Under the crescent moon, Anahit gripped her bow tightly. She was unsure of the demons intentions. She had expected to meet the creature in Epithmia but it had instead come straight to her. Why is Mors here? Did we cross over into Epithmia while traveling through that tunnel? Anahit was puzzled at the sight of the demon; Orion on the other hand was fuming. He seemed to be a mix of anger and pure confusion at seeing the dejall burst through his estate and kill some of his men.

“WHAT IN THE HADES ARE YOU DOING HERE!?” Orion bellowed, his face brimming with anger.

Scarlet Death’s eyes did not waver from Anahit. With a simple wave a burst of red locusts shot out of its hand towards Orion.

“I see you have not heeded my warnings Orion.” Mors said cooly, her voice low and calm. “What am I doing here you ask? Is this not my domain you’re encroaching on.”

Orion let out a shriek at the sight of the locusts. He fell back on his backside, terror sweeping across his face. “Send them away—we can talk, can’t we? I am allowed here, do not forget that.”

“You are allowed here. You are not allowed to do as you please.” Scarlet Death lumbered over towards Orion, crouching in front of him. “You have been busy, haven’t you?” Taking a bundle of Orion’s hair in hand Mors slammed his face into the dirt below.

Anahit’s eyes widened at the sudden strike. A resounding “thwack” reverberated off the ground, causing her to wince at the sight. Streaks of blood were now pooling from Orion’s head.

“Wait—”

Before Orion could finish his sentence, his head was slammed once more into the dirty ground.

“How many? How many of my citizens have you taken? How dare you think you’re a god when you’re having to live in my territory, wreaking havoc on my people.”

“Only travelers—they were only visitors I swear!”

Another loud thud sounded. Orion’s face was now swollen from the hits Mors was inflicting upon him.

Oh. Now I see. Anahit had heard of brief tales of how Scarlet Death conducted her businesses in Epithmia. Most had concluded that the place was worse than the underworld, riddled with death and despair, of drunkards and thieves. She had also heard from lower court gossipers that it was not the ‘city of immorality’ because of the lawlessness of the town, but the morals instead. The laws specifically protected sex workers and gamblers. Both pursuits brought in a lot of money and visitors. Lower court attendants and minor gods mentioned Scarlet Death, and her citizens, were a provocative sort with zero common decency. Not only was Orion stealing revenue, but he was abusing her citizens, treating them as slaves and not laborers, something strictly forbidden in the city.

Mors released Orion. Wiping her hands on her cloak, as if Orion’s blood had tainted her skin, she looked in Anahit’s direction. “Not only have you disregarded the laws of the land, but you have brought a major goddess under Nanes court into my domain.”

Anahit straitened up at this comment. She was on high alert. The goddess was in no shape to fight the dejall. She could feel the poison setting in and attempting to take root in her consciousness. Her body swayed in exhaustion from having to hold back the effects of the poison. Anahit was not sure that the stunt with the water would work for her again here.

The dejall kneeled next her, its piercing eyes locking on her injury. Anahit was not sure if it was her blurring vision, but she thought she saw a flash of worry cross the creatures face.

“If you answer me honestly, goddess Anahit, ruler over water, domains of healing, fertility, and wisdom, then I will rid you the cursed blood now mixing with your god’s blood.”

Sweat was dripping from Anahit’s brow. She was in no mood to make deals with Scarlet Death, but she had no choice. If what Orion poisoned her with is truly cursed blood, then she will be at the servitude of him.

“I did not mean to meet you in this manner Mors, nor do I pose you or your citizen’s harm. I have come for your help.”

Although Orion was beaten to a bloody pulp, he was still able to let out a chuckle. “Help?! Nane sends you, goddess Anahit, to ask help from Scarlet Death?! Don’t make me—” Orion was cut short by a swarm of locusts entering his mouth and causing him to choke.

“Apologies. Go on.”

Anahit was taken aback by how much Mors seemed to be having fun. She didn’t know whether to find this charming or terrifying. “I was sent by Nane, along with my brother Tir and…” She pondered on whether she should mention Aries, but she concluded that she should be honest with the demon. “And Aries, whom you are familiar with.”

Mors raised an eyebrow at the mention of this name. Anahit continued. “We first stopped in Venus’s territory, where we met with Eros. I’m sure you recognize them. We decided to stop for the night at an inn before meeting with you tomorrow, but obviously those plans changed because we ended up being dragged… here.”

“Nane told us of a vision where she saw the end of the world. You were in that vision. She tasked us with either subduing you… or convincing you to help us prevent such an event from occurring.”

Scarlet Death’s face showed slight amusement at Anahit’s words. “And do you think you’re in a state to subdue me if I refuse? She saw me in the vision, does that not mean that I cause the end of the world?”

Anahit blinked in confusion at this statement. “Not necessarily. Visions show only partial truths. It is hard to decern details from them. If anything, it showed you to be the catalyst. Either you cause it to come a lot quicker or slow it down.”

“Hmmm….” Scarlet Death was now leaning on her hand, seemingly bored with the topic. “That parts answered but you still have not commented on whether you are strong enough to be able to subdue me if I refuse.”

“Do you refuse?” Anahit asked, her heart-rate quickening.

“Will I still be a threat to Olypias after, let’s say, I end up helping you with saving the world? Will I still have to worry about the Olypias court, and Nane, encroaching on my land and my followers?”

“I—” Anahit was not sure how to respond to such questions. She was not sure whether Scarlet Death would be welcomed, even after her potentially helping to save the world. Her ways were so different than Nane’s; Anahit was not sure if Olypias would still consider her a threat.

“You’re a goddess are you not? You answer prayers on healing? If I were to pray for you to ease my citizens minds and heart, as well as mine from Nanes influence, would that not fall under healing?”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Anahit was absolutely stunned by the boldness of Mors. Never in her 1000 years of life had she faced someone with such confidence as Scarlet Death. “A demon praying to a goddess?” Was all she managed to say in her shock.

“Why not? How about this, if you can ensure that my city Epithmia, and my citizens are left untouched by Olypias’s dealings then I will agree to be your catalyst.”

She’s not specifying on whether that will be a positive or negative catalyst…. Anahit thought to herself. “Then I will fulfill your request… so long as your intentions align with preventing the destruction of humanity.”

Mors momentarily contemplated Anahit’s words before reaching out a hand to the goddesses injured leg. Etching the veins now blackened from the cursed blood with her long, blackened nails she pierced Anahit’s skin, causing her to wince. “If I could do this in a manner that would not cause you any pain then trust me I would.” Her words sounded earnest to Anahit. As her finger dug into the goddesses’ skin the veins slowly drained their hues of black, returning to vibrant gold. “Cursed blood can only be coaxed out by more cursed blood.” Anahit felt a surge of energy coarse through her again as the last of the cursed blood left her. “We have a deal goddess Anahit.”

***

Tir and Eros tread lightly through the dimly lit corridors of Orion’s fortress, their eyes keenly scanning for any sign of danger. The air was thick with tension. Eros couldn’t stop thinking about Tir’s behavior earlier, and why he had acted so angry with Eros. His eyes landed on the bundle of purple hyacinth Tir had tucked away in his teal robe. To his surprise the god of the sun had accepted them. Eros was half expecting Tir to throw them into the flames.

“What?” Tir asked, looking at Eros expectantly,

“Huh?”

“You were looking in my direction.” Tir said with a placid expression.

“Oh. I was just lost in thought,” Eros lied.

Tir looked like he was about to speak when the sound of distant whimpers wafted through the stone walls. As they turned the corner they found themselves face-to-face with a group of Orion’s men, their swords glinting ominously in the flickering torchlight. The men sneered at the sight of the two.

“Who the Hades are the two of you?!” One of the men demanded.

Tir’s hands lit up in flames leaving the men stunned. “Leave,” was all he said before they turned on their heels fleeing in fear.

“Well, that was easy.” Eros joked. “I wish I could produce flames, making people run away in fear.”

Tir huffed at this statement. “Where are your precious aulos? Last time I checked you weren’t so helpless in a fight.”

Ah. He’s still angry. Eros thought with a sigh. “Must have left it at home.” Tir rolled his eyes at this comment.

The two continued walking forward, the whimpers growing loader as they did so. Coming to a set of wide doors, the two looked at each other with determination. Tir, building up a flame, blasted it at the doors, causing them to swing open.

“Could you not have checked it the doors where unlocked?” Asked Eros.

“Quiet.”

The whimpers turned into shrieks at the sight of the flames. Women, men, children, and others of different ages and races huddled around in fear. They eyes cast worried glances in Eros and Tirs direction.

“We mean no harm!” Eros quickly said. “We are here to save you!”

The huddles of people looked around in shock, relief, and puzzlement. A child quickly burst into tears.

“See, I don’t think it was a good idea to burst in her flames ablaze…” Eros whispered to Tir.

“Hmph.”

Seeing that the two truly meant no harm the captured people slowly arose, cautiously following them out of the room. Tir lead to way. His strides were determined and quick. Eros followed closely behind, consoling some of the women whimpering.

They made it halfway down the hall before a low rumbling could be heard. The floors and walls shook slightly, frightening the people trailing behind the god and the demigod.

“What is that?!” Eros asked with a puzzled expression.

The low rumbling continued as the sound of rushing water became audible from a distance. Tir’s face darkened as he looked back at Eros, their eyes meeting momentarily.

“I have no idea…” He replied, a hint of apprehension in his voice.

A wave of water burst forth in front of them and the captives with a threatening aura. Eros, only having a split second to think look to Tir again before transforming into a large fish. The rush of water collided into his scaley form, pushing him back. He scanned the water, swimming against its fierce current. Finding some of the captives he let them into his gaping mouth. He continued this until all the captives were consumed. Feeling a tug at his lower fin he found Tir hanging on, struggling against the current. Opening his mouth again he coaxed the god in.

The hallways of Orion’s villa had high ceilings and wide walls. He feared briefly that he would not be able to fit into such a tight space. As they propelled themself forward, the water crashed against their scales as they did so. He found a set of double doors. Not taking another second to think they pushed the doors open with their head.

His large scaley body tumbled onto the cement steps. The water flowed down the steps around him, seeping into the sandy soil. Since he was still in his fish form, he momentarily flopped to a frow off the ground. Opening his fish mouth, he spit out all the captives and Tir.

The captives, still in shock after seeing an individual they assumed to be a person transform into a fish, tumbled out of his mouth. Some of the children were crying, no wonder shocked at the experience of being swallowed by a large fish. The women and men swayed back a fourth, stumbling over themselves in exhaustion and surprise.

Tir remained calm. His robe, looking pristine before, was now soaked in water. He attempted to ring out his robe, but to no avail.

Eros swiftly transformed back into his male form. His rose-pink robe stuck to his skin, restricting his movements, causing him to lose his balance during the transformation. Tir, seeing this, quickly grabbed onto Eros’ arm, steading him.

“Thanks!” Eros blurted, slightly perturbed by being slammed to and frow by waves of water.

“I should be thanking you.” Tir replied, his hand still steading Eros. “They would have been seriously harmed without your quick thinking.” The god signaled to the people around them.

Eros slicked back his blond hair. His eyes skimmed where Tirs hand was resting before shifting his eyes to the crowd around them. “That took me by surprise. I was not expecting the villa to flood with water.”

Tir removed his hand from Eros’s arm and attempted to ring out some water from his outer blue robe. “I think I know where it came from.” His voice was steady and calm. As he continued to try to ring out the water a couple of people slowly approached the two.

“W-We thank you.” One said, slightly kneeling as they did so.

“God Apollo, we apologize for not recognizing you before.” Another said, their eyes lowering to the ground in fear.

Straightening out his appearance, Tir looked down towards the humans with a bored expression. “It is not I that you should be thanking. You should also be thanking god Cupid here.”

The humans quickly rushed to Eros to say their thanks. Since Eros held a lighter expression on their face and smiled in response to their thanks a lot more rushed forward, soon crowding around the demigod.

They were outside of the villa, in a garden path. The two, Tir and Eros said their goodbyes to the people, freeing them from the clutches of Orion. Turning back in the direction of the villa Eros turned to Tir.

“That was quite eventful, wasn’t it? We should find the others and fill them in on what happened.”

“I’m sure they have more to tell us.” Tir responded. “Anahit seemed to be especially busy given my inclining that water was her doing.”

“Quite sure of yourself.” Eros joked, being in high spirits after talking with the humans that they freed. “Are you devining that? Or are you using that big brain of yours?”

Tir let out a huff at this and walked forward.

“What was that?!” Eros asked, following him.

“What was what?” Tir shot back, sparing Eros a glance.

“You laughed. I heard you clearly laugh. You can’t hide it from me!”

“Did you not finish your transformation? You clearly have a memory of a fish if you think I did such a thing.” A smile etched slightly across Tirs face, breaking his otherwise even-tempered expression.

Eros thought he might collapse from seeing such an expression from Tir after so many years ignoring each other. He was about to tease Tir further when suddenly an explosion came from the distance.

From the side of the Villa came a loud, booming crash. A large hole, the size of an old oak tree now, formed, and in that rubble and dust laid the exhausted body of a particular god. Crouching above him stood a heinous looking being, it claws digging into the god’s skin.

“Aries!” Eros exclaimed with wide eyes.

Aries barely raised his eyes before responding with an exasperated “evening…”