Make Love, Not War

Part 9

Phobos looked over ater wer who was nervously pacing around the room. He couldn’t understand why the ex-mortal was so afraid. It wasn’t like anyone could do anything to hurt Joxer more than he had already been hurt. In less than a month, his husband had lost both his father and his love.

Phobos reassured him, “It’ll be okay. You know I’m going to take care of you.”

“Thanks although I’m a little more worried about Zeus.”

“Why?” Phobos asked shocked not expecting that reaction.

Joxer shrugged, “I was left in the mortal world because Zeus would kill me if I stayed on Olympus. I don’t know if he just doesn’t like idea of my dads having a child or it’s because of the danger of my making the wrong choice and dooming Olympus.”

“Probably both. He was never happy about Cupid and Strife to begin with. It could be because they had the power to unite two powerful houses; love and war.”

Joxer remained silent thinking it over, it was a good idea, and he was mildly shocked that Phobos had made it. Like most of the mortal world, he had always felt Phobos was a little less than sane. The thought of the fear god thinking calmly, rationally, and logically had never occurred to him. If Phobos was as interesting as Joxer suspected he was sure, they would become friends.

“You coming in?” Phobos asked with a laugh as he reached to lightly hold Joxer’s hand taking care not to make any move that could upset the anxious god.

Joxer said nervously, “I guess lea least the block Ar put on me will stop them messing with my head. You think I could see Cupid? He still won’t talk to me. You think he’s blaming me for him and dad breaking up?”

“I’m sure he’s not. He cares about you but he has weird ways of showing it.”

“Could have fooled me.” Joxer commented wryly seconds before they walked inside.

Zeus said arrogantly, “The next petition is by Phobos. What so important you are making a public petition?”

Keeping one arm around Joxer Phobos grinned, “I formally request an extension for my temple on Olympus.”

“Just what reason do you have for this request?” Zeus said glaring at the dark god.

“My marriage to Joxer, the new god of Absent Lovers.” Phobos said delighting in the shock, anger and fear his little announcement caused.

“I forbid your marriage to this child. It will be reversed.”

“No can do, sorry.” Phobos commented with an unrepentant grin.

Hera asked majestically, “Why notild?ild?”

Bowing his head slightly as a sign of respect Joxer answered the woman, “The Fates performed our marriage, Ma’am.”

“Impossible! Phobos was supposed to marry Strife and Cupid’s daughter!” Zeus said in outrage if looks could kill, the newlyweds would be dead.

Phobos shrugged, “They didn’t have a daughter. They had a son called Joxer.”

Athena accused, “How was it no one detected your bloodline?”

“It was decreed that my true nature would only appear after I was married.” Joxer said honestly doing his best to keep the replies short. He didn’t like most of the Olympians, he couldn’t help but want to avoid them.

“Just what does Ares have to say about this?” Eris asked worriedly knowing her brother was in love with the newly made god.

Ares appeared in a flash of sparks, “I support their marriage. What else did you expect me to do?”

Hades commented, “If you are so supportive then why are you avoiding looking at Joxer?”

Ares snarled, “I need some time to get used to it! Do you all think me so cold-hearted that I wouldn’t be bothered when the man I love is married to my son?”

A wave of shock went through the audience of shocked gods and goddesses, most of whom had never imagined they would hear Ares say he loved someone! Even more shocking was the fact that Ares was admitting a weakness. The war god had always hidden any sign of weakness from his family.

Ares said seriously, “I am making a petition for access to Strife, formerly the God of Mischief. I request to see him in the underworld. He has the right to know what is happening in his son’s life seeing how he gave his life for his son.”

“So be it.” Zeus said with a regal nod looking at Hades who shook his head.

Hades said arrogantly, “The request must be denied. Strife is not under my domain.”

Grabbing the God of the Dead by the throat Eris snarled, “WHAT? How can that be?”

“He is under the control of the Egyptian Pantheon. I cannot help with this matter.” Hades said with a nonchalant shrug.

There were shouts of outrage asking for an explanation as to why the Egyptian Pantheon had control over a former god. It made no sense, Strife was a true Greek god even if his father was unknown.

“SILENCE!” Zeus roared angrily glaring at everyone.

“Can you please explain what you meant by that, Hades?” Joxer asked politely.

“Just what I said. I do not have the ability to return Strife to you. My son is no longer under my control.”

“Thank you for telling me, Grandfather.” Joxer said respectfully, bowing ever so slightly to the pale god.

Hades smiled happy with the knowledge that he finally had the loving family he always wan Wit With a grin he answered Joxer, “It is only what you deserve. How are you my child?”

“Fine. Can we go and talk now?”

“Sure, Joxer.” Phobos said with a smirk as he and his husband vanished in a show of black and red sparks.

Zeus could only gape in shock as Hades, Eris, Ares, and Cupid all left without acknowledging him. Just to himself the King of Gods admitted his power over his family was beginning to slip. Everything was ruined now, he had lost control over his family and the future. Now the rebirth prophecy had started, Zeus knew his position as King was doomed. To save himself he would have to kill Joxer’s child, therefore securing his position as ruler.
*******
Ares, Eris, Hades, and Cupid appeared in the underworld to find Joxer being sick into a bucket Phobos had created. Worried about the well being of his son Cupid ran over but was pushed back by Phobos who glared at him.

“What the fuck are you doing? My son is being sick for Gods sake!” Cupid shouted outraged.

Phobos said with a nod, “I know but you’re not going to help matters.”

Eris said thinking aloud, “Normally when a god’s like this…they’re pregnant. Are you pregnant, Joxer?”
multmultaneously making the bucket disappear and taking a long drink of wine Joxer turned to look at her. Once he had reed ced control over his body Joxer answered with a groan, “Yeah by Phobos.”

Glaring at Phobos Cupid said angrily, “Did he rape you, son? If he did just tell me and he’s cinders!”

Joxer said frantically, “NO! He didn’t rape me. The Fates said we had to consummate our relationship or it would be for nothing. I wasn’t going to let everyone I love be killed when I could avoid it. I got pregnant that night.”

“Oh. Sorry bro.” Cupid said blushing slightly as he turned to look at his half-brother.

Phobos shrugged, “Its okay, you were just looking out for Joxer.”
Ares said gently, “Your friends are going to need dealing with, love. I’ve already told them that you got married.”

“I guess I should see them and make sure they don’t cause any trouble.” Joxer said with a nod.

“I’ll come with you.” Ares, Phobos, and Cupid said together before glaring at each other.

Joxer smiled gratefully, “Thanks, I might need your help if they get out of hand. Although, maybe you should stay behind, Ar? Its not that I don’t want you there but you know how Hercules gets when you’re around.”

“If that’s what you want but one of the others should go with you.”

“Maybe Phobos and Hades? They aren’t really on the hit list of the others.” Joxer said logically.

“Okay. We’ll stay here and wait for you then.” Ares said for those excluded.

There were three flashes of light as the chosen gods disappeared in red and black sparks. In Phobos and Joxer’s temple Ares looked at his son and sister, seeing their worry for Joxer. He knew the other gods would seek to take advantage of the new god, but with the support of the houses of War and Love would go a long way to keeping Joxer safe until Ares could make the younger god his mate. He had to cling to the hope that one day Joxer would be his forever, mind, body, and soul.
********
Secondsore ore the three gods appeared at the heroes’ campsite, Gabrielle sneaked away from the group intent on meeting her secret lover. She knew He would understand how she felt and would find a way to help her, he had always helped her when she asked him.

“Joxer, are you okay?” Auto asked immediately noticing the pain and sorrow coming from the man in front of him. As a man of godly blood, the thief could feel the emotions of the Olympians more than most mortals.

“Not really.” Joxer admitted slowly.

Iolaus asked worried, “What’s wrong?”

Joxer said sarcastically, “Let’s see, so far my dad has been killed and I’ve had to marry a virtual stranger even after the one I loved wanted tory mry me. Oh, did I forget to mention that I’m pregnant?”

“Who died?” Hercules asked not wanting to contemplate a world without love. How would the people survive without Cupid?

Hades said seriously, “Strife. Before you, all start celebrating you should think about how it will affect the other gods. The gods depend on each other, when another dies the remaining are incomplete. Strife’s godhood was mischief, not only a source of fun but also a source of ideas. A large number of people including, politicians, inventors and philosophers get ideas through a little mischief.”

“Oh. I don’t know what to say, sorry doesn’t seem enough.” Xena said sadly knowing the pain of separation from his love would slowly consume her friend.

“Yeah. So how is everything down here?”

Hercules said gently, “Quiet I guess. How has Zeus taken the news of your marriage? He wanted to stop your parents daughter, son I guess from marrying. He said that your marriage would result in the destruction of Olympus.”

“He’s not too happy, he feels angry.”

Xena offered, “Do you need some help to keep you safe then, Joxer? You’ve only been a god for a short time so you probably couldn’t handle a fight with Zeus.”

“He’s not alone.” Phobos said with an angry snarl.

Hercules said sceptically, “Really (!)”

Anger burning through his veins Hades snarled, “I will protect my grandson, as will those of his immediate family, and the other godly members of our houses. Despite what you seem to think the Houses of Death, Love, and War can work together, we will work together to protect Joxer. I protect my family no matter what the cost.”

“What godhood do you have, Joxer?” Hercules asked noticing that there was a similar feeling from his friend as there was from Aphrodite.

“I’m assigned to the House of Love, my title is the God of Absent Lovers. Fitting, don’t you think?”

Iolaus grinned in understanding, “I guess. So whenever someone is separated from their lover you get power from it?”

Joxer nodded, “I’m also responsible for making sure those separated remain in love with each other, if it is the one they are supposed to be with at that time.”

“Sounds like a interesting godhood. Does it take a lot for people to remain in love with each other?”

Joxer shrugged, “Not if it is the right person they are supposed to be with at that time. If they are with the wrong person then I don’t do anything to make the feelings for the people concerned stay. Pops and Dite then make sure the people heal and fall in love with who they are meant to be with.”

“Look, we should go. Joxer still needs to talk with some other people on Olympus.”

Xena nodded at Phobos’ statement saying, “Okay. Can we just call you if we need to talk with you, Joxer?”

“Yeah. I’ll answer you, if I can.” Joxer said as he flashed out with the other gods following just a second later.

As they arrived at Phobos’ Olympus temple Joxer fell to the floor, screaming out in a mixture of pain and shock.

Taking one look at the man Hades called for Apollo as Aphrodite called for Hera. The two summoned gods appeared shocked at the plea from those who had never summoned them before.

“What’s wrong with him?” Ares snarled as soon as Apollo appeared.

Shaking off Ares’ hand around his shoulder Apollo answered, “I don’t know. Let me check him out and I’ll let you know.”

“Stop fighting you two, Joxer needs both of you calm and quiet!” Hera admonished as she placed one hand over Joxer’s body.

“Apollo, come and check something for me!” Hera said anxiously whispering at the god after he came to her side.

Apollo looked at Hera in shock before stopping to examine Joxer a little closer. Finally reassured that his findings were correct, he turned to look at the worried and expectant audience.

Apollo said seriously, “The baby is growing at an accelerated rate meaning its taking more power directly from Joxer than he has causing pain for both him and the baby. As the baby grows, it will need more power than Joxer can give. For both him and the baby to survive without any damage, Joxer needs more power than he is currently receiving from his godhood. However, for some reason we cannot feed him power, his power must come from a different source. Neither Hera nor I know how why his body will not accept power from other Olympians but it will not.”

“So what can we do?” Ares asked wanting to do anything to help rather than sitting around watching the man, he loved die.

Hera said anxiously, “We need to find a way of giving him more power that is not tainted by Olympians. Either that or we find a way of changing our power so Joxer might accept it.”

“Well then, that’s what we will do.” Eris said with a snarl.

Hera nodded, “Apollo and I will stay here and watch Joxer. Phobos and Cupid shall stay with me while the rest of you find some way to help.”
*******
“I’ve been waiting for you. I didn’t think you would come, my love.” Gabrielle said with a smile as she turned to face her lover.

Zeus kissed the woman passionately before saying, “I’m sorry, my sweet but I was held up by one of my children. She wanted to speak to me about a rather worrying matter.”

“Anything I can help with, love?” Gabrielle asked quickly knowing how little the other Olympians helped their King.

Zeus frowned, “I don’t know. You might not be strong enough to help.”

“I will do anything you need me to, Zeus. Anything at all!”

Zeus said seriously, “I suppose you may be able to help. It turns out that a new god is trying to take my position and power, thereby stopping me from divorcing Hera and marrying you as we had planned.”

“Who is it? I’m sure I can find a way to stop them!”

With an exaggerated frown Zeus said, “An ex-mortal. Joxer, The Mighty, or something like that. He has managed to convince the others that I was responsible for destroying his plans to marry the one he loved. The only way he will ever stoll bll be if he is dead.”

Gabrielle smirked cruelly, “I can solve that little problem for you. Joxer has always been an annoyance that twisted everything to make people do what he wants. He managed to twist everything so that I appeared to be a cruel, heartless bitch just because I wasn’t in love with him. Seeing how stupid and clumsy he is, he can’t be much of a god. It would be doing everyone a favour if he was killed, he just causes trouble anyway.”

“I will never forget this, my sweet. Once Joxer is out of the way, I can divorce Hera and marry you as I have always wanted. All you have to do is stab him with this knife, the Hinds blood will kill him.”

Taking the sheathed knife Gabrielle said reassuringly, “I will take care of him, my love. Then we can be together for all eternity.”

End Part 9