Chapter 119: The God of War!(2/2)
“There will come a time in your life when you will fight things larger than yourselves. Some will be hostile, some will be neutral, while others will be friendly. Learn control, learn to apply just enough force to knock them down, but not to kill. Training to kill comes later.” Lash said, and their instructor agreed.
Lash reached out his clawed hands towards the sand pit they were in and used Elemental Manipulation. As all of the sand turned into a writhing mass of tentacles. The trainees on the side went wide eyed as the women in the ring started to scream. First round, fight! One brave soul rushed through the sand tentacles to tackle Lash and got about a foot in front of his face before a sand tentacle wrapped around her legs and yanked her back.
“I don't think this is what they had in mind, Wraith!” Diana called out from the outside edge.
“I am technically not attacking them.” Lash said with a grin. Which was true, the sand tentacles were pushing, pulling, and momentarily ensnaring. But none of them out right attacked them.
“No, this works! Part of training is training for the unexpected. Keep going! Wraith is your target!” The instructor called out.
One of the power houses bull dozed through the tentacles. They were made out of sand after all. Once the other trainees saw that. They put all their fight into the tentacles, each one destroyed was one removed. Lash didn't make more, for now. Then he cast Mud Marsh and the whole pit swallowed them to their waists. All the while Lash stood on top like it was nothing. The trainees yelled in frustration.
A trainee jumped from the mud and flung herself at Lash. He slipped past her outstretched arms and pushed her back into the marsh. Her resulting crater caused the mud to splatter across the rest. Then with a snap of his claws the mud turned back into sand. All of the trainees were stuck in the sand up to their waist. One specific trainee was up to her neck. Lash extended a hand out and made a bring it on gesture.
Lash cast an area of effect of Gravitas, it was one of the few times he had actually cast it on anything. It increased or decreased the overall weight of everyone, and everything in the area by about 10%. (Chapter 70) It wasn't much, but it was enough to be noticed. Great muscle training! It of course didn't effect him at all. He used Elemental Manipulation in combination with Earth Swim and glided across the sand pit. The trainees then spent the next ten minutes chasing him.
“Alright that's enough!” The instructor called out. The trainees were gasping for air. They had barely touched Lash the whole fight. Lash canceled Gravitas and stepped out of the ring. Diana had a bemused expression on her face.
“I may be physically stronger than you, Wraith. But that doesn't mean your weaker than I am.” Diana said.
“I know, it's a good lesson to learn.” Lash replied with a smug grin on his snout.
KAAAKAAA-BOOM! A lightning strike hit the training arena and blasted a cascading energy of divine magic into the air. A malevolent dark corrosive energy exploded from the crater created by the lightning strike. It swallowed the whole area as black smoke formed into a full faced helmet with two horns on either side, and skull like face. A raging voice called out.
“I AM THE GOD OF WAR, ARES! I HAVE COME FOR THE ONE WHO KILLED ME!” The helmet raged, as two piercing red eyes glowed aflame in the helmet.
The arena swarmed with Amazonian guards, the instructors pulled the trainees out. While Diana used a spell chant to call her JLI uniform onto her body. Her body armor formed around her like a living thing and her helmet snapped into place. God-Slayer sword in hand she took up a fighting position. Lash however looked confused. Did Ares die? Then Lash gave himself a face palm.
“That's right, I did kill you!” Lash said out loud. He had honestly forgotten about it. He had gone to the MCU Rift right after the Summer Hunt. So it was at the back of his mind. Diana whipped her head around in complete shock.
“YOU KILLED ARES!?” Diana screamed at him.
“MY KILLER HAS NAMED HIMSELF! NOW RECIEVE JUSTICE!” The smog monster that was Ares called out. The corrosive, and malevolent force swirled into a vortex above the crater. Then silence reigned in the arena as the smoke started to clear.
The crushing of sand beneath the shoes of the new God of War was all that was heard. From the smoke stood a 6'3” man with short platinum blond hair, blue eyes, a golden tan. With hawaiian sea shells around his neck. He had a nice floral pattern buttoned up shirt on, with khaki shorts, and flip flops. He had an inverted triangle build, and was in great shape. He had a huge grin on his face and was carrying a can of beer in his left hand.
“Hey man! I'm the new God of War Ares, but you can call me Kyle!” The man said and took a sip of his beer. The pin drop silence was deafening as everyone stared at, 'Kyle'.
“Hello Kyle... Do we need to fight?” Lash asked after a bit.
“Oh no man! I mean the guy before me totally wants you dead. But I'm more low key. How about we just share a beer and talk it out?” Kyle asked, as he pulled out another beer from his shorts.
“OK...” Lash said as he walked over and took the beer from him. He popped the tab, cheered towards Kyle and they drank together.
“Far out man! Alright, I forgive you.” Kyle said, and the intense pressure that was pushing against everyone evaporated like it was never there.
“You are the new God of War?” Diana asked, as she slowly sheathed her sword.
“Totally! It caught me by complete surprise! Dude, have you ever been to Olympus it is far out!” Kyle said, as he turned towards Lash who shook his head in clear denial.
“You...You are the new God of War?” Diana asked again. “Wait, when did you kill the last one, Wraith?”
“During the Summer Solstice Hunt. He attacked us during the run. My patron hid the incident.” Lash replied.
“Ohhhyaaaaa! Zeus was supper pissed about it too! I mean I showed up on his door, like by today! But like I said, I am way more laid back about this stuff! I told my new dad...Wow that is weird sentence. Anyways, I looked through my previous self's memories and found out. Wow! He was a total D-bag! He got exactly what was coming to him. So, your off the hook my man!” Kyle said, and took another swig of his beer can.
“Your the new God of War?” Diana asked, as the Amazonian guard showed up on pegasus horses. They flew down wielding weapons made of orichalcum. Pointed straight at Kyle who nodded at Diana.
“I know right! I totally don't look it. Dionysus lost his shit when he met me!” Kyle said with a shit eating grin on his face.
“Your a marine.” Lash said to him and Kyle lost a bit of his smile.
“Ya... I was. It's a long story, we'll need more beer!” Kyle said. “Dio! You up there, we need more booze!” Kyle called up to the heavens and the a golden light pierced down from the heavens revealing an individual.
The man had short curly brown hair, warm brown eyes, and a average figure. Not skinny, not fat, just average. He wore a pair of sandals, shorts, and a polo shirt. He kinda looked like a college frat party attender. He had a youthful energy about him that just seem to fit that. He had warm caramel skin tone, and divine energy cascaded off of him. He was about 5'10” even. He had a huge smile on his face and held up his arms towards them.
“Diana good to see you!” Dionysus shouted and all of the Amazons saluted him, even Diana almost by automatic. Lash swept his arms out and took a knee in respect but Kyle pulled him to his feet.
“Dio! Can you tell them all that I am indeed the new Ares?” Kyle asked, Dio as he was called walked over with a bemused expression on his face.
“Yes, Princess Diana I can confirm that this is our new brother. Isn't great!” Dio shouted as he wrapped an arm around Kyle and smiled at Diana who still looked so confused.
Another golden beam of light fell from the heavens, followed by another, and another. The first one revealed a tall women with golden blond hair that reached to the middle of her back. She wore a pair of cotton gray shorts, white t-shirt, and tennis shoes. She looked around clearly expecting a different scene. She turned her eyes towards Kyle, and Dio.
“So no fight?” The woman asked.
“No, sorry Athena! I said I'm not about that life anymore.” Kyle said, and now all of the Amazons went to their knees. Lash again tried to kneel but Kyle held him up.
The next beam of light revealed a woman in little more than a red bikini, and red thong with bouncing breasts, and plump ass. She stepped out from her beam of light and nearly any, and all eyes looked towards her in some sense of lust, and love. She winked at everyone and blew a kiss. Her eyes settled on Kyle, and on Lash. She looked at Lash with a curious eye. She had long red hair, with brilliant green eyes, and white skin. She stood at about 5'9” with an hour glass figure. Picture perfect.
“Sorry, just came from a photo shoot! So no battle?” She asked next.
“No big sis Aphrodite.” Kyle said with a smirk, and Aphrodite stuck her tongue out at him. Then called up a beach side colored shawl to wrap around her figure that only added to the temptation.
The last beam of light revealed a young women in early twenties. She wore a pair of combat boots, hunting camo pants, and a black t-shirt. She had a quiver on her back, along with a recurve bow in her hands. An arrow was knocked and ready to fire. Her short black hair was tied back into a pony tail, and her cold amber eyes narrowed at the scene. She was expecting a fight and didn't get one. She looked a little disappointed.
“Artemis...” Lash said softly, and the Goddess looked at him with interest. She was the Olympian Goddess of the Hunt, among other aspects.
“Woooo! We got a full house! Let's start drinking!” Dio shouted and with several claps of his hands a giant feast was created, a musical band started to play, and servants were conjured to serve the people.
Needless to say, the Amazons and the JLI trainees were really confused. Queen Hippolyta, and General Philipus showed up in force expecting to fight a God of War only to meet three out of six of the Goddess that support Themyscira. Along with Dionysus, and the new Ares...Kyle. They were floored when they found out their old enemy the previous incarnation of Ares was killed by Lash during the Summer Solstice Hunt.
Kyle was the God-Kin that obtained the divine spark of Ares. After Lash killed the last Ares, the most suitable host was found. Which was Kyle. Kyle was a beach bum who live in California. He was at one time a US Marine, then turned into a mercenary and/or security consultant for the CIA. He was one of those people that got sent in with a team to destabilize country. Made it ripe to receive commercial aid from the US, or another country of equal power.
One day when he was training the soldiers of the newly established regime. He took an IED to his hip, specifically the shrapnel. Thankfully he had outstanding insurance, and a planned retirement with the security company he worked for. So for the past three years he had been living on a beach, in a nice house drinking, and getting fat. He was, and is a great soldier. He stepped up during the invasion and helped out his community.
For all of Ares stories, myths, and legends. At his core, he is a soldier. Good, bad, or indifferent. Ares calls to war. Not barbaric, brutal actions that so many people think he is credited for. Ares does have honor, and he does have a moral compass. Or at least he should. That is what Kyle said about it. And that is what Kyle said he would do. Though he was not the only God of War on Earth. He was one of the most well known, which made him powerful.
“So ya! That's my story. I came here to make amends with Wraith? Lash?” Kyle said Lash's name after he looked around. Lash didn't want the JLI trainees to know his identity.
“So, you and me are good. I also came to apologize to you Queen Hippolyta for my previous self. He was an asshole. I know words don't hold much weight in that regard, but I am more than happy to spend the next few centuries, or millennium to pay back all the debts of my previous self.” Kyle finished at last as he finished speaking to Hippolyta, Philipus, Diana, Lash, and the rest of his siblings that sat around a table of honor during the party.
“I'd also like to join the Justice League.” Kyle said next, and all six of Lash's eyes went wide.
“Aha! He said it! Pay up!” Dio shouted at Athena who grumbled and flicked an orichalcum coin at him. Dio caught it and pocketed the coin.
“Thank you, Ares for the apology. It is accepted, but as you can understand we can not just forgive you. But we are willing to try.” Queen Hippolyta said as she stood up and bowed slightly towards Kyle.
“Question.” Lash said, as he held up a claw.
“Lash, you are a demigod. You are free to speak her with out being called on.” Artemis said to him who also sat next to him. Lash gave her a look of confusion. Demigod didn't translate into full blown deity!
“Can you even be a part of the Justice League? I thought the deities of the world had a hands off rule about a lot of things?” Lash asked, it was a fundamental rule.
“Good question to ask, and technically you are right.” The Goddess Athena said from her side of the table as she drank from her wine glass. “Ares will not be able to use all of his Divine spell craft, or act with his Domains of war, battle, and violence. He would just be a super powerful individual on par with Diana, and Superman.”
“But, in case of emergencies he could reach for his divine abilities in a pinch. How many battles have you been in that suddenly turned into something more. It would be a trump card” Artemis said next.
“OK...I'm alright with your joining. But I don't think you should fall under the name Ares. Might send the wrong idea towards people.” Lash said next, and Ares/Kyle nodded in understanding.
“I'll work with your PR people and come up with a name. Right now I am using my Domain of Violence to simmer down on conflict across the globe. Anything with in my area of operation.” Ares/Kyle said next and that earned him several smiles from around the table. Athena most of all.
“Oooo! Oooo! Can I join?” Aphrodite said next, and the whole table looked at her in confusion. “Ya, your right. I'd get bored. Never mind.” She smiled at them and picked up her glass of wine and left the table to go get into trouble.
“You know what we need? Shots!” Dio said suddenly, and Kyle stood up with a grin.
“Shots! Shots! Shots!” Kyle, and Dio chanted together and raced off towards a bar that was being manned by a satyr.
“You should know, Lash. Zeus, and Hera are still on the fence about you. Technically you did kill their son. Even if I like this version of him more.” Athena said with a frown.
“It was self defense.” Diana said softly.
“All of Olympus knows that. They know that. But when have you ever known my father to see reason?” Athena replied, while Diana, Hippolyta, and Philipus frowned a bit.
“I'm not sorry... The previous version of Ares was a horrible monster that got exactly what he deserved.” Lash said to them all, and a crack of thunder rang out above them. “If you had been a better father he may not have turned into such a shit!” Lash said to the sky now, and lightning danced across the sky.
Athena, Artemis, and the Amazons all looked at him in horror. While Kyle laughed his ass off and gave the sky the bird. Then went back to drinking the night away. Dio looked a little nervous and soon rejoined his brother in a drinking game. Lash could feel his Danger Sense screaming at him, but he refused to apologize. Nothing he said was lie.
“Tell me I'm wrong.” Lash said to them all. No one did, and another crack of thunder roared across the sky.
“Ares forgave me, Ares admits that he was a horrible person. And no one here can tell me that Zeus was a good father!” Lash said at last and stood up from the table. He shouted the last words towards the sky and saw several lightning bolts race across the sky. Someone was angry.
“Zeus is a horrible father! He is a horrible husband! He's gotten a little better with age, but not by much!” Kyle shouted from the other end of the party and laughed as the lightning, and rain started to fall across the arena.
Another beam of golden light crashed into the arena and out stepped a Mr Universe model. A man with short golden hair, blue eyes, golden tan skin, and was wide as a door. He stood at approximately 6'6”. He wore cargo shorts, hiking boots, and t-shirt that was one size to small for him. He was a mass of muscles, and had a huge smile on his face. He had an addictive presence that seemed to draw the whole area in. A girlish squeal came from Aphrodite as she raced over and jumped on him, and practically glue herself to him.
“Hercules!” She squealed out, and Hercules grinned as he hugged and kissed his sister. Full on the mouth for several seconds. Olympians! When Hercules broke the kiss he set her down and looked around at everyone.
“Hello all! I heard my siblings were having a party with out me! May I join you!” Hercules said and...
“Brother! Welcome, of course you can join!” Ares/Kyle said as he walked over and handed a glass of something, something alcohol to him.
“Aha! Outstanding, thank you brother Ares.” Hercules said, and drank the whole glass in a single moment. Then his eyes zeroed in on Lash. The temperature dropped a few degrees, and Hercules smile became fake. He stomped across the arena and came to stand before Lash who was still in his Transformation state.
“So, you are my brothers murderer.” Hercules said with boisterous guffaw, but the whole party grew to a stand still.
“Hercules... I forgave him. We are square.” Ares/Kyle said behind him.
“Yes, you forgave him...But I didn't.” Hercules said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
“You don't want to do this.” Lash said softly, and a crack of lightning raced across the sky. Hercules narrowed his eyes and sneered.
“Oh... I know I do.” Hercules said, he turned to look at Kyle then snapped his first forward in a quick move. Lash's skull caved in and he was catapulted through several walls, and skipped across the ground several times before he came to a stop.
Lash rolled to his feet and felt his skull pop out as Regeneration, and Superhuman Healing were empowered by the power stone. His life force filled out quickly as he growled deep in his throat. He heard a roar and saw a man jump from the academy towards him. Hercules couldn't fly, but he could jump. Lash rolled his shoulders and spread his feet as he watched the dumb ass fall from the sky. Hercules had a wild smile on his face as he led with his fist.
Attention User! You've been issued a quest from your Cosmic Patron.
Objective: Defeat Hercules.
Optional Objective: Kill Hercules.
Option Objective: Use the Racial Trait Devour, Consume, Evolve on Hercules.
A savage grin grew across Lash's reptilian features as red Psionic Blades (Chaos) extended from his four tentacles, and from the knuckles of his upper arms. He started to channel magic with his lower arms. He lifted into the air with Telekinesis and flew towards Hercules. Then he activated his title, 'God Slayer' (For 10 minutes the title holder will do maximum damage to any God, or Goddess. 24 hr. cool down.)
Lash blasted through the air much to the surprise of Hercules as Lash's lower arms used Eldritch Blast and a destruction beam shot straight towards Hercules. The God of Strength, and Heroes laughed in delight and channeled his Divine Domains and suddenly a ghostly silhouette of Superman superimposed over him. Then Hercules, and the power of Kal-El became one. He stopped in mid air and stared at the red beams of energy in....
KAKAA-BOOM! Hercules was sent spiraling out of the sky and straight into the ground. Kryptonians are weak to magic, and Eldritch Blast is strong against beings of Order. Hercules impacted the ground and sent a mild tremor through the earth. Lash flew straight into the crater and started to attack Hercules. Hercules canceled Superman, and called on Wonder Woman. He jumped towards Lash and dodged his attacks effortlessly.
“Is this all you have!? I will admit that first attack struck a nerve but you'll need more than that to best me!” Hercules shouted, he overall looked fine. Except for the clear sign of melted flesh on his right side with exposed bone that was not healing.
Hercules dove to the side and quickly jumped to his feet and tore off one of Lash's tentacles. The limb thrashed about for a moment before it turned to ash. Lash whipped his bladed tail around and caught the back of Hercules with his Monomolecular Edge, his power levels dropped by a large amount then the power stone refilled his energy in a matter of seconds.
“Gaaaaah!” Hercules screamed in agony as laceration went from his left hip, across his back, to his right shoulder. Hercules whipped around and punched Lash in the side sending him flying across the country side once again.
Lash came to a abrupt stop and cast Nature's Kiss on his body, then cast Reality Armor on himself. Once again his energy reserves took a nose dive. But quickly refilled. He could get use to this! Then before he could even take another step a red and yellow flash, a blur of color came screaming by. Hercules had channeled Flash! In the span of a single second Hercules had pummeled Lash hundreds of times. He broke bones, ruptured organs, and tore off the rest of Lash's tentacles. Then Lash cast Personal Time and froze existence for a brief moment.
Surprisingly Hercules began to speed up so fast he slipped into the frozen time as if he always belonged there. The was an issue with speedsters that could go so fast they could slip through time itself. Lash raked his claws, his normal ordinary razor sharp, Monomolecular Edge claws down Hercules's face, and chest. Flesh, and bone was sliced like a hot knife through butter. Including one of Hercules's eyes! The man screamed in pain and stopped 'moving' through time. Which was a mistake!
Lash dug all four of his clawed hands into Hercules who was frozen in time and pulled his chest open. It didn't so much as open, has simply split apart. Then Lash opened his jaw, and his mandibles spread wide. CRAAAACK! A lightning bolt slammed into Lash despite the frozen time and sent him flying backwards by several miles. He hopped, skipped, and flipped ass over head several times. Breaking what few bones remained and came to an eventual stop.
Congratulations User! You've completed your Cosmic Patrons quest.
Objective: Defeat Hercules [X] Complete!
Optional Objective: Kill Hercules [X] Partial completion.
Option Objective: Use the Racial Trait Devour, Consume, Evolve on Hercules. [X] Partial completion.
Reward: The Queen Goddess Hera's favor.
“You dare stand against me, woman!?” An earth shattering voice spoke as lightning danced across the sky. Lash's vision was pin point of utter darkness, as he was trying to stay conscious.
“The fight is over, husband. You interrupted a perfectly legitimate duel between the two of them. I am simply here to ensure you don't dishonor yourself any further.” A woman's voice said softly, but her voice was filled with ice and venom.
“He nearly killed our son!” The man yelled at her.
“Your son! Not mine.” The woman said. “Our son forgave him. I chose to do so as well. You are simply upset that this one spoke the truth about you.” She continued, and lightning cracked across the sky.
“You still won't let that go? Haven't I been faithful? Centuries have passed and not once have I looked for any other.” The man continued.
“I wasn't talking about your infidelity, odd that you thought I was. I am talking about how he said you are a horrible father, and husband. But while we are on the subject of your lies. I am fully aware that you still look for sex from others. You simply don't have children anymore.” She berated the man. The man sucked in a breath in realization.
“So....What of it?” The man said who was obviously Zeus.
“And you wonder why I never let your touch me anymore. Go away husband, you are unwelcome in my sight, and on this island.” Hera said and with a crack of lightning Zeus was gone.
Lash looked up from were his body lay broken to see a fuzzy image of a woman who knelt by his side. She gently brushed her finger tips over his body and he felt his bones snap back into place, and his organs slowly link back together. She leaned forward and kissed Lash's skull crest softly with her lips. Then she leaned back and smiled down at him.
“Thank you for that. It was nice to see someone stand up to him. If only you could kill him, and and I could get another version.” Hera said softly.
“Give me a few years and maybe I'll try.” Lash replied, and Hera's eyes went a little wide.
“Maybe I'll let you. Well done Lash, and Hunter-Saurian. As the Goddess Hera you have my favor.” She said, and leaned in to kiss Lash on the lips gently. Then she burst into golden particles just as Diana came flying down from the sky.
“Lash!?” Diana called out to him just as he fell asleep.
Galen