Grendel strode into the Underworld of the Dead.

Grendel strode down a flight of spiralling steps that travelled downwards through a vast and seemingly endless cavern filled with nothing but darkness. The only light in the underworld was the blue flames that filled the floating braziers that floated off to the sides of the spiralling stair case. The braziers floated in such a way that they aligned with each other making the spiralling staircase look like a giant spine that was attached to a ceiling of obsidian.

And as Grendel descended down this impossible staircase he didn’t travel alone, for trailing behind him was the entire werewolf family from the Magic School he had infiltrated only a few days ago.

“I still don’t understand how this is possible,” said Morana as she looked out across the vast emptiness and darkness that seemed to fill the underworld.

“Simple if you know the right magic every grave and mausoleum is a door into the underworld,” said Grendel unconcerned by Morana’s confusion, as he was more focused on walking down the marble steps.

“No, I understand that but how can we be entering into Erebus, the Ancient Greek Underworld from the surface of Mars?” asked Morana clearly confused at the idea that the Underworld was here as well as back on Earth.

“Simple really,” said Grendel not bothering to look over his shoulder at the confused werewolf, “the Underworld is beneath all worlds. It doesn’t matter where the underworld was first created, whether it was on Earth, on Mars, or elsewhere. All that matters is that the legends that surround the stories say it was under the earth, under the world. Once that is established every Underworld you have ever heard about, and everyone you haven’t, exist beneath the surface of every world in the universe.”

“And this is how you’re going to get us to this new world you promised us?” asked Aaron Reinhard curiosity and scepticism contained equally in his voice.

“Indeed, we only need reach the bottom of these stairs and then get Charon to transport us across,” said Grendel as he continued to watch the staircase, just in case they encountered a gargoyle or some other creature that might hinder their passage down the staircase.

“And how much longer will that take?” asked Aaron clearly aware they had been walking a while and were seemingly not really descending down to the bottom of the stairwell.

“As long as it takes,” said Grendel with annoyance, not really aimed at Aaron as the stairs had a bad habit of changing their length every time he came down here.

“That’s not really inspiring me with confidence,” said Aaron as he glanced at Syr Erikson, the werewolf that he had fallen in love with.

“Aaron’s right, how much longer until we reach the bottom?” asked Syr not just to support Aaron, but also because she was curious at the nature of the stairs, as she had recognised that something otherworldly was at play.

“Mum he’s helping us, trust him,” said Morana with reproach, as she didn’t like the idea of her parents ganging up on Grendel, or showing any form of disrespect or ungratefulness.

“I wasn’t being disrespectful Morana. I was simply enquiring into the nature of the stairs, because it’s obvious that they do not follow any form of physics that we are familiar with,” explained Syr as she poked at one of the hand rails that was lit by the beautiful, blue fires that floated near the stairs.

“They don’t,” said Morana having clearly not realised the stairs she was walking on were somehow eldritch in nature.

“Yes, they seem to alter their gradient with each passing step,” said Syr as she looked at the steps beneath her feet with paranoia, as if she was afraid that the steps would turn into a giant slide at the least optimal moment.

“I’m sorry mum, I didn’t notice,” said Morana, a bit chest fallen at the fact she had snapped at her mother.

“It not your fault you’re looking forward to your new home,” said Syr as she reached out and gave her daughter a hug, that conveyed an endless maternal love and support.

“Its fine,” said Grendel as he turned to look at the three trailing behind him, “you’ve nothing to apologise for. I understand your fear and I admire your courage to choose this option out of all the options I presented to you.”

“The ability to go someplace where we can all flourish without hindering one another,” said Aaron as he spoke up in gratitude to Grendel, “That’s worth a thousand trips through the underworld. Besides we’re here I think.”

Spinning on his clawed feet, Grendel could see that they were now at the bottom of the stairwell and had just arrived at the dock for Charon who was standing idle by waiting for his living passengers.

Twitching his left eye in irritation, all the while coming to certainty that the stairs were intentionally messing with him, Grendel walked forward to speak to Charon.

“Charon, four to cross over to Erebus,” said Grendel with an even tone as he wanted to see what sort of mood was prevalent amongst the denizens of the underworld.

“You’re really getting your use out of that free pass aren’t you,” said Charon in an impossibly deep voice, especially since Charon, at least for the moment looked like a skeleton in a robe.

“It was needed,” said Grendel as he glanced back at the family of three that was hanging back waiting for the ok from Grendel.

“It always is,” said Charon, his voice making it impossible to say what he thought of the situation.

“May we approach?” asked Morana from the base of the steps, as she had grown impatient for the journey to continue.

“You may all approach,” said Charon with a gentle wave of his skeleton hand, one that somehow managed to convey more emotion than anything else about him.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Ferryman,” said Syr with a curtsy as she bowed to the one that let souls cross the River Styx.

“The pleasure is all mine. Few and far between are passengers that carry within a heartbeat, and to know that I am transporting those few to help their life instead of to help doom them, brings a warmth to these bones,” said Charon as he returned a bow to the three living beings upon his wharf.

“All right please get on board we’ll head on off,” said Grendel as he gave Charon a disappointed stare at the fact that Charon could never be so polite to him.

Hopping aboard the ferry, the four of them sat down as Charon started to push the ferry down the river. A river that seemed to snake ever onward, all the while the darkness of Erebus clung about the boat as if it was a living wall. A wall that seemed to move with them making the journey both terrifying and at the same time exhilarating as the brief glimpses of land showcased perhaps never before seen corners of reality.

Eventually the boat reached the end of the passage with the darkness pulling back to reveal a wharf that was lined with lanterns filled with blue wisps of light that gently bobbed up and down.

Pulling into the wharf, Charon guided the ferry to a stop and a plank seemed to snake out of the boat and attach itself to the wharf without anyone having to touch it. A feat that made Aaron raise an eyebrow in surprise but not bother to otherwise comment.

“Alright everyone off of the boat,” said Grendel with a wave of his hand as he tried to get the family off the boat, only for Aaron to turn and look at Charon, the Ferryman looking like the iconic visage of Death itself.

“Thank you for your aid with this,” said Aaron as he bowed his head in thanks.

“It was nothing grand…” said Charon clearly intending to say more only for Aaron to keep speaking.

“It was help nonetheless, therefore please take this token of appreciation,” said Aaron as he held up a small rectangular device.

Chuckling at the sight of the latest communication device that functioned as a computer, gaming device and more amongst the UEF, Charon shook his head in mirth.

“I have no need of your devices,” said Charon as he pulled back a single layer of his robes to reveal that he had several dozen devices stashed away in his robes, devices that dated back to the dawn of the electronic entertainment market.

“Is that a legendary Atari, the last best selling console of the 2100s?” said Syr from the wharf as she recognised one of the devices that Charon had lining his robes.

Pausing both Charon and Grendel exchanged a look at the idea that the Atari was considered to be one of the best consoles ever created. A notion both silently agreed showed how poorly history had been documented. Yet neither opted to inform Syr how badly she had been misinformed.

“It is not the device that I give to you but the knowledge that is contained with,” explained Aaron as he continued to offer up the device. “It contains information restricted to only humans like myself.”

“Why do you think that I am in need of this information?” asked Charon genuinely curious.

“Because knowledge is the only gift that you could be interested in,” said Aaron unbothered by the fact that he was staring an embodiment of Death in the face.

“Thank you,” said Charon finally as he accepted the device from Aaron with a flourish before making it disappear and reappear in his collection of devices that lined his robe.

“You might not get the best of reception down here,” warned Morana as she welcomed her father onto the wharf.

“Don’t worry little one,” said Charon as he straightened up to his true height, “I get perfect reception down here.”

“You do? How?” asked Grendel as he stepped off the ferry, and turned back to look at Charon.

“Let’s just say when I walk into my network provider looking like this, I get the best deals of a lifetime,” said Charon as he allowed a bit of dry humour enter into his impossible voice.

Shaking his head at what Charon had said Grendel looked up to find that Charon was gone and that the wharf was now deserted. Annoyed that Charon had vanished without saying farewell, Grendel turned about and began leading the family behind him deeper into Erebus to the court of Hades. King of the Underworld.

Standing in the halls of the underworld before Hades upon his throne, Grendel was once again reminded that Hades was something other even compared to most gods that lived on Mars. For Hades was so still and composed that he made all those that looked upon him question whether he was alive or a sculpture made from shadows.

Yet even the stillness and the fact he looked to be made from iron and shadows was not enough to truly make Hades look unearthly. Hades’ oddness came from the simple fact that there seemed to be no humanity bound within the divinity before them, a fact that all present could feel.

“I see you have brought more travellers to my realm,” said Hades in such a monotone voice that Grendel had to wonder if he gave machines lessons.

“Indeed I have,” said Grendel with a bow as he gave a quick glance to the empty throne beside Hades’, the throne of Queen Persephone. Not sure if she was present or not, Grendel straightened and stared Hades in the eyes knowing that Hades respected those that stood their ground when dealing with him.

“Why?” asked Hades, simply.

“I wish to transport them to a new world where they can live out a proper life not bound in between the War of Science and Magic.” said Grendel truly meaning it. “I was thinking Alfarune, as their destination.”

Not responding to Grendel’s words in any way shape of form, Hades sat there immobile for several agonising second before he spoke.

“Why do you wish to take these people from Mars and resettle them to Alfarune?” asked Hades, his words so even that they managed to loop around to being biting, as it was clear that Hades taking the extra effort to clarify his question irked him. “Why do you wish to remove them from the War of Science and Magic?”

Hearing the true meaning behind Hades’ question, Grendel paused as he tried to evaluate Hades, but as always he seemed to come up short, as the face of the god could be used to teach statues to be emotionless. Deciding to simply tell the truth, Grendel spoke and he hoped that Hades would agree with his logic.

“I have often said that Mars is a crucible for those that live there, and crucibles are designed to create things, especially ones the size of planets. However once the synthesis has been completed, once your desired creation is done, you don’t leave it in the crucible. You take it out and use it. The same applies here. I want to take them to Alfarune for one simple reason. I want to ensure this union of Science and Magic can flourish,” said Grendel as he tried to impress upon Hades the reason the family behind him needed to be preserved.

“And how do you know that they are your desired finished creation? How do you know the project was successful?” asked Hades, the stillness about him making the question much more ominous.

“Because of what I saw, because of what I know,” said Grendel quickly hoping to prevent Hades from reaching a decision that he didn’t want.

“If a romance between those created by science and those created by magic was enough for you to consider them to be done, then we would have an endless procession of people passing through here,” said Hades calmly, yet his words stopped Grendel cold. “So I ask again, why do you want to take these people from Mars and resettle them to Alfarune?”

Staring at the god before him, a god whose eyes seemed to peer deep within Grendel in a way that very few other gods could, Grendel was truly at a loss for words. He didn’t know what Hades wanted to hear and he didn’t want to have to return the Eriksons back to Mars so that the Elf Terrorist would find them and snuff them out.

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“I just want to save them,” said Grendel at last, as that was the only thing that he could think of to say. “I want to see them flourish in a place where they can live a long and beautiful life.”

“You have spent too long trying to play at hardboiled detective,” said Hades with a voice that was still monotone yet somehow softer.

“What?” responded Grendel unsure, as he had failed to understand Hades’ change in topic.

“You spent too long trying to manipulate others that you were doing it subconsciously to me,” said Hades his voice somehow gentle despite never changing tone, “and I cannot and will not be manipulated.”

Blinking in shock, Grendel suppressed a shiver as he realised that he had come so very close to ruining his plans simply because he had tried to manipulate a friend.

“I apologise,” said Grendel with heartfelt regret tainting his voice, a regret that Hades seemed to accept as an apology, as for the first time since the four living beings had entered into Hades’ hall he turned his head to look at the Eriksons.

“You may approach,” said Hades as he beckoned the three who stood at the back of his hall to approach him.

Shifting nervously the three mortals walked forward to stand before Hades, so that they were standing at the base of his throne next to Grendel.

Standing up, Hades descended down from his throne to stand before the three of them. And as he stood there he looked at each in turn. He surveyed Aaron Reinhart noting the buzz of his still active nano-machines. He looked at Syr Erikson, who while fascinated to see a god in the flesh, was also trembling with the barely contained desire to run. Finally Hades turned his attention to Morana who was looking back with just as much curiosity.

Morana looked at the ruggedly handsome face of Hades, a face that seemed to be made of flesh yet had an almost marble-like quality to it. And deep beneath the flesh there seemed to be veins and seams of iron running throughout the god. What’s more his eyes seemed to be made from onyx, clearly making the god out as the ruler of the underworld and all the minerals and wealth found within the world.

“What do you see little one?” asked Hades as he put effort into making his voice sound gentle.

“You look sad… and lonely,” said Morana as she continued to take in the god who wore clothes made from rolling shadows and darkness.

Twitching his head at the words that Morana had uttered, Grendel looked at the teenage werewolf in surprise that she had managed to see any emotion within the fabled, stoic god.

“Do you all know who I am?” asked Hades as he looked at all three of the mortals before him.

“You are the god Hades, ruler of the Underworld and God of Death,” said Syr as she pounced on an opportunity to use her teaching background and her knowledge of history.

“No,” said Hades solemnly, “I am not the god of death; I just rule over the land where the dead come upon death. I am the ruler and guardian of the underworld, and my greatest of duties is to ensure that sanctity of souls.”

“Most modern history books and mythology books say you are evil. They say you were evil because of your role as the god of death,” said Aaron Reinhard as he came to the defence of his lover.

“Now that you know the truth of my existence what do you think is the real reason?” asked Hades clearly testing the three that stood before him.

“You refused to give the dead back, despite having the power to do so,” said Aaron clearly aware of some of the stories of Orpheus and how he had almost rescued his lover from the depths of the underworld.

“You refuse to be manipulated through prayer and offerings,” said Morana as she looked at the unyielding figure of Hades that stood at least 3 metres tall.

“You knew the meaning of love and yet were not swayed by it,” said Syr, her voice quivering slightly as she glanced at the empty throne.

“And yet every once in a while I was,” said Hades as the ghost of a smile seemed to flicker across his face. “Orpheus became famous for failing to save his loved one from the Underworld, others succeeded. Some because they had rings of invisibility even my eyes could not overturn, others through guile, while yet others managed in ways I would rather not recount. A warning to you Grendel for your future endeavours, never underestimate a love fuelled human, they can do some insane things.”

Taking the warning seriously, especially since it was Hades that was the one that was warning him, Grendel bobbed his reptilian head in agreement.

“The three of you may pass through my realm and go to Alfarune,” said Hades as he turned to ascend back up to his throne.

“Thank you,” said Grendel and the others in unison, all of them clearly relieved that they had managed to pass Hades’ test.

“You are most welcome,” said Hades as he sat back down upon his iron throne that was adorned with obsidian and onyx. “When you die, mention my name to the one that comes to collect you. I will find you a peaceful place here in my realm if you so wish.”

“Thank you for the offer,” said Aaron carefully, “but I will have to wait and see my options before I make such a decision.

“Very well then,” said Hades before gesturing to a door that seemed to appear in the side of the hall out of nowhere, “follow this passage and you will reach the world you desire. I wish you well.”

Understanding that they were being dismissed, the dragon, werewolves and human bowed and saluted to the god of the underworld, before they headed out through the door and into a brand new world.

And as they left, the God upon his throne sat and waited with nigh infinite patience for the next set of souls to come through, regardless of whether these souls were bound within flesh or not.

He waited entombed in darkness, stillness and silence much like the dead he ruled over.

Nearing the end of the tunnel that led to the world of Alfarune, Grendel squinted at the light that was coming from the end of the tunnel, a light that was truly different from anything created by Sol back upon either Earth or Mars.

Shielding his reptilian eyes from the light, Grendel emerged out onto the surface world of the planet Alfarune, a world that revolved around the Binary star system of Sirius, what some people called the Dog Star.

Letting his eyes adjust to the glare of the world he found himself in, Grendel lowered his hand and looked out at the rolling lush fields of purple grass and leaves, a field that seemed to go on and on, until it reached numerous tall towers that seemed to be made from amethyst crystals.

Recognising the city for one that he had visited when he had come to Alfarune once before, Grendel turned to look down the length of the tunnel and beckon his wards to come forth and into the light of the two suns.

First to exit the tunnel was Morana and the moment she was out of the tunnel, her green eyes widened in surprise and then a smile of joy split her face as she resisted the desire to change into a giant wolf and run through the rolling purple fields of grass. Yet even as she resisted her impulses to run about, her hair was caught by the wind of the planet and spun about her, giving her a look of youthful joy.

Following after Morana, her parents took in the new world they stood upon with wonder filling their face, yet there was a trace of worry as they looked about at something so utterly alien. For both of them knew that starting this new life could be a monumental challenge. Especially if things went wrong.

“The city I was telling you about is over there,” said Grendel as he caught onto the traces of controlled worry in the eyes of Aaron and Syr.

Shifting his gaze from Morana to the city in the distance, Aaron seemed to relax, before he frowned as a new worry formed within him.

“Is that UEF technology?” asked Aaron, his voice catching at the idea that the UEF had managed to get here before them.

“Yes and no,” said Grendel as he composed himself so that he wasn’t getting swept away in Morana’s unbound excitement. “While it is indeed UEF technology it is not something the UEF has control over.”

“What is it precisely?” asked Aaron even as the nano-machine cloud that surrounded him told him that they had detected an archaic network system.

“Tell me Syr, as a teacher of history, have you ever heard about the Orion Liner Project?” asked Grendel as he focused in on Syr whose mouth had dropped open at the question. For it was apparent she knew what Grendel was talking about.

“Mum you know what that is?” asked Morana as she focused in on her mother, having turned her attention away from the purple grass.

“Yes I do,” said Syr as she turned to look at her daughter beckoning for Morana to come closer. “The Orion Liner Project, or OLP, was a faster than light project created by the UEF over a hundred years ago. They tried to send people to Alpha-Centauri, the closest star system to our Solar Sea as some people call it. The OLP was said to have malfunctioned and exploded, or maybe it was disintegrated. Regardless, it was destroyed and that line of research was suspended indefinitely.”

“They ended up appearing here, not even they are sure about what happened or why,” said Grendel solemnly as he was aware that not all of the astronauts had made it to this world alive.

“So they landed here and the elves welcomed them?” asked Morana as she looked at the city in the distance in awe and a hint of suspicion.

“Yes, they welcomed them with open arms and helped them adjust to this world and they even managed to merge magic and science together to create the society they have today. One of true harmony,” said Grendel as he smiled at the fact the civilisation that was here was living proof that his ideas could succeed. “Although, they do have their problems. They won’t let me smoke my cigars here. Apparently the purple leaves are also filled with alcohol. Makes them very combustible.”

“My heart weeps for your problems,” said Aaron snidely as he gave the dragon a guarded look before asking a question of his own. “How did the elves get here? I thought they originated on Earth as well?”

“They did originate from Earth but after the rise of technology and the fall of Norse Mythology they decided to leave Earth. They came here after they left,” explained Grendel as he could see what Aaron was after with his line of questioning.

“I’m just curious if inter-galactic magic is something so simple that one day we wake up to find the UEF or the Rustwood elves looking for us in the local bazaar,” explained Aaron as he admitted the thought had just come to him now as he finally saw the evidence laid out before him.

“They used a variation of the Bifrost magic, a spell that took an enormous amount of magic and time to create,” admitted Grendel as he looked over his shoulder at the amethyst city.

“How does that work?” asked Syr clearly aware of what the Bifrost magic was. “I thought the Bifrost was magic that only allowed you to travel between set realms, not planets.”

“Normally yes but with a little human imagination and inspiration they were able to realise that they could use the spell to travel to any location that has a rainbow,” explained Grendel as he looked back and forth at the people before him.

“So only when everyone worked together was it possible to do the impossible,” said Morana as she looked at her parents before looking back at the city on the horizon.

Growing silent the four of them took a long moment to look out at the magnificent city on the horizon and the world that flowed out about them, especially the unusual grass that was in every direction possible.

“Is this what you are trying to create on Mars?” asked Morana as she looked back at the dragon who had changed and, truthfully, saved their lives. “Is this why you won’t stay here?”

“No I am trying to create something much more than this,” said Grendel with a seriousness that made the three before him grow still as they waited to hear what he had to say.

“Mars is a crucible but it is also being put through a crucible. It will be reforged into something much more grand than anything that can be found here,” explained Grendel as he gestured out at the vast world before them. “This is a fusion of Norse Myth and Human Science, a good one at that, one that continues to grow even now. But what I seek to create on Mars, what I seek to turn Mars into, is a perfect fusion of Science and Magic, from every corner of the universe and beyond.”

“I understand,” said Morana with a nod of her head before turning to look at the city in the distance. “So how are we getting there?”

“I thought that the two of you could get a free run in, while Aaron and I walk over there,” said Grendel as he gestured to the two werewolves to run through the open fields.

Perking up at the idea, the two werewolves quickly glanced at Aaron before taking off after they saw him nod his head in reassurance.

Racing off the two werewolves were already into their beast form before they were half way into the field and once they were they started to frolic in the grass, playing and racing for the first time in their life, no longer hemmed in by walls and fences. They were free to run to the far corners of the world and they knew it in their bones and for the first time in their lives they howled with a joy that was all but unimaginable.

Seeing his lover and daughter race about all the while filling the air with a music that spoke of being set free, Aaron glanced at the humanoid dragon next to him and spoke up.

“Thank you,” said Aaron. “Thank you for all your gifts to me.”

“What do you mean?” asked Grendel as he gave the former principal a glance that conveyed his confusion.

“After our meeting in that filling room I looked you up. I tried to find any scrap of information that I could, even if it was rumours and hearsay,” admitted Aaron as he continued to watch his family roll around in the grass. “I found a rumour about you, one that made me trust you completely.”

“Yes, my last name is tied to being able to investigate gods,” said Grendel with a shrug at the fact that he had managed to outwit the gods. Although the idea that someone was leaking stories about him being able to best gods was not exactly something that Grendel was enthused about, especially if it ended up revealing how he had bested Zeus.

“The rumour stated that 50 years ago you managed to get together enough blackmail evidence to force every fertility god and goddess on Mars to make it so that humans and mythic beings could breed with each other,” said Aaron as he turned to look at Grendel to truly see if the dragon had any tells that would give away the truth of the matter.

“I don’t know your source, but they got a lot of the facts wrong,” said Grendel as he involuntarily went to grab a cigar before realising that he couldn’t.

“But there is some truth to what was said, in that you helped ensure that Syr and I could have a child,” said Aaron clearly overawed by what he was saying and what was before him.

“That is a story from back when I first started my career on Mars. And it wasn’t every god on Mars, I only foiled a plot that would have prevented what was already possible,” said Grendel clarifying he wasn’t responsible for Morana’s existence.

“Even so, you helped ensure that her and many others came into this world,” said Aaron with traces of tears in his eyes. “If you have ever a need for my aid you will have everything you need and more.”

“Hopefully I never will need to call in that favour,” said Grendel as he nodded his head in acceptance at what Aaron was offering up. “Now then let’s get you to your new home. Once you’re all set up, I can head on home.”

Moving on, the two of them began walking towards Amethyst City all the while Syr and Morana played in the grass, both taken by the sense of freedom they had been given. Yet even lost to the wonder of this new world, they trailed after Aaron, as they didn’t want to lose him from their life.

Continuing onward the four of them arrived at the Amethyst City and once inside they started to set up the new lives of the Erikson family.

Grendel returned to his home with a contented sigh, knowing that he had managed to fix up all the loose ends from his previous case. The Erikson family was safe, the generals were celebrating their victory, and Lieutenant Maxwell Clarke was getting a promotion. The elf terrorist had been driven underground and would not likely reappear for a few decades. Everything had managed to end in a way that benefited Grendel’s vision for the future. And as such he could now focus in on his next case whatever that may be.

Walking through his office door, Grendel did a quick check of the office to make sure that everything was in place.

Grendel looked to make sure that there was no damage to the various items he had hoarded away in his little office. He checked to make sure they were in the same places he had left them. And once he had confirmed that they were all where he had left them, Grendel took a moment to survey them. Some were keepsakes from cases he had cleared or people he had saved, others were treasures that he had held onto for generations, but most were things that he had simply amassed due to wanting to match the image of his hobby.

Finishing his survey of the front office of his business, Grendel turned to the one person that was in the room, or more precisely the android that was in his room.

“Welcome back, Detective Grendel,” said the synthetic voice of his secretary, a seductively beautiful android in the shape of a woman. An android that Grendel had saved from the scrap heap long ago, and who he now employed.

“Thank you, Andromeda,” said Grendel as he looked at the android before him who was seated in her office chair, a computer in front of her, a computer that was clearly from a different century. “Having fun playing against humans?”

“Always. Although sometimes when I beat them they become scary competent,” admitted Andromeda Fontana, as she placed the control device of the machine down on the desk. “How was your latest job?”

“Complicated,” said Grendel simply, as he didn’t want to go over everything at present, “hopefully my next job won’t be so taxing.”

“I already have a potential client ready for you,” said Andromeda, as she stood up her metallic skin gleamed in the archaic light of the 20th century.

“Oh?” asked Grendel, curious about who had stopped by during his absence.

“She’s waiting for you in the interview room,” said Andromeda as she pointed towards a translucent glass door, a file in her other hand. “She’s been waiting for a couple of days.”

Processing what his secretary had just told him Grendel was aware that the only one who would likely wait for such a length of time would be the divine or the undead, especially since Andromeda refused to feed the guests. Either of which would be a very base request, one that would involve scandal and decadence.

Smiling at the prospect of his next job, Grendel pulled a cigar from his pocket, lit it with a wisp of fiery breath and took the file from Andromeda. Yet before he could walk in Grendel handed Andromeda the broken vinyl recording device Nidus had destroyed.

“I guess you are going to want a spare,” said Andromeda, with a sight as she knew that she would be the one to put the device back together, to retrieve the data.

“Indeed,” said Grendel before he picked up his replacement vinyl recorder and headed into the interview room.

Once inside, Grendel could see that his guest and prospective employer was Hera, the Goddess of Marriage and wife of Zeus. Already guessing what kind of job he was about to receive, Grendel smiled, his golden eyes gleaming with delight at the fact that he could use this next job to set up things for ensuring the crucible of Mars would be sustained.

“My dear Hera, what brings you here?” asked Grendel, only to receive an answer that both conferred his suspicions, yet at the same time confused him and filled him with concern.

“It’s Zeus; I think he is cheating on me. He saw a beautiful woman and then he did something he’s never done before… he called her ugly…”

THE END