I, the slave boy, awaken with the most potent seed!!

339  Return to Olympus

Aphrodite materialized at the edge of Olympus in a shimmer of golden light, her senses overwhelmed by the all-too-familiar sight of the realm she had once called home. Eros appeared beside her moments later, his casual demeanor a stark contrast to her tense composure.

The expanse before them was as breathtaking as ever: golden spires, alabaster towers, and lush, ambrosial gardens stretched across the ethereal plane. The air was thick with divine energy, the kind that hummed faintly against mortal senses but pulsed like a roar to a god.

Eros folded his arms, tilting his head as he surveyed the scene. "Well, nothing's changed," he said with a wry smirk. "Still the same self-important hub of egos and grudges."

'He's right,' Aphrodite thought, though she didn't voice it aloud. The city looked untouched by time, every marble column and blooming garden as pristine as she remembered. But the weight of judgment hung in the air, thick and stifling.

"I didn't expect you to come," she said finally, keeping her tone neutral.

"Someone has to keep you grounded," Eros replied with a shrug, his wings shifting slightly. "Besides, I wasn't about to miss the show."

Aphrodite shot him a glare. "This isn't a spectacle, Eros. It's a meeting."

"Sure it is," he said, grinning. "A meeting where half the pantheon will be glaring daggers at you and the other half will be plotting something. Sounds riveting."

Ignoring his sarcasm, she straightened her shoulders and began the walk toward the central thoroughfare. Lesser gods and nymphs darted about, their activities halting briefly as they noticed her arrival. Whispers followed in her wake, though most quickly turned away, pretending not to stare.

"You'd think they've never seen a goddess before," Eros remarked, his tone dripping with mockery. "I mean, it's only Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. Why would she be a topic of gossip?"

Aphrodite clenched her jaw. "Stop it."

"What?" he said, feigning innocence. "I'm just pointing out the obvious."

She didn't reply, her focus shifting to the grand courtyard ahead. The towering gates of the Hall of Eternity loomed in the distance, but their journey was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Aphrodite!"

Turning, she spotted Hermes perched atop a low wall, his winged sandals kicking idly. Thanatos stood beside him, his dark cloak pooling around his feet like liquid shadow.

"Well, if it isn't the prodigal goddess," Hermes called, leaping gracefully from the wall to land directly in their path. "And her ever-dutiful son."

Eros rolled his eyes. "Save it, Hermes. We're not here for your bad comedy routine."

Hermes smirked, undeterred. "Come now, Eros. Don't be so prickly. I was merely acknowledging your… familial devotion."

"I'm devoted to ensuring she doesn't kill anyone," Eros shot back. "Including you, if you keep flapping your mouth."

"Charming as ever," Hermes said, before turning his attention to Aphrodite. "And you, dear goddess? To what do we owe the honor of your presence?"

"I'm here for a meeting," she said curtly.

Hermes raised an eyebrow. "A meeting? How ominous."

Thanatos, who had remained silent until now, chuckled softly. "It seems Olympus is in for an interesting day."

Eros stepped forward, his wings flaring slightly. "We don't have time for this."

"Fine, fine," Hermes said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Don't let me keep you. But do let us know how it goes—assuming you survive the reception."

Aphrodite brushed past him without a word, Eros close behind.

---

As they neared the Hall of Eternity, Aphrodite's pace slowed. The air here was heavier, the aura of judgment unmistakable. Memories flooded her mind—moments of triumph, of humiliation, of the countless times she had stood in this very spot.

"Second thoughts?" Eros asked, his voice quieter now.

"No," she said firmly. But her hands trembled slightly, and she clenched them into fists to steady herself.

Eros studied her for a moment before smirking. "Don't worry. If things get too tense, I'll start a fight to distract them."

She sighed. "You're not helping."

"That's what I'm here for," he replied with a wink.

Before they could enter, another figure emerged from the shadows. Hephaestus.

Aphrodite froze, her breath catching in her throat. He looked as she remembered—stoic, weathered, his molten-gold eyes unreadable.

"Hephaestus," she said softly.

"Aphrodite," he replied, his tone as even as ever. His gaze shifted briefly to Eros. "Still following her around, I see."

"Someone has to keep her out of trouble," Eros said, crossing his arms.

Hephaestus ignored the jab, focusing solely on Aphrodite. "You're here for the meeting."

She opened her mouth to respond, but he was already walking away, his broad shoulders hunched slightly.

Eros let out a low whistle. "Well, that wasn't awkward at all."

"Shut up," Aphrodite muttered, quickening her pace toward the hall.

---

Inside, the tension was palpable. The goddesses were the first to notice her arrival, their gazes sharp and unforgiving.

"Well, well," muttered Hera from a nearby alcove. "If it isn't Olympus's greatest scandal."

"Careful, Hera," Eros said lightly. "Jealousy doesn't suit you."

Hera's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing, turning her attention back to her conversation with Demeter and Hestia.

"Friendly crowd," Eros remarked as they moved further into the hall.

"They haven't changed," Aphrodite said, though her voice wavered slightly.

"You expected them to?"

"No," she admitted.

As they passed through the hall, a soft growl caught their attention. From the shadows emerged Chrysaor, his golden fur gleaming in the dim light.

"Chrysaor," Aphrodite breathed, a rare smile breaking through her tension.

The creature approached her, nuzzling her hand affectionately.

Eros raised an eyebrow. "I see your taste in pets hasn't changed either."

"He's not a pet," Aphrodite snapped, stroking Chrysaor's mane.

"Right," Eros said, smirking. "A loyal friend, then. Like me."

She ignored him, focusing instead on the comforting presence of Chrysaor. But the moment was short-lived as a voice rang out behind them.

"Aphrodite."

They turned to see Hera approaching, her regal presence as imposing as ever.

"Hera," Aphrodite said, inclining her head.

"I see you've brought Eros," Hera said, her gaze flicking briefly to him. "How…appropriate."

Eros grinned. "Good to see you too, Hera. Still ruling with an iron fist, I see."

Hera ignored him, focusing solely on Aphrodite. "Let us hope your presence proves…constructive." n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

With that, she swept past them, leaving a tense silence in her wake.

Eros let out a low whistle. "Well, this is going to be fun."

Aphrodite said nothing, her gaze fixed on the doors to the council chamber. The weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on her, but she forced herself to move forward.

'This is only the beginning,' she thought.

And she was certain it would only get harder from here.

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