AO 6 Ch 35

"Gungnir. How in the blazing sands did you get that?" Bastet's eyes lost their suspicion and instead assessed me with a hint of something new, possibly respect.

"Oh, you know," I rubbed a finger under my nose. "I'm pretty sure Thor gave this to someone in order to kill me. Unfortunately, I'm pretty hard to kill. I froze the guy and stole this." I smiled at all three goddesses.

Ditzy's mouth was still wide as she speechlessly stared at me. "Ard, where did you put that?" 

"In my soul, where else?" I said with a smile. "Don't worry, I had it all chained up and stuff under the palace. And then, of course, the best part is it's still connected to Thor. It's like I have a fifth sphere now. I can just gently suck magic from Thor." I suddenly realized how that sounded and gagged a little.

Ditzy opened her mouth, spreading her hands as if about to speak before closing both of them and pressing first one hand to fingers and then eventually both palms against her forehead. She stood like that for a moment before opening one eye between her fingers as if to confirm the weapon was still present. 

"He has no idea what he's done.” Ditzy said throwing her hands up in the air.

“That's kind of how Ard works," Missy sighed, unfazed by the situation. "Ard, what you have there would be considered a god's primary relic.”

“Sure.” I smiled blankly at her. "And that means what?" 

"It's how you kill a god," Ditzy said, still rubbing her forehead. "Ard, you saw what Missy and Freya went through to defeat a god. Attacks like that happen potentially countless times. And then in a final battle or a series of battles, gods can be defeated by taking several items that are associated with their power. For example, Odin had a spear called Gungnir." She explained slowly. 

"Yeah, I think Guny's a really good spear," I said. “A little big for me, but it does this really weird thing whenever you try to hit someone with it. It’s like it doesn’t miss." 

Ditzy let out an explosive breath. "Because it doesn't miss, Ard. Odin's mythical spear is a branch of the World Tree and has a number of properties.”

“Sounds important to this Odin guy. How'd Thor get it?" I asked.

"That is certainly an important question," Missy cut in. "But the most likely answer is that Thor has killed his father." 

I gasped. "That rat bastard. I knew he was no good. Well, I'm glad I took his spear. And I can use it to slowly drain his magic." 

"Slowly kill him, Ard," Ditzy corrected me. 

"Yeah, slowly... Ohhhh," I made the connection between the two conversations. "You mean, even though this isn't Thor's big hammer, it's still really important to him?" 

"Incredibly so. I would go as far to say that the importance of that spear cannot be understated to Thor. While, yes, Mjölnir would likely need to be captured in order to kill Thor, what you are holding is a relic of equal importance. By getting your hands on it, you essentially have one of his many possible lives." 

"Oh, that sounds decently important," I said after a long moment of thought. "So, if I have this, and I just keep draining his magic, eventually I win?" 

"More likely, you've put a massive target on your back," Bastet said. "Especially given you are actively using it to drain his magic." Her tone made it sound like I was oversimplifying the way I described the move. "If you're even capable of that, we could continue to weaken him until the rest of his artifacts can be simply taken as if candy from a baby." 

"Alright!" I pumped my fist. "Taking candy from a baby sounds incredibly simple. I like this strategy. Can we do it to Freya?" I asked Missy, turning back to her. 

"No, that you have accomplished this at all is..." Missy hesitated, only for Bastet to feel comfortable filling in the blank.

"A miracle. He is like an idiot who has struck gold." That tail flicked out only to disappear again.

Missy looked like she was making an incredibly difficult decision as she stared at me.

"What's that?” I pointed at the disappearing tail only to process what she said, “Hey, now," I chided the cat-eared goddess. "That was rude. There's no need to call me an idiot, especially if we're going to be going into battle together. I mean, now that I have this cool god artifact thingy, does that mean I could be like Ditzy last time? When Missy fought Freya and used her spear to make her stuff even cooler?" 

Missy looked like she was developing a migraine, her beautiful face marred with a frown and her brows scrunched up tight.

"Yes, Ard. It means, technically, you can.” Missy told me.

“But he's not a god," Bastet argued, but she paused, her head tilting to the side. Her gaze filled with disbelief as she turned to Missy with a question in her eyes. The black makeup ringing her eyes really made her bright gold eyes, pop. 

"Impossible," Bastet whispered, even though it was loud enough for all of us to hear. “I'm more than willing to join your temporary pantheon, understanding now more fully your end goal." 

Dizzy clapped and bounced on the balls of her feet excitedly. "One more for the squad!" 

Bastet sighed and shook her head. Something about her whole demeanor seemed to shift as she walked up to me and clasped my hand, pulling me close. It was far friendlier than the first time that we had met. Like that odd moment when the barn cat decides you're worth their time.

"Arden, it is a pleasure to meet you, particularly now that I know you." Bastet told me.

"Oh, pleasure to meet you too," I said, stunned by the sudden forwardness of the cat-eared goddess. 

She chuckled, a sly smirk spreading across her lips. "Apologies. I'm not typically very friendly with strangers. I hope my sudden change in opinion doesn't startle you." 

To be honest, it did, but I decided now that we were on good terms, I would hold that thought to myself. “Not a problem. Trust takes a foundation and that takes time. Hopefully I’ll prove to be a solid friend.”

Her smile only grew as the space between us dwindled.

"He grows on you, doesn't he?" She turned to the other two goddesses, as if reflecting on them in a new light. The action caused her chest to brush up against my arm and catch it between those soft mounds.

Though when I turned, I saw Ditzy trying to hold back a laugh while Missy looked like she was a pot ready to boil over. 

"Are you okay, Missy?" I asked, feeling Bastet press her body up against me and rub herself ever so subtly. 

"Well, that's long enough for a greeting," Missy shooed Bastet away. The cat-eared goddess smirked and twirled away with a fluid grace that seemed otherworldly.

My eyes suddenly latched onto her backside as I tried to find the illusive tail. I was curious how she kept it so hidden when the cloth was barely even there in the first place. It might as well have been nothing but a colored breeze. 

"Ahem," Missy cleared her throat and my eyes snapped away from trying to find the tail, only to be caught in the gaze of an angry goddess. 

"What?" I asked.

"Mind your eyes," Missy said through gritted teeth. 

"I was looking for the tail," I gestured wildly at Bastet. "Where'd it go?" I waved over at the goddess in question, only for her to give me a mischievous chuckle. 

"Likely story," Missy clearly didn't believe me even though she was kind of cute when she pouted. 

"No! I saw the tail earlier and then it disappeared. Like, completely gone." I pressed. “Where does she hide it under that barely there outfit?”

"Are you asking me to turn around and bend over?" Bastet asked. 

"Yeah, as if that would work.” I scoffed. “It’s driving me nuts, I really want to figure out where the tail goes." I admitted.

“Ard,” Maribelle coughed into her fist behind me. I glanced over, having forgotten the maid was there. Sometimes, she could stay so quiet by my side that she became invisible.

Maribelle was trying to convey something to me wordlessly that I wasn't getting, but if it was that important I’d figure it out eventually.

Bastet turned and put her hands on the back of a couch before bending over, showing her hips to me. The way the gauzy white cloth lay over her rear end put every fantastic curve on display.

I went to take a step forward, only for Missy to get between me and Bastet, a hand on my chest.

Her anger was gone, replaced with sheer exasperation. "Ard, do not let Bastet tease you. She may have come off cold to start with, but she is the goddess of fertility." Missy told me.

"Fertility and pussies," I said, only to get a strange look from everyone in the room. "Cats. Her and Freya are both cat goddesses. I think Bastet's really the cat goddess, obviously. And that's why I need to find her tail," I said in a rush. 

“Hopeless.” Missy sighed, while Ditzy burst out into rapturous laughter.

Bastet turned to look over her shoulder with a mischievous grin, and I was starting to get annoyed.

Everyone was in on some joke that I clearly didn't understand. I just wanted to find the tail. Annoyed, I moved on from finding it for the moment, but I would certainly keep an eye out. I did not like puzzles I could not solve.

“Ard just look a little closer, I’m sure you can find it.” Ditzy snickered.

“Damn right I will. Missy if you would, it isn’t like I’m doing anything inappropriate here. Besides, most of my anchors say one hand isn’t enough.” I slid hers to the side. “I’m more of a two hander.”

She frowned in confusion while the other two goddess exploded into laugher before Missy understood and shook her head.

“Perhaps I’m interested in seeing what you’re hiding.” Bastet wiggled her hips at me, taunting me that I couldn’t find her tail.

“Don’t do that or Missy’ll kick you out.” Ditzy warned, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. “Ard you are just too much fun. I haven’t laughed so much in ages.”

It seemed the moment had passed though and Missy wasn’t moving.

"Well now, if we're all done teasing me," I said, pursing my lips and looking at everyone present, "then we can move on to the next part, where we deal with Freya, Thor," I glanced at the spear, "and this." 

Bastet straightened up and it was a shame, I still hadn't figured out where her tail had gone. 

"Oh, Ard, you weren't the subject of my teasing. Hec--," she paused, correcting herself, "Missy was."

I chuckled humorlessly. "Har har. I bet you're the goddess of mischief, aren't you?" I squinted at her, wagging a finger. "Of course, that must be it. Missy, you've put together quite the motley crew." I turned to her and hooked a thumb over my shoulder while leaning on the spear. "She's the one who's going to cause trouble." 

Missy glowered at me. "Well, at least you know that." 

I ignored her displeasure and shrugged. "But back to, you know, dealing with the actual problem." 

"When he's right, he's right," Ditzy smiled. "There’s a goddess that wants to kill us all now and take more power from us, but Ard has provided us with multiple revelations during this conversation. That said, the three of us have our own role to play. We cannot rely entirely on Ard's wonderful capabilities." 

I squinted at her because she was saying very nice words. However, I was also getting a very different tune.

"Yeah. You're right," Bastet said, her tail suddenly flickering behind her before disappearing once again.

My eyes snapped to it, knowing she was toying with me but still wanting to go lift up her dress and understand how she was doing it.

Missy’s glare was the only thing that held me in place.

I was officially making Bastet a goddess of mischief. 

Ditzy cleared her throat. “Why don't we sit down and at the same time we can formulate a new plan, particularly around Ard having Gungnir? I can't believe that Thor risked it and put it into your path."

"Well, I think his intent was for someone to hunt me with it, which unfortunately, as you can all see, didn't work out the way he planned. Shame, really." I gave a smile as I shook my head.

"Yes. Such a shame. That's exactly what he's thinking right now," Missy rolled her eyes. "More likely, he's getting chewed out by Freya.”

“If she even knows it's missing," Ditzy added. "It's not like Thor's going to own up and admit his mistakes now, is it?" 

Her words caused all three goddesses to suddenly look very thoughtful. 

"If he doesn't tell Freya, that gives us a significant opportunity for surprise." Bastet’s ears twitched as she spoke, shifting to me even though she was looking at Missy.

The longer I was spending with Bastet, the more cat-like I realized she was. Everything I knew told me she was becoming more comfortable around me. I suddenly had the desire to find a little stuffed mouse and see if she jumped on it like the cats in the village. 

That thought led me down a very different path of how I could get her to expose her tail. 

"What are you thinking about?" Missy interrupted my momentary daydream and my mouth dropped open. 

"Uh, nothing. Just putting this spear away," I waved and the spear went back into my palace, chained up again and steadily draining Thor while I hurriedly moved over to the couch and sat down, doing my best to look casual.

"Oh my, were you having inappropriate thoughts?" Ditzy teased. She sat down next to me and far more elegantly began to make herself little cheese and cracker morsels.

Lucy let out a particularly loud snore and we paused for a moment before continuing to ignore her.

"Not inappropriate, but my mind may have wandered into less productive endeavors. Alright, so we might have the element of surprise, but I also don't know if we should use it this time," I gestured towards Bastet. "She can be your ace in the hole and perhaps if I don't show it to Thor this time, he'll dig his hole even deeper."

"Thoughts?" Missy asked the rest of the group. 

"I agree with Ard that Bastet here is a wonderful trick up our sleeve. However, we do need to be aware if Odin is dead. If that is true, then Freya commands far more power than we likely guessed for our recent attack," Ditzy said. "To be honest, I think we might have gotten lucky," Ditzy added, only for Missy to snort. 

"I still had several tricks to pull out. If she had more, they would have been undone. No, we didn't get lucky. I think, as planned, we caught her unprepared. This time she will be more prepared, and so will we. We have two new tools in our arsenal, and we have a stronger connection to her. We have four of those soul fragments." Missy looked incredibly proud. 

"Four fragments that I collected," I reminded her.

“With my artifact." Missy was unwilling to give me full credit. 

"None of that matters," Bastet said, lounging back with half-lidded eyes in a spot on the couch that was getting a nice ray of sun. "If we're in the Pantheon together, then whose credit each victory goes to does not matter. What matters is that the Pantheon is happy with everyone's total contributions. I assume you've sought me out because I'm able to counter almost every one of Freya's aspects. The question is, are there any that she might have that we do not know of yet?" 

"You don't know what you don't know," I blurted. 

"Astute," Missy pursed her lips, "but accurate. We could look into what other Norse gods might have gone missing.”

“If Odin is gone, it is safe to assume that Freya has full control of what remains of the Norse." Ditzy said, biting a nail, as she pushed Lucy, my apparently congested bride over onto her side to get her to stop. The unconscious woman teetered on the edge off the couch while the goddesses made themselves at home, beginning to pick through the crackers. 

"I can plan for the direct attack," Missy said after a long moment of silence, only broken up by the occasional crunch of crackers from Ditzy and I as we listened. "The question is, how strong of a connection should we bet on this next battle?" 

I raised an eyebrow. "Is four not enough?" 

"It's plenty to start," Ditzy said, seeming to understand where Missy was going. "However, the question is, Missy attacked once this way, Freya will likely defend herself once more. But if she successfully attacks her a second time this way, will she even allow there to be a third?" 

"Exactly," Missy nodded along. "I tend to think that Freya would be more likely to cut the cord on King Martin rather than suffer a third attack, especially if the first two win.”

“At the same time, I could see her having enough arrogance, if the fight is close, that she would stick around for a third, thinking she could outmaneuver you and somehow lay a trap." Ditzy offered. 

"That does sound like her," I tried to join the conversation, only to get a look of amusement from each of the goddesses. “Though outmaneuvering might be hard for her. She’s probably stuck on that throne.”

"They are monstrously large," Bastet said. "I have no idea how she can even function with those things." 

"Right?" I leaned forward. "Udderly ridiculous." 

I got a chuckle from the goddesses, and I felt like I had served my purpose adding to the conversation. 

"Her proclivities aside, I think going in with a larger second attack will be in our favor. Perhaps we don't have to get all of King Martin’s soul fragments, but if we can get a good chunk, then we launch the second attack. And if we can make it look close, I think Freya won't cut her losses with King Martin and keep herself tethered to him," Ditzy said and nodded as she finished, as if to affirm to herself that she had made the right call.

"What happens to King Martin if she severs the connection?" I asked.

"Oh," Missy said quickly, "Right, perhaps you weren't there for that conversation. It's clear to us that whatever she's done to transform King Martin, she's left the connection between the two of them as a linchpin. Ultimately, this means that King Martin is her monster," Missy explained. "And by 'her monster', I mean she has some form of control over him.”

“Precisely. Freya is a tricky one too. Most likely, she has her hooks set into him. It would be absolutely disastrous if they're wrenched out." Ditzy added.

"Wait, we could get her to kill King Martin?" I asked excitedly, only to be met with dire looks from the ladies.

"Disastrous for humanity," Missy clarified. "Most likely, severing her connection to him would break his mind. And if you think he's mad now, what would come next would make him seem like an innocent child. Suffice to say, from what I understand of King Martin's capabilities, all pretense of being human would be lost, but none of his intelligence would be. He would likely clear out his capital and all of his supporters in a sweeping move, devouring them and their strength before simply rampaging across this continent and likely others, feasting to his heart's content."

They all looked rather morbid at the thought. At first, I was confused because they were goddesses and they could do something. But then it occurred to me that they simply couldn't, given he was Freya’s follower. They would have to sit and watch as a powerful monster ripped apart every human as far as the eye could see.

I cleared my throat. "So, I guess it's a good thing that he's still somewhat human.” I nodded, deciding to stuff more crackers into my mouth.

“Right now, Ard, he mostly contents himself with consolidating political power and his experiments to perfect himself. There are certainly atrocities being born from what he is doing, but if he simply put all of his time and effort into killing and growing more powerful, then yes, the situation would get worse. Sometimes human opponents, or godly opponents, are wonderful because they are predictable in many ways. But there are times when you face things that are beyond mortal or god, things that have no purpose but destruction, and in those times you have to be incredibly wary. They are not only incredibly powerful but also entirely unpredictable."

"Alright. So, I'd really rather not have that," I gestured at the goddesses. "Well, I guess we have a plan then! We gather up a few more fragments of King Martin's soul, and then we use that to put a whammy on Freya." I looked between the goddesses for confirmation.

"It would probably also be in your best interest to be prepared to deal with King Martin shortly thereafter, just in case she does sever her connection to him," Missy said.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. That was kind of the whole goal that we thought we had anyway. Get the fragments by killing the Chancellors, soften King Martin up a little bit, and then go for the throat. Simple, but effective." I grinned at the goddesses.

"Just so," Ditzy made another little cracker morsel and delicately bit off the corner. "Well, talking this to death won't help. Missy, do you have the thing?"

"Right," the goddess reached into thin air, pulling out a small compass. On its face was a symbol similar to the one on her pendant. "I have tied one of the fragments that you've collected from this recent round and bound it into a curse to forever seek its counterpart."

I took the compass, tilting it around; the needle locked in place no matter which way I turned it. 

"Ooh, you did remember, and here I thought you had forgotten." I smiled at Missy. "Unfortunately, I didn't get you a present."

"I look forward to one next time," Missy said with a humorous smile.

"Well, if you're getting gifts for all of us, then make sure mine is nice." Ditzy stated.

It was only then that the currently lounging Bastet opened her kohl-lined eyes ever so slightly. "And I'm sure mine will be fabulous as well."

I opened my mouth to argue before wisely snapping it shut. "Of course, of course, don't worry, all three of you are going to get the best gift. I think you'll all love it, and it's big enough that it requires two hands." 

Ditzy spat out her current cracker, Bastet's eyes shot open, and Missy scowled in confusion before realization dawned on her once again. I was getting very different expressions from all three goddesses, and it was difficult to understand what exactly they were thinking, but luckily I was saved by the door clicking open.

The wheels of my mother's chair squeaked ever so slightly as she rolled into the room.

"Arden," she called, stopping dead as she took in the situation. Missy looked like she wanted to chew me up and spit me out. Bastet had fallen into a half-lidded smirk. And Ditzy was somewhere between asking more questions and trying not to choke on her cracker. 

"I see," Gwen said slowly, her eyes trailing from goddess to goddess before finally resting on Lucy's form on the floor. "It seems you decided you had more important discussions to have than the one I had asked of you, Arden."

I made a mental note that having three goddesses around me did not get me out of a lecture from my mother.

"Oh, so this is the mother." Bastet slinked off the couch, moving quickly across the room to close the door and grab my mother's wheeled chair by the handles, scooting her more fully into the room as her tail flicked out and closed the door.

"Yes, and who might you be?" My mother asked, clearly displeased.

"Nobody to you, or perhaps someone incredibly important, that's up for Arden to decide." Though, as she said those words, there was a confident smirk on her lips like she knew the correct answer. 

"You must be Ditzy." My mother turned to the blonde goddess on the couch. Ditzy, of course, had managed to contain her food and swallow it down the right windpipe. 

"And what makes you think she's not Ditzy?" She pointed an accusing finger at Bastet. 

"I think that's obvious," my mother said, before finally settling her gaze on Missy. "And what have you gotten my son wrapped in, Hecate? He hasn't told me much. But I have a feeling that the king of my kingdom suddenly being able to wield a spear like a veteran anchor has something to do with the conflicts you are dragging him into." 

Rather than backing down in front of three goddesses, my mother reared up like a snake unfurling, showing off its fangs.

"And if it is, what are you going to do about it?" Missy crossed her arms, a confident smirk plastered across her face. "Arden might be able to come and talk to me how he wishes, but you can not." 

In the small room, her voice boomed and rattled my mother's chair. But my mother was not moved. She only seemed to sit up even higher. 

"As a mother, it is my every right to shoo away a woman that is not good enough for my son." Her eyes narrowed.

"Oh," Missy chuckled, and with a wave of her hands, bound my mother's arms with the wood of her chair. "You might be limited in your elements, however, I am only limited to my creativity." Missy rose from the couch, some of her godly aura spilling out like twinkling stars. As her eyes glowed, she said, "To think someone would judge me not good enough for their son." Her voice rumbled and almost physically made the world around us ripple. 

I, however, frowned and turned to Ditzy. "Wait, why is that the part she's mad about?" 

Ditzy spared a glance away from the conflict, as if to say, 'you know why, stop playing around,' before her eyes flicked back to Missy and my mother. They looked about ready to explode on each other.

"I can judge any woman I want to be good enough or not for my son, and you three are nothing but trouble." My mother tried to gesture but her hands were locked to the chair.

And her comment seemed to escalate the situation when she included the other two. Suddenly, I could practically feel the anger coming off of Ditzy and Bastet. Bastet in particular seemed less posturing and more like she was about to rip my mother's head off. 

"Bad Kitty," I said, suddenly touching on the Ardenium Palace and trying to suck all of the magic out of the room before the four of them tore the place apart.

Whether it was the shock of my words, or perhaps the fact that Ardenium Palace was actually that effective, the magical tension in the room dissipated in the snap of a finger. 

"Good," I nodded, looking at every woman in the room. "Mother, as much as I appreciate your concern, your opinion was not asked and is not needed. I’m a grown man and able to make my own decisions. Thank you."

I stood up, glaring at my mother before turning to Missy. “As for you, quit with the godly crap. She is my mother, and even if she didn't get to raise me, I can't sit idly by while you tear her to shreds over a stupid comment. Why do any of you three care about what she said? Clearly, she still has damage to her head," I gestured at my mother. "How could three goddesses be interested in me?" 

There was a flicker of eye movement from all four ladies as they communicated something silently amongst each other, only for all four of them, who were just a moment ago about to kill each other, to start laughing together. 

"Oh, you poor women," my mother consoled.

I frowned at the turn of events, suddenly concerned they were about to group together and turn on me. 

"Okay, well that is settled. How about we return to the festivities? Oh, and don't worry mother, I totally fulfilled my commitment to Lucy," I gestured at the woman who was fully dressed and asleep on the floor. 

"Sure you did, son. Sure you did." My mother watched me carefully.

I shrugged.