Chrysaor paced in his home, anxious and nervous. “It's kinda hard to believe Perseus has had not one but two attractive women date him recently. Even if he only dated June for a couple weeks it's still crazy. We're talking about someone so socially awkward he fumbled trying to date a girl who had a crush on him. I was always the more social and charismatic one. When we were growing up he'd always try to leech off my friends because he couldn't make his own.”

  Venus floated in one spot as Chrysaor paced. “So? You said you two were mending things. Are you not happy he's growing and improving?” Chrysaor sat hard on a couch. “I always thought it was like a balance thing. My charisma has always been my go to, it's basically all I've ever had. I don't have any unique skills for working but I'm good at talking and getting others to listen. Meanwhile Perseus was skilled in a number of things, a little nerd, but couldn't hold a conversation to save his life. He spent most of our childhood trying to impress our dad.”

  Venus nodded. “He's the youngest right? He felt he had something to prove.” Chrysaor huffed. “I got really sick and tired of our father saying I needed to be more responsible like Percy. I make more than enough money, so how I spend my money and time should be up to me. Sure, I got in trouble with the law a number of times but I was having fun. I was living a life others dreamed of, including Percy. He used to look up to me and want to be more charismatic like me.”

  Venus floated over to the couch. “So what do you want to do?” Chrysaor crossed his arms. “Part of me wants to take the things he worked so hard for and rip them away. Break all the nice things he has or take them for myself. Despite having everything I've never felt happy yet he's struggled just to be noticed and here he is being happy despite life constantly giving him hardships. He should be more miserable than me, he definitely used to be. For some reason seeing him happy and actually achieving things pisses me off. If I'm miserable with everything he has no right to be happy with nothing.”

  Venus smiles a wicked smile. “I'm guessing this is why you two had issues and stopped talking. You're trying to mend things with him but honestly does he really deserve someone so great as a brother? Life seems to hate him and always push him down from what you've told me. Meanwhile you are blessed in so many ways. The beautiful and charismatic rule the world Chrys. And it's the privilege of those on top to stand on those beneath them, or sit on them like a chair. He's nothing, he deserves nothing. So why not take it away. So what if he hates you, life hates him anyway. How dare he be happy in his struggle while you wallow in misery.”

  Chrysaor rocked a bit on the couch. “I have the power now.” He looked at his hands. “I was always good at getting people to like me. You enhance that. I could do an upscaled version of what I did in highschool. Build myself up, gain influence and connections. I could be running the three cities to the point even MacGonagall and Mister Olympic answer to me. I could even replace the governor. Only unlike in school where I failed to make things easier and only made things unintentionally worse for my brother I can make him suffer. If I let him continue to grow like this I worry things may flip and I'll be the one in his shadow.”

  Venus’ grin grew wider. “Yeah, after all there's only so much love and blessings to go around. The rich gain blessings from the suffering of the poor as such for your blessings his happiness has been the sacrifice. Cosmic order, karma, call it what you will but if you stand by you'll lose everything. Your blessing will fade and you'll be left with nothing. You must act to protect your way of life. You don't have much choice.”

  Chrysaor shook his head. “Knock that off, things are going fine. I'm just feeling a little irritated is all. Stop trying to start drama for fun. If you want me to mess with other people for your entertainment that's fine, but my brother is off limits. That or I can just put on a cheesy soap opera or reality trash show. That'll feed that drama appetite without hurting people.” Venus crossed his arms and pouted for a second. “Oh, all right. Though if you think the sister is cute too I don't see why you shouldn't act. I don't think she's dating your brother and back in ancient Greece polygamy was all the rage. Who knows, it might even make a major comeback. You know, outside Mormons. They make polygamy look boring.”

  Chrysaor chuckled. “They don't drink alcohol, so there's also that. Although I myself wouldn't mind having a harem others might disapprove. If Percy and her are dating the last thing I want is to risk that. He works so hard.” Venus sighed. “Alright then.” Venus still had a smirk on his face. “Moving on from that little tidbit as fun as it was, what would you like to do? We can always train more seeing as you'll need to be ready to fight should we have a problem. Who knows what we'll deal with because even if they have a weapon I've encountered before the user can still surprise you with how they use it. No two users of the same Armatus ever fight the same.”

  Chrysaor shifted back and forth a few times before chuckling awkwardly. “You had me going there for a moment. Yeah, let's just focus on getting me used to the weapon as quickly as possible. I want to be able to handle any threats that come my way. I need to be able to live long enough to see if we are compatible enough for ascension or whatever.” Venus nodded. “Time to go out alone in the woods and get all sweaty ~” Chrysaor shook his head with a smile as he headed out. “I’ve never known anyone as unapologetically horny as you. Like God damn man, take a cold shower or something.” He said as he started his car.

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  Venus chuckled. “I unfortunately don't even have a physical body so unless you want to run a cold shower for a fancy harpoon gun I can't exactly do that. Olympus knows I'd kill for my old body back though. I can't even practice self love in this form and it drags.” Chrysaor nods as he drives to the same spot as last time. The two are silent for the car ride but when Chrysaor steps out and looks at the trees he couldn't help but wonder out loud. “I wonder what your so-called counterpart, Ares, is up to right now. You two were always getting into trouble together from what Percy would tell me.”

  A bus stopped at the outermost stop in New Haden, out from the bus stepped an extremely broad shouldered man. His combat boots made a loud thud on the cement sidewalk as he adjusted his pixelated urban camouflage cargo pants. Then he fucked his spike-studded leather jacket that was left open to show a tank top clad muscular frame underneath. Finally, before starting to walk, he brushed the top of his shiny, bald, and nearly charcoal colored head. “This place reminds me of the hood I grew up in. Place was almost as much of a warzone as the middle east. It would almost make me nostalgic if it wasn't so depressin’.”

  A man in full desert camouflage military gear including a backpack on his back and an assault rifle on his shoulder. He took off his helmet revealing buzz cut blonde hair. “MacGonagall called off his request for us, so why are we here now?” The large man started walking, talking quietly. “There was no confirmation of death for the target, although the bounty is gone there's definitely some big players here. This place is a powder keg, waiting for a spark to blow. A great place to start a war. Once we set the fire, we can just sit back and enjoy the chaos. We'll watch the world burn in endless war, constantly stoking the flames. There'll be no neutrality, no staying out. A true world war.”

  Ares smirked. “And we'll be the only winner, as all the other gods struggle just to keep their hosts alive we'll have plenty of time to ascend. There will be one true God, and that God will be War.” The man chuckled to himself softly. “This is going to be fun.”

  Perseus was in the middle of rewiring part of a house when he felt a sudden shiver down his spine and paused for a moment. “Everything okay?” Neptuna and an old man asked at the same time. Perseus chuckled. “These wires are a hundred years old and have been chewed by every rodent and insect in this place. I'm surprised the lights worked at all. Once I'm done here it'll be right as rain in this spot but I might have to redo the entire apartment complex.”

  The old building manager rubbed his chin. “At that point it might be better off to just build a new building but that's unfortunately not an option. I'm guessing it'll take a while to do that.” Perseus lets out a nervous chuckle. I'm just one guy so it would take several days. You can recover some of the cost by cashing in the bad wires. Outside of that idk what to tell you man. This building is old.” the old man nodded. “Seems I don't have much choice then. I'll leave you to it.” The old man walked off leaving Perseus alone.

  Perseus stretched his arm and looked around, activating his Second Sight but seeing nothing of note. “That's weird, I could have sworn I felt the Vale fluctuate. Must have been my imagination because there's nothing nearby.” Neptuna shrugged. “It's either that or a ripple from out of range. That would imply a large attack of some sort went off. So there could be a fight not that far from here. We haven't received an S.O.S so that's none of our business.” Perseus sighed before getting back to work.

  Several days of self training went by smoothly for Chrysaor. “I feel I'm getting the handle of this fairly quickly. Though I think I'd need an opponent to be sure.” Venus hummed. “You do seem to have a natural talent for this. Perhaps this isn't your first time and you were paired in a previous life. Yes, reincarnation is real. No, I don't know what happens when you move on instead.” Chrysaor rubbed his chin with his hand. “Is it possible to remember stuff from past lives?” Venus gave a big nod. “Under the right circumstances an Armatus user can remember past lives. Normally however you just find yourself naturally good at something.”

  Chrysaor lifted his oversized weapon and fired a few more harpoons into trees. “Maybe I was some sort of public speaker or politician then. Maybe not at the same time as being a user but can't rule it out. After all, apparently magic can't be observed by normal people.” Venus nodded again. “Yeah. Also these weapons provide great power. With great power comes great possibilities. All the things you've wanted to do but didn't have the ability to, or were too scared to do. Now there aren't as many people to stop you. So go, take the things you want. Screw everyone else, you're better than them. You are one of the chosen.”

  Chrysaor smiled as he looked at the gun. “Blessed by the gods. I'm starting to think this is my destiny. I've always been blessed by this power, your power, suits me so well that there's no other explanation. We were meant to be together, I was made for this. Together we'll become a new gid and stand above it all. It's only a matter of time.” Venus smirked. “Yes, so you might as well enjoy being mortal while you still can.”

  “Coffee for Kyle with a why?! Iced triple shot black espresso and an egg bacon English muffin.” June yelled from the counter of Moondoe’s Coffee. A large man in an open leather jacket and camouflage cargos stepped forward. “That'll be me ma’am. June took a step back, not just in surprise at the man's size but because she could sense he had an Armatus because her senses didn't trigger till he was within range. She instantly knew he also knew she was an Armatus holder. He tapped the counter and said in a low and quiet voice. “You wouldn't happen to know how to get to the ocean from here would you?”

  June turned slightly pale. “(This monster is looking for Perseus and he has an Armatus. The most likely scenario is he's looking to fight or even kill him.)” June leaned forward. “I have a personal investment in that one, if you intend harm then you'll have to get in line.” The large man smiled before speaking in a normal volume. “Well that sounds wonderful, I'll be sure to get myself a combo next time. Thanks for the suggestion, miss.” He then placed a business card on the counter with his money for the coffee. “Here's a nice little tip for the information. Spread the kindness now.” The large man waved as he took his extra strength coffee and left the shop.

  June collected the card with a slight smile. “(If I'm going to make him hurt, it'll definitely help to have some help. In fact, I should arrange for someone to soften him up first. There are apparently a lot of Armatus users that work for hire. I wonder how easy it would be to contact one. I can't wait to see the anguished look on Perseus' face as I make him suffer for my repeated humiliation.)” June grinned in a genuine fashion for the first time during a work shift. The dominos were starting to fall and it was only a matter of time before Perseus was under a metaphorical landslide.