The Lost Goddess

Part 9

Dez lay against the stone floor, her blood everywhere. Her last conscious thoughts were on Psyche and Callisto's laughter. As they left a silver glow surrounded her body as it rose from her it became two swirling orbs. The orbs danced around her before vanishing and reappearing on Olympus.

The gods jumped at their arrival. Acelpious was tending to Bliss' injuries. The pair of orbs seemed to hover and think before splitting up. One to Bliss the other to Cupid.

"What in Tarturus?" Ares murmured as the one closets to Bliss began to glow brighter. So much so that it enveloped his body. When it faded Bliss's injuries were healed and next to him stood a little boy who looked very much like Dez only with blond hair.

"Will you come with us?" The boy asked looking at him. In his heart Bliss knew the boy was his son, he agreed, "Yes."

"Are you sure it's a good idea?" Hera asked.

"No, but I trust my own son." In the next moment Bliss, the boy, Cupid and the other Orb were gone in a shower of silver.

///

Once back in the cavern the boy returned to his orb form. Bliss and Cupid watched as the orbs' glow faded and brightened and then led the way down the tunnel. As they walked they took in their surroundings. Cupid looked at the walls and said, "This was Bacchus' Temple."

"What?" Bliss looked at the carvings. It was true this was the only Temple of Debauchery. Before either could say anymore Dez's screams filled the cavern. Both Gods rushed towards the sound, the orbs whizzing past them. They found Callisto carving into Dez's flesh with a rusty dagger. Seeing their mother's plight the orbs rushed to her and entered her body. As they did so they surrounded her in their glow.

"What the Fuck!!!" Callisto screeched as she whirled around. Her shock barely had time to register before they both blasted her.

Cupid stalked towards her dagger in hand while bliss went to Dez's aid. He freed her from her bounds and caught her in his arms as she collapsed.

"Baby?" She croaked out softly
"Yeah it's me." He kissed her gently, ignoring the screams coming from Callisto. Her could hear the sick crunch of bones.

"NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Psyche yelled upon seeing her ex husband mutilating her lover. She turned her eyes on Dez. "You !!This is all your fault!"

An enormous fireball formed in her hand and she launched it at them. Bliss would have been seriously injured and Dez possibly killed had Cupid not moved to shield his children. Even in his current state he had the mind to protect what was his.They both waited for them smell of burning flesh and feathers, but it didn't come. The fireball had stopped mere inches from his body.

"The sacrifice has been made." The first voice said.

"Even through Hate Love is restored." The Second said.

"Order and Balance are restored." The Third said.

Bliss and Dez watched as the ball of energy dissipated. A glow wrapped around Cupid's body. When it faded he was his old, sane self. The God of Love was home.

"Daddy." Dez said before she slipped out of consciousness. Both Cupid and Bliss shared worried looks as they transported themselves home. Psyche and Callisto were bound and sent to the dungeon.

"Apollo!" Hera called and motion for Bliss to bring Dez into her room. Apollo and Ace followed them in. Outside there was a tearful reunion of father and son and lover to lover. While Joxer and Ares were hugging Aphrodite flashed in and wrapped her son in her arms.

"Oh Cupid, I'm so glad you're back."

"Me too son." Ares added. His arms full of Joxer. The happy moment was overshadowed by worry for Dez. And the children. Hours later all came out except for Bliss.

"Desire will live. She needs rest and time for her wings to reattach and heal." Apollo said as he and his on flashed out.

"And the children?" Cupid asked.

"Fine and healthy. They weren't affected at all by this." Hera answered. "Why don't you all go home and rest. Bliss and Dez were already transported home." The all nodded and left. Cupid looked around his home. It seemed so quite now without Strife. He went into Bliss's room and found him watching over Dez. She lay on her stomach allowing her wings room to heal.

"She looks so peaceful while she sleeps." Bliss said, brushing hair out of her face.

"Yeah. Looks just like strife." Cupid couldn't hide the sadness in his voice.

"Are you gonna be okay?" Bliss asked looking at his father.

"Maybe. I just miss him so much." Cupid answered honestly. Even when he was the God of Hate he was aware of what happened around him.

"Yeah well I missed ya to ya big dope!" Two sets of eyes went to the corner of the room as the God of Mischief and Mayhem walked into view.

"Strife? Is that really you?" Cupid didn't think he could handle it if it wasn't,

"Yeah it's me." Strife walked into his lover's embrace and kissed him.

"But how? You were dead." Cupid asked as he framed Strife's face.

"When you were willing to sacrifice yourself for our children my life was restored." Cupid and he laughed softly. Bliss walked over and joined in the group hug as well.

A raspy voice called out. "You know a girl can't get her beauty sleep with all you idiots around."

"DEZ!!!!" they turned to see her sitting up in bed. Her eyes were bloodshot, but she was smiling.

"That's my girl." Strife said. He pushed Bliss over towards her.

Bliss took her hand and kissed it. "I love you Dez. I thought I would never see you again."

"Don't worry. I would have gotten back to you. We would have gotten back to you." She took his hand and laid it over their children.

Bliss sighed and looked at her. "Marry me?" He asked. Bliss didn't have to wait long for an answer. Dez practically threw herself into his arms. Both Cupid and strife left to get reacquainted with each other.

///4 months later///

All of Olympus was gathered again. This time to celebrate Dez and Bliss' wedding. Everyone was glad things were back to normal. Dez stood with Strife on her left side. Both were dressed in the colors of the House of War. Just as Bliss and Cupid stood dressed in the colors of the House of Love. She smiled at him and he smiled back. Dez was practically glowing.

"Who gives Dez, Goddess of Debauchery, daughter of Strife and Cupid?" Hera asked.

"I do." Strife answered.

"Who gives Bliss, God of Emotions, son of Cupid?"

"I do." Cupid replied.

Turning to Dez Hera asked, "Do you Desire swear on the River Styx and your godhood to be faithful to Bliss and to stand by him?"

"I do." Dez answered.

To Bliss she said, "Do you Bliss swear on the River Styx and your godhood to be faithful to Desire and to stand by her?"

"I do." He answered.

A silver and gold cord appeared in her hands and she looped it around their wrists." All of Olympus give witness to this bond and marriage. Let none break it." Bliss then pulled Dez into his arms as everyone applauded the pair. Rode petals filled the air. All those in attendance enjoyed the food and wine and festivities. Dez and Joxer who was four months pregnant stood talking and snaking while Cupid, strife bliss and Ares listened in.

"Bliss is such a baby. I had one little mood swing and he took off to help Grandma 'Dite for a week!" Dez said munching on a celery stalk.

"Ares is much worse. I swear he said he had some trouble in the Middle East to take care of. Ha! He acts like I don't watch TV." Joxer commented.

"I think those two are going to be trouble." Cupid said. The others all gave him the "No shit Sherlock," look. He was right though. It was going be a long year and it could only get worse for them.