Within an all to plain neighborhood, one home amongst hundreds was filled with a cold black miasma. Walls barren of any personal information, furniture was kept to the bare minimum. The location might as well have been a tomb. Sapping life from the air.

  Few were the exceptions to the barren void. The cage, locked into the garage and its resident. Hercules' body writhed within. Shackles had been latched to his wrists and ankles. Long chains wrapped around to the outside of the cage pinned down to spikes. Sigils ran along the cold metal. Pulses of spirit energy flowed into his body.

  Long spikes ran deep into the base of the glowing shrine. A wooden construction taking up a three by three foot area. Incense burned on either side of a divine tribute. Light glinted off the golden horn. Broken on one end it extended out into four points. The pulses of energy slowly croded away at the golden hues.

  Kent’s mind had been locked once more deep within his body. From there he watched the world. The twisted shape of his fused soul and body hummed with power. It drank deep and long from the golden horns' reservoir of power. Zeus stood in the doorway, a pocket watch clutched within one hand.

  He nodded without a smile. It was an acceptable result. Now that they were in the end game he couldn’t let himself be negligent. For all he knew his taming of the beast had served its purpose. There was no question he would kill his former friends. If only he could rely on Leonidas for such work.

  As his mind shifted to the legendary spirit his mode soured. After the most recent clash he had begun to act more honorary. A contract kept him in place but that did little to assuage his worries. Stepping into the kitchen he dropped the pocket watch upon the dining table. Its lid slid involuntarily open.

  The watch was ornate standing out harshly from the plain light brown wood of the table. The table would normally be found on the side of the road, or for five dollars at garage sale. Silvery metal formed the watches frame. Small multi-colored gems dotting the cover. Thin lines ran from each gem swirling around into, under a trained eyes inspection, a magic circle. The face of the clock was a rich black, crisp and easy to read. A small picture was held just inside the case; it was of a woman.

  Zeus stepped forward and closed the watch. The latch had grown worn popping open without so much as a gentle breeze. He stretched his body. A round of popping sounds escaped his body. His appearance, which was muscular and refined, dimmed ever so slightly. Noticing the change his frown deepened. Searching amongst the drawers his patience wore thin. Frantic fingers pulled at the handles.

  “It should be here.” He whispered to himself.

  “No. It is here combrade.” A feminine voice called from the living room.

  Taking notice of the intruder he did not relax nor fly into a rage. With calm and grace he stepped into the wide archway that led out of the kitchen into the living room. Standing within the center of the carpet was an inky black figure. The lines and edges of a mask pushed out against the blackness.

  “Nyx, do you not have your own accession to attend too?” Zeus asked.

  “That is a certainty, but please do not call me by such a name. We’ve yet to earn them. Daniel.”

  “I would ask you not to utter that name.” Zeus said.

  He moved to the wall leaning against it in a casual manner. His eyes all the while watched the brief case that was clutched within Nyx’s hand. He knew what she carried within. It wouldn’t last long without it.

  “You have not earned your name yet. None of us have done so as of yet.” Nyx insisted.

  “Fine, Sheryl. I care not for your games. Why have you come? Clearly not empty handed. I hope.”

  She appraised him before pulling away the mask. Her face was proud and well sculpted. A set of deep purple eyes stared out at him with a malevolent light. A puff of air came out of her plump lips. Stepping forward she sauntered to his side, before pushing a hand into his chest.

  “Come now. D-A-N-I-E-L. Don’t you still love filling a youth filled body? Why else would we continue to use these?” Nyx Cooed breathily.

  In her left hand she dangled the case haphazardly. Zeus’ eyes started to drift to the case but her hand reached up stopping him. Fingers gently caressed his chin. The tips poking out at his throat with a deadly glint.

  “What of your husband? I thought he was to become your other half Erebus? This does not seem to be in keeping with your ideals.” Zeus said.

  “But it is in keeping with yours. There is not a woman that the old Zeus would not fuck. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  Her hand wrapped itself around his neck. Just as she was to place pressure into her fingers his hand snapped up grasping her wrist. With a tug he pulled her in and back into the wall. Their roles reversed. Her face did not blush, keeping a pale look. Though she smiled lightly.

  “Yes, show me you're the King of Gods.” Nyx encouraged.

  “As you said. I am not Zeus.” Daniel said.

  When he stepped back Nyx found that her briefcase had been spirited from her hand. She always knew he was good with his hands. Zeus made his way to the counter top. With a small pop the briefcase opened. Inside a collection of syringes. Tubes filled with a golden liquid sloshed as he plucked one from within.

  “Our brethren question if it is for the best that you stay this far away. As the king it would set us back if you did not complete your transition. We would have to find more relics and another as well versed with the temple of the gods.” Nyx pouted.

  “I know that Jaque is more then ready to wrestle my position from me. Why is there so much god's blood? I thought the last of it shan’t be used until after my ascension.”

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  Seeing he was not taking the bait on her provocations she roamed over to his side. Reaching out she too plucked up one of the tubes. With a covetous hand she tapped her sharp nails on the glass. Before he could complain she returned it to the pile.

  “One of us has succeeded.”

  At her words he turned to look at her with a serious face. That had not been a part of the plan. Stepping past her the pocket watch was in his hand and open in an instant. The six dials along the edge clicked and whirled as he adjusted them.

  “Who?” He commanded.

  “You were wrong on Jaque’s account. He was more than happy to ascend to his place. I would recommend referring to him as his proper name. Sucellus.” She snickered.

  The hands on the time piece stopped as he turned back to look at her. Narrowing his eyes he pried away at her. Was this simply another one of her games? How she enjoyed the performance within each trial. Finding no change upon her face he returned to adjusting the watch. Some switches returning to where they once stood before.

  “Why?” He asked curtly.

  “Why did it happen before you? Or are you asking why we are down a proper Hephestus? Same answer really. We thought his relic was of the gods. That it was inevitable what it would be used for, but a hammer can have many purposes. Personally I think it’s that he didn’t embody the character.”

  She sauntered back toward the living room from where she had come. Stopping in the doorway she waves her hips gently at him with a pleading smile. Her eyes carried a dangerous light, one that was found within a venomous spider. As she ended her seductive act he looked up with a serious face.

  “Is he active or is this all you could harness from him?” Zeus asked.

  “Pa lease. We wouldn’t do that to one of our own. We are in luck. A god can imbue power with ease. Case and point your soon to be gains. His power is already beginning to sink into the world. Many beings are beginning to awaken from their slumber. It is just as we had expected.” Nyx said.

  “Then I cannot fail. There are too many who are relying on it.”

  “Yes dear Daniel. Once you finish we shall all begin to ascend. At that time we will bring this world back upon its proper path.”

  Nyx left behind these words fizzling out of space. Zeus waited a minute lost in thought. His brain calculates his next steps. It was obvious he would need to deal with the attack of his former master. He would not be allowed to ascend in peace.

  “Tell Father, He need not worry.” Zeus spoke into the pitch blackness.

  No answer came back his way. Picking up a syringe, he went back to the garage. He would need all the power he could amass.

  ***

  “Do you really want to do this?” Nate asked.

  Mandy sat across from him reading glasses pushed up onto her nose. Strong willed intelligent eyes gazed back at him. Over the last two days they both had been busy. Nate had drowned in a mire of training. When he wasn’t physically exhausting himself he was meeting with Teddy, Renee, and Wayne.

  Their collective minds were feeding magic circles to Nate as quickly as he could comprehend them. The crash course was a lucky success. He didn’t have the time to grasp the theory behind each of them but that didn’t matter. So long as he could draw them out properly he would have their power.

  On the other hand Mandy had not once interjected herself into their preparations. The coming plan to reduce their foe's power was not something that she could effect. If she didn’t change.

  Currently the two were seated across from one another as she pressed her lips into a thin line. Her lavender hair was a bird's nest. Nate could even spot a pencil lost within. Large bags under her eyes showed the lack of sleep. Everyone had been going slightly harder than they should but she still looked worse than the rest. That was even taking into account Nate’s combat training.

  “You can’t stop me. I already told you years ago I won’t let you go. Never will I do so. So make me the offer.” Mandy’s voice was slightly hoarse.

  Teddy had assisted with the research in his off time. Nate’s questioning gaze simply made his brother shrug his shoulders. It made sense that he seemed to take this as a matter of course. The young Cotton’s soulmate was also obsessive. Nate cursed their luck.

  “You still have to deal with giving her magic. You don’t really have spares at the moment.” Teddy offered.

  “Yes, he does.” Mandy said.

  “Which is that?” He asked back confused.

  “A crossroad contract causes magic to run wild. The more time that passes. The more uses of the power. The more it goes wild and advances. You currently have one magic that isn’t that useful but could be if you let me help.” Mandy said with a crazed smile.

  Nate narrowed his eyes on her. He knew exactly what she was talking about. The two of them had explained how it worked. The process and the end result. He felt around inside his mouth for his teeth. As if the motion would find a way to persuade her out of this. It ultimately would not be found amongst his teeth.

  “So you want my shadow magic circle. Once it’s inside your soul. You want me to corrupt it so that it releases its power faster? Which will then lead to you dying?” Nate asked.

  “I told her there had to be another way I promise. She swore me to secrecy.” Teddy pleaded.

  “It’s not all that bad Nate. We can be together for the rest of my soul's existence. You’ll also have a living soul. You could use those loaned spirits from the Grandmaster.” Mandy beamed.

  “And cut your life short? Teddy, go find Renee and tell her what you’ve been up to.” Nate said.

  “Wh.. No. Please Nat. She’s more mean then you are with punishments. Anything but that.” Teddy Pleaded.

  “Then you should have told me about this when she found it. You clearly forgot our rule about not making promises with people.” Nate scolded.

  “That if I make a promise that I have to tell you what it is. Just in case.” Teddy sulked.

  “So you do remember. Out of here now.” Nate commanded.

  Teddy trudged to the door. Opening it wide he cast a final apologetic look toward Mandy. He hadn’t been able to help her like she had wanted. Nate would never agree to kill her just to get a single spell empowered. Madny seemed to think it was the natural course of events. The method was common during the 20th century. At the time they hadn’t found a problem with its use. Why it was discontinued was anyone’s guess.

  Madny watched hope still filling her eyes as she looked at Nate wildly. Her obsession over the last two days seemed to be twisting into something even more. Fanaticism.

  “Please Nate. Please, use me. I can be useful. I have to be useful to you. Don’t I deserve my own revenge?”

  Staring down at her realization slowly flowed into his mind. The events of the past few days had broken her and no one had been there to pick up the pieces. She’d grasped onto the last thing that she could. In this case it was Nate or the power that he could give her. He couldn’t bring himself to kill her. It was too cruel to ask of him.

  “Today we are raiding one of the homes that make up part of the magic circle. Let me think about it today. If you truly think this is all you would be worth to me.” He drifted off, not finishing the thought.

  Mandy’s hand tremblingly reached up and grasped his shirt. Fingers whitening as she tightened her fist. Looking into his eyes they shook with unknown emotions. He let himself be drawn close to her body. She wrapped her hands around his back hugging him close.

  “That’s good enough for me. I know you’ll say yes.”