Olympus.
The appointed day arrived, and at about three o'clock in the afternoon, I gathered the selected group and activated the magic circle in the invitation. In the next second, we were enveloped in a bright light that transported our group to Olympus.
We found ourselves at the foot of a truly high mountain, which was completely imbued with divine power, covered with neatly trimmed vegetation, surrounded by clouds creating a mystical and mesmerizing view, and featuring dozens of massive Greek temples made of white marble with columns, triangular roofs, and corresponding carved ornaments.
Of all the buildings, of course, only twelve stood out, and the most massive was located right at the top of the mountain. It definitely belonged to Zeus, considering his inflated ego and everything else.
Overall, after visiting Heaven, Olympus didn't seem particularly impressive to me. Yes, the view was luxurious, but in terms of protection, functionality, and other details, the abode of the Greek gods was definitely lagging behind. The enclosed fields here were, to put it mildly, mediocre.
I wasn't the only one who immediately began to explore the surroundings of the legendary Mount Olympus; Archer was doing the same, as if looking for convenient spots for shooting. Grandpa preferred to disappear into the shadows, and I very much doubted that the Olympians would be able to detect him, but Heracles clearly felt a sense of nostalgia mixed with novelty, judging by his eyes darting from side to side.
The berserker took several deep breaths, as if trying to taste the air of this place ruled by his biological father, and, one might say, enjoyed it, albeit relatively, given the clearly discernible presence of a not-so-pleasant individual who had ruined his life. Even if she was from another world.
While we were exploring the place, two figures appeared before us in a short flash of light. The first was the familiar Hermes, who had changed his business suit for a Greek toga, but the woman... Red hair, amber eyes, and a toga with a slit on the side so that it would not restrict her movements.
Heh. Apparently, Zeus had decided that Aphrodite wasn't suitable and had changed his choice. And considering her aura and clearly dissatisfied and contemptuous gaze, I already knew who had come to meet us alongside the messenger from Olympus.
- "We are glad to see you on the sacred mountain of Olympus, Mr. Archaman, dear guests," Hermes began, scanning our group with his gaze, which stopped on the large and muscular Heracles. Then he stood directly in front of the Berserker and, smiling, held out his hand. "Hello, brother. We know you are from another world and look different, but father's blood is clearly felt in your veins and essence. Welcome home."
Heracles looked Hermes straight in the eye, then smiled back and shook his hand like old friends or relatives who hadn't seen each other in a couple of centuries.
- "Arrrrr," he growled, but Hermes understood him perfectly, as did Hermes' companion, who smiled slightly.
- "Welcome, brother," she said, to which Heracles replied with a good-natured nod.
Of course, a familial atmosphere reigned between them, in which all three felt comfortable and restrained joy. They didn't talk, just looked at each other, and that was enough for them, as if they were connected by an invisible thread of light, which was obvious. Archer pretended not to be there, which was to be expected, but I...
- "What about the reception? You gave me your word, didn't you, Hermes?" I asked, eliciting a predictable response. Heracles smiled awkwardly and silently apologized, Archer rolled his eyes, Hermes let go of Berserker's hand and put on a businesslike expression, and the goddess...
- "And you're our brother's 'Master'?" she said contemptuously. "But then, what else could be expected from a man? You're all disgusting animals that need to be castrated."
- "Sis..." Hermes started to rebuke her, but I interrupted him.
- "Oya? I apologize for not noticing you, Lady Aphrodite," I smiled sweetly, to which Hermes shook his head, Heracles gave me a disapproving look, Archer slapped himself on the face, and the goddess bared her teeth, clenched her fists, and looked at me with such fury as if I had made a joke about her mother. "But if it's any consolation, I'm ready to accept your invitation. I hope you've set aside a separate room for THAT? It would be awkward to do THAT outside, even considering your Greek tastes."
The next moment, a silver bow and a shining arrow appeared in Artemis' hands, which the goddess immediately fired at me. I didn't bother to block the attack and let her hit me, destroying my entire right arm. The archer did not react, but only smiled, Heracles sighed wearily, and Artemis, still with fury in her eyes, showed a small amount of satisfaction.
Of course, the attack did not bother me, because my limb was immediately restored along with my clothes, but Hermes definitely understood what this could have led to.
- "Sister! Enough!" Hermes raised his voice. "They are guests, and our father gave his word that he would receive them as honored guests! Do you want to go against his will?!"
- "He deserved it," Artemis said calmly, and the bow in her hand disappeared. "And he's fine now. I don't see any problem with that."
- "You don't understand," Hermes said discontentedly. "After all..."
- "Oh dear, oh dear, how can this be?" I began, putting on an extremely indignant expression. "We've only just arrived and already we've been attacked? And not by just any random person, but by a goddess herself, one of the twelve Olympians? Well, well, it seems we're not welcome here."
Hearing me, Hermes' face contorted, Artemis looked indifferent, and the Servants already understood what was going on.
- "Maybe we should leave? Apparently, the king of the gods doesn't care about his own promises. What do you think, Archer, Heracles?" I asked the Servants with the same sweet smile, completely ignoring the gods.
- "You asked for it," Emiya shrugged, earning an approving glance from Artemis.
- "Arrr," Heracles growled, supporting Archer.
- "She didn't introduce herself, and gods can change their appearance. What questions do you have for me?" I waved them away and began to activate the teleportation circle. "In any case, since I'm the Master, it's up to me to decide, right? We're leaving."
- "Wait, please!" Hermes cried out, causing the activation to stop, and I turned my gaze to him. "I apologize for my sister's behavior. And you are right, I did not introduce you. This is Artemis, goddess of the moon and hunting. It's not your fault that she revealed herself, and she will be punished by her father. Is there any way we can compensate her for her mistake, Mr. Archaman?"
- "I don't know..." I twirled my finger. "Although..."
- "He's just a mortal, brother," Artemis interrupted me. "Why are you groveling before him?"
- "Artemis... shut up..." Hermes hissed, giving her an almost furious look, then looked back at me. "We're listening to you, Mr. Archaman."
- "Hmm..." I muttered thoughtfully, tapping my chin with my finger. "What's on the agenda?"
- "The plan is to take you to taste the food prepared under the guidance of our aunt Hestia, goddess of the hearth and sacrificial fire, renowned for her culinary skills. At that time, brother would meet with our father, who was eager to talk to him, and in the evening, you would meet with all twelve gods of Olympus," Hermes said in the calmest tone possible. "But..."
- "Oh? So, a delicious dinner?" I nodded, then looked at Artemis and gave her a very subtle, mocking smile. Seeing this, she bared her teeth but did nothing. "In that case, as a token of our apology, I would like the goddess Artemis to accompany us and stay with us during the meal. Is that acceptable?"
- "Of course not..."
- "Of course," Hermes immediately interrupted her. "If it will help atone for our guilt, then it's all right, isn't it, sister?"
- "Tsk," Artemis clicked her tongue a few seconds later, but said nothing more under Hermes' gaze, remembering his words about Zeus.
- "That's good," I smiled, and Hermes breathed a sigh of relief, Artemis was boiling with anger, Heracles didn't know who to support, and Archer muttered something about the worst Masters and so on. "In that case..."
But at that moment, I was interrupted by a sharp, rolling sound of thunder that rumbled at the top of Mount Olympus and caught the attention of everyone present.
- "We kept our father waiting. Mr. Archaman, my sister will show you to your place, and my brother and I..." said Hermes, looking at Heracles. "It's time for us to go. You know how patient our father is."
- "Arrr," nodded Heracles, glancing at us one last time, then disappeared with Hermes in a flash of light. Well, I...
- "So, lead the way, Lady Artemis," I said in an extremely polite tone, causing Artemis to flinch with boiling anger. "And I wouldn't mind a tour, you don't mind, do you?"
She, of course, said nothing and simply turned around, leading us to the right place.
- "You have a talent for getting into trouble," Archer remarked.
- "Says the Servant with E-rank luck," I retorted, earning a twitch of Archer's eyebrow, and I happily followed the goddess, for I had found my destination on Olympus.
I like the beginning. I like it a lot. Yeah, yeah.
-0-
A/N: How's the chapter? Give us your opinion. You may well be able to influence future chapters.
My P.a.t.r.e.o.n: P.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m/mirzael
You'll be able to read more chapters there.