Chapter 44: Talking About Blessings (Not Edited)
Once, the station core was in place, and the holographic reflectors were deployed Marcus returned with the group to The Base.
He brought Athena to the living room.
"Do you want me to show you around my current house?" He asked her as they entered the living room.
"...No...maybe next time. Honestly… I give up… I need to rest." The beautiful brown-haired Goddess sighed. She was tired… mentally… and for some reason physically too.
Trying to keep up with this man… honestly… it's hard...even for her…
That Space station launch thing… it blew her mind off…
It's so...basic…simple inertia… but… the bigger the thing is the harder it is to do the simple method on it!
That is the reason why the current civilisation has so much micro and macro management going on! It's a planet-wide thing!
But, this guy… he simply did it anyway… it's like presidential elections with the president-to-be knowing the exact number of votes he is going to get…
This is what just happened with that launch!
"Okay. You rest here if you want." He motioned for her to sit on any of the three couches available in the living room.
Athena nodded at him and walked over and plopped in the one facing the enormous TV…
"Marcus sit with me. It's boring doing it alone." The beautiful Goddess said with a pouty...but tired voice.
The teen easily accepted that and got to sit not far from her. But, then the Goddess of Wisdom moved to his side and casually put her head on his lap.
"Much better, now I can rest." She said that with a happy voice.
For a second the teen tried to process what just happened. He looked at the brown-haired lady's head on his lap.
Well, he is all up with cuddling!
His hand gently went on her head and started stroking it.
The beautiful goddess smiled to herself when she felt his hand on her.
Yep! This is good!
A few minutes passed peacefully like this, but then Marcus used his psionic abilities to summon the tv remote and turn on the TV.
~~~
"Do you why I am here?" Athena asked Marcus as they were watching a documentary about their Solar system.
"Because of Artemis?" He asked her as he continued to stroke her hair.
"Partially, another one is the destruction of Tepes faction. My fellow Olympians wanted to know where you are standing with them." She said that while looking at the TV.
"Especially since you have Artemis as a maid… they want to know if she is going to be released. But, you already explained that part…
I will try to mitigate… whatever response they will have. I only ask not to send that airship of yours to Greece." Athena said at the last part with a sigh.
She now remembered that she will have to return and explain things…
"Honestly, you already know about my character. Why are you even asking?" He said with a sigh one of his own, the whole idea of political bickering. Well, he doesn't like that.
"Because...I want to talk? And I need to hear this from you. Chess can cover some parts but I can be wrong." She said with an exaggerated tone.
Even one in a lifetime genius can be dense. Doesn't he know she just wants to talk? She wants to cover her work first. Then they can talk whatever they want.
"Fine… Well, Artemis is staying with me. While the whole thing of me being a threat to them...to you is absurd… unless they coming to me… well… I think you know how that part is going to end."
Athena nodded.
"Simply put you just want to do your thing in peace and Artemis is the one who did this to herself. I will tell that to them.
Still, you know my family. They will come to you either way. Not to fight, more like get some stuff? Trade things? What about those?" She asked with more curiosity than ever before.
"I don't mind that at all. It will be interesting interacting with them." As Marcus said that he imagined himself talking shop with Hephaestus, and making Ares test out some destructive weapons…
Only the Goddess of Wisdom snorted internally from amusement… honestly, this guy is nuts. So they might get along far too well…
"Good… because I know Ares wants to talk with you about those… 'Mandarins'?" For a second she was thoughtful, she couldn't recall the word…
"...Mandalorians…" Marcus deadpanned at her. This woman… it's like mispronouncing a cult leaders name on purpose! if he was a hardcore Star Wars fan she would be receiving a spanking by this point!
"Oh! Yes, those!" She nodded at him missing the whole deadpan voice on purpose. Oh, the Goddess noticed his dissatisfaction with her messing with the word. But, it's just too amusing!
"He wants to meet you and talk about them, according to him he wants to bless you. Which is quite something else he didn't do that for centuries." She said that with quite an amused tone.
"And...what does this blessing do?" Marcus asked curiously. He does wonder what blessing from a God could do to one.
"His last blessed person was Leonidas. And if you know Spartan history then you know what he accomplished with just the blessing."
For a second the teen eyes widened. He recalled what the Spartan King did.
"So it's true? He stopped the whole Persian army… around a million with 300 Spartans?" He asked that with raised eyebrow.
"Indeed. If it was not for the betrayal of some of the bitter locals he would have halted them long enough for the main army to prepare and send them back in one single swoop.
According to my observations back in the day, Leonidas had absurd capacities for a human to lead armies and his presence alone would make everyone listen to him. Like some sort of Avatar of War itself.
Without any magic support, he could fight for days and even influence everyone around him."
Marcus had thoughtful look when he heard that. He recalled the capabilities of Artemis huntresses. With the blessing alone they were around high-class devils in strength alone not to mention other powers which comes from their Goddess.
They could wield a lesser version of divine energy. A very handy thing.
"Impressive… amusing, it was only things related to war?"
"Not quite. Everything martial was included to a certain extent but true power came when it was time of war. As one can expect from being blessed by God of War." Athena clarified to him.
"I see...what about you?" He asked her while his gaze moved down from Tv to the beauty using his lap as a pillow.
"Oh? You want my blessing?" She quickly lifted her head and very swiftly ended up sitting on his lap, facing him. Her arms wrapped around his neck, the beautiful Goddess pulled herself closer to him.
There was quite a bit of embarrassment on her face. Her cheeks got quite red. The Goddess of Wisdom never did anything like this before.
It was awkward, however she saw this as the perfect opportunity to proceed forward.
Marcus was a little bit baffled by her abrupt actions. However, this was very good for him, since the Goddess herself took the next step and not him.
His hands went quickly towards her incredible rear and squeezed it. Feeling the form of it.
"Here is the deal. I will give you my blessing for a kiss~~~not just any kiss! A perfect one. The more perfect it is the more inclined I will be to give the blessing. What do you say?" She said that with a whispering tone, like she is telling a secret of some sort.
But, that can be explained by the fact that she finds this whole thing embarrassing.
The teen just smiled with an amused look. Shouldn't this be reversed? A guy asking for a kiss?
Well, whatever. It's a double win for him. A blessing to study and a Goddess to kiss!
So without wasting any more time he leaned forwards and claimed the expecting Goddess lips. Her eyes slightly gleamed from excitement.
This was it!
Quickly enough the simple kiss accelerated into a make-out session. Their tongues were duelling. Well, more like Marcus was teaching the very green Goddess how to kiss. Surely enough the Goddess of Wisdom started to get hot and bothered!
However, this was not the time to proceed to the next stage! So, she quickly channelled her divine energy and at that moment she blessed Marcus with her blessing.
At that exact moment. Marcus psionic energy reacted. It's like it received a supercharge in its ability.
His eyes slightly widened because he could feel the range of his sensing ability going up… all the way to Japan and beyond… like it could circle the globe if he was trying to!
Athena's blessing has extremely impacted his psionic capacities!
The beautiful brown-haired Goddess pulled back from the kiss… oh, she wouldn't mind going all the way… but! it's far too early in her eyes… and she doesn't want to be known as some sort of cheap Goddess like...Aphrodite… who would have the man doing things to her on their first date.
"...What do you think?" She asked hotly, forcing herself to reign in.
"Impressive… it like it has increased the potency of my Psionic powers…" Marcus said with slightly widened eyes. He wasn't expecting to get some sort of power-up!
Honestly, he wasn't expecting any sort of power-up! He is already one of the most powerful beings on this planet!
While Athena's blessing didn't give him more power it increased his...potency? Well more like increased his brain faculty which in turn made his Psionic capacities greater!
"Oh? Psionic? So that's what it is!" The beautiful Goddess of Wisdom was excited to hear about this! Mental powers!? Even she doesn't have it!
'I wonder, could I unlock something like this!?' She thought to herself. There is no doubt she could use Psionic energy! It's related to brain activity! And she is the smartest one from her pantheon!
"Indeed! While kissing for blessing is great and all, I think it would be more fitting that I would teach you how to access Psionic powers." He said that while squeezing her bum with his hands.
"Oh~~~? I can accept that…" She said that quite hotly. The beauty could feel positive shivers going through her body from his actions.
Marcus slightly nodded. One of his hands moved away from her incredible rear and ended up on her forehead.
"Now. For this to work. I will stimulate certain parts of your brain. While this normally wouldn't work on regular humans unless they are gifted in mental faculties. But, we are not here to discuss that.
Focus on the stimulated part to manifest this energy." Marcus said seriously the last part and Athena quickly nodded trying to get serious instead of more turned on…
The teen then send some of his purple energy and Athena felt part of her head getting warm and… she could feel something…
For a second she tried to pull it. A couple of times, before getting annoyed!
"Shhh… just relax, it won't going to manifest that easily because you trying to pull it." As Marcus said that his other hand went on her back he stroked it up and down. Trying to help her relax.
The brown-haired Goddess slowly nodded. She leaned into him. And closed her eyes, focusing on this stimulation and trying to grasp this new type of energy.
~~~
"Well, are you going to laugh at me?" Artemis said at her half-sister. As she got comfortable in her seat. Across from her was her fellow Olympian.
Finally, Athena was away from Marcus. This whole thing rubbed annoyingly to the Goddess of the Hunt. The Goddess of Wisdom is getting far too close to the man the silver-haired beauty is gunning herself!
"Laugh? I am jealous!" Athena said that while frowning. One could see jealousy and a sour look on her face.
"Jealous… what... are you talking about?" The Goddess turned maid asked. With a deeply confused look… this had whatever fire she had blown away!
"You no longer have to attend those boring meetings or any other responsibilities. Hell! You don't even need to worry about your hunt!
Even then the best part is that you can spend day in and day out with Marcus!
Tell me...why I shouldn't be jealous!?" Athena rant slowly got more and more heat as by the time she was done she was breathing heavily.
Artemis had a dumbfounded look on her face. It finally hit her that the Goddess of Wisdom was in truth...infatuated with Marcus Goldman… not for his inventions or abilities to make Gears… but in the purest of sense.
Hell… the brown-haired woman in front of her was wanting to be a maid…
It took several moments for the fellow Olympian to process this outburst!
"...I see… so… what is that Olympus will do? Don't tell they are organising to move on… my Master?" The Goddess of Hunt almost slipped there and called Marcus by his name. Like hell, she is going to lose her points!
Athena noticed that but decided not to comment on it. She would rather use this as a question for Marcus on their second date.
"No. They are not. I am here as recon. And no, I will tell them not to move. It's suicidal no matter how one look at this. Marcus alone could destroy Olympus with one hand behind his back. Even if Hades would pull everything he could from the Underworld." The Goddess of Wisdoms said with a sigh.
"Good… there is no need for pointless death. What are you going to tell the council about me?" Artemis asked Athena, she was somewhat nervous about this.
"First tell me your part how you ended up as a maid." The brown-haired Goddess asked sharply.
A sigh escaped from Artemis as she started telling from her side of the whole humiliation. However, she skipped the part around his threats… since it's embarrassing. Her explanation was very simple and straight to the point.
"I see… it's identical to what Marcus said to me. I am going to report just that."
"Won't… father take offence to this?" The Goddess of the Moon said with a nervous tone.
"To what? That you lost in proper duel where you waged yourself?" Athena said that with raised eyebrow.
"That I was turned into maid instead his wife?"
"You did say that you will do whatever he asked, and Marcus did say that he wanted you as his maid." The brown-haired beauty said with an eye roll.
The answer made Artemis frown for a bit. She wanted to argue with her half-sister but… at this point her new Master had too much power, and her family couldn't make him change his mind…
"In the end, you dig your own grave as they say. And Olympus can't help you with this. I will make sure to tell them that, this is purely your fault and that Marcus was simply defending himself." Athena explained simply.
The Goddess of Hunt sighed internally. Well, she can't have her reputation preserved… she hoped to salvage this in some way.
"Fine. Make it so that they don't have any sorta ideas to attack him because of me."
The brown-haired Goddess nodded at her.
Now with this, her mission is finished.
Pity… she would want to stay around longer and maybe have one or two more fights in that Realitus system.
~~~
Marcus with a frown looked at the latest update on the station's core.
The magic energy from the Holographic reflectors is...leaking.
'This is ridiculous… who would have thought that magic is affected by earths gravity? Should it be…'magical'? Ignores everything… but then again… it's created from the planet's core. So it falls under the control of the cosmos in general?'
Perfectly honest everything should fall under cosmos rule. The size of planets and celestial objects is simply too enormous.'
The teen stroked his chin as he was thinking. This discovery about void and no gravity affecting magic flow in his exterior
tech means that he has to patch up some things once he goes to space.
"Aurora. Did you start on the patchwork and upgrades?" Marcus asked his A.I.
[Already started the moment the sensors picked this up. While the holographic deflectors leaking magic it's nothing significant to worry about. We have around 30 years until they start failing.]
As the A.I. Explained to him the teen frowned more. Thirty years? That's quite a failure of calculations on his part.
[Sir, by that point Ars Almadel Solomonis will be finished and the Holographic deflectors will no longer be needed.]
The A.I. said with a flabbergasted tone, she knows that this doesn't need to fix! The artificial intelligence already knows that Marcus perfectionist and his obsession with items that should last for an eternity are rubbing off on him. His technomancy should not be limited to a two digits life expectancy.
While her protocol tells her to fix this. And she did that already, she knows it's not needed. But...for the sake of science and the need for perfection, she won't going to complain. However, she will notify Quinella just in case Marcus decides not to return from space… for some time.
There is a high chance that he will decide to explore the solar system since he was already in space…
"Yes, I know. Regardless, start manufacturing the upgraded holographic reflectors, I will take them to space myself." The teen inventor said that as he closed the holographic window and got up from his couch.
[Understood. Beginning the manufacturing process according to the new data.]
As the A.I. Started to manufacturing process Marcus mind started to wonder about the idea of exploring the space…
Just like the A.I. predicted. Quinella's upgrades already showing their colours. Artificial intelligence can predict its master quite a bit. However, she still has records of him behaving out of the predicted path.
~~~
"This energy is quite fascinating," Athena said to Marcus as she made items float with simple hand motion. This energy is far more flexible than her Divine energy.
"I'm glad you find it interesting but you didn't explain what your blessing does apart from making my psionic energy more potent." The teen inventor asked the Goddess. The beauty in question had a smug look on her face.
"Well~~~ I could just leave you like this so that you could find out yourself~~~" She said with a teasing tone.
The teen slightly furrowed his eyebrows. This woman… she is being naughty…
He quickly appeared in front of her and his hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to himself.
"Or… I could get those answers myself, all I needs is the right method~" As he said that his hands went lower to her perfect rear.
Starting to squeeze it.
"Ahh~~~ mhhh~~~ I-I will answer it!" She quickly snapped out from this pleasurable thing. The beauty realised that she is going to be carried away by pleasure and most likely going to end up in his bed.
This is far too soon for that!
This made her quickly pull away from him. And take a deep breath.
"Right. So, the blessing is based on my domains. Like Wisdom, Warfare, Handcraft, affinity towards smart animals. Especially the owls, dolphins, primates, whales… you get the picture.
I have no idea how much the other ones will help since you already have alot of talent for handcraft things. But, Wisdom and Warfare should be of some use." She said that with a hopeful voice.
"Yes. Wisdom already has helped me quite a bit." Marcus said with a nod. He inspected his hand. For a second purple aura surrounded him. His power felt much more potent than before.
However, he has no idea about warfare… maybe he should try some combat strategy games?
"Good. Good to hear. Now, however… you need to tell me some things about my power as well?" She said that as a similar aura to Marcus only blue surrounded her.
Showing her psionic powers. The teen could feel that with her awakening this power. She most likely went up in the hierarchy of Olympian Gods.
"Sure… lets me explain~" He said as he pulled her into his hug, once more they ended up sitting on the couch.
The Goddess of Wisdom quickly started to realise that she might end up getting 'eaten' soon!
This means she has to run away as soon as possible!
~~~~~~Later, Same Day~~~~
After spending some more time with the inventor the Goddess decided to… run away.
"Let me take you home," Marcus said to the Goddess as she was preparing to teleport back to Olympus.
Her details were added to the Diamond Core Heart so she can now visit him anytime she wants. Now it's only on the Olympus side that she needs an excuse to come here.
Athena smiled hearing the proposition. Oh, yes! This sounds good!
"Okay~~~" She offered her hand and Marcus took it.
He took her to the teleportation point
Moments later his golden and white circle appeared underneath their foot. He activated his teleportation circle.
~~~~~~Olympus~~~~~~
One teleportation later Marcus and Athena appeared at the entrance of the marble decorated village in the mountain. It was picturesque…
Temples were everywhere from white marble, and it looked like it was built just above the cloud level.
"...I do not want to know how can you bypass the boundaries between world like this…" The beauty said that as she realised that Marcus...can just simply appear in her home.
One part of her wonders if he will kidnap her and do things…
Internally she just shook her head. Her mind started to get into the gutter far too much for the past couple of days!
"Understanding of space. I have been studying space phenomenon alongside time in more detail recently." He casually explained to her as he took a picture of Olympus with his phone.
Now he is feeling like a tourist!
"I see… you do have Dimension Lost after all." She said that with a nod. The Goddess of Wisdom remembered that he does have that gear.
"Hmm? Not bad! You guys have good recon teams if you know about the stuff I have in my showcase vault." Marcus said that with some surprise. How did they pick up that he has Dimension Lost?
"Showcase vault? *Sigh* Now, I am annoyed with myself that I didn't accept your invitation to check your house." Athena massaged her forehead with frustration.
"No sweat, you can always visit again." He said that with a smile making the Goddess smile as well.
"Is that an invitation I hear?" She said that with a smug voice.
This sounds like what regular people say about having a satisfactory first date and already inviting to the second one.
"Why yes. You can't escape now that I found you." Marcus said with quite a self-assured tone.
The Goddess of Wisdom slowly nodded with a satisfied nod. Yep...even though she is amateur in the whole art of relationships. She was able to make this man interested in her to this point.
Internally she is quite smug about this. Because she is already better than Aphrodite. That woman can't have a proper relationship even when a good male specimen drops in front of her!
Honestly, she might be biased but, at the moment Athena doesn't care. She was successful in her 'hunt' and all that matters!
"I am not planning to escape. However, you need to go as...well, you are here without permission and… kind off… Well…" The Goddess was feeling quite… self-conscious, if her father finds out that Marcus is here… well, she is feeling like a teenage girl who is hiding her boyfriend from her parents as it's not the right time to reveal him!
"I understand… no worries, one day I will visit you. Maybe we will have dinner aboard the station. Being the first people who have romantic dinner in space." He said the last part with a thoughtful look as he realised that no one before did anything like that!
For a second Athena's eyes widened. Hell… that sounds amazing!
"Yes...that sounds good." She said that with a dreamy tone.
Moments later she took a couple of steps forward and kissed him on the cheek before quickly taking some steps back.
"I will speak with you later Marcus~~~" She said while waving her hand for a bit and then starting to walk toward the interior of the Olympus.
The black-haired teen touched his cheek. Honestly, it's an interesting experience to...date a Goddess? Especially someone who can keep up with him. Anyone close to this comes is Latia who Marcus has soft spot for.
The blonde beauty is quite the wife material.
"HOLD IT! I WANT TO SPEAK WITH YOU!"
Marcus snapped out of his thoughts as he heard a male voice. It sounded like someone from their mid-twenties. It's an adult voice but… it's not as gruff as males have in later ages…
Plus the aura… it was… soaked in blood… and War?
'Ares?'
For a second Marcus thought, as he finally saw a man dressed in red and bronze armour. Black hair and golden eyes similar to Hippolyta's…
'Definitely, Ares…'
"...Ha…" The man took a deep breath as he finally arrived in front of Marcus.
"Man… thanks for the wait! I can finally meet the one who conquered the high and mighty… bitchy Artemis! Man! Your power is off the charts!" The man said with a whistle as he saw through the teen! The teen's eyes slightly widened!
This guy can see through his perfect control? What the hell?
"Don't be surprised! I am God. Even though you have ten… no at least 30 times more power than I do. I can still see someone's Fighting strength." The man said with a knowing look.
"I see… well, then nice to meet you mysterious God." Marcus lifted his hand in a handshake.
"Uhhh...where are my manners! I am Ares! God of War and Patron of the city-state of Sparta! Well, it's defunct and gone now. But still! I know you like them so it's good to mention!" The now named Ares took his hand and shook it.
"Nice. I have based my soldiers from Mandalorians and they are based on your Spartans."
The God of War quickly nodded hearing that. Yep, this is the guy!!!
"I know! This is why I wanted to meet you! I want to talk about your soldiers! AND…" Ares turned around and looked at baffled Athena who was staring at her half-brother…
"The battle you two had! I want to participate in THAT!" The Black-haired man said with some heat and bloodlust.
"You sense it?" Athena asked with some disbelief! How Ares sensed battle in such a heavily magic disturbed place!
Marcus had thoughtful look for a second. He remembered the chant…
"You...picked up when Spartans were shouting your name?" The teen said with wide eyes. Damn… he never thought that Realitus..can do reality warping to this level!
Even Gods can pick up on the simulation as if it was real!
"Hell yeah! When Spartan shouts my name I will always hear it! It was strange when out of nowhere around two thousand people started to believe in me somewhere in Europe. Way out of Olympus controlled lands." Ares explained with a slightly confused look.
"I see… make sense… so you want to participate in those kinds of battles?" Marcus said with a thoughtful look. This is a great opportunity to study a God of War!
"Of course!"
"Alright, it's not going to be for free as I will need to set up equipment for you."
"No sweat! If you want I can give Aphrodite to you if you want." The God of War said with a shrug. War is more important than some Sex Goddess...
Athena's and Marcus eyes widened to a massive degree hearing how Ares wants to just hand over another Goddess!
"NO!!!"
The Goddess of Wisdom stomped over to the black-haired God and was about to pull him away by the neck.
"I will have to decline. She sounds far too big of trouble."
*Sigh*
"I wanted to get rid of her. Fine… there are other ways! I Ares, God of War! Hereby bless Marcus Goldman as Avatar of War! The living embodiment of War!"
As Ares said that crimson blood like aura surrounded the teen inventor who felt another energy rush through his very being.
'Impressive… this time… hoh? It reacts to Athena's blessing?' Marcus thought to himself as he felt divine energies easily bonding into one...
"Hoh? Athena, you blessed him too? Interesting! This is the first time warfare and war were blessed in the same person!" The God of War had fascinating look as he observed Marcus. This is going to be interesting!
"I did. It would be silly not to bless someone of his calibre."
*Snort*
"Is it hard to say that you did it because you want him as your boyfriend?" Ares teased her with a knowing look. Making the Goddess blush.
This time Athena grabbed his ear.
"You better stay out of my business!" She said that with a hiss as she pulled his ear.
"Ow!!! Okay-Okay-Okay! Release me, you feral woman!"
Moments later Athena released his ear and sighed from frustration.
Why are they figuring out her love life so quick?
"Well...This… will suffice…tell me Ares do you have a villa or manse somewhere in Greece? So that I could install my Realitus system?"
For second Ares had a thoughtful look.
"Hmm… I do have some land in old times. I need to speak with Hephaistus to rebuild it. But, yes I have some land where Sparta used to be."
Marcus had fascinating look for a second.
'Hell yeah… installing Realitus and checking out ancient city? Now that sounds like a great weekend!'
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