Gateways: COE THE ALMIGHTY, page 16
“Coe your father just wanted you to be happy,” Herana said. “We thought you were Unevolved and figured you could be happy with your own people.”
“I am happy so he got his wish,” Coe said. “Leaving you made me happy. Now my happiness is being ruined.”
“You are angry because I didn't approve of your girlfriend,” Bruce said. “She was beneath you. You were disrespecting the family name.”
“My name is Future, not Turé,” Coe said. “I have my own family name, I don't need yours. Now why are you all here? I have made it painfully obvious that I don't want a reconciliation or anything to do with you. I am doing my own thing and I am having a blast doing it.”
“Your little island?” Bruce laughed.
“I have far more than that,” Coe said. “How is Athena?”
Coe didn't see the punch coming as one moment he was standing still and the next he was flying backwards. Coe was dazed on the ground as he felt strong hands try and pull him to his feet. Those must have been his father’s he thought through the pain. Coe weighed a lot more than he looked and Bruce wouldn't have known that. Eventually Arian picked him up and sat him down on the couch in the lobby.
“Not so tough now, are you?” Bruce said. Coe regained his wits and opened a portal directly underneath his father. Bruce fell through it and the portal closed.
“That ended that,” Coe said as he rubbed his chin.
“You can't beat us,” Arian said as he backed away from Coe.
“I can't,” Coe admitted. “I can send you to Olympus though. Your father is angry I know his dirty little secrets. Now what do you want?”
“Little brother,” Arian said. “You have a little power but it is nothing like real power.”
“I am not as strong as you are,” Coe said. “I doubt I am even as strong as Heracles. But I am stronger than all of you where it counts. I am far smarter than anyone else in this family. While you are happy with Olympus I have branched out everywhere. I am all over Gaia in places you haven't even dreamed about.”
“You are jealous of Olympus,” Arian said.
“Which is why I created my own Olympus hundreds of kilometers away,” Coe said. “You are the mighty Ares. I have my own copy in the mighty Mars. Bruce may be the all powerful Zeus, but I have my own all powerful God in Jupiter. None of you bother me. I know to stay out of your way and I have been. Whatever you have going on I might compliment it here and there but I am not stupid enough to go up against the Olympians. Your problem is that while I may not be able to beat you, you want me to work for you. That is something I will never do.”
“You can work with us Coe,” Herana said.
“I don't want to do any of that,” Coe said. “If I was in Oxford like a good little boy and away from all of you, you would have left me alone. I would have been out of sight and out of mind and you would have been okay. But I showed I don't need Bruce at all and now everyone wants me around.”
“You should stay out of my way,” Arian said.
“I’m already doing that,” Coe replied.
“Where is your little girlfriend?” Arian asked.
“On Gaia,” Coe replied. “Living her best life.”
“She is probably having sex with the locals while you are here,” Arian said.
“I know she is,” Coe replied. “And I approve.”
“We are family Coe,” Herana said. “We should be doing things together instead of separate. Your father and your brother in their own way want you to join us. They just don't know how to ask you since you have been so combative.”
“And they have always talked down on me,” Coe replied. “I don't want to be their equal, I don't want anything to do with either of them.”
“What exactly is your ability?” Arian asked. “I have seen you cast portals but you are far tougher than either Herman or Frodia.”
“It doesn't matter what my power set is,” Coe replied.
“Can we just sit down once and have a family dinner?” Herana asked. “Arian was supposed to invite you to one just so everyone can see how you are doing. Your father and brother were a little embarrassed to be associated with you, that doesn't mean they didn't love you. Arian was happy you found a girlfriend, none of us have ever seen you with a girl before. We thought it was because all of the girls you knew were Evolved.”
“I don't want a family dinner,” Coe said. “I don't want anything to do with this family anymore. I have gained a crazy amount of money in only a short time. I don't even need school anymore.”
“I know,” Herana said. “Your father was going to put some money in your account. He talked about it so you would be comfortable with the Unevolved. It's just that now that you are Evolved, no one knows how to talk to you. I think your relationship with your father and brother would have improved if you were Unevolved and living on your own. You would have seen they still love you and you would have been happy in your life. I feel trapped like I don't know what to do.”
“I don't want their money or anything to do with them,” Coe said.
“I know,” Herana said. “And you have good reason to. Can we just sit down as a family and talk? I miss having you around and so do they even if they would never admit it.”
“I don't think that is a good idea,” Coe replied. “But if it will stop people from appearing on my doorstep I will. Tempy, tell Bruce that I am opening a portal for him. I’ll see you sometime tonight mother.”
Coe opened a portal and an angry Bruce walked through it. Coe didn't bother looking at the man and walked back to his home. Herana would most likely work out whatever the dinner plans were and Coe would just go along with it. Coe spent the rest of the day until his mother contacted him, coming up with ways for Tempy to protect herself in Gaia. Coe ordered a lot of different satellites and had them armed. Anyone attempting to launch their own would discover they no longer had control of them. Frodia had contacted him and let him know that she had been invited to dine with him and his family. Herana had asked Coe to bring along who they thought was his girlfriend and he declined.
“Tempy, bring the vehicle around,” Coe said. “And also send Frodia a computerized link to Themyscira. It shouldn't have too much information on the map, only how she can get there. Make it to where she can always use that map from Olympus. I don't care if she eventually brings Arian. Perhaps the Amazons seeing what real power looks like will make them less hasty.”
Coe walked out and climbed into his vehicle. Coe and Tempy worked on having a base set up in Gaia. Coe could stay there exclusively and have many expensive items shipped to him. Coe could give himself the identity of a God to keep people away from his workshop. Tempy suggested he call himself Alpha Man after one of the Guardians. Coe didn't like it and Tempy suggested shortening it to “A-Man.” Coe thought it was confusing so Tempy eventually came up with Amun. It still sounded a lot like A-Man but Coe didn't care, just as long as there was a place for him to work. Coe arrived at his old home and knocked on the door. It felt weird to do so but Coe wanted everyone to know that this was not a family reunion and he was not a part of whatever they had going on.
Coe could see the confusion then annoyance on his father’s face as Coe refused to come inside unless he was invited. It was something a stranger would do. Coe stepped inside and saw more than just his family was present. All of the Olympians other than Sydell were there. There were other people who Coe didn't know were also there. Coe walked over to find himself a seat and sat down. He noticed his mother was irritated right away, Coe thought it had something to do with Athena being there.
“So I am here,” Coe said.
“Yes you are,” Demetria said.
“You should consider yourself lucky that I don't want to get my hands bloody,” Coe said as he snarled. “Whenever you want to have another go, you let me know.”
“I didn't know who you were then,” Demetria stuttered.
“Doesn't change anything,” Coe said and then looked at his father. “Why am I here? I thought this was some family thing where we pretend to like each other. This looks like a meeting.”
“I know you and my husband are partners,” Athena said. “He told me himself.”
“We know a lot about some of the things you have going on,” said a small nervous looking man.
“And you are?” Coe asked.
“He is nobody special,” Bruce said. “Why are you partnering with Sydell instead of your own family?”
“You can answer that question yourself Bruce,” Coe replied.
“And why are you not bruised up from taking a hit like that?” Arian said. “I know you didn't go to any infirmary.”
“None of your business,” Coe replied.
“I want you to join the Olympians,” Bruce said. “I should have both of my sons there.”
“I decline,” Coe replied. “I don't need the Olympians.”
“I could crush these other Gods you have,” Bruce said. “I am fast enough that I could eventually find them.”
“That is between you and them,” Coe replied.
“You managed to install a virtual assistant along with many other technologies that should be difficult,” the small man said. “I have been all over Ogygia and have talked to many of the Terrians there. You have even found a way to stop the sickness.”
“So what,” Coe said.
“That could be a colony for our people,” the man said. “You could name your price to let our government settle there. It would give the ultra rich a lot more space to relax and build homes.”
“I’m already rich enough,” Coe said.
“Your accounts could be frozen,” the small man said.
“And you could wake up without a head while I am safe in Gaia,” Coe growled. “If you threaten someone, make sure you can at least take them.”
“I meant no disrespect,” the small man said. “It is just that you could open doors that the twins have been unable to.”
“And I don't want to,” Coe said.
“What Gods have you created?” Bruce asked. “Who is this God of the Underworld?”
“There is a God of the Underworld,” Coe said. “He is a partner and I am not worried about you discovering him. Sydell is my partner and he rules the water. Go ahead and send whatever you want, let me know how that ends up for all involved.”
“Wouldn't you like to work without hiding from your father?” Bruce asked.
“It would be easier but not necessary,” Coe replied. “You could crush everything I have going on. You could do it over and over again. I would just move somewhere different and start again. I don't want a fight with you Bruce, but if it happens I can still survive.”
“I think maybe a show of force is needed,” Bruce said. “A real show of force.”
“Maybe there does need to be a real show of force,” Coe said. “The kind that sends explosives into Olympus and I watch everything explode. I don't want a fight with you, that doesn't mean I can't hurt you.”
“My little brother is a tough guy in his own way,” Arian said
“Heracles is more my brother than you are and he is an idiot,” Coe said as Arian’s face turned into a snarl.
“Maybe we can sit down and have dinner now,” Herana said. “Maybe we could trade stories about the different things we have been up to.”
Coe sat down and saw no reason to hide what he was doing. The only thing he hid were the locations and the partnership he had with Frodia and Herman. The Olympians had been busy with their own grafted. In return for Godhood, the Olympians had many surgeons willing to change the Gaians. The Olympians spread the word that these people were cursed. Coe listened and found out the small man was Dion. It was the same Dion that Sarpan had often talked about which explained how a lot of the stuff Coe was doing was sort of well known. Dion had the power to recreate any alcohol he had tasted before. Dion had made a little money but alcohol was priced mostly due to reputation, not anything else. Bruce had somehow found out about Sarpan and had eventually tracked down Dion who also turned out to be a genius. He was given the title of Dionysus. The ability to make great wine had all of the Olympians aboard for his inclusion. When Coe eventually brought up the Amazons, there was fascination and anger.
“They are calling themselves warriors and keeping men as slaves?” Arian asked angrily.
“They haven't killed anyone just because they could,” Coe said and looked around the room.
“They think they are better than the men?” Arian asked and frowned.
“Who cares,” Coe replied. “They found a way to stay on Gaia without my help. Just like the mighty Poseidon found an alternate way. You are just angry that a group of Unevolved women are making a go of it.”
“Where is this place?” Arian asked.
“Why do you care?” Frodia asked. “Let them have their fun.”
“You want to be one of them, don't you?” Arian snapped.
“Don't act like that with me,” Frodia said. “I could just leave. I know that I am an important part of all of this. WIthout Herman and I, you could never go back.”
“Is that a threat?” Bruce asked.
“That is the truth,” Frodia said. “You may be Guardians, but I am the Gatekeeper to a long life. Let the girls have their fun.”
“I can really make this conversation interesting,” Coe said. “I know how they are able to survive without me.”
Coe could see humor, anger and disgust once he told how the Amazons stayed in Gaia. His brother and father could never hope to do so. Demeter laughed, her and Hefren thought the entire thing was funny. Of all of the Olympians, Coe thought Hefren was the easiest going and thought it was weird that his brother and father had crossed the fire starter. Hefren was good at working with his hands and could have been a great help. Instead he was a reluctant member who Arian had crossed by taking his girlfriend.
“You honestly have everything you want in Gaia,” Coe said. “There is more than enough to share and no one is dumb enough to attack you. You have all had years to set up while I have had months. Ogygia seriously cannot bother any of you that bad. None of you knew about the Amazons which couldn't bother you either. They don't even have any real technology, they are just a stronger version of the natives. My other Gods are just getting settled. They know to never cross you and I doubt if your little spy Dion didn't say anything that you would even know they existed. Your issue is that you think top of the mountain.”
“What does that mean?” Bruce asked.
“If you are at the summit, there is only a small amount of places to go, things to do,” Coe said. “The place on a mountain that can be called a summit is represented by a small area. The remaining parts of the mountain are far larger. Sydell learned this. He could be anywhere in Gaia without having to remind people he is something special. The man I call Hades knows this as well. He is Lord of the Underworld for all intents and purposes when he wants to. Other times he could just travel to any town and have a good time for a couple of hours. I don't want Olympus, it's fun just being a regular.”
“You are not a regular,” Arian said. “You are pretending to be a magic user. They mock us and have a much weaker version of our gifts.”
“They are the result of the Evolved making babies with the locals,” Coe said. “The Demigods then make other babies until a sweet spot is found where there are Gaians with abilities who can't access them. Those Gaians found what they call magic and they can do a lot with it. If you have any peers then it is them. Why wouldn't I want to walk around as just some faceless sorcerer?”
“It does sound nice,” Dion said. “I like being on Olympus but it would be nice to go places and play. I laughed at my friend Sarpan but he seems to be having a lot of fun.”
“He doesn't know everything,” Arian said. “Who wouldn't want to spend time with the God of Wine? When I train with the Soldiers, they are all happy to see the God of War.”
“I just want my family whole again,” Herana said. “Bruce, you have no reason to dislike our son anymore. He is strong, fast and is Evolved. Arian you do not have to be embarrassed by your younger brother. Just look at him. He has packed on a lot of muscle and is an Evolved. I don't care about Gaia or anywhere else. I only go there to spend time with everyone. If I had my way, no one would ever go there.”
“Why would you say such a thing?” Athena asked.
“Come off it,” Herana snapped. “You are lucky I don't have you killed. I know why Sydell isn't here. Bruce could never be faithful. I know about all the women in Gaia. I have seen and done things that I wish I never had. We are as dysfunctional as any group of people I have ever heard of. Hefren and Arian are at odds over a girl. While he was with your daughter, Hefren has had multiple kids out in Gaia but is angry at Arian for stealing his girl. Arian betrayed a friend and has also had multiple children while out in Gaia. Frodia has had children while out in Gaia, something we both already know is true. I have killed and maimed any of Bruce’s conquests I have found and brought horror upon his other children. Poor Heracles just wants to fit in, to be accepted. He never can be because then Bruce would have to acknowledge him. The only people that I know that do not have Gaian children are you and I. Yes, I know about the rest of you here. You Athena cannot take any high ground. I know what you did to that woman Medusa. That was horrible and you are a horrible person for doing it. You can blame her all you want for Sydell but you are sleeping with my husband.”
“And I should join this group of backstabbers because?” Coe interjected.
“I’m not a backstabber,” Dion said.
“Come off it,” Coe said. “You took everything Sarpan told you and shared it with the group. You wouldn't leave with your best friend but you would leave for a guy you don't know?”
“Well uh,” Dion said. “I was embarrassed to tell him I wanted to go. Not after everything a few friends and I said.”
“Doesn't matter,” Coe replied.
“Coe, can we at least pretend to be a family?” Herana said. “Gaia and what anyone wants you to do with your life will be off limits topics.”
