Another Welcomed Guest 4
Introduction:
Ephus’s problems continue
Artemis – Daughter of Zeus, goddess of the hunt, the moon, and chastity
Athena – Daughter of Zeus, goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill.
Zeus – King of the Greek gods
Ares – Son of Zeus and Hera, god of war
Apollo – god of the sun and light, music and poetry, healing and plagues, prophecy and knowledge, order and beauty, archery and agriculture.
Dionysus – God of the vine, grape-harvest, wine-making, wine, fertility, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, theatre
Hephaestus – god of fire, metalworking, stone masonry, forges and the art of sculpture.
Hermes – Messenger of the gods, god of trade, thieves, travelers, sports, athletes, border crossings, guide to the Underworld
Eris – minor goddess of discord and strife
Ephus – the godling man with an unusual power.
Dr. Quinn – human wife of Ephus
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
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Brothers of Bast and Sekhmet
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Thoth – God of knowledge
Sobek – God of the Nile, the Army, military, fertility and of crocodiles
Anhur – God of war and the sky bearer – Full brother of Bast and Sekhmet
Horus – Ancient God of the sky and kingship
Min – God of fertility
Khonshu – God of the Moon
Apophis – God of Chaos and darkness
Shu – God of the wind and air
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Eris followed Ephus limping a bit to try to sell that she was weak. A slight smile on her lips, this Ephus was a bigger fool than she thought he was. This was going to be her best work, that was ’til she stumbled against Ephus.
A massive shiver shot through her body as she tried to pull herself away from Ephus. What the hell was going on? She’d never felt anything like she had when she touched him. Her brow furrowed as she thought of the other rumors she’d heard about the godling.
Ephus smiled at Eris as he helped her to stand. Thank goodness he had something around his head keeping the shades in place. After all, he’d just met the female no sense in having her throw herself at him.
Nodding his head, they both started again toward the house. This one was different Ephus thought as they slowly made their way toward the door. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt a power like hers. Something was amiss here. He’d felt the power that Ares had, then he’d felt the others in the Olympus realm.
“Now then, before we go in, what should we call you?” Ephus asked.
Trembling a moment remember what she’d felt when she’d touched him, she almost whispered, “I am called Eris”
“Ah! Good, Now we can see to your safety. Don’t worry Ares won’t come here, It is very well guarded” Ephus related to her.
“How? I don’t feel that you are stronger than Ares.” A slightly shocked Eris replied.
“Well, you might say I’m being watched over by all my wives and their brothers.” Ephus told her with a slight smile.
They walked in with Eris looking over everything. What was going on? This was a godling that was before her, yet he lived like a human? Ok, something didn’t add up here, Nodding her head she thought I need to delve as deep as I can before I can start forming all the rifts between them.
Ephus sat in the great common room as he regarded Eris. ‘Yes,’ he thought, ‘there was definitely something off here.’ Sighing he really hated mysteries, why the hell not just get it over with?
Ephus was about to ask Eris a few questions when he felt the approach of Bast. A moment later she appeared beside him.
“Husband I felt that you had returned, I…” Bast started ’til she saw Eris standing at the other end of the room. A long, low hiss issued from her throat as her hands started to glow. “SHAYTAN!”
Eris’s eyes grew wide as she slowly bowed her herd. “Theá” Was all Eris said as she fell to her knees.
Bast was now between Ephus and Eris her hands still glowing. Though now, there was a look of caution plus anger on her face.
Ephus was shaking his head, what the hell was going on? He’d never, not ever, been able to understand what the gods and goddesses were saying. Rising his power up to almost full he started to check if his power was starting to fail.
Eris’s head suddenly snapped up to stare at Ephus. By all the realms of power, he really was a godling! Dear heavens his power almost had her skin crawling, even Ares power wasn’t this intense. Damn! She wasn’t about to go back to Ares and tell him that this godling put him to shame!
Eris opened her mouth to speak though nothing seemed to be coming out. Bast also had whirled to stare at Ephus as she was searching the area for any threats. Not finding she wondered what was going on.
“Husband? Is all well? It has been some time since you pushed your power that high.” She asked a true look of concern on her face.
Ephus held up a finger to silence Bast a moment as he felt all of his power. Ok, so nothing seemed to be wrong with them. Turning toward Bast, Ephus had his own look of concern on his face.
“I’m sorry my Bast, I was afraid that my powers were fading. You see, I couldn’t understand what the two of you just said.” Ephus told Bast whose mouth immediately dropped open.
“Thoth! Brother we need you!” Bast was suddenly shouting. There was a rush of wind then a tall pale skinned male appeared with an Ibis mask on.
Thoth quickly removed it as he looked at first Bast then Ephus. The look of concern on both their faces also started to concern him. He’d felt nothing as always with Ephus.
“I am here sister, what has the both of you so concerned.” Looking around he suddenly spied Eris, A slight growl issued from his throat as an even more concerned look took over his features. “Shall I end this one?” Thoth growled more making Eris shrink back from the male more.
With a quivering voice she stated, “I thought you said I would be safe here Ephus. I should have left when you found me.”
“NO! Thoth no, she is running from Ares.” Ephus stated to try and calm Thoth.
Thoth’s eyes narrowed, “She is one who thrives on coming between people, to make life as bad as possible. Do not trust her brother, none of us do!”
Ephus was nodding, “I thought you knew me far better than that brother Thoth. I always make sure before I do something.”
Thoth contemplated that a moment then nodded toward Ephus. leaning forward Thoth whispered to Ephus, “I know you brother as I do this little one. If you have need of me or any of us call.” Straightening up Thoth looked at Bast, “Now sister what has you so worried?”
“Ephus said that he could not understand me nor the demon little one.” Bast relayed.
Thoth’s eyes went wide as he stretched his hand out passing it over Ephus. A faint smile lit up his face as he nodded. Waving his hand again, he then passed it over Ephus a second time. This time he nodded, “I apologize Ephus that should help you from now on.” With that Thoth nodded then vanished.
Bast was staring intensely at Ephus, then her eyes went wide as she kissed him, nodded then vanished herself.
Eris had actually been slightly afraid. Both of the visitors had far more power than she remembered them having. If the rumors she’d heard about the godling were true, then Ares was going to get his ass handed to him. A small smile crossed her features as she thought of that.
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Ares was pissed as hell. She’d been gone for several hours now she hadn’t contacted him at all. He was starting to have doubts about sending her. Problem was she was the best he had, plus she’d never failed him yet.
Rubbing his chest, he had to wonder if his power was starting to dim a bit. I need another all-out war he thought. All this peace crap that they were going though was enough to make him want to vomit.
Sitting back, he needed to think things through. This Ephus was no weak fool he’d seen that. No, he needed to beat the godling at his own game.
Slamming his fist through the wall Ares growled, he needed that little bitch Eris’s information. No matter how hard he looked he could see nothing about Ephus. Growling louder he started to concentrate on Eris, she’d answer him or he’d make her suffer.
After a few moments Ares face screwed up into a mask of rage. What the hell was going on? Now he couldn’t see anything within a few miles of Ephus.
Concentrating even harder he soon felt Eris though barely.
[Eris I need a report!] Ares’s thoughts assailed Eris.
Eris had finally managed to relax after the two Egyptian Gods had left. Well, she had then felt the cold, calculating, thoughts of Ares. His thoughts slicing through her mind like a sharp razor.
[I need to gather as much information as I can. This one is far different than any other you’ve sent me after.] Eris thought to Ares hoping to placate him into leaving her alone so she could do her job.
[I don’t care who you have to kill get the job done!] Ares thoughts washed over her with heat.
Sighing she shook her head, she had to watch her thoughts. The bond he’d made with her seemed to give him more privy into her mind than she thought he would. Shaking her head, she was a slave to him ’til he let her go, that she knew he wasn’t about to do.
[Cheer up Eris you’ve only got another century of service to me, Though if you need a reminder.] Ares thoughts ripped through her mind as she started to pant. Then her head was hurting as her throat started to close up on her.
Eris was doing her best to not let Ephus see her struggling to stay on her feet or breathe. There seemed to be little chance of that as she started to feel consciousness start to slip from her grasp. Still she fought to stay on her feet keeping her expression unchanging. The last thing she thought was she was ashamed, then she felt arms catch her as she fell.
Ephus was shaking his head as he thought about what Thoth had said. He was so distracted he failed to notice when Eris started to pant. It wasn’t ’til he felt her power start to weaken that his head snapped around to stare at Eris. He could see that she was struggling with something, then her legs gave out as she headed toward the floor.
Covering the distance to her was nothing as he caught her falling body. It was when he actually touched her that he felt the strong influence of another. Eris was still trying to breathe when Ephus reached out growling.
Shocked though much Ephus could not only feel Ares this time he could actually ‘see’ him.
Reaching out again Ephus thought, [I suggest you let her go before something bad happens to you.]
He saw Ares smirk as he upped his power to try and strangle Eris more. Ephus growled again as he balled his fist swinging as hard as he could at the image of Ares. A look of shock and surprise was on Ares’s face as he was driven back into a wall. The thing was, the impact was so hard the entire building shook.
Getting up slowly Ares rubbed his chin, not bad he thought let’s see how he was thinking. Again, Ares was surprised when he was almost flung again into another wall with even greater force. This time as Ares slid down the wall he thought damn what the hell was that? Then Ares was unconscious.
Ephus was panting with the effort of the second hit. He obviously needed to train more like he had with Bast’s brothers like before his confrontation with them.
Already on his knees Ephus slowly made his way back to Eris. Touching her throat, he saw that she was no longer struggling. He needed to get it out of her what in the hell that was. Shaking his head, he thought yeah right that was going to be as easy as pulling the teeth of a wild animal.
Sitting there with her a few moments she felt his strength rapidly returning. He was tempted to slightly power her up so she talk sooner, then thought better of it. Might not go as well as he’d hope. Then the house might get destroyed. Thinking of his human wife he shuddered, that was a fight he would NEVER win.
Eris was having the most delicious dream she’d ever had, the thing was? She never really dreamed, so why was she now? This shocked her as she clawed her way to consciousness.
When Eris’s eyes flickered open she was lost a moment ’til she espied Ephus sitting beside her. “I had the most curious thing happen,” she almost whispered to him. “I saw you knock Ares out without touching him. I have to say I haven’t had many of these, what are they called. Ah! Dreams in my life.”
Ephus looked at her then he nodded, dreams they really were foreign things to the gods.
Reaching out Ephus started to touch Eris’s neck, then was shocked when she flinched, jerking away from him. This of course unsettled her balance. Ephus was there catching her as she was again heading toward the floor.
Eris again tried to jerk away from him then found that she couldn’t move! What in the hell was this intense tingling sensation that was rushing through her body? Then she managed to turn her head to look at Ephus, What? There was no disgust, horror nor disdain on his face, no, there was only a look of genuine concern there. Wait he was concerned about her?
“I…I…I, please release me. I should go before he tries to come back again.” Again, try as she might she couldn’t do a thing to move away. Now, that she thought about it, she really didn’t want to either. This was the most relaxed and safe that she felt in a very long time.
Ephus nodded as he helped her to stand then almost regretted it as her legs were shaky as could be. Sitting her in the nearest chair Ephus released her.
A grimace came to her face as Ephus released her. By all the gods! She felt as if something had been ripped from her.
“I need to take you to someone who can help you more.” Ephus told her as she nodded.
Taking her hand, they vanished, appearing before the huge columned building where Ephus had met Zeus. Eris eyes were suddenly wide as she tried in vain to pull away from Ephus.
“NO!” She was almost shouting as she tried harder to jerk her hand loose. “Take me from this place they will destroy me for what I have done in the past.”
Ephus’s eyes were large then he slightly growled. “I told you that I would protect you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Ephus turned when he heard a soft gasp behind him. That was soon replaced by an angry hiss.
“You dare to come here after all that you have done, sister?” A voice said that Ephus saw was coming from a rather tall, blonde male. This male had a round hat on his head as well as wings on his feet and temple. “Not only that but you bring a weak useless human here with you as well!”
Eris was trying to pull Ephus away from the building though Ephus wouldn.t budge. “Are all of you this rude? I have half a mind-” Ephus started.
“OH, shut up you useless piece of space,.” The male sneered at Ephus. Then the male’s arm started to slightly glow. “I may not have my full power yet, though when the godling increases all of us I will end him.”
The male fired a bolt toward Eris then was shocked when it not only stopped, then it fizzled out.
Snarling at the male Ephus stated in a low voice, “You, like Ares, I won’t have any bones about NOT helping!” The male’s face held surprise then anger as he started to power up firing another bolt again.
The same result happened again surprising the male. Pointing a slim finger at Eris he accused, “so you are protecting him, that won’t last long. I am-” The male started then was cut off by Ephus.
A look of anger on his face Ephus powered up almost half way, making the male slowly back away.
“You are an idiot, you think that because you can’t feel their power, that an opponent has none?” Raising his hands then bringing then down as if he’d flung something Ephus smiled. The male was suddenly flying backward into the wall of the building, this of course shook the entire building.
The male’s face again registered surprise as he tried to stand then slumped back down unconscious. There was the sound of shouting voices from within this caused Eris to shake uncontrollably.
Making a motion with her hand Eris started to vanish, only to suddenly appear again. Waving her hand again a look of terror came over her face. By all the gods! What was going on? She had no powers, they were coming. Kneeling she bowed her head waiting for that which she knew would be her destruction.
Several males appeared, another blonde male holding a lyre. A dark haired male with grapes and a wine goblet. The third with several gauntlets on his arms holding a hammer. All three were staring at the first male that had been so rude to Ephus.
Turning they all looked at Ephus then backed up a bit seeing Ephus hands glowing brightly. Ephus held his ground as the three males started to whisper among themselves. Finally, the one with gauntlets took a more defensive position as he slowly stalked toward Ephus.
He’d covered a few feet when a female voice stopped him cold.
“Brother, unless you want to take, I believe the humans call it a nap? Yes, that’s it, a nap I suggest that you stand down. Though I might enjoy watching you get knocked on your ass.” Athena said from behind the gauntleted male.
“Sister! He has incapacitated our brother, surely you can see that he is dangerous?” The male stated.
Sighing Athena stated, “I will not stop you Hephaestus. I am just here to warn you.”
Smirking at her, then turning to sneer at Ephus, Hephaestus said, “duly noted though, not necessary sister.”
Athena shook her head then turned to watch as Aphrodite then Artemis both appeared with shocked looks on their faces. Looking at the unconscious blonde male they also shook their heads in disbelief.
“Don’t they know who he is?” Aphrodite asked in confusion.
“No and they don’t seem to want to or even try to find out first. They are happy to go off sword happy.” Athena stated a slight look of anger on her face. “Even though I know how this is going to end? If they hurt him” here she indicated Ephus. “I might end up hurting all of them!” This last part was stated louder than usual almost freezing the three males.
Hephaestus again was stalking toward Ephus with a now drawn short sword. Having calmed a bit Ephus could almost laugh at the male coming at him. Swinging his sword Hephaestus expected to at least slice Ephus a bit. He was greatly shocked when his sword not only stopped inches from Ephus, it snapped in half!
Taking a deep breath Ephus made a back handing motion toward Hephaestus. A look of surprise showed on Hephaestus features as he was propelled backward toward the wall. Crashing into it far harder than his brother had he shook his head getting up.
A large smile lit up his face as he charged past his three sisters toward Ephus. There was a smacking sound, then Hephaestus was again flying into the wall then through it.
All three of the females rolled their eyes as they heard Hephaestus groan then came flying out of the hole toward Ephus. Sighing Ephus held up a hand stopping Hephaestus in midair.
“OOH!” Artemis stated. “I hate that one, nasty just nasty.” Then she let out a slight giggle. The other two males could only stare at the three females with shock.
“So, do we continue this or do we talk?” Ephus said feeling Hephaestus slowly starting to break free.
Hephaestus only sneered at Ephus as his struggles were starting to pay off. That is ’til Ephus flung Hephaestus toward the building again. This time Hephaestus hit far harder and faster than he had the previous times. A dull thud was heard a great distance inside.
Shaking his head Ephus turned toward the other two males. “Well? I’m waiting, aren’t you also going to attack? It seems to be all that all of you seem to want to do.”
Both males put their hands up as they slowly made their way to the three females.
“Now since you males are through playing, I’d like the two of you to meet Ephus. Artemis stated, causing both of the conscious males to have an oh shit look on their faces. Nodding Artemis continued. “Ephus I’d like to introduce you to our brothers. The first you fought is Hermes. Next, the one with the goblet is Dionysus. The handsome one is Apollo. Lastly the other that you put through several walls is Hephaestus.”
Taking a deep breath Ephus nodded, this was one hell of a way to meet the rest of the family he thought.
