Welcome to the Party Chapter 12

Welcome to the Party
Chapter 12

Ephus was still in shock that Hephaestus had not only given him lightweight armor but also far more robust than he thought. Smiling more comprehensively, he bowed to Hephaestus, whose mouth only dropped open. He bowed to Ephus, causing his half-sister goddesses to giggle.

Hephaestus looked at all three with a slight scowl. "Honor is not something you should giggle about," he said.

"Oh, of that, we are all most certain. It is just seeing you bow to anyone other than Father that is funny." Artemis said.

"Still, in this instance, I fail to see the humor in any of this," Hephaestus said, growing angrier.

Ephus touched Hephaetus's arm, causing him to whirl with an angry look. He quickly calmed when he saw Ephus.

"I do not want this house destroyed by a battle between you. This is my home; I will get pissed off." Ephus stated, a look of anger growing on his face.
"I know you only show affection for each other, which is the only way you can. Again, this is MY home; I do not want it damaged or destroyed. I have enough problems as it is."

Ephus sat his head in his hands. He felt this was all his fault; he should have had better protection.

"I am also to blame, brother. It has been a long time since I was fooled as easily as I was. You will have the full..." Anhur said.

"No, by the rules, none of the Egyptian realms can interfere unless a god hurts them, not through no interaction of a god. No, this has to be me; it is my responsibility. " Here, Ephus was going through all the rules from both realms. "I could use a second if I am killed or injured. She should allow you to use her to cut Ares into several pieces."

"She? What are." Anhur started.

"I am not a fool, Anhur; your actions gave it away." Turning to the sword, Ephus waved his hand, not expecting it to work. Looking around, he saw that everyone except him and Anhur was frozen. "I am right, am I not Amaunet?"

A sudden gasp let Ephus know that he'd gotten it right.

The female of the sword appeared, bowing to Ephus. "Master, please forgive me..." She was starting to say.

"No, as I told you and your brother, I am only your partner, no more. It will be good to call you by your name, not hey you," Ephus said.

"Thank you, and I also thank you, Anhur, for placing me with one as wise as he is," Amaunet said, bowing to Anhur.

"At first, I thought it was Mskhenst or Norfe-Ari, though those names didn't seem to fit," Ephus said, seeing Amaunet's face screw up into a sour look.

Amaunet looked at Anhur, lowering her head, "I am sorry you will not remember my name after I am gone. Only he who guesses it is allowed to remember it. You do not have to worry about Ares. My brother and I will not allow you to come to harm."

Ephus nodded, "Your brother is Aniketos, if I am not mistaken."

The shocked look on her face let Ephus know that he'd gotten it correct again. "You are a most unusual godling. Never have I ever met nor heard of one like you."

Ephus smiled as he stood, "I will miss being able to call you by name, Amaunet. I wish both of you well, whatever comes." Anhur looked at Ephus, who waved his hand.

Immediately, Ephus saw that all four Greek goddesses and gods were bowing their heads to Ephus.

All four immediately apologized to Ephus, which caused them to stare at the others. Turning to Anhur, he said, "You know that none of you can attack. Unless I or they are harmed outside the rules, I have to do this. That's not to say you cannot watch or give non-battle help."

A huge smile appeared on Anhur's face as he nodded. "Perhaps I should mention this to my sisters and brothers, especially Bast," Anhur whispered this last bit, not wanting to summon his half-sister.

Ephus thought momentarily, then nodded, "Though you and the others might have to hold her back. You know that temper of hers."

Anhur's eyes got wide as he readily agreed, nodding his head. With a slight chuckle, Anhur vanished, sighing; Ephus wished he could make all this crap disappear just as quickly.

Ephus looked at the others in the room and sighed. It wasn't like he could keep them out of this. In a sense, it was their brother, therefore, their concern. Looking at the green sword at his side, he nodded. He had to do this with as few deaths as possible, though. Was that even possible with a seemingly death-happy Ares? I guess we'll find out. He nodded to the Goddesses and Hephaestus, then they all winked out.

Back in the Ares building, he did all he could to taunt Quinn Markov and strike him. Damn it! She was the most frustrating human female he'd ever met. How in the hell was she resisting him like she was?

Ares growled as he changed tactics, throwing things near her. Still, he wasn't getting a reaction from her.

Quinn turned to her son, roaring, " Do you see that?" She pointed to Ares. "You, son, are more mature and adult than it is. Watch, it'll have a tantrum in a moment."

Ares nearly exploded when he heard her words. How dare she insult the greatest war god of all time! Then a thought came to him: two could play that game.

"Such brave words from such a little girl. To think that you have the sense actually to have a child, let alone raise one," Ares said with a wicked laugh.

"Hmph! This comes from a spoiled little boy who has tantrums when he can't get his way. Ephus was correct when he said you were the dunce of war, plus an idiot to boot. Go away, little boy, stop bothering me." Quinn scoffed, then turned away from Ares as if he wasn't there.

Ares's face started to twist into a mask of anger and hatred. He drew back his fist to strike her, then felt two sets of hands holding his arm back.

Growling, he looked at his arm to see his sons, Deimos and Phobos, straining to hold it back.

"Father," Phobos said, "if you touch her, they will all be here in moments. Some we could fight, but not all of them. From what we heard, Ra might also get involved."

"Even all three of us couldn't withstand that much power," Deimos added.

Ares seemed to think about it momentarily, and then his arm relaxed. "I can see that both of you are correct." With that, Ares blew both of them against the wall, then through it and several others. "Do not," Ares almost shouted to the hole in the wall, "ever, lay your weak hands on me again!"

With a self-satisfying smirk, Ares turned toward where Dolos and Apate were. It appeared that Dolos had healed his arm. Ares thought it was far faster than he thought it would have healed.

Ares walked closer and stood there waiting. Dolos looked up and saw Ares. "I fear that someone warned him. No one, god or otherwise, has ever broken, let alone pierced, the veil of simulacrum."

"It was perfect," Apate stated, still thinking about what had transpired. "I saw his eyes; he was completely under the direction of the veil."

"Both of you, I thought you knew of this godling. Did you not know that he was a human who is now a godling? That his ancestor was also a godling? He was a half-brother that disappeared." Ares stopped as he saw the strange looks the two were giving him.

"Strange, you are just bringing that out now," Dolos shook his head. "Had we known that he is of both worlds, we would been able to defeat him. Now as it is, there aren't many things that will work."

"Especially now that he has seen both of our faces. This is going to take a great deal longer." Dolos and Apate stood up. "We'll contact you, as we have a much better plan. Is there anything else you haven't told us?" Dolos asked.

"Why leave? You are safe here." Ares said.

Dolos looked at Apate, the mother and child, covered by an invisible shield. He then gestured to the black sword, then Ares. "As long as the companion sword is in the hands of the godling, nowhere is safe.

With that, a whirlwind wrapped the two, and then they were gone. With an open mouth, Ares was about to shout when he heard laughter.

"What the fuck do you find so comical," Ares growled at Quinn.

"Again, you act like a self-confident little boy, thinking everything HAS to go your way. Get a clue, Ares. You don't stand a chance. I watched Ephus train. He learned all that he did in a day. It took you what? A few thousand years? Pretty pathetic, I'd say."

Quinn smiled to herself. She saw Ares's face go from red to blood red. "You are the mistaken one. I am the greatest warrior that has ever been. I..." Ares started to spout.

"Oh? Would you like to go against a fully empowered Anhur? I doubt seriously that you'd last long. Plus, he's the one who taught Ephus, no, accept that you have lost. Do you have me here? Just a minor distraction." Quinn said as the building started to shake violently. A small smile lit up Quinn's face, "He's here! Ha, Ha, Ha."

Ares's eyes darted to and fro as he drew his black sword. "Let him come," Ares snapped at Quinn. " Killing him in front of you will make this far sweeter!"

Several bodies could be seen passing through the room they were in a moment later. Those bodies included the bruised and battered bodies of both his sons. Cursing, Ares started to erect several shields to slow Ephus down.

A few moments later, there was a titanic crash. The building in front of the room was violently ripped away and crushed. Standing in the doorway, an enraged, glowing, armored Ephus stood. In his hand, the Eternal Nile Serpent glowed a brilliant green.

A wicked smile crossed Ares's lips, "So you finally..." Ares started.

"Cut the bullshit, Ares; I do not want to destroy you, though I will if it comes to it. The realm needs all of the gods, even your detestable ass." Ephus spit.

A shocked, though smirking Ares sneered, "You could never destroy me, human; I am the most..."

Ares had to dive to the floor; Ephus's almost invisible swing nearly took his head. Ares was about to rise when he saw the hair on the floor. Reaching up, he found that half of his was missing.

Ares roared, then lunged forward, striking the green sword. Time, she again seemed to freeze. Amaunet appeared with Ephus's hand around her wrist. Looking at Ares, Ephus saw that Ares had his hand around Aniketos' wrist.

"Ah! Aniketos, good to see you again." The shocked look on the male's face almost made Ephus laugh.

"So, it appears to be true," Aniketos said. Turning to Amaunet with a questioning look, she nodded. Both bowed their heads to Ephus. "When the time comes, you will be well rewarded." Aniketos cocked his head a little sideways as he looked at Ephus. "You were correct, sister. His thoughts and actions are unlike any we have ever met before."

This time, it was Ephus's turn to look at the male curiously. "Different? In what way?" Ephus asked.

"Even with all your power, you do not crave nor wish to accrue more. You are pleased with all you have. You are a most curious human/godling indeed," a perplexed Aniketos said. "I had thought I had figured you out. I have to say that you are the most refreshing mind I have ever had the pleasure to feel."

Ephus almost blushed at Aniketos's words. He bowed low and said, "I try to be as honest as possible. Most of the time, it isn't easy, as it can be far easier not to speak at all."

Aniketos and Amaunet nodded their heads. "It was just as hard in our time, especially dealing with all the rulers back then. Many couldn't handle the truth; they'd rather kill than hear it. Truly barbaric times, though." Here, Amaunet looked around. " The times here appear to be just as barbaric."

"I know that you do not wish to destroy Ares. Realize that your near miss has severely weakened him. Press him as hard as you can. We will do all that we can to help you defeat him. Still, it has to appear to be you, or he will grow suspicious." Aniketos warned Ephus.

Aniketos turned to his sister and embraced her. "It is nearly over. I did not think he was the one last time. Now? I can no longer doubt it. Farewell, sister, Ephus."

"Wait," Ephus said before they disappeared. "You spoke of this ultimate sacrifice that I would have to make. Will it be quick? I... I wish this would not happen in front of my family if possible. They will suffer enough once I am gone."

A genuinely great shock appeared this time on Aniketos and Amaunet's faces. They both lowered their heads as Aniketos stated. "it will be a swift warrior. You know what will happen; still, you wish to continue?"

When Ephus could only nod, the brother and sister looked at each other with shocked and pleased looks. He was the one, indeed.

Ephus moved back to almost where he'd been, raising the green sword to touch the black one Ares held.

Just as suddenly, time started growling, and Ephus started to swing as hard and fast as he could. Good, he thought when he saw Ares start to retreat slightly. Growling more, Ephus started to press harder, watching as the look on Ares's face went from confidence to, oh shit.

Finally, Ephus had Ares in a corner, hacking away at him with a ferocity that he didn't know he possessed. The near look of panic on Ares's face almost made him stop, and then the black sword flew out of Ares's hand. Ares growled, then made a motion with his hand.

The building started to shake when Ares said, "There you go, you bastard. Kill me or save them; it's your choice. I know you are weaker than you appear. You will survive, though, will they? Tick, tock, you bastard." Ephus was about to turn when Ares dived for the black sword. "I know not how you did this, though I will find out then. You're mine!" Then Ares vanished.

Ephus cursed, waving a hand, making Quinn, his son, and himself appear far from the collapsing building. When he was sure they were safe, Ephus fell to the ground.

Quinn almost screamed when she saw this; then she saw the thin slice across the armor. Shaking her head, she closed her eyes. Bast! Her thoughts screamed. BAST! Her thoughts screamed again.

A moment later, Bast, Anhur, Serket, and Thoth appeared. Bast looked worried. Serket's face went deadly serious as she and Anhur removed the godly Greek armor from him.

Anhur looked at the armor, amazed that it had protected Ephus as well as it had. He'd have to talk to Hephaestus about the armor.

Serket had a strange look on her face when Thoth whispered to her. "I am not finding any serious injuries on or in him. It feels as if he was drained."
Here, she looked at the green sword, running her hand along the blade only to draw it back suddenly. She turned to Anhur, "You gave our Ephus, the Eternal Nile Serpent!? The most temperamental, dangerous sword in your arsenal?"

"Of course, sister. What? You think I didn't train him?" Anhur said cautiously.

"A Day and a half is not training, brother! You're lucky we are as worried about Ephus as we are. I should..." Serket stopped looking around. She thought it was strange; it felt like another was there.

Amaunet breathed a sigh of relief as she touched Ephus, feeling some of the energy she'd taken returning to him. Looking at Serket, her eyes opened wide; she was such innocent in a goddess. A small smile lit her face; she could see both goddesses' intense love for him.

A moment later, Ephus groaned and then tried to sit up. Four whooshes of power had Bast, Anhur, and Thoth powering up as high as possible.
Aphrodite, Artemis, Athena, and Hephaestus appeared with a look of concern on all their faces.

"I warned you to watch and protect him. What would happen if he was harmed? I..." Bast growled at the three goddesses when she stopped.

"My Bast," came a whispered voice. "They were doing as I asked them. Their help made it far easier for me to rescue Quinn and little Ephus."

Bast's glow faded in seconds; bending, she fiercely kissed Ephus's face. A wide smile came to his lips as Serket threw herself at him.

Serket's face went from joy to embarrassment when Ephus whispered in her ear. When Ephus asked nicely? She blushed in what Ephus considered to be the cutest shade of red. Nodding yes, Ephus smiled even more.

Sitting up, he faced all eight who were in front of him. "I am sorry that I failed to stop him again. I had knocked the sword out of his hands when he did this." With a sigh, Ephus indicated that the new-level building was not far from them.


To be continued