Welcome to the Party Chapter 17

Welcome to the Party
Chapter 17

 Ephus was cautious as he approached where he'd agreed to meet. Stretching out his hands, he felt around the two he'd decided to meet.

After nodding for a moment, he called out to them in his mind. Two dark shapes appeared in the shadows and then seemed to vanish. Shaking his head, Ephus brought his hands together, making both scream and appear.

"All right, we believe it is you. We are here to strike a deal with you. A deal with you seems more amicable than with Ares."

Ephus slowly nodded, "True though, why in the hell would I do that?"

A male's hideous, misshapen form seemed to emerge from the shadows. A bow to Ephus, then motioning behind him, brought a misshapen, stooped female forth.

"It is a shame that we didn't meet under other circumstances." The male stated.

Ephus's eyebrows rose at these words. "I'm not sure we would have met, given your allegiances and all," Ephus replied.

"Godling, sir." The female started almost refusing to look at Ephus. "Unfortunately, much of why and what we do are not under our command or choice."

Ephus looked at both of the beings before him. His arms crossed, he smirked a bit 'til an idea came to him.

"Say I believe you, even a little; I cannot ascertain your truth. After all, You are the god and goddess of trickery, deception, betrayal, and fraud. I mean, I could read what is in you, though, if you refuse. It would most definitely screw up your day." Ephus said with all seriousness.

The male and female's faces showed shock momentarily, then they nodded. After all, this godling detected them when no one had ever; they were sure he wasn't joking.

The male was about to speak when the female said, "I will allow you to do this. It won't be hard for me; my thoughts haven't been mine alone for a long time."

Ephus looked at the male, who now looked shocked. "Apate! Why do you give this away about yourself? It could be used again..."

"Dolos, I believe more in this godling than I will ever have in Ares. That backstabbing god would throw us aside if it helped him get his way. I will do all I can to help him, and then perhaps we can heal from what was done to us," Apate hotly told her brother.

Ephus's look of surprise was mirrored on Dolos's face. "Well, if you allow me to, I'll finish quickly."

Ephus started toward Apate, then was blocked by Dolos. "If you harm her, I will do all I can to destroy you."

Ephus smiled. "That, I believe, was the first honest thing I have heard from your mouth."

A look of heated hatred crossed Dolos's face until Apate elbowed him in the ribs. "Don't even think about it. If anything happens to him, I will hold YOU responsible."

"Sister," Dolos started to protest.

"I mean it, brother. If anyone can help us, it is him. Now," here, Apate closes Dolos's open mouth. "Keep it closed. I trust him nearly as much as you."

Dolos's mouth snapped shut again after Apate spoke those words. However, his eyes were still wide.

This time, Apate walked to Ephus, "Please start; as I said, I am open thanks to all that Ares has done for me. Well, the both of us."

Ephus nodded as a serious look crossed his features. He hesitated 'til Apate nodded her head.

His face drew tight in concentration; his hands started to glow slightly. Ephus only touched Apate for a few moments; then he withdrew cocking his head slightly at Apate.

"I believe you; I also think you should have more freedom," Ephus said with a crooked smile.

"Freedom?" Apate said, confused a moment. Within a few moments, Apate's eyes were wide. "What have you done?" She said, her bottom lip is trembling. "I can't feel..."

A roar issued from Dolos as he started to power up. "I told you I would, ugh!" Dolos started, then doubled over from the elbow, which hit him square in the stomach.

"I told you what I would do if anything happened to him," Apte said.

"How can I not? After what you started to say, you can't feel any longer," an upset Dolos said.

A slight growl came from Apate's throat. " Had you listened to me and shut up, you would have heard me say that I can no longer feel Ares," a now smirking Apate said.

"WHAT?" How can this..." Dolos started.

Again, Apate growled as she elbowed Dolos for a third time. "As I said, you should shut up, let him help, then we can talk later."

Trying to straighten up, Dolos had a look of astonishment on his face. He then glanced at a now widely grinning Ephus.

"It appears that I have gotten much better at bond-breaking. I wouldn't even attempt it on you, Dolos, though I promised your sister while I was looking in at her. I will start when you are ready, though as stubborn as you are, I fear it might hurt a bit. No, I am not doing this to punish you." Here, Ephus snorted, then quietly said, "Though I should."

Dolos's eyes stared at Ephus, "I thought you said..."

"I made a promise to her," here Ephus indicated Apate. "Unlike so many of the gods in the Greek realm, I do all I can not to break my promises."

Dolos stared at Ephus for a moment, then looked at his sister. Apte looked into Dolos's eyes, then vigorously nodded her head.

Dolos issued a sigh and then turned toward Ephus. "What need I do?"

Again, with a severe look, Ep0hus said, "Do not fight me; just watch me. The more you resist, the more it will hurt. This will be a pain you may never have experienced before."

Dolos took a few calming breaths briefly, then nodded to Ephus. Ephus concentrated, and then his hands started to glow as they had before. Touching Dolos, everything was fine momentarily, then Dolos started to scream.

Between his clenched teeth, Ephus hissed, "STOP IT! Let me in, or this will grow even more painful."

"Brother!" Apate shouted, gaining Dolos's attention. "Stop this; let him in just like you let me. It matters not what we know or have done; Ephus doesn't care."

Dolos's body immediately relaxed as almost all the pain faded from him. This time, Dolos let his mouth drop open. By all the power of the realm, Apate had been correct! He could hardly feel anything about Ares; it was truly unique.

Longer than he had worked on Apate, Ephus finally released Dolos. "There, I think both of you should be far freer of him than ever before."

Dolos started to shake Ephus's hand when his mouth dropped open again, and he stared at his sister.

"So," Bast said, stepping to the front of the others. "You'd be willing to help defeat your brother?"

Enyo looked from the others to Bast and back. A small smile formed on her lips, so the true leader of the bunch had appeared. Nodding her head, she saw that this one was far smarter than the rest.

"Defeat him? No. I want to crush him, to humiliate him, to pay him back for the betrayal that he subjected me to. So, defeat him? No, I want to do far more to him than something as simple as defeat." Enyo spits out with much venom.

Bast smiled a moment, then looked closer at Enyo. Bast's smile rapidly faded as she pointed a finger at Enyo. "If you think you can lie to us, remember we are fully entrenched in our power now."

Maat stepped forward, about to speak, when three whooshes of power appeared. Artemis, Aphrodite, and Maat's equal in the Greek realm, Athena, appeared.

All six Egyptian goddesses growled slightly. "Hail wives of Ephus, though you have a right to her. She is, unfortunately, still our sister. If you would allow me, I will dispense justice." Turning to Maat, Athena said, "I would also agree to your help."

All six of the Egyptian goddess's faces held shock, though none more than Maat.

"I know that all of you wish her destruction; believe me, we three are also tempted to. Also, I know what Ephus said, so I have to ask if we cannot destroy her. What more can we do to her? I believe that Ephus intends to keep her as she is, as long as possible." Athena turned to Sekhmet and said, "I am sure that the time you suffered was a great deterrent."

The bright red that Sekhmet turned seemed to be all the answers they needed. Then, in very hushed tones, Sekhmet said, "You are quite right. That and the fact that he could do it to me again, at any time, also works wonders."

Athena and all the Egyptian goddesses nodded their heads with slight grins. "I think that justice is better served with what Ephus has done. He will keep her like this far longer than you, Sekhmet."

Sekhmet looked in abject horror as she stared at Enyo. Then, barely audibly, she said, "I would feel for you. I can't, knowing that you tried to destroy our husband. You are not completely powerless, though very close." With that, she withdrew to the far side of the room.

All the others watched as Sekhmet sat in a corner of the room. She drew her knees up to her chest and shook visibly for a long time.

Somewhat concerned, Athena asked, "Shouldn't we help your sister?" Then she started forward, only to be stopped by Bast.

"We cannot; to do so would be to belittle her and what she went through. No, when Ephus returns, she only needs to see him to know she is still loved." Bast advised.

Still concerned, Athena tried again to move past Bast. Again, Bast stopped her, leaning to whisper in her ear. "You are the first and only goddess I have had reason to trust from the Greek realm. Your concern for my sister is all the proof that I need to see. She will be fine, believe me."

As soon as Bast withdrew, Athena's mouth dropped open. Had she gained the trust of the Egyptian goddess? A small smile touched her lips; then she was gone.

Walking back to Maat, Athena whispered with her while her other five sisters discussed the situation.

Of course, they kept Maat informed as she frequently nodded her head. This went on for several minutes and then stretched into an hour. Finally, Maat looked up, nodding for the final time.

"It has been decided, the decision which meets justice is agreeable," Maat said. "Be well, my counterpart. I feel that justice will hold well in your part of this world."

Maat vanished, as did the other goddesses except Bast and Sekhmet. Bast walked to Athena, a small smile on her face.

"I hope that what we discussed will go no further. So far, you are the only one we can trust. This is a precious position; you are the first to attain it. Be well," Bast said as she raised her hand and vanished.

Immediately, Aphrodite and Artemis rushed to Athena. "Are you well, sister?" both asked, seeing the look of apparent shock on Athena's face.

Athena shook her head as she turned toward her sisters. "Yes," she started, "I believe we all will be fine."

"What was all that about," Artemis asked, indicating the whispered conversation with Bast.

"I'm not sure, though when I know, you and Aphrodite will be the first to know," Athena replied.

Both of her sisters looked at her with confused looks.

"I most definitely wish to know when you do. It's not like you to keep secrets from us." Aphrodite spoke up for the first time.

"It's not as much secrets as it is. I'm just unsure of what she said. I have to try and figure out what she meant before I can know," Athena said.

This, of course, had her sisters look at her even more confused.

A voice behind them had all three of them spinning to face Ephus. "It is good to see that all of you listened to me." Turning, Ephus looked at Enyo. "I regret that I took as long as I did to return to you, I..."

Ephus had just noticed Sekhmet sitting in the corner of the room. All three of the Greek goddesses followed his gaze. "Bast told us she would be fine as soon as you talked to her. Something about the time when you punished her." Athena told him.

Ephus nodded his head, turning back to Enyo. "I will deal with you in a few moments." Of course, this had Enyo shaking.

Ephus walked to Sekhmet and then started to whisper to her.

"I am here, my Sekhmet; all is fine. Come back to me, my Sekhmet." Ephus told her.

Sekhmet's empty eyes, staring straight ahead, started to blink. Slowly, ever so, her head turned to stare at Ephus. At first, she seemed not to recognize Him, but a moment later, she launched herself off the floor, wrapping Him in her arms.

"My Ephus," she said as she started to kiss him all over his face. "It was horrible I couldn't find you; I was afraid like I was when I couldn't use my power. I thought I was going to pass."

"You are fine, my Sekhmet, as you are now; it should never happen again," Ephus said, holding Sekhmet close.

Wiping her face, Ephus kissed and whispered before she nodded and vanished.

Striding back to Enyo, Ephus could see that she wasn’t doing too well. Reaching out, he laid a hand on her shoulder, and a moment later, her eyes went wide. Waving her hand, a small ball of energy appeared; holding it for a minute, she was shocked when it fizzled out.

Ephus nodded, "As I said before, I didn't remove them; I just blocked them. I know that as a goddess, you have to have some power. This I granted you, somewhat. As I grow to the point I think I can trust you, I will grant you more."

Enyo bowed her head. "I feel so weak. I don't know if this is enough for me to survive." Then, in a whispered voice, she said, "Please, Ephus. It hurts. Please, I can't go on like this."

"You will survive. I have brought someone to help you." Ephus looked at a spot next to him. Suddenly, Hera was standing there looking at her daughter.

"Mother!" Enyo said. "I haven't seen you in so long. Can you please help me? It hurts so bad."

"After what you and your brother tried, I am surprised you both still exist," Hera told her.

Enyo lowered her head, "Yes, Mother, I know; I am also aware that my brother is treacherous. I have agreed to help Ephus's wives."

"I am glad that you now see his true self. I have always been afraid that he would be the end of you. No matter what I said, you'd never listen." Turning to Ephus, Hera asked, "I can see she is still a prisoner here. Am I allowed to take her, or must she remain here?"

Ephus started to talk when Enyo began to whimper, "Mother, please convince him to let me have my power back. I have never felt so weak and powerless. Please, mother, it hurts so bad."

Hera turned to Ephus, her mouth gaping. "I thought you couldn't... ah, this is what you spoke of before." Turning back to Enyo, Hera shook her head. "I am afraid, daughter, that this is up to Ephus. Perhaps he will let me take you home?" Hera asked, to which Ephus nodded.

Ephus looked beside himself, and Enyo suddenly appeared. Ephus leaned into Hera, whispering into her ear. Hera nodded; her eyes opened wide, and she started vigorously nodding.

"You may take her home," Ephus said, turning Enyo to face him. "As I said, as soon as I feel you have truly changed, you will receive your powers back. Perhaps you might get a few more back sooner; we'll see."

Enyo stared at Ephus. " How can you be so cruel! Without them, I will surely perish," she said, her lips trembling.

"I seem to remember Sekhmet saying something similar. As I told her, you will be fine. I..." Ephus started.

"I have seen the aftereffects of your punishment—the pure horror on Sekhmet's face. I would prefer not to end up like her—well, not completely like her," Enyo told Ephus.

Ephus could only stare at Enyo. He hadn't thought he'd been cruel, especially after all Sekhmet had done. He hadn't removed their powers, just blocked them. Shaking his head, he was a bit worried. How had they all seemed to have turned this back on him? It almost seemed they were blaming him for all that had happened!

A whoosh of power drew his attention to the goddess that appeared. Holy crap! What in the hell was Isis doing here?

Both Isis and Hera slightly bowed to each other.

"So, you have punished another as you did Sekhmet." Turning to Hera, she said, "As a mother to one like her, I could offer what I learned during my time with my daughter."

Hera thought about it a moment, then nodded her head. "I believe your assistance in this respect would be well appreciated."

Hera and Isis talked for a moment, and then Isis turned to Ephus and said, "We will retire for now." With that, all three of the females vanished.

Ephus then 'heard' a voice in his head. I did not mean to interfere, Ephus. I do not wish to see another goddess go through what Sekhmet did. She is almost daily now; as long as you love her, she will be well.

Then, everything was quiet, and Ephus could see everything had left him. Popping out, he appeared outside his home.

Ares was still hurting; this was the worst he'd ever felt. Even his father hadn't hurt him this bad. All day, his sons had been trying to heal him slowly.

His body was still in pieces, but he was finally able to pull part of it together. He would make the godling pay for all the disgrace and defeats he had suffered at the godling's hands.

Even as another part of his body came together, an idea started to form. It was not one that he was pleased with; no, it was the only one that seemed to be left.

His pathetic Egyptian counterpart, Anhur, was training the godling. Though nowhere as good as he was, Ares could see that the god had many advanced moves.

Feeling another part of himself reattach, he tried to shake his head. It was as if he was afraid that he would have to challenge Ephus to a duel. Ares knew that no one could beat him; until now, he hadn't seen Ephus as a threat.

That had changed after that damn Egyptian bitch wife of Ephus's had done such harm to him. No, it was time to stop playing to prevent this pathetic godling that made him look bad. It was time to end the godling with his superior skill.

To be continued