Philadelphia, PA

  January 3, 2020

  11:14 PM

  Elijah is still asleep on his recliner. The tv play in the background as it cast a small light on him. The only furniture he had was this chair, his queen-sized bed, and a small lift top coffee table. A loud crackling noise is heard before the door flies open and off its hinges. Elijah awakes and jumps to his feet. His eyes are adjusting as he throws up a south paw stance. Caught off guard, he’s hit with a lightning bolt and gets electrocuted.

  “Ass-” he starts, stunned.

  “Ha! Gotcha!” Jupiter yells, entering the apartment.

  “You thought!” Elijah replies.

  He’s already recuperated and ready to fight. Jupiter moves toward Elijah as the youth spins around the armchair and kicks it at the Olympian. Jupiter smirks as he punches the chair. It shatters into a bunch of pieces. Elijah takes a few quick and strategic steps toward him, which makes Jupiter sidestep. The young man then punches the god, sending him flying through the wall and into the vacant lot behind the building. Elijah walks up to the newly formed hole in the wall and jumps through, creating a small shockwave as he lands. He’d purposely led the intruder this way. No civilian casualties. Although the commotion was enough to attract the attention of a few people passing by, as well as the tenants in Elijah’s building.

  Jupiter is on his back. He stands, rubbing his jaw. Elijah starts to walk in his direction, punching his fist.

  “You’re strong, kid.” states Jupiter.

  “No shit!”

  Jupiter materializes a lightning bolt and hurls it at Elijah. The man dodges it and lunges at the god. He closes the distance in less than a second as he punches the man again- this time in the chest. Jupiter grunted as he was pushed back a few feet from the blow. Elijah ran up and hit the man another ten times. In the face and torso. The man winced at first, but his eyes started to light up as small bolts of lightning ran through them. As Elijah went to swing again, Jupiter caught his fist and squeeze. Elijah winced this time. The man jumped a few feet into the air, still holding Elijah’s hand as they both rose. A second later, Elijah was on his back with Jupiter’s knee pressing into his chest.

  “But let’s not get carried away.” Jupiter says.

  Elijah struggles a bit to gauge the man’s strength. This is going to be a fight. Jupiter eases up as he sees Elijah contemplating whether he wants to fight him or not. He takes his knee off and holds his hand out to help the young man up.

  “My sincerest apologies for barging in. I get a little excited sometimes. Can we start over?” Jupiter says.

  “I guess I'll give you two minutes before I break you in half.” replies Elijah as he slaps the man's hand away and stands.

  For the first time in a few years, Elijah was bluffing. He knew he’d have trouble breaking this guy’s finger. Jupiter chuckles. Elijah rubs his chest. It was also the first time that he’d felt pain in years.

  “And kid? I’m sure I have a few years over you, pretty boy.” Elijah retorts.

  Jupiter laughs.

  “Strong, funny, AND handsome. I’m sure that you’re a fun time, mortal!” Jupiter shares.

  “Hey, than—MAN, WHAT DO YOU WANT?!” Elijah replies.

  A small crowd starts to gather. Some people have their phone out and are recording.

  “Okay, my name’s Jupe.” starts the Olympian.

  “Like the cologne?” asks Elijah.

  “Jupe?” whispers Bragi to Ezra, with a confused look.

  The two are now watching the scene from the hole in the building.

  “I beg your pardon?” Jupiter asks.

  “Oh, nothing. Continue.” replies Elijah.

  “My.... team and I. Wanted to have a word with you, concerning your... abilities and how they could help us... and the state of things on your realm. Err... planet.” Jupiter continued.

  One of Elijah’s eyes cocked as he tried to process what the man was saying. Realm? Planet? The tri-state area suddenly seemed small in comparison to what this man was insinuating.

  “And you couldn’t just knock?!” shouts Elijah.

  “Hey, the weirdo with white hair wanted to open a portal in your living quarters.” Jupiter says, pointing at Ezra. “Technically, what I did WAS knocking, in comparison.”

  Elijah couldn’t help but to chuckle at his comment.

  “A portal?” asks Elijah. “I-”

  Elijah came back to reality and noticed everyone standing around him. He turned and jumped up and back into the hole in his apartment wall. He started to pack his clothes and shoes into a bag.

  “Do you guys have any idea how hard it was for me to get this apartment?” Elijah says.

  Jupiter flies up and back into the apartment as Guardian holds up his hands and the damaged to the wall is reversed.

  “This place? Really?” Jupiter asks, looking around.

  “I’m technically dead. So...” Elijah replies, still packing.

  “And I’m a god.” says Jupiter.

  “Same, name’s Bragi.” Bragi adds.

  “I’m Ezra. An Ishcarlian empathic magic user.” says Ezra.

  Everyone just looks at him for a few seconds as they say nothing.

  “We have a place that you can come back to. If you require shelter for the time being.” Jupe says.

  “We?” Bragi whispers to Ezra once again.

  “Yeah, let me just jump into a portal with the guys from another realm.. ‘err, planet,’ because you look SO trustworthy and the world isn’t a crazy place. Not to mention, you broke into my apartment and are going to have that annoying ass police commissioner on me.” retorts Elijah.

  “Son, you’re clearly a formidable force.” Bragi states as he walks up to Elijah and places his hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know how you obtained these gifts, but our paths were meant to cross. I know that deep in my being.”

  “Gifts?” asks Elijah. “Seriously, who are you people. Also, I have a dad and kid sister that I must keep tabs on. Especially with all this crazy shit going on!”

  Sirens could now be heard in the distance. The police were on their way.

  “I can assure you that what we ask of you will be less than what we can teach you, young man. My intuition never steers me wrong. You have the spirit of a warrior. A protector. Someone that can learn and teach, simultaneously. Most of all, your planet will need a protector very soon.” Bragi says.

  Elijah is still uneasy.

  “Let me show you with my Sight. No more words are required.” Bragi says.

  He locks eyes with Elijah as his pupil glow a bright gold. Elijah’s own pupil glows the same color as they both become locked in a trance. Ezra decides to use his powers and get a glimpse of what they see. He’s instantly knocked back into the wall and slides onto the floor. He sees flashes of hundreds of worlds before his vision disappears completely. The tears that start to form in his eyes are gold as well. Bragi breaks the trance and rushes over the Ezra. He kneels and waves his hands over the man. It soothes him as well as returns his vision to him. Jupiter and Elijah are watching in confusion.

  “I--” starts Ezra. “I swear, I didn’t mean t-”

  He’s cut off by Bragi.

  “I sensed no malicious intent, friend. But you should know that some magics and abilities have built-in protections.” said Bragi.

  “Indeed.” added Jupiter. “To try and incept a god’s ability is hubris. Collaborative magic, or not.”

  “If I hadn’t the ability to sense intent, my wards alone would have made your mind crumble.” Bragi adds. “Do be more careful.”

  “That ability is THAT powerful?” asks Jupiter in genuine curiosity.

  “Aye. It’s a power of the old gods. Fractured. And passed down by my mother’s family.” Bragi answers.

  Ezra nods as Bragi helped him to his feet.

  “Fractured?” asks Ezra. “With that insane protection.”

  “It’s said that my ancestors stole it from the world tree. And it’s more of a curse than anything.” Bragi explains.

  “I-- I don’t think I’m cut out for this.” Elijah says to the group. “I’m only a human. Mortal, if you will.”

  He then looks at Jupe. Bragi assures him once again.

  “Godhood isn’t the privilege or honor that you think it is, young man. And it would be foolish to measure one’s worth by such standards. I know some terrible excuses for some.” says Bragi.

  “As do I.” Jupiter adds.

  “Besides, you brought one to his knees. And he isn’t some peaceful deity. Don’t sell yourself short” Bragi tells Elijah with a nudge.

  They both share a laugh.

  “So?” asks the Aesir.

  “Can you guarantee that I’ll be able to keep an eye on my sister without problems?” asks Elijah.

  “I can.” replies Ezra.

  “Fine.” he says as he turns his head to the side. “Let’s go.”

  He can hear the police entering the building and making their way to his apartment.

  Ezra waves his hand as a portal opens. Elijah enters first. Ezra and Jupiter can’t help but to smile at Bragi.

  “What?!” asks Bragi.

  “You’re good with kids, Bragi.” says Jupiter as he enters the portal.

  Ezra nods in agreement as he follows. Bragi chuckles and follows. The portal snaps shut as the task force barges into the empty apartment.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  HQ

  January 4, 2020

  12:04 AM

  The group exit Ezra’s portal as they are now standing in his living room. Jupiter plops down onto one of the sofas, Bragi on another, as Ezra and Elijah stand as the portal closes.

  “Since it seems that I’ll be having visitors,” Ezra starts, looking at Jupiter, “Please feel free to make yourselves at home.”

  Ezra then motions for Elijah to follow him as they both disappear down the hallway.

  “We need an actual plan, Jupiter. To rescue Brynnhildr, to awaken those children, and to see how Midgard ties into all of this.” Bragi says.

  “Indeed.” Jupiter answers.

  Elijah and Ezra join the two gods as they continue their conversation.

  “How did you come to know of the prophecy?” asks Jupiter.

  Ezra and Elijah both sit on the same couch, opposite Bragi.

  “The Sight gives visions, but I feel everything that I see. It usually only manifests in times of great catastrophe... but there are rare moments when it brings light. I saw a planet not known to me... or anyone that I know. It’s what I felt that really mattered. I could feel something... living. And dead. Darkness AND light. Peace as well as calamity. I’ve never felt such chaos nor balance harmonizing like so.” Bragi explains.

  “There are those in my realm that can also see the future, past, and present. Sisters. They rarely publicly share what they envision. In this case, they spoke of a planet misplaced in time. It was said to house a new power source that could tip the scales in a way never seen before. I kind of... eavesdropped on their conversation with another in my realm.” says Jupiter.

  “Do you speak of The Parcae?” asks Ezra.

  “Aye. You’re knowledgeable.” replies Jupiter.

  “I believe that those boys are what you both respectively speak of. Like me, they aren’t from THIS galaxy. Strangers out of time and place. The power emanating from them is astounding. I’ve never felt anything like it.” Ezra shares.

  “I saw a glimpse of my father trying to siphon their essence. If anyone could do so, it would be him. We need to prepare, for I doubt that he is finished with them.” tells Bragi.

  "And that’s what made you help them?” asks Ezra.

  Elijah just sits and listens, trying to take everything in.

  “Okay, so... you guys are gods. You’re an alien. Those two down the hall are also aliens. And your father is an older... stronger god who is trying to become even stronger by consuming... alien children.” says Elijah.

  The group sits in silence for a few seconds.

  “Well... when you put it that way...” Jupiter replies. “It does sound crazy. Even for me.”

  “And that’s not even the worst of it. My father is VERY old. And thus, he’s had time to perfect certain Asgardian magic. Although, I’m sure that he had help.” Bragi tells them.

  “What do you mean?” asks Jupe.

  “Magic does not work against him. Only strength. And no one’s strong enough to hurt him, much less do what needs to be done.” says Bragi.

  “I’d like to fight him.” Elijah adds, punching his hand.

  “I shall remember you said that.” replies the Asgardian.

  “Then why do you oppose him?” Ezra asks out of genuine curiosity.

  “Because it’s the right thing to do. He’s reigned for long enough. His methods are cruel and genocidal. There are new gods, and we plan to rule much more benevolently than he.” explains Bragi, proudly.

  “Admirable. Even more so, because he still sits on the throne. Even if there are those who may want to see him fall, they’ll still fight for him.” Jupe replies.

  “I’ve rounded up my personal guard—my oldest and most dear friends. It’s a start.” says Bragi. “Borr WILL fall.”

  “Back to those boys...” states Jupe. “Their power felt... foreign. I’ve never sensed anything like it.”

  “I concur.” states Bragi.

  Ezra materializes a large, magical book. He opens it to a certain page and shows the group. There are symbols and runes that none of them can make out. As well as some that they do. The pages show a spell. One that neither of them had ever heard of. It looked powerful. And impossible to perform. What exactly was it?

  “I can make out some Aesir, as well as Vanir magic in this.” says Bragi.

  “Indeed. There are also Mesopotamian elements, as well as some from my own realm.” adds Jupe.

  Elijah could make out some Egyptian hieroglyphs from his time in the military. It was one of the countries that were experimenting with a new, cyborg soldier. He’d visited a few times during diplomatic events.

  “Is this... a collaborative spell? Done by...” Ezra starts.

  “Every pantheon of every realm. It must be the largest and most powerful spell that’s ever existed! Where did you find this?” asks Bragi.

  “It appeared one day.” Ezra tells the man.

  “By itself.” asks Elijah. “Freaky.”

  “Yes, and magic can be... freaky, sometimes.” explains Ezra.

  “Those boys...” Bragi starts.

  “You think they’re connected?” Jupe asks.

  “I do. You see, this spell appeared shortly before I started to feel that ping coming from their location. It’s what led me to them. I believe that they performed it... or it was performed ON them.” says Ezra.

  “Can you translate it?” asks Bragi.

  “I already have.” says Ezra.

  The words on the pages glow, before they started to move around. Runes hopped from the page and swirled around the room. A small wind kicked up and blew.

  “I want to do this spell.” states Ezra.

  “With no knowledge of what will follow?” asks Jupe.

  “Yeah, I’m with pretty boy. This sounds dangerous. And unlike you guys, I have no magical or... divine abilities.” adds Elijah.

  The young man stands and starts to pace the room. He’s starting to second guess his decision. Bragi, Jupe, and Ezra all notice his uneasiness.

  “Look.” says Ezra.

  They all walk to him and glance at the pages. They can make out animated images. They look to depict the two young men fighting something. The animation changes. One of them is running through the stars and the other looks to be some kind of black hole. A void. Ezra starts to read.

  “The two that were one. From them, one that becomes many.”

  They sit in silence as more words form.

  “Termination. Slumber. Rebirth. Awakening.” whispers Bragi, reading from the pages.

  "Monarchs. Gods. Endless. Enlightened.” whispers Jupe.

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  Elijah is confused as he looks back and forth between the two. They seem to be in some kind of trance.

  “Uhhh...” reacts Elijah.

  Ezra glances at them before looking back at the book. Purple magic swirls violently as the wind picks up.

  “The spell... it’s started.” Ezra states, nervously.

  “But... how?” asks Elijah.

  Bragi and Jupe start to hover several feet above the ground. Elijah is panicking.

  “It looks to have been activated somehow. We must finish it.” states Ezra.

  “WAIT-- huh?! How?! I can’t do magic.” replies Elijah.

  “You’ll be the anchor of the spell. It’ll draw on your strength and essence of your very being. We have no other choice.” explains Ezra.

  “Fine. What do I do?” asks Elijah.

  “You’re already doing it. Apparently, we all are.” says Guardian.

  As he tries to elaborate, he starts to feel the life being sucked out of him. Elijah winces in pain as Bragi and Jupe hover and chant words that no one’s ever heard before. In the other room, the twins start to levitate above their beds as the purple magic whoosh in and surround them. Whatever was happening had already been in motion. Agreeing to it was pointless. They knew that now.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Elsewhere

  “This one is strong.” Seht states.

  Red lightning shot from his scepter and hit a shackled Brynn. She winced as it struck her. They had been trying to break her for days, to no avail.

  “We should just kill her.” Bastet spits.

  They are in a dark cavern with no windows. The only light shows from the hall where the two villains entered.

  “We could. But we’ll use her... for now. My son will be careful as long as she’s in our clutches.” Borr says, entering the room.

  “We should kill him too.” Bastet replies.

  “My son is MINE. If you lay a claw on him, I’ll rip you to pieces and set you in my throne room... alive.” Borr says to the woman.

  Bastet nods and backs away. She truly hated him.

  “Who was that with your son, anyway?” asks Seht.

  “Ask Pluto. No idea who the alien is.” replies Borr.

  “He knows of the old magic. He may prove to be a nuisance. And as for MY brother... he is mine.” Pluto states, entering.

  “Family can be a pain.” says Seht.

  “Indeed.” Bastet agrees.

  “But aren’t you two... never mind.” Borr says.

  “We should ready ourselves. We need to move soon.” says Pluto.

  “Yes. I must make some preparations. I’ll contact you once I’m ready.” says Bastet.

  Seht, Pluto and Borr nod in agreement. Bastet transforms into a black cat and disappears into the shadows.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  January 4, 2020

  New Orleans, Louisiana

  6:45 AM

  A black cat exits the shadows of a deserted alley way on the edge of the city. The sun is starting to come up, and the hustle and bustle of the first shift workers starts. The morning air is cold and moist. Frozen dew droplets decorated the grass. The feline walks out of the alley and down the streets. There are several large manors on the outskirts of town—separated by large oak trees and beautiful plots of land. The cat walks up the driveway of one the houses. It swirls and ends at a pretty home that’s tastefully black. It’s well kept and there are a couple luxury cars parked. Once at the door, Bastet assumes her human identity and rings the doorbell. She is in a brown bodysuit with her signature bob.

  “Bastet.” is heard as the door opens. A tall, dark skinned Black woman is standing before her in a beautiful, long black dress that stops just above her ankles. Her hair is long and braided up into a bun. She wears red lipstick. Her accessories are gold—a necklace with a ruby in the middle, rings, and an anklet. Lastly, she has on tall red heels.

  “Marie.” replies Bastet.

  The woman stands aside and lets the depowered deity in. The big house is even more amazing on the inside. There’s a large staircase that greets them in the foyer, with two large rooms on either side. There’s also a hallway next to the staircase leading into another part of the house. Marie walks down the hall as Bastet follows her. The front door closes on its own as they enter her sunroom. There are plants handing around the room. A large bookcase consumes the wall behind a cute chaise. A small table sits in the middle of the room with a book sitting on it.

  “Have you located what I asked for?” Bastet questions, sitting on the chair.

  “Almost.” says Marie, holding out her hand. “It would certainly move faster if I had my payment.”

  Bastet rolls her cat-like eyes as she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a big, glowing ruby. She places it into Marie’s hand and smiles sarcastically.

  “What exactly do you need that for?” asks Bastet.

  She only asked because she’d stolen it from Seht and hoped that he didn’t miss it.

  “Who exactly are you searching for and why do you want them?” replied Marie.

  Bastet sucked her teeth and stayed silent.

  “As I thought.”

  Marie sighs as she rubs the gem. The one on her necklace started to glow as they resonated with each other. Bastet watches in amazement. Voodoo was one of the most interesting magics, to her. It drew on the power of one’s ancestors for knowledge, power, strength, and guidance. This magic had its naysayers, but it was truly one of the purest, strongest, and most reliable kinds of magic. The woman begins to levitate before Bastet as the wind whooshed around them.

  “The one you seek is not of, nor in this realm, currently.” Marie told the woman after twenty seconds or so.

  “A pocket dimension. Of whose creation?” asks Bastet, standing.

  Creating a pocket dimension wasn’t an easy feat, even for a god. Who exactly was this person? And how much power did he possess?

  “I do not know, but their magic is powerful. Though he, himself, doesn’t know its limits. It’s collaborative, like mine. Except he constantly draws on it, whereas I have to concentrate or invoke certain spirits. It’s fascinating. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Marie continues.

  “I see.” says Bastet. “Will your enchantment help?”

  “Yes.” replies Marie.

  She hands Bastet a small pouch.

  “Before doing your locator spell, spread this around. And not a moment sooner. You CAN do that much, can’t you?” says Marie.

  Bastet takes the pouch and puts it into her pocket.

  “Thank you. If you need m-” Bastet starts as she goes to touch Marie’s hand.

  Marie scoffs as she snatches it away.

  “Do not touch me, disgraced goddess. And do not mistake a business relationship for me liking you or your company. You tricked my mentor. A woman, at that. Do not ask favors of me, nor will I of you. Now, will that be all?” spat Marie.

  Bastet rubbed her clothes in embarrassment before turning to leave. As she got back to the foyer, the front door opened. She exited and it slammed closed behind her. Marie Laveau was no angel. But working with a goddess as detestable as Bastet made her skin crawl—and she communed with the dead daily. Her ends had to justify the means. After all, she was doing this to free the one person that believed in her. The one that taught her magic and how to master her specialty. The one that Bastet betrayed; Tituba.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  HQ

  8:00 AM

  Bragi, Jupe, Elijah, and Ezra all lay on the floor of the living room. Bragi is the only one that’s still conscious. The spell has drained all of them of their energy. They had unwillingly been the ones to change the universe. More than either of them could imagine.

  “WAKE UP!” shouted a woman’s voice in all their heads.

  Jupe was the first to jump up. Then Elijah. Lastly, Ezra.

  The room was humming as the magic still swirl around them and down the hall. In the room, the twins were still hovering as the same purple magic circled them.

  Ezra holds up his hands as the magic tome floats to him and into his hands. Reading one last word, a loud “BANG” is heard, followed by a shockwave. Unbeknownst to them, it is felt by every god and magical being in the universe. The spell is complete. In the room, the two young men float back to their beds as the purple magic and runes disappear.

  “What... the... hell?” says Elijah.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  “Did you feel that?” Bastet exclaims, looking at no one in particular.

  “Hmm.” Borr grunts.

  “Yes.” Pluto states.

  “Let us begin.” says Seht.

  They all stand and form a circle. Seht begins chanting an old Egyptian locator spell. Bastet reaches into her pocket and opens the pouch. A pure, gleaming white dust shoots out of it and around the group. It resonates with Seht’s locator spell and the two magics merge.

  “Is this stardust?” asks Pluto.

  “It is.” Bastet replies.

  “How did you-” Borr starts.

  “If my cousin is one thing, she is resourceful.” Seht stated.

  “Such shame that we must use it for such trifling matters.” Borr finishes.

  He was impressed. Stardust was one of the hardest resources to come by and almost impossible to create. Stars see everything. Even what lies on and beyond the edges of the universe. The “dust” came from dying stars and could be used for many different things. One of the purest forms of magic in the universe. There was nowhere that anyone could hide with this kind of power juicing Seht’s old magic. Bastet couldn’t help but smile.

  “Marie is the craftiest witch that I’ve ever met. Though her attitude is atrocious.” Bastet thought.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  HQ

  As the group stand and recollect themselves, there is still a slight ringing in their ears.

  “I did not intend to start that spell.” states Bragi, uneasily.

  “There’s no telling what repercussions will follow.” adds Jupiter.

  “Does magic ALWAYS do that?” asks Elijah.

  “Well-- no.” says Jupe.

  “I am sorry. I had no idea that would happen.” states Ezra.

  “Did it awake the twins?” asks Jupe.

  “I don’t know yet.” answers Ezra.

  “Well, that’s reassuring. In the meantime, does anyone have enough strength to fight?” Jupe asks.

  “No, why?” Bragi asks, standing.

  “Because I have a feeling that we won’t have a choice.” Jupe says.

  Just then, Ezra’s home started to violently shake, as if something... or someone was trying to force their way inside.

  “You have amazing sensory abilities.” states the alien man.

  “Thanks, weird alien empath. “ the Olympian replied, sarcastically.

  So, how long until they’re awake?” asks Elijah. “Because something’s happening.”

  A rift opens in Ezra’s living room. It looks like his but has tinges of red magic flowing around and through it. Ezra notices, before slapping his hands together and quickly pulling them apart. The room stretched out and became ten times as large.

  “Ha. Don’t wanna mess up the decor?” asks Elijah with a grin.

  “Something like that.” says Ezra.

  Bastet, Borr, Pluto, and Seht enter. Brynn follows them, still in red chains. Seht’s eyes glow red. Bastet’s claws out, ready for a brawl.

  “Brynnhildr!” shouts Bragi.

  He rushes toward her. Bastet pounces and slashes away at him. Bragi blocks as he guards but is sent flying back after a few hits. He crashes into the far wall. He struggles to get back onto his feet, to no avail. The spell has drained him. Jupe summons a tiny bit of lightning into his aura and charges at the group. Ezra holds his hand up to prepare a spell. In an instant, Seht blasts Jupe with a red blast of magic from his scepter as Borr slaps Ezra and sends him flying into the same wall as Bragi. Jupiter is holding his hands up to guard against the magic but is also sent flying into the wall. Smoke is seen leaving his chest where he was shot. He’s now unconscious. Elijah is the last one standing. He immediately runs at Bastet and punches her in the face. She is sent hurling back into the portal as it snaps closed.

  “One down.” he says, turning and assuming a ‘south paw’ stance. “Next.”

  Seht tries to hit Elijah with red bolts of magic, but he dodges, before jumping in the air to come down with a shockwave. Seht and Pluto are knocked back. Borr is unfazed. Standing, Seht holds his hand out to scan the base. He stops when he reaches the hallway.

  “Deal with them!” he shouts.

  Seht runs down the hallway and toward the young men’s room. Brynn follows him, unable to break free.

  “Weak ass little man.” spits Borr.

  He then jumps at Elijah and punches him in the gut, then face. Elijah is knocked back and onto his knees.

  “Done.” states Borr.

  The old giant turns toward the hallway and begins walking. He doesn’t notice Elijah standing and running behind him. As he makes contact, Borr is pushed away from the hallway. He turns around to face Elijah and is met with several punches to the face. He felt it. This surprised Borr. Elijah then punched the man several more times as he dodged the old god’s hits. Borr landed a punch, and Elijah was sent flying back. This time, still on his feet. He slammed is hands together as a shockwave hit the man and pushed him back. Again, Elijah ran up and delivered a few more blows and kicks. As Borr went to grab him, Elijah ducked and swiped Borr’s legs. Borr fell to one knee. He was annoyed. How could a human be so strong? Every blow sent to one another created a small soundwave, followed by miniature shockwaves.

  Bragi awakened to Elijah fighting his father. Was this mortal actually keeping up with the man? Pluto, noticing, held his hands out and sent tendrils of black magic at the man. Bragi materialized a spear and spun it. It deflected the magic as the Aesir stood and regained himself. Jupe started to gain consciousness and turned to wake Ezra. The two stood as their eyes adjusted.

  “That man hits hard.” says Ezra.

  “Ha! Told ya!” shouts Bragi.

  Bragi holds his hands out to share his essence with Elijah. His punches are now more powerful and he’s faster. Although he wasn’t powerful enough to beat Borr, this helped tremendously. Pluto creates small black orbs of his magic and shoot them at the group. One hits Elijah and brings him to his knees. Borr punches him again and he flies back and into a wall with a large thud. As the man shoots more orbs at Bragi and Ezra, Jupe shields them with a thin layer of lightning.

  “My brother is the god of the underworld. His magic can be lethal.” states Jupe.

  “Good to know.” replies Elijah as he stands.

  He’s still in pain, but it’s subsiding. This shocks both Jupe, as well as Pluto. The bruises that he received started to heal. He lunges at Pluto, who tries to fly into the air. Ezra holds his hand out and the man stops in his place. Elijah punches him, before jumping into the air and coming down with a strong kick to the man’s torso. He crashes to the floor as Ezra’s spell wears off. Bragi then materializes an axe as he runs at his father and tries to keep him distracted. Elijah leaps and punches an occupied Pluto back into the wall behind him.

  “The twins! Someone must stop Seht!” shouts Ezra.

  He then levitates and starts to chant.

  “On it!” shouts Jupe.

  Jupe charges himself up and shoots towards Borr and the hallway. The huge man side steps and is hit with another punch from Elijah. Bragi follows up as the two engage the old god. Pluto gets up from the floor and rushes after his brother.

  -------------------------------------------------------------------

  In the other room...

  The door to the room comes crashing open. The two young men are still asleep, although the commotion in the lair is starting to wake them. Seht glances at them for a quick moment. One’s feet are glowing orangish red and the other’s hands, dark purple. It’s faint and can be seen coming from the runes on their bodies. Seht holds out his hands as a stream of red magic leaves it and surrounds the twins. Brynn watches. Angry she can do nothing; she promised herself that she’d chop his head clean off when given the chance. They start to stir before their eyes suddenly open. They can’t breathe. Who was this man and what was he doing to them? Just as soon as they realized that they were in danger, a light could be seen from the hallway. Next, a crackle of lightning as Jupe flew into view and straight into Seht. They both fly further down the hall and into the last door. In a split second, Jupe reached into the area surrounding Ezra’s base and summoned cosmic lightning. Pulling it into himself, he then released it all into Seht. Seht let out a loud cry as the lightning reached every part of his body. He and the young god were both knocked unconscious as the lair shook from his attack.

  The chains on Brynn started to flicker. Noticing, the Valkyrie took the chance to break free. Pulling her hands apart, the chains shattered after a few seconds. She was weak, but she drug herself over to the twins.

  “Are you okay?” she asks them.

  Confused, they both just stare at her. The one whose hands were glowing touched the side of the woman’s head. His fingers glow purple as the languages the woman knew were relayed in his mind. He then looks at his twin as they lock eyes and their eyes glow purple. Next, the one whose feet glow spoke.

  “Who are you?” he asks.

  “Who are we?” asks his twin.

  Just as Brynn tried to give an answer, Pluto came running into the room. Holding out his hand, he sent Brynn flying and pinned her against the wall. She tried to break free but was unsuccessful. He notices the now awakened boys.

  “Borr! They’re awake!” Pluto yells.

  Borr is still in the living area fighting Bragi and Elijah. Pluto goes to ready and attack, but the twin whose hands glowed holds up his hands. A transparent, purple force field forms. Brynn falls to the ground as she watches. Her strength hasn’t yet returned.

  “Cute.” says Pluto.

  The god then starts sending shots of dark, magic at the young man. They meet the force field, before deflecting or dissipating completely. This shocks Pluto. He continues as his blows start to weaken the young man’s shield. Elijah and Bragi both come flying down the hall and past Pluto with a thud. They try to stand but are both exhausted. Borr walks to the room and past Pluto before raising both hands and pounding the shield. It disappears from the impact. Brynn and the twins are nervous as he gets closer.

  In the blink of an eye, the twin whose feet were glowing stood. He then took a step forward, and a burst of air was felt as he and Borr disappeared. A crash could be heard from the living room. Borr was against the far wall as the young man hit him with dozens of punches at supersonic speeds. They didn’t hurt the man, but they did prove useful in separating him from Pluto. Brynn tried to stand. Pluto held up his hands and started hurling tendrils of his black magic at her. The young man whose hands were glowing jumped up and stood in front of her. He held out his hands as the tendrils were absorbed. A second later, he materialized the same tendrils, but they were purple. He shot them at Pluto. As they made contact, Pluto felt some of his energy leave his body. He looked at the young man again, before his cape stretched and shot toward him and Brynn. The young man held his hands out again. A small, purple orb formed. It was the size of a baseball and hovered in front of the young man. As the cape grew larger and started to swallow the two of them up, it started to be sucked into the orb. Pluto kept this up for a few seconds before noticing his magic was being nullified.

  “AHHHHH!” shouted Borr.

  He then stomped on the floor as a shockwave formed and sent the young man flying back. Borr tried to make his way to him, but the youth stood and started to run in circles around the extremely large man. Borr swung, but it was only an afterimage as the teen kept running.

  Elijah was the first to stand as he ran toward Pluto and punched him back into the living room. The young man instantly stopped engaging Borr and ran to the Olympian, before unleashing a barrage of punches on him. Taking the chance, Elijah ran to Borr and kicked him in the back of the knee. As the man started to fall, Elijah flipped over him and kneed him in his face. Borr grunted as he stood and swung. Elijah side stepped, grabbed Borr’s arm, then hurled the man into the far wall. He landed with a large thud. Unbeknownst to Elijah, the organic nanites were learning and adapting. Healing his wounds as they released more of their innate capabilities. They were strengthening his skin and bones. The punches that he hit Borr with were harder than those just a few moments ago.

  Bragi was the next to awaken. He immediately checked on his oldest friend.

  “Brynnhildr. Are you okay?” he asked.

  By now, she was leaning on the wall in the hallway. Severely weakened, she could hardly stand, let alone help in the battle. Bragi had no energy to share.

  “I’ll be fine.” says Brynn. “Go and help them get those guys outta here.”

  Bragi nods as he helps her back to the room and onto one of the beds. He then rushes back out to help Elijah and the young men. He notices Ezra levitating fifteen feet above everyone with his eyes closed and legs crossed. The young man whose feet are glowing is running around, dodging Pluto’s shots as he sneaks punches in. Elijah is fighting his father as the young man whose hands were glowing watches. The blows that the two are throwing shake the residence. Elijah’s never been hit this hard in his life. It was like buildings were falling on him. Still, he didn’t give in. He’d dodge some hits, deliver a kick, get knocked back from a punch, and then stand to throw some of his own. Bragi couldn’t believe it. Was this young man already stronger? Bragi summoned a mace with spikes and joined the fight.

  The teen whose hands were glowing then faced off with Pluto again. He held out his hands as a dozen orbs formed in front of him. His twin stopped fighting Pluto and ran up next to him. The orbs shot at Pluto as some connected. Again, he felt is energy being siphoned. Pluto held up his hands as an invisible shield covered him from the rest of the blasts. Realizing that they were now losing, the old god tried to come up with something. Borr knocked Bragi back into a wall and grabbed Elijah by his neck. He started punching him in the face. Before Elijah had enough time to think of anything, Borr slammed him onto the floor. Another shockwave formed and made everyone stagger. Borr stomp down as Elijah guards against the blows, creating more shockwaves. Bragi jumps up and charges at his father. The man picks Elijah up and hurls him at his son. Bragi jumps into the air and spins and dodges. Elijah continues until he hits the far wall with the force of a bus. As he tries to recuperate, Bragi continues to fight his father. He swings with his mace as his father dodges. Bragi follows up with a punch as vines spring from the sleeve in his armor and wrap around his father. They attach to the floor as the man scoffs. He pulls as the vines snap and he punches his son. Borr punches him again. Bragi falls to his knees.

  The young man whose hands were glowing saw this and decided to intervene. He stopped fighting Pluto as his twin ran up to the old god and began punching him again. Running to Bragi and Borr, the young man whose hands were glowing jumped and grabbed the man’s head with both hands. Borr stopped in his tracks as the young man started to siphon the old god’s power. He could feel the energy leaving his body as they both started to levitate. Purple magic appeared from the teen’s hands. It surrounded the two of them.

  “Impossible.” said Bragi, standing.

  Elijah stood and watched. Pluto noticed what was happening and released a surge of magic that knocked the young man back and unconscious. Pluto turned his attention to the boy siphoning Borr. He hurled his dark smoke, but it bounced off the purple magic.

  “WHAT?!” Pluto thought.

  Pluto held out his hands as a stream of black magic left them and burst at the magic shield. The young man and Borr both started to wince. They looked to be in pain.

  “We have to stop this!” shouted Elijah.

  Bragi tried pushing through but could not. Jupe came out of the hallway and glimpsed at the scene before him. He walked over to the young man who was unconscious and zapped him with a small lightning bolt from his index finger. As he jumped up, he looked at his twin before standing next to Elijah.

  “We’ll do it, together.” says Jupe.

  They nod as they all get ready. Jupe charges himself with lightning and resonates with the young speedster. Some of the lightning streaks jump from Jupe and onto his bare feet. The runes light up. Elijah balls up his fists. Bragi materializes a spear. Bragi launches his spear as the young man jumps into it and rides it. Jupe shoots a stream of lightning that connects with the spear and the young man’s feet. Elijah jumps forward and punches. As his hit collides with the shield of magic, the young man jumps off and flips. He lands a kick onto the shield as the spear does the same. The young man’s kick, powered up by Jupe’s lightning makes a loud crackle as the force from all the attacks combine and create a huge blowback. Pluto, Elijah, Bragi, Jupe, and the speedy twin all fly back and into the walls behind them.

  Borr and the young man fall to the floor. They are both unconscious. Seht comes into the living room. He waves his hands. Borr and Pluto both fly to the man’s sides.

  “We’ve failed. We must leave. NOW!” says Seht.

  He goes to open a portal, but Ezra snaps and it closes. Seht angrily looks at Ezra as the man finally opens his eyes and meets his gaze. Seht tries to open a portal again. Nothing. Ezra speaks.

  “You barged into my home. I’ve set up new, more powerful wards. And while this will not happen again, I can’t let you leave without having experienced my hospitality in such instances.” Ezra says to the gods.

  He holds up his hands and waves them. Golden shackles form on Seht’s arms, legs, and around his neck. This angers the man even more. He tries to blast Ezra with red bolts from his eyes, but the alien opens his mouth and swallow the beams.

  “WHO ARE YOU?!” Seht shouts.

  Bragi, Elijah, Jupe, and the twins just watch.

  “I am the will of a forgotten people that’s too strong to be erased. The embodiment of Ishcar. I am who and what that will has created and entrusted with their memories, magic, essence, and might. I am Ezra of Ishcarlia. Remember me. For I know that I cannot kill you. Yet.” Ezra claims before snapping.

  “Black hole.” says Ezra.

  A portal forms and sucks only Borr in.

  “The sun.” states Ezra calmly.

  Another portal forms and sucks a struggling Pluto in. It closes behind him.

  “And lastly.” Ezra whispers.

  He then floats down, and his feet touch the floor. Looking at Seht, he holds up his hands as the old god flinches.

  “I’ve never heard of Ishcar. Where are you from, really?” Seht asks.

  “Maybe you don’t know as much as you think.” Ezra replies.

  Seht tries to attack.

  “Domain of Anubis.” says Ezra.

  Seht’s eyes widen as a portal form and starts to pull him.

  “NoooOOOOO!” yells the man.

  It swallows him and snaps shut.

  Ezra turns and faces his comrades.

  “We won’t be having any unwanted guests. Ever again. My apologies.” Ezra states.

  “It isn’t your fault. They are each powerful in their own right. There are some things that only experience can teach us.” Bragi reassures him.

  “I agree.” Jupe adds. “We fought old gods and won... Sort of. It isn’t to be taken lightly.”

  “There will be targets on all of our backs from now on. We must be vigilant.” says Bragi.

  Ezra and Elijah both nod.