Chapter 2

Ephus - A demigod possessing the power to repower the gods

Japanese Dieties

Amaterasu - Japanese Goddess of the sun (head goddess)
Susanoo - storm god and younger brother of Amaterasu
Tsukuyomi - moon god, oldest younger brother of Amaterasu
Benten - Japanese Goddess of love
Wakahiru-me - younger sister of Amaterasu, goddess of the rising sun
Hachiman - Japanese God of war
Fujin and Raijin - gods of wind and thunder, respectively
Inari - god or goddess of foxes, rice, fertility
Ryūjin - god and dragon, god of the sea
Kagutsuchi - spirit of fire
Kajin - god of fire
Ame-no-Uzume - she is the goddess of dawn and revelry
Ninigi-no-Mikoto - Grandson of Amaterasu
Omoikane - deity of wisdom and intelligence
Suijin -god of water
Takemikazuchi - god of thunder and swords
Takeminakata - god of wind, water, agriculture

Minor gods and goddesses

Ame-no-oshihomimi - first son of Amaterasu
Ame-no-hohi - secondson of Amaterasu
Amatsuhikone - third son of Amaterasu
Ikutsuhikone - forth son of Amaterasu
Kumanokusubi - fifth son of Amaterasu
Onryō - goddess of revenge
Izanami - goddess of death

Shuten-dōji - King of Japanese Demons

“So, I have to ask why are the two of you laying on me?” he asked.

“Well,” a voice said behind me. “I had to have some way of keeping you in bed. Had you gotten up you might have done something stupid. Hey your wife’s words not mine,” Amaterasu said.

Ephus smirked a moment as he nodded his head. That was about like something that she’d say he thought. “So how long have I been out?” I asked.

“Hmm,” Amaterasu said as she thought a moment. Probably four days here. That’s about half a day in the human world. We had to make sure you were OK; you were almost too strong to hold down.”

“How is the barrier? Ephus asked.

“Far more solid than it was. I have almost the entire place covered now. Do you think that you could finish?” Amaterasu asked.

Ephus nodded as he walked up to Amaterasu with his hands far brighter than the night before. As soon as he finished, Amaterasu sighed as he saw that the entire barrier had thickened and closed.

Ephus sighed as he saw that they were safer now. “At least those demons are kept out now,” he said

“For quite a while now, now that we are at full power,” Amaterasu said. “It is always trying to take this place. Had he then, he would have gained enough power to threaten the other realms.”

Ephus shook his head, “There are three realms out there that are at full power. I hardly think that would be possible.”

“Oh, it is more than possible,” Amaterasu stated. “Shuten-dōji, the one attempting this, has gained a new deadly power. He is now able to siphon off the power of other gods, ‘til they are weak, and he can capture them easily.”

Ephus’ mouth dropped open at this news. “ Do we know how he obtained it?”

Amaterasu nodded, “We believe that he has captured the Mitsune (fox spirit) and is using the Fox god to take the others. It appears that he has taken almost all the gods, we four are all that remain.”

“Do we know where he has them captive?” Ephus asked.

“It is believed that he has a stronghold on Mount Ibuki north of the city of Kyoto. It is also said that the strongest demons guard it,” Amaterasu said.

“Hmmm,” Ephus said, this sounded a lot like when he was helping the Norse gods. “I might need help going in. I’ll get as many of the gods as I can though,” Ephus paused. “I’ve done something like this before; I might not get many.”

“We have heard of the Norse gods that you rescued,” Amaterasu said, even as Hachiman appeared and bowed to her.

“I felt your summons Amaterasu; how can I serve?” Hachiman said, then noticed Ephus standing nearby. “You fought well for only being an Ahito-shin. Demi-god)”

Ephus was confused for a moment ‘til the translation came through as demigod. Ephus nodded to him, “I’ve had a few goes with several gods. I only know three styles though. I might need to learn yours.”

Hachiman nodded and bowed slightly to Ephus. “It would be an honor to teach you the ways of Mugai-ryū (traditional Japanese martial art). This employs two types taught together. The first is Kenjutsu, the art of fighting with a drawn sword. The second that seems to be popular is Iaijutsu, the swift and precise drawing, striking, and sheathing of a katana.”

Ephus was hanging on what Hachiman was saying, “I see,” Ephus said.

“Now, show me what you know,” Hachiman said as he and Ephius drew their swords. Ephus started with the Egyptian style, holding against the god for a few minutes.

They both stopped as Hachiman held a sword at the edge of Ephus’s neck. “Well, good but not good enough,” Ephus said.

“A style that depends on strength, victory has to be within the first half hour, or it is predictable. Now then the second type,” Hachiman said as he withdrew his sword.

This time Ephus switched to the Greek style that pressed Hachiman more, though he still prevailed. Ephus smiled as he had nearly taken Hachiman’s sword a few times.

“This style appears to rely on several powers to deceptive moves. It is a good technique though defeatable also.

Now then, show me the last style you know,” Hachiman said.

Ephus nodded, then switched to the Norse style that he knew. This time Hachiman was a lot harder pressed as Ephus got several near hits upon the god.

Then Ephus was surprised when Hachiman sheathed his sword awaiting Ephus’s attack. When Ephus was within range, Hachiman drew so fast that Ephus didn’t see the sword leave the scabbard.

The move disarmed Ephus with its speed and power. Ephus blinked when he felt the cold steel of Hachiman’s sword.

“This last style depends on the element of surprise and overwhelming strength. It is the hardest to defend against so far. It can be defeated as you saw, we need to build upon what you know to install this style within you,” Hachiman said. “You have a great many of the aspects of the two styles that should accelerate your progress.”

Ephus just nodded as he realized that he would have died rather quickly. Ephus saw that Hachiman had a slight smile on his face.

“As fast as you moved, do you really think that I can achieve that?” Ephus asked.

“I think that you can, as the humans have, a great many of them. I believe they call that, the draw of god-like speed. Though not completely correct, it is as close as they can get,” Hachiman said with a sly smile.

Ephus nodded as they then started to train. It was sixteen days later that Ephus barely managed to get past Hachiman’s defenses.

“Your Shinsoku (god speed) needs to be faster,” Hachiman sighed. “It is good that I am going with you to assist you. It has been two days in the outside world. I am afraid that we need to attack now if we are to free the other gods and goddesses. I fear that if we don’t, we might never get close enough.”

Ephus realized that he was right as he told Amaterasu, her sister Wakahiru-me and Benten, then they left.

They both appeared in a concealed place near the opening of the cave leading to Shuten-dōji’s castle.

As they crept closer to the opening, Ephus saw that the demon King was as paranoid as he thought he might be. It appeared that there were no less than a hundred demons that were on guard just at the cave.

Ephus shook his head as he thought of a way to pass them. He remembered he had a cloak of invisibility. Ephus concentrated thinking of the cloak at his family’s home.

Less than a few minutes later it appeared within his hand. “This might be of help,” Ephus said as he showed Hachiman the cloak.

Hachiman nodded when he saw the cloak. “Indeed, it will provide a degree of aid.”

Ephus nodded as he told Hachiman his plan, then donned the cloak. It took almost an hour to get past the demon guards into the cave.

Ephus then sat inside the cave mouth, sending the cloak to Hachiman. It was almost another hour before Hachiman appeared. They both looked at each other as they inched their way further.

Neither were really surprised at the number of demons that were roaming inside. They managed to get within sight of the castle in the cave before they encountered trouble.

They had just rounded a corner when they noticed that there were more than a thousand demons. “I don’t think that were going to make it past all of them,” Ephus said. “Thinking a moment, Ephus whispered in Hachiman’s ear. The god of war had a look of displeasure on his face.

“I do not want to face the wrath of all your wives. Even I do not believe that I could survive that much anger. You, my friend, must succeed. I will remain here,’til you return. When I receive the signal, I will attack. That should allow you enough time to free them,” a smiling Hachiman whispered back.

Ephus cloaked up and moved as quickly as he dared. A feat that was greatly hindered by the many demons milling around. Then there was the front of the castle.

Ephus shook his head as he saw that the demons were in a side-by-side wall. He stopped a few moments as he grabbed a few pieces of elongated metal, smiling he moved near the demon wall.

Slowly he started to poke a few of the demons, enough to irritate them. When they started to accuse the one next to them, a slow fight started.

Only a few minutes later he was able to pass, many of the demons in full-fledged knock down drag out fight.

Entering the castle, Ephus started down as he was sure that was where the gods and goddesses were. A few minutes later Ephus’ mouth dropped open when he saw all of them chained to the walls.