For what seemed like the tenth time, Chronos and his sibling's Delta formation triumphantly circled overhead. Each Titan holding a braiser streaming different color vapors and glittering golden flecks connoting the victory for House Olympia.

  …They are literally streaming sparkling rainbows across the sky.

  Based on the chanting of the individual Titan’s names as well as large groups voicing “Olympia” over and over again, the crowd at the front of the Tafl stadium was ecstatic with exuberance both for the Titans and Gaian’s house in general. Countless beings, some humanoid, some not so much, jumped around on their tentacles, claws, suspensor fields andmany other means of ambulation atop the now unshielded, quintuple-decker seating, bookending either side of the arena gate.

  Josh was certain that the current cheering was louder than any of the noises that had been made during the actual contest. And it was starting to grate on him. In his defense, he had tried to watch Cronos’ victory laps from his current distance with an open mind. Especially given the fact that the Titans’ shenanigans really reminded him of the Blue Angels over Lake Michigan on the Fourth of July. But the vein in his temple had started throbbing the minute Cronos had gone out of his way to send Josh an aloof look of superiority during his third flyover.

  Apparently sensing Josh’s growing discontent via their Bond, Sen smiled fractionally. ~Let them have the glory brother. Our purpose is to grow stronger and make it back to Sophie. Nothing else matters! I know you haven’t forgotten that.~

  Josh nodded in agreement. ~You’re right, Sen. And I know it– And it isn’t like I don't recognize Cronos deserves a big part of the win here… I mean, the guy actually Hulked out and curb-stomped four Sumerian gods for us when the chips were down. But…~ Josh’s face turned sour, ~Cronos gave me a look when he flew around a few times ago. And it’s giving me a hard time letting him get all the credit when we did all the life-risking. Especially if he’s going to think it’s OK to give me an ‘I’m so superior and you’re a speck of dog crap on my shoe’ look. Multiplied by the fact that we have to slink quietly out the back door while he’s doing it!~ Josh folded his arms over his puffed-out chest, eying the King of the Titans as he soared above.

  Sen tried to bottle up his laughter but failed.

  Disbelieving chuckles broke through his turned away, but deeply scarlet face. ~You realize that you are watching an ultra-powerful god actually fly over your head. Joined by his ultrapowerful siblings while being given the adulation of millions of advanced beings. All of whom are both technologically and cultivationally far beyond either one of us right now.~

  Sen moved in half a step toward Josh, tilting his head to look straight into Josh’s eyes from under his nose. ~... And you think, at this time, he would ignore his flat-out worship just so he could ‘give you a look!?’~. Sen finished with a screwed-up face, standing as tall as he could, toning the last Bond-spoken words in a prissy Joshian mimic.

  ~...I’ve definitely been a bad influence on your manners Sen~ Josh deadpanned. Then he puffed his checks and blew out a breath. ~It really does sound crazy from a sane point of view doesn’t it.~ Josh made it a statement of acceptance, not a question.

  Sen full head nodded in agreement–

  ~Oh, I definitely gave you that look mortal–~ Cronos cut in.

  ~I knew it!!.~ Josh crowed.

  ~Have you forgotten that I know your thoughts and emotions through this Bond we now share? Petty jealousy is an ugly sentiment between comrades.~ Cronos deemed with an on high aloofness. ~Perhaps the next time I ‘Hulkout’ I’ll ‘curb stomp’ a troublesome mortal I know of–~

  ~That’s enough, Cronos.~ Words spoken very slowly with a frozen intent.

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  Josh had turned slightly green at the thought of Cronos overhearing everything he had sent to Sen. How could he have forgotten that the Titans were in his and Sen’s Bond for the course of these games? But it was to the Mother of the World, right now walking next to him and Sen, that he did a double take at, after she had interrupted her youngest son.Most surprisingly to Josh was that Gaia’s subzero tone through the Bond didn’t at all reflect the merry demeanor she showed beside him.

  Josh gulped. ~You’re sharing the Bond too, Gaia?~

  She had the decency to blush. ~Yes. And, I apologize to you both. I needed to link the eight of you all together. Particularly for that Tafl match. At the time, such a union was the only way Cronos would be able to zero in on your location when you needed his muscle–

  Cronos’ smugness came through the Bond loud and hammy at Gaia’s praise.

  ~And I’m very proud of you, my youngest Son.~ Gaia continued. ~Utu and his brothers will not likely be able to finish the contest after that thrashing. Well done!~ The Mother of the World finished in a pride-beaming, Bond voice.

  She looked over at Sen and Josh to smile a heart-melter only a Mother can, ~I’m very proud of you all!~ She reached a small hand to his and Sen’s shoulders and gave them each a gentle squeeze of affection pointing up at the adulation basking Titans. ~I’m sorry I had to keep you both from the team’s victory procession. But there are quite a few very unhappy Star Children, demigods, advanced spirit beings, and a crowd of unique individuals who took a bath at the gambling booths after your surprise victory.~ Gaia waggled her eyebrows and rolled her eyes to indicate everything around her, ~... Soooo… It’s not really safe for you both in the crowded areas without my or Machitis’ direct presence.~ She glanced over her shoulder at the silent Enforcer padding behind her and he nodded solemnly back. ~At least not until their tempers die down… Just a bit anyways.~She finished with an almost embarrassed smile.

  Josh’s eyes widened at the list of new and extremely powerful enemies. ~Your people can bet on these games– and most bet against us?~

  Gaia’s smile widened, and a devious spark took flame within her dark eyes. She leaned in and stage-whispered in Josh’s ear. “Goodness, yes! The odds were so much against you, I made a mint in Essence-bound soj’s!” She winked a slow eye at him as she pulled back away.

  Speaking with sincere interest, Sen broke in. ~What were the odds against us, and how were they calculated? Knowing this would help me assess our combat capabilities concerning the other beings we might encounter.~

  Gaia’s face blanched slightly at the subject, and she spoke in a slightly pressured voice, rushing as if to fill a nonexistent gap in the conversation. ~Ahhh, I’m not exactly sure now is the right–~

  But, simultaneously, Theia, the House’s goddess of wisdom volunteered, ~Four trillion, eight hundred and ninety-seven million, with some change to spare against both you and Joshua actually surviving the contest. Seven hundred and fifty-three trillion that you would most assuredly lose.~

  ~Theia Darling~ Honey dripping over arctic wind-blasted ice cubes. ~...I was addressing that–~ Gaia spoke over her daughter. Then Hyperior excitedly, and most likely accidentally, also overrode her in a haste to join. His words were tinged with strong sincerity. ~Of course, that was before anyone thought that it was possible for a tri-attuned Spherical cultivator like you to generate a three-part braid in a meaningful way. Well done mortals–~

  Obviously, feeling things were getting away from the direction she wanted to move the conversation, Gaia took immediate charge. ~Children! That is enough. Out of necessity, I linked you all in what is obviously a private mode of communication that Joshua and Senyak rely on. For their sake, I’m limiting all of your Bond privileges. You can listen in– I actually doubt that I could prevent you from doing so at any rate– But there will be no more speaking through it. Not unless you hear one of them call for help– And this is not open to interpretation. Joshua and Senyak will have a ‘Safe Word’ to call for your direct intervention…~ Gaia trailed off, placing a finger on her lips in thought. Suddenly, her face lit up, and she finished her previous sentence. ~Two-eyed cyclops. Yes! Unless you hear either of them call for help using the call-word ‘Two-eyed cyclops, you need to remain silent. Understand?~

  ~Yes Mother!~ All the Titans said in unison.

  Josh mouthed, “Thank you!” and Gaia nodded in agreement. “We’d never get a word otherwise,” she stage-whispered again.

  ~Now run along, and prepare for your combat events. Coeus and Pheobe, I think you will be best served by focusing on the Hindi and the Aztecs. You’ve spent enough time on the Norse and Ennead already. Hyperion and Threia, continue refining your dual offense. I don’t believe that there is any pair that can withstand a proper execution of that. Definitelydon’t waste your time on defense. I’d be surprised if you find yourselves on the defensive if you use your dorys like I know you can! Cronos, you’ve impressed us all with the growth in power of your mégisti anáptyxi.~ Gaia leaned into Josh and Sen, and mouthed “maximal growth”. ~I’d like to see what you can achieve with this as a diad involving Rhea.”

  ~Yes Mother!~ They all said as one again. Apparently, even Cronos wasn’t going to disagree with a direct order from his mom.

  Gaia nodded acceptance of their obedience, sending warmth and love flooding through the Bond to all of them. A serious tone came from their mother, ~Don't forget to continue your group awareness. A group your size and strength should be able to scare off any unwanted attention. But, still, make sure that you keep Machitis updated on your location at all times.~

  The Titans sent a silent agreement to their mother's care for their safety, and Gaia guided them both back toward the orchards, to the left, with a gentle nudge on Josh’s shoulder. Her voice sparkled with anticipation in one last Bond send to the entire group. ~Now that I see what our newest members are capable of, I need to spend some time with Joshua and Senyak. I may be able to guide their growth to an extent that they can participate with you six in a more… meaningful way than they can now.~