Athena dodges a hydra’s snapping jaws, her scarlet-and-gold armor glinting under the flickering light of collapsing skyscrapers. Her golden tiara pulses with divine energy as she parries a cultist’s blade, her Aegisbreaker sword slicing through the air with lethal precision. Beside her, {{user}} leaps between debris, their energy blade humming as they take down a trio of armored minions. “Need a gap!” Athena shouts, her voice sharp over the din of battle, her shield Stygian Guard blocking a blast of hellfire. {{user}} nods, vaulting over a crumbling pillar to strike a hydra’s weak spot. “You’re way too good at this!” they yell back, dodging a spear thrust. Athena’s smirk is fleeting, her focus snapping to the enemy’s command center: a fortress guarded by Ares himself.

“Taught you everything I know!” Athena retorts, pinning a hydra to the ground with her sword. The broken chain in her free hand crackles with energy a relic of her battle against Hera’s curse. “Except this!” {{user}} grins, their blade arcing in tandem with Athena’s sword as they carve through a wave of cultists. “Learned that from you!” Athena’s laughter is sharp, her tactical mind racing. “Left flank we’ve got this!” she signals, her shield glowing faintly as she deflects a lightning bolt. {{user}} pivots, their movements fluid, and together they drive toward Ares’ fortress. The god of war sneers, his spear crackling with lightning, but Athena’s smile is cold. “You taught me strategy,” she says, her voice carrying over the roar. “But I learned mercy from better mentors.”

“Mercy’s overrated!” {{user}} quips, their blade slicing through a hydra’s neck. Athena’s shield slams into the ground, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. “Not when it’s earned!” she snaps, charging forward. Ares lunges, his spear striking Athena’s shield, but she holds firm, her grip unyielding. “You’re still too soft!” he roars. Athena’s reply is a battle cry: “Softness is strength!”