Overheard Conversations, Part 23

for ratings and warnings please see Part 1

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Six young men broke into the temple. They were stealthy. They brave. They were strong!

They needed to be, the statue of Zeus weighed a lot.

Carefully they carried the large and rather overblown statue of Zeus, the one with his hand outstretched (reaching for gods only know what), out the door and across the village to Apollo’s temple. Inside Apollo’s shrine, they placed the statue among the muse’s statues. When they were done, it looked like Zeus was groping one of the muse’s breasts.

Laughing, the very young men, raced back to their homes. They couldn’t see anyone else topping *that* prank.

^^^^^^

Strife was walking down the hall when he felt the first tendril of energy. He gasped at the surge that followed.

“Woah!” Strife leaned against the wall, concentrated on the power and followed it back to its source. Strife watched what was happening and giggled. “Now *that’s* a good piece ah mischief.”

He giggled happily for several minutes. A good power feeding from his godhood always made him giddy. The laughter left him a little breathless and naturally made his ribs ache. The young god took a deep breath and tried to continue on. Then another wave of power hit him.

Strife gasped for air and tried to blink back the black spots he could see. He hadn’t felt this much power all at once in years, if ever. Since most of Strife’s followers were small children, they simply weren’t capable of doing very much in the way of mischief. Used to tiny bursts of energy, Strife wasn’t prepared for the onslaught and was rapidly being overwhelmed.

Bob whimpered and stuck her heads under Strife’s arms. It worked and the pregnant god was barely managing to stay on his feet when the young men placed Zeus’ marble hand on the muse’s breast.

The force of that prank hit Strife like a runaway chariot. He couldn’t keep up with the power or channel it away from himself.

Strife dropped to his knees, despite Bob’s arms. The impact shot pain up Strife’s body and made his vision swim.

“c-c-cupe…” His call for help was almost silent.

The black dots all decided to get together and make a blanket for him and so, they covered his vision and Strife slid into the darkness.

^^^^^^

The jarring motion roused Strife. He opened his eyes and looked up at Cupid’s worried profile. The beautiful jaw was tense and Strife could see tears threatening in the liquid of his eyes.

“i’m all right now.”

Cupid jumped, he hadn’t realized that Strife had regained consciousness. “Baby, what happened?” Cupid was verging on hysteria.

“Theah was a really big surge in mah godhood…and I guess it was taa much fah me right now.”

The God of Love stopped and looked down at his husband consideringly. He knew Strife wouldn’t lie to him, but he also knew that his husband had a tendency to downplay how he was feeling. “Are you sure that’s all?”

One pale, shaky hand cupped Cupid’s cheek. “I’m sure, mah love.”

Sighing in relief, Cupid smiled and continued walking, at a much slower pace, towards their bedroom. “Well, regardless of what it was, you are going to lay down.”

“okay.”

Cupid frowned at Strife’s easy capitulation. If the young god was giving in that easily, he must be feeling bad.

Strife giggled quietly. Cupid smiled. “A really good one, huh.”

The young god nodded and giggled again. Cupid saw Strife frown and was about to question him, when Strife beat him to it.

“Aren’t ya sick ah carryin me around?”

Again Cupid stopped. “What?”

Strife licked his lips and swallowed hard. He was still a little woozy. “Ya seem ta hafta carry me around half tha time now. Don’t ya get sick ah it?”

“Oh baby, having you in my arms is one of the most wonderful feelings there is.”

Strife’s eyes teared up. “Sa, are ya gonna carry me around fahevah?” He smiled at his joke.

“Yes.” Cupid sounded so serious that Strife had to laugh. “No, it’s true. I’m going to carry you around like this until the baby is born.”

Strife thought that Cupid was serious this time and all things considered, he was probably right. The young god knew that his health was only going to get worse, a lot worse. Truthfully, it felt good to be carried. He was tired all the time anymore and walking around made his feet and legs feel like someone was sticking them with something sharp.

“Then after the baby is born…” Cupid’s voice ended Strife’s musing. “…and we don’t have to be careful about squishing the baby…” Cupid leaned over and kissed Strife on the forehead. “…I’m going to carry you on my back. Strifeyback.”

Laughing, Strife leaned closer to his husband. “Cause I’m not a pig, huh.”

Lightly squeezing the bony body, Cupid laughed. “Not even close baby, not even close.”

They arrived at the bedroom door and before Cupid could magic it open, Bob got in front of them. The black headed side of the dog tried to push the door open, but the white head shoved her away. It then decided to open the door and the black head pushed her away. The dog’s two heads began barking at one another.

Strife rolled his eyes. “I’ve heard ah arguin with yarself but this is ridiculous.”

Cupid snorted. “Come on dog, we need to get into the bedroom.” Bob woofled at Cupid and wagged both her tongues at him before she went back to her doggie complaining.

Cupid rolled his eyes and waited. If the dog’s antics amused Strife, he’d watch them for a little bit.

Strife went rigid in Cupid’s arms. He then sucked in a quick breath. Cupid looked at him. Even Bob stopped snipping with herself and looked at her master.

“Don’t panic.”

Cupid looked at his husband wildly. “What? What’s wrong?”

“Tha temple priest is about ta find that tha statue is missin.”

Cupid didn’t know what Strife was talking about; he hadn’t heard the story about the mischief. He didn’t care either. Whatever it was, it was going to be hard on Strife.

Strife was breathing hard and starting to sweat. He grabbed hold of Cupid’s harness ring for support. “And onna Apollo’s minions is about ta find tha statue.” Strife’s other hand grabbed Cupid’s arm, bracing himself for what was coming.

The respective priests learned about the prank at the exact same moment. The resulting energy slammed into Strife like one of Zeus’ lightening bolts. Strife gasped and his back arched, bowing him back at such an angle that Cupid had a hard time holding him.

Bob barked in confusion and jumped out of the way as Cupid kicked the door open with a booted foot. He rushed to the bed and laid the convulsing Strife on it.

“ACE!”

^^^^^^

Asclepius was doing research in the Hall of Knowledge when he heard Cupid’s roar. Ace wasted no time and literally dropped what he was doing. He flashed into Cupid and Strife’s bedroom within seconds.

“What’s happening?” Ace helped Cupid roll a still shuddering Strife onto his side. This helped the pregnant god’s labored breathing.

“Strife said it was a godhood surge.” Cupid was shaking badly himself. His blond hair was standing straight up, like Strife’s usually does, from running his fingers through it.

“Oh…good.” Asclepius was glad, no he was positively thrilled. This was something he could help with. Ace snapped his fingers and a large, ginger jar appeared.

The healing god raised his hands and energy literally poured off of Strife and into the special jar. The liquid energy swirled around the mouth of the jar, sending out flashes of bright blue light. The very small mouth of the jar allowed the energy to come in and then it sealed itself off.

Strife collapsed in a heap. Cupid curled around him, one hand possessively cupping their baby. Strife giggled weakly.

“May I?” They looked up at Asclepius. He was gesturing to Strife’s new, magic dampening earring. Strife barely moved his head and Ace took that as assent. He removed the jeweled earring and concentrated. Ace’s brow was dotted with sweat by the time he was through.

“There, that should help.” He replaced the earring next to the others in Strife’s ear. “I put another shield on it; this one will only allow a small amount of energy from his godhood through at a time. The excess will go into this jar.”

Ace stopped talking when he heard a slight snore. Looking down he realized that his patient was deeply asleep. He smiled at the sight and glanced over at Cupid. The winged god was also smiling at his somnolent husband. Ace noted that Cupid still looked very strained.

Talking in a quieter tone, Asclepius spoke to his other patient, Cupid. He knew that as Strife’s husband, Cupid was going through almost as much as Strife was. Seeing a loved one in so much pain was very draining, emotionally and physically.

“The saved energy can be fed to him in a more controlled manner; one that he is better able to withstand.”

Cupid nodded slightly as he buried his face in Strife’s shoulder. “Is…is he okay now?” Cupid’s voice quivered as he hugged his sleeping husband tighter.

“Yes…”

The conversation was interrupted when Strife had a brief flurry of giggles. Even in his sleep, the young god was enjoying the fruits of his godhood.

“…yes, as you can see, he’s fine.” Ace paused to brush a stray lock from Strife’s forehead. “However…” Cupid looked up quickly at that. Ace held up an appeasing hand. “…he is going to have to take it easier. That means mainly bed rest for the remainder of his pregnancy.”

Cupid sat up on the bed, already nodding. “When I was carrying Strife in, I told him he was going to lay down and he agreed.”

Both men looked at the normally hyperactive god. It was painful to see him lying so still.

“I imagine, if we keep Strife’s mind busy, he won’t miss being out as much.”

Ace pulled the blanket over Strife. The pregnant god looked better, even after his ordeal. The recent infusion of power had brought much needed color to his cheeks and lips.

Cupid summoned up a basin of warm water and a cloth. The loving husband began to clean Strife off. He wanted to touch his husband both to reassure himself that Strife was still here and because the soothing motions of the cloth over his body would soothe Strife’s jangling nerves.

Without another word, Asclepius left the two lovers alone.

^^^^^^

3 days later

Strife wished he could say he was bored. He wasn’t, because he never got the chance to be bored.

Everybody and I do mean *everybody* had come for a visit. They were doing everything they could to keep Strife from being bored.

Strife appreciated the effort, but by now what he mainly wanted was to be left alone. He was really tired and getting less rest than when he was still allowed to get up.

Apollo dropped by and talked to him. He learned more about sunrises and sunsets than he ever wanted to. Not that he wanted to know *anything* about sunrises and sunsets. Apollo talked about the various diseases and illnesses he had run into. Yuck! That just made Strife want to throw up. Then he talked about musical instruments. Strife had no idea there were so many different ways to make music.

The only thing remotely interesting in Apollo’s talk was hearing about the Iolian Harp. Apparently it was a very simple musical instrument. Bells were strung on wires and housed in a frame. The frame was place in a window and when the wind blew, the bells would chime and make music.

Strife thought it was interesting because he wondered if Iolaus had been named after it. Apollo thought he was interested in the harp itself…so, now Strife had one for his window.

And the damned thing had been driving him up the wall.

Asclepius heard Strife complaining about a headache and had the Iolian Harp taken down; until Strife was feeling better. Of course, taking the box down had made Strife feel a *whole* lot better.

Then Falafel had himself transported to Olympus. Strife had yet to find out who did that little favor. Strife didn’t know what the Tartarus a burrito was, but it was disgusting. At least the way Falafel did it. The stench from his offerings made the whole temple reek for hours.

Until Gaea brought her present of flowers…for *every* room in the building. So...Strife had to put up with almost being choked to death on the fragrance of the flowers.

The headache thingy worked there too. Strife had a pretty good idea that Ace was helping him out with the more irritating presents. If Ace said it was bad for him, then no one was offended when Strife didn’t keep their presents.

Xena, Gabrielle and little Eve came up as well. Eve’s juggling demonstration was a welcome diversion. But Gabrielle’s song put him to sleep. Gabrielle wasn’t offended, after all, it was a lullaby.

Strife quickly realized he had a good thing going here and pretended to be asleep or at least, went to sleep as soon as possible after some of the more persistent visitors arrived.

He only had to pretend part of the time. The sheer amount of company he had left Strife so done in that he fell asleep easily.

Joxer was a big help during this time. He came to visit often and that was nice. Joxer had a soothing voice and chattered about anything and everything. Strife could listen as he felt like it and not feel pressured to answer.

Apollo had practically expected him to memorize all the illnesses he talked about. And Athena…sheesh, she actually gave him a test after her visit. She didn’t say it was a test, mind you, but she was disappointed when Strife couldn’t read Egyptian hieroglyphics.

No, Joxer was a blessing. Especially when he brought Tempra. The sweet baby was a joy to watch. Her laughter sounded much better than that harp had.

Plus…when someone exceptionally obnoxious, like Aphrodite (‘Tartarus, not pink curtains Dite.’), came calling, Joxer had the perfect remedy. He just pulled his shirt up and started breast feeding the baby.

That cleared the room faster than yelling fire in a playhouse.

Strife about laughed himself silly when Artemis flashed out so fast that she left her quiver behind. Demios was almost as bad and Poseidon…well, let’s just say he won’t be returning any time soon.

^^^^^^

“Hello Strife.”

Strife and Joxer had been talking. Strife was laying in the bed, propped up by a few pillows. Joxer was leaning back in a very comfortable chair that he had magicked up. They both looked up in surprise as Zeus walked in.

“Oh…uh, hi theah.”

“How are you feeling today, my boy?” Zeus smiled at the two young gods.

“I’m feelin a lot bettah.” Strife paused, unsure of what else to say; he had never been around his grandfather that much during his lifetime. “Thanks fah askin though.”

There was a flash and several dozen flower vases appeared. Gaea was at it again. There was a wide variety of flowers and while they were pretty to look at, the smell was overwhelming.

Joxer grimaced at how quickly Strife paled. “I’ll move these to another room.”

Strife smiled at his friend thankfully. He didn’t trust himself to speak. If he opened his mouth, the smell would come in and his last meal would probably come back out.

Joxer was grabbing up a couple of the bigger vases when the door opened. Ares and Cupid walked in. They were overcome by the smell as well. Seeing what Joxer was doing, the two large men picked up the rest of the offending flora.

“Baby, I’ll be right back, just as soon as I get rid of these.” Cupid smiled at his husband. All the while, he was eyeing Strife to make sure he was all right.

“I’ll stay with Strife until you get back.” They all looked at Zeus in surprise. He wasn’t exactly known for his nurturing personality.

Zeus watched them, aware of their surprise. “We have to protect him from Tryst.”

Strife flinched badly when he heard Tryst’s name. Bob sensed her master’s upset and barked. Zeus looked at the scruffy watchdog with ill-disguised contempt.

“At least we know Tryst can’t change into an animal. Strife’s *guard* is safe to have around.”

Strife nodded gamely. The floral fragrance was about to make him sick. The heavily laden gods headed out the door as fast as they could.

“I’ll see you tomorrow Strife.” Joxer waved, his hand peeking out from the middle of a bunch of flowers.

“Okay, bye Joxah.”

Zeus watched as the door closed quietly behind them. He came and stood at the edge of the bed.

“Hello boy.”

^^^^^^

The meeting hall of Cupid and Strife’s temple looked like someone had exploded a garden into it. Flowers of every conceivable color and shape crowded the room. There were flowers from all over the world. There were even flowers that had long been extinct.

Ares and Cupid were talking while Joxer was walking slightly ahead of them.

“Thanks for keeping Strife company, Joxer. Bliss has been really upset today.”

“Um huh.” Joxer’s preoccupied reply went unnoticed.

Concern for his grandson made Ares turn. “What’s the matter with Bliss?”

“According to Bliss, ‘baby’s hurt their mommies’. He says he’s never going to have a baby or let his wife have one.”

Ares and Cupid looked towards Joxer for help. He usually knew what to do in these kinds of situations; the God of Peace was so good with small children. Joxer hadn’t heard what they were saying.

Joxer paused in the hallway for a moment and then continued on. Something was wrong, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. He could feel something tickling in the back of his mind. Joxer gasped and stopped so abruptly that Cupid almost ran into him.

“He can’t change into an animal.”

“What?” Ares glanced over at his husband in confusion, his mind still worrying about Bliss.

“That’s what Zeus just said, but Tryst *can* look like an animal. Strife told us that months ago. That was one of the reasons Hades got a magical watchdog, because Tryst has turned into animals before…and Zeus knows it!” They all looked at each other in nooning (hey, this is *way* worse than dawning) horror and raced back to the bedroom.

Joxer reached the door first and flung it open. Blood curdling screams echoed out of the room. They all shoved their way in and Joxer was almost knocked off his feet when they stopped and stared in amazement.

There was Tryst.

He was the one screaming.

Bob had hold of Tryst. The *sweet and innocent* looking dog was snarling and biting. Tryst’s arm and leg were bloody where the dog’s two heads were clamped down. His head was bouncing off the wall as Bob shook him like he was a snake. Tryst’s other arm and leg flailed around helplessly as he tried in vain to get away.

Ares yelled for Hephaestus and lunged forward to help hold on to Tryst. Heph flashed in and immediately clamped some of his chains on Tryst.

He was *finally* caught.

They got Bob to let him go.

Eventually.

Ares and Hephaestus flashed out with what was left of their bloody, whimpering prisoner.

^^^^^^

While all of this mayhem was going on, Cupid and Joxer hurried over to Strife. They could see at a glance that Tryst hadn’t been able to hurt him. Tryst hadn’t even been able to get close to the pregnant young man. Bob had saved him.

He was *far* from all right.

Strife’s eyes were huge, his hands were held out in front of him and trembling badly. He was shaking so much that his body was quivering from the tremors. The edges of his loose sleeve fluttered like a frantic butterfly.

The pregnant young god was gasping for air. His pale face was flushed with panic and pinched white around his lips.

Naturally he had seen Tryst change from looking like Zeus to his regular self. The figure of an older, grandfatherly man in the traditional white robes had changed and distorted into the younger, menacing giant wearing his skintight brown leather. Leather that was meant to frighten by showing off his body and all it was capable of.

Strife had realized he was alone with his tormentor. He had seen Bob attack Tryst, smelled the stench of blood and fear filling the room. He had heard the agonizing screams.

Years of fear and torment pulled at his mind. Months of pain and weariness drug on his body. Everything tore at his soul.

Poor Strife’s mind was working overtime. Tryst was here. He was going to hurt him. He was going to hurt the baby. He was the one in pain. The screams were his and he just…

couldn’t

take it

anymore…

Strife started screaming.

Cupid reached out to comfort him. Strife saw Tryst grabbing for him and tried to squirm away. He fell off the bed and onto the floor with a thud. The pain this caused was Tryst beating him.

Ace flashed in and tried to calm the panic-stricken young god down. Unfortunately, Asclepius was wearing a brown leather vest and Strife thought he was Tryst.

Strife scrambled backwards, away from the bed and away from the hands reaching for him. He panicked even more when the soft blankets that had fallen with him, wrapped around his legs like a living entity.

In his desperation, Strife tore the blankets into colorful pieces. His terror overcoming the weakness in his body.

Joxer tried to talk to him. The words twisted around until Strife only heard Tryst spewing filthy language at him. He clamped his hands over his ears in a futile attempt to stop the noise.

Strife kept screaming.

Cupid hovered over Strife, tears pouring down his face as he tried to calm his hysterical husband. Strife felt the salty tears dropping onto his upturned face and they were the sweat of Tryst as he pounded into Strife’s aching body. Strife tried to push himself even farther into the corner.

Strife’s voice was becoming hoarse from the screaming.

Cupid leaned closer. He had to calm Strife down. Strife tried to bat Cupid away and his wing accidentally slid across Strife’s arm. Strife felt something soft touching him. Tryst never did anything soft. Everything was hard and painful with Tryst.

Was that a feather?

cupid?

Silence descended as Strife’s scream abruptly stopped.

“Baby? I’m here, it’s me, Cupid. It’s all right now.” Cupid ran a shaky hand across Strife’s face.

The young god flinched back wildly and hit his head against the marble wall. A small trickle of blood ran along the edge of his hair. Strife whimpered at the additional injury.

“Baby…please.”

Strife was no more immune to Cupid’s pleading than Cupid had been to his. He watched warily as Cupid slowly lowered himself to his knees. When Strife didn’t try to get away, Cupid reached out a shaking hand and gently caressed his husband’s sweat slick face.

Strife leaned into the touch. Encouraged, Cupid picked Strife up and then sat back down again on the bed, with Strife cradled in his embrace like a baby. Strife burrowed his head into Cupid’s chest as he latched both hands onto his harness.

^^^^^^

Joxer watched his friend anxiously. He wasn’t screaming like he was dying now, but he wasn’t exactly calm either. Strife was holding onto Cupid’s harness like his life depended on it and his pale blue eyes were darting around the room in paranoid terror.

Joxer didn’t know what to do. Any time he tried to get closer; Strife began whimpering and tried to burrow deeper into Cupid’s arms. Every time any of them talked, Strife jumped in surprise.

Ace had tried to get close enough to put a sleep spell on the terrified god, but only succeeded in upsetting him more. A sleep spell wasn’t really the best plan for someone who was pregnant, but Strife had to be calmed down soon or he was going to lose the baby.

There had to be something they could do, it wasn’t good for Strife to be this upset. But what to do? Joxer didn’t have any idea.

Then inspiration hit. Joxer slowly lowered himself until he was on eye level with his friend. When Strife finally looked him in the eye, Joxer began to carefully move closer. Strife was looking over Cupid’s shoulder and although he was looking at Joxer, his eyes were glazed and not really seeing much of anything.

Strife reminded Joxer of a colt he had seen once. The poor thing had been injured; a bramble had been wrapped around one of its legs. It was in such pain and so scared that it had taken Joxer several hours to get close enough to help her.

With infinite patience Joxer cautiously laid his hand on Strife’s trembling shoulder. He forced himself to ignore the flinch and kept his hand there until Strife was used to it.

Just like with the colt, Joxer had to gentle Strife before he could help him.

Not moving his hand, Joxer slid behind Strife until he was sitting on the bed behind him. Strife didn’t get hysterical and so Joxer slowly leaned closer until he was laying against the bony back. Joxer was more worried than ever; he could feel Strife’s heart still pounding frantically, through the thin skin of his back.

Joxer carefully and oh so slowly wrapped his arms around Strife’s still trembling frame. His long arms covered his emaciated friend and he still managed to take hold of Cupid’s arms as well. Cupid was shaking almost as badly as Strife was, so this comfort was beneficial to him too.

“They’ve got him. He’s gone. Ares and Hephaestus have him in chains.”

Joxer’s quiet declaration broke the unending cycle of torment going on inside of Strife’s head. He stopped twitching and turned his head slightly to look back at Joxer. His eyes actually focused on Joxer’s and he seemed to be a little more aware of his surroundings.

“he’s in heph’s chains?”

The three gods were encouraged; these were the first words Strife had said in over an hour.

“Yes.”

Joxer continued to rub Strife’s shoulder encouragingly. The husband and best friend sandwiched Strife between them. They could feel his body moving as he panted for breath.

“he’s gone?”

“Yes, he won’t bother you *ever* again.”

“promise?”

Joxer and Cupid’s hearts broke at the shattered desperation in Strife’s voice. He sounded like a small child and like a child he needed reassurance.

“I promise.”

Strife slumped against Cupid and closed his eyes. Cupid rocked him easily. Ace eased up beside the trio and gently laid his hand on Strife’s head. They were happy to note that Strife *didn’t* jerk away this time.

“Sleep.” Ace rubbed one hand across the soft black hair as he spoke. Strife let go of his pain enough to fall asleep.

^^^^^^

The sleep that Strife fell into wasn’t an easy one. The young god moaned and tossed his head in pain. The fall from the bed had rattled his bones and jarred already painful muscles. That coupled with how tense Strife had been had left him hurting badly again.

Cupid was torn. He didn’t know how to help Strife. He wanted to hold him, but he wanted to be punishing Tryst. He wanted this to be over and not have his lover in so much pain!

Strife rolled halfway onto his back and cried out softly.

Cupid waved a hand towards the bathing room. He carefully picked Strife up and started towards the bath. Sheets and blankets that had accidentally been picked up as well, dropped along the way.

“Cupe…what?” His questioning tone wasn’t from fright…well, maybe a little fright. If anybody had a right to be worried it was Strife.

Strife’s blue eyes were dazed and sleepy. With his black hair curling softly around his face he looked so young and so innocent. For just a moment Cupid could see the child he had once been.

“It’s all right baby.” Cupid hastened to reassure his husband, not wanting Strife to have one more second of fear. “I have an idea of how to make you feel better.”

As he snuggled into his husband’s bare chest, Strife closed sleepy eyes and relaxed. It was safe in Cupid’s arms; nothing bad *ever* happened here.

“okay.”

Strife was almost asleep again when Cupid walked them down into the bathing pool. Clothes vanished as he sat them down in the fragrant bubbling water. Cupid turned Strife so that he was leaning back against Cupid’s chest.

The water swirled around the two lovers, doing more than cleaning them. Strife finally, completely relaxed and laid bonelessly over Cupid’s body. The water buoyed up Strife’s tummy, taking some of the strain off his damaged back.

Strife wriggled around happily at the lessened pain and Cupid had to bit his lip at the sensation. His beautiful husband hadn’t intended to arouse Cupid, but sitting on his lap and wriggling did it every time.

Strife sighed contentedly and looked at the night sky through the window. Stars winked in a velvety black sky.

^^^^^^

Screams reverberated through the room. It was a dank, nasty room; filled with truly frightening implements of torture on the walls.

The man in the middle of the room hadn’t the energy or inclination to look at anything but the young woman kneeling between his legs. She waved her hand and he gasped in relief before she rubbed a hand up his naked thigh.

He shuddered in remembered pain. The chains holding him spread eagled to the metal frame rattled. He tensed, waiting for more pain.

“Soooo…” Eris, the Goddess of Discord, sister of Ares, mother of Strife, smiled darkly up at Tryst. “You like carving your little marks all over my baby’s body do you.”

The avenging mother flicked her hair out of her face and grimaced when she felt the dried blood. With another wave of her hand she was cleaned up.

With a seemingly gentle caress she moved Tryst’s now healed penis out of the way and reached for his scrotum. He started gasping and trying to twist out of her grip. Eris tightened her hand and watched her son’s tormentor arch in pain.

With a firm grip, she pulled the delicate tissue as flat as she could. She pulled it *very* far. She’d perfected this part. There had been plenty of time, Eris had been at this for hours already.

“How do *you* like it?”

Her knife drug across the sensitive skin. *Slowly* carving Strife’s name. Over and over again. When she finished, she would do the same with his limp penis. When there was no skin left to write on…she’d heal him and do it all over again.

Tryst screamed and screamed and tried to get away…and couldn’t.

He was completely at her mercy. There was no mercy to be found in this room or anywhere else.

Several gods stood around watching, waiting for their turn. That was going to be Tryst’s punishment. The gods were going to take turns, one day’s worth at a time. Every day there would be a new god who would come in and hurt the disgusting, child abusing, rapist.

Tryst screamed some more.