The heat of the water felt like a fire had been ignited beneath the surface. Vatra could have sworn it was moments away from boiling over, burning their flesh from their bones. But, despite the almost unbearable temperature, they had to act as if they were wading through complete serenity.

"I didn't think the two of you would want another go at me," Ares said, his voice low. He looked between Vatra and Hisato, holding an even stare with the both of them.

Vatra stopped about an arm's length away from the god, dipping her chin into the scalding water. "I remember that fight siding with us the first time around," she said. Her palms dragged along the surface, fingers dipping into the water one by one. She was toying with him, and Ares knew it.

"What do you want?" Ares snapped.

"Obviously not to boil in this water longer than we need to," Vatra shot back, her fists clenching as they slammed down through the water and met at her sides. She pushed herself forward, daring to get even closer to Ares. Somehow, the water seared her skin even more. "Why do you gods insist on bubbling over here like eggs?"

"It keeps the lesser gods away." Ares narrowed his gaze at her. "And whatever else might happen to fall into these waters."

Vatra was ready to strike the war god. She could feel every ounce of her anger spouting to the surface as if his smug grin had called it forth. Her wrist stopped short of swinging up out of the water, and she turned to see Hisato had caught her.

"This isn't what we came over here to do," Hisato warned. He flickered his eyes from Vatra to Ares. "You know why we're over here." His last statement was directed to the war god.

Ares sighed, his shoulders sinking. "Gods, if only I knew. You two are the most vexing duo I've encountered in a while. As if besting me wasn't enough, you've followed me across the galaxies to continue berating me."

"Spyro," Vatra stated. She could almost hear the scowl in her voice.

The god's brow rose. "The little spirit boy who woke up and tried to save you?"

"You tore his heart out," Vatra continued.

"I remember killing you, too, but you don't seem so beat up about that," Ares said with a shrug. "If we're going to get so sentimental over all the gods and spirits all of us have killed, I think maybe we should have someone bring us a bit of wine. Don't you?" A grin tugged at the corners of his lips. Cocky. Arrogant.

Ares knew exactly what Vatra and Hisato were there for.

"Are you having fun?" Vatra growled.

"Perhaps," Ares replied smugly. He twirled his index finger in the water. "It would be more fun if my son hadn't decided to abandon me for such treachery, and instead were here with me. On my side."

The god's last words were stated in such a way that felt like Ares was declaring something he couldn't quite say aloud.

A war? Vatra narrowed her eyes and looked over at Hisato for a brief moment. He only shook his head at her, as if unsure himself what the god had meant.

"Where's Spyro? I'm tired of asking," Vatra repeated.

Ares sighed. "And I'm tired of you." He waved his hand at her dismissively. "Truly, what did you think you were going to accomplish by coming over here? I could have you both killed before you bothered me again."

"The resort is a neutral zone. Do you really think there wouldn't be any repercussions for killing us?" Hisato asked. "You're not as untouchable as you think."

Straightening his back, Ares raised himself out of the water by just enough to take away any sign of relaxation. His jaw clenched as he stared down at Hisato. "Are you threatening me, spirit? I'm a god. You're nothing here. You're disposable."

Vatra shoved a palm flat into Ares' chest, catching him off guard. The war god fell back against the side of the pool, her hand still pressed deep into his sternum. She could almost feel his spine bending around the marble.

"I could kill you," Vatra hissed. "And every god in here. Remember that. I don't need a weapon to take your life. Does that make me disposable, too? Or does that make you the disposable one?" She eyed the rings around Ares' fingers as he gripped her wrist, prying her hand away from his chest.

Ares held an even stare with her, a fury behind his gaze that could have burned entire cities down. He glanced over Vatra's shoulder. "You would let her kill you? The others with you?" His question was directed toward Hisato.

"It's a risk worth taking," Hisato answered coolly. "Asshole."

It was a bluff, of course. Vatra wouldn't even think of putting the others at risk. Not again. But, Ares didn't need to know that. He just needed to believe she would. And, just as she'd hoped, Hisato had helped sell her story. They'd made a good team yet again.

The war god rubbed his chest and frowned deeply at Vatra. "I never got a chance to congratulate you, you know," he paused to clear his throat, "I didn't realize you were the famed captain of the Agkistrodon until I was on your vessel. I've heard stories about your conquests."

"We're wasting our time, Vatra," Hisato said. "We should leave."

"What's your point?" Vatra questioned Ares. Her interest had been piqued by his sudden change in topic.

"As such great mercenaries, anonymity was your best quality. No one knew who they were hiring. Now, everyone knows the fearsome crew of the Agkistrodon is a rag-tag group of gods and spirits. Do you not think that's painted some targets on your backs?" Ares asked. A smile crept to his lips as if he'd been fighting to hold it back the entire time he'd been talking. "Gods are already in such a precarious position as it is."

"You think I'm afraid of a few bad jobs?" Vatra laughed. "We can handle it. Now, you've been skirting every question I've asked you about Spyro. I'm almost certain now you're hiding him somewhere just to hold an ace up your sleeve. What I don't get is what you're planning."

Ares cocked his head to the side. "Planning? I'm just trying to enjoy a good bath and warn you of some hopefully bad rumors I've heard."

"Right," Vatra muttered.

Beside her, Hisato had already started to slowly move away. Not quite leaving her behind, but just enough to draw her attention away from Ares. He was signaling that they were wasting their time and they should leave.

Of course she knew they should leave Ares. The war god was as pompous as she'd remembered him to be. He hadn't changed at all, and questioning him was as easy as talking to a wall.

As if I needed another reminder why I hate gods like him, Vatra thought.

She felt an itch at her neck, in the spot where he'd slit her throat open. A memory of where Ares had so easily taken her life. Vatra yearned for a moment that she could make him feel helpless.

A thought popped into her mind.

"Do you fancy another fight?" Vatra asked, lacing her fingers together tightly beneath the water. It was the only thing she could do to keep from scratching at her neck.

Ares looked at her quizzically. "What?" He scoffed. "Just you and me?"

Vatra glanced behind her at Hisato, who had been just within earshot. She saw him roll his eyes at her and smile, but he didn't add in any comment of disapproval. The grin was enough to show Hisato couldn't stop her even if he wanted to.

Turning back to Ares, Vatra nodded. "I win the fight, you tell me where Spyro is."

"That's all you want to know?"

I could press for more information now, but I'll do that later.

"A fight for information, like we did back on Tau Honnor," Vatra explained.

There was a moment of silence as the war god considered her offer. He'd already strung her along in his own game for long enough. Vatra had to put a fight on the table, or Ares would never give them any information. He'd already shown that he was loyal to the deal after their fight on Tau Honnor, though in the end Ares did kill her.

But he did give me the information as promised, if not entirely truthful. This time I just need something simple enough. And I know better.

Vatra tried her best not to let her emotions run to her face as she watched Ares think over the fight.

"Are you so concerned about the outcome?" Vatra goaded him.

"Fine," Ares conceded. "I will have something arranged for us. Since this place is so neutral, it will be difficult to arrange a fight. But, I will have something set up."

Stoking his ego working perfectly, Vatra thought.

"Looking forward to it," she said.

Turning back to Hisato, Vatra joined him with a growing smile on her face. The two of them waded back towards the others in silence. They moved away from Ares, though she could feel his glare following their every move.