The mountain path beyond harsh to walk through, though recently there had been a path that had been cut through. As Ares followed the freshly cut path, which he had been instructed to follow by one of the dragonfolk women, Heria followed him much more comfortably.

After a short while the trees gave way to a wide, open area. There were many houses made from stone, as well as some made from wood. There was a long path that cut through the village, with a large centre with what seemed to be a temple, many pillars reaching up to the roof with an open area between the pillar and then the walls that blocked out the inner area of the temple.

Standing around, looking at the pair of strangers, were dozens upon dozens of dragonfolk. A few seemed alarmed, those that were elderly, and the children were filled with an innocent curiosity. There was whispering amongst them as several other dragonfolk then began to charge Ares and Heria.

“Good evening, I am here to see Peros.” Ares bowed his head as the dragonfolk had closed the distance, waiting for them to slow down. When they hadn’t, he raised a hand and then blasted the dragonfolk with water, surrounding them within domes. His body had been strained from the last few days already, so he wasn’t feeling at his best, but still he wouldn’t allow any other to harm Heria. “Perhaps you didn’t hear me.” He said as he continued to drown the dragonfolk for a moment before dropping them onto the ground. “I’ve come to see Peros.”

The dragonfolk spluttered as another appeared, a man who was taller than the others by a small amount, though was adorned in bits and pieces of armour that seemed to shimmer even from the lack of light that filled the air.

“You are Ares, I presume?” The man’s voice was harsh like charcoal.

“Indeed, I am. Who are you?” Ares asked with a raised brow, ready to attack if they wanted to roll.

“Raskala. I merely wished to confirm that you were indeed the one that the Master had spoken about.” He raised a hand and then motioned with it a few times as the other dragonfolk dispersed, including those that Ares had just defeated.

“A pleasure to meet you.” Ares chuckled. “So where is Peros?”

“The Master is within the temple, I shall guide you.” With that the dragonfolk turned and marched onwards towards the temple. Even now Ares pondered whether or not he was being led into a trap of some kind, he thought that it may be a little fun to play around though with Heria nearby he ultimately thought it was a bad idea, he didn’t want her to come under harm whilst in his care after all.

The temple’s steps were solid, made of some kind of rock he wasn’t familiar with, and so was the rest of it. It seemed like marble, but when he reached over to rub a pillar, it was a little harsher to the touch than marble. He followed Raskala into the temple where there were several other dragonfolk around, four of whom he recognised. Then he saw Peros, wearing fairly simple robes as he sat on a large thrones that had plump, plum, purple cushions between his tush and the throne. The air was thick with the smell of something, though he was unfamiliar with the scent. There was some kind of incense, and some kind of other musky smell. When he noticed that the dragonfolk were haphazardly covered in robes, Ares reached a hand up to his forehead.

“Ares.” Peros motioned his arms open and then stood up, the other dragonfolk then standing and moving aside, not at all guiding their robes to cover themselves any more than they already did.

“Peros. Seems like you were having fun without me?” Ares asked as Peros stopped a little in front of Ares, withdrawing the hand that he was going to use to shake Ares’ forearm.

“Excuse me. Would you like to join me for a bath?”

“I don’t really roll that way.”

“You can watch if you prefer it.” Peros smirked and then he glanced over towards the shocked Heria. “Good evening, is this a friend of yours?”

“Ah, right. Heria, this is Peros. Peros, this is Heria, she has recently joined my tribe, or should be doing so soon, otherwise we’re going to war.”

“I don’t know which I’d prefer. Would I be able to join this war?”

“If you’re on my side.”

“Very well, then let’s head for war, shall we?” Peros grinned wide and Ares shook his head.

“Well, are up to face a god?” Ares asked Heria, who had finally recovered from her shock.

“I hadn’t expected you.” Heria said as she looked up at Peros. “How can I truly know?”

“Well, he was able to match me in a fight.” Ares said, mostly as a joke.

“That’s right. Though perhaps this would be to your liking?” Peros asked as he revealed the blade of light that he had used against Ares.

Heria nodded her head as she stared at the blade of light, mesmerised by the light and the form of it.

“Hey, enough of that.” Ares waved towards the sword. “Don’t try and seduce my allies away from me.”

“You’ve already seduced two of mine, can’t I return the favour?” Peros asked as he began to walk out, expecting the pair to follow him.

“So, what do you think?” Ares asked Heria.

“I can’t deny such a thing anymore. I had hoped for you to conquer Dragon’s Spine, but to also meet with Peros… This is beyond what I could have imagined. I was just joking about meeting a god slayer.”

“Good, because it was more difficult than I imagined.” Ares admitted. “Though, I’d like to have another try one day.”

Peros threw a look back towards Ares, who only returned a coy smile and then winked. Peros had walked beyond the temple where there were steps leading up to the mountain where a river ran beyond, though there was also a small man made pond that was filled by the river. Peros stepped out of his robes and then stepped into the pool as it covered him from head to chest.

‘Perky.’

“Ah! The coolness of the water is almost divine.” Peros said as he looked over towards Ares. “You stink, would you like to join me?”

“Why not?” Ares asked as he then stripped down to reveal his own body, which had changed even further than the last time they had fought a few days ago due to dragging along the wagons, his forearms had become thicker, as well as his thighs, and even his back seemed to have expanded. He dropped down opposite Peros, shuddering in the cold water.

“Would you like to join us?” Peros asked, and with that Heria had slipped out her own clothing and then dropped down beside Ares, pressing her side against his. Ares reddened with Heria’s touch.

The trio bathed together, though the small pool did start to feel a little too cramped for Ares. He scooped up some water and then poured it over himself, though Heria then scooped some and reached up to pour some over his head, Ares bowed his head for her to do so and she continued to rinse his hair. Before he could really figure out why she did such a thing, Peros spoke up.

“Have you thought about joining me to head North and subjugate the giants?” Peros asked.

Ares glanced up and then stared at the god, raising a brow. “No, I didn’t think about it. Why, did you want to ask me to join you?”

“It would make it a trivial affair, and you would have the might of the hundreds of clans beyond the mountains.” Peros offered. “Oh how I’d like to see the face of those pathetic humans when they come across the giantfolk for the first time in so long.” They sighed out and closed their eyes.

“I don’t really know too much about the North, but I do know that Rivee asked me to help the beastfolk. I am tied to here, in more ways than one.” Ares thought about his children, he couldn’t just abandon them. “Sorry Peros, you’re going to have to do it alone. Though once you’ve managed to form your Kingdom, I expect you back with a sword.” Ares grinned.

Peros opened his eyes and then looked to the sky. They smiled. “Oh yes.” He said. Then he stood up. “Very well. Then I will leave tonight.” They leapt out gracefully. “This shall be the last time we see each other in some time. Would you like to join me for the night?”

“No, I need to rest. I have much work to do in the morning.”

“A shame, I would have enjoyed the company. Then how about you, Heria?”

Ares wrapped an arm around the small wolf woman. “Sorry, but we’ve got some work to do.” Ares said as Heria then leaned in to bite his neck, causing him to wince.

“Indeed. Lots of work to do.” She smirked up at him, causing Ares to flush before he quickly made to leave himself. “Well, I suppose we’re off, then.” Ares said as he rinsed his clothes, shifting them away before changing into another set. “I wish you the best of luck.”

“You as well, Ares.”

The pair shook each other’s arms.