It had been an interesting week for Eris. As corny as it may sound, one might say she'd experienced a breath of fresh air in what had been a rather dreary existence. Life marches on. People come and go. Some become friends and others enemies while most are left somewhere in the middle. There were times she told herself to try a little harder, put herself out there and be more of an open book. Then she came back to her senses to maintain that quite, sometimes stoic, facade. Every now and then, an unexpected surprise comes along at just the right time. One that would open up her world just a tad bit more than usual.

Could help that all had been quiet on the home front. The contract between her and Zeus was finally being enforced with the help of Hera. So, there's been no snooping, no sneak attacks and no unwelcome guests taking up square footage in her condo. In fact, it had been nice and quiet. Almost too quiet. Eris didn't for one second believe her brethren had finally done something so stupid they'd become extinct. There was no way she could be that lucky. No, more than likely, they were up to something. The air was too still. The calm before the storm. There was a high probability they knew too much. A little birdy may have told another little birdy, who'd run to tell the wolves, that she was seeing someone again.

Only took a few days to find her spider senses were spot on. After heading out for some Chinese food one afternoon, she returned to hear music coming from inside the condo. Rap music. How Eris hated rap. There's one person she knew who was addicted to that incessant noise. After opening the door, those suspicions were proven right. "Ares..brother dear, what a pleasant surprise." Said in the most deadpan way possible while heading for the kitchen.

"Oh, you brought lunch. How very kind of you. I am starving. What are we having?" He was reclining on the couch with his feet on the coffee table while flipping through the channels on the TV. "Who watches this crap" Did you know there's people that eat couch cushions" Nasty humans. Sooooo, how've you been?"

The food was placed on the counter as two bottles of beer were removed from the fridge. He was going to be here awhile. Might as well get comfortable. "You can have the rice." Offering him a bottle just before knocking his feet off the table. "Don't scuff my furniture up, you heathen." Not bothering to comment on unemployment TV shows. "I've been good. Why do you ask?" Opting to lean against the wall instead of joining him on the couch. The bottle top was removed with a quick twist and slight hiss.

"I'm your brother. I care. It's been awhile." Already sipping on his brew. He'd watched her silently for a few, long moments. Trying to gauge what type of mood she was exuding. As normal, the woman was a blank canvas. "You look good. Happy. Dare I say...satisfied" New man in your life?" Meaning 'are you screwing this new guy' For Ares, that was about as subtle as he could get.

That empty canvas bloomed into a sardonic smile. "None of your biz. Why don't you just come out and say it' Zeus knows I'm seeing someone. Not just someone; but, someone who could possibly be an even worse pain in the butt than I am. Should the two of us get together, he might be outmatched. " Reveling in the very idea of being able to take the Big Guy out of commission. "Let's be honest, I hate half the people on Olympus. Maybe more. That being said, I'm not trying to find someone to kick Zeus off his throne. He can stay there until every solar system implodes as far as I'm concerned. The guys a jerk; but, he's a predictable jerk. Why rock that boat' Doesn't change the fact that I deserve a life and intend to have one."

"I'm sure he'd be happy to hear that." Rubbing his scruffy chin. Eris wasn't stupid. He knew that better than anyone. "Alright, so this Sindur, who or what is he" We have no records of a being such as this. Does that not worry you?"

"I doubt he would." Zeus was never happy with anyone who didn't allow the chain to be tightened around their necks. Those dark brown eyes couldn't help but roll at Ares next questions. "Oooh..wow, you guys have really been spying, haven't you? I don't ask for much; but, privacy is huge on my list." Couldn't claim to be surprised. There were eyes everywhere. Still, it was aggravating. So much so, the beer was drained and tossed into the trashcan before another word was spoken. When she did speak, it was calm, cool and collected and cut right to the heart of the matter. "Right now, he's none of your business. None, zero, zilch. Off limits completely. WE'RE off limits. He and I are to be left alone. Period. End of discussion. Be sure to tell everyone on Olympus the same. If heads need to roll to ensure that, I expect you to be on my side."

"I'm always on your side, Eris. You know that. Which is why I'm here and not the mouthy messenger with his microphone mouth. The contract is still in place. But, that's for a human companion. Brenton was gifted; but, he was human..wasn't he? This one doesn't appear to be anything of the sort. Am I right' ..don't answer that." Holding up his hand to keep her silent on the topic. As if she would tell anyway. "Brenton wasdifferent; but, human and you saw how Zeus acted. This guy, whatever he is, won't be treated any better. If this guy is a God of any kind, he'll void the agreement in an instant and put your pretty little, human head on a block. We just need to make sure Zeus doesn't know otherwise." Completely out of character for him, Ares would give his little sister a hug. "We have your back, love..you know that. ..I want to meet him. When you're sure he's a keeper, we'll have dinner. For now, I'm out of your hair." Just like that, he was gone.

She and Sin were suppose to meet up again tonight. This time at her condo. Eris didn't want this night to be about Zeus and his jealous ways. It was to be a evening for them. One she looked forward to. There was no reason to drag out all of the families dirty laundry again. Sin knew. He may know more about her own family than she did. The rest of the afternoon would be spent cleaning, bathing and getting all prettied up. A bottle of wine was chilling in the fridge and food would arrive right before he would. The girl was gifted in many things; but, cooking was not one of them.

It would have been nice to hear the two having that conversation about her. There were days when Eris felt like she was completely out of place in Rhydin. Not just in Rhydin; but, at home on Olympus as well. She was created to be different. Kind of catch all for the talents and abilities Zeus was in need of; but, hadn't assigned to anyone. He needed that one weapon who walked the fine line between good and evil. Since everyone else had their own specialty, Aphrodite was love. Athena was little miss know it all. Top that with Artemis, the prude and Ares, the purveyor of blood who owns the battlefield, along with all the others deities brought about by the big guy upstairs hand, head, loins..wherever they sprouted from. They all are known for their one special gift from Daddy dearest. By the end of the creation cycle, Eris earned all the scraps. If Zeus had realized just how dangerous the toxic mix would be, he might have doled them out a bit more carefully.

History tells of her two sides. One evil and dark, drawing men to lust, crave and kill for what they want. The other a tad softer, pushing them to better themselves from a sheer determination to rise above the downtrodden road and build a better life. But, she can not make a murderer turn into a saint or a holy man become a sinner with just her influence alone. It is what lays in a man's heart and soul which determines how they will respond to her call. Jealousy is jealousy and love is love. Magnify it times ten when Chaos is at full strength and things can get a bit dicey.

She'd been eagerly waiting for Sin's arrival all afternoon. Which was enough time to take a nice, hot bubble bath, change dresses five times, redo her hair three times, decide not to wear a dress..putting on jeans instead, then opting for a red tank top and black shorts. Casual, says she's not trying too hard; but, wants to at least get his seal of approval. Even ordered pizza to be delivered later. The robot butler was suppose to clean the white marble floors in the living room. However, Jeeves had a wee bit of a wiring issue and still stood by the oversize windows spinning in circles squawking about a possible, impending malfunction.

"Dude, I think you're already broken." She'd tried pushing all the buttons on the robots remote control only to accomplish nothing but leaving tire marks in a circle patter on the floor. "So much for cleaning." muttering to herself while getting a hammer from under the sink. "Alright, you little hunk of junk metal. Just know that I'm very sorry for what I'm about to do and I'll call in to get you all fixed up on Monday."

It was as if the butler actually understood what she'd told him because the remark was followed by the sound of a strangled train whistle. "Yeah, that's not normal." Since there was no way to stop him from spinning, she'd go at it like a game of whack-a-mole. Only this one wouldn't have any candy center. With the right aim, the hammer would smash into the power source. It took around ten hits to finally damage it enough for the butler to cease operation. "Sorry man. Had to be done." Giving his little, shiny head a few gentle rubs just before shoving him into the hall closet.

By now, Sindur would be arriving at any moment. There was still the burn marks from those robot's death spiral on her floor. It was covered by moving one of the chairs into a strategic position by the window. Pretty much covered up all of the evidence. When the doorbell rang, Eris ran to the door, not bothering to check the peep hole, opened it up aaaaaaan..a pizza box came through. "Yeah, yeah, yeah..hold on." Snatching the delivery guys payment and tip off the side table by the door. "Here you go, thank you very, very, very much." Pizza was good; but, not what she'd been looking for.

During the time it had taken her to walk to the kitchen and drop off their not so romantic meal, the door bell ran again. While her heart may have jumped just a touch, this time, she tempered all that excitement until after the door revealed who was on the other side. "Hey, good to see you, Sin. Come in." Coming across all calm, cool and collected. At least until the door closed behind him where she'd impulsively throw both arms around his neck, tugging Sin down to her level, giving a brazen little glance, before pulling him close for long, deep kiss followed by a breathless.."I've missed you."

For two nights now, Eris had been plagued by horrible dreams. What was most vexing about them is the fact that she'd rarely dreamed before. In these, it wasn't about walking out in public naked, as if that were bother her much anyway, or having some saliva dripping, fanged monster try to bite her head off. What kept her tossing and turning in sheet twisting pain were vivid memories mixed with premonitions of doom. Every bad deed she'd ever laid a hand in, every vile death, every broken dream which led to tragedy over all of these centuries was laid out to unfold again and again.

Even worse, seeing those she loved die again and again and again. Some drown, others trampled to death or slaughtered in battle. She'd mourned for Achilles long ago. A man who was suppose to be protected and was practically a god himself. To be cut down be the tiniest portion of a heel by one so miserably weak.

Those dreams continued to grow darker. Taking on a more intimate, personal note. Eris stood in front of a pyre where a man was bound as more wood was placed at his feet. In an instant, Eris recognized the face. She knew what was about to happen. "Brenton..say yes..walk away!" But, just as before, he said no..he'd die for for freedom. The torch was dropped, the flamed licked high into the air as flesh burned. But, he'd lived..hadn't he" Ares was suppose to save him!

"You reap what you sow, Eris. Everyone you love will die..everyone."

The scene flashed forward to Sindur standing on the beach as if waiting for someone. Was he waiting for her" She'd not seen nor heard from him in days.

Heavy breathing announced the arrival of another. His foot falls shook the very earth beneath him as Typhon came upon Sin with deadly intent. "Don't fight him, Sin! Just go..go!" But the creature was upon him in mere seconds, using the heads of a hundred snakes growing from his fingers to strike blow after deadly poisonous blow in quick succession until Sindur's body was a bloody, ripped apart mess. "Nooooooooo!" Her voice fading as the scene faded to black. Was he dead or alive" ..Was this real or just a trick of the mind" Who was the mysterious voice?

Eris awoke as morning crept in, covered in sweat and feeling nauseous. She'd stand in the center of the room yelling at the top of her lungs. "Sindur! ...Sindur!" Though she'd not seen him in days, he said he would come if she called. He told her so! For now, only silence filled the room along with the frantic beating of her heart.

Maybe everyone on Olympus was right, it was time to end this game..to return to Olympus.