Aphrodite – Daughter of Zeus and Dione, Goddess of love, beauty and sexuality

Artemis – Daughter of Zeus and Leto, goddess of the hunt, the moon, and chastity

Athena – Daughter of Zeus and Metis, goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill.

Zeus – King of the Greek gods

Hera – Queen of the Greek gods, sister of Zeus

Ares – Son of Zeus and Hera, god of war

Apollo – Son of Zeus and Leto – god of the sun and light, music and poetry, healing and plagues, prophecy and knowledge, order and beauty, archery and agriculture.

Dionysus – Son of Zeus and Semele – God of the vine, grape-harvest, wine-making, wine, fertility, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, theatre

Hephaetus – Son of Zeus and Hera – god of fire, metalworking, stone masonry, forges and the art of sculpture.

Hermes – Son of Zeus and Maia – Messenger of the gods, god of trade, thieves, travelers, sports, athletes, border crossings, guide to the Underworld

Eris – Daughter of Zeus and Hera – 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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Ephus could only shake his head at the destruction his fight with the brothers had caused. Shit he thought, after the last time, Zeus was really going to be pissed!

Raising his arms Ephus ‘saw’ what the wall should look like and watched as it rapidly repaired its self. A thundering set of steps was heard from inside that stopped momentarily, then resumed their trek to where they were.

A moment later Zeus appeared at the opening of the building. Looking at the unconscious form of Hermes, Zeus could only shake his head.

“Didn’t even ask did he?” Zeus asked. “Always so quick, that was one of the reasons he became our messenger. Though in this one case he might have waited a bit.”

It was then that Zeus drew in a breath, slightly growled at the figure of Eris trying to hide behind Ephus.

“Though I know you have good reason for bringing THAT here.” Here Zeus indicated Eris. “I hope it is good enough to risk the revival that you have started to this realm, having her here.”

“I understood that she was another of your daughters. I thought all fathers loved their children, no matter what.” Ephus stated keeping Eris behind him.

“In most cases yes, though in her case, she tried to destroy me, her brothers and sisters. The present state of this realm has much to do with the treachery that she accomplished. So, try not to think too badly of us if we wish her nothing but ill will.” Zeus conveyed.

“As a clever human once said, there is more here to see than meets the eye. I did not bring her here for you to judge or destroy. She is under my protection, ’til such time as she can defend herself.” Ephus boldly declared.

This of course had all those present, eyes raising quite a bit. Looking at Hermes and remembering what he’d done to Hephaetus, they all grimaced a bit. Even Eris was staring at Ephus with a look of complete shock on her face. No one had ever said such a thing to or about her.

Zeus took a deep breath, then let it out a little defeated. “Alright, I’ll listen though, if I don’t like what I hear I will want her removed from this realm as quickly as possible. That way we can minimize the damage.” Looking back toward the building Zeus was about to ask about Hephaetus, when they all heard a distant groan.

A moment later a slightly groggy Hephaetus stumbled out of the building. Athena walked over to him, stopping before him.

“As I tried to warn you brother, you didn’t even ask who he was before you started in.” Athena slightly scolded him.

Hephaetus shook his head then turned to stare at his almost smirking sister.

“Ok, ok, so you were right for the second time in two thousand years. I do have to say though he packs an astounding amount of power that he hides well.” Hephaetus stated, look of respect on his face as he looked Ephus over. “So now that it’s all over just who is he?”

Smirking more Athena thought a moment, “I ought to keep quiet and let him beat you again.” Here her smirk turned to a genuine smile when Hephaetus cringed a bit. “It would serve you right.” Athena let him stew a few more moments then went on. “You do remember that Aphrodite was going after the godling that we’d heard restored the Egyptian realm?”

“Yes,” Hephaetus replied sadly. “I had thought to never see her again when she left.”

Athena took hold of Hephaetus shoulders, turning him to look at Ephus, talking to Zeus a little ways off from the rest of them.

“You might say that she found him or rather he saved her, as she was falling out of the sky. You might not have noticed? Me, father, Artemis and Aphrodite are at half or almost half power now.”

Hephaetus jerked his head up to stare at all three of his sisters. By all the power in the realm! It was true, Aphrodite had more power than almost all of them. She was looking a whole lot better also, forget that, she was gorgeous again!

“So, you’re telling me he actually has the power that we all heard of?” Hephaetus stated shocked. “Then I am, as I am going to be, especially after what transpired just past.”

“Oh,” Athena said nonchalantly, “he might be convinced to help. Though you and Hermes might have to apologize to him.”

“APOLOGIZE!” Hephaetus shouted then immediately regretted when Ephus fixed him with a cold look. Hephaetus shivered a bit then turned toward his sister. “I… I have never done that sister. I know not how, do you?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. Though like Artemis you might need to learn on your own quickly.” Athena stated trying her hide her smile.

“Learn on my own? Again, sister I have no basis to go on to do this learning. Surely you can show your brother?” Hephaetus stated giving his sister a sad look.

Athena could only shake her head she’d always been a weak fool when it came to him.

“Alright! Alright! I’ll try though, you will have to be real about it. Ephus can tell when you aren’t.” Athena told him.

Hephaetus got a wide smile on his face as he nodded rapidly. “I will do the absolute best that I can sister.”

Athena looked at her brother with doubt, why did it feel that she’d taken on more than she might be able to handle?

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Deep within the building that he was using, Ares issued a groan. What the hell had hit him? He’d not even seen anyone then he was losing consciousness on the floor.

Thinking hard he remembered he’d been talking to Eris. Then, that bastard godling had jumped in while he was disciplining her. How dare he interfere with him punishing his slave!

The thing was he was protected, well protected. Then there was the fact that he’d felt his father’s power jump up a bit. Not enough to really be a real threat yet, though now there was really not much that he could do to oust his giant ass easily.

Getting off the floor he felt his anger flare, then heard the cries of several hundred humans that were his followers. Even as his power dropped a bit he cursed, damn it! He had try to not kill all of them. Unlike the other goody, goodies in Olympus realm, he had plenty of followers. War after all was always being sought one way or another.

Waving his hand, he decided it was about time he got more power, he felt he was going to need it. Ah! There it was, the absolute hate that he needed to draw the power from. Now he thought, as he rubbed his slightly bruised hands together, time to incite them to war so I can gain more.

Appearing in a desert area he felt the hatred for something or someone flowing heavily. Breathing Ares sighed, oh how he loved hate and fear in the morning. Quickly he started to whisper, making the words go to each of the thousands he was feeling the emotion from.

A few moments later he felt his power again rise as he heard almost all of them start to yell for war. Closing his eyes Ares reveled in the increase of power. Um it felt so delicious, then there was the visions of bloodshed that he was seeing from each of those he’d touched.

Appearing on a hill a ways off, a throne like chair appeared. Sitting with a large wicked smile on his face, he watched as the thousands engaged. Ummmm he thought, this was going to be particularly nasty. Just the kind he liked, waving his hand he watched as hundreds fell then got back up to slash away more.

I could watch this for a long time, though with that goody-goody godling on the loose, it wasn’t possible. Feeling his power start to creep higher he smiled again, ah! Now I have more power. Let that piece of crap do that to me again!

Thinking harder he was sure that Eris was going to help take him down. Though, why he was having such a hard time touching her mind was maddening. It must have to do with that ass godling. Again, the ass was interfering with his plans.

A small wicked smile lit up his face as he thought of breaking the godling’s body in half. He could almost hear the screaming terror as he ripped the limbs from him. Ah! His death would be a crowning moment in his life. Still like the other gods the godling had to have weaknesses.

Ares had been deep in thought a few more minutes when another idea hit him. “Deimos! Phobos!” Ares bellowed.

A few moments later a well-muscled male appeared before Ares. Nodding his head slightly the male stood tall before Ares.

Drumming his fingers Ares face started to slowly slip into a scowl. After a few minutes Ares growled. “Where in Hades is your brother?”

“Well father,” the male started. “It was you that started this new war, you’ve got the both of us busy raising fear and dread. Unless you want a decline in the hostilities there.” Here the male indicated the conflict before them. “You might have to wait a while. Though I got to say this seems to be one of the better of them that you started.”

Ares face had a small smile on it, his sons always were fans of his. Though as he thought of it, Phobos the son not there yet liked the action more than praise.

“It shouldn’t be too long now,” Deimos stated.

There was a great shouting below them as a second offensive was starting. Ares sighed as he felt more power rush into him. A moment later, another male appeared beside the first, though they were twins Ares could tell them apart easily.

“Ah! Fantastic work. You have helped to stir them up better than I hoped. I can feel my power increasing as we speak.” Ares told his son Phobos.

“No problem father. I live for this, as brother said this has to be one of your better conflicts. Though I am surprised you aren’t among the carnage. Oh! Also, I have to admit not letting them die was a stroke of genius. That should help to power you up more. So… why the meeting?”

“I’m not sure if either of you have felt it, your grandfather has regained near half his power.” Ares stated to the two twins.

A gasp rose from both of them. “Does it have to do with this powerful godling we’ve been hearing about?”

Ares growled as he nodded. “I’ve already sent your Aunt in to spread discord amongst his family and wives. It also appears he is protected by the Egyptian realm gods. I’ve already had a slight run in with them, though the next time I don’t think they will be able to do as they please.”

“Eris has always been your best agent for this.” Here Phobos looked at Ares with a look of concern. “You think she might not be able to do it don’t you?”

“I am having doubts, even with her in the Olympus realm I am having trouble feeling her thoughts. It all started when she got close to the godling. I want you to provide distraction with his family. He has a human wife as well as Bast and her sisters.” Ares growled out.

Both of the brothers started to smile. “A rather delicious idea influencing an innocent. It might be possible as we don’t really have to interact with them like Eris does.”

Ares started to smile, the ultimate would be if he could get the godling to murder his human wife. Confusion would work well for him in destroying the godling.

Both brothers could see the truly evil and wicked smile that was crossing Ares face. Ummm they thought father has a truly devious plan in mind this should get good!

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Ephus wasn’t that happy with the short meeting that he and Zeus were having. It seemed the more that he tried to express why he needed Zeus’s help, the more the older male refused to listen.

Ephus didn’t even notice that the more upset he got, the more that his hands started to glow. Finally, frustrated by the lack of Zeus’s concern, Ephus threw his hands up in the air. Noticing too late that his hands were glowing a bright red.

Looking at his hands a moment he looked back at where Zeus had been. Oh shit, Ephus thought as he looked around then up seeing Zeus rocketing skyward.

Sighing, Ephus thought of Zeus before him. An instant later Zeus appeared with a look of shock on his face.

“I’m leaving, if you ever feel like actually listening to me you’ll know where I am, ’til then? The hell with the lot of you.” Ephus said staring accusingly at Zeus, making a motion with his hand Eris appeared beside him.

“I was listening you-” Zeus was starting to say as both Ephus and Eris vanished.

Athena, Aphrodite, and Artemis walked to their father with angry looks on their faces. “So like you, not to listen to him or really anyone else. “This is a human godling we are dealing with.” Athena stated.

“He saved me no more than three times father. That does not sound like one who wishes harm on our realm.” Aphrodite said.

The angriest of all though, Artemis was almost in her father’s face. “After all that he has done and promised, if you have destroyed my chance with him I will NEVER speak to nor aid you again!” With that all three of the female goddesses vanished leaving a stunned and silent Zeus standing there.

A moment later a female with features resembling Zeus appeared. “Husband, as always you speak too quickly, here you accuse Hermes of being too quick. That godling is the only possible help for us. Look at your daughters of others, their power has increased much.”

“Now isn’t the time Hera-.” Zeus started.

“I pledged to you that I would not rebel against you again husband. This insanity that you seem to be displaying,” here she also looked at their son Hephaetus, who dropped his head. “Might ruin the only chance we may ever have to once again be normal.”

Zeus could only stare at Hera with a look of shock. ‘Well,’ Hera thought, ‘this is perhaps the first time in many centuries that I actually got him to shut up. I’ll have to thank Ephus if I get a chance to meet him.’ She’d been on her way here when she first felt the godling appear.

It was good that they might get a great deal of power back though, Zeus might have ruined that for now. Reaching out she could feel Aphrodite not far away. Her other two sisters seemed to have left the realm for a bit.

Smirking at a still astonished Zeus, Hera waved her hand and vanished. Appearing near Aphrodite in her small temple like house Aphrodite sighed. She really wasn’t in the mood to listen to Hera complain.

“What do you want Hera? I’m in no mood to listen to you.” Aphrodite stated.

“I know that you and your sisters from the other mothers don’t have great affection for me. I wish to amend this. The constant bickering that we’ve been at, has done nothing but weaken our realm. I wish to make an agreement with you. Then, I hope that you can convey it to your sisters. Now then,” Hera stated as she began to outline the idea that she had.

Aphrodite’s face held nothing but doubt as Hera started, then it slowly changed to almost complete disbelief.

_____________________________________________________________________

Ephus and Eris appeared outside of his and Quinn’s home. After all that had happened in the Olympus realm he wasn’t too sure that he really wanted to go back there again.

It was bad enough to be treated like a complete freak by humans, now by the gods also? He felt that he ought to let the rest of them perish, considering they really didn’t seem to want him there. With the exception of Aphrodite and Athena, possibly Artemis, there really was no reason to go back.

The brothers in the Olympus realm were far worse than those in the Egyptian realm. At least those in the Egyptian realm did it out of a sense of duty.

Walking to the door Ephus suddenly straightened up when he felt a presence. He also felt the first twinges of fear. It felt like god like power though unlike any he’d felt before.

Though the feeling was very slight, Ephus wasn’t about to take a risk with his human family. Reaching out his hand he felt further and harder than before. Again, feeling a presence, he shot out an energy wave feeling the presence fade rapidly.

Almost a mile away Phobos smirked as he felt Ephus shoot out an energy wave. That was ’til the wave quickly reached him then blew him back over several miles depositing him in a lump of flesh miles away.

Shaking his head as he was barely able to stand. It had taken all he had to slow down, let alone stop. Stumbling away he had to lean against a tree as his legs shook. This godling was unlike any he’d gone against before. Waving his hand his eyes opened wide when nothing happened. Then slowly ever so slowly he started to fade.

Phobos appeared almost a mile away a few minutes later. Shocked that he hadn’t gotten further. Again, he waved his hand vanishing a little faster. This time when he appeared he was miles further outside Ares building.

Sitting on a bench in the first floor Phobos had to rest a few minutes. Obviously the wave had taken a bigger toll than he thought. Great he thought father REALLY wasn’t going to be happy about this.

Ephus felt around again after he felt the presence fade. Satisfied it was gone, he opened the door for Eris to enter.

Back in the Olympus realm Apollo, Dionysus and Hephaetus were waiting beside a still unconscious Hermes. Slowly ever so slowly Hermes finally groaned as his eyes opened.

“Ah good, brothers!” He started when he saw the three there. “If you are here than you avenged me.” Hermes face went from elation to uncertainty then to utter shock. All three of his brothers were shaking their heads no.

Hephaetus Spoke when the other two refused to say a word. “As I myself found out, he was not one that we should be fighting with.”

“Brother he was just a weak human surely-.” Hermes started then was cut off by Hephaetus.

“Just in case you have designs to go after him again. I suggest that you don’t. Especially after what you said to him.” Hephaetus said looking at Hermes sternly.

“What I said?” Asked Hermes.

“Yes, it’s bad enough I fought him as long as I did even after Athena tried to warn me. You told him that and I quote :I may not have my full power yet, though when the godling increases all of us I will end him.: You really think the godling will power you back up after you said that?” Hephaetus asked.

“Brother how would he know? The weak human was protected by-.” Hermes started.

“Brother, that weak human as you call him? That WAS and is the godling!” Hephaetus revealed.

“Oh shit!” Hermes said a look of horror on his face.

“Yeah, you might say that. Especially after he left angered.” Hephaetus told him.

“You have to see that he only wants the realm for himself. We are in great danger if we allow him to continue. “Hermes stated.

Hephaetus only shook his head. “He fought me to a standstill brother. Had he wanted to he could have destroyed us and all here. No, he only wishes to help though, you might be in a bad position for that help. As sister Artemis told me. We both might have to learn to apologize, though at the moment I am still unsure how to.”

“Apologize? I am also unsure what that is.” Hermes told Hephaetus.

“We might all have to if we are to expect any help at all from him.” They both heard the voice of Zeus behind them. Oh, shit they both thought he was serious. They both turned to confirm the serious look on his face.

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