<h4>Chapter 2323: Radiance</h4>


    Since the Little Garden had a finite amount of space, the vast majority of Communities made use of Gates like personal, secluded Realms. Very few went out of their way to build structures in view of ordinary people unless they were trying to show off or recruit new members.


    A stark contrast to the majority of Communities, Mt. Olympus went out of their way to erect their titr mountain at the center of a sr dome, one of the massive superstructures intended to allow Vampires to walk around without fearing the Sun. Because of this, every other Community situated within the dome had to deal with the sight of a massive mountain serving as a perpetual reminder of who they neighbored. And that was just the beginning of their troubles...


    As could be expected of a construct envisioned by Zeus, one of the most infamous, narcissistic, and prideful Gods in the Little Garden, Mt. Olympuspletely dominated the dome in which it was constructed. There was arge rune shaped like an Omega symbol hovering high in the sky, serving as a stand-in for the Sun, while the upper half of the ten-thousand-meter tall mountain had been carved into a luminous, temple-like pce.


    To ensure his home stood out even more, Zeus used his authority to make the sky beneath the dome a shroud of perpetual twilight. Even during the middle of the day, the sky overhead was a gloomy shade of bluish-purple, the only exception being the clear, golden skies over Mt. Olympus.


    Seeing the overcast skies dominating much of the sr dome, the friendly smile typically found on Vahn''s face rxed into a neutral, contemtive expression. He had heard the rumors but seeing Zeus''s pce so brightly illuminated while everyone else was forced to tolerate an endless twilight irked him more than he anticipated...


    Interrupting Vahn''s introspection, a sound simr to a simmering skillet tickled his ears as Hermes appeared next to him, remarking, "It''s been a long time since I lost in a race. I think thest time was when I made the mistake of pitting myself against Sun Wu Kong. I''m sure you''re fully aware of this, but that''s one fast monkey."


    Though he would generally adopt a smile to put those around him at ease, Vahn maintained a neutral expression as he replied, "You need not go out of your way to butter me up. I have no intention of punishing you for past crimes. Just continue doing your best for your people. That''s all I have to say on the matter..."


    Noticing the borderline disinterest in Vahn''s tone, an involuntary shudder racked Hermes''s body. He was well acquainted with the rumors regarding Vahn''s knowledge and wisdom, but it was...unpleasant to be seen through with such ease. He had assumed his bio-mechanical imnts might give him some leeway, but that apparently wasn''t the case.


    Before Hermes could think of how to respond to Vahn''s words, a sh of light shone from the top of one of Mt. Olympus''s towers. In the very next moment, a man with a wless, muscr physique and fiery golden hair appeared before them. Hisplexion resembled ivory, and his body was veiled in little more than scant white cloth, numerous golden essories, and a crown set with the same symbol floating in the sky, Ω.


    With a smile that caused the surroundings to light up, the luminous man offered a nod and practically sang, "Wee, Vahn Aldrnari Mason, the Sage Dragon Emperor. It''s a privilege to meet someone whose radiance far exceeds even my own. Your match against that vixen, Amaterasu, is one I''ll not soon forget."


    Enhancing his performance, the luminous man, clearly Apollo, strummed a golden harp whose wires were forged with pure sunlight. The sound they produced couldpel mortal enemies to reconcile, but Vahn barely cracked a smile as he inquired, "Should I be anticipating a greeting from each of the Olympians?"


    Instead of taking offense to Vahn''s standoffish response, Apollo adopted his most captivating smile and replied, "Not all of us, I''m afraid. My father haspelled my Great Aunt and many of my sister Goddesses to remain in private quarters for the duration of your stay. Your reputation, including your rather sorted history with women, proceeds you."


    As Apollo was nearly as famous as Zeus for his phndering, Vahn felt a strongpulsion to roll his eyes. Instead, the corners of his smile curled upward as he offered a terse, "Understandable."


    Feeling an obligation to exin further, Apollo gave his harp a practiced strum as he added, "Worry not. You''ve already had the honor of meeting my elder sister, Artemis. Once we reach the pce, you''ll also have the opportunity to meet my mother, Hera, and my eldest sister, Athena. While their magnificence might notpare to Demeter and Aphrodite''s, I can assure you they''re a delight to the senses."


    As it didn''t really matter to him either way, Vahn just smiled in response to Apollo''s words. He was somewhat interested in meeting Hestia, but they could chat as much as they liked once his business with the likes of Zeus and Athena had been concluded. After all, depending on how things went, the pantheon of Mt. Olympus would be undergoing some ''restructuring'' in the very near future.


    Noticing Vahn''s disinterest in the topic at hand, Hermes injected himself back into the exchange, appending, "Speaking of which, we should make our way to the pce. Artemis knows the way, so there''s no need to wait around to receive her. If anything, she would probably be more annoyed if we did."


    Though he loved his sister dearly, Apollo sighed in response to Hermes''s words, responding, "Hermes is correct. Ever since she began experiencing changes to her body, Artemis has been somewhat...difficult. If we''re here when she arrives, I imagine she would simply fly over us without stopping to exchange greetings."


    Resisting the moderate temptation to stick around, Vahn offered a curt, affirmative nod as he said, "Very well. I''ve never been particrly fond of false pleasantries, so I don''t mind heading over early. The sooner I meet with Zeus, the sooner I can be on my way."


    Furrowing his brows, Apollo couldn''t help remarking, "My father may not be a wless individual, but I do not believe he has done anything to sow enmity between Mt. Olympus and the Aldrnari Empire. I sincerely believe that if Your Majesty is willing topromise, our Communities will be able to get along spectacrly."


    As the God of Music, Poetry, Knowledge, and Order, Apollo had a great disdain for ''unnecessary'' conflict. He knew his father''s character better than most, but he still believed Mt. Olympus and the Aldrnari Empire could be allies. Vahn was bing increasingly renowned for his magnanimity and tolerance, so Apollo couldn''t help envisioning a bright future for both of their Communities.


    Understanding that Apollo wasn''t trying to be intentionally daft, Vahn offered another curt nod and replied, "I would wee such an oue. Unfortunately, while I''m willing topromise on just about anything, the sole exception is my bottom line. The moment your father does something that crosses that line, there''s no going back."


    Frowning deeply, Apollo was thinking about how he could convince Vahn to extend his father a degree of leniency when Hermes inserted himself back into the conversation, saying, "We can continue this conversation in the pce. I don''t imagine our father will appreciate us dying his guest any further than we already have."


    Directing his frown at Hermes, Apollo was briefly tempted to chastise his younger brother. As one of the staunchest members of the conservative faction, the two rarely saw eye to eye. However, as they were currently in the presence of a highly esteemed guest, Apollo decided it was probably for the best if they didn''t argue right in front of Vahn.


    "Very well. Please, allow me to lead the way."


    With Vahn offering another nod, Apollo took off at a much slower speed than the one he had used to arrive. He knew Vahn could easily keep up with even his maximum speed, but he wanted to give the visiting Emperor an opportunity to admire the scenery surrounding Mt. Olympus. He took great pride in his home, and he wanted Vahn to be able to appreciate it just as much as he did. Little did he know that the more time Vahn had to observe the massive disparity between Mt. Olympus and its surroundings, the greater his urge to tear it down...


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    Observing Vahn, Hermes, and Apollo from atop her personal tower, one of twelve surrounding the central pce upied by Zeus, Athena couldn''t help feeling a little trepidatious. She didn''t regret her past actions, but the notion she had slighted the wrong person began to set in following Vahn''s acquisition of Indra''s, previously thought to be immutable, Gate.


    Appearing next to the troubled Goddess, a shapely woman with free-flowing brown hair, modest attire, fair skin, and gentle brown eyes ced her hand on Athena''s shoulder and said, "It''s never toote to apologize, Athena. Even if he doesn''t ept, you''ll never be able to move forward if you continue clinging to this anger and resentment."


    Though she knew her fellow Goddess was undoubtedly correct, Athena''s expression revealed her vexation as she poutily replied, "Why should I be the one to apologize? That hateful man broke Laius and utterly ruined the reputation of the Perseus Community. Even if Laius''s actions went too far, the Sage Dragon Emperor could have settled the matter without resorting to such an excessive form of punishment. It was like a lion—no, a Dragon using all of its energy to torment a defenseless rabbit...!"


    Smiling sadly, the marginally more diminutive Goddess, none other than Hestia, calmly retorted, "Even you cannot deny Laius''s guilt in the matter. I understand your justifications for pinning the me on the Sage Dragon Emperor, but his actions were ultimately reactive. It''s also objectively true that the Sage Dragon Emperor could have killed Laius. Instead, he forced him into a situation where he had no choice but to change his ways...that is a mercy very few are willing to afford the vanquished..."


    Feeling a twinge of pain the moment she witnessed sadness in Hestia''s gaze, Athena averted her eyes and muttered a frustrated, "Dammit...if I had known I was going to feel like this, I would havee to you ''after'' the banquet..."


    Taking advantage of the fact Athena had turned away from her, Hestia wrapped her arms around the taller Goddess''s waist,pletely ignoring the armor between them as she whispered, "It''s going to be okay, Athena. Vahn isn''t our enemy, not really. If you can ovee this resentment, not only will you be a stronger person, there''s a good chance the Sage Dragon Emperor will be willing to treat Laius''s injuries. He doesn''t strike me as the type to hold a grudge. If you can exhibit a willingness to move forward and change, I believe he will readily assent to mending Laius''s broken mind and spirit..."


    Though she did not attempt to break free from Hestia''s embrace, the look on Athena''s face made it apparent she wasn''t convinced. Swallowing her pride for the mere possibility of helping her nephew was easier said than done. If Vahn refused her apology and spurned her appeal, the amount of shame and embarrassment she would feel couldn''t be quantified.


    Understanding how difficult it was for her fellow Goddesses to set aside their pride, a glum look marred Hestia''s face as she closed her eyes and held Athena a little more firmly. She couldn''t say it, but she knew Vahn''s arrival at Mt. Olympus wasn''t a good thing. If things progressed how she envisioned they would, there was a good chance she would be losing a few members of her family. As wed as they were, the thought of losing even a single member of her cherished kin was enough to break Hestia''s heart...


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    (A/N: Alternate Titles: ''I know he probably isn''t, but it kind of seems like Zeus ispensating for something...'',''Apollo is a bit of a simp...'',''Even the vilest and most despicable people can have friends and family who would genuinely mourn their loss...'')