Welcome to the Party Chapter 11

Welcome to the Party
Chapter 11

Dolos's misshapen face twisted into a hideous smile. "Of course, we have heard of it, especially after repowering the Egyptian god realm—something none of the other realms saw coming. We both were about to make a move on them, as were a few others. Now, there is no hope of taking them."

Apate was vigorously nodding her head, hissing. She added, "That one has pissed off more than a few of the other god realms. I am surprised it took as long as it did for any realm to reach out to him."

Oh? I was unaware that others were trying to take other realms. Ares's thoughts replied to the two of them.

Deimos and Phobos were still sitting nearby. They both knew better than to interfere with their father's meetings and did their best not to turn away from the two hideous beings before them.

"I see that you got a taste of the god-killer swords. I am surprised that the godling..." Dolos started.

Hold your tongue, Dolos, Ares thought as he drew the black sword. Unless you also would like a taste, sampling of their power?

Dolos's face showed surprise at Ares's threat, so the heartless bastard was still like he had been. Smiling, Dolos slowly held up his hands, a small smile on his face. It was good to know that Ares was still the detestable bastard he'd always been.

"So, Ares, what scheme do you have for us? Do you want him dead, his power, then his death? How may we help you?" Dolos stated with a slight bow to Ares.

That's more like it. I want him dead, disgraced, and forgotten as the failure that he is. Ares vicious thoughts stated.

"Um, sounds so delicious to us, brother?" Apte said.

"Very much so. This one will indeed be a challenge. We need to plan before we make any moves on him. If I remember correctly, he was being watched over by many Egyptian gods. I am sure they are also watching any humans he might have befriended," Dolos said, deep in thought.

"Brother, do you think we might have to go in as humans? It has been a very long time since we were here. As you said, we must plan before we move," Apate said.

Ephus looked at the five gods and goddesses he'd left. His legs shook momentarily, and he dropped into his chair with Eris in his arms.

Eris coughed a moment, and then her eyes flickered open. "Ephus? What, how? The last thing I remember, Ares was strangling me again. Then, I felt the horrible pain in my neck when..."

"I stopped him from doing any more to you. I also repaid the favor for what he'd done to you." He turned toward the others. "I also cut his tongue out with this," Ephus told them as he drew the green sword. "I got tired of his boasting."

Ephus heard a gasp as he turned toward Aphrodite, a look of shock on her face. Athena was nodding her head, agreeing with Ephus. "I am sure that made him madder than we have ever seen. It also seems that some small justice was served to him, and I'm glad it finally was."

Ephus turned toward Artemis. He could see she was also agreeing, though she still had a look of anger in her eyes. "It appears that you are my equal at the hunt. Remember your promise, and then we will have no problem."

Ephus nodded as he turned toward Zeus and Hera. "I think that it's time we evened up the playing field. I know that even where you are now, the both of you would have trouble with him."

Ephus then took one of their hands. They all watched as Zeus and Hera's skin and eyes started to glow. Releasing them, he grabbed one hand of the three female goddesses. All three were wide-eyed as they felt their power almost wholly return.

Ephus released them, then turned to Eris, "I am sorry that I cannot power you up yet. I am afraid that I could only break ninety percent of the bonds Ares has in you. "Til I can remove the rest; I am afraid I can't power you more."

As soon as she realized where she was, Eris quickly climbed out of Ephus's lap. Falling to the floor, she bowed her head to him. "I never expected you to do that, master. I can hardly feel anything of Ares within me. I thank you for freeing me as much as you have. It has been a long time since my thoughts were my own."

The other five at the table stared at Ephus with wide-open mouths. "You... you broke ninety percent of his bonds within her?" Zeus said, shocked.
 
He turned toward Eris, who was still prostrate before Ephus. "You are still alive? I had always heard that breaking the bonds killed the bonded one."

"Eris!" Ephus stated louder than he intended, making Eris tremble. "I thought I told you that I did not want a slave."

A slightly trembling Eris spoke, never raising her head. "Master, I am sorry that I angered you!"

"I'm not angry yet, though I will be if you continue to do this. Now get up, please. I don’t like you groveling like a slave," Ephus said in a softer voice.

"Yes, master," Eris said as she got to her feet. She then sat next to Ephus when he indicated the seat.

"I thought what I told you before meant that you would no longer do this. I do not nor will I ever see you as an enslaved person. Now, a possible wife, yes, though an enslaved person never. Remember what we spoke of before you left to aid me." Ephus said, seeing Eris slightly turned toward him.

"Master, I thought that was only for that. I... I am not sure if I can be like that all the time. I have been a servant for so long, I'm unsure if I can always be that way." Here, she looked up to see Ephus, who had a smile on his face. A smile dominated her features; if master wanted her like that, who was she to argue?

"So, I hope that I will see far less of this. It will make me far more happy if you do, okay?" Ephus said, hoping it would curb her bowing all the time.

"Yes, master. I will attempt to do it as little as possible. I live to serve you, master." Eris said with a wide smile.

"Now to finish what you asked," Ephus stated to Zeus. "I thought it would damage her also, though when I started, Ares was unconscious most of the time." Zeus's eyes were wide a moment as he thought about it.

"That might explain it, but the bonding became extremely weak with him out of control. If you removed all the major bonds, the rest should be fairly easy," Zeus explained.

Ephus nodded his head as he turned back toward the others. "As all of you can tell, I have powered you higher. As I said before, I think this will even affect the field. I have both Zeus and Hera powered almost up." Here, he turned to the sisters. "I powered all three of you fully. I know your power is less than Ares's, though he is disadvantaged against all three of you."

All of them thanked Ephus, who nodded and then vanished with Eris. A moment later, he appeared at his home. Anhur bowed to him and then winked out.

A few moments later, Quinn walked in, holding their son. She quickly ran to him and kissed his face. "I was worried when you were gone for so long.
You usually let me know one way or another. Ephus, I fear that this time, you might have bitten off more than you can chew."

Ephus nodded as he tenderly held Quinn. "I have had that same fear, Quinn. I have trained as hard as I can with Anhur. Like you, I am afraid that I am still not skilled enough. I need to train more if I am even to have a chance against him the next time."

Quinn sighs shudderingly and sadly nods her head. "I'm sorry for doubting you, Ephus. I know it isn't within you not to help those who need it. I fear you'll try to do too much one day; then I'll never see you again."

Ephus could only nod as Quinn held him and their son tighter. "I will endeavor to make sure that doesn't happen. You two are the center of my world. I love all of the goddesses, though it is you I come home to."

Quinn's bright smile seemed to light up the room. Kissing him, Quinn whispered in his ear before she left the room.

Almost twelve hours later, Ephus finally managed to slip past Anhur's defense.

"I thought you'd never get the style. Brother, are you well? You are usually far faster picking these up," a now worried Anhur said.

"I'm not sure; it seems difficult for some reason. It is like, when I swing, I am far shorter than you than I thought I was." Ephus said, a little frustrated himself.

"That is strange; I feel no outside influence. Perhaps you are just weak? Go rest. I will return when you need me." Anhur stated.

Ephus could only nod as he moved toward the house. It was true; he had been a little tired, though not as bad as Anhur had suggested.

When he stepped inside, he was met by a sour-faced Quinn. "EPHUS! How dare you come in here so filthy. You're getting nowhere near me and our son 'til you are clean, GO!"

Ephus shook his head. What in the hell was going on? Anhur and Quinn were acting strange. Were they so worried about him that it had affected them that badly? For the moment, he was too tired to think clearly.

He'd just taken the green sword off when the Egyptian female appeared.

"Strange things are going on. I am feeling powerful emanations within and outside of this place. They are older powers. I do not like what I have been feeling. Possessor, beware. My brother and I are placing our fates upon you. I will not allow anyone to interfere in this," the woman who was the sword said.

Ephus snapped his head and reached out, trying to feel for anything strange. Briefly, for a moment, he felt a presence in the house, then it was gone. Growling, Ephus started to concentrate harder. Again, briefly, he felt a different energy in the house.

Stark naked, Ephus grasped the green sword and started to the living room. A sudden surge of energy went through him as he entered the room.

Ephus looked at his wife, and he was surprised when her form started to twist into that of a hideous, deformed female. When she turned toward Ephus, she shouted, "What do you think you are doing being naked? I.." she started, then stopped when Ephus put the tip of the sword to her throat.

"I don't know who you are, but I will gut you before you breathe! If my wife or child is harmed, I will make it a reality. Ah! I see that you know what I am holding at your throat. Well? I am waiting, oh well." Ephus said as he started to press harder on her throat.

A sword broke over the green sword with almost blinding speed, even as the hideous female was pulled away. Recovering far faster than the male that pulled the female away expected, Ephus struck back. The male's hideous form appeared as he gasped, his sword arm almost cut from his shoulder.

" I do not care who you are now; know that I will destroy you if any harm has come to them. Know that there is nowhere you can hide, and I can't find you. I will make you suffer like no god ever has!" Ephus growled.

Ephus's anger was climbing higher as he started to lunge forward. The female had screamed, staring behind Ephus, and then Ephus's sword met only empty air.

With a swinging turn behind him, Ephus's sword met and snapped Anhur's sword. It took all that Anhur could do to prevent the sword from being destroyed.

Ephus shook his head, finally seeing that it was his brother-in-law and friend Anhur.

"Damn it! I should have known that it wasn't you! You would never say what that fake did. I have to find Quinn and Ephus Jr." Ephus shouted.

"I can feel them, brother. They are both still protected; nothing can touch them unless they allow it. Your human mate is far smarter than you think, brother." Anhur stated, "I have never felt such strength as you showed. If you can duplicate it, I cannot see anyone ever defeating you."

This made Ephus pause, "Why do you say that?"

"It is obvious. You fell for her, as did my sisters. She runs your house, and even my sisters respect her. All of my sisters, therefore I KNOW she is far smarter than we both think," Anhur said with a slight smirk.

Of course, this finally made Ephus smile. He had to admit Anhur was right: Quinn was brilliant. Taking a breath, Ephus hoped she was even more intelligent than he thought, especially with these two.

Somewhere within the building of Ares, Dolos was lying prone, wincing, watching as his arm slowly, significantly, very slowly healed.

Apate sat nearby, worried; he was almost powerless as long as he was injured. How had the godling seen through? It had been perfect. Shaking her didn't matter now, as they had his human mate and child.

Apte looked across the room. She could see Ares gloating, though he couldn't do anything. The female appeared to have been marked by the gods and goddesses. One touch would alert them to where she was.

Against one or two, they could hold their own, though a great host of fully powered gods and goddesses? Not even Ares would stand a chance against them, even with all his tricks.

Ares leered at Quinn. He could almost talk; it had taken all his energy to get the healing to start.

You are the perfect bait to have the godling at a disadvantage. Here, Ares looked over to see Dolos pouring all his energy into healing his arm. HA! Good luck with that! Ares had been at it for over half a day, and still, he barely had half his tongue healed.

Ares shook his head, staring at Quinn. When I gut him, I will use you for my pleasure. You will beg me to kill you, oh I will, again and again! Laughing at Quinn and the child with her, she stared him down unafraid.

Ares was shaken a moment. Was the female confident that she would be rescued? Not hardly likely, Ares thought with an evil smirk on his face.
We are in MY stronghold; he wouldn't dare attack here when I have all the advantages.

Apate tried to help her brother, but she also found that he had to heal himself. Being thrown across the room through a wall was an episode she didn't wish to repeat.

Ephus was about to rush off to rescue Quinn and his son when there was a sudden whoosh. Behind him, Anhur, A tall, dark-haired male with armor and gauntlets on his arms, appeared.

A thin smile appeared on Anhur's lips as Hephaestus bowed to Ephus. "Godling, I wish to help. Though I do not have the power, I..." Hephaestus started when Ephus also smiled and touched the male's arm.

For a moment, nothing happened. Hephaestus's head snapped up, and his eyes, skin, and armor started to glow.

"By the power of the realm! What is this?!" Three more whooshes of power were heard as Aphrodite, Artemis, and Athena appeared. All three had a self-satisfied smirk as they watched Hephaestus power up. Looking at all three, Hephaestus asked, "Is this what the three of you were speaking of?"

When all three nodded, their smirks grew larger. "Here you thought, he was trying to wrest the realm from Zeus. Had he planned to do what the four of you thought, he'd have done it long before now."

I was barely looking up at the three goddesses he had to agree with. "I apologize to you, Ephus. I only wished to protect my family and home. I am proud to call you friend."

Ephus released Hephaestus's arm, and the glow still radiated from him. "I am also proud to call you friend; your sense of duty is far stronger than most I have met."

Hephaestus stood staring at his armor and body as the glow slowly faded. "In case you are interested, like your sisters, you are now fully powered," Ephus told him.

Hephaestus could only stare at Ephus, his mouth slightly agape. "It has been a long time since I felt as I do. I wish to provide you with armor that will stave off almost anything Ares can throw at you."

This perked Ephus's ears as he stared at the armor Hephaestus held. Sadly, Ephus shook his head, "I have never worn armor; I am afraid that I would not be able to take the weight."

"Not to worry," Hephaestus stated, "it is lightweight, feels more like a second skin than armor."

A wide smile crept over Ephus's lips as he lifted the extremely light armor. "So light, is it really that strong?"

"Try it on," Hephaestus said, then swung as hard as he could at Ephus when it was securely in place. "Now, did you feel that at all?"

Shocked, Ephus could only shake his head no, then a smile came to his lips. Finally, an advantage I can live with!


To be continued