Introduction:
The beginning Again! , Norse Deities
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Freya – a goddess associated with love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, gold, and seiðr.
Loki – a mischievous god who can shape-shift and can take up animalistic forms.
Egyptian Deities
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Bast – Goddess of cats, protection, joy, dance, music, family, and love
Serket – Goddess of scorpions, medicine, magic, and healing venomous stings and bites
Sekhmet- Goddess of fire, war, and dance
Anhur – God of war and the sky bearer – Full brother of Bast and Sekhmet
Greek Deities
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Artemis – Daughter of Zeus and Leto, goddess of the hunt, the moon, and chastity
Enyo – Daughter of Zeus and Hera, goddess of war and destruction, sister of Ares
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Finally, Ephus thought, a chance to rest, which he’d been at the whole time. He was starting on his fourth week when he felt titanic disturbance a few miles away.
Ephus reaching out could only shake his head, ah fuck! Again? Sighing Ephus parted the clouds as he felt another body fall through a rift. Shaking his head, he thought of the body appearing before him.
Almost Immediately a tall long, blonde haired, female appeared before him. Her clothes were almost rags seemingly to have been almost buffeted from her body.
Her eyes were huge as she stared at Ephus, bending on her knee she said, “Þú, þú ert Efus vinsamlegast hjálpaðu.” (You, you are Ephus please help.” Ephus was about to ask her who she was when she promptly passed out.
Shit Ephus thought once more, not again. “BAST!”
Less than a moment later Bast appeared a look of worry on her face. “Husband is all well?” Bast Asked then followed Ephus gaze behind her. A hiss issued from her throat. “Nuras! It is The one called Faria, also known as Freya. The Nuras Goddess of love. Has she touched you husband? has she made demands? Shall I end her?”
Ephus eyes were wide, damn but Bast was more jealous than he had ever seen her.
“No Bast, wait you said Freya? As in the Norse goddess of love?” Ephus sighed, it was starting out a lot like with the Greek gods. Bad enough, he could swear that the Titans he had met, were trying to come back also.
“With all that has happened recently, you are just yourself again. I do not wish to risk being as close to losing you as I was. I promise you husband, NOTHING will hold me back, if this happens again. May I suggest that you, send her away before she awakes.” Came Bast's scathing response.
“Bast,” Ephus said watching as Bast's fierce look softened at his voice. “She asked for my help, you know I can't refuse, when I am asked sincerely.”
Bast let out a long sigh, “I know husband, though this, is what started the trouble last time. I warned you many times that the Helenes gods were as they were. The Nuras gods are even more war-like than the Hellenes gods. If you are to help them, you will need far more training than you have so far.”
Ephus head jerked back in shock, this was the first time that Bast had suggested anything like this. “I will do all that I can to be far better than I am.”
A sly smile crept onto Bast's lips. “I can guarantee, things will be much, much harder for you this time around. You not only have all you wives fron the Egyptian realm, but the four from the Hellenes realm.” Ephus stared at Bast with a confused look, Bast shook her head at her husband, at times he was almost clueless. “All four of them are now with a child.”
“Four? I thought…” Ephus started.
“We were informed today that Artemis is also.” Bast informed Ephus whose look of confusion, rapidly changed to shock, then pride. “She made it a point to inform all of us herself.”
“Shit, I guess I am going to have to be at my best before I go into this. You think we could have Serket look at her? I don't want to put stress on her now that she is with child also.” Ephus told Bast.
“I don't think it will, in fact it might relieve a little stress for her. She has been feeling a little useless now that she is, no-one wants to upset her. This is though, in fact, really upsetting her.” Bast said as she shrugged.
Ephus thought a moment then nodded. Only a moment later Serket appeared a huge smile on her face.
“Ah husband, finally one who won't treat me as if I am fragile. I…” Serket was saying then stopped as she espied the prone form of the almost naked blonde female. Walking to the female Serket walked around touching and observing.
“Is there need to…” Ephus started then quieted when Serket held up a hand.
A few minutes later Serket shook her head. “Husband, she is extremely weak, I am afraid that there's not much I can do. She needs energy or I fear that she will fade to nothing. It is a fate most horrible for a god.”
Ephus nodded then stood, walking to the unconscious female. Laying a hand on the female, Ephus waited a full minute watching as the female's skin started to glow a moment. With a nod Ephus removed his hand then stood back as the female started to stir.
A moment later the females blue eyes snapped open. Taking a deep breath, the female’s eyes opened wider. Looking around her eyes settled on Ephus then quickly dropped downward. “I…I am sorry Lord Ephus I did not mean insult looking at you.”
Ephus could only shake his head what in the hell was going on with all them. He does a few good things then he is suddenly feared, revered, almost worshiped? Oh, hell no!
With a slight sigh Ephus placed a hand under Freya's chin, gently lifting her head. “I am no Lord I am just Ephus, which I would be happy if you called me that.”
Freya's eyes went wide as she started to shake her head no. “Lord sir, tales of your daring and deeds have reached even us in the Asgard realm. I was sent in the hope that I could find you, then, somehow convince you to return with me. All is not well in the realm, nor with the others. I…” Freya stopped to stare at her hand which was glowing slightly with power.
“Yes,” Ephus spoke up, “you have almost half your power back. I was informed it was the only way to preserve you.”
Freya's mouth dropped open as she waved her hand making her clothes appear new. She stared a moment at the clothes, then launched herself at Ephus, knocking him to the ground, where she covered his face with kisses. A moment later Freya withdrew her self-back from Ephus as Bast was slightly growling.
“I…I apologize Lord Ephus, I forgot myself and who you are,” Freya stated. Freya's head was once again looking at the floor. Several severe trembling’s shook her body. “Please lord sir, please don't punish my people because of my stupidity.”
This of course made Ephus growl, making Freya cringe and seem to try to shrink smaller.
A sigh escaped Ephus mouth as he calmed then said. “I am not angry with you or your people Freya. I am mad at myself that I have made you fear me, it was not my intention.”
“Lord sir, we have heard of the strange power that you possess. Many in my realm know that you can turn off almost all power, no one wishes that.” Freya said this last said in a whisper.
“Alright, just let me know what is happening in your realm, that way I can plan, not go in knowing nothing.” Ephus replied.
Freya's eyes were wide a moment, then she nodded as she related all that was happening in her home realm.
The further Freya got into her tale, the grimmer faced Ephus got. “So, you are telling me that, this Loki is at the heart of much that is wrong in your realm?” Ephus was starting to have a really bad feeling about this.
“Husband,” Bast spoke up, “this has much the same ear marks as that trouble you had with Ares. I am starting to have misgivings about this mission.”
Freya's head snapped toward Bast, a look of concern and worry on her face at Bast's words. Was it possible that Ephus might refuse her request? By Odin's power she hoped not, especially after Ephus had brought her back as far as he had.
Both Ephus and Bast turned toward Freya when they both heard a gasp. Freya's head, had dropped further as a few tears had escaped her eyes. A look of concern was now etched on Ephus face at this new development. Bast's face on the other hand, had a small smirk as she was staring hard at Freya.
“Do not be deceived husband, she is willing to do almost anything to save her realm.” Bast whispered snidely.
Ephus turned to stare at Bast incredulously, “almost the same as you when I helped your realm? As I remember you came to me, never forget that!”
Bast's face immediately dropped as she realized what she had said. In a low voice Bast said, “I am sorry husband, this time with this child is harder than any before.”
Ephus was about to speak when Serket gently laid a hand on Bast's stomach. Ephus and Bast looked at each other as Serket moved around touching many places nodding her head.
“It is harder as it should be,” Serket said drawing a curious and concerned look from both of them. Shaking her head with a sigh Serket continued. “I am surprised that you didn't feel it sister. You are not with one but TWO little ones.” Serket started to laugh at the look of shock on both Ephus and Bast's faces.
“T…T…TWO!” Bast said in an almost silent whisper.
Ephus was also in shock what in the hell was going on? As far as he knew, there was no history of ANY twins in his family.
Serket started to laugh harder when the both of them were still in shock. “Twin gods or goddesses? Are you sure?”
This comment of course had Serket's face tensing up a moment, then it relaxed. “You are with child so I can forgive you that comment, when dear sister have you EVER known me to be wrong?”
Still slightly in shock Bast looked at Serket, “in well over six thousand years? Never does an instance of you being wrong come to mind.”
“If that is so, then why do you have cause to doubt me now?” Serket said, slight irritation in her voice.
“Sister,” Bast started, “it is just that there have been no twins in a very , very long time. You know what happened last time. Do you think the others would allow it?” A now seemingly scared Bast said.
Serket's face took on an angry look as she thought about it. The longer she thought the angrier she got. “Considering that they are Ephus children, plus Ephus is their father, how can they not? We need to talk to our brothers and sisters.”
“Perhaps I could…” Ephus started.
“NO!” Both females almost shouted scaring not only Ephus, it also had Freya taken aback. She'd been trying not to interject any comment, the whole time the discussion had been going on.
“If you go to their realm, I suggest you take another full day to train with brother Anhur. It might also help to have Sekhmet in on the training also.” Bast said as both sisters turned to go, then Bast turned back. “you also might want to get Enyo involved. They are all war god's; it might increase your chances when you go. Though I suggest you get no less than a day before you go, if not then that would get ME involved!” Bast growled.
Ephus watched as both left then turned to deal with Freya. “As you can see, I will not be able to go for a day or so.” It was then that Ephus noticed that she was staring behind him. Swallowing hard, Ephus turned to see his human wife Quinn watching him and the blonde female that was with him.
A moment later Quinn walked to him, “I take it another realm has asked for help?” Quinn said with a sigh.
Ephus was about to answer when he felt a slight stirring of power. What the hell he thought, looking around he searched everywhere his eyes settling on his human wife.
“I am sorry you are so upset.” Ephus said seeming to surprise Quinn.
“What are you talking about?” A confused Quinn asked.
“Quinn, you have been blessed by all my Egyptian wives, Thoth, Ra and I suspect Anhur. In all that time I am surprised that it didn't manifest itself sooner.” A widely smiling Ephus said.
Confused Quinn asked, “manifested? What are you on about? What does the fact that I have been touched and blessed by that many gods and goddesses have to do with anything? I mean, I know I am far more healthier and I will live longer, though nothing more than that. So, I am confused by this manifesting you are talking about.”
Ephus smiled wider, “why my dear, your god power.”
“WHAT!” Quinn said, as Ephus nodded to her left hand, that was slightly glowing. “Oh my god! Quinn said as she started to shake her hand to get it to stop glowing. Then she started to shake it harder when it didn't stop. “How the hell am I goddess? I am a human; I am not understanding!”
Ephus nodded his understanding as he reached out gently taking Quinn's hand. To her relief her hand slowly returned to a more human appearance.
“Now, as I was saying, you have god power. Like me, you, are not really a god or in your case a goddess. As I can feel, you are only at the beginning of it, so at this point, I am unsure as to just how much you will have.” Ephus told a more relieved though still slightly worried Quinn. “Might I suggest that you try not to get upset? It seems to be a trigger the only one I see right now.”
With a deep breath, Quinn nodded, “I will do my best, though as Bast said, with the most recent events I am going to have a hard time of that.”
“I am sorry that I can't be of more help my dear, it seems I have to go back to school.” Ephus said as not only Anhur appeared, so too did Sekhmet. “Again, it appears that, I am in need of your skill and training brother.” Ephus said to Anhur who bowed.
“As always I am more than glad to help.” Anhur said.
Ephus took a deep breath turning to Sekhmet, “I am also in need of your skill in warfare and your tendency to play.”
Sekhmet looked hard at Ephus a thin line to her lips then she nodded. “The one you are going against makes that which I have done pale in comparison.”
“Perhaps, though any advantage I have will greatly aid me.” Ephus said then turned as a female appeared behind Anhur and Sekhmet. ” I am sorry to take you from your rest, as a goddess of war I am also in need of you.”
Enyo looked at a now smiling Sekhmet and Anhur. “I will do all that I can though…” Enyo started, then her eyes flew wide when Ephus touched her hand, then wider when her skin started to glow.
“I had wanted to do this sooner; I am sorry that it took as long as it did.” Here he turned to both females, “I am also sorry that the restricting of your power caused you both such pain.”
“I have more than forgiven you husband, our daughter has replaced almost all the pain as has your love.” Sekhmet said.
Enyo was about to burst, Ephus had finally restored all her power. She knew that she had to give all that she could to him with this training.
For the rest of the day Ephus was in combat with one of the three. Anhur was smiling widely when they finished their second bout. “You are finally moving as fast as I am. you are the first in a very long time to actually challenge me, very good.”
Sekhmet had been hard pressed to keep up with Ephus, though as time went on, she too was starting to feel Ephus improve.
“I hope that this doesn't cause you any stress,” Ephus told Enyo.
“No, if anything it will relieve any stress I have.” Enyo said. She started to press Ephus with an entirely different style. A huge smile lit up both their faces as they started to get faster and faster.
Both Sekhmet and Anhur studied Enyo's style, seeing that indeed it was very different. Though Ephus had gone against Enyo and her brother before, this new style was intriguing.
Soon both Enyo and Ephus were covered in a fine layer of dust. Enyo had nearly caught Ephus unaware a few times, this had more than focused Ephus to the task at hand. Finally, as the day was ending all three bowed to Ephus, “your speed and skill have indeed increased.” Anhur said.
“I just hope that it is enough, the addition of the Greek word training techniques should help.” Ephus turned to where Freya was seated nearby. “Perhaps I should ask her, if she thinks it might aid me?”
All three also turned to stare at Freya, “that might be advisable, brother,” Anhur said.
Ephus nodded as he advanced to where Freya was. “I have to ask Freya, do you think that the skills I have with the sword will aid me with Thor and the many warriors there in your realm?”
Freya looked up a moment then dropped her gaze. “What I have seen of your skill is startling. To improve as fast as you have is a sight to behold in deed. When you started, I thought your skill would be far greater than it was. It was like watching ou children when they play, though in a day you increased from a child's skill greatly. At present you have become deadly, to those in my realm as they are now.”
“So, I am feeling that you think I am not skilled enough to beat any of the warriors of your realm?” Ephus asked.
“I cannot lie to you Lord Ephus.” Freya said. “You have grown far more deadly than you were, as they are now, I can see you defeating almost all of them. Odin though, I am not so sure of, true you will garner respect, though not much.” A sighing Freya said.
“Are you familiar with their style? Can you fight with a sword?” Ephus asked.
Ephus backed up a bit when he saw Freya stiffen and tense up, the mad look on her face wasn't helping either.
“I am sorry lord Ephus, you do not know of my realm, as we do let much information pass our borders. Yes, all are trained with many weapons.” Freya said still looking at the ground.
Ephus was nodding, “I, then ask for you to practice with me, in your people's style. I would be honored to see and learn it.”
Freya's body jerked a moment, the Lord Ephus wished to spar with her?
Freya stood then bowed, “I would be most honored.” With that she drew, almost out of the air, a long, double sided sword. The pommel appeared to look like a slender crown. The Tang between the pommel and cross-guard was thin and strong. The cross-guard itself appeared to be a bat with its wings to the sides, curved legs on each side of the blade.
Ephus could only stare at the weapon. “It was a gift from Heimdall, though it is shorter than his.”
Anhur could only nod at the beauty and structure of the sword.
Walking to Ephus Anhur drew a sword out of the air as Freya had. “I think that you are in need of a real weapon brother.” Anhur said handing Ephus a strong, wicked looking, double edged sword.
With a wicked smile Freya rapidly advanced on Ephus then seemed to disappear. She then appeared a moment later swinging her sword at Ephus actually catching him by surprise.
After that initial attack they both seemed to go at it for hours. The sun had already risen for the next day when Ephus called a stop to their sparring.
“I am glad that we have had a chance to spar. Though I know they are far faster than you, at least now I have an idea of their fighting.” Ephus said then was shocked when Freya shook her head.
“Again, Lord Ephus, you have improved to the point that you would more than last against them. I am afraid that you only possess half of our techniques as you call them. I also feel that you would defeat them easier though as I said about Odin, I am still not sure.”
“I have to agree brother,” Anhur said. “You are far beyond what you were though watching her, even she can match you. Perhaps you should wait, train more?”
“From all that Freya has told me of her realm, they are in far greater need of me than even the Greek realm. As Freya told me and Bast implied, many will fade if I don't help soon.” Ephus explained.
Anhur and Sekhmet both shuddered at the mention of a god fading away. “I watched it happen a very long time ago. it was a most horrible thing to watch, they were then suddenly, there was nothing of them at all.”
With a look at a now concerned Freya Ephus nodded. “I just hope that all I have gained today will help me more than I think they will.”
“I am also hoping so, though, both realms going to war to avenge you should strike fear in them.” Anhur said.
Ephus shook his head, from all he'd read and now felt about them, the Norse gods were going to be more than a pain in the ass! “One would think, though you have to remember, they are VERY war like, perhaps twice what the Greek gods were.”
Anhur sighed then clasp Ephus shoulders, “be well, we are prepared to attack to return you.”
“We also in my realm are prepared to attack, father has promised that we will not stop 'til you are safe.” Enyo said.
Ephus gave a nod to all three then walked to a slightly trembling Freya. “Shall we go? I believe I know where your realm is.” Freya nodded when Ephus laid a hand on her arm then a moment later they were in the Norse realm of Asgard.
Ephus looked in all directions staring at the bleak, cold, desolate, rocky, dark land. Damn he thought, it is far worse than the Greek realm, here I thought that place was bleak.
It was at that moment he noticed an approaching sound, much like the flapping of wings. This though seemed from something far larger than birds.
“We need to go lord Ephus, I fear that the Valkyries are approaching to attack.” Freya said trying to get Ephus to leave.
When Ephus didn't move Freya turned to stare at what Ephus was focused on. Rapidly approaching were several dozens of angry looking armored females, each wielding their own wicked sword. The thing that mainly got Ephus attention was the simple fact that they were flying with their own wings.
,