Loki's spell that they give to Alex is key to my Mortal Magic idea... it formed it.

On the Spring Equinox

"Virtus summa, sanguis et sal, tuto et pace hunc locum stringe!"

Mason called out, waving his sage and bloodwort around, feeling the magic settle in. The blood sigils on his walls, painted with a special mixture of salt water, blood and herbs, started to glow a soft purple. He felt his life for a moment, before the spell settled entirely and he knew success.

Placing his herbs back into the ashtray, he grabbed his spell satchel and those things he had prepared and hurried out of his home. Today was a special day, one of extreme purpose and power for magic. All of his studies told him of such. It was the Spring Equinox, and as such it held the essence of life. All gods tied to life held ties to this day, and beings of incredible power that could guide him to greatness. Beings who's blessing he sought as he continued his journey.

Especially now that he felt the world tearing itself apart. Storms of unprecedented harshness, ships and planes going down, massive floodings... the gods were at war, but he had no idea why. He needed to protect himself, to cloak himself in the goodness and power of those he had access too... and that included those gods. He had so many plans, but for now he needed to start off with a bang.

Reaching the roof of his apartment, he found the small garden he had started growing, warded to high hell to stop intruders. He walked to his potion table and placed a green candle on it, lighting it with a glare. That kind of magic was easily directed by raw emotion and thought, he enjoyed practicing it, even months later. It was one of the first things he had mastered as time went on.

From his prepared supplies, he placed a sample of bread on the shrine he was building. Bread he crafted from local farmers in fact, something he figured the gods would appreciate. He also placed perfume he had crafted using flowers harvested from his garden. Finally, for them all, he placed his strongest spell bag, again made from his garden. One for protection against harm, a stronger one than the spell bag that saved his life from the HellHound.

Kneeling, he closed his eyes, breathing in the magic of spring, of the balance between Light and Dark Magic. In that power, as the sun reached it's Zenith, he prayed.

"I make this offering, to any that are listening. Bread made by my hand, out of love. Perfume, crafted by hard grown plants and my own skill. And Finally a spell bag, one molded by my stronger, meager mortal magic. It can blast away any attacker, within reason, and allows those touched by it greater safety. I offer this to anyone that is listening as I make this request.

Help me... guide me... I cannot do this alone, I need purpose, power and more. I need to matter. Help me find myself, and I will serve you.

Please... help."

To his shock, his utter amazement, the green candle exploded into a foot long jetstream. A ripple of energy washed over the shrine, the offering vanishing, leaving behind the sour smell of wine and a soft laughter that made his skin tingle.

Smiling, he stood. "Thank you... whoever that was."

"It was me, actually." He froze, turning to see the single most stunning boy he had ever seen. About his age, he was taller than Mason, with lean muscles and a warm expression. He was dressed like a model, with a gold nose ring and an air of uncertainty. In his left had was Mason's bread, in his left was the perfume and spell bag. He actually took a bit out of the bread. "You can bake really well."

"I like to cook, it's relaxing."

The boy smiled. "Oh, I never told you my name. I'm Ganymede, cup bearer of the gods... sorry, I know that you might have expected more but-"

Mason laughed. "I didn't expect to be important enough for anyone. You are just fine."

That made Ganymede flush, his eyes turning to the spell bag. "This has a decent magic to it, you are going to end up a powerful caster."

"You honor me..."

"Hmm... listen, maybe you can help me? You see, gods, especially meager ones like me, get our powers by worship and memory. If you do powerful deeds in my name, changing my reputation, it will help me gain power and matter." He sighed, drooping. "I am tired of being remembered for being kidnapped. I want to matter, same as you. it's why I answered your call.

If you help me out, I will help you. For example, I know you started to take fencing classes. Monsters are not hurt by human metals, but I can give you a spell to enchant anything into a weapon, even human metals. I will even give you a Rapier, free of charge. Oh and I should also say that that same spell makes anything an armor as well. It repels chaotic energy. That spell can give you an unlimited source of weapons really, though your rapier and and armor would need to be respelled given your thinner magic.

Sound fair?"

Mason beamed and bowed. "That sounds amazing... thank you!"

Ganymede actually giggled. "Thanks... um..." he snapped his fingers, and there was a rustling sound in the air. "I planted the spell in your book... keep up the good work... and please, continue to make offerings, it empowers me."

"I would be honored... thank you, Ganymede."

The boy god blushed more. "I have to go, but I'll be checking in... and we'll figure out how to help each other better soon. Kay?" And then he was gone, leaving a smiling Mason, warmed to his feet.

Proud of his accomplishment, happy to be helped and very, very attracted to the god he just saw. "Pity nothing will ever happen. He is technically my age..." Shaking tha toff, he sighed. "Time to get to work, I have things to enchant."

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.