Children of the Gods: Arc 2 [Game/Closed]

[DarkRawen]

"Go! Go! Tell Prometheus I'm sorry!"

Andrew had walked with Etna past the doors when the vines had cleared up. It seemed the others were planning on closing the door, but since neither him nor Etna would be much of a help, he just continued walking. Remus was probably right behind them, and Steven yelling showed that he at least was safe. That was everyone, right?

She calmed her down, huh. For only a slight moment. Confusion, then calmness.

"Say, Etna, would your power happen to be manipulate people's states of mind?" If so, messing with her might not be such a bright idea. He murmured it, in order to make sure only she heard.

That's... bothersome, in that case. And a bit risky.

However, she had probably saved their lives, so he wasn't about to yell it out if that was the case. She might not have any problem with people knowing, or perhaps she did. Besides, she already disliked him, probably even more now. "You don't have to help me anymore," he told Etna. He let go of her, he didn't completely trust in that she didn't have some secret plan which included dropping him suddenly or something.

He whimpered as he took a step without her support. The morphine would probably start working soon, and it wouldn't be a second too early. It was hard to breath, every breath, no matter how short it was, was followed by an intense pain, and he found himself on the verge of tears due to this pain already before he had let go of Etna.

How long... was this tunnel? I hope it's short. Very, very, very short. The morphine better kick in soon, or I'm going to lie down. And not crawl into a little ball, because that would be painful as hell. Fuck, where did that boulder come from? The car trip is going to be horrible. At least there's the morphine, though...

His mind went from one topic to another, as it finally realized he was away from Gaia. Regardless if Etna was still following or not, Andrew went through the tunnels and outside, lying down when he was close enough.

"The... rest... are closing the door," he told Prometheus. His voice was clearly showing that he wasn't feeling well, so he pulled himself together. "I got a few ribs broken, but everyone else should be fine. Gaia had a moment of clarity... she told us to tell you she was sorry."

 

[Terratina.]

Etna remained silent. This was enough without a constant back and forth of words laced with hostility. So what if he knew? So what if the others knew? This wasn't a social club anyway. She was just glad that it worked, that she had messed with the mind of a god and that succeeded. Shame about the cardigan though. A few drops of blood stained the black fabric. Sighing, she took it off and walked on out of there. "You owe me a cardigan." She bluntly stated to Andrew. She would apologise to Prometheus later for freezing up like that. Such things required delicately after all and she didn't want an injured Andrew taking the chance to twist the knife about it. She sighed again and leaned on the wall. Was there to be another road trip after this? Well, that would be 'fun'.

 

[DarkRawen]

"You owe me a cardigan."

What the heck is a cardigan?

Andrew was still lying on the ground, and he didn't have any reason or desire to sit up at all.

"Why do I owe you a cardigan?" he asked. He kept the tone he had spoken to Prometheus in, if only layered with a layer of real confusion. "Did I ruin it?" He looked at the black sweater she was carrying. It seemed he had gotten a bit of blood on it.

That's not even my blood... Figures, though. I guess this is payment for her saving my life? That's heartless.

It hurt too much for him to protest out loud, so he just sighed. "How much? I can't promise I can afford it, I'm mostly spending my money paying my rent and loans."

Have some pity, you Irish witch. If you really want the money, I guess you'll just use your powers on me to make me give them up.

"Besides, my clothes are ruined too."

 

[Terratina.]

"...Besides, my clothes are ruined too."

It was the starving student angle. How typical. She had been there, done that and got the proverbial t-shirt. Right now, she just wanted a shower and a comfy bed. But no, she was here, in the middle of nowhere. Then again, would-haves and could-beens didn't matter, not in the end. Right now she had to deal with annoying Andrew.

"So what? I wouldn't be surprised if everyone's are." She shrugged, "It only cost about £15, anyway."

 

[Green Shoes]

Prometheus ran to Andrew and Etna, his eyes wild.

"Will someone tell me exactly what happened?!"

He counted the demi-gods that came through the door. There was Nicole, Vera, Dan, Steven, Andrew, Etna and Aria. Where was Remus? Looking down at Andrew, it was clear he was hurt. Broken ribs are going to be a problem. Calming himself down, he smiled at him.

"Do you think you need a hospital? Or will you be able to fix it after some rest; we can bind it so it doesn't move around and cause you hurt, no?"

His attention then turned to Etna, the dark-haired girl. He had yet had a chance to talk to her.

"Are you alright? Last thing I saw of you, Gaia had you in her grasp."

It was well and truly dark, yet the moon was full, so vision wasn't an issue at this point. Though washed of colour, nobody seemed dead or dying. Save Remus.

"Where is Remus?"

 

[Deu Sex]

"Go! Go! Tell Prometheus I'm sorry!"

Remus was surprised by Gaia's sudden change of heart. The vines which had been tearing at quickly vanished, allowing the door they previously ensnared to be opened. Afterwards he saw several of the other demigods exit the chamber - including Steven, Etna and Andrew. Able and Nicole also stepped through the door, but pressed themselves against the iron to keep it open. Realizing he was the last demigod in the chamber, Remus took a brief to turn around and perform the umbrella gesture with his arms. "Crazy drunken *****!"

He then followed the other demigods and darted himself through the door. He looked up, seeing Etna and Andrew exchanging a few words, then turned his attention back to the gate where Nicole and Able stood. "Are both of you okay? You didn't get hurt, did you?" Although it wasn't the wounds of others he should have been so concerned about. With Remus' adrenaline now going away, he could feel a growing pain emerging from his right hand. He must have swung too hard when he hit Gaia's descending leg, probably even snapped something internally.

"Where is Remus?" Remus waved his hand. "Right here. Ouch." He immediatly pulled his hand back down as it began stinging something awful.

 

[DarkRawen]

"So what? I wouldn't be surprised if everyone's are. It only cost about £15, anyway."

"You do know I only have dollars on me, right?"

£15? How much is that again? Let's see... around... 25 dollars?

He smirked, for some reason he was in the mood for teasing her more now. "I'll pay for a dinner, then. Later. Nothing fancy, but enough to cover that cardigan."

At least I can use this to bother her more. I had almost decided to leave her alone since she saved my life, but never mind that. This will be fun.

He knew she would protest. Who wanted dinner, when they needed clothes? But he didn't care, she wouldn't act nice either way. He chuckled, feeling a bit numb all together. And oddly optimistic, almost happy. Well. It seemed the effects of the morphine had started to settle in, that was the euphoria part of it, he figured.

"That should be enough, right? Since I only have 20 dollars in my wallet and my debit card. Might have to wait a few days, fractured ribs and all that. Do you want to see? It doesn't look as painful as it is, I can promise you that. Almost regret I went over to snap you out of whatever that was."

Of course, I doubt you'd care. That's how this work.

"You don't have to say anything, I'm fine with just a smile." Despite saying that, he closed his eyes. They would probably move on soon, wherever they were going, so he decided to take as much time as he could, and just lie there. He was exhausted, after all, but the pain made it impossible to relax, even now when it was beginning to lessen.

"Do you think you need a hospital? Or will you be able to fix it after some rest; we can bind it so it doesn't move around and cause you hurt, no?"

"I have 20 mg of morphine in my body. I don't want to have to explain why I had it on me in the first place," he muttered. He was being careless, but he could always make up some explanation later. Telling them he had intended to see what an overdose would do to a patient was not the thing he wanted to tell them. Besides, it had only been a thought for a short moment.

Long enough to steal it.

"I'd rather skip any kind of hospital at the moment."

 

[IFS]

Remus was the last one out, taunting Gaia before moving through the door, with no reason left to ensure the door stayed open Nicole stepped off of it. She looked back at the raving goddess and couldn't help but feel pity, such an awe inspiring being reduced to this...

"Are both of you okay? You didn't get hurt, did you?"

She nodded and then turned to see if Able was unharmed as well, she smiled slightly as tragic as Gaia was in her current state they had still managed to survive an encounter with a titan, no small feat, and she had been able to help just by running.

Some of the others seemed hurt, mostly Andrew man I hope he can heal himself, otherwise we might be in trouble. Remus also seemed to have hurt his hand I hope it isn't more than a sprain, I didn't ask for anyone to come rescue me, really hope Able and Aria aren't hurt either...

 

[Terratina.]

"...That should be enough, right? Since I only have 20 dollars in my wallet and my debit card. Might have to wait a few days, fractured ribs and all that. Do you want to see? It doesn't look as painful as it is, I can promise you that. Almost regret I went over to snap you out of whatever that was."

Etna threw the cardigan at him in response, "Don't bother." That particular remark was directed both at his offer of dinner and his heroic act. She thought on it. He didn't need to be there. He didn't need to get hurt. Was he expecting something in return for that? Like she would give him anything anyway. Andrew at least could stop with the guilt-tripping. She wasn't the one who decided to rush into the heart of a cave with a raging earth deity.

"You don't have to say anything, I'm fine with just a smile."

'What?' The sentences that Andrew spewed later gave Etna the idea that it was just the morphine affecting him. It would be interesting to see what would happen if she messed with his mind while he was in that sort of state. Nevertheless, she decided against it. Etna didn't need to give Andrew more ammunition. Why was she even bothering with responding in the first place? She didn't know. Etna definitely knew one thing though.

She spat it out, "I definitely regret carrying you out of that cave, then."

 

[Green Shoes]

Prometheus nodded at Andrew, before clasping his forearm in the Greek custom.

As Remus came through the tunnel, Prometheus gave a sigh of relief. It seemed they were all alive. He returned to Hecate and picked her up, opened the van, and through her in the back. Dusting his hands off, he turned to the group.

"I'm glad everyone is relatively okay.I suggest you take a moment, collect your thoughts, then get in the van when you're ready to leave. Mind the witch in the back."

Turning to Remus and Nicole, he asked.

"You two seem the most coherent, and I dont want to talk to a persian warrior right now. What happened?"

 

[DarkRawen]

He seemed to have pushed a button, because Etna had thrown her sweater on him. The cardigan or whatever it was. She also said he didn't need to bother.

At least that means I don't have to pay for the sweater.

"I definitely regret carrying you out of that cave, then."

Harsh, you're basically telling me you wish I had died.

He frowned, just like anyone more emotional than him would if they had heard the viciousness in her words. He didn't doubt other people had heard it. Andrew felt like laughing, but instead he shrugged. "Yeah, I'm sorry. I should have been more careful, gotten out myself. Want some morphine? It'll make you a lot more happy. Kidding, I can't give you any, it's very addictive and it's fairly strong, and you don't need it. You are fine, right? No pain, or anything?"

 

[Terratina.]

"Don't bother. I'm fine." She said to the morphine addled Andrew. Then she walked on over to the van, opened the door and sat down. This time in the front. Etna may have been called a witch in the past, but she didn't want to sit next to the one in the back. The others would probably chat some more, leaving her plenty of time to have some quiet time to herself. Without an Andrew to annoy her. Etna would probably be left to herself anyway. Not like the rest of the demigod squad seemed to want to talk to her. She made a mental note to thank Able for protecting her. She could at least do that much.

 

[Deu Sex]

"You two seem the most coherent, and I dont want to talk to a persian warrior right now. What happened?" Remus turned in attention to face Prometheus. "Mother Earth tried to murder us." he stated. "She almost crushed Nicole to death. Also skewered Dan straight through with a root, which Andrew luckily healed, although he got wounded by a boulder." he paused for a moment and scowled internally. "Should have thrown it back at that damned *****." Remus then continued. "We all managed to survive and get out as you can see though. For some reason, she withdrew her vines and said something about being sorry..."

 

[Ruedyn]

Dan sank to his knees, the warrior was Vera. He had chased his ally out of a battle he was needed in, left all his comrades for no reason. He had failed everyone, potentially fucked the world. He didn't brighten up as the others sloely came out of the cave, injured, battle beaten.

The rabbit had wandered off, it just wanted to leave and now it was free, an intelligent, half mad rabbit striking out his own in the world. Dan was glad that he was at least harmless. Though, it wouldn't matter much to him at this point, as he picked himself up with the help of his spear. He slowly undid the thing, and put it neatly in his backpack. He would avoid Aria, for now. After all, he had failed her. He'd walked up to their guide, Prometheus, as he interrogated Remus and Nicole. He was more or less phased out, going over his version of events in his head.

 

[DarkRawen]

"We all managed to survive and get out as you can see though. For some reason, she withdrew her vines and said something about being sorry..."

"Etna did that." Andrew said, adding to the explanation of Remus. "She somehow calmed down Gaia, but only for a short while. I saw. I think her powers are affecting the emotions or mind of others."

I did say I was going to keep it from the others, but if Etna going to be so angry, I might as well tell them. I lie all the time either way.

"So she did a really good job. Helped me out of there, even though it was risky for her."

She yells at me, I'll praise her behind her back while breaking my promise to her.

What a day it had been. He wondered if there would be fights like this in the future, although he was out for a few days at least.

"Are we going to go somewhere we can rest today?"

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Steven walked over to Prometheus after catching his breath.

"Before she was calmed down, however, she was barely above a rabid dog," Steven said flatly, "She would of easily of killed Andrew if I hadn't blasted half her face off, and yet she was still coming. I suggest we get far away from this rock as quickly as possible before she gets that door open again, so that poisoned wine can get out of her system. However, where are we going now?"

 

[IFS]

"You two seem the most coherent, and I dont want to talk to a persian warrior right now. What happened?"

Nicole let Remus respond, he seemed very angry at the goddess she did try to kill us, but mostly I feel sorry for her... hard to blame someone for something they do when they aren't themselves. Steven also answered, apparently not trusting what Prometheus had said earlier about Gaia not being able to leave the chamber. Once he was finished she spoke.

"She nearly hit me but the others distracted her, we all got out though. I didn't see Andrew get hurt my view was obscured by vines," she answered great report captain obvious, you going to tell him that her name starts with a G? "Didn't you yell that she was poisoned or something? She seemed to shake it a little near the end, helped us get away, seemed like she wasn't in control of her actions."

Andrew said something about Etna being able to control minds, a scary thought though it could explain how Gaia had calmed down briefly. She hoped that he was wrong, he was in a rather unreliable state from the look of him. Still mind control seemed quite evil to her, to force someone to think a certain way was a horrible thought.

 

[Deu Sex]

"Etna did that. She somehow calmed down Gaia, but only for a short while. I saw. I think her powers are affecting the emotions or mind of others." Remus twisted his head in surprise at this remark. It certainly seemed like a plausible enough idea, it being rather odd for Gaia to have switched from rage to sorrow so suddenly. Andrew must have been very sharp to have noticed Etna's power at work, because he certainly would have never realized such an answer.

Remus took a moment to look over Nicole, making sure she was as unharmed as she said and not just trying to downplay her injuries like he currently was. "She seems mostly unscathed." he thought. And with that he turned himself around and approach Able. He put his hand on the mute's shoulder and smiled. "Thanks for saving Nicole back there. If I tried pushing her out of harm's way myself while trying to fight off Gaia, she probably would have just crushed the two of us." he said, leaning forward and giving Able a friendly hug before realize he might crush him a bit and pulling away. "You didn't get hurt yourself, did you?"

 

[Green Shoes]

Prometheus nodded silently as the group filled him in. It seemed clear that Gaia had been twisted by Dionysus, almost killed everyone, then apologised in a moment of calm, courtesy of Etna. He glanced over at the dark haired girl in the van. She was certainly the least social of the group. Even the guy who couldn't talk did more.

Turning back to those still left, he spoke clearly, but with a heavy heart.

" I want you all to know that I had no idea this would happen. Nor did I expect you to fight so valiantly to save the group. For that, I am thankful. You must understand that Gaia did not mean harm; she was poisoned, twisted by Dionysus' new power. She is just another victim, and an example of what may happen if we fail."

He clapped his hands together, finishing the solemn moment.

"Now. Were going to drive to the nearest town, resupply, and get some plane tickets. , the witch in the back, is going to materialise some cash whether she likes it or not. Take a breath of fresh air and pile in, I want to get to a motel by early morning."

With that, Prometheus jumped into the van and started up, the high beam headlights revealing the tunnel they had just left, sealed and shut tight.

 

[DarkRawen]

"Now. We're going to drive to the nearest town, resupply, and get some plane tickets. The witch in the back, is going to materialize some cash whether she likes it or not. Take a breath of fresh air and pile in, I want to get to a motel by early morning."

Oh, great. Just another car trip, and then a plane trip. I almost don't mind.

Andrew stood up, very slowly. A lot of the pain had vanished, but he knew he still had to be careful. The broken ribs were still broken, and he didn't want to damage them further. He brought the cardigan with him when walking into the van, he could probably use it for something. Or Etna might ask for it back, although she probably wouldn't do that in a while. She had taken the front seat, which meant that he had to get into the soon very crowded back of the van. He placed himself in a window-seat as far from the witch as he could, he didn't know if she was going to be protesting wildly or not, but he didn't want to take the chance. He still felt good due to the drug, but he knew he would feel better if he slept.

I don't get why there's such a hurry to get further though. Heck, I don't even know where we're heading.

Andrew had almost collapsed in the seat, but tried to do so carefully due to his injuries. At first, he had doubted he would manage to fall asleep, but for the second time in a day, he did something akin to passing out, as if the lights had been turned of inside his head in an instance. He used Etna's sweater as a pillow, she had just randomly thrown it at him, after all.