The water sent a burning sensation throughout her hand as it came in contact with the broken skin. One would think she'd be used to it after all this time, yet her body always reacted negatively. She mentally cursed herself for getting carried away with boxing, knowing full and well how aggressive she'd get. But there was nothing she could do now, except for deal with the aftermath.
"I told you not to go too far," Minerva called out to her. Bellona looked over her shoulder, giving her sister a small glare, which only earned her a smirk in response.
"You know how stubborn I can be, sister," she responded. Once the blood was cleared from her skin, she turned off the faucet and wrapped her hand in a towel, gently dabbing over the sensitive skin. Minerva gabbed the first aid kit that rested beside her on the couch and approached her sister in the kitchen, setting it onto the counter.
"You also let your anger get the best of you."
Bellona remained silent at the comment. She knew her sister was right. She's always been a hothead, letting her emotions get the best of her. At times, it was helpful, then in other instances, it was a weakness of hers. She opened the kit and grabbed a bandaid and placed it over the cut.
"He brings an ugly side out of me," Bellona finally said, refusing to make eye contact with her sister. He, meaning her ex-husband Mars. Things between them didn't end on such a positive note and Mars makes sure to remind her of their downfall every chance he gets. "He knows exactly what to say that'll push me over the edge. He taunts me with snide comments. I hate seeing him at our annual meetings."
At least once a year, the Gods would meet together in secret to discuss any important events that may have occurred within the year, any changes and status of how things on Earth is. Each meeting required every God and Goddess to meet and discuss these changes and find ways to deal with them.
"As do I, though my distain for him is not as great as yours." Minerva felt for her sister, she truly did. She placed a caring arm around her shoulders and Bellona laid her head on Minerva's shoulder. "At least you don't have to worry about seeing him for another year."
"I wish I didn't have to see him for the rest of my life," Bellona mumbles.
"Well, that'll be impossible. Unless someone were to kill him." Bellona then lifts her head and gives her sister a look, Minerva instantly realizing what she was thinking and quickly shook her head. "My god, Bellona. You should know better than to think of killing another God."
"No one will miss him," she shot back. "Besides, if they need another God of War, I'll be happy to fill in that spot. I'm basically the same thing, and even better."
"Father would have your head if he heard you speak like that," Minerva warned.
Bellona placed a gentle hand on her sister's shoulder and smile softly. "You know father loves me dearly, he wouldn't do that to me. Besides, he dislikes Mars as well. I'll be doing him a favor."
"Father dislikes a lot of the Gods, yet they're still around. They're important and you cannot get rid of one and disrupt the balance we've spent millennia putting into place."
Bellona puts her hands up in defeat, letting out a few chuckles. "Alright, alright. I'll let him live...for now." She earns herself a glare, which she responds by hugging her sister. "Thank you," she whispered. "For coming here after the meeting and talking. I needed it."
"Of course, Bellona," she tightens her grip for a moment before pulling away. "I should be returning to London. I'm expecting a shipment later today."
"Still collecting old Greek and Roman artifacts I see," Bellona said.
Minerva smiled and nodded. "Yes, it's one of the best ways to feel connected to our past."
"Not all of our past is something good, sister."
"Yes, just like not all of our future will be good either. But if we stayed focused on the bad, we'll be too consumed by the darkness to enjoy the beauty."
"Sounds like something mother would say." The two shared one last smile before Minerva left Bellona's apartment, leaving Bellona alone in her kitchen. She took the time to clear up her mess and placed the kit back under the sink in her bathroom. She glanced at her watch, realizing that it was only thirty minutes after eight. After the intense workout she had today, she found herself starving. Instead of spending the night alone in her apartment, she decided to go out for dinner.
She opted to stop by one of her favorite Italian restaurants within the city. It was only a fifteen minute walk from her apartment, which allowed her the chance to think about everything that happened. From the intel about Loki coming to Earth, to the hostile exchanged she had gone through with her ex-husband, Mars. The day had been very draining, to say the least.
But the moment she stepped into the restaurant, her problems seemed to vanish. Her senses were overwhelmed with the many spices and other scents from the food that was being cooked and served. It made her nerves calm and she felt like she was in heaven.
She'd visited the restaurant so much that she didn't even need to tell the waitress what she wanted. They knew immediately what she would order to drink and eat. For a brief moment, she didn't have to deal with anyone bothering her. She didn't have to answer to anyone. That was until a deep voice broke her silence.
"Dinner for one? What, did you get stood up?" Bellona glanced up at the man. He wore an eyepatch over his left eye, completely dressed in black. She had no idea who he was, but she guessed he must've known who she was.
"And I take it you'll be the one who swoops in for the rescue?" She responded. He let out a dry chuckle, then took a seat across from her. She sensed he was serious about this surprise visit, so she dropped the friendliness and went straight to business. "Who sent you?"
"Funny, I should be asking you the same thing." He pulled out a small tablet then began typing and swiping at things before he turned it around, allowing her to see the screen. She watched footage of her fighting off various creatures and other powerful beings. She even caught a glimpse of footage of her in this same restaurant.
He had been watching her and she had no idea.
"Would you believe me if I said I was the Goddess of War," she whispered.
"Lady, I've seen a giant green monster and other things you wouldn't believe me if I told you. You calling yourself a God is probably the simplest thing I've heard."
"Goddess," she corrected him. "What is it that you want?"
The man then reached into his black trench coat and pulled out a file, then placed it onto the table. He urged her to open it, which she did and began scanning the file. "Recently, a facility of mine was robbed by a man who calls himself Loki. He's-"
"A power-crazed God," she interrupted. "I have intel that said he returned to Earth, but I didn't know what it was that he came for. It says he came for this cube, something mortals are not capable of handling."
The man then shot her a look and she simply shrugged.
"I can tell that this is not of your world, it's something beyond you. The fact that you've been hoarding it is a problem."
"Never mind what we've been doing with it, what we need to focus on is getting the cube back from him. There's no telling what he'll do with it, all we know is that it can't be good. He took one of my best men and a scientist that i've been working with. I need your assistance getting this back."
"And what exactly do I get out of this, hm?"
"A chance to be a hero to the people and who knows, make a few friends along the way," he responded. Bellona raised a brow, confused as to what the man meant by that. "You see, I'm trying to put together a team of powered people and you've made the cut." He then placed a flashdrive onto the table and slid it towards her. "This includes intel on the people you'll be working with, as well as the location to meet us, if you choose to join."
The man didn't waste another moment and got up from the table, making his way towards the door and leaving. Bellona was stunned by the exchange. She glanced down at the flashdrive, staring at it, debating whether or not to take it.
Should she join a team or take on the mission solo?
By working with others, it ensured a better success rate at finding Loki and stopping him from possibly harming mankind. But on the other hand, she had no idea who these people were, and reading a file wouldn't put her entirely at ease. She'd also have to expose herself to others, though if she had gotten files on them, there's no doubt they've gotten files on her.
She couldn't choose now, but she knew she definitely have to sleep on it.