24 Mark's Rest and Divine Visitors.

Mark did not know how long he slept, but when he woke up he saw two heads of crimson hair cuddled up with him. Grimnar was sleeping on his leg's keeping him warm with his warm body. He also noticed that Runeas had removed his boots and his sunglasses.

No, she had changed his clothes into a pair of shorts and a black t-shirt for him to rest better. He yawned and did not bother to get up as he was not exactly feeling one hundred percent. No, it was not that he did not bother, he could not get up.

'Ddraig?'

[I am here.]

Ddraig yawned as while Mark was unconscious he had been asleep.

'I don't feel too good.'

[Me neither. You can be sure that we will be in a weakened state for at least a few days. You matured your bloodline a little too fast and now you just need to let it stabilize. Eat one of those pomegranates, their life energy should help you.]

'One problem, I can't move.'

[Ask Rias or Runeas to help.]

Mark cleared his voice.

"A little help."

Runeas woke up instantly as she looked at him. She was kind of drooling as she always had been a very deep sleeper.

"Mark, your up. How do you feel?"

"Like crap. I can't move at all. Send your Demonic Power into the ring on my middle right finger. You have my permission to pull out one of the pomegranates in it."

Runeas nodded as she pulled Mark's arm from Rias which woke her up. Rias grumbled as Runeas pulled out one of the many fruits in his ring. Hades had given Mark 65 of them which he planned to use mostly for himself.

When Runeas held the big red fruit she looked at Mark.

"What now? You want me to get the little fruits inside out?"

"No, don't bother. Just drop it into my mouth."

She held it over his mouth which he unhinged once more. When she dropped the big fruit Mark instantly chopped it up with his teeth. Unlike normal pomegranates which had bitter skin and pulp, these tasted good overall.

Unlike the apples of Torment, these were pleasant to eat as they contained pure Life Energy. Something rarely found in the Domain of Hades which was why they were so good. When Mark swallowed the fruit, his body instantly used the dense Life Energy to bring back his strength.

He felt his paralyzed limbs come to life, his Dragon Heart and bloodline stabilized and his soul began healing making his raging headache calm down. He felt his stamina recover enough to sit up, but he was not going to leave his bed.

"That's better. Here, you three can take one."

He was being greedy, but he was not very willing to share his precious treasures which he needed for his training. Just sharing three was enough as he gave one to Rias, Runeas, and Grimnar.

Once he did this Mark laid back down with his arms behind his head. He watched as the two Devil ladies used their power to peel and get the fruit out.

"You should eat the skin as well. They don't taste bad."

Rias did as he said and tossed the skin in her mouth. When she chewed on them she associated the taste with sweet candy and fruit.

"Wow, just the skin is delicious."

When the life energy flowed in her body she almost moaned as she enjoyed eating the fruit. She could feel her strength increase and her Demonic Power was refined. As for Runeas she also felt the same wave of Life Energy that revitalized her.

Grimnar just tossed the full fruit into his mouth and began to chew it up. As he was just one being his heads were not fighting over it. As the three of them absorbed the Life Energy from the fruits Mark gave them, he relaxed

"Here is the thing, I will be weak for about a week. As long as I eat one every day for this week I should be back to my peak. All I need is rest."

As Runeas ate the pomegranate she nodded.

"Got it. Protect you and Ddraig until you are back to your peak. Rias, this is a good time for me to train you. We can take turns looking out for him as Grimnar is going to stay here to keep him safe. Tell me, what is your peerage like?"

Mark took interest in this as well so he opened his eyes.

"Don't leave out the details, what are their races and genders."

Rias cleared her voice as she spoke about them.

"My queen is my best friend and the daughter of a Fallen Angel named Akeno. My only knight is a human girl named Kimmi, a survivor of a church experiment. My rook is a young Nekushou named Koneko, and my Bishop is a Damnphir boy named Gasper.

Kimmi and Gasper have Sacred Gears while Akeno does not."

(Image here.)

Mark felt there was trouble in Rias.

"And what is the trouble?"

Rias sighed.

"Akeno and Koneko deny their former races."

Mark thought about it.

"The worst thing they could do. Not my place to intervene so do as you see best. But remember, they will one day hit a hard wall if you cannot accept their heritage."

Rias nodded.

"I understand. What do you propose I can do for them to come to terms with their negative emotions? I tried giving them therapy before, but it never worked. Their trauma is deep, all of them."

Mark thought about it.

"Make them face what is causing them to deny their heritage. But in reality, we can't do anything about it, only they can and how willing they are to change."

Hearing his words made Rias think about it.

"Your right. Well, as long as I get stronger for them then that is enough right?"

Runeas shook her head.

"No, you have to be their leader, their pillar, but they cannot throw all their problems on you. All you can do is motivate them to change through example."

Rias took their advice as she finished eating her pomegranate.

"I get it. Thank you both."

Rias got off the bed and put on her shoes. Before she left she leaned over Mark and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"Get better soon Mark. I will be back tomorrow."

She opened a magic circle under her and teleported away. She either went to the Gremory Estate or Japan. When she was gone Mark turned to Runeas with a smile.

"I like her."

Runeas got on the bed and licked her lips clean.

"I do as well. She is like a little sister, granddaughter, and daughter. Speaking of which?"

She got a little smile as she looked at Mark.

"Do you want children someday?"

Mark shrugged.

"Sure I guess."

Runeas smiled as she looked at Mark.

"Well, that makes me happy."

Runeas laid down next to Mark and Grimnar again. Mark instantly fell back to sleep while Runeas just spent some time with Mark until he fell asleep. Once he was deep in his sleep she got up and left him alone with Grimnar.

---

Over the next 7 days, Mark spent most of that time seemingly in hibernation mode only waking to eat one of the Pomegranates and to spend some time with Runeas. Though he spent over 20 hours of each day just sleeping as his body stabilized.

On the last day when he ate the 8th fruit, he felt the powerful Life Energy flow through his Dragon Heart and into his full body. It fully healed all the damage caused to his Mana Pathways, mind, and soul.

Mark even felt that his vitality coming from his bloodline had increased meaning he had much stronger regenerative abilities. Even Ddraig had benefited from the healing energy of the fruits as his headache from losing a shard of his soul had gone away.

It had even begun to heal partially which was a good thing. Currently, Mark was not in his castle but at his house. Runeas and Rias were helping Mark walk despite him telling them he was fine now.

Even Grimnar was waiting to help him like a good dog. He was a good boy, and he would do a good job to get praise.

"I am fine you three."

Neither one let go of him though and Runeas was adamant.

"You never know, so stop complaining."

Rias nodded.

"She is right, there could be some trouble you can't feel."

Grimnar barked as his runed heads all looked worried for him. Mark sighed as he had the two girls walk him around the house. After 10 minutes they finally let him go so Mark happily sat on the couch.

"See? Nothing was wrong, but I should take it easy though. Ddraig is still recovering."

Runeas sat down next to him as she was curious.

"Ddraig, why did you do that? Cut a shard of your soul to give to Mark and all?"

[Why would I not? He more than earned it and the damage is not permanent. A little damage like that will heal over time as long as Mark helps me which he is.]

Rias still felt it was crazy though.

"But that was your soul. Did it not hurt?"

Mark and Ddraig in unison spoke.

"Yes."

[Yes. It was agony.]

Mark sighed as he remembered it.

"It was the worst pain imaginable. As I and Ddraig are very close I felt his pain. So until we both reach a state where we are stable no training. Oh well, not like have anyone to bother me."

Just then someone began to bang on the front door.

"Yo, Mark. It's me, Ares. Open up, I got a couple cold ones."

Rias had never met a god before so she was shocked while Runeas had heard from Mark how he and Ares were cool. As for Mark, he laughed as he walked to the door and opened it.

He was back in his usual biker clothes so he and Ares looked similar again. Ares was there, but he was with two goddesses. For the moment Mark only focused on his friend Ares. Mark and Ares locked arms as they did a one-armed hug. Ares patted Mark on the shoulder hard.

"You got stronger."

Mark nodded.

"Yeah, well I have been busy. Seems like you also got a bit stronger too."

Ares laughed.

"What can I say, that fight pushed me hard. It was the first time I felt any true joy in a battle in a long time. Want to go round two?"

Mark was about to take him up on the challenge when the smaller of two goddesses cleared her voice. She was dressed in a white loose dress with a blue skirt that reached her knees. Her black hair was hung loose which shined showing how healthy it was.

The second one was dressed in jeans and a loose brown blouse. Though they were both beautiful and youthful.

(Images here)

"Ares, no. Can't you feel it? He is in recovery so leave him alone?"

Ares smacked his lips.

"Before I forget this is my aunt, Hestia, as for this bitch, ignore her. She is no one important."

The other dark-haired goddess squinted her eyes.

"Ares, do not make me stab you in your back."

Ares glared at her with his battle intent rising.

"Like a coward?"

Hestia opened her eyes which blazed with fire and caused even Mark to take a step back. She was one of the first-generation Olympians and the firstborn of all the children of Kronus and Rhea.

"Both of you, behave yourselves. Be polite in someone else's home. Even if it was stolen."

She glared a little at Mark who cleared his voice as the goddess of the Hearth and Home would know that. Ares and Athena both calmed down and apologized to each other like siblings.

"Sorry, Sis."

Athena nodded.

"Yes, I am sorry as well."

Mark moved out of the way and motioned them to enter.

"Come in."

When the three gods walked in, Rias was kind of overwhelmed. As for Runeas, she fit right in as she had the power to be confident as a First Generation Devil. Ares waved his hands and a huge cooler appeared in them.

He set it down and opened it up to reveal a ton of special beers. He passed a beer to Mark, Runeas, Athena, Hestia, Grimnar of all beings, and one to Rias, but she denied it.

"No thank you, I am underage."

She hoped she did not piss him off, but Ares shrugged.

"Suit yourself. These are special so I will leave one for you here."

He put it on the table just to be nice as these were not mortal beer. Mark with his teeth took off the top and clinked his drink with Ares, Runeas, Athena, Hestia, and Grimnar. When he took a drink he instantly felt the cold energy of the beer flow through his veins. This was nectar, food of the gods, but in beer form.

From the look of it, Runeas and Grimnar both were loving it as they looked relaxed. The big dog uses some magic to pour the beer into his mouth. As for Rias, she felt like an outsider as she did not have the power to be around these beings.

Ares reached into his coat and pulled out a spatial ring.

"Here, dad wanted me to give you this. I was going to come alone to hang out, but before these two decided to come along. For some reason."

Mark took the third spatial ring and looked inside with his mana. He found a lot of gold, but this gold crackled with lightning. Seemed that Zeus had either blessed it or blasted the hell out of it with lightning.

Not just that he saw several ingots of Celestial Bronze and quite a bit of Nector and Ambrosia. That was not everything as the ring was full of divine wine made by Dionysus.

"Wow, he paid."

Ares laughed.

"Yeah, well dad kind of scammed you. Most of the stuff he just collected last minute as most of it the other gods could have given you. Don't expect him to give the really good stuff."

Hestia sighed.

"I tried to speak to him, but he said it was enough. Greedy little brother."

She drank her beer and nudged Ares.

"Another."

Ares sighed.

"Fine, sheesh."

He got one of the beers and handed it over to her. As Hestia looked like a teenage girl much like Runeas so seeing her drink beer was odd. Speaking of Runeas she also got another beer as they were great.

Their energy along with the pomegranate Mark had given her made her feel like she was getting stronger. Not something she felt often and just meeting Mark let her enjoy these treasures.

"You know, I think I might get along with you Ares."

Ares laughed.

"Thanks, but thank Mark here."

Hestia cleared her voice and spoke to Mark.

"The main reason I came was to meet with you. I enjoy the feeling of your home. The family you took this house from actually are living a good life and have a child on the way in Hawaii. You did them a favor even if you did not intend to.

I also wanted to meet the first real friend Ares has made."

Ares grit his teeth as Mark laughed at him.

"Seriously dude?"

Ares scoffed as he drank another beer.

"What? I am a war god, the only friends I make are those who can fight me evenly."

Hestia laughed a bit.

"Ares here has not stopped talking about how good a friend you are Mark. Be proud you can befriend Ares of all people."

Mark nodded.

"Thank you, Lady Hestia."

She shook her head.

"Call me Hestia. It makes me feel old being called Lady. And why don't you call Runeas here Lady Runeas?"

Runeas smiled.

"Well compared to you I am young. Just a couple of millennia-old compared to you."

Hestia glared at Runeas, but not in a bad way.

"Says the lazy devil who spends all her time watching TV."

Runeas shrugged.

"Well, unlike you I have no responsibilities as I am retired."

Hestia scoffed.

"More like lazy."

Both of them looked like teenagers but were very old. Mark laughed as they looked like good friends. Ares murmured under his breath that they were both old, but he got smacked on the head hard by Hestia. As for Athena, she drank her beer more elegantly.

She finally spoke on why she was here.

"I came to thank you for protecting my daughter. You did break her heart, but Luke was a traitor. Hades has placed him in eternal torment so thank you. She is a bit sad at the moment, but that Poseidon boy if he plays his cards right might gain her heart. I may not like his father, but the son is innocent."

Mark nodded.

"No problem. Annabeth is a good girl from what I can see, but she was blinded by Luke. Now that he is gone she can see the world for someone better."

Athena appreciated his words.

"Thank you for your kind words."

She looked over to Rias and picked up the beer Ares set for her and opened it for her.

"Here. Don't let this chance go to waste as these are not very alcoholic."

Rias took the beer not wanting to offend Athena.

"Alright."

Everyone turned to look at her as she took the first sip. When the beer entered her throat she felt the cold yet strong energy of the Nector nurture her body. Athena could tell she was close to Mark so she wanted to help her a bit.

"See, not so bad right?'

She noticed as Grimnar grabbed another beer from the cooler like he was sneaky. As for Rias, she thanked her.

"Thank you miss Athena."

Athena just smiled.

"Don't worry about it. For now, let's just enjoy these beers before Mark's dog drinks them all."

They all saw as Grimnar ran off with three beers like a drunk thief. Just as Athena said they all enjoyed the rest of the beers and spend a talking. Though by the end of the night, Runead and Hestia were stuck arguing about who was old.

Athena was silently sitting on a chair supervising Mark and Ares were having an arm wrestling match. Meanwhile, Grimnar was belly-up snoring with his three heads. As for Rias, she was dead drunk asleep on the dog's belly.

A fun night to remember for sure and one they all would come to remember fondly.