One month had passed since that fateful day
It had been a full month since that pivotal day, and everything had unfolded exactly as I had envisioned and desired. All the remaining kingdoms across the entire continent had surrendered without even attempting to put up a fight or resistance.
At this particular moment in time, I found myself seated comfortably in the front row of a wedding ceremony. Today was Clyde's special day - his wedding day. He stood at the altar shirtless, proudly revealing the intricate tattoos that adorned his body, which he had received and earned from Moana's tribe during his time with them.
I found myself quite amused and entertained by the unusual situation, since he was actually marrying two different people at the exact same time in a single ceremony. One of his brides was the princess of a tribe, and the other was the princess of a underwater kingdom.
As the three of them stood together and said their heartfelt vows to one another, I smiled quietly to myself, feeling a sense of contentment. I looked down to my right side. There, sitting beside me, was my new child. It was a boy, my son.
I was quite happy and pleased with the divine skill that he had been blessed with, but he seemed to possess a somewhat greedy nature and personality. Looking at him sitting there, I let out a long sigh as I noticed he was adorned with jewels and precious stones of all different kinds covering his body.
Koa: has a particular fondness for collecting and hoarding treasures and precious items. He has long, flowing green emerald-colored hair. He deliberately keeps it long because he believes it resembles and looks like beautiful emeralds
Divine skill: (God of earth)(God of Wealth)
"Do you really have to wear so much jewelry all at once?" I asked him with a hint of exasperation in my voice.
He didn't bother to turn his head to look at me, and his facial expression remained completely passive and unchanging.
"Of course I do. Is jewelry not specifically made and crafted for the purpose of showing off and displaying?" He asked me in return, his tone matter-of-fact.
I opened my mouth for a brief moment as if to respond or argue. Then I closed it again. I mean, when I thought about it, I don't think he is actually wrong in his reasoning.
"Well, ok then. Fair enough." I said with resignation and turned my attention back to the wedding ceremony that was continuing before us.
After they finished everyone stood and clapped congratulating them.
A few hours later
Sitting across from my wives I sighed.
"I wish to have another child," Te Fiti said,Koa on her lap.
He looked quite displeased from the effection. She was holding him tightly and resting her chin on his head.
He looked at me his eyes pleading. But I did nothing. I don't know why but ever having koa she has been asking for another child.
It's probably because she's the goddess of life and creation.
"Of course but let me resolve some problems," I smiled.
She smiled contentedly. I then turned to the rest of the girls. They were quietly eating. They didn't seem to have any requests so I turned Koa.
"You told me earlier you wanted a territory?" I asked him.
He nodded.
"I plan to start my own business," he said.
It's not a bad idea. He's good at making money. But the kingdom doesn't really need money since we have all the gold and treasures we need.
Maybe it'll just be something for him. I then smirked.
"But what can I get out of this?" I asked.
He smiled and put up two fingers.
"Il give you 20 percent of what I earn every month." He said.
I scoffed.
"What do you think I am, il take 80." I said.
He frowned.
"With what I plan to do 20 should be more than enough for you," he said calmly.
I leaned down my smirk still there.
"But it's my territory." I smiled.
Is he not getting what I'm trying my to tell him. He's literally the god of earth he can make an island or extend the continent by a lot,
His eyes narrowed.
"30 percent," he said this time begrudgingly.
I shook my head in amusement, a slight smile playing on my lips. He was still thinking and approaching this entire situation from a businessman's perspective, viewing everything through the lens of profit and negotiation. Did he truly forget that he was the god of earth, with powers far beyond the need for simple business transactions?
He frowned once again and gritted his teeth together in frustration. Then, after a brief moment, his eyes suddenly shone with what I could only assume was a sly and cunning look, as if a new plan had just formed in his mind.
He then deliberately sniffed loudly, and almost immediately tears began to fall down his eyes in dramatic fashion.
"M-mommy, daddy won't give me any land," he cried out in a pitiful voice that was clearly meant to manipulate the situation.
"You-" I tried to say something in response, but was quickly cut off.
"Erik," Te Fiti frowned at me with clear disapproval written across her face. "How could you possibly make him cry like this? He is still just a young child," She said with genuine concern in her voice.
I stayed completely quiet, unable to refute or argue against her words. She then turned her attention to him with a warm and gentle smile spreading across her face.
"Don't worry at all, dear, I'll create a brand new island just especially for you," she smiled warmly and patted his head affectionately.
Upon hearing these words, he immediately smirked at me triumphantly, but then suddenly his smile froze in place. Then his eyes widened considerably in surprise. He then started to rub his chin thoughtfully, clearly deep in contemplation.
I knew exactly what this particular gesture meant. He was starting to think carefully and strategically. He was planning something elaborate in his mind. A smile then gradually appeared on his face. One that looked like it would be something that came directly from a demon or scheming villain.
I suddenly had the strong urge to smack him upside the head for some inexplicable reason. I looked up at Te Fiti and noticed that she still had that same loving and doting smile plastered on her face, completely oblivious to his scheming.
I sighed heavily in resignation.
"So what exactly do you plan to do anyway?" I asked him with genuine curiosity mixed with concern.
With his divine abilities and powers, he could easily possess and control any minerals or precious resources that existed beneath our feet. He turned his attention toward me, his wicked and devious smirk still prominently displayed on his face.
He then rubbed his hands together eagerly and greedily.
"Money, lots and lots of money," he said with clear excitement and ambition in his voice.
My fingers twitched involuntarily in irritation. I have to exercise great control over myself to remain calm.
"Cough, I'll give you some territory to start with. But before you use your divine power to create more land, I want you to first gain proper experience in actually ruling and governing." I said firmly and took out a tablet device.
"Choose carefully the one you want," I said and passed the tablet over to him.
He took it from my hands and began to scroll slowly through the various images displayed on the screen. Eventually, after several moments of careful consideration, he stopped on one particular image. I raised a brow in surprise upon seeing the specific image he had selected.
It was only a small and modest village. But not only that, it also looked quite rundown and neglected since it had just recently been conquered. I had yet to properly transform it or invest resources into its development.
"Are you absolutely sure about this choice?" I asked him with skepticism.
He nodded in firm confirmation without any hesitation.
"I want to demonstrate and show the entire world that I obtained everything with my own power and abilities, and that none of it was simply handed to me or given to me," he said with determination and pride in his voice.
The corner of my lips moved upward at his words, forming a proud smile.
"You are truly my son," I said with genuine affection and approval. "From this moment forward, this village belongs to you and is under your control. If you want more territory in the future, you'll have to negotiate properly with your brother," I added as a condition.
He smiled with satisfaction and nodded his agreement.
High above on the sacred peak of Mount Olympus
Melody could be seen joyfully skipping and dancing around the exterior of Hephaestus's home with a lightness in her step. Approximately one day ago, he had finally returned from his travels and journeys, and ever since that moment of his return, she had been spending all of her time here at his residence.
She had always been an incredibly energetic and lively person by nature, and today was absolutely no different from any other day in that regard. Just as she had done many times before, she would once again drag Hephaestus out of his forge where he worked tirelessly, and they would sit down together to have dinner and share a meal. As she carried the woven basket carefully in her hand, balancing it with care.
She couldn't help but smile warmly and contentedly to herself. She had specifically and personally asked Erik to prepare and make this particular meal just for her and Hephaestus to enjoy together. It had been quite difficult and challenging to arrange since he was extremely busy with numerous other responsibilities and obligations, but despite all of that, he had still managed to make time for her and her request.
When she was just about to reach and arrive at his home, someone suddenly and unexpectedly appeared directly in front of her, blocking her path completely. She immediately remembered and recognized who he was. She didn't like this man at all, not one bit.
He was Ares, the god of war, the very same man who had committed the shameful act of sleeping with his own brother's wife, engaging in such a dishonorable affair. She deeply disliked and disapproved of people like that who would commit such betrayals. She held familial bonds and family loyalty deeply and sacred in her heart, and people who would do such a terrible and disrespectful thing didn't deserve her kindness or respect in any way whatsoever.
"Please move out of my way," she said with a visible frown on her face, her tone firm.
The man scowled darkly and unpleasantly at her words.
"Who do you think you are to speak to me in such a manner? Just because you-"
"What's happening here right now," someone said calmly and authoritatively from behind him, interrupting the tense confrontation,"
Ares turned around slowly, his face contorting into a deep and unpleasant scowl of displeasure.
"Hephaestus," he said in a tone that carried both recognition and disdain.
The moment she saw him standing there, her entire demeanor changed completely. She smiled warmly and brightly, then skipped over cheerfully to his side with evident happiness. As she drew closer to him, she noticed that there were beads of sweat covering parts of his body from his work in the forge. Without any hesitation, she carefully took out a clean handkerchief from her possession and gently began to wipe the sweat away from his skin with tender care.
"Are you finally finished with your work," she asked him with genuine interest and hope in her voice.
He nodded his head in affirmation.
"I didn't think you would arrive here so soon at this time," he explained. "I was just about to go and clean myself up properly," he said with a soft and gentle smile spreading across his face, though despite his warm expression toward her, he never once stopped paying careful attention to Ares, keeping him within his awareness.
She lifted her head upward, her face breaking into a delighted smile.
"You better be quick and fast about it then, because my father personally cooked today, and this particular dish happens to be my absolute favorite," she said with enthusiasm and excitement.
He nodded once more with a smile of understanding.
"How about you go ahead to the living room and make yourself comfortable? I'll meet you and wait for you there shortly," he said in a reassuring manner.
She paused momentarily at his words, seemingly considering them for a brief moment. But upon seeing his smiling and calm expression that showed no signs of concern or worry, she nodded in agreement and skipped away happily toward the living room.
Once she had departed and was out of sight, he slowly turned his full attention toward Ares, and his expression transformed completely, becoming cold and stern.