods as anything more than myth. If my people, millions of Saiyans, began to worship Ares, then I imagine he would benefit in some way. Power? Was he trying to increase his own standing amongst his pantheon?

"You have learned well, Clark," Diana remarked lightly. If Ares cared at all about the conversation turning against him, or his intentions being made known, then he showed no sign of it. He simply stared at me, awaiting my answer while I considered the consequence of defying a god.

It was Mom that spoke up, crossing her arms as she considered Ares, "I got a question for ya'." She spoke up, cocking her head to the side. "This whole god business with the worship and stuff -- how does it work exactly?" Was she considering taking the offer? I could all too easily see how having a god of war was a patron would appeal to the warriors of my race. The ones that forwent any kind of path other than fighting and war.

Ares seemed to expect that question, "You would pray and make offering in my name upon the eve of battle, and should I find the acceptable, I will grant you victory." He informed, and… it seemed that I didn't need to worry at all.

"Oh, hard pass then," Mom waved the offer off.

"Yeah, no way!" Elery agreed, shaking her head with an expression of disgust.

It was difficult to tell, but I'm certain that response caught him off guard. So, I explained it to him as simply as I could, "My people are not ones that will accept an easy victory. We are not humans. We do not pray to a higher being to give us what we want. We make it happen with our own efforts. Or, we die trying."

Ares was growing angry at my rebuke. I could feel it radiating off of him like heat from a pot that was starting to boil over. I couldn't imagine that he was used to being spoken to that way.

"The only way we would have ever accepted would be if you blessed the guys we're fighting," Mom pitched in, making his attention shift to her and a slow smile appeared on her face. "Tarble, you said we couldn't pick fights with a god, but it sure looks like he's picking one with us with that trash offer."

Ares didn't respond with words but slowly, deliberately, his hand began to reach back to the sword that he carried in his back. But, it was the moment that his hand grabbed hold of the hit of the blade that two things happened. I felt a familiar presence materialized from nothing next to Ares just as the sky let loose a powerful thunder bolt that slammed into the head I offered, blasting it apart with thunderous force.

"Oh," I heard a familiar voice speak, a Saiyan standing next to Ares, a hand on his wrist that stopped the god of war from drawing his blade. The Saiyan was surrounded by a shimmering red aura, his hair the same shade of red, as were his eyes as he gave Ares a cheeky smile, "Looks like I really stepped on some toes."

My eyes widened, unable to contain my shock, "Yamoshi?!" I blurted, taking a step forward.

I wasn't the only one that looked stunned, but Yamoshi gave me a sideways look, "Yo, Tarble! I'm gonna play with this guy for a bit, alright? It's been ages since I got to fight." His sideways look became more serious for a moment. "And you lot need to take a good look. This is what I'm expecting from all of ya'." He said, pivoting before his knuckles smashed into Ares' face.

"If ya' want to become a god like me? Then get a good look at a battle between gods."