UltimateDemonBeast65 here again with the next chapter for Pantheons! Thank you to those who did follow or like this story, and I apologise to those who enjoyed Infernal Tales. There were some issues regarding the fic that led to me being banned on TV Tropes, but I've moved on from that and I am doing this fic as a result of what I got wrong before. Disclaimer though, this chapter does have sexual content, though I am not making my story as sexualized as the previous fic, so rest assure the action and story will come first. Enjoy! Cause and Effect
It had been several hours since an unlikely alliance had vanquished the evils of Pandora's box and sealed them back into their mystical prison, saving humanity and the Earth from annihilation. Two fraternal twins were carrying said box up a mountain in a chariot pulled by silver deers. It was Apollo and Artemis, heading to Olympus to return Pandora's box to their fellow deities.
"So...I'm sure father and the others are for in one hell of an explanation." Apollo chuckled. "Wouldn't you think?"
"Of course, suffice to say they might be angered." Artemis remarked.
"Well, we had to do what we had to do." Apollo shurgged.
"Yeah, unfortunately." Artemis said as they reached the top of the mountain.
"You have arrived!" A god that was flying over them with wings on the heels of his sandals said. "Your father along with the others are waiting for you."
"It's nice to see you too Hermes." Apollo replied.
The god now known as Hermes was wearing a white toga with a golden belt across his waist and had a golden helmet with wings. Hermes was also holding a staff with two snakes coiling to the top starting from the middle, with the top end of the staff also having wings.
"Come on don't want to keep them waiting any longer." Hermes said before flying back to the building which looked like to where the other gods were at.
Artemis and Apollo then rode towards the building, the chariot and deers entering the clouds and heading towards Olympus, the realm of the Greek gods. It was a beautiful and majestic city with various Greek towers, houses and columns alongside various servants and spirits that served the Olympians. Artemis and Apollo then headed to the huge golden palace in the center of Olympus. Hermes then flew inside of the golden palace, with all of the gods and goddesses gathered awaiting for Apollo and Artmis to enter. Some were conversing with each other while some just sat in their seats. Hermes then flew up to the one that sat in the middle of the rows with a woman right next to him. This one had long white hair that ran down his shoulders with a full beard. He wore a golden wreath on his head, golden greaves, and wore his white and yellow toga with a part of it going over his left shoulder which exposed the right side of his chest. After seeing Hermes enter, the god in the middle gave him a nod then stood up.
"Be quiet now, those two have just arrived." He said to everybody in the room.
Artemis got off her chariot and she and her brother Apollo entered the golden palace with Pandora's box in hand. They eventually made it into the courtroom where the Olympians and their thrones were, with the god in the middle having the largest throne.
"Greetings Father." Apollo said as he entered the room with his sister, giving a small bow to him, "We have returned with Pandora's Box."
"We can see that Apollo." The god in the middle said. "Can you please inform us on where it was since Pandora failed to keep an eye on the box?"
"Well...it's kind of funny actually." Apollo chuckled, with all of the other gods not amused in the slightest. "Turns out the box was in possession of a group of demon girls, along with a human and an angel. Though they did say they weren't the ones to really steal it...then again, I'm sure they weren't planning on returning it back to us initially."
"The angel unleashed the evils within the box and we alligned ourselves with the Queen of Hell to vanquish them." Artemis said also bowing.
Some of the gods murmured, with Hermes being shocked yet intrigued by what he heard. However, the god in the large throne in particular was not happy about this situation at all.
"That shouldn't be any of their business in having that box with them." The god in the middle groaned. "I don't care that they helped in re-sealing it, they still cost us the trouble in dealing with the evils again."
"I suppose so." Apollo said, scratching the back of his head. "Another thing is that...we had help from another god as well. One of the Kami, Susano'o."
"One of those Nips assisted them?" A god with armour pieces said.
"What were the Kami doing even interfering in our affairs?" The vain goddess next to the one in the middle asked.
"Those were my thoughts exactly." Apollo commented. "Though things did turn out okay in the end after our rocky start, I guess. And he was pretty helpful with the situation."
"Care to explain this 'rocky start' as well?" The god in the middle asked sternly.
"It's not much, Father. Just some disagreements about who should have the box." Apollo replied.
"You're telling us that he wanted to take the box to his own group of gods?!" The god in the middle exclaimed.
"That is what my brother told me." Artemis replied. "But he conceded and allowed us to take the box back to you, Father."
"And to be fair Father, I did try to fight him off before we realized it would be best to...work together, thanks to the Queen of Hell though." Apollo added.
"Those demons..." The god in the middle sighed and rubbed his forehead with one hand in frustration.
Apollo was getting a bit more nervous as the conversation went on, hoping things don't escalate. The father of both Apollo and Artemis looked around the room at the other gods and goddesses.
"What do all of you have to say about this?" He asked.
"It seems that demonkind must have had something to gain from preventing mankind's destruction, Brother Zeus." The god with long blue hair and a beard wielding a trident and wearing a blue toga and scale cloak with a gold crown and armour pieces said before grinning. "Though I hear the Queen of Hell is quite the ravishing dame."
"Uncle Poseidon..." Artemis said in a frustrated tone.
"I'd think so as well, I can't disagree on that one Brother Poseidon." Zeus said with a grin as well before he looked down at his wife, clearing his throat. "Regardless, I'd think they have some sort of plan with this. I'm pretty sure they'd love to cause chaos and destruction on Earth."
"But then they wouldn't help out at all." Apollo stated. "The Queen of Hell even said that she'd rather not let the world plunge into chaos."
"Silence!" Zeus commanded his son, leaning up out of his throne a bit before sitting back down.
"How did you vanquish the evils back inside the box?" A large god with red long hair and a goatee wearing blacksmith gear asked.
"We had to get the hope out of the angel, using the help of Uncle Hades and Aunt Persephone." Apollo replied. "Getting close to the surface of the Earth through Elysium and then taking the angel's soul and quickly putting it back in. So that the hope inside of her was able to spread across the Earth. Then we had to extract the evils out of the human that was near the box."
"If I may speak Father, this was able to prevent the loss of lives a lot more quickly than if they just fought all of them head-on. Albeit the evils still caused mass destruction on the planet." A goddess with long brown hair adorned in golden armor with an owl on her shoulder said, "Not only that, but this incident has caught the attention of all of the other pantheons."
"So then can we expect war from the other gods?" Zeus' wife asked, being a beautiful woman with long brown hair, a red revealing dress with blue and green peacock patterns and motif holding a sceptre.
"I don't think so, Lady Hera." Athena replied. "Although they would probably come on our doorstep, asking us questions about how and why the evils from the box were released. I'm sure most would be really upset to say the least."
"We'll be ready to fight any of them regardless." Zeus commented with pride as he crossed his arms. "Anything else I need to know Apollo?"
"Right uh...along with Achilles, we recieved help from other individuals like him." Apollo said.
"What do you mean by that?" Hermes asked.
"Like other heroes and legends." Apollo replied. "They fought off the evils as me and the others travelled around the world. Those like Sir Lancelot and Camilla."
"Other heroes and legends?" A goddess with long flowing pink hair that covered her breasts and crotch, only having jewellery on asked in a sultry tone. "Were they as handsome and alluring as they sound? Thinking about it makes me want to play with myself..."
Apollo blushed from he heard from this goddess and scratched the back of his head, he was about to respond to her but decided to stay on topic.
"Anyways yes, we did received help from them but nothing more than that." Apollo said.
"So Earth's champions will protect their world?" The armoured god asked.
"I'd say so, Brother Ares." Apollo replied. "From what I last heard, Achilles was called upon. I assume it's by the warriors that we fought with."
"I see..." Zeus said as he rubbed his chin.
"What shall be done with Pandora's box, Father?" The blacksmith looking god asked.
"Clearly having Pandora watch over it isn't enough." Zeus replied. "We need to not only have her watch over it, but make it so that no one can somehow steal or open it."
"Like a magical display case or something?" Apollo asked. "Though we could just have someone watch it with her every now and then, if that's possible."
"But who would be willing to watch over Pandora and the box?" Poseidon asked.
"I'm not quite so sure about that, Brother Poseidon." Zeus answered. "Though I suppose Apollo could be one that can do so, for now."
"...I mean, I guess it's fair since I suggested this." Apollo sighed. "But we are still considering my other idea right?"
"You suggest that we place it somewhere here in Olympus?" Hera asked her step-son.
"Yes, Lady Hera." Apollo replied. "It'd be better up here, that way we can be notified that it was missing a lot faster. As well those trying to steal it have to face one of us."
"Pandora was given the box for a reason, Apollo." Ares said. "To bare mankind's evils."
"What point does having her carry around that box mean in this era, Ares?" Artemis retorted. "We created that poor girl to spite mankind, and because of that we almost lost the Earth not to mention no doubt provoke the other gods into feeling threatened."
"She does have a point there." Hermes said. "It'd be best to make the box more secure by having it up here."
"Father, please, we can't afford to risk a war between the other pantheons." Artemis pleaded to Zeus.
"I..." Zeus groaned as he was trying to think about what decision he was going to make.
"It would be best for everybody, Father." Athena said, with Apollo giving a nod in agreement.
"Very well then. We shall make it so that Pandora's Box stays here in Olympus along with Pandora herself." Zeus said as he leaned back up in his throne.
"Thank you, Father." Artemis said with a bow.
"Don't mention it." Zeus said with a nod then looked to Apollo. "As soon as we bring Pandora up here, you be sure to keep that box under good watch, Apollo."
"Yes, Father." Apollo said with a bow.
"And what of Hades and Persephone?" Hera asked Zeus.
"Hmm, I suppose they did help with this as well." Zeus said as he stroked his chin. "I will see if those two can come up here. I would like to reward them."
"Invited Brother Hades up here to Olympus?" Poseidon asked shocked.
"Yes...since he and Persephone helped in re-sealing the box." Zeus sighed. "Hermes, tell them that I am inviting the both of them to come up here as soon as they can."
"Understood, Your Majesty." Hermes said with a bow before flying off.
Artemis looked at Apollo, wondering and suspecting that Zeus' "reward" might not be what it actually is.
Apollo looked back and just gave her a shrug, though he was rather curious as to how Zeus could possibly reward them. If that's what he's really doing.
Meanwhile...
Inside of the God of the Underworld's palace within his chambers, Hades was playing an online match with players around the world, switching out his formal attire for a hoodie. Persephone was sitting right next to him, smiling as she watched him play. On the outside of their house, Hermes flew down and landed in front of the guards.
"Greetings gentlemen." Hermes said, giving them a bow. "I have a message for Lady Persephone and Hades. It's from Zeus."
The guards then stepped aside and opened the door for him.
"Thank you." Hermes said as he then walked inside, looking around the palace. "Hades? Lady Persephone?"
"I think we have another guest." Persephone said as she was still watching Hades play his online match.
Hades groaned in annoyance.
"Fine. I'll be out soon."
"I'll change back as well." Persephone said as she walked off. "You were doing well in that match though."
Hermes then stood across the stairs, waiting for the god and goddess of the Underworld. Hades then sighed as he started to get dressed. He then soon after entered the courtroom where Hermes was waiting. Persephone then followed right next to Hades as she was ready as well. Hermes then noticed them and gave them a bow.
"Hello Hades and Lady Persephone." Hermes said. "Hades, your brother Zeus invites you and Lady Persephone to Olympus."
Hades then had a dark frown on his face.
"What does my arrogant brother want now?"
"He would like to reward the both of you after helping Apollo and the others in re-sealing Pandora's Box." Hermes replied.
"Oh? Well that's very considerate of him." Persephone said then held Hades' hand. "But he really didn't need to."
"Don't worry, he insists." Hermes said.
"Fine, but he better not be wasting our time." Hades said begrudgingly.
"Thank you for your time, you two." Hermes said with another bow before going outside of the house then flew back towards the surface.
"You really think that he's got something for us? Persephone asked Hades.
"I doubt it." Hades replied. "But he'll probably come down here if we don't come there."
"I suppose so." Persephone said, giving him a nod. "Let's get going."
Hades then headed to the docks with Persephone, waiting for Charon to arrive.
"It was good to see Cerberus again." Persephone said as they both were waiting. "Quite some time has passed since we last saw them."
"She's grown quite strong." Hades said with a smile.
"Indeed she has." Persephone said. "And I'd say that the Queen of Hell has been doing a good job being keeping them under her care."
"That she has." Hades said as Charon arrived at the docks.
"Greetings, my Lord and Lady."
"Hello again Charon." Persephone said before getting on the boat with Hades. "Would you please take us closer towards the surface? Olympus requires our presence."
"As you wish." Charon said as he began rowing his boat with Hades and Persephone onboard.
"Speaking of the Queen of Hell, I was never expecting her to to be a part of a mortal's harem at all." Persephone said continuing the conversation from earlier. "Let alone Cerberus."
"What?" Hades said with his eyes widened.
"O-oh right, we were waiting for you as we talked about this..." Persephone chuckled. "But yes, these girls including Cebereus are a part of a human's harem. That's the reason why he went down to Hell in the first place, then made it back out."
"What fool would venture into Hell just to lay with demons?" Hades said shaking his head in disbelief.
"Apparently, it's the man those girls call the Helltaker." Persephone said. "I find it a bit foolish as well, but things seems to be alright with then."
Hades sighed and looked down nervously.
"What is it dear?" Persephone asked.
"It's been a while since they let us back up in Olympus, I haven't seen Mother in ages." Hades replied before taking another nervous sigh. "And then there's Demeter..."
"Right." Persephone said rubbing her arm. "I know that they aren't fond of us being together, or just...us in general I guess, but I think that our visit there will be fine."
"I hope you're right." Hades said before checking his wife out. "But I'll make sure that whatever happens, you'll get a tasty reward tonight."
After that remark, Persephone blushed while giving a smirk.
"I'll look forward to it." She said then gave him a kiss on the lips.
Hades smiled as they arrived at the entrance to the world of the living.
"We have arrived, safe travels my Masters." Charon said.
"Thank you, Charon." Persephone said with a slight bow and got off of the boat with Hades.
"Don't Greek tales think you can only leave Tartarus during certain times in the year?" Hades asked.
"Well yeah, I come back to the surface during spring and summer." Persephone replied. "Then I can spend time with you during the fall and winter."
"But the story say I forced you or tricked you into eating pomegranate seeds from the underworld that prevent you from leaving until spring and summer." Hade said.
"It did say that actually..." Persephone said as she remembering what she read. "Though apparently the writers originally said that I only spent time with you during winter rather than fall."
"Idiots." Hades said as they then headed to the mountain off in the distance, getting close to Olympus.
Hades sighed as they could now see Olympus in full view. Persephone was a bit nervous herself but then held Hades' hand to comfort each other. Then looked at him with a smile.
"I love you, my beautiful Kore." Hades said taking Persephone's hand.
"I love you too, my dear Eubulus." Persephone said as they headed towards Olympus.
They entered the clouds and headed for the palace. Meanwhile at the palace, Zeus and the other gods were waiting for Hades and Persephone to show up. Hermes had already told them of their imminent arrival when he came back. Zeus was trying his best to keep a straight face long before his brother and Persephone showed up, though this didn't go unnoticed by some of the gods including Apollo who is now sitting amongst the other gods.
"Hoo boy..." Apollo thought. "I have a bad feeling of how this will turn out."
Hades was near the entrance of the palace and tried to psyche himself before entering. He then took one more sigh before he and Persephone finally entered and went into the courtroom where their family was.
"Ah, glad to see you made it Brother Hades!" Zeus said with a smile as Hades and Persephone walked in. "It's also good to see you too Persephone!"
"Well it's good to see you again, Your Majesty." Persephone said back to him, having to put up a smile of her own.
"Zeus." Hades said begrudgingly, trying his best not to be too antagonistic.
"So I have heard that you and Persephone helped re-seal Pandora's box after it was opened." Zeus stated. "I'd say you two did a good job."
"Thank you, Zeus." Persephone said with a slight bow.
"The death toll would have been in the billions had the evils not been re-sealed, numbers that would cause an imbalance to the Afterlife." Hades stated.
"Oh for sure. No doubt in the slightest." Zeus said. "Though I'm sure Hermes told you that I did not invite you back up here just for a pat on the back, but to also reward you for what you have done."
"Get to the point, I don't have the leisure to keep on lounging about everyday." Hades said.
"Alright then, I shall give you reward now. I'm sure this is the reason why you don't have the time be up here do you Hades? This 'pass time' of yours?" Zeus said with a smirk, he then took out a copy of a console game along with a headset. "No need to worry on how I found out by the way. We would all figure something out eventually."
Persephone's smile then faded as she was angry at Zeus for what he was doing. Though even in the heat of the moment, she was also concerned for how Hades would react. Apollo, Hermes, and Athena were also not exactly keen on what Zeus was doing either. Hades' heart sank as Zeus gave him this "reward" as he put it. His hobby of playing video games, something that gave him comfort when living in Tartarus, had been exposed to the Olympians. All he did was glare at his younger brother for this mockery to his name and reputation. Some of the Olympians looked in disgust was other were on the brink of laughter, but Artemis and even Hera were shocked and angered by Zeus' actions.
"Come on now, Brother." Zeus said with his smirk getting wider as he went closer to Hades. "Go ahead and take them. I really put the thought into choosing on what you'd like."
Hades clenched his fist as he turned away from Zeus, walking out of the palace as the Olympians in Zeus' favour laughed at the God of the Underworld's embarrassment.
"Hahaha! That was too good!" Zeus chuckled before crying from laughter, but was too busy to notice Persephone giving him a glare before leaving to follow her lover.
"I was expecting for Zeus to be like that, but I am still disappointed in him." Athena mumbled, Apollo nodded in agreement as he was sitting next to her.
Artemis looked to her feet sadly while Hera was visibly angry. Hades was at the edge of Olympus, looking down at the Earth from above with a depressed look on his face.
"Hades..." Persephone said as she caught up with him, she then put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm...I didn't think he'd do that to you. Out of all things that was just despicable..."
"I just want to go home." Hades said.
"Then let's go." Persephone said to him as she knelt down. "Let's just go back and not come back up. At least up in this place."
Hades then stood up and started walking away from Olympus. Persephone then went to Hades' side as they were walking. Apollo saw them leave as he exited the palace and while he wanted to call out to them, he decided to just go back to the others. Hades and Persephone arrived back at Tartarus, heading straight to the palace. Throughout the whole walk, it was pretty silent for this couple with neither of them talking to each other, even as they went inside the palace. Persephone still felt angry about what had happened up in Olympus, but was more sad and concerned for Hades. She was trying to think of a way to cheer him up, or at least to get his mind off of Zeus humiliating him. Then something came up in her mind as the two were walking upstairs. Hades had also remained silent, unable to bring himself to speak to his wife about his feelings concerning this matter. Zeus had somehow found out about his gaming hobby and outed him as one in front of all of Olympus. He felt that the little respect he had was now gone.
The two entered the room they shared together but Persephone stood by the door after she closed it behind them. She blushed at the idea she had in mind. Hades sat down on his bed. Persephone then slowly walked in front of him with her blush being more visible. She first sat on his lap before taking her dress off, which revealed her chest and a bit of her waist.
"We...don't have to do this if you want..." She said as she moved her face closer to Hades. "We could just lay down together."
Hades also blushed upon seeing Persephone's naked gorgeous body, before looking her in the eyes and began to make out with her. Persephone then deepened the kiss as she wrapped her arms around him. Hades was angry at Zeus, but right now all he wanted was Persephone's touch and body. He deepened his kiss as he started to grope Persephone's butt. Persephone moaned as she felt his touch. After a while, she broke off the kiss, giving him a grin as she unwrapped her arms around before pushing Hades down onto the bed.
"Are you ready?" She asked seductively.
"I am, Kore." Hades replied.
Persephone giggled as she undressed Hades, which showed his well-toned body but seeing his erect penis made her face go entirely red. She then began making love to him, moaning as she went up and down on Hades' manhood. Hades thrusted his manhood into Persephone, letting out moans of pleasure after each thrust.
"I...a-ah! I love you Hades!" Persephone yelped as she placed her hands on his chest.
"I love you too!" Hades moaned as he thrusted his manhood deeper into Persephone.
Persephone's moans got louder the more passionate they had during sex. She leaned down and started to make out with Hades. Hades wrestled tongues with Persephone as they made love to each other, showing their commitment to one another. She rubbed her hands on Hades' body as they kept going. Hades began thrusting harder, feeling up and down Persephone's body. Persephone moaned more loudly as she felt his manhood go further inside her.
"Shoot your load!" She yelled.
Hades then unleashed hot load inside of Persephone, panting heavily afterwards as he laid down on his bed. Persephone smiled as she was trying to catch her breath, lifting herself up off of Hades' dick and placed herself to lie down next to him.
"That felt nice." Persephone said with a smile.
"It was." Hades said smiling back.
"How about we play a co-op game later?" Persephone asked. "For now I just want to sleep here with you."
"Alright, love." Hades said wrapping his arms around Persephone.
Persephone also embraced Hades and after a couple of minutes, Persephone drifted off to sleep. Hades in turn drifted off to sleep too, holding his beloved Persephone in his arms.
Meanwhile...
"Not bad!" Tud Bulul said as he counter-attacked with a series of slashes his opponent after barely managing to block their attack.
After having his blade countered, the former lord Masamune weaved around Tud Bulul and began unleashing a barrage of swift and powerful blows with his katana. Tud Bulul tried to bring up his shield again but was knocked out of the way during Masamune's attacks and even got a couple of cuts on his arm and chest after he tried to block the attacks with his sword. Masamune was still on the defensive in case Tud Bulul tried to attack again, watching his moves carefully. In a last ditch effort, Tud Bulul brought up his sword but used his magic to make it extend about an extra feet before attacking Masamune again, this time trying to maintain the distance between them. Masamune however whacked the blade, causing Tud Bulul to go off balance and then rushed at the T'Boli warrior, knocking him to the floor with a elbow strike.
"Dammit!" Tud Bulul exclaimed as he fell to the ground.
"Impressive from both of them..." Mulan thought as she watched the two fight. "Though Masamune seems to be the more skillful despite Tud Bulul's other feats."
"You show great skill as a warrior." Masamune said to Tud Bulul offering his hand up. "But I've been fighting since I was a boy, you'll have to do better than that."
"I suppose so, well fought." Tud Bulul said as he gave him a nod and grabbed Masamune's hand, standing back up.
"Nice trick with that sword by the way." Masamune said smiling.
"Thank you Masamune." Tud Bulul said, giving back a smile. "I'll just say that's not even the full length K'filan can extend to."
"I see." Masamune said. "My blade was forged by my own hand, though I do possess magic like yours to change its shape or length."
"That's interseting." Tud Bulul said. "Guess we'll have to work with each other more so that I can actually see it."
"I'd say that was an excellent match you two." Camilla complemented, with Tud Bulul giving her a nod while still smiling.
"You're too kind, my lady." Masamune said with a bow.
Camilla only chuckled at what Masamune said, while Tud Bulul picked his weapons back up and stood to where the other members of the Chimeran Guard were.
"I have studied many myths and legends that scholars across the sea showed me during their stay in Japan, though I don't believe the T'Boli is one I am familiar with." Masamune said.
"That's quite alright, Masamune." Tud Bulul said. "We're not exactly not as well known to the rest of the world."
"Indeed, but Greco-Roman myth I am very fluent with." Masamune said looking at Camilla.
"I have read a bit on Japanese myths as well, but not as of recently.", Camilla said looking back at Masamune.
Achilles also gave a quick look on Masamune as he heard him speak, then went back to thinking about who he was going to spar with and how he could fight them to which Masamune sat down and drank from a gourd on his belt.
"That was a good match, you two.", Lancelot said then looked at Tud Bulul, "A word of advice though, be mindful of your footing along with not being disarmed, especially for your shield."
"I got it, Sir Lancelot." Tud Bulul remarked.
"I hear you're quite the fighter too, Sir Lancelot." Masamune said standing up.
Before anyone could retort, Cu Chulainn got up from the ground and stretched his back and arms before grabbing his spear and sword.
"Alright, who wants to take me on?!"
"I shall be your next opponent." Achilles said standing up, taking out his sword and shield.
Cu Chulainn grinned as he got ready to fight, starting off with Scathach's legendary spear Gae Bulg which he began attacking with using a barrage of stabs. Achilles then brought his shield in front of him to block Cu Chuainn's attacks, as he then used his sword to counterattack. Cu Chulainn however was surprisingly fast and agile as he dodged each of Achilles' attacks before swinging Gae Bulg at him with great force. Though he was still on his feet, Cu Chuainn's powerful strikes caused Achilles to be knocked back a couple of feet. The others were observing the fight as well as they could, but some like Lancelot were paying closer attention.
"Such powerful swings!" Achilles thought as he blocked another blow. "Though they are rather telegraphed, I will have to react at just the right time."
Cu Chulainn rushed at Achilles, striking him in the sides with Gae Bulg before uppercutted him into the air.
"Oh damn!" Tud Bulul thought as he saw Cu Chulainn uppercut Achilles, with some of the others also being impressed.
Achilles was rather caught off-guard by that attack feeling some blood in his mouth, but quickly recovered by landing on the ground. He then started to pick up the pace of his own attacks on Cu Chulainn. Cu Chulainn dodged each of his attacks before kneeing Achilles in the stomach, disarming him and knocking him to the ground. Cu Chulainn took a few deep breaths before setting Gae Bulg down. Achilles was coughing after that blow from Cu Chulainn, feeling rather upset even though it was training. But nonetheless he got back up on one knee also trying to steady his own breathing and gave a nod at Cu Chulainn.
"Well done." Achilles said.
"You're still alive, so call me impressed." Cu Chulainn said as he took Gae Bulg out of the ground. "Supernatural enhancements I presume?"
"You can say that." Achilles answered with a slight smile. "To make me invulnerable, my mother dunked me into the River Styx."
"And that makes you invulnerable?" Cu Chulainn asked.
"Well, yes." Achilles replied with a nod.
"I was born with strength that I did not understand, so much do that I crushed the skull of a man who just wanted to wake me up." Cu Chulainn said.
"Hope something like that doesn't happen again." Tud Bulul chuckled.
"Certainly." Achilles said to his remark.
"Anyway I better ease up before my spasms happen." Cu Chulainn said.
"Understood." Achilles said as he picked his sword and shield back up before sitting back down to where was earlier.
In the distance, Arthur was sharpening Excalibur while also speaking with Gilgamesh.
"Do you believe the warriors we have gathered are worthy of protecting the Earth?" The King of England asked.
"Their tales and legends think so, given their exploits and achievements." Gilgamesh replied. "Some of them even achieved immortality contrary to the tales mortals had weaved."
"So like me, they've lived for centuries." Arthur said.
"Maybe even longer, but I don't believe you are immortal correct?" Gilgamesh asked Arthur.
"I was almost on the brink of death in the Battle of Camlann, most of my blood had left my body and I was seeing the way to Heaven every second I continued to die. But then Merlin and Morgan saved me, brought me to the Island of Avalon where they nursed me back to health." Arthur explained. "Avalon is a magical island, where time flows differently. As long as you stay on the island, then you will not age, and so there I stayed with Lancelot, honing our skills and learning many secrets, including the many gods that occupy our world."
"Interesting." Gilgamesh said before looking over to the others.
Another sparring match had started back where the rest of the Chimeran Guard members were, with the two fighters being Mulan and Rama. During the first few seconds, Mulan rushed at Rama with her spear trying to get a quick stab in. Rama blocked the spear with his kukri blade before firing arrows at Mulan at rapid succession like a machine gun. She quickly spun her spear in front of her to block the incoming arrows, to which some of them were deflected. One was even close to hitting Lancelot but he didn't flinch as it flew past him. Mulan then decided to go more offensive and dodge the incoming arrows as she ran towards Rama, then drew her sword to cut the arrows she couldn't dodge. Rama rushed at Mulan, clashing their blades together as they began to swordfight with swift powerful strikes. As she kept up with Rama's attacks with her sword, Mulan parried one of his attacks then quickly used that opening to swing her spear to try and sweep Rama off of his feet. Rama was knocked to the ground but quickly recovered before raining down a barrage of arrows down on Mulan before blocking a few strikes from her spear. Mulan evaded and blocked the arrows with her sword as she charged at Rama again. This time she threw her spear at him, but aimed it enough just so that she could get an opportunity to strike at Rama. Rama swiftly dodged the spear, but didn't realize Mulan was rushing towards him. Mulan then saw her opening then ran to the side of Rama and slashed at him a couple of times to which Rama quickly blocked each of the slashes however but the force of Mulan's attacks did knock him back.
"I am impressed, General Mulan."
"Thank you, Rama" Mulan said as she went back to a guard position. "You yourself have such amazing skill."
"I take it you have been to Five Elements Mountain?" Rama asked.
"Indeed I have. I got lost during battle, but I found my way to the Five Elements Mountain. To which I had done a favour for the Jade Emperor before I could drink the elixir." Mulan replied. "Though I suppose we should continue the fight. Maybe end it to whoever draws first blood?"
"Very well." Rama replied as he took another stance.
Mulan gave a small smirk before rushing at Rama with her sword, trying to get a good enough slice to end the match in her favour. Rama however blocked before throwing his kukri blade into the air and landed a barrage of punches on Mulan. She did the best she could to block or at least evade Rama's punches, but Mulan was still hit by quite a few of them. Even through her armor, she felt each of the impacts for each punch that landed on her. Mulan still put in the effort to at least one strike on him. Rama then caught his kukri blade in one hand before realizing a cut had been landed on his right bicep.
"I suppose that's the end of the fight then." Lancelot said as he also saw the wound. "Well done you two."
"Thank you, Sir Lancelot." Mulan said giving him a bow as she sheathed her sword, then turned back to Rama rubbing her waist as there was still pain from the punches. "You did great."
"As did you." Rama said.
Mulan then went to pick up her spear out of the ground before going to sit back down. Suffice to say that each member of the Chimeran Guard were impressed with one another after seeing almost everyone fight. As well as sharing what had happened to them to live throughout the centuries. Gilgamesh and Arthur walked over to the others.
"You are all impressive warriors." Gilgamesh said. "It's no wonder mankind sees you as heroes and legends."
"Thank you, Gilgamesh." Camilla and some of the others said, others had just given a nod of acknowledgement.
"Achilles, do you know if Pandora's box has been secured?" Gilgamesh asked Achilles.
"Yes, I have heard that Apollo and Artemis had returned to Olympus with Pandora's Box." Achilles replied.
"Let's hope they chose to keep the box there instead of having some girl drag the box around with her." Masamune said.
"I'm sure that Apollo and some others managed to convince Zeus and the other gods something better than that." Achilles stated.
"Let us hope so." Gilgamesh said.
Indeed." Achilles said.
"So what else are we planning each other for today?" Tud Bulul asked. "More sparring sessions?"
"There is something that I and Gilgamesh wish to go over with all of you." Arthur replied.
"What is it, Your Majesty?" Lancelot asked.
"As you know, when the evils of Pandora's box were released, it was felt by everyone, every pantheon." Gilgamesh said. "The peace that Earth had for so many centuries, centuries of making humans believe that the gods were a fiction, has been broken. We're known, mankind knows that there exists higher beings than them."
"This event has also no doubt opened up the possibility of ancient foes and adversaries seeing this as an opportunity to strike again, to threaten Earth and its people." Arthur said. "We need to know what we're up against, know the possible dangers we could face."
"Understood." Lancelot said, with some of the other Chimeran Guards giving another nod.
"We definitely need to be more prepared than ever." Achilles said. "So how are going to plan and fight those that show up? All of us at once or be deployed in groups?"
"First we must study the possible enemies that we could face, learn about their abilities and weaknesses." Gilgamesh explained. "Many of us have fought these terrors before, some have not, but I encourage you all to share your knowledge of the monsters, demons, evil gods and beasts that plague our reality."
"I suppose I'll start." Achilles said. "Us in Greece have the Lernean Hydra. She's a serpentine water monster to which if you cut off her head, two more will take its place. She also has very poisonous breath."
"Damn." Tud Bulul commented. "Sounds pretty dangerous."
"For sure, though Hercules was the one to slay her, I have a feeling that the Hydra might come back from what was said from King Arthur." Achilles stated.
"Isn't it Heracles?" Masamune asked. "Hercules is what the Romans called him, but I swear that it's Heracles."
"Well you're right, technically Hercules is what we call him in Rome." Camilla answered. "But I'm sure he's okay with both."
"I'd think so as well." Achilles stated.
"Ah, okay." Masamune said. "So what else?"
"I'll try to be brief on each one since each of you have your own evil that we could run into now." Achilles said. "The Gorgon are females that have snake for hair and can turn whoever gazes upon them into stone, though Medusa was slain by Perseus while the other two are said to be immortal."
Tud Bulul whistled in response after what he heard.
"I thought the Hydra would be hard if it came back."
"Agreed." Masamune said.
"Then there are the Cyclopes, essentially one-eyed giants." Achilles said. "Usually they are malevolent but there are some that are of service to some of the gods."
"Giants huh?" Cu Chulainn said.
"That's right. Cyclopes live in caves and don't really know how to do anything to advance themselves like agriculture." Achilles explained. "Yet, they think that they are better than the gods."
"Though they sound the easiest, we still can't let our guard down." Mulan said.
"Indeed." Gilgamesh said.
"Like the Cyclopes, the Centaurs are usually malicious, with them even fighting amongst each other." Achilles said. "They are half-horse half-human that wield a variety of weapons. Theseus was one to assist in driving them off after the Centaurs were trying to kidnap the women of Laptiphs."
"Absolutely vile..." Joan of Arc mumbled.
"If I recall, wasn't Chiron a good centaur?" Arthur asked Achilles.
"Yes he was. As I said earlier, there are exceptions to malicious creatures like with the Cyclopes.", Achilles replied, "Chiron was one of the wisest, intelligent, cultured, and kindest centaur of all. He was the one to even train me and a couple of others such as Perseus."
"That's certainly interesting." Tud Bulul commented.
"I heard he was a child of Kronos like Zeus, Poseidon and Hades." Masamune said intrigued.
"That's what he told me as well." Achilles responded.
"So would he assist us?" Gilgamesh asked.
"He possibly would if I were to explain things when I head back." Achilles replied. "Anyways, there are the Chimera which I already explained a bit when coming up with the name for our group; a creature that is a lion with a head of a goat on its back, tail of a snake including its head, and can breathe fire. Though I didn't mention that she was malicious due to being the child of Typhon and Echidna."
"Eh, I still like the name we have." Tud Bulul said with a shrug.
"Indeed, it's a good name regardless of its origins." Rama said with a nod.
"Typhon and Echidna sound like bad news." Gilgamesh remarked.
"Echidna? Is that the Australian animal that lays eggs?" Cu Chulainn asked confused.
"The Echidna from our country is that she is a half-woman half-snake, the mate of Typhon." Achilles replied. "Those two have created the monsters I already mentioned, though most were killed."
"They sound like a dangerous pair." Masamune said.
"Like Tiamat." Gilgamesh said.
"They are really dangerous." Achilles said. "Last creature that I should bring up, but one that was not created by Typhon and Echidna,is the Minotaur. He was a man with the head and tail of a bull, he was slain by Theseus."
"So he's not a threat anymore." Arthur said.
"Definitely not." Achilles said "Though I suppose that's it from me for now."
"Who else has evil creatures and other threats we should be aware of?" Lancelot asked.
"Mulan, what of your country's dangers?" Gilgamesh asked.
"To start off, there are the Four Perils or Fiends. They are the malevolent counterparts to the Four Benevolent Animals.", Mulan replied, "The Hundun is a yellow, six-legged and winged creature with no face, that represents chaos. The Qiongqi is a monster that eats people, for their appearance think of them like the Kamaitachi, a yokai that rides dust devils and uses their sickle-like nails to scratch people but don't actually cause them to bleed.
"Aren't yokai a Japanese spirit or something?" Lancelot asked.
"That is correct, but Japan and China share many creatures and monsters to which we give different names, not to mention we get our language and calligraphy from China." Masamune explained.
"I see now." Lancelot said with a nod then looked back to Mulan, "Go ahead and continue."
"Right. So that third one is the Táowù, it represents ignorance, confusion, and apathy, makes humans not willing to become curious and drives them off the path to enlightenment." Mulan continued on with explaining. "The creature itself is said to be extremely reckless and stubborn, though its appearance is unknown. Last one is the Taotie, a beast that represents gluttony."
"So it eats a shit ton." Cu Chulainn said.
"Pretty much." Mulan said with a nod. "There's also something we have similar to the Hydra and that's the Xianglu, a giant snake with nine human heads sharing one neck. It has been said to have caused flooding and destruction in China. Though it was killed by Yu the Great, it might come back somehow."
"Sounds about right." Arthur said. "It appears we aren't the only ones with dragons."
"Then there are the Yaogui, malevolent spirits that take up the form of various animals." Mulan continued. "Some are also fallen celestial deities who's powers a gained due to Taoism."
"I think I've heard of these in...what was called?" Achilles said. "Journey to the West, right?"
"That is correct, those were demons that were trying to kidnap and consume the holy man, Xuanzang." Mulan replied.
"You mean the tales involving the Monkey King, correct?" Rama asked.
"The Monkey King?! What a foolish title!" Arthur said with a laugh.
"I don't know him personally, but I'm sure he would show you otherwise if he was here, King Arthur." Mulan said with a smile. "Moving on, there are flesh-eating demons called the Rakshasas, masters of shapeshifting and illusions. Though they do have more benevolent counterparts that don't consume humans and are more connected with nature known as the Yakshas."
"So like a vampire?" Cu Chulainn asked.
"I thought flesh-eating is more of a zombie thing." Tud Bulul said.
"Well, you kind think of them as either or." Mulan stated. "There are also Gu Insects which have deadly poison which effects you almost immediately. Though they are not to be confused with the Five Venoms that is mentioned in Traditional Chinese medicine and are used in amulets and charms to ward off pests, evil spirits, and other sources of poison."
"Interesting." Arthur said stroking his chin.
"I believe that is all I have to say on my part." Mulan said.
"I'd say we should look out for those with poison despite their size." Lancelot said then turned to Masamune. "Any creatures we should worry about from Japanese myths?"
Masamune began to think.
"There are many yokai that exist in Japan, some friendly, some mischievous and some violent."
"Oh?" Joan of Arc said curiously. "So what are the more malevolent ones?"
"Onryos, Kappas, Yuki-Onna, Hachishakusama." Masamune replied.
"What are these creatures like in appearance?" Lancelot asked. "And what are they capable doing?"
"Onryos are vengeful spirits who have come back after death to enact violence and bloodshed upon the living, Yuki-Onna is a cold pale woman that dwells in the snow, capable of freezing men alive." Masamune explained. "Kappas are frog like creatures that dwell in ponds and drag victims under to rip out their souls while Hachishakusama is a tall woman that abducts children."
"Well, those are quite the creatures aren't they?" Camilla asked.
"You said it." Cu Chulainn said.
As the other members of the Chimeran Guard were talking about malicious creatures to look out for, Achilles couldn't help but think about Lucifer and the other demons he accompanied.
"I wonder how they are doing now..." He thought.
Meanwhile...
The Helltaker and the girls had finished fixing his house, and were outside messing around and eating pancakes as per usual.
"Phew, Apollo and Susano'o really caused quite the mess earlier." Justice said. "I'd say just as much as we do."
"I don't think there's anything wrong with that." Zdrada chuckled after exhaling a cloud of smoke.
Lucifer sighed as she took a bite out of her pancake.
"I'm just glad to see the house is fixed."
"No doubt." Pandemonica said as she took a sip of her coffee, her eyes then became slit and her horns grew out more and looked at the Helltaker with a devious smirk. "You got it just right this time. Your fingers are safe for now."
The Helltaker gulped nervously.
"Glad to hear it..."
"You better remember what time to bring my next one." Pandemonica giggled. "Aside from that though, I'm sure that the box is in much better care like Apollo and Artemis said it would be."
"Yes, hopefully the Olympians have enough reason to do so." Lucifer said. "Does anyone know where Susano'o went?"
"I don't think so." Justice answered. "All I know is that he left."
"As long as he's not plotting something against us." Judgement said as she sat down a bunch of planks outside.
The Helltaker then noticed as black markings appeared on one of his arms, surprising him as he started examining them.
"What the hell..."
"What is that?" Pandemonica asked as she walked up to him and saw the black markings as well.
"Some sort of markings or patterns." The Helltaker replied.
Lucifer then saw them too and her eyes widened as she rushed over and examined them.
"By the realms! Those are malefic runes!"
"What does that mean?" Modeus asked a bit worried.
"Runes, sigils, conduits for evil and malicious energy!" Lucifer explained. "This must be a side-effect from being possessed by the evils of Pandora's box!"
Cerberus looked at the markings whimpering and looking afraid of them.
"Then I'll burn the impure markings right off his skin!" Judgement yelled summoning her chains.
"No, you buffoon! You'll kill him if you do that!" Lucifer yelled back.
"Shit...then what do we do?!" Justice exclaimed.
"Am I in danger?" The Helltaker asked.
Cerberus barked a few times at the markings.
"Cerberus! Calm down!" Malina said as she took a sip of vodka.
"I sense traces of malefic energy but none currently in your body." Lucifer replied. "Without a way to determine how the runes work, we won't know if you're in danger."
"So then let's test it out." Malina said with a groan. "Find some evil shit and see what happens."
"Is there anyway you can get rid of them Azazel?" Pandemonica asked. "Or will it kill him too?"
Azazel then examined the runes herself, to which she cringed slightly upon touching them.
"This is something beyond my level of power. I can purify or exorcise impure and malicious energy, but not runes or sigils meant to contain or channel them."
"I see..." Pandemonica said. "So what should we test these runes with?"
"Some source of evil or malicious energy." Lucifer replied. "Perhaps there are traces of evil left from what happened in the city."
"I say that we should do this." Justice said.
"Agreed." Pandemonica stated.
"Let's head into the city." Lucifer said as she created a portal there.
The Helltaker examined the runes one last time before following Lucifer, followed by Malina, Cerberus and Judgement. Justice, Modeus, Pandemonica, and Zdrada also followed them through the portal and they entered the city, looking around for any traces of evil left behind. The Helltaker's runes started to glow, to which he looked at them.
"Call me crazy but I would have to guess that these runes work like a locator."
"Precisely, it can detect the evil and malice within a given area." Lucifer replied. "It must be able to sense what's left of the evils of Pandora's box."
"This will certainly be helpful." Pandemonica said.
The Helltaker felt himself being drawn to a specific area in which a strong amount of evil and malice was lingering there.
"He's found one of the spots." Malina said.
Justice then got into a defensive stance in case anything was going to attack them to which a black and red orb rose out of the ground, giving off a sinister malicious presence.
"T-that must be the evil right?" Modeus asked while stuttering and moving a bit further away from it.
"It has to be." Pandemonica answered. "But now what? Does he now have to get closer to it?"
The Helltaker looked at the arm that has the runes on it and held it out, causing the evil and malice to be absorbed by him, knocking him off his feet in surprise.
"You okay there, Taker?" Zdrada asked with a slight chuckle. "Better not be going berserk on us again."
"I'm fine." The Helltaker said standing back up, noticing that his arm was now black, clawed and the runes were now glowing red.
"You absorbed it, transforming your arm in the process!" Lucifer said.
"If what I think is going to happen to him, we shouldn't keep doing this..." Modeus said.
"Hold on, girls." The Helltaker said as he examined the newly transformed arm, clenching his fist before looking at some heavy debris.
He got an idea and went over to the layers of debris near them and started using the transformed arm to lift debris off the ground, showing no hesitation or strain on his body before piling up more on the arm, several thousand pounds of weight in one hand.
"I knew you were strong for a human, but that's impossible!" Malina said in disbelief. "You can't just lift 3000 pounds worth of debris with a single arm!"
"Well, color me impressed." Justice said with a wide smile. "Maybe having your arm like that is a good thing."
"But the question is what would be the effects be the longer you have that in you?" Pandemonica asked.
The Helltaker then noticed the claws on his fingertips and then got an idea, placing the debris down than swiping at it, slicing it in two.
"The claws on his fingertips are like razor sharp blades!" Judgement exclaimed.
"That's really fucking cool!" Zdrada said excitedly.
Modeus was more in awe like some of the others now after what she saw from Helltaker's transformed arm.
"What else can you do with it?" Justice asked.
The Helltaker then remembered a certain anime he used to watch and decided to see what would happen. He concentrated which formed a build-up of red and black energy in his arm, to which after he broke his concentration projected outwards into a powerful blast that incinerated the debris.
"Holy shit, it worked!" The Helltaker exclaimed.
"Wow..." Modeus said with a small smile appearing on her face.
"You can shoot energy blasts?!" Malina exclaimed.
"Enhanced strength, claws, energy projection." Lucifer said. "The evil and malice you absorb empowers that arm, allowing you to wield its power."
"Damn, all that he needs now is laser vision." Justice chuckled.
"But there's a cost isn't there?" The Helltaker asked.
"Yes, your humanity will always be at risk if you draw from evil forces." Lucifer replied. "Not to mention being mortal, you don't have the vitality to fight it off naturally. Tapping into power like this and maintaining your humanity normally require masterful control over your mind and spirit."
"So I have to learn how to meditate and harness my soul like a Buddhist monk?" The Helltaker asked.
"Do you know how long it would take you to achieve that level of control?" Lucifer asked.
"I'm sure that would take a couple decades, if not more than that." Pandemonica said. "I think it's best if we got rid of the evil energy in your arm while we still can."
"Aw man! Those abilities are so cool though!" Zdrada said.
The Helltaker then decided to concentrate, to which his arm returned to normal and the runes turned back to black.
"So you can transform it back at will." Lucifer said. "But I still sense the evil and malice within that arm, but it's sealed off, unable to infect your mind or soul. Could the runes be a way of tapping into that power with a safeguard installed for when not in use?"
"I wonder if that's the case as well. Hmm..." Pandemonica said as she as curious about this too.
"I'm sure it would be better if he doesn't absorb anymore of that evil though." Justice said while stroking her chin.
"Best to play it safe probably." Malina said.
"Agreed!" Cerberus barked.
"So what should I do then?" The Helltaker asked.
"Don't use that power alone, or try and fight anyone with it." Lucifer stated.
"But I can help you fight monsters!" The Helltaker said. "I have powers like you do now!"
"And of all the powers in the world, it was drawing upon evil." Azazel said. "Do you really want to risk corrupting your soul just so you can help us in battle?"
"I don't think that would be the wisest choice." Pandemonica said. "Even if it was used as a last resort, we shouldn't risk it."
"I...I understand." The Helltaker said looking down.
"There there, big guy." Justice said patting him on the back. "I'm sure one day you can help us out."
The Helltaker nodded and sighed.
Cerberus pounced on the Helltaker and cuddled him.
Modeus had also joined in on cuddling the Helltaker, wrapping her arms around him.
"Thank you." The Helltaker said with a smile.
Modeus gave a smirk as she stood back up.
"We can have some time to ourselves later if you want." She said with a giggle.
The Helltaker blushed.
"I'd like that."
"You think it's just best to head back home?" Pandemonica asked Lucifer. "Or should we try to find the remains of this malicious energy?"
"The rest will fade away on their own, let's not risk him absorbing more of it." Lucifer replied.
"I was thinking that as well." Pandemonica said.
Lucifer then opened another portal back to the house, followed by Cerberus, Malina and Judgement. Justice, Zdrada, and Pandemonica stepped through. While Modeus went right next to the Helltaker and walked in with him after he stood back up. When they arrived back at the house, Susano'o was standing there in the backyard waiting for them.
"So you showed yourself, storm god." Malina said rolling her eyes.
"I needed to collect a few things." Susano'o said.
"Like what?" Justice asked with a slight chuckle.
"Important items of mine." Susano'o replied. "I'll need them if I'm going to stay here."
"Excuse me?!" The Helltaker asked. "You can't just come to my house, trash it and then decide to live here!"
"Sure I can." Susano'o stated.
"Don't expect us to make you any pancakes!" Lucifer exclaimed while crossing her arms.
"I don't like pancakes." Susano'o stated.
"The Japanese god of storms staying here?" Zdrada asked as she blew a cloud of smoke. "Why the fuck not?"
"But why in the world don't you like pancakes?" Justice asked.
"I'm from Japan, sweets are a rarity there." Susano'o replied. "Most of our food is salty."
"Ah..." Justice said as she stroked her chin.
"Do we even have room for one more person in this house?" Pandemonica asked.
"I can sleep outside." Susano'o suggested.
"I guess I can probably clean out the spare room." The Helltaker replied scratching his head.
"I don't see a problem in letting him live here." Modeus said with a slight grin.
"Same here." Justice said.
"Fine, but no one destroying my house!" The Helltaker yelled.
"You have my word, I will no deal any damage to your home." Susano'o said bowing.
"Alright fine." Zdrada said in a slightly disappointed tone.
"What has transpired since I was here last?" Susano'o asked.
"Not much really. Except for the fact that Helltaker has superpowers now!" Justice said excitedly.
"But it comes with severe risks." Pandemonica added. "It stems from malicious energy that was leftover from Pandora's Box."
"By the Kami." Susano'o said surprised. "As if you were a vessel of Amatsu-Mikaboshi."
"What's that?" Zdrada asked.
"An ancient force of chaos and darkness that has moulded avatars to commit evil and malice across the cosmos." Susano'o explained.
"Sounds like one bad motherfucker." Zdrada said.
"Indeed, a "bad motherfucker"..." Susano'o said awkwardly.
"Anyways, I feel like you'd totally fit in with us." Justice said with a smile. "Despite you being, y'know, a god and all."
"Yes...well..." Susano'o said scratching his head awkwardly. "Thanks..."
"Heh, not a problem at all." Justice pointed finger guns towards Susano'o with her smile widening.
Susano'o blushed a little to which Zdrada and especially Modeus, who had some interesting thoughts about him and Justice together, smirked at that.
"So now what?" Malina asked.
"I dunno, just go back inside and hang I guess." Justice replied with a shrug.
And with that, they went inside and sat in the lounge room though Susano'o looked vigilant and uptight, as if waiting for someone to attack him.
"What's wrong there, Susano'o?' Zdrada asked as she was smoking by the window. "You seem rather on edge."
"I've been travelling for so long." Susano'o replied. "Hard trying to relax when you've been hunting before."
"Sill though, there's nothing to be worried about now that you're with us." Justice stated.
"Perhaps you are correct." Susano'o said as he sat back down.
"Do you have any sort of hobby or some idea on how to get your mind off things?" Justice asked.
"I sharpen my katana, sleep near river banks and drink sake." Susano'o replied with a straight face.
"Don't have anything else like with what other people do nowadays?" Zdrada asked with a chuckle.
"To be fair, those sound kind of nice, relaxing even." Justice said.
"I predate feudal Japan, what did you expect?" Susano'o replied.
"I dunno, just thought you'd do something different after all these centuries have passed." Zdrada said turning back to the window, blowing out some smoke.
"Like what?" Susano'o asked.
"I suppose anything else than what you're doing." Zdrada replied with a shrug. "Like you could play video games like my nerd sister Malinka or read something like Modeus, it's really up to you man."
"Not any of my books though..." Modeus mumbled nervously as she hid her face behind her book with her face turning red.
"Very well." Susano'o said as he had a look at the video games Malina was playing, who was currently playing Halo Wars on the TV.
Malina was gritting her teeth as her army was being overwhelmed. After a couple of minutes, Zdrada was finished with her cigarette and walked back to the room. She stood near where Malina was sitting.
"Having a hard time there Malinka?"
"Shut up!" Malina yelled.
"What is the point of this war?" Susano'o asked.
"The generic humans and aliens story." The Helltaker replied.
"Aliens?" Susano'o asked. "Those beings from the stars?"
"Yup." Justice simply answered.
Malina however was thankfully able to turn the match around and started winning again.
"Impressive, you were able to turn the tide of battle." Susano'o said.
"You should listen to Malinka when things don't turn out her way." Zdrada chuckled with Modeus taking a glance at what was going on before looking back down, continuing to read.
"Doesn't reflect on the battle positively?" Susano'o asked.
"Not at all." Zdrada replied with a smirk.
Malina glared at the two sourly before heading into the next game.
"You're so grumpy Malinka." Zdrada said as she rubbed her knuckles on Malina's head.
"I wonder why." Malina said as she started pouring herself some vodka.
"Anyways Susano'o, what was life for you back then?" Justice asked as she stroked her chin.
"Before I was exiled?" Susano'o asked.
"Yeah, I suppose so." Justice replied.
"Takamagahara was a beautiful place, filled with vast landscapes, fruit, rivers and trees." Susano'o said. "Our father would take us to see the stars, the sun and moon, telling us this would be all ours one day..."
"Sounds nice." Justice said with a smirk, with Pandemonica and Modeus having a slight interest as they heard Susano'o talk.
"Unfortunately good things do not last." Susano'o said.
"What happened?" Pandemonica asked.
"I was not exactly a good deity in my youth." Susano'o replied. "Arrogant, mischievous and violent."
"Are you willing to tell us what exactly happened?" Modeus asked as she looked back up.
"We did hear Apollo say something when you guys first came down here, but you don't have to say anything if you don't want to." Pandemonica said.
"My father had tasked me with a mission to Earth to subjugate more earth-based deities, and I was about to leave for Earth when I decided to challenge my sister Amaterasu to see who could make the better creations." Susano'o explained.
The demonesses were getting more curious of Susano'o's story, with Modeus putting down her book while Justice sat more upright in her seat.
"We gave each other items, my sword and her necklace and we used them to create Kami, she created males and I created females from her necklace. However Amaterasu claimed that because the necklace was hers, the men were hers. Meanwhile, the women she had produced from his sword were his. Thanks to her interpretation, Amaterasu won the contest." Susano'o explained.
"And I assume things went even worse being who you were back then?" Justice asked.
"I was enraged, and created a path of destruction and death throughout my realm, upsetting Amaterasu into hiding in a cave, preventing sunlight from hitting Japan." Susano'o explained. "They were able to convince her to come out, then threw me out of Takamagahara, disgraced and exiled from my home."
"Damn..." Both Justice and Zdrada said.
Though Pandemonica seemed indifferent, she did tilt her head down after hearing what Susano'o said. While Modeus was in shock as well, only hearing a gasp escape her mouth.
Susano'o sighed.
"I've been on Earth since."
"Right." Justice said. "It must've been really tough for you after all those centuries."
"It hasn't been easy, centuries wandering and reflecting over my mistakes." Susano'o said.
Justice only gave a nod after what Susano'o said.
"I haven't spoken to my family ever since that day." Susano'o said looking down. "And they never tried to contact me after."
"I think it would be better if you spoke with them again. To prove that you have changed after what had happened.", Pandemonica suggested, "Though it's up to you when you are ready."
Susano'o nodded quietly as he kept watching them play. The Helltaker who had also listened looked at the runes on his arm, wondering what other power it might hold.
"Feed...Feed..."
The Helltaker looked around the room, checking if someone was there. He didn't find any signs of someone being there and simply went back to watching the game.
Meanwhile...
A dark male figure with pointy ears that donned black armor was walking toward a building with two guards at the entrance that seemed to be conversing with each other. The man cleared his throat before the two guards stood straight back up and opened the door, to which the man entered and eventually made his way towards a certain room. He then took a bow to the person that was waiting for him.
"Greetings..." The man said.
"You have arrived." The male figure in the shadows said.
"I have news for what had happened at Midgard." The man said. "Pandora's Box was opened and the evils from it was released onto the the world."
"Yes, I felt the occurrence from here." The figure said. "The Olympians were arrogant and careless leaving the box in the hands of a girl."
"Indeed. Though what was unexpected was that there were people to rise up and kill these monsters." The man said. "Not just the stupid militaries on that planet, but heroes that come from other pantheons. Even some of the gods have fought to defend Midgard."
"An interesting turn of events indeed." The figure said pacing around. "And now the box has created paranoia and fear across the realms."
"I would say so as well, but unfortunately the box was re-sealed." The man added. "The hope that stayed in the person that opened it was released about an hour or so after the box was opened."
"Regardless, the seeds have been planted, my good Dark Elf." The figure stated. "I just need one last push and the pieces will fall in place."
"All shall be revealed very soon, my friend." The figure replied.
"Understood." The dark elf said with a bow. "Is there anything else you need?"
"That will be all for now." The figure replied.
"Very well then." The dark elf said before leaving the room and closing the doors.
The figure then peered out the window which stared off into the greater cosmos beyond.
"The game is almost set, and soon I will take my vengeance upon you, brother..."
To Be Continued...