Sitting in Raya's living room, Olivia snoozed happily in my lap completely oblivious to the chaos around her. Penny sat cross-legged on the chair opposite me, waving her glass of champagne in front of her as naturally, I did a sword. Raya listened to her story with more interest than I could muster, having her hair braided by Kara.

"So we're at dinner and then from across the room, we hear this girl screaming. Of course, we jump, the whole restaurant does, but he goes into caveman mode, getting in front of me, ready to defend my honour which makes me love him so much more, and then we realise it's a happy scream. The old, engagement ring hidden in desert trick!" Penny giggles, making Raya swoon.

I roll my eyes.

"How beautiful!" Raya gushes. "She said yes then?"

"Of course." Penny grins. "Then our dessert arrives."

"Wait!" Raya lunges for Penny's hand, her disappointment as clear as Pennys as they stare at nothing but perfectly manicured fingernails.

"I know, no such luck for me. But, I mean, we're good. I don't need a ring. Yet. It's only been a year." Penny instantly defends.

"Exactly." Raya agrees.

"Why not ask him if that's what you want?" Kara adds, earning a death glare from the pair. "Or not."

"It'll happen when it's supposed to." I chime in.

"What about you Elle?" Penny asks, taking one of the chocolate-covered strawberries she had brought along.

"What about me?"

"Have you been with anyone since-"

"Not that it's anyone's business, but no. Let it go." I warn.

"What about Eric? I saw you go into his room a couple of weeks back. He's not unattractive by anyone's standards." Kara smirked, knowing she is only feeding me to the sharks.

"You didn't!" Penny gasps.

"I didn't!"

"What about Colton's friend, Michael isn't it?" Raya wonders, sipping her drink. "He seems lovely."

"Oh, he is!" Penny agrees too enthusiastically. "But she has been dating gods. Poor Michael. He's just, he wouldn't be Elise's type. Elise would destroy him, build him back up and then do it all again."

"Maybe he'd like that. Who knows what he's into?" Raya muses, winking at me. "Kinky!"

"Wait, gods? There was more than one?" Kara asks. "How do I not know about this?"

"Well you know Apollo, obviously, but she never did tell us about the other one. What's his name again? Cain." Penny explains, and all eyes turn to me.

"You lot are the worst. Nothing ever happened between us, idiots." I roll my eyes. "Michael is nice, but you're right. Not my type."

I smooth back Olivia's hair where it had fallen over her face and she wriggles closer to my hip, her arm gripping and then releasing my leg.

"If Apollo comes back, what then? Will you two try again?" Raya asks gently.

"Third time's the charm," Penny says a little too eagerly.

"I don't know, it depends, on, well, I don't know." I sigh. "I'm not sure we ever could to be honest if I'd even want to. Contrary to your beliefs, I am fine being single. Pick on Kara!"

"While it is true and I do not have a partner too, unlike you I do not keep myself chaste. Men have a purpose, one perhaps you have forgotten?" She teased.

"Great, even you are on their side. I need new friends." I huff, ignoring them as I pay attention to the TV for the first time that night.

Penny had brought along the whole Sex and The City boxset, which played silently in front of us. Feeling like a singled out Charlotte, I pointed at Olivia as Raya glanced my way and she gave a little nod so scooping her up, I managed to get her into her bedroom and into bed, still asleep. I stayed there longer than necessary as they planned Penny's wedding, enjoying the quiet and peace Olivia gave me.

"Sweet dreams angel." I pulled her blanket up and gave her the lightest of kisses on her cheek before returning.

"What is your secret? She just does whatever you want!" Raya pouts as I return. "It takes me an hour if not longer some nights to get her down."

"I'll never tell." I smile, taking a spot on the chair beside Kara.

"I hope you get that Penny when Keiran and I got married-" Raya picked up their conversation as she refilled their glasses, but it was then something changed.

My skin tingled; I felt hot yet cold, and my throat tightened while my mouth became wet as though I was preparing to throw up. My champagne flute fell out of my hand and standing up, the room began to tilt.

"Elise, what's wrong?" Kara's voice echoed as though she was calling from the other side of the house. "Elissssse?"

I looked at her, blinking to try and clear the blur I saw instead yet she wasn't there anymore as her figure morphed into one giant snake, before returning to normal.

"Alfie." I wasn't sure if I said it or thought about it, but I was by the river in the seconds and this time I was screaming his name. "Alfie!"

I could feel him close by, but had no idea where he was.

"Alfie, I'm here!" I yelled into the night. "Alfie, come!"

I felt the pull to him as though his tail was heavy around my waist. The weight of him made it hard to move and forcing my legs forward, I fought through the invisible barrier to the river's edge. Coldwater pulled at my legs, my feet sliding into the muddy bottom as I frantically searched for him.

"Alfie!"

It was impossible not to panic. Something was happening and I couldn't find him. I moved downstream, feeling it was the wrong way and went back. Sticks and stones cut at my legs and feet, while my legs fought the cold and numbness that came with it. I had to see him, I needed to see him.

"Alfie, please! I am your master. Come!" I ordered desperately.

I screamed for him until my voice went hoarse and the current only seemed to grow stronger the longer I stayed in the water. I lost my balance and went under, and then it happened again. Coughing up the water I clung to the bank and feeling useless, had to use my powers to get out. Breathless on the sides, I kept saying his name like a chant and had no idea what to do. He was here, I could feel his presence everywhere, but then why didn't he come?

"Brown bubble water, Alfie. All of it. Please, Alfie!"

The air got colder and my teeth chattered so hard I couldn't make it stop. My heart was pounding in my ears, as all of me began to shake. I forced myself up, I had to keep going. Each step felt impossible and going close to the edge, I nearly fell back in.

"Alfie, it's Elise!" I sobbed. "Where are you, buddy?"

On cue, the clouds parted and in the white light of the half-moon, I saw him, only it wasn't him. A skeleton-like shadow loomed ahead and energy I didn't have a second ago appeared as I moved quickly towards it. The shell of a snake was spread out before me, stopping at the water's edge. It was as long as Alfie, a complete mould of my demon, but it wasn't him.

"What the-" I was scared to touch it and as my fingers brushed over the paper-thin structure, I froze and not because of the cold. "Skin. He shed his skin."

I looked around, there was still no sign of my snake, just the remnants of what had been. A light breeze blew making it tremble and going towards the water again, I expected to see him. He wasn't there.

"Alfie, are you alright? It's Elise. Your Elise. Please, Alfie!" I gathered the snakeskin in my hands and held it tight, the limp head dropping by my feet.

Snakes shed their skin. They do it when they grow, and often enough. Alfie had never shed his skin before and he was three years old. It made sense, in that it had to happen at some point. I just presumed that because he wasn't a snake of this world, it wouldn't be something he did. Despite knowing this, it didn't make me feel any better.

"Alfie!" My voice cut out as I tried to call again.

A sob I tried to hold back built up in my chest and the gasping sound that left me was followed by my tears. Dropping down, I held onto his skin, begging, praying, willing for him to appear. For a sign, just anything to let me know he was alright.

"Please, Alf." I fell onto my knees; the shaking back as I couldn't stop myself from crying. "P-p-please. All, alf, alfie!"

It's not Alfie that answers me, as the pale form appears and lifts me. Her touch is warm and gentle, and my shakes instantly ease.

"Oh you silly, silly girl!" Portia scolds.

I'm dry and in new clothes, Alfie's skin pushed to one side as she pulls me into a hug.

"He's okay? Tell me, he's fine!" I beg, scared of what it may mean if that's not the news she gives me.

"Of course he is!" She coo's, patting my hair as she keeps hold of me. "This is merely a metamorphosis of sorts. Your Alfie suffered great trauma, deeper than we could ever imagine. He is healing. Fear not, he will return, regenerated and new."

Relief made me dizzy.

"Where is he?" I ask as we part.

"Within the ground. Safe and secure. You, well, I am glad I got here in time!"

"Me?"

"I forgot how reckless you can be, and single-minded." Portia shakes her head. "Long story short, you would have returned to the water and it would have taken you under. You would have been retrieved too late. Your thread trembled in my hands. Thankfully, it didn't begin to weaken."

"What?" I guess I wasn't as immortal as I thought.

"Not from the drowning Elise. From what is next." She disappeared, and spinning around, nothing but the night surrounded me. "That isn't helpful!"

Silence answered me.

It was then Ailin appeared and with her was Kara, Megan and Penny. They rushed around me as though I was their lost favourite toy and seeing the snakeskin, Penny screamed.

"What is that?" She asked.

"Alfie, he ah, shed his skin. I had to come and check on him." I sound fine, like a second ago I hadn't been nearly freezing to death and an absolute wreck.

"You scared us." Kara sighed, glancing at Ailin who nodded.

"That was all, Hunter?" The President asked cautiously.

"Yes." It was, wasn't it?

Ailin disappeared and the three of us remained. Penny just stared at Alfie's skin with a look of disgust while Kara gave me the once over. She was in her battle gear, sword at her side, breastplate and all.

"Bet you feel overdressed." I tease.

"I had a feeling it would be required and-" She stopped as it began to rain only no rain had felt like this before and we all put our hand out. "Blood."

"What the hell?" Penny rubbed at her arms as if that would get rid of it, leaving red smears instead.

I looked up as more fell, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The blood continued to fall out of thin air. We all stopped before Kara raised her sword and mine appeared. Penny pulled a gun for each hand, and we moved so we were all back to back. The ground began to vibrate, and we held steady, unsure what or who was coming.

"Elise, bring my girls," Kara whispered.

I focused on the first few faces that appeared and as six of the Valkyrie appeared, I ensured they were dressed like Kara.

"What is happening?" Megan asked, sliding into our formation without another word.

"I pray this is not what I fear, we can not run nor can we hide," Kara growled.

"Blood?" Another of the Valkyrie asked, touching her cheek.

"Surely it is not-" Megan gasped.

"For the ones not of your world?" I ask.

"Enyo." Kara spat.

"I'm guessing we're not talking cleaning products?"

"Ah, guys?" Penny took a hesitant step back into our circle. "Who is that?"

I turned to look and the figure ahead of us didn't look so bad. I wasn't expecting something really monster-like, possibly with horns and big teeth. This woman could have easily been one of us, her attire similar to the Valkyrie.

"Do not engage, Elise," Megan warned, the blood rain stopping. "Your powers are to be the last option."

"Why?" Penny and I ask at the same time.

"She is a Power too. If she knows what you can do at first contact, she will use that to her advantage. She is one fucked-up bitch, who loves war, blood and causing both." Nessa whispered. "She doesn't play fair. Brains, not strength or ability will win this."

"God Killer!" Came the croaky command. "Show yourself."

"This is not your world, Enyo!" Kara answered. "Leave now and we shall show you one mercy."

In a blink, Enyo stood before Kara, seven swords pointed her way. Red lines painted her face as a mass of black dreadlocks hung over her shoulders and down her back. She smiled, the white of her teeth darkened as if they were stained, pointy and damaged with a stale, rotting breath.

"I thought you were banished to the depths of the underworld, mistress of Odin. How fortunate for me that is not the case." A black tongue flicked out to run across her jagged teeth, and as she leaned in close, Kara didn't flinch as Enyo licked the blood of her cheek. "Mmm. I am sure the God Killer will taste sweeter than you ever did. Your blood is spoiled."

Beside me Penny's breathing was fast and shallow, her eyes wide in fear as she watched. The chatter from earlier, her perfect princess style wedding plans, how in love she was, how happy, flicked through my mind. I was proud of my friend, she had come so far, but to fight a Power, like this, was too much of a risk.

"Let us see how black yours has become since we last met." Kara quipped back, her movements fast and efficient in a way I had never seen her move before.

Enyo's cheek parted as she reeled back with a roar before a cackling laugh took over.

"Have you been practising, whore!" Enyo spat at Kara and this time as my friend went to strike, the other power was ready.

"What do we do?" I asked Megan.

"Kill her, if we can." She shrugged and then charged forward with the group that all moved as if they had rehearsed it a million times.

"Elise, I-" Penny didn't move.

"I know Penny and it's okay." Any other time, six Valkyrie to one did not seem fair only already it was obvious, I hadn't brought enough along. "Run, go, you know where my parents' house is from here."

"I'll get back up?" She offered.

I looked back to the others. If we couldn't stop her, what hope did they have?

"Sure." And as she started to run, so did I only in the opposite direction hoping to put as much distance as possible between Enyo and my family.

As expected the Power chased.

"Weak, little God Killer. You can not hide from me." Enyo called, catching up. "Though it is amusing that you shall try."

Timing her footsteps, I took a chance and ducked just as I suspected she'd attack. The woosh of her sword flew above my head and spinning around, I struck out and hit her thigh. My Valkyries were close behind, splitting up as they prepared their next attack.

"What are you meant to be, the goddess of decay, bad hygiene? Can't say this world have you down in my history books, guess you're just not worth remembering."

"I will be forever known as the slayer of the God Killer. I will drop your head at my Queen's feet, your death shall be in her honour and for it they will worship me through all the realms."

We moved fast and with brutal intent.

"When that doesn't happen, I'll be sure to pass your intent on to your Queen when I destroy her." Possibly the wrong thing to say as her attack intensified. I could barely keep up, so I did the most logical thing and kept talking. "You see, it didn't really work out too great for the last person to kill me in honour of another. Maybe you two can get together in whatever hell you end up in and swap notes on where you went wrong?"

"I will not fail. I will be the one to defeat the God Killer!" She growled, her attack paying off as she sliced my bicep, up towards my collarbone. It hurt, bad.

"Is there a book with this, a class you all take. It sounds fucking repetitive!" I push on, thankful she hadn't used gold on her blade. "Oh I'm the Prophet, I'm going to defeat the God Killer. Look at me, I'm a big bad Warlock that thinks I can take this bitch on. Me Zeus, me strong and will kill the God Killer. Got anything to say that I haven't heard before?"

Out of nowhere, Megan blocks Enyo's next attack. Three on one gives me a tiny reprieve, but it's enough and then Kara is with me as one by one the Valkyrie fall and don't get back up.

"Stamina is one of her gifts. We will not be able to wear her down this way." Kara tells me.

"Can I use my powers now then?" I ask, breathlessly.

"I don't think we have any other choice."

Instantly I feel renewed. The air changes as I feel as though I'm breathing it all in. Electricity runs through my veins as I let the power inside come to life. I don't hold back for my first blow, sending two blasts of light and energy at her she barely blocks the first and the second see's her flying.

"Time to play?" Enyo spits blood to her left and a red current of power is sent my way that I block easily. "I thought you'd never ask."

Magic fights magic. Our powers taking place of skill and stamina, there is no place for swords or words. We dig deep, we hit hard, we fall harder and our bodies take hit after hit as we try again and again. I can't imagine how it would look to those around us. With glowing fists, we strike, and again, her stamina proves to be her true power as I start to defend more than attack. I can't tell where the Valkyries are, if they are still even here or if the backup had arrived.

The wood of the tree I slam into pinches and scratches my back, through my clothes and whatever defence I can create. I don't know if I can win this. I can't even get a clear enough thought with all the cries for attention from my body as it throbs with pain - everywhere. Brains will win, not strength. My brain was looking for the emergency exit as she came at me again.

My head slammed to the side, unable to stop it, I fell into the dirt. I dug my fingers in, the damp earth offering a second of relief as I begged it to help me. To do something. Anything. Closing my eyes, I wasn't sure if I'd get them open again. Like Hades taught me, I kept digging, literally and subconsciously, seeking whatever magic, power, life, I could from around me.

Then my back was again digging into splinters as her hand tightened around my throat and holding me up, her foul breath hit me in the face in even puffs as she dared to laugh. I opened my eyes as her hand came up to my cheek.

"She will appreciate seeing the mark you left her with on your pretty, dead, face," Enyo growled, a claw-like nail digging into my flesh as she scratched me once. Twice.

"The Prophet." I coughed, fighting to get a decent breath into my body.

"No, foolish human. The Queen." Her hand tightened, and I managed to grab her arm, struggling to kick and fight her off as my back felt as though it was being shredded with each movement.

I stopped fighting, my hands clamped onto her arm as I closed my eyes. I reached out, weakly pushing her face, her neck and as she laughed, high on her upcoming victory, Apollo's dagger appeared in one hand as this time, I wasn't fumbling and the scrap of energy I'd been saving flared up giving me the ability to stab it into her neck.

Enyo let me go, and I pushed against the tree to fall against her as she stumbled back. I grabbed onto the dagger with all I had and pushed it deeper and down. Her blood covered my face, a mirror of her own war paint and standing over her twitching, gasping body, I leaned down as I smeared it across my cheeks.

"I guess they will not know your name across all realms as the one who defeated the God Killer. They will never know your name, it will not be talked of, whispered or said in fear. It will just be forgotten." Her eyes narrowed as her mouth opened and closed, yet nothing was said as she went still.

"Elise?" Kara called from somewhere and unable to answer her, I fell to my side, and stayed there.

Portia told me I wouldn't die tonight. She made sure of it, in her own, subtle way.

Thankfully, Enyo didn't have fate on her side.

_________________

Poor Enyo. Never really stood a chance, did she?