Hera - Queen of the Greek gods, sister and wife of Zeus
Hades - god of the underworld, brother of Zeus
Poseidon - god of the sea, brother of Zeu
Demeter - goddess of harvest and fertility of the earth, sister of Zeus
Aphrodite - Daughter of Zeus and Dione, Goddess of love, beauty and sexuality
Artemis - Daughter of Zeus and Leto, goddess of the hunt, the moon, and chastity
Athena - Daughter of Zeus and Metis, goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill.
Ares - Son of Zeus and Hera, god of war
Apollo - Son of Zeus and Leto - god of the sun and light, music and poetry, healing and plagues, prophecy and knowledge, order and beauty, archery and agriculture.
Dionysus - Son of Zeus and Semele - God of the vine, grape-harvest, wine-making, wine, fertility, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, theatre
Hephaetus - Son of Zeus and Hera - god of fire, metalworking, stone masonry, forges and the art of sculpture.
Hermes - Son of Zeus and Maia - Messenger of the gods, god of trade, thieves, travelers, sports, athletes, border crossings, guide to the Underworld
Eris - Daughter of Zeus and Hera, sister of Ares - minor goddess of discord and strife
Deimos - son of Ares, twin of Phobos - god of dread
Phobos - son of Ares, twin of Deimos - god of fear
Dolos - Personification of trickery, cunning deception, craftiness, treachery and guile
Apate - Counterpart of Dolos, goddess of fraud and deception.
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Ephus - the godling man with an unusual power.
Dr. Quinn Markov - human wife of Ephus
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Egyptian Goddesses and wives to Ephus
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Bast - Goddess of cats, protection, joy, dance, music, family, and love
Sekhmet- Goddess of fire, war, and dance
Hathor - Goddess of the sky, dance, love, beauty, joy, motherhood, foreign lands, mining, music and fertility.
Serket - Goddess of scorpions, medicine, magic, and healing venomous stings and bites
Maat - Goddess of Truth and Justice
Tefnut - Goddess of Rain, Air, Moisture, Weather, Dew, Fertility, and Water
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? Really, I was unaware that others were trying to take other realms.> Ares thoughts replied to the two of them.
Both Deimos and Phobos were still sitting nearby. They both knew better than to interfere with their father's meetings. They both were doing their best to not 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 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 have you for us? Do you want him dead, his power then his death? How may we help you?" Dolos stated with a small 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, does it not brother?" Apate 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 right he is being watched over by a good number of the Egyptian gods. I am sure they are also watching any humans he might have befriended also." Dolos stated deep in thought.
"Brother? You think that we might have to go in as humans? It has been a very long time since we were here. As you said we will need to plan before we move." Apate said.
Ephus turned to look at the five gods and goddesses that he'd left. Ephus felt his legs shake a moment, then he dropped in his chair with Eris in his arms.
Eris coughed a moment 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 to him, for what he'd done to you." Here 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 on him, 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, 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 at where you are now the both of you would have trouble with him."
Ephus then took one of their hands, they all watched as both Zeus and Hera's skin and eyes started to glow. Releasing them he reached out taking one hand of all three female goddesses. All three of them were wide eyed as they felt their power almost completely return.
Ephus released them, then he turned to Eris, "I am sorry that I cannot power you up yet. I am afraid that I was only able to break ninety percent of the bonds that Ares has in you. "Til I can remove the rest; I am afraid I can't power you more."
Eris had quickly climbed out of Ephus's lap as soon as she realized where she was. 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 very long time since my thoughts were my own."
The other five at the table were staring at Ephus with their mouths wide open. "You... you broke ninety percent of the bonds he had within her?" Zeus stated shocked. Here he turned toward Eris who was still prostrate before Ephus. "You are still alive? I had always heard that breaking the bonds killed the one who was bonded."
"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 stated 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 that, what I told you before, meant that you would no longer do this. I do not nor will I ever see you as a slave. Now a possible wife yes, though a slave never. Remember what we spoke of before you left to aid me." Ephus said seeing Eris, slightly turn 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 not sure if I can be that way all the time." Here, she looked up to see Ephus 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 would make me far more happy if you do, ok?" Ephus said hoping it would curb her bowing all the time.
"Yes master, I will attempt to do it as little as I can. I live to serve you master." Eris said a wide smile on her face.
"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, with him not in control, it made the bonding extremely weak. If you have removed all the major bonds, then 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 all of you higher. As I said before, I think this will even the field. I have both Zeus and Hera powered almost all the way up." Here he turned to the sisters. "I powered all three of you fully. I know that your power is less than Ares's, though against all three of you, he is at a disadvantage."
All of them thanked Ephus, who nodded then vanished with Eris. A moment later he appeared within his home. Anhur bowed to him then winked out.
A few moments later Quinn walked in holding their son. She quickly ran to him kissing 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 to even have a chance against him the next time."
Quinn took a shuddering sigh, then she sadly nodded her head. "I'm sorry for doubting you Ephus, I know it isn't within you to not help those that need it. I just fear that one day you'll try to do too much, 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.
It was almost twelve hours later when 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 asked.
"I'm not sure, it seems difficult for some reason. It is like, when I swing I am far shorter of 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 have need of me." Anhur stated.
Ephus could only nod as he moved toward the house. It was true, he had been a little fatigued, though nothing as bad as Anhur was suggesting.
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 now Quinn were acting strange. Were they that worried about him that it had effected them that bad? For the moment he was too tired to really think clear.
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 any to interfere in this." The woman that was the sword said.
Ephus snapped his head up, he then reached out trying to feel for anything strange around. 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 grasp the green sword as he started down to the living room. A sudden surge of energy went through him as he entered the room.
Ephus looked at his wife, he was surprised when her form started to twist into 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, though I will gut you before you draw another breath! 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.
With almost blinding speed, a sword broke over the green sword, 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 gasp, his sword arm almost cut from his shoulder.
"Now, I am not caring 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 that 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, then Ephus's sword met only empty air.
With a swinging turn behind him, Ephus's sword met and snapped the sword of Anhur. It took all that Anhur could do to keep 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 that you just showed. If you can duplicate it, I cannot see any ever defeating you."
This made Ephus pause, "Why do you say that?"
"It is obvious, you fell for her, as well as my sisters. She runs your house, even my sisters respect her. ALL of my sisters, therefore I KNOW she is far smarter than we both think." Anhur said a small smirk on his face.
This of course had Ephus finally smiling as well. He had to admit Anhur was right, Quinn was very smart. Taking a breath, Ephus hoped she was even smarter than he thought, especially with these two.
Somewhere within the building of Ares, Dolos was laying prone wincing, watching as his arm slowly, very, very slowly healed.
Apate sat nearby worried, as long as he was injured, he was almost powerless. How had the godling seen through? It had been perfect. Shaking her it didn't really matter now as they had his human mate and child.
Apate looked across the room she could see Ares gloating, though he couldn't really do anything. It appeared as if the female had been marked by the god and goddesses. One touch was all it would take to alert them to where she was.
Against one or two they could hold their own, though a great host of fully powered god 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 actually 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, still he only had barely 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 as she stared him down unafraid.
Ares was shaken a moment, was the female that 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 though 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 and 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 have not the power, I..." Hephaestus started when Ephus also smiled touching the male's arm.
For a moment nothing happened, the Hephaestus's head snapped up as 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 on their faces 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 of them 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."
Barely looking up at the three goddesses he had to agree. "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 the glow still radiating 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 very slowly faded. "In case you are interested, you, like your sisters are now fully powered." Ephus told him.
Hephaestus could only stare at Ephus his mouth slightly agape. "It has indeed been a long time since I felt as I do. I wish to provide you with armor that will stave off almost anything that Ares can throw at you."
This of course perked Ephus ears as he stared at the armor that Hephaestus was holding. 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 light weight, feels more like a second skin than armor."
A wide smile crept over Ephus 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 the moment it was securely in place. "Now, did you really 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!