godofwarandcinderashes

[godofwarandcinderashes]

*stumbles out of a building covered in blood* i failed a social interaction.

[godofwarandcinderashes]

꧁ ━━   ⎨sc. accepting !⎬@cindermemories ᜵ for ares

" i don't care what zeus wants. " aphrodite scoffed, keeping her sea foam gaze ahead towards the ocean before them, knowing if she looked at ares for even a moment — she may soften, and the goddess wanted to simmer in her rage. she wanted to be angry, to feel the contempt she felt for zeus, condemning her to what she considered an imprisonment of a marriage. " it's unfair and unjust that he sees it fit to promise my hand to save his wife from her mistakes. "

though, aphrodite could talk and talk all she wanted — but even she knew, neither her, nor ares, nor anyone else was going to truly go against what zeus commanded. perhaps that was what stung the most.

finally, the goddess of beauty turned to look at her lover, a soft sigh passing her lips as she let the silence hang between them for a moment. " he will not have my heart. " she told ares, though the woman was uncertain who she was reassuring — the god of war or herself.

[godofwarandcinderashes]

In the resplendent realm of Olympus, where divine beings shaped the cosmos, existed Ares, the formidable god of war, and Aphrodite, the captivating goddess of love, beauty, and pleasure. Ares, clad in bronze, embodied raw power and the chaotic thrill of battle. Aphrodite, born from the ocean's embrace, was sheer grace and intoxicating allure, revered for her power to inspire passion.

Their connection was a stark paradox, for Aphrodite was bound in an unhappy marriage to Hephaestus, the diligent but often-mocked god of the forge. Hephaestus, with his limp and soot-stained hands, was a stark contrast to his dazzling wife. While he meticulously crafted wonders in his forge, Aphrodite found her spirit drawn to the fiery, untamed essence of Ares.

Their affair blossomed in secrecy, a dangerous dance under the watchful eyes of the other Olympians. Aphrodite, enthralled by Ares's strength and fervent spirit, would steal away to their hidden rendezvous. Ares, for his part, was utterly captivated by Aphrodite's radiant beauty, finding an unexpected gentleness in her presence that softened his warlike heart. Their love was a blazing, intense flame, fueled by desire and the exhilarating risk of their clandestine meetings.

Ares often tasked Alectryon, a young servant, to stand guard and warn them of the encroaching dawn, the hour Hephaestus began his daily work. Yet, one ill-fated morning, Alectryon's vigilance faltered as sleep claimed him. The sun, embodied by the god Helios, rose unobstructed, bathing the lovers' private chamber in its tell-tale golden light.

Helios, the all-seeing sun god, bore witness to Ares and Aphrodite in their illicit embrace. Unable to hold such a momentous secret, especially from the cuckolded husband, Helios swiftly flew to Hephaestus’s forge. With a somber expression, he recounted the scandalous scene he had observed.

Hephaestus, though accustomed to jest due to his appearance, was deeply wounded and enraged by his wife's betrayal. His mind, however, worked not with blind fury but with cunning and artistry. He resolved to expose their infidelity in a way that would bring undeniable shame upon the lovers and, he hoped, a measure of justice to himself.

With unparalleled skill and meticulous precision, Hephaestus set about forging an invisible net. It was crafted from the purest, strongest gold, so fine it was imperceptible, yet imbued with magic to bind anyone caught within its intricate threads.

Hephaestus cunningly positioned this device above the bed in his and Aphrodite's marital chambers, making it appear as though he was departing for a trip to Lemnos. No sooner had he left than Ares and Aphrodite, believing themselves safe, once again sought solace in their secret haven.

As they lay together, the invisible net, triggered by their presence, descended. It enveloped them completely, holding them fast despite their struggles, leaving them exposed and utterly helpless.

Hephaestus, having secretly returned, then dramatically threw open the doors to their chambers, inviting all the Olympian gods and goddesses to witness the humiliating spectacle. The sight of the mighty god of war and the beautiful goddess of love trapped naked in an unbreakable net sent a ripple of gasps, then outright laughter, through the divine assembly.

Some gods, like Poseidon, felt a touch of pity for Ares, while others, like Apollo and Hermes, found the situation endlessly amusing. Even Zeus, the king of the gods, despite his usual sternness, found himself unable to suppress a wry smile.

Hephaestus declared that he would not release them until Ares paid a heavy fine for his transgression and until Aphrodite's dowry was returned. The humiliation was profound, yet in that moment of shared exposure, a strange, defiant solidarity began to solidify between Ares and Aphrodite. The laughter of Olympus, intended to shame them, only served to highlight the depth of their bond, as they faced the scorn of their peers, together.

Eventually, persuaded by Poseidon's pleas and the uncomfortable tension of the scene, Hephaestus grudgingly released them. Ares, though initially burning with shame, found his anger overshadowed by a fierce protectiveness for Aphrodite. Aphrodite, though mortified, realized the unwavering nature of her affection for Ares in the face of such public disgrace.

Instead of retreating permanently, the shared ordeal forged an even stronger, more defiant bond between them. Their love, once a secret, now held a new, undeniable truth. They continued their passionate affair, not in secret, but with an open disregard for Hephaestus's claims or the snickers of other gods. Their enduring connection became a testament to a love that defied convention and the expectations of Olympus.

Though Hephaestus remained her husband in name, it was Ares who truly held Aphrodite's heart. Their passionate union continued to flourish, giving rise to children such as Eros (Cupid), Deimos (Fear), Phobos (Panic), and Harmonia (Harmony). Their story became a legend not just of scandalous betrayal, but of an undeniable, enduring love that, despite all odds and the judgment of their peers, found its way to a permanent, intertwined destiny. They were, in the end, truly together, a powerful force of love and war inextricably linked.