"Titan!" I yelled. Throwing myself down to his level and throwing my arms around him. "You look so good, you coat is beautiful buddy." I ran my hands over his furry sides and up to his head ruffling his ears and lifting his face up to look into his chocolate eyes. His little stump of a tail doing its best to wag uncontrolled. Titan let out a small whine as he touched his nose to the unbleeding but still gaping wound from the machete that had chopped into my bicep.

"Its ok buddy. It doesn't hurt." I told him softly as i sat down. "It looks like I could be joining you though, but Hades here said he has an offer we should listen to first."

Once fully sitting cross legged Titan rolled over to lay down in my lap. I immediately started rubbing and scratching his chest and stomach is long tongue lolling out and to the side in doggie bliss.

Hades smiled the sad pain filled smile again and to my surprise he came and sat down cross legged across from me.

"Yes, as i said, There are many powerful beings in this world who come here from across the multiverse. This particular world has the weakest human mortals so we otherworldly beings have preyed on them in various ways. From using our power and tricking them into worshiping us and making sacrifices in our names. Some using them to do vile deeds in thier names to increase thier own status and power, To outright hunt and feed on them."

"Some of the gods thought we should be protecting the mortals who worshiped us, others believed we should let them fend for themselves. So it stood at an impasse for many years, until one group of mortals who worshiped Pan were wiped out by another god's followers. Pan grew sick and weak and was forced into a hibernation state where that god was able to consume his power."

"Needless to say, gods of all flavors stood up and took notice. Power was given to mortals to be a pseudo military force to protect other mortals and keep them in the dark about the things that go bump in the night. The form that power takes is magic in various forms. Blessings, curses, brands, tattoos it varies from pantheon to pantheon but it allows you to wield mythical and magical forces to fight for and protect mortals. And the way it presents itself is different with every generation. The current "model"." He said using air quotes around the word model.

"Is particularly easy to use, and I'm told it is a much easier interface than that of all previous models, but i'm getting ahead of myself. Power is given to mortals by many gods to fight the evil that preys on them. Granted some gods can be just as bad. As stated my brothers can be assholes. But even power enhanced mortals couldn't easily stop them. They are part of the compact though, as are most of the more powerful gods. Some lower or newer gods get into some dastardly or nefarious doings but their minions will be free game to you."

"For the most part I stayed out of the power games and struggles. I had a busy job that required my attention. I have power from my domain and never needed mortals to worship and do deeds in my name to power me."

"Recently, a few hundred years ago. My domain was attacked by a conglomerate of unknown magical mortals and rouge blessed in some sort of gang. I lost many guards and my own canine companion in the assault before it could be rebuffed. It has taken me many years to calm down enough for a mortal to be able to look upon me. So I began my search for a mortal to be my first blessed, but forgive me if I say I find most mortals to be sickeningly self interested."

"No, I get that." I said with a sigh "It's all about immediate gratification, what can i get out of this. Never, what can i do to help this person."

Hades nodded. "Indeed after 200 years I had given up. Until one day while doing judgments and reviewing soul footage I noticed a young man who prayed for the men that he killed and openly cried at having to end them, well in certain situations anyway. But I tend to agree with the ones you didn't." He said, casting an angry look at the shadow puppet show, still paused on my shooting of the man who had killed Titan, and the new corpses around us.

I winced. I shouldn't have shot the man who had ended Titan. I knew it. I should have gotten in trouble, an investigation, something. But no one cared. He had shot at me, and killed a deputized K9. As far as anyone else was concerned it was justified.

"Ok but why me? I'm sure there are other qualified actual soldiers who would be better choices." Wanting to get away from that train of thought.

"For the first blessing to work we have to be of similar alignments. A soldier is more Ares or Mars, or any other war gods across the pantheons."

"I'm like the god of the underworld and wealth?" I asked skeptical

"More than you know." He said with a grin. " Also your biological father was blessed by Mars. It's why you are bigger, stronger and faster than anyone else in your family. However Mars wouldn't Choose you. You have too much emotional intelligence, and enjoy thinking too much for his liking, but will give you several advantages in my service."

I sat shocked, my dog made upset noises that I had stopped my affection. My biological father had died of a heart attack while I was just a baby. I didn't know anything about him.

"You did your Duty. Even when it was hard, and it cost you parts of yourself. You did not let the people in your charge escape, you understand what it means to be a guard to things people fear. The nightmares of the mortal realm." Hades said, holding up a finger.

"You don't needlessly lie, or make promises you know you couldn't keep." A second finger ticked up.

"You are kind and gentle despite the fact that you are capable of terrible and explosive violence. You have seen the absolute worst the mortal world has had to offer, you have known loss, yet you strive for peace and calm until someone tries to hurt you, or Gaia forgive they try to hurt an innocent. You have quite literally fought to your death to protect innocents when you could have waited for reinforcements ." A third finger popped up. His other hand gestured at the still fresh corpses I had made.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"I couldn't think Of a better choice to be a champion of the mortals in my name. You would be the first lord of my house. I want you to be that kind and benevolent man with the power to destroy those beings seeking to hurt innocent mortals. I have stood by for too long. I will answer that call now. And I would rather do it with you as my spear point."

"What would I have to do? I'm a bit old to be learning magic and fighting mythical monsters throughout town." I said hesitantly.

"You would leave this life behind. Your body will be restored to a youthful age and will remain that way until you meet a physical end of your life at the hands of a beast or other magical being. Magic will be instinctual to you once blessed. As I said, the user system is very comprehensive and easy to learn, this life will end. People will remember you, that you died a hero, they will all go to a funeral and you will be remade. And your life will begin anew. All you have to do is what you have already been doing. Just a larger scale up and a bit more fire and brimstone." He said with a grin.

"Eternal youth? That sounds too good to be true and what is the pay and benefits like?" I asked. Considering being 21 and broke again, I wasn't rich by any means but I was comfortable. Did I want to start over at that level when i could just cease. I was tired. Tired of endless fights and bloodshed.

Again the rich booming laughter echoed. "I was not being eloquent when I said you would be the lord of my House, Ramon Vega. You will be the lord of the house of a god of wealth. You will want for nothing when it comes to the luxury of life. You will need a mortal job, a cover, if you will. But the people who work for Panacea, the mortal corporation controlled by the Greek pantheon will provide all of that."

"What about Titan? I asked. Can he be reborn with me? If i get to start over, cant he?"

Hades smiled and looked at Titan. "What do you think, little one? Would you like that? Do you know what it would cost you?"

Titan immediately jumped up barking once and snuffling at my hair and face excitedly wiggling his rear.

"What will it cost him?" I asked cautiously

"Titan has always been a special dog, the descendent of an Aztec god of death who has faded from memory. But enough power was born into Titan that he could become a spirit and choose to be reborn to help humans. Always slightly bigger and more intelligent in whatever form he was born to. He has been reborn many times to help many different people. He was able to remain a shade watching over you. One day he might have chosen to be reborn and lived a mortal life. Now he will be forever bonded to you. He couldn't suffer death unless you do. But make no mistake this will be a dangerous job. And you can fall. If you do it will mean his end too."

"I… I can't ask that of you titan" i said tears in my eyes at the prospect of separating from him. "You could live again buddy. A real life. A happy life as a farm dog. A service animal to a blind kid i can't ask you to give up an eternity to fight monsters and crawl through shit with me. It would be selfish to you and to others you might help."

A deep rumbling growl echoed out from his deep chest. He had never growled at me outside of training. It shocked me. Titan looked to Hades. And made more barely audible growling grunting noises. He came over to me and stood up on his hind legs putting paws on my shoulders. I leaned in, putting my forehead to his, tears streaming from my eyes to his muzzle.

"He said you're not asking him. It's his choice. He asks you to think of all the mortals you might help and save. Maybe one but maybe hundreds over the years you will be alive and fighting."

He spoke softly now, voice sounding like a calm soft whisper carried over the breeze of a graveyard. Sure and calm but full of empathy that I could feel somehow. Resolving my heart.

"Might i remind you that you have the potential to live for hundreds of years now. You could save many more people together rather than separately. I will give him a gift for his sacrifice in my service through you. It will make him all the more capable of helping you live. If that would make his choice more bearable?"

"Ok. I said. I accept. Both of your offers.". Before I could overthink choosing the option that seemed right. If I could help people I would. Plus Magic. That was my inner nerd's dream. I couldn't turn that down.

"Excellent" he said simply. Reaching into his suit's vest pocket he pulled out a vial of liquid that was separated like oil on water. One part golden, one part black with a bit of grey separating them.

"This is blood from Cerberus. I have a few drops I can spare that will make him stronger. It should mix well with his speck of godly heritage and allow him to be tougher and stronger to help aid you." He explained in his lecture voice again. His hand once again glowing ominously purple as he shook the vial. He pulled the cork out and dropped two black, gold glowing, grey marbled drops onto Titans tongue.

Titan hacked and whimpered. Smoke billowing out of his mouth. But he stood there and waited. His form somehow became more solid. His black coat losing the rainbow sheen of oil in sunlight and gaining a smokey gray brindling all throughout his silky black coat reminiscent of the suit Hades wore. His warm chocolate eyes watched me. He shook the transition, obviously in pain. I moved over to him and placed a reassuring hand on his head.

"You're doing so good, bud. I'm so proud of you. I'm right here. It will be my turn next."

"You will both need time to heal. Once you are both done you will be able to help him." Hades said as he began taking off his suit jacket and taking off the sapphire cufflink from his right shirt cuff and placing it in his vest pocket with the vial of blood from cerberus. He then rolled up the sleeve to his right arm.

He reached for the back of his waist pulling out a wide bladed black damascus dagger, with a twisting hilt carved of some dark red wood. A disk pommel emblazoned with an image of a round shield with a familiar three headed dog pride of place in the center of the shield, an Aspis if i remembered correctly. The dagger was a pugio, with its wide double edged blade. I had always been fascinated by blacksmithing and the different weapons of history.

Hades carved a deep wound in his own right arm. Starting at his wrist all the way up to his elbow. I mean seemed a bit much for a couple of drops. But maybe he was a dramatic guy. Who knows, I thought nervously.

I watched as he tilted his arm down. Letting the golden blood, the ichor of gods, beaded up like mercury and flowed down into the pool coating his right hand. Take off your shirt and armor." He said through gritted teeth. I took off my outer five eleven tan shirt, My pinnacle body armor, and my under armor sleeveless shirt, once a pristine white, now almost completely reddish hue of my blood with small stand out spots of white dotted around it.

I looked back up and Hades was just there. Placing his blood covered hand over my heart it burned hot for a long moment. Not unpleasant, more like if you held a blow dryer on a spot too long. Or had one of those heating pod things hunters use during winter nights pressed to your skin.

"This isn't so ba…" I started, then was cut off as Hades brutally thrust his pugio through the golden hand print, deep into my heart. Probably bisecting the ventricles completely with the wide blade of the beautiful weapon. I looked down at the protruding hilt vision fading fast.