As I walked into the arena I began to test myself to see if I was back in fighting shape, I did some basic combos and magical attacks. Then I decided to go for the big push, I began channeling my power into my mouth, I jumped up and launched a huge gust of black flames from my mouth. It was a move I called hellblaze. I've never used it in battle before but the move can only be used when I'm surrounded by enemies because these flames burn until there is nothing left of the target. I knew I was nearly back to normal, that move takes a lot out of me. I just watched the fire burn, thinking of nothing, just staring into it mesmerised.
"Gorgeous isn't it?" A sweet voice said.
I whipped around and saw a gorgeous woman standing in front of me, wearing a black toga. Her eyes were as black as night, her skin a light gray, her hair a hazel brown and she wore a white flowered headband.
"Well isn't it rude for a younger brother to not to greet his older sister?" She said, In that instant I knew who she was.
"Apate right?" I stammered, obviously startled.
"Yes, little brother. I am Apate the goddess of fraud and deception." She said proudly. I felt drawn to her, I knew she was the goddess of lies so she must be doing this herself.
"Stop this, this aura you exhibit is grasping me." I pleaded.
"So you caught that? Smart boy, seems father was right about you, you do have some promise." She said. Then the feeling stopped,
"Now now sister, let us not toy with him too much." A calm soothing voice said.
"Ah brother Hypnos! I see father called you here as well." Apate replied. Then a man dressed in a full body cloak stepped out of the shadows,
"Yes, it seems father wants us to help this boy." Hypnos replied.
"Yes, the boy does show promise, but we'll have to see for that won't we?" Apate replied. I was getting tired of them talking about me like I wasn't even here, so I barked,
"I have a proposition, for the two of you. Face me in battle, if I lose you two can leave, but if I win two must help me with whatever I desire." They looked at each other, I could see Apate's cruel smile beginning to grow.
"You have a deal." They said in unison.
"Ready….. BEGIN!" I barked, They moved with blinding speed, I could barely keep up with them. I summoned my mark, I could barely put up any offensive moves, they were just too fast.
"Ha.. ha ...HA..HAHAHHAHAHAHA" Apate's cruel laugh echoed from every direction. I could see their moves but certain moves made it look like I countered them but they still cut my body.
"This is Apates ability," I thought to myself. The cuts were on the exact opposite side from where they looked like they were coming from. It's a hard ability to see through but easy to counter, I began dodging easily. They paused there speed, and I noticed something different about Apate, she had a totally different look about her. Her hair was up like it was on fire, and her eyes were red.
"This is my fight mode little brother," She spat. I knew I needed to end this fast if I wanted any chance to win, I summoned what power I could muster.
"Dark BOMB!" I screamed, I launched it at her. She was caught off guard, but before it could reach her it fell flat on the ground and disappeared.
"So that's your ability then?" I asked,
"You have the ability to defuse any and all magical attacks don't you?" I spun towards Hypnos. All he did was smile at me,
"Now it's time for hand to hand combat, right brother?" Apate spat. He raced at me, while Apate did the same from the otherside. I instantly knew what to do, I knew I had the upper hand here. I began breathing slowly and calmly, I waited for their attacks. They worked in perfect sync, one going high, the other low. But I was ready for that, I jumped up and got them with one strike each. They were stunned for mere seconds, but they advanced again. My body began dodging their attacks like it instantly knew what they were gonna do, I had a strategy. I needed to keep one incombasitated as I handled the other, as I tried to do that I had no idea what hit me. I must have taken my eyes off of Apate for a second too long because she launched me into the floor with an overhead chop. They stood over me, obviously I had lost. "Damn it all.." I spat, my head spinning.
"Come now brother, let's kill him." Apate begged, her mouth drooling at the thought.
"Now, now sister. Father wouldn't be pleased." Hypnos said.
"I believe we should help the boy." he continued. Apate began to return to normal,
"Now that I think about it I agree." She said calmly. I began to rise to my feet,
"Now, brother. Explain what you'd like us to help with." Hypnos replied. So I began to tell him everything, all the little details and what needed to be done.
"Alright, we will help with the fighting. But everything else is up to you." Apate said.
"I understand, so what do you two think should be the next course of action?" I asked.
"The gods need to be warned," Hypnos said.
"They are going to need preparation to fight the Typhoon." He continued.
"I appreciate you two helping me, even though I lost." I said.
"You stood no chance from the start, but you gave us a challenge. Few can do that." Apate said, her voice dripping with confidence.
"I'll send a crow to watch you and convey messages." Hypnos said.
"Alright, so I'm going to inform the gods of the impending battle, and convince them to help fight the Typhoon." I said,
"Good luck brother.." Apate said, then she vanished.
"Well be watching you, along with father." Hypnos said, then he vanished too. I walked to the main hall, sat down and began to ponder. I looked down at my hands and thought,
"Look how far i've come.." I knew I had more to do in this world, much more. I wanted to live a normal life with Emma, have a life with her, be normal with her. I needed it. I was determined to stop anything and anyone from interfering in that plan, so at that thought I got to my feet and began preparations to go to Olympus, the home of the gods.