The Pantheon Project

Three days after the south america incident Eddie's House was filled with gods. The only time more gods conveyed then this was during councils. This was a social function not a formal one making it look like a party set up for the world's elite. Only more extravagant. Every god in attendance brought along their own group of lackeys familiar with the world. Filling the house to bursting. It was a rare occasion that Heachiman, the Shinto god of war and Hero God of violence to the first pantheon, wanted to blow off some steam. Once word got around among the gods that Hero and Hachiman where fighting the location became a hot spot of activity. The event once lasted two nights and three days.

Eddie walked among his guests in a special area set up in the backyard. His home was being used for the event the two created. An open challenge to any that would claim to be the greatest warrior on earth. Gods had their own culture, a secret world kept hidden knowing the world was not yet ready for the truth of gods and such a thing as a ruling council to the universe composed of human beings born on other planets.

As planets with intelligent life evolve the gods must slowly go into hiding. No longer able to lead from the light they must direct from the shadows taking positions as key personnel among the world's elite. Every multinational pharmaceutical company and space agency has no less than three gods working in its employment. Till they fake an untimely death and move onto another identity to continue with whatever task the ruling council has set them on. The humans on earth have proven to be a stubborn lot that do not like change. Earthers have killed several pantheons turning on the gods after learning they were mortal beings that had zero divine power. But the council would see earth join its ranks as the resources on the planet were vast and the patience of the gods had no equal.

“What's the score?” Eddie asked Loki who was currently the bookie for the event controlling the odds and wagers for each match. Loki looked nothing like the fair skinned Norsemen. The thing that the myths got most wrong about Loki was that he was of a very dark complication. He was banished with them only because he was banished at the same time he never had dealings with Odin and his family until placed on the ship that would drop them on earth he never desired to be part of their plans to manufacture illegal serum. Helping Eddie and Hero kill Thor by switching his teleport beacon for a fake one preventing him from escaping them. Thus being labeled the trickster half brother by all followers of Odin's pantheon at the time.

“They each have ten tokens.” Loki said, speaking fluent English. Never taking his eyes from the fight area below him. A raised platform had been erected in a small valley. Spectators watched sitting on a wide variety of furniture. This was the ruling class of the universe after all the basic stadium would not do. On both sides of the valley a medley of cultures could be seen. The ancient Egyptian pantheon had a pavilion set up where Amen Ra sat talking with Zeus both gods no longer bound to earth there pantheons missions complete still they liked to visit on occasion. Zeus and Amen Ra had a unique task given to their pantheons. They had to develop cultures of their own and develop a world trade system. Once the Greeks and Romans were trading with the Egyptians their tasks were complete and the pantheons left earth. Zeus was also known as Jupiter to the Romans. When Zeus first tried teaching astronomy to the ancient Romans they insisted on referring to the gods by the names of the planets. Such is the case with ancient history the myths while grounded in some fact or another none of them came anywhere near the truth.

Eddie walked closer to watch the tiebreaker match. While both men sat on opposite sides of the fifty foot circle a group of shapely women currently dressed in shiny green pants and silver tops carried a small table to the center of the ring. Dancing their way off stage the two men walked to center stage eyeing each other as crowds of people on the hill sides to their right and left called out what weapon they hoped would be drawn. Hero had won the last match, a fight allowing only kicks he had launched the smaller lighter man from the ring rather easily. Bringing the score to ten each as he moved the current chip from the center of the table to his stack of ten on the left. Hachiman held the black bag containing the remaining eighty-nine chips out for Hero. Each chip represents a weapon or fighting style that must be used.

Reaching his hand into the bag and pulling it out slamming his hand flat to the table then standing up straight. Neither man showed emotion and paid zero attention to the crowd as they began to cheer wildly. Above the combatants a three dimensional holographic image of a net and trident rotated above their heads.

“What is this shit? I don't believe I agree with this shit.” Hachiman said in broken English. He didn't like the language but in god culture it was proper etiquette to speak the same tongue as the host. As it was guaranteed anything said in any other language would be flagged by audio and video recorders.

“I never need to learn to fight a fish, who fight this way?” Hachiman continued to taunt.

“It's called retiarius and was extremely popular in the arenas of ancient Rome.” Hero said with a smile as the table was taken away by dancing girls that left two wooden tridents and large nets laying on the ground in their wake.

Never breaking eye contact, the Japanese god of war walked to the edge of the arena and stepped off the side. Then raising his fists as if he was the victor. The crowd laughed and cheered. As Hero stood there hands by his sides with a smirk on his face before moving to take a seat and wait the customary five minutes between matches.

Eddie laughed, shaking his head as he continued on his way. “Excuse me, do you have a moment?” A female voice said as a hand touched Eddie's elbow. A small group of females from a modern pantheon that would slowly help mankind develop space travel stood excited to meet their host.

“For you lovely ladies, I have all the time in the world.” The ever charming man said as he smiled at the group.

“Forgive our ignorance but this is our first time seeing this contest. And we were wondering if you could explain why everyone cheered when the asain man jumped from the ring.” asked the woman that clutched his arm.

“That's easy to explain. Among the tokens are weapons that give each fighter a decisive edge in combat. The hopes are these tokens will be drawn in the later matches when they may be hurt and bloody and need that edge by jumping out during the early matches he willingly gives him the win and doesn't get beat on. There are tokens in the bag if drawn early enough Hero will jump from the ring as well.”

“Has anyone else ever fought in this contest?” Another woman from the group asked.

“No. Yet for the last thousand years they have both been willing to take on any other challengers.”

“What happens when one of them gets knocked out or killed?” Came another question from the small crowd gathering around Eddie.

“Death is not the goal. Practice weapons made from wood are being used. Yet there is only so much beating the human body can take and we aren't gods no wait that's right we are gods.” After the laughter died down Eddie continued to address the small crowd. “A man stands by with an auto-injector of serum. The downed man is immediately given. But not a full shot only enough to awaken from a knock out or reset a broken bone. This isn't some vain display of power using serum to fully heal between matches. It's a contest of toughness and endurance as much skill and intelligence.``

“How is a match won if the fighting styles and weapons change, wouldn't that make the rules of victory for every match differ?” A well built man with short jet black hair and clean shaven face asked. Guardian to this modern pantheon Eddie Guessed by the look of him. The way he carried himself Eddie could tell this was a man of violence. He may look charming and soft but the eyes never lie and Eddie knew when he was looking into the eyes of a warrior.

“Every match can only end in one of two ways. Knocked from the ring or knocked out. A knockout is declared when a man lays motionless on the ground or has a compound fracture. At which time the side judge administers the tiny shot of serum to awaken him. The largest margin of victory goes to Hachiman who won 58 to 42. Even in a decisive victory the man was knocked unconscious, knocked from a ten foot high platform or had a severe bone break forty two times. Tell me guardian what's the most damaged you have ever been while still claiming victory?”

“You are correct I am the guardian of the 45th pantheon yet unnamed by this planet ,as you guessed correctly, and have earned my place among the gods. But I do not put myself on the same level as these two men and the trials they have faced in their life. I have been an admirer of the supreme gods of violence and war for most of my life. Jean only came knowing how badly I desired to see the contest.” He said pointing to the woman on Eddie's arm with a smile.

“How many times have they fought? Jean asked, continuing to hold on to Eddie's arm so he couldn't slip away.

“Fifty-two” Seshat, record keeper for the Egyptian pantheon, stated as she joined the group that was growing larger.

“Hachiman holds the lead at 27 to 25. The event takes place every twenty two years or so. Those who are fans of the event believe this is a ritual they use to prepare, that by the time they get to the final twenty five tokens their body and minds will enter a trance of instinct and reflex. Their brains go into a fever dream state soaked with adrenaline dopamine and serum.”

“What on earth could they be using this to prepare for?” Asked the woman now with her arm wrapped around eddies comfortably.

“That is the big question.” Seshat said smiling as she looked knowingly at Eddie.

“Look, the next match is about to begin and I'm afraid I must take my leave. You ladies have a splendid evening.” Eddie said gently slipping from her grasp and holding her hand to the last moment as he walked away leaving her behind. Thankful for his chance to slip away as everyone became distracted by the spinning holograph of nun-chucks floating above the ring. A moment later as Eddie was walking towards his house he could hear laughter erupting. Eddie knew Hero must have stepped out of the ring giving the win to Hachiman. Much like the trident and net the nun-chucks were a weapon Hachiman excelled at while Hero was more prone to hit himself in the face with the awkward weapon.

Seshat knows something is up and it worried Eddie. She was always around during the fights she had never missed one but still the way she spoke perhaps it was time he and the god of records spoke privately. But it could wait; they hadn't even made it a quarter of the way through the tokens. And she would be here until the contest was over.

They were nearing twenty five tokens and would be taking a one hour break soon. Eddie decided it was time to call it a night but wanted to see to something first. The house was off limits to guests and quickly moved to his keypad to disarm it once he went inside. Resetting it he went to his game room in the basement, an easy place to hide things like a pile of comm spheres with an indoor croquet set. Grabbing the croka set and a chair he headed for his handball court where he knew no one would be able to hear him or the people he was about to contact.

Someone set his sister up and he intended to find out who. The banished gods of south america were a wild bunch in ancient history and they haven't calmed down any. Drug lords are the modern day high priests to the banished pantheon. Working behind the scenes gods like Drew hid serum labs in cocaine fields. No longer did the banished pantheons of the Mayans and Aztecs perform human sacrifice, they just used the blood that flowed off the drugs. They were not a pleasant bunch to work with.

Opening the door to the hand ball court he was hit in the face with a blast of pungent smelling smoke. “Shut the door mon you letting out all da weed.” Said Yucahu, leader of the Taino pantheon. Yuca was leader of a failed pantheon sent to earth to take control of south america from the banished gods claiming the land. Once failure was obvious and that he would not be able to remove the banished from south america he accepted his failure going into exile on the Caribbean islands knowing he would never return to the stars at the completion of his task. His followers slowly became what is now the modern day Rastafarians.

Taken only by surprise by the fact he didn't know the god had already arrived for the event. Yuca being Hero and Eddies weed man keeps his own beacon on eddies handball court his favorite place to smoke when visiting. Eddie went into the room with a smile leaving the croquet set outside. “Mutha fucker why you hot boxing my handball court without me”

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On a cloudless night with the stars and moon out so bright, Hero could see his own shadow on the beach as waves crashed around his ankles. Standing there near the cliffs filled with caves and tunnels he once called home. Atop those cliffs sat the temple of Kazamy goddess of vitality to the first pantheon. The goddess doing as she would on every night the sea was calm and the stars out bright stood there gazing into the distance. A vision of beauty as her hair caught and danced in the wind drifting out behind her in the light breeze. Her white god robes shining in the moonlight caressing her form. He began to wonder if it was possible to be jealous of the wind.

Suddenly Kazamy, his goddess, was standing in front of him smiling in a special way meant only for him. A smile that she never showed if anyone else was around. As her lips began to move as if to speak, a little blue bug flew out of her mouth in front of Heros' face. The bright colored bug landed on Hero's neck, stinging him. Reaching up to slap the bright little bug but his arms didn't work. His heart began to race and pound, Kazamy vanished along with the cliffs behind her. Unable to move his breath quickened and his heart pounded. The feeling of blood was suddenly warm on his face as he stood there on the beach night turning to day. Panic rising in the god fighting to raise his arm to slap at the bug stinging his neck. Straining as hard as he could, his hand just not responding as the sting intensified. “FUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKKK” He screamed out as his arm began to move and realised he was laying on the ground the beach and blue skies became the tan mat and sky overhead. His face sticking to the mat as he raised up the small shot of serum taking its effects and pulling him from unconsciousness.

Not knowing how long he still had to make it to the table he raised his head searching for the center of the ring. Seeing the girls walking off the stage he knew he had time. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as he moved towards the table on hands and knees. Slowly he raised as he moved forward Coming to a standing position next to the table.

“I almost got to talk to her that time.” Hero said, smiling, his head wound sealed, no longer bleeding. Hachiman only grinned as he moved the token from the center and placed it on the table next to the other small stacks of five. Hachiman now had 26 tokens to Heros 29. Five matches into the second half of the contest.

Hero held the bag out for his opponent to draw the next token. Holding his hand close to his face so only he could see the token he began to smile. “Come, I send you to her again.” He said, slamming the token on the table. A katana began spinning above the ring. The dancing girls returned to remove the table and leave the weapons behind wearing outfits of sheer white covering them from shoulder to hip leaving very little to the imagination.

Hachiman pretty much invented the samurai duel and this was his token. Hero was capable of winning one in ten attacks. If this token had been drawn early he would have jumped from the ring given he had a three point lead at the moment he still could without too much worry. But he was getting close so there would be no more matches given an easy pass. Samurai duels are notoriously short, ending after four strikes if using real swords. It would take several passes before one of them could achieve a knockout blow. This was a match that drew a crowd and the two combatants planned to give them a show.

They didn't pick up the swords as they stalked towards each other like previous matches. Instead they dropped to their knees the wooden katanas on the ground in front of them. While in sync they ceremoniously removed the swords from imaginary sheaths. They held the imaginary items at their hip as they swung the swords around them in a display of skill before returning the swords to the imaginary sheaths at their hips. Jumping to their feet standing at the ready.

Hachiman made the first move with his sword coming in a slice parallel to the ground. At this range Hero came in with the expected Perry, his blade swinging out to deflect the attack. Rolling his wrist in the middle of the attack Hachiman sent his blade into a spin avoiding Heros perry. Unable to bring his sword back to block the incoming blade spinning fast towards him so he attempted to dodge it. The wooden sword missed heros head but connected hard on his left shoulder. Retreating a step, Haciman moved the sword to a high guard holding it with two hands.

Hero continued to hold the sword at his side in the traditional fashion. Hachiman pressed his advantage coming at Hero chopping down at him. Hero swung hard to block the incoming attack then with impossible speed stepped in with a counter attack slicing across Hachiman's chest. The strike hit hard making him stumble backwards and leaving a thin line of blood. They were still hard pieces of wood shaped like katanas while not sharp enough to remove a limb the practice swords could still do serious damage

Hachiman furious at what would be a loss if real blades he came in with vengeance. To Hero's credit he blocked the first attack before he laid on the ground unconscious.

Hero opened his eyes, recovering from the pain as he knelt in a snow covered field. His busted shield and Thor's hammer lay on the ground at his feet as the god of thunder stood in the distance smiling. Thor stood waiting for the man to throw the hammer back. His main tactic for fighting men holding shields was to throw his hammer so the pointed head of the ball ping shaped hammer would lodge itself in the wood releasing its electric charge built up with the use of his god glove. Knowing the average man would think the power laid in the hammer would pick it up and throw it back at him where he would easily catch it, recharge the item and throw it back killing his opponent even if they were skilled and caught it the electric discharge would kill them. Helping create the myth of Thor's hammer returning to his grasp and no mortal man being able to wield it.

Hero wasn't the average man and was here hunting thor. Picking up the hammer feeling the sting of pain in his hand as he charged the weapon using the connection of his tattoos. He threw the hammer. As it left his fingertips it turned into a little floating blue bug zipping around his face till it landed on his neck stinging him.

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A steady flow of gods flowed in and out of Eddie's home for two days. It was the last break for the combatants; only 25 tokens remained. And few people remained knowing the fighting wouldn't resume for an hour. Eddie saw Jean, leader of the modern pantheon and her guardian standing near the platform. Leaving the small group he was entertaining he moved to join them.

“I'm not interrupting am I” Eddie said with a polite smile stopping a few feet away so they could still speak without him hearing if they wanted. He did not want to intrude on his guests if they were having a private conversation.

“Not at all'' She smiled in return. “Vincent was just explaining to me why they are shaking so badly.” Pointing to Hachiman whose leg was shaking so bad she thought he was going to vibrate out of the stool he was sitting on.

“You should see them when it's over and they're given a full shot of serum. They sleep for three or four days with someone watching over them. They are not fully asleep, only resting. Trust me when I say it would be a very bad idea to touch one of them right now. When they do fall asleep their arms and legs will twitch in the same manner only they aren't even mildly in control of it. Look at Hero, do you see how he still sits up right with his hands resting in his lap.”

The trio looked at the man, his shoulders twitching, making his hand bounce. “He knows that's happening, he feels it and isn't letting it happen to both shoulders, relaxing only that side of his body while he keeps the muscles on the other side clinched. Once he falls asleep and all his muscles are relaxed he has no control of it and sometimes during their coma-like sleep they will shake themselves from their bed so they must be tended to.”

“How much longer will this go on?” She asked.

“25 matches with 5 min breaks so there are two hours of breaks between matches. You must remember this was never meant to become what it is. The people and show all of this. Time is not an issue to them how long this takes and who gets to hang around and see it wasn't something they took into consideration when creating the contest.” Eddie tried to explain.

“I think you misunderstand, My worry is for them. Even with serum the human body can only take so much. They haven't left the platform since it started. They haven't eaten or drank for two days now and I would guess this will not stop until midday. How are they able to stand much less fight! I have never witnessed men take such beatings and continue to fight. And it almost seems the worse they get the harder they fight. How is such a thing possible.”

“And therein lies the point of the contest. You never know how far you can get if you never push as far as you can go. The fighting during the final tokens are always the most intense. When this final break is over and they wake up from their meditation they will be like animals. They won't even speak their bodies operating on instinct and muscle memory.”

“I have never witnessed something so exciting and heartbreaking at the same time. I find myself hoping they will quit. The way they are fighting is beyond exhilarating to watch. Yet the pain i see in their eyes when they awaken for a split second i see something else it's not the same look as when they fight. May I use my own drone. I know you have several buzzes around broadcasting this on a closed circuit for your home. But I would like a closer look of my choosing. You never seem to get the angels I want.” She said pleadingly, reaching out grabbing Eddie's hands.

“As long as you keep it below fifteen feet and around the platform it will be fine.”

“Thank you so much” she said almost jumping with excitement “I want it set up before the next fight so I must hurry and I do hope to run into you again before i leave.” Turning and walking at a brisk pace she hurried off.

“You scared her off mon?” Yuca said from a nearby tree as he lit a large blunt.

“That ones different.” Eddie said, shaking his head as he joined his friend by the tree.

“Whatcha Mean?” Yuca said, talking quickly between puffs.

“She's the leader of the most recent pantheon sent here so has been part of no less than 3 pantheons on two planets.”

“I was a leader mon, i know what the requirements are.” Yuca said, reminding his friend who he was talking to.

“But she still acts like a woman barely out of adolescence.” Eddie said, taking the blunt being handed to him.

“I don't know mon, I'm high fuck dat bitch.” Swinging his hand in her direction.

“When are you not?” Eddie asked as he returned the blunt.

“Loki you mutha fucka get over here.” Yuca yelled out, waving to his friend and pointing to the blunt in his hand. With a smile Loki left the group of people he was walking with jogging over to join in the circle.

“Sup fellas?” He said taking the blunt.

“Has Jean made any bets?” Eddie asked. Loki shook his head no in response as his cheeks puffed out and his fist covered his mouth.

“Have any of the new gens?”

“I know that big slick mother fucker did a few times actually. I can find out for ya if any of the others have?” Loki said as he passed the blunt along.

“Who did he bet on?”

“Hachiman!”

“I'm good” Eddie said, holding his hand out to Yuca who was taping him on the shoulder with the blunt. “Guys i gotta go i'll talk to you in a bit.”

“You look worried mon. Everything all right?” Yuca said, passing the blunt on to Loki.

“I don't know yet. I'll let ya know. Have either of you seen Hephaestus?”

“He's in his van of course.” Loki said.

“Lets hotbox the van mon!” Yuca said with a loud laugh

“Fuck it lets go we can watch the opening fight from there.”

Hephaestus was the oldest living god in the universe. Having been born before members of the ruling council he now served. Hephaestus first came to earth with the Greek pantheon gaining fame as their blacksmith creating weapons for the gods. He was so much more than a blacksmith. His skill in use with the black god metal went far beyond forging weapons. The black liquid looking god metal could be used in electronics as well. As the group approached a large but simple looking white van belonging to Hephaestus the sliding door opened up and an adolescent boy jumped out.

“No! You're not hot boxing the van, it takes me weeks to clean film and residue off my shit! We will smoke out here then i got something to show you guys.” He said taking the blunt from Loki. Hephaestus, while still an inquisitive child exploring his fathers lab, gave himself a shot of serum while playing with something he shouldn't have been. Healthy children are forbidden to be allowed a shot of serum. Healthy children age differently than a healthy adult, the serum virtually stopping the aging process permanently trapping the youths in the bodies of children.

“Who do you think is gonna win?” Hephaestus asked continuing the rotation.

“I do odds per match. On the whole event it's always even money except on a draw. But that's a long shot. Those two are lunatics and it's hard to tell.” Loki replied.

“Heros got my bet, he looked pissed.” Yuca added.

“So what did you want to show us?” Eddie said as everyone looked to him for his thoughts on the fight.

“Yeah. Well something to tell you about not really showing you but come here i'll explain.” Hephaestus said heading to the van. The entire driver side of the van was filled with monitors, computer towers and various electronics, while a row of seats lined the passenger side wall. Shuffling in and sitting down, Yuca came in last, closing the door behind him. Hephaestus taking his place at the desk with multiple keyboards.

“Okay you got someone sending out a signal from a comm sphere. But it's weird it's only going one way. So it's not a traditional sphere and it's sending non stop. It's like someone is walking around holding one or maybe it's inside a shirt against the skin somehow. It's not like anything I've seen before and I only found it after doing a sweep after That sexy new gen lady you were talking to wanted to use her own drone. Dude she is so hot I love the elegant ones and that dress.”

“Dude the comm sphere.” Eddie said getting the man stuck in an adolescent boy back on track.

“Oh yeah. When I did a sweep to intercept her feed cause I knew you would want to know what she was watching I found it.” I just wish I knew more about it.

“Since when has there been tech you don't know about?” Eddie asked puzzled.

“It’s new shit man. I have no idea where it even came from. One thing for sure there's only one person out there that knows as much as i do about working with god metal in electronics. And he created that dude right there.” Hephaestus said pointing to the screen with Jeans drone feed showing Hero sitting in his chair.

As Hephaestus was explaining things Yuca was rolling another blunt. Ever so slowly sitting in the dark farthest away from the monitors. He came in last on purpose. Now he waited. Eddie seeing and knowing what Yuca was up to distracted Hephaestus with questions about the comm sphere and what her drone was recording most. Seeing Yuca ready with the lighter He clapped his hands and jumped up standing between Yuca and Hephaestus. “Damn it. Maybe I shouldn't have let her have that drone out.” While his words were earnest, his actions were meant to cover up Yuca striking a lighter.

“Can you find the comm sphere?” Eddie asked.

“No, that's not how they work. I can only tell that a signal from a sphere is coming out of this area. And that's only when I run a sweep of the area searching for signals.”

“Which screen is her drone again?” That one Hephaestus said pointing. As Loki held a blunt out and Hephaestus willingly took it, puffing away sitting back in his chair.

“We hot boxing the van mon.” Yuca said laughing loudly.

“Yall sneaky fuckers.” Hephaestus said, realizing what he was smoking. “Get out of my van go” Hitting a button on his desk the door slid open. Laughing, the group got out of the van. “I'm keeping the blunt” Hephaestus yelled as the door closed.

“I gotta get back betting will start as soon as the token is drawn.” Loki said, looking at his phone and rushing off.

“Come with me, I gotta go find Seshat.” Eddie said to Yuca tapping him on the shoulder. Realizing he still needs to talk to the ancient god of records.

“You're going the wrong way mon! It's the final she will be somewhere she can see up close.”

“Exactly that why we are going this way. I have a feeling she is with the new gens watching on the drone I let them set up.”

“No mon. Seshat hates that stuck up bitch. She won't be with them.”

“What? How do you know.” Eddie asked puzzled.

“Cause Yuca is a failed god not a useless one mon. Trust me this way.” Yuca said, pointing in the direction Loki went. Yuca had long ago embraced his life as a failed god. A failed god was not shunned by their peers like the banished but they were stuck on the planet all the same.

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Laying on a pile of furs he held her in his cave among the cliffs. A fire burning nearby casting shadows of their intertwined forms on the wall. This was his first home. Kazamy had visited him in the caves beneath her temple. She was the goddess of vitality and taught a healthy life being the way to a long life. Her priests basically shunning anything that could end life. Hero had been born into a world of violence. Killing and fighting is what he knew how to do. His kind wasn't even allowed in her temples.

Yet she was in his arms the night before he was to fight the first god of violence and guardian to the first pantheon. He was the first god Hero ever killed. Taking his place as the god of violence for the first pantheon. It was this night Kazamy came to him. He had completed her trial, passed her challenge and still was not allowed in her temples. A priest giving him her banner outside unlike with the others who received it from the goddess herself. She came to apologize and ended up making love to the man.

His arms finally around her again after so long. Feeling her warmth against him. Their kiss was so filled with passion as they rolled in the furs. Moving on top of him, her hands on his chest as she looked down at him. Her long brown hair falling down around their faces. Looking at each other smiling, her lips began to move. And a little blue bug came zipping out to land on his neck stinging him.

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Alone Jean, leader of the new gen, sat in her bedroom. Having been transported back to her current home where she kept her transporter beacon hidden. A suit in a very nice hotel in downtown New York. The only light coming from the television screen near her bed where she watched the remainder of the event. She informed Vincent to apologize on her behalf for not saying farewell to her host in person. Knowing he would stop in soon she watched while having a glass of wine.

Sitting on the edge of the bed as she watched a man in a red sweat suit go running out to Hero who laid on the ground not moving. Shining a little blue light in his eyes before shooting him with the auto-injector in the neck. His back arched bringing his face into view. The drone operator performing as instructed staying focused on Hero zoomed in on his face whenever possible. More specifically his eyes. Pausing the feed on her T.V. she moved to her knees in front of the television holding a hand to the screen zoomed in on Heros eyes flowing with tears.

She paused because this is what she wanted to see. It was only there for a second in real time and if you weren't paying attention you wouldn't even notice. Hero wakes up his emotions from the vision still apparent on his face, unlike Hachiman in complete control of his emotions, waking and falling almost mechanically. Hero was a warrior of passion driven by his emotions. He did not look angry or sad; his eyes reminded him of the eyes of a father at a wedding. The eyes of a happy man filled with joy and love fit to burst overcome with tears.

“What are you seeing?” She whispered touching the screen

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Rolling on to his hands and knees. Pain racked his body. Everything hurts. Trudge he repeated in his head. Never stop putting one foot in front of the other. Slow and on shaky limbs he moved to the table. Where am I? Why am I holding this bag? Where did the table go? No time to think attack.

The sound of wooden weapons clacking against each other and cheers from scores of people echoed through the small valley on the back of Eddie's property. Hachiman had mounted a comeback, the contest currently standing at forty tokens each. Eddie found Seshat sitting in a pavilion with curtains to protect against the wind. It was winter time in west virginia and on the morning of the third day there was a cold bite to the wind. It had been relatively warm for this time of year but on this day the sun rose with a chill,

Seeing him approach she waved to the chair inviting him to sit with her. Inside the small area was very warm, almost hot. Seshat preferred warmer climates and was not a fan of the cold. But being one of the biggest fans of the contest she would attend it even if held on a polar ice cap.

“They truly are a sight to behold.” Seshat said, looking to eddie. “I've never witnessed two men capable of taking such beatings and keep going. Even with the aid of serum they can barely grab their weapons off the mat, their hands shake so badly and then suddenly just start fighting in total control.”

“Why do you think they do it?” Eddie asked offhandedly.

“You are the best of friends with Hero and it's safe to say close friends with Hachiman if anyone here could answer that question, it's you?” Seshat said smiling and giving him a look letting him know she would not part with her thoughts on their current motives easily.

“Well I know why I think they do it. I'm just curious as to your thoughts.” Eddie countered.

“Everyone knows the contest began as an open challenge between the two a fight to the brink of death. And given the timing of the event set against the timeline of their lives one can begin to see it as a preparation.” Seshat said.

“And what is it you believe they are preparing for?” Eddie asked bluntly.

“What happened in South America last week?” She asked letting him know she had questions of her own and would trade answers for answers. In the world of gods there was no resource more valuable than information.

“You're not bound to earth or currently under orders by the council, why do such things matter to you?” Seshat looked offended by the question. She had been and done far more than just record keeping for the contest for Eddie. During the time of the Egyptian pantheon around 1000 b.c ,give or take a few hundred years, she had taken him as a lover while Eddie and Hero were on their way to South Africa where a banished pantheon was growing in size.

“You insult me thinking I don't care what happens to you and Hero. While I always show a neutral interest in the contest, you know my heart bleeds with Hero. That man has endured more pain both emotional and physical than anyone god or otherwise should ever have dealt with. Last week he killed Odin, that is all that is known to the other gods. What happened there Eddie. What made him come back from a victory over a banished god filled with a need to be beaten to the brink of death for two days. Something happened and something bigger is coming Eddie. Now is not the time for you to keep things from me.” Seshat looked away more to see if anyone saw her uncharacteristic outburst than to break eye contact with her former lover.

Eddie let the silence linger for a moment, digesting her words and preparing his apology. She was a woman of extreme control for her to speak the way she had; she was truly worried and offended. Deciding she was a god he could trust he would tell her.

“Hero learned of Kazamy’s return to earth.” Eddie said quietly.

“Oh, that explains a lot.” Seshat and Kazamy were work aquatints of sorts. Never serving in a pantheon together but performing duties for the council in similar capacities they occasionally crossed paths in the heavens. Hero was a man on everyone's radar and would put Kazamy in danger so the council deemed her mission as need to know. Sashat only knows as part of her work for the council and Eddie knows as its his sister. And both knew Hero's feelings towards the women yet no one knew what hers was for him. It was a mystery to all that knew about it. Seshat believed it was Kazamy’s devotion to her father and the council that kept them apart. Hero was forbidden to be taken from earth because of his god metal tattoos and ability to open any lock made from god metal.

“There's more. Odin didn't take her, Andrew did and he set Odin to guard her and her partner.” Eddie said, raising his eyebrows as he said partner.

Seshat's eyes widened at the information, not knowing how to respond. Seshat knew the stories of how Hero got his tattoos and of the god that was banished for the deed. Seshat had a keen mind and knew if Hero learned of Kazamy being on earth he knew of her life partner. Gods don't share secrets of other gods; it was something that could get you banished. Seshat wanted to tell Hero of the pair a thousand years ago but doing so exposing a fellow goddess' secret could get her banished. And as Kazamy was daughter to Cerux a member of the council she would surely be banished for interfering with any relationships her fellow goddess had going on.

“So Andrew, the banished god of death to the first pantheon, finally plots his revenge against the council and is going to use the reason for his banishment to do it.” Seshat said, trying to unravel the mystery.

“Have you ever had dealings with Drew?”

“Never directly.” She answered.

“Something big is about to happen. Whatever it is, Andrew and Hero are going to stand at the center of it. My question now is will it be as enemies or allies?”

It never occurred to her that Andrew would try to turn Hero against the council. Such a thing was truly frightening. Hero had been working for the council for thousands of years clearing the Earth of banished gods. The council had interstellar hunters of banished that didn't have as many kills as Hero. Not all banished gods were hunted, only those creating serum or trying to interfere with the council.

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Continuing to sit in front of the t.v. holding a wine glass Jean watched as the two men continued their contest. Fighting with shields and some kind of medieval looking wooden ball tied to a handle of some kind.

“They're called flails, a medieval weapon used to crush the armor of knights in full plate armor.” Vincent said as he stepped into the doorway. He was a guardian for the council; his life was dedicated to learning all forms of warfare, never knowing what age of technology a given planet would be in. As guardian for the new gens he would use a series of beacons to travel and check on each of his fellow gods before retiring to his own home.

“Stay with me for a bit?” She asked as she watched. “Why do you think he does it?”

“Well which are you asking about Hero or Hachiman?”

“I'm curious about both but more so Hero.” She confessed

“Well Hachiman is easy. A true warrior that never backs down from a challenge and deems Hero a worthy adversary. Hero is unlike any warrior I have ever seen or studied. No one knows what motivates him and what is mentioned is his deeds, not why he performed them. My guess is he is pissed off and hurting. He wants to feel pain and break something at the same time and Hachiman is the only person on earth willing to get in a ring with Hero while he is in such a mood. Hachiman believes he can convince Hero the superior warrior is one in control of his emotions.”

Listening to Vincent talk was comforting for her. She liked the gentle way he spoke. It was soothing. He was chosen as guardian for his gentle nature, always calm and in control very much like Hachiman; she suspected he favored the man in the contest.

“Hachiman has led armies into war, Hero has never served in a standing army. Unless you count his involvement with a rebel army in ancient Rome for a couple years. They really are complete opposites as people and fighters. Hachiman believes fighting with emotion can cloud your judgment and hinder your purpose. Hero uses his emotions to push through and keep going when others would rather lay down and die or to summon strength and energy when there's nothing left.”

Gasping at the sight of Hero going down from a heavy blow to the head from the flail she paused the live feed. Getting up on wobble legs she sat back down on the foot of the bed. “I might have had a bit too much to drink tonight.”

“I can stay longer if you would like.”

“No, go home to your wife. I'll be fine. Thank you for staying and talking to me for a moment.”

Smiling and nodding in obedience he pulled a key chain out of his pocket and activated one of his beacons vanishing from sight.

Returning from the kitchen with a full glass she unpaused the feed on her television. Jumping to real time, Hero was climbing standing at the table. She rewound the feed wanting to see the exact moment he woke up from the hit. She had become fixated with the things she saw in his eyes.

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Standing at the table Hachiman grabbed the token and placed it with the others on his side of the table Giving each forty nine tokens as steam rose off their bodies in the cold morning air. Hero held the bag out for his opponent as he drew the token and dropped it to the center of the table never breaking eye contact. The holographic image of a bo staff began spinning in the air above them as the dancing ladies carried away the table and left the weapons behind.

Looking like wounded animals and stalking beasts at the same time as they moved to the weapons. Like a strike of lighting they attacked before the staff barely got off the ground. The sound of clacking wood echoed across the area as all went silent. The speed as they worked there attacks up moving the staff up to eye level. The final fights became more intense as the two combatants fought on instinct and reflex alone. Their muscles taut and hard as stone from two days of extreme combat took its toll as they ducked, jumped and dodged attacks from the long wooden staffs.

Turning in a spin as he moved away from his opponent whipping the staff around him as he went. Forcing Hero to take a defensive stance pausing and waiting as Hachiman continued to create distance. Letting his hands slide down to the end of the staff as it wiped circles around him. Without pause he turned his final spin into a hard thrust from almost fifteen feet away Hero was struck between the eyes with the end of the staff from the unexpected attack Hachiman stretching forward as far as he could while the staff extended from his outstretched arm kicking his leg backwards as he done so to maintain balance.

Blood erupted from his face as he stumbled back falling off the edge of the platform. Landing hard on the back of his head and shoulders. To find himself back in his cave the morning for the trials of violence during the time of the first pantheon. Laying on his pile of furs as he watched her getting dressed, the light from sunrise slowly crept into the cave. Seeing only her silhouette as she slipped back into her white goddess robes. She did not rush in getting dressed knowing how much he enjoyed the sight of her and how much she enjoyed his eyes on her. Standing up and walking over to her pulling her close kissing her deeply.

Hero relished the taste of her lips and the memory of her scent. No memory of a kiss held more passion. Knowing hero would leave the cave and travel to the island of the twins where if he won the trials of violence he would challenge the god himself to prevent a coup that would see Kazamy’s father dead. No one but Cerux, leader of the first pantheon and his daughter goddess of vitality knew of Heros' intent. Amy came to hero fearing she would never again have the opportunity to hold the man who would risk his life to save her father and pantheon.

He helped tie off her robes as he pulled her close needing to feel her against him. Nuzzling her neck as he hugged her pulling away strings of her soft hair got caught in his beard making them giggle as they fought with the hair getting it out of the way for another kiss. Thousands of years and a thousand women and none held the passion and desire that her kisses did knowing in his heart he could stay in this cave and never leave if she would just stay there with him. Pulling away to look into her eyes and see the smile that she only showed him when no one was around taking a deep breath as his heart pounded.

Suddenly the blue bug was back floating around in front of his face before landing on his neck stinging him.

Looking up at the stars laying on his back in the dirt. Gone was her smile, gone was his cave, gone was her touch. The pain of a thousand bruises did not compare to the hurt in his soul. Curling into a ball on his side. Breath he thought to himself Gasping for air he continued the roll on to his hands and knees. Staying there for a moment hearing the man wielding the auto-injector call out time. “Four mins.”

Staying there a moment letting the last tear fall as he focused on the pain. Using the ache in his body to replace his thoughts of forgotten ancient times. Standing up he walked to the stairs returning to the arena. Hachiman waited for Hero before grabbing his token and moving it to his side of the table to complete ten little stacks of five. There was no bag needed for the final round being dealer's choice. Hachiman, the Japanese pantheon god of war choosing a samurai sword.

The first god weapon Hero ever wielded was a blade that could change shape. He never favored a specific fighting style and just learned all he could. Never using the same weapon in the final contest twice, doing as always reaching over to his pile of tokens he knocked them over grabbing one as he passed his hand through the pile. Tossing it to the center of the table. The holographic image of crossed ninjato appeared next to the katana spinning in the area above the combatants.

Hachiman made the first attack coming in fast, performing a roll as he grabbed the katana off the ground. Performing a kneeling slash, Hero barely had time to get his wooden ninjato up in time. Using the impact of the blow to retreat and gain his footing. It allowed Hachiman the same a dangerous thing while he held a wooden version of his chosen god weapon.

Circling each other until Hero suddenly sprang at Hachiman side stepping followed by a jump at his opponent performing a thrust while in mid air. Known as a Grecian step and a common form of attack but not a conventional maneuver with a ninja sword but Hero was not a conventional warrior. Using his free sword to parry the katana. Landing and continuing his assault he became more fierce in his assault as one moment looking like a wild man beating a drum to the point of holding his hands together swinging the two blades as one batting at his opponent. Keeping him on the defensive and backing away. Breathing heavily, his arms going numb, he forced his limbs to keep swinging.

Hachiman, doing all he could to keep pace with the assault, realized too late he had fallen into the trap. His sword was up high in defense as a massive foot slammed into his chest in a front kick taking him off his feet and sailing into the air. Hero had a massive kick for his entire life. He chose walking over riding or driving. If it was within an hour walk he walked and refused to drive. Even before cars he was more known for walking with a pack mule than riding on a horse. Hachiman landed just on the edge of the arena knowing he would be unable to stop his momentum short of the edge he went with it rolling anyways to land gracefully on his feet on the ground below.

Looking up to his opponent in their first draw he bowed. A holographic number of their victories appeared over the arena as Hachiman walked back up and the crowd of gods watching went hysterical. The only god who wasn't jumping with excitement was Loki. Who suddenly grew worried of any wagers on a draw, knowing he may have just lost a large sum of money. As the odds of such a thing were a thousand to one.

Standing there facing each other grinning through the pain knowing what was about to come as they both made smiles and gestures to the man coming with two auto injectors shooting both men at the same time.

“Oh there it is.” Hero said with a smile as both men passed out into the arms of the waiting women who carried them off just like they would the table. They didn't care for the show or the celebration. The deed was done and it was time to sleep.