"This is the Deviant you fought in London?"

"It's different. There must be more out there than we thought."

"Is this a Deviant, sir?" Karun asked and Kingo and I nodded. "It's a beautiful creature."

"It's beautiful until it tried to bite your head off and you see a Vena clinging to its tail for dear life drenched in Deviant blood." Kingo scoffed.

"It's also the main reason Druig fell in love with me." I pointed out. "But I did look good doing it. My ass looks fantastic in that suit!"

"Keep telling yourself that, Vena!" Ikaris called out.

"Keep pressing my buttons and it's fire to the ass... again." I smirked holding a ball of fire and watched him scurry away. "I win again."

"You are about to meet 2 of the greatest warriors, the world has ever known. Parents of Vena, Druig and Makkari! Thena, legendary, deadly, fashionable. And her trustee friend... Might powerhouse of strength. The fearsome Gilgasmesh!" Kingo exclaimed but the door remained closed. "Gilgamesh!"

"Dad! Open up! It's Aphrodite!" I yelled banging on the door and he finally opened. "Nice apron. Makkari sent it?"

"What took you so long?" He asked and pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm glad to see you're okay, little one. Heard from Ares?"

"He's fine. School collapsed but that's pretty much it." I whispered and he nodded pulling away.

"And Karri?"

"Trying to locate her as we speak."

"Sprite, you're looking younger. And Vena... nice heels."

"Thanks! You washed our clothes, right?" I asked and he nodded.

"Same place as always. Why?"

"I need my boots. There's no way I'm going to the Amazons with five inch heels! That's just crazy. I'll be tripping over vines and branches every five seconds!"

"I have that same apron!" Karun exclaimed.

"Who the hell are you?"

"I'm Karun, Kingo's valet."

"Valet? Like Alfred in Batman!" Gilgamesh smiled and held a spoon to my face. "Taste. I'm making your favorite."

"More paprika and basil, less whatever the hell you put in there." I said growing some basil leaves in the palm of my hand and handed it to him.

"Gilgamesh, the Deviants are back." Ikaris butted.

"No shit. I could've used some help." He scoffed.

"We were attacked by a Deviant in London too." Sprite said.

"Even Ikaris couldn't kill it." Sersi added.

"You couldn't?" Gilgamesh and I asked in unison.

"I was distracted."

"Sersi." I coughed and Gilgamesh laughed. "Sorry, it's my allergies."

"Vena, you're an Eternal. We don't get allergies." Kingo whispered and I nodded. "Oh, I see! Very bad allergies indeed!"

"You guys wanna try my pie? It's Karri's favorite." Gilgamesh smiled and Ikaris sent me a nod.

"Why me? He's happy! You do it." I mouthed and Ikaris raised his eyebrows. "Asshole."

"So no pie?"

"Dad? Ajak's dead." I said placing a hand on his shoulder. "A Deviant killed her... Absorbed her powers too."

"It's true, buddy. We lost her." Sprite frowned and I guided Gilgamesh to the nearest chair.

"When?" Gilgamesh asked just above a whisper.

"A few days ago, I think. We need you, Dad. You and mom." I sighed crouching down in front of him. "Can we see her?"

"Yeah, she'd feel a lot calmer with you around."

...

"The attack triggered her. She's no fun to be around."

"I can handle it." I whispered and took a step towards Thena. "Momma? It's me... it's Vena."

Thena spun around conjuring a weapon but I blocked it just in time with a wall of stone.

"Everyone in Centura-6 is going to die. It's too late, we can't save them."

"Mom, this is Earth. Not Centura-6." I said jumping out of the way when she swung a spear. "Ma'!"

"Thena, we came to Earth together on our ship. You are an Eternal! The greatest warrior of Olympia... The legendary protector of Athens, the goddess of war. Remember who you are." Sprite said casting an illusion around us and Thena slowly dismissed her weapons.

Gilgamesh gestured for me to step aside and held Thena's hand and her eyes changed back to normal.

"Vena? W-where's-"

"Ares is safe, I texted him this morning. Makkari, I have absolutely no idea. You know she hates having a phone." I said and hugged her.

"Hey, who's your gardener!?"

"Kingo!"

...

"Vena, could you text Ares and tell him that we'll be there tomorrow?"

"Sure." I said pulling out my phone.

🌙My Adonis🖤

we're coming tomorrow

we?

long story
mom and dad are coming

vena, I absolutely adore you
but I feel like you're keeping something from me

Can't explain over the phone
Just promise me something

Yes?

Please try to behave

I always behave!

no you don't

you're right
i promise i will try to bite my tongue
better?

knowing you
that's as good as it's gonna get so i'll take it

"I am big baby, very mature!"

"Who's a baby?" I asked looking up and spat out my mead once I saw Gilgamesh. "Why isn't Karri here to see this!?"

"Thanks, Vena. Now I have spit all over me." Ikaris grumbled wiping down his shirt.

"That's probably the most action you got in years. You're welcome." I smirked raising my glass.

"Speaking of Odin, Thor used to
follow me around when he was a little kid. Now he is a famous Avenger
and won't return my calls." Kingo sighed.

"So now that Captain Rogers and Iron man are both gone...Who do you think is going to lead the Avengers?" Sprite asked.

"I could lead them." Ikaris shrugged and there was a moment of silence before we all started laughing. "I could!"

"Ikaris, you couldn't lead a horse to water. Besides, I saw that the Falcon took the shield. Sorry Ikaris, you could never be worthy." I smirked and he flipped me off. "Ajak didn't even choose you to lead us! She chose Sersi!"

"You used to babysit Cap right, Vena?" Sersi butted and I nodded.

"And the Winter Soldier too! They were real nice kids. It's a shame what happened to Bucky... He has a lot of heart. I kinda want to see him again, especially now that Steve's gone." I shrugged and Kingo furrowed his eyebrows. "See, Kingo? I met Steve Rogers without the serum. You saw Thor in diapers trying to lug Mjolnir one time!"

"Where you going?" Ikaris asked Sersi once she stood up.

"Going to get some air."

...

"So you are saying we
are basically fancy robots. And our past memories are stored somewhere... In space?"

"And Arishem made the Deviants."

"I am sorry Thena. You tried to warn us." Gilgamesh apologized but we both stayed quiet.

"This... This just can't be. Ajak wouldn't keep something so important from us. She wouldn't." I spoke after a while and Thena held my hand. I turned to Ikaris with a stone cold glare and he flinched. "And you knew about this?"

"Why? Just why would I know about this Vena!?"

"Oh, I don't know. You're her favorite child and the bloody perfect soldier! The rest of us could've died, but Arishem forbid something happened to perfect Ikaris!" I spat standing up and we both stared each other down with glowing eyes. "The perfect soldier, right? Arishem's perfect tool."

"That's what we all are, Vena! Yourself included. Stop trying to be a saint!" He yelled and I shook my head.

"I never tried to be a perfect soldier... And I'm nobody's pawn, Ikaris. Not anymore." I stated and walked away from the table. "Wake me up when we leave for the Amazons so I can give the coordinates. I'm done with this conversation right now."

Ikaris shot a laser at the wall beside me causing Thena to stand up and press a spear by his throat. I turned around as my eyes glowed brighter and I dragged Ikaris in front of me.

"That's strike two. Strike three, I'll clip your wings. Consider yourself warned, Icarus."

MEMES: