Strike Back

Chapter 1 Lucky

"Huh!!! A...a...adopt me!" Houja screamed looking at them. "He's a reaper!!!" He shouted.
"So." Pompa replied "He won't bite if that's what your worried about." She made that way to easy to sound...Verda looked down at him with his red eyes gently looking at him.

"I believe we've met already. Haven't we Houja?" He nodded without looking at him fearing the look of his new parent. "So how much?" Verda asked looking at Houja. Pompa looked at him skeptically.

"You sure he'll bring ya lot's of trouble." Pompa said unconvinced that Verda really wanted Houja. Verda simply smiled and looked passed Houja at the forest, to the sky, and up at a mountain, the Palace of Gods. Verda nodded. "250 thousand." Verda stared at her in shock.

"I see.." he reached in his pocket and flicked her a single coin and walked past her to Houja. "Grab your things and we'll be off." Houja nodded still confused and ran in the house. Pompa stared at the coin enchanted by its golden color and unable to find words. Houja ran out thanked Pompa for everything and Verda bid Pompa a good day and left with Houja following behind. She looked at the coin in her hand it read "5 yen", normally they payed in dollars, jewels, or gold. But Verda had tossed her a 5 yen. 'Who is the one receiving luck reaper? Houja or us? I pray Houja is able to live a satisfying life.'

Houja walked with Verda as they left the town and Houja looked back at the ever fading town of Hemlock. 'I wonder if I'll ever see it again?' and he looked up at Verda.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Why?" Houja asked not looking at him.

"Huh?" Verda responded looking at Houja as he stopped walking.

"Why pick me aren't you a god or something.!?" Verda paused and started laughing.

"Is that all your worried about. Well I suppose it has to do with how you saw me not too many people can do that you know." He explained as they started walking again. They were at the base of the Mountain of Gods when Verda stopped at the town. The town was called Boldart, also known as the "Town of Growing Flames" or "The home of Treachery." Verda walked silently into the nearby bar as Houja followed him fearing that he'd get lost. Inside there were drunks very where you looked and Verda sat on a stool right in the center of it all.

"What can I get ya today Verda?" the  bartender asked him as his eyes looked down at Houja.

"The usual please. Oh, and one for Houja please." The man nodded.

"Right away, be back in a giffy." When he left Verda heard shouting behind him and looked at Houja who was sitting next to him.

"If anyone asks don't say a word. Regardless if you recognize him." right after he said that a foot came smacking on the counter between Verda and Houja. It belonged to a skinny man, but when Houja looked again he realized this man wasn't anywhere near weak. His shoulders were baring with cannons, and with his buffed up chest he looked like a pro wrestler. His black hair stretched down his neck and passed his shoulders as his yellow eyes glared at Houja.

"Hey Verda! Who the hell is this!?" He yelled. Verda stayed silent as his drink arrived. Verda didn't drink alcohol or beer so it was a plan Coca-Cola. Even if the gods couldn't get drunk Verda hated the idea of drinking. "Hey Reaper wanna show some respect! I asked you why the hell your with a human!" The man annoyed  with Verda looked at Houja. "Fine if you won't answer I'll get him to talk." Houja saw Verda get up and then he glared at the man.

"Are you asking to die Heracles?" Verda growled as his opponent froze as the Reaper of Death glared down at his enemy. "Come to me Hydra!" Without warning a black serpent like head shot from Verda as it pushed Heracles out of the bar. Without another thought two more shot out after him.

"Not bad." Heracles muttered tossing the one head aside as Verda's hydra attacked Heracles. Houja watched in awe as the two gods fought each other. Heracles, however easily tossed the heads aside before he snapped its neck. "Ok, ok I get it...sorta so Verda who is he?" Heracles asked fixing his shoulder from the bite wounds.

After calming down Verda explained to Heracles who Houja was, and why he adopted him. "So he doesn't see a big enormous man when he looks at me? Damn I like when people see me that way... Some Warrior God I look like." he said taking a swig of beer he ordered.

"And what's wrong with being different?" Houja asked speaking for the first time to Heracles. Heracles smiled laughing.

"I guess your right. You're all right Houja...your not like those other humans out there..Like the ones that murdered ...no never mind." Heracles said getting up and leaving. "I'll see you around Houja. Verda next time, I'll be ready for our duel." It was hard to believe that a few minutes ago the two gods were trying to kill each other and now they were best friends.

"It's the way we are Houja." Verda explained as they climbed the mountain path to the Palace of Gods. "You're in good hands since Heracles accepts you. You're also real damn lucky I'm your guardian." Verda said smiling. For a reaper he seemed like a good guy so Houja smiled back hoping to meet Heracles again.

Hiding in the bushes was a god watching them laughing in a high pitched sound. At first glance anyone would say it was a woman, but Loki was a man alright. " Ha-ha-ha-hah." He let out his long forked tongue and licked the dagger dangling from his fingers. "I wonder how this will go." He said to no one in particular as he vanished from sight his green eyes watching the boy...