High above mortal men, in the majestic realms of Olympus, a serious matter was debated. Hera, the queen of gods, had initiated a discussion about the future wife of her son, the hot-blooded god of war, Ares.

The first goddess considered was Hebe, the goddess of youth. But she soon declined, announcing her engagement to the formidable Hercules.

A lovelorn Eris admired Ares, yet she was tied to Erebus, the primeval deity of darkness. Thus, she was no longer a viable option.

Next was Artemis, the virgin goddess of the hunt. Unfortunately, she was already pregnant with Plutus’s child and was happily married to the god of wealth.

The stunning Aphrodite was married to Hephaestus, but was embittered by their marriage. But Hera was reluctant to consider her due to her reputation for dalliances.

The only goddess left unmarried was Athena. But, Hera didn't want her son to be with his rival. Ares, on the other hand, found the idea intriguing.

Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, uninterested in marriage, set forth a challenge. "Only if you defeat me in a battle, shall I marry you, Ares."

Ares accepted the challenge with enthusiasm. He was the god of war, after all. Such a battle would certainly pique his interest.

The two gods prepared for battle, each strategizing and honing their skills. Olympus bristled with anticipation, awaiting the legendary clash between wisdom and brute force.

The day finally arrived, bringing with it an aura of tension. As the other gods watched, Ares and Athena faced each other, their expressions resolute.

The battle was fierce and breathtaking, a dance of power and strategy. All of Olympus watched in awe as the two mighty gods sparred.

Surprisingly, Ares fought with a finesse that mirrored Athena's strategic prowess. The tide of the battle swayed in his favor, a spectacle that left the spectators in disbelief.

In a dramatic turn of events, Ares emerged victorious. The god of war had defeated Athena, the goddess of strategic warfare. Olympus was in stunned silence.

Athena, true to her word, accepted her defeat with grace. But she had one more condition for Ares, a final ultimatum before agreeing to marry him.

"You must promise to never engage in an affair with Aphrodite," Athena said. "You must remain loyal only to me, in exchange for my virginity and hand in marriage."

Ares hesitated, taken aback by Athena's ultimatum. It was a stipulation he hadn't expected but one he would have to agree to make Athena his wife.

After much contemplation, Ares agreed. He promised to stay faithful to Athena, forsaking all other women, especially Aphrodite. And so, he won Athena's hand in marriage.

Their wedding was a grand affair, attended by gods and goddesses alike. As Ares and Athena pledged their vows to each other, Olympus celebrated a union nobody had anticipated.

Ares and Athena’s marriage marked a new era in Olympus. Ares was surprisingly devoted to Athena, fulfilling the vow he had made to her.

Athena, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised by Ares's transformation. She found a companion in him, someone who understood the art of warfare as she did.

They became a powerful duo, uniting wisdom with brute force. Ares, the god of war, and Athena, the goddess of strategic warfare, became a formidable team.

Aphrodite was distraught, but she had no choice but to accept the situation. She had lost Ares to Athena, a reality she found hard to swallow.

However, in a strange twist of fate, her marriage to Hephaestus began to improve. She slowly began to appreciate his genuine love and devotion.

Ares and Athena’s marriage showed the gods of Olympus that love could bloom even in the most unexpected places. It was a reminder that destiny had a strange way of working.

Through battles and ultimatums, Ares and Athena found not just victory but love. Their story served as a parable of sacrifice, transformation, and the power of an unanticipated union.