Chapter 5

I arrived outside Tyr’s door a few minutes later, and just as I was about to knock, I heard him tell me to enter. I was a little shocked that he knew I was there, and wondered how, but then remembered that he was a God and had his way. A sound behind me caught my attention and I noticed a raven perched high on an outcropping of stone high on the wall. Its color was that of stone, but I saw it move slightly. Perhaps Tyr animated the statue to act as a surveillance device. I opened the door and walked over to his usual spot sitting before his hearth.

“Good morning young Pathios,” Tyr said with a welcoming smile. “I have been expecting you. We have a few things to discuss.”

I couldn’t help but feel nervous at those words and took my seat. A minute or so later, he pulled his eyes away from the hearth and turned to look at me.

“I am sure you have already received the correspondence from Lady Aphrodite. I am sure you have some questions, but I will say I am already aware of it, though no details were given. Given our recent revelations of other gods being part of this dark purpose that has come to light recently, steps needed to be taken. She had come to me first, given the sensitive nature of the request, and I suggested she reach out to you directly. I am of course the means to verify that the request is indeed genuine, to ensure you know it isn’t our enemies setting a trap. I will be opening a gateway for you to go to your meeting with her, but I am sure you need to talk to the others first. You will have to go alone, however, that is something that she insisted on. You will be in no danger from where I will be sending you, and I will happily keep your ladies informed of your whereabouts.

“The next thing we will have to discuss is the results of the Champion’s Challenge. There are a few things that we didn’t cover after the ceremonies, given the focus of dealing with the unexpected events that transpired at the end. First, I want to commend you on your actions, both with dealing with Silvia and pushing so that the survivors and the families of those lost would receive compensation. You showed the world the standards that I would hope for all my pact house adventurers, making me and your house proud throughout the tournament. That is never really considered sometimes, and it has caused a positive stir among those interested in joining a pact house to consider ours. As you know it is mostly random, but there are a handful of openings per year for someone to directly request a pact house. That hasn’t happened to our pact house in a while, so it is a happy circumstance. This could increase our numbers further than expected.

“Thankfully, the prize money was substantial for the pact house itself and the additions to our property are already underway. The Vulcan pact house is handling the work and should have the extensions finished within the next six months. They will be adding three floors to the pact house which will increase our capacity by at least ninety members. That said, your prestige has allowed you to move to the next floor. As you know the third floor was designated for medium tier members that have completed enough tasks that they have earned this right. While still new, you have demonstrated skill and by winning the Challenge, have gained the right to move to the next floor. There is still the upkeep that needs to be covered, but we will go over that after your meeting with Aphrodite.

I stood there completely shocked by everything he had said, and wondered what exactly would happen after that meeting.

“When you return, we will discuss where you will be moved and the reasons behind that choice. I can confirm that you will be happy with the upgrade I have planned for you, but there will be caveats that will be included. For now, go meet with the others and let them know what will be happening. I will be awaiting your return.”

Knowing that this meant I was dismissed, I said my goodbyes and left to head to the dining hall. My mind wandered to all that would be happening today, but wondering would only cause me to get anxious and I needed to be levelheaded. I entered to find them all sitting at a nearby table and a plate was already waiting for me. They noticed my approach and they had a mix of happiness for my arrival, but anxiousness for the unknown.

“Hey guys, sorry that I’m late.” I said as I took a seat beside Amenthia. “I am sure they have told you I had to meet with Tyr. I can’t go into details of all of it, partially because it is a sensitive matter, and mostly because I still don’t know most of them myself yet.”

Dilbar grunted as he tore off a bite of ham and said, “Aye, they mentioned you received a letter that required your attention for today.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Asked Amenthia. “Didn’t Tyr explain things to you?”

“He explained only what he could,” I replied. “It is such a sensitive topic he couldn’t go into many details, but we talked about some other things as well. For now I can’t mention much until after my meeting in regard to the letter. Unfortunately, this is one meeting that I have to go to alone, but Tyr has given his word that no harm will come to me at this meeting.”

“Okay. If Tyr has given his word, that is good enough for me,” Amenthia said with a smile while she took a bite of food. “I have no doubt you will be well taken care of where you’re going. Tyr would demand no less for the hospitality of his pact members.”

She gave me a saucy wink and my other ladies began to giggle, causing confusion in Dilbar and Ilthvana. I was happy to see that the anxiety of our first meeting with Aphrodite is no longer there. Though I have no doubt that our extended relationship with Freyja has helped alleviate their fear of not being able to compete against goddesses.

“I do want you guys to try and get some experience collection today, so do some sparring in the training room. Work on finding new combinations to help us deal with the various threats we will be coming across. Enti, I also want you and Katie to work on combining your spells.”

Enti played with her food and asked, “Pathios, there isn’t much that can be mixed at present, but I was wondering if we could go to the shops today. I want to check to see if I can find a new spell book to increase my available spells. Katie wants to visit with her friend and see if there is anything new in the realm of recipe books or equipment.”

I nodded with a smile and replied, “Sure. Make sure to price anything that Katie might like to add, that way we know what she needs to expand her potion making.”

The rest of our breakfast was just general chit chat and finishing of our meals. I wished them all a good day, just in case this would take a bit and promised I would let them know when I got back. I left to head back to Tyr’s quarters and did feel a little anxious as I neared. Again as I neared to knock, I heard him announce for me to enter. I made my way inside to find him standing next to his hearth. I explained that the others would be out of the pact house while I was away, since he said he would keep them informed.

“I hope you’re ready,” He said in a slightly more serious tone than I expected. “She will send you back when it is time. I will make sure to send a raven to your group to let them know when you return. Do you wish for them to meet you somewhere?”

I thought for a moment and then a sad smile appeared on my face, “Tell them to meet me at our fallen friend.”

Tyr looked at me in confusion for but a moment before his face changed and a sad smile appeared on his face.

“It will be done,” He said softly. “I do hope all goes well and I hope that you come back with answers to your many questions.”

I nodded and he placed his hand on my shoulder. A flash of light enveloped my senses and as the brightness dimmed, I found myself in an apartment reminiscent of Freyja’s.

“Ahh so our guest has finally arrived,” said a familiar voice behind me. “It is about time you got here.”

I turned to find Freyja standing there, arms crossed, in a beautiful silken gown that hugged the curves of her body. The sight of her now visible baby bump made my heart flutter, but I was in shock to find myself here, as I expected to be somewhere completely foreign.

“I can tell you are confused, my love, so come on the balcony and sit.” Freyja gestured towards our destination. “My other guests have been anxiously expecting you.”

Guests? What the hell was going on? I knew that I was supposed to be meeting with Aphrodite, but I didn’t expect there to be anyone else. I nodded, and followed as she guided me to the balcony. I couldn’t help but study her as she moved, enjoying the sway of her hips and how the dress hugged her ass as she walked. I glanced up to see her glancing back with a knowing smirk and throwing an extra swing in her step as we continued to the balcony. A few minutes later, I stepped onto the balcony to find Aphrodite talking to someone who’s back was to me. She glanced over and the conversation stopped as a smile appeared on the goddess’ face. It was a mix of joy, relief and that little hint of seduction that always seems to be there.

“Ahh the man of the hour,” Aphrodite announced, as she rose from her seat to come over to us.

I was shocked when she quickly closed the distance, pulled me into her arms and kissed me with a passion that would lead anyone who saw it to think I was her long-lost love. I felt myself quickly growing hard, and decided I would give as good as I was getting. I pulled her in tight and attacked her as if she were one of my women. After a few moments, I could feel her grinding herself on my thigh like a bitch in heat and relished that I had caused the goddess of Love to act in such a way. When I let her go, she stepped back and I could easily see she was caught off guard by my response to her. Her breathing was short and ragged, her eyes were dilated. I could see that her skin was flush, her nipples were erect and obvious against the toga she was wearing. Thanks to my experience with my ladies, I could tell that there was a smell of arousal in the air, no doubt coming from her.

“By the gods you were right about him, Freyja,” She said between panting breaths. “I can see why you didn’t let this one go! Fuck! I can’t wait for my turn.”

There was a soft clearing of someone’s throat behind her, and I had to hold back a laugh as it shocked her out of her growing lust.

“Fuck, I almost forgot!” Aphrodite exclaimed with a slight chuckle in her voice. “Now for the main reason you are here, my dear Pathios. This is my newest pact house member, and I am afraid that we are in a situation that needs your help.”

The woman rose from the table and turned to look at me and I was struck by her beauty. She stood a bit taller than me, with long flowing brown hair. It was full and shining and before she turned around, I saw the hair fell to her lower back. Her eyes were a deep blue that felt like a whirlpool that sucked you into their depths. She had the typical clothing given to all new pact house members, Linen shirt with leather pants and calf high boots. I could tell that she had curves, though not to the same extent as Amenthia, hidden behind the somewhat loose fabric of her top. Amenthia wore things that were purposely tight to her form, and I think they are tailored to be tight to every curve. This woman seemed to want to hide the allure of her body and yet, I couldn’t help but wonder what she looked like out of those clothes. I had to remind myself that it wasn’t right to think that way of someone who I didn’t know and wasn’t in a romantic or sexual relationship with me. What shocked me was that she didn’t have the confidence that was expected of someone that was part of a pact house. She seemed nervous and shy, fidgeting in place, which sent up a little bit of a red flag. This is the time that a warning signal flashed into my brain that something wasn’t typical about this.

“Hello there, my name is Theresa Naumann.” She said with a noticeable shy stammer in her voice.

“She is a special case that will need your help,” Aphrodite said with a sigh, wrapping her hand around my waist. “You will be surprised to find that she is very much like you, but yet very different from you, as she is a rebirth.”

This caused both Theresa and myself to widen our eyes in shock. She was from earth, but I thought that we weren’t to know other rebirths. I gave Freyja a look of concern and could see that she had a look of worry on her face.

“I know. You were told that rebirths are kept anonymous and that they are kept separate from each other to keep issues from occurring, such as the desire to compete with one another,” Freyja explained. “It also keeps it less likely that the people at large would learn of the existence of rebirths. This has been the way for millennia, but now things are not the way they used to be. Like you, Theresa was given a choice, and she chose Eden. I was shocked to have another one so soon after you, but she was adamant to come here for a new life. However, the partner that was picked for her from our trained supporter pool wasn’t what we thought. Hand-picked for her, like Amenthia was for you, Jerrod was supposed to be a balancing asset to Theresa given her nervous and shy nature. It appears that he was a hidden recruit to Kali’s faction, and attempted to kill her when she wouldn’t give him what he wanted. She barely survived the attack and had been healing for the last two weeks. I made sure to ensure that she was fully healed before she was released from our medical care.

“She is fit to fight, nearly no scars and she has the aptitude to thrive here, but she needs guidance to come out of her shell. Most importantly, it seems that this rogue group considers any rebirths a threat now. We have reports that two others that have appeared, have been killed by their partners for being suspected to be a rebirth. They were not, instead being gifted with natural talent that made them seem as good as you. This made them targets and it is a shame that two young ones lost their lives because of this. I am currently suspending the practice until we are certain no others have become sleepers for this enemy faction, making sure that the gods know and hopefully having that information end up getting to the ears of our enemies. It will take some time, but there is no other way we can see this turning out as we would like. This is where you come in and why we have called you here today. We have talked with the council, and while it wasn’t unanimous in their agreement, they agreed that being paired with you is in her best interests.”