The typical night of partying, once again took place. They partied harder than ever, the reason… The level up they were celebrating this time, wasn't just any level up. No, this was something else entirely, it was the first of the double digits. Level 10, a level previously thought to be completely impossible. Yet, it wasn't a dream any longer, one now lived and breathed, the very first, and it was that boy who'd joined their familia 12 years ago… That's right, he turned 17…
"To think that cute little boy from all those years ago, is the first level 10 in history!" A dancer, currently drunk, and high as could be, laughed, as she and others like her danced around the manor in the nude. Men and women dancers alike.
The musicians continued playing their music, keeping up with the tempo of the party. Or, were they setting it, no one really knew, nor did they really care about it. Everyone was having fun their own way.
Astraea, still feeling uncomfortable with the presence of these types of festivities, found herself sipping wine with Hera, Hathor, and Idunn, all talking about a whole manner of things when someone came over, with an expression that screamed she was lost, and had no idea how to say what she needed to… She was one of the few on guard duty for now.
"Lady Hathor-"
"What's wrong dear? Are you alright? Still tipsy? Do you want to sleep in my bed tonight? Or is it something else?"
"I-" The guard woman sighed, shaking her head, as if to clear the fog inside. "Lady Hathor, there's an odd group, well, a few odd groups that decided to drop by tonight, and I'm unsure of how to deal with it, given how many of our members are currently in, well, this state."
"Pfft, so there's some gods here, is that right?"
"Yes, and uhm, we don't really like two of the goddesses that also arrived."
"Freya, and Loki right?"
"Yes, I don't know what led them to come here, but Freya's said she'll make a scene, if she's unseen."
Shurry approached in an instant, wearing just his pants…
"Does that evil woman have a death wish or something?"
"Oh, Shurry, your muscles…" The guardswoman gulped, and moved to steal light touch.
"You can look, just don't touch. I already have enough spice as it is."
"Oh! Sorry, I'm still a bit drunk. And you're just so… Mateable."
"Son, what do you think they're here for?"
"Freya wishes to join the war game."
"She knows that means to effectively say we can have some of our own members join. She must be stupid… Astraea, care for some fresh air?"
"I could go for some." Astraea confirmed with a small smile, and stood up. "Alise, my daughter-"
Alise came running over with a big mug of ale, and rosy cheeks. She really liked the parties for the alcohol and food.
"Mother, you called for me!?"
"Yes, come with me, Hathor and I are going to discuss the war game with Freya and Loki…"
That statement sobered Alise right up. She left for a moment, and then came back in full gear.
"I'm ready, Mother!"
"Shurry can you do something about the intoxication?"
Alise was now actually sober, and a little ticked.
"Hey! What's the big idea, Shurry!? I was feeling good…"
"Think of it this way, you get to be fully alert to keep your mother safe, and then you can go back to drinking even more."
"Fine! But tell me this, when are we all going to take a bath together again. You promised we'd do that once in a while."
"Win this war game, and I'll personally wash your hair."
"Really!? No take backsies! You promised!"
…
Meeting the unwanted party crashers outside the home, a small table was set up, and fresh water was served for the two goddesses.
"Oh, water?"
"Huh? Come on Hathor, I know you've got the good stuff in there, let's have a sip."
"Pfft, you think I'd give either of you two any wine, let alone soma? You'd better be thankful I gave you anything."
"They deserve to eat dirt." Shurry grumbled, barely holding back his snarl.
"Oh my, you're still mad about something that happened so many years ago?" Freya sighed, disappointingly swirling the water, imagining it was wine. "Why don't you accept my love?"
"You're evil…"
"I'm not evil, I'm a woman. One with needs, and wants. My heart wants you."
"You should learn to be disappointed. Listen to my words, carefully… I, will, never, forgive, you…"
Shurry had stared right into the goddess of beauty's eyes, completely demolishing any sense of her charm's potential effects. He refused her, straight to her face, and with an unshakeable confidence.
"That's harsh, don't you think?"
"No. If it wasn't for Ouranos intervening on your behalf… You'd be back in Tenkai right now."
"Hey kid, are you that close with Ouranos? He's not just someone you can casually talk about-"
"I know."
Shurry gave a long, hard stare to Loki, one holding enough meaning that it was all she needed to realize, Shurry wasn't playing. He was deadly serious…
"Loki, don't you see, that's the degree Ouranos intervened for us. It's his apology for what happened… Why would he feel that way though? It was just one mortal child?"
Shurry lost it, and howled out so loud, it dwarfed the party, and all sounds, city-wide. His eyes glowed silver, and a super sized moon appeared in the sky.
"Do you want to die today?" Hathor spoke up, questioning Freya.
"Why's he so angry?"
Shurry cracked his knuckles, shoulders, and neck. He was ready to exact vengeance, he wanted to kill all of them…
"You just said that his big brother was just a mortal as if he was nothing important. I don't really see a reason to let you off the hook this time."
Astraea's words brought an air of calm to the area, but there was still that mighty wolf, licking his chops ready to avenge his brother. The waiting has been eating at him for a long time now, and now that comment set him teetering over the edge, he'd been too kind before.
Bell and Meda came running out of the house, and jumped on their uncle.
"Uncle, don't do it." Meda said.
"Uncle, you said I was going to take care of avenging my daddy!"
Shurry, sensing the change, calmed down, slowly. His guard didn't fall, only his rage.
"Then you'll need to fight them in the war game. Looks like I'll be training everyone for it, personally. When we win, both of your familias will disband."
"Are you going to be fighting in it?"
"If I was, it wouldn't be fair."
"When we win, we'll help ourselves to anything we want from you." Freya said, and seductively drank the water. "Does that work for you Hathor?"
"Of course, the war game is in 2 months, right? I promise I will only send a small number of my familia's members."
"Good, with that settled, Loki, let's have our children work together again. We have to win now."
The two goddesses left the grounds with their terribly embarrassed guards, who needed a change of close after experiencing the intense hopelessness they just stood in front of.
"Bell, Meda… I'm going to make you and everyone else a part of this war game, as strong as they can be."
And so, with that issue dealt with, it was time to deal with the other gods that had dropped by.
…