Ares had been busy. Here Enyo and Bellona were worrying about him and yet he was having the time of his life! Taking advantage of inexperienced women and courting them while leading them along by the nose? He was having a real blast, a holiday and then some! If it weren't for the fact that he'd genuinely struggled with the stepper psychopath incident there would plenty of reprimand in store for that little heart stealer revenant! Alas, neither Enyo or Bellona could bear to give him grief after knowing he'd had it as tough as he did with that particular incident. He glossed over it in his letters and, if anything, they were more annoyed he didn't choose to confide in them and be open about it. That was the real biggest issue. Sandy here was a good find, the sisters were now fully assured he made the right choice about her so calling him up on it was silly even if they personally wanted to, but that matter was different! Still, at least he was alive. The disaster with legs had gotten stronger if nothing else! War aura, his cultivation had shot up by the end of his Xasca stay which lent credence to him achieving bloodline awakening in Isaz, and even his scythe wielding had become incredibly competent. Again, Ares had been busy. He wasn't going to come back as the same person he was before he left and, regarding his physical changes at least, there was marked improvement and that was a good thing.
One of the more interesting memories the sisters saw, though, was the extent of what the Torchbearers were aiming for in Xasca. Complete societal collapse and the imminent destruction of an entire country. The sinkhole / quarry plot was a biggie, much more severe than what was being attempted in the Grecian Lands. Over there they were simply trying to amass power by assassinating political rivals and getting one of their infiltrators in charge of a major party. It could have wound up a lot worse than that in a few years time, in the long run once they consolidated their power and took advantage of it, especially if they managed to elect a saboteur-incumbent but it felt like that project that was still in the early stages comparatively to what was going on in Sandy's country. It was a good thing Enyo got a bead on the issue and excavated it down to the roots to fully eradicate any semblance of ill intention leaving not even a speck of evil. Ares mentioned he was planning on tackling the Torchbearer at some point when he visited Neo Gear and it was clear to the sisters now why he was so invested. This wasn't a series of mere inconveniences, this was complete and utter obliteration of Sheryashka in the making and those who could were compelled to stop it. Perhaps this was some kind of robo revolution, though the end goal behind it was unknown, and it needed to be addressed and killed in its crib.
Interestingly, according to Hans at least, Enyo was told there were strange ongoings happening towards the south in Dwarvingdom. The elves and the dwarves were becoming more and more unfriendly by the day and war was brewing. Confrontation between them wasn't unusual in and of itself but, considering everything she was seeing happening on a global scale, it became... Odd. It felt off, perfectly timed. Hypothetically, if the dwarves were beaten back harshly in a war, say the elves received outside help in the form of advanced weaponry from Neo Gear and effectively nuked the dwarves out of their own country... Where would they go from there? Red Sun was geographically very convenient for an exodus of fleeing refuges hailing from Dwarvingdom and this would entail a number of complications. For starters, Red Sun was in the process of departing Sheryashka and Hans was extremely selective about who he let in. An entire flock and legion of foreign individuals banging on his doorstep at this crucial time would be a logistics nightmare. Granting sweeping amnesty was a no go, however, because Torchbearer minions and devotees would undoubtedly use this as a chance to break through blockades and security measures, worming their way into Red Sun to cause trouble. It wasn't about the dwarves, even, they were just a convenience scapegoat to invade Red Sun off the back of.
The Torchbearers had struggled to get a foothold in Central Land, and especially Red Sun, thanks to Hans' underground network and considerable influence which had expanded explosively since becoming mayor. Ares had warned him about the Torchbearer nonsense and he was on it like a fly on excrement. Being put in a position in which he was forced to grant asylum to countless foreign nationals would be a waking nightmare as vetting them all properly just wasn't possible and there would be chaos at the borders. When looking at the escalating tension and ever mounting radicalisation of discussion, regarding an all out war between elves and dwarves, it was hard not to think along these lines because it would be impactful beyond the scope of what they were doing in their own countries. It aligned like a snug fit with credible, potential future Torchbearer plots that would utilise Central Land soil as the fertile ground from which they sprung up. Ares had been a thorn in this Torchbearer mastermind's side multiple times now and these initial war talks could be little more than sowing the seeds for revenge. It wasn't above these people to destroy an entire country let alone doing so to antagonise a person they viewed as an outright enemy to their agenda. Though Arse hadn't exactly picked this fight, he'd more so stumbled into it, he wasn't backing down and that was reason enough to deploy more forceful methods in his direction.
Regardless of whether this hypothesis had any weight to it, Enyo would have to talk to Ares about this and see where he stood on the matter. Ares may honestly opt to go sort out the elven and dwarven animosity himself at some point and he'd have the reputation needed to be an arbiter with sway. Between being the strongest person in the domain and also the Heaven's Path sect leader what was anyone going to say? 'No'? This matter could end up concerning him so he had every right to butt in and at the very least make sure there was no external involvement from outside sources with vested interests that could cause large sale problems that he would be forced to deal with later. There was no point in worrying about that now though as that was a problem for the future.
Right now, Sandy!
Enyo liked Sandy a lot.
In her memories there was the incident in which she considered stealing her own clan's fine grind for Ares. Technically it was hers to do with as she pleased but gifting it to some guy wouldn't have gone down well with the crusty elders and the only thing that stopped her was Ares' pursuit of a different fine grind. Enyo liked this behaviour as she clearly put him first before her own clan and they weren't even that deeply intertwined with one another yet by this point. She didn't even mention any of this to Ares himself so he was none the wiser but she still won him over regardless. Also, ignoring behaviour and personality, there were some rather superfluous details that Enyo appreciated about Sandy... Or, in other words, she was hot! Enyo wasn't going to discriminate against ugly women or anything but Sandy was definitely a looker under those clothes and Enyo was quite partial to such women. She'd bullied Bellona already but why stop there? She was looking forward to having her way with Sandy too, and her memories of being fondled by Ares as he dug out the poison were titillating for someone like Enyo beyond measure, so Sandy was a perfect package deal who ticked all the right boxes. It's not that Ares couldn't be trusted to make such choices but, technically speaking, his ability to hit homeruns consistently was up in the air. Enyo considered herself a good pick but that was bias and Ares didn't exactly pick Bellona himself either so he really hadn't actually proven himself in this regard yet. Assuming Sandy was the first tally on his scoresheet it would seem he was rather successful and deserved a round of applause for that at least. Good job hubby!
"Uh..." Sandy wasn't going to give up on being accepted into the harem easily but she was still willing to hear the initial verdict these two had come to. If they were in support of her then great, if not she would do whatever was needed to change their minds. "... So... Am I good? Do you want to put me through some kind of trial or something?" This was more of Sandy's own hope as she was still searching for an excuse to spar with Enyo. She could probably just ask at a later date but it felt a bit awkward outright asking for one after their first meeting. She was trying to leave a good impression, not come across like some manic schizophrenic barbarian!
"No, no trial. No need for anything like that. Putting up with Ares sometimes is a trial in and of itself..." Enyo joked... Half joked... "And yes, you're definitely 'in', it would be silly to pretend otherwise. It's clear to us you aren't just involving yourself with Ares for fun or personal gain and that's already good enough but, on top of that, he means a lot to you just like he does to us. You can live here with us while there's still space and we'll treat you like one of our own. We are officially Redhome sisters now and, though we might bicker and argue every now and then, we have an unwritten obligation to look out for one another whenever we can. I don't think I need to say this to you but I'll say it anyway, family first and under no condition, unless specified by Ares or myself, should that rule ever be broken. Ares and I are serious about this, we wouldn't be so attached to the Redhome name you've brought to the table if we weren't willing to shed serious blood to defend the harem to the death and we'd like similar sentiment from all who are taking this journey with us.
Of course we don't want you to sacrifice yourself for the 'greater good' or anything, just don't betray us, essentially, is what it comes down to. I feel like that's not asking for much. You should be able to gauge whether your actions will be a breach of our trust in you or not without having to ask, It's fairly self explanatory. Really the line is drawn at upsetting either myself or Ares and, depending on the context, you'll be subjected to an intervention from the rest of the family at best or immediate expulsion at worst... I hope we never have to kill anyone so I won't even mention it. It should never get to that point." There was a deep conviction in the way Enyo spoke but even she looked visibly uncomfortable talking about killing any potential backstabbers or traitors who caused severed damage to the family. Such a thing would really weigh heavily on her if it ever came to that but she wouldn't exactly want to make Ares 'tie up loose ends' either as it might even be worse for him. Such a day would be tragic and Enyo preferred to simply not talk about it, hoping it would simply never come to pass. There was a reason the vetting process was strict and involved multiple layers and people, a mistake of that scale should never ever see the light of day and an environment that could foster it shouldn't exist.
To lighten up the mood a bit, Enyo nudged Sandy and read her thoughts perfectly. "You're never going to take my position as head of the harem so don't even think about it. I'm not blaming you for thinking about trying, you won't be the only one, and I don't even mind some competition, I'm just saying its pointless." Though her words were light and friendly, and the small smile was polite enough, Sandy was shaken to her core as there was a demonic subtone that crept into her ears like an evil whisper. There was an unquantifiable strength and devotion that professed itself unchallengeable, like Sandy would have to learn to move mountains to even be on the playing field needed to stand up against Enyo. She was made to feel incredibly small before the weight of Enyo's convictions of which she'd only even briefly mentioned in passing. The full extent of her dedication to her position was something sandy couldn't nudge even she spent a billion years trying.
The gentle condescension 'till now was also merely the beginning as Enyo placed her palm on Sandy's cheek and gently stroked it. "It's me." Enyo, without facing any resistance, leant forward and kissed Sandy on the lips as if to bewitch her into silently listening to her every word. "It will alwaysbe me." She didn't need to clarify, Sandy knew all too well she was asserting herself as the favoured woman. It was unwritten, and Ares was adamant he didn't pick favourites, but Enyo didn't seem to agree with that statement. If Ares had hundreds of partners but had to pick one... 'It will always be me'. This wasn't hollow belief that suited Enyo's delusions or anything, this was a harsh truth that had just been hammered into Sandy. She could never take Enyo's position. Even Bellona seemed to wince a bit off to the side and she was more familiar with Redhome relations than Sandy was so it appeared Enyo's words were absolute. Enyo's role in all of this was unshakeable, untouchable, but weirdly enough Sandy almost didn't seem to mind anymore. Had she truly been blindsided by Enyo's sensuality just now? That kiss had been disarming but, as Enyo leaned in for another, she obediently followed along. Enyo was far more passionate this time as she looked deep into Sandy's eyes and cemented her role in the hierarchy as the mistress while subduing Sandy's soft lips. Enyo let Sandy breathe but pulled her in close for a hug and whispered into her ear, "I love you. I Belong to Ares, you belong to me. I will give him everything I own. Do you understand?" Sandy quivered and meekly nodded. She'd never felt so threatened before but there was also a part of her deep down that liked this. Enyo's possessiveness was frighteningly effective...
Enyo continued to run her fingers through Sandy's hair as her angelic voice serenaded and pacified Sandy into submission. "Ignore Yulo's prophecy, I already knew from the start there were exploitable loopholes. You may not be Ares' wife but you can still be a concubine. Yes, the answer is that simple. Nine wives doesn't mean nine partners, I was aware of this so you don't have to worry about the future. your future with Ares is safe, I will make it so. I will move heaven and earth to make sure those who love Ares, truly from the bottom of their hearts, are able to find a place in his world. His duty is to save the world, mine is to make sure he has a family to come back to afterwards. I will pursue my own goal with the same passion he follows his because he deserves it. I want us all to be there for him because there is little else we can do to ease his burdens. I love you because you love him. Maybe I'm insane but that man is everything to me and there are no lengths I will not go to for his sake." Enyo affectionately cupped Sandy's bewildered and zoned out face in her warm hands as she directed an angelic and disturbingly pure, graceful smile her way. The derangement of everything she said was in stark opposition to the genuine holiness she possessed. She was cultish, a beautiful lunatic who looked ready to snap, but her words were honeyed and soothing. Sandy felt herself slipping as she realised that accepting this was the only real way forward and this was what it meant to be a member of the Redhome harem underneath Enyo. Submission to the mistress resulted in a happy life with Ares, there was nothing else to add but the only caveat was the level of expected loyalty. Enyo would shower you with love and make your life blissful so long as Ares was the recipient of your love. She didn't even want it herself, she simply got off on seeing Ares be loved. Enyo was deeply twisted but, like all cult leaders, had a personality that was hard not be swallowed up by. There was a hypnotic element to every inch of her face and every syllable spoken which left Sandy speechless as she gazed up at the splendorous woman who she no longer felt comfortable trying to rival. She would truly be seen as a divine being, one who had transcended all... If it weren't for the fact she was currently lewdly drooling as she groped Sandy's breasts...
Image ruined!
Any and all tension evaporated as Enyo giggled and cackled while childishly feeling up Sandy's mounds. It didn't make everything that happened prior disappear but it certainly made the pressure in the room vanish without a trace... Almost. Sandy was free from that suffocating but motherly oppression but the impact it left on her was unthinkable. She'd believed Ares to have exaggerated Enyo's uniqueness earlier but all it took was a minute of Enyo's unfiltered self, her uncontaminated care and tenderness, for that perspective to fold. Enyo was horrifying. Sandy had underestimated Enyo greatly and would never make that mistake ever again. It wasn't even her knightly, justice pursuing self that was to be feared. It was fierce, commanded respect, and struck awe into even Sandy but that was not where her true strength lay, the armor hid something far darker behind it. Her unwavering loyalty to Ares was a landmine that should never be touched as she appeared to be an entirely different woman when that matter sprung up, one who would not let things play out any way other than how she demanded it to.
Ares had mentioned Enyo was a reincarnation of a Goddess, a true Goddess whatever that meant exactly, but Sandy didn't quite understand the scope of his words until she was sat directly in front of her, trapped, and made to confront her face to stunning face. Enyo's word was will itself, the melody of the universe. Every time Sandy tried to think to herself, in her own mind, that she should keep pushing for a better position, to aim for head of the harem, she felt Enyo's soft hands locking her head in place as though she were rebuking a child and reminding her that they'd already discussed this and the answer was 'no'. Sandy's will crumbled upon contact with this indomitable force, the lingering dread Enyo had instilled in her as her superior and mistress, and she was sent away from her own thoughts with the feeling of wet lips as thanks her for her continued subservience. It was not Enyo's holiness that would uphold her control over the harem, it was her pleasure pillar affinity that enslaved the heart and minds of her fellow sisters. Shackled by kindness, desire, passion, and love. The bindings were unbreakable and it was not a power mere cultivation could overcome, it was a conceptual entrapment realised and abused by a freak who was not sound of mind. While Ares was waking up in Isaz, Sandy was learning the hard way that Enyo was far from normal. Far, far, farfrom normal... But wow was she a good kisser. Enyo was taking advantage of Sandy's stupor to lay claim to her lips again, still fondling her chest as she did so and gradually getting more and more aggressive. Sandy was reluctant to admit it but she was incredibly turned on right now and was getting swept away by the mood Enyo was setting. Enyo was far from normal... In more ways than one...