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

[Green Shoes]

Dis grinned as shock took hold of Remus. As Steven consoled him, he placed the tongue gently into the stranger, before letting go and stepping back. Cradling his staff in the nook of his arm, he cleared his throat.

"Sorry to interrupt, but he's ready to chat. The dead can only answer questions, so ask away."

He leaned back against the wall of the fort, resolute in his decision not to go anywhere. The stranger simply stared at the group, small expressions forming on a previously blank face. Small colour returned to him, though little energy, and upon his pseudo-awakening he found it difficult to stand. Dropping to one knee, he began coughing lightly.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Aria turned to the man as he feel to one knee, coughing a bit "Welcome back, I know this is sudden but I have questions that are in need of answering and we've been told, by a reliable source your the one man with the answers." She started, her tone pleasant as to better get the answers she needed "Now then, Why is Dionysus doing all this, and where can we find him?"

 

[Dogmatic99]

"I don't know what you're made of, Able, but it is stronger stuff than I... Are you okay to keep digging?"

Aren't you supposed to be famous for fire... didn't I see you flicking fire about the place at some point? Able grumbled to himself mentally.

He could easily have been wrong about that they were reaching the point where all the supernatural magical stuff he'd seen had started blurring into one now. He's even forgotten what Vera actually looked like, now he just assumed if it wasn't a regular member of the group (and wasn't trying to rip his face off) then it was probably Vera.

He should probably start making more effort to communicate with people who weren't Nicole and Remus. Oh but who's got the energy? None of them could understand a word he signed anyway and it wasn't like he had time to go writing everything down for them, it was a miracle his phone had survived this long he couldn't carry a deck of flashcards.

But this wasn't the time for grumbling, the time for grumbling wouldn't come back for a long time. Able just kept digging, dislodging one stone after another and slowly soaking his shirt through with sweat as he did his best to endure the blistering heat. Why do I always end up getting soaked in something on this stupid quest?!

But he was getting close, just one more stone left unturned, Able jsut hoped it would be worth it. Even his skin was starting to feel the sting of the intense heat.

 

[IFS]

"No...that can't be right."

Nicole felt a sudden urge to hug Remus, he had lost someone close to him, a family member most likely his mother. No doubt one of the horribly butchered corpses they had seen back in that barn, she hoped the woman hadn't been in too much pain when she died. Fear also rose in her, what if Dio is targeting our families? We need to stop him soon...

She didn't hug Remus though, feeling it would be too sudden, instead she walked up and placed a hand comfortingly on his shoulder. For a moment she wasn't sure what to say, never having had to deal with something like this before, but after a pause she spoke.

"I'm sorry, I wish there was more I could say," she began a bit weakly "Maybe it was someone else though who just heard your name, or maybe we can still help her, there are a bunch of stories about rescuing the dead from the underworld," she finished, still uncertain but trying to provide some semblance of hope. Maybe Hades can even help us, though with how he's acting that seems unlikely, no we can't give up hope yet.

Dis soon arrived though, and the questioning began, well he's helping us now at least.

 

[Green Shoes]

Able dislodged the last stone, revealing an alarmingly sharp spear tip. It glowed ember red, as if it had just been forged. Digging deeper, Able revealed the rest of the weapon. The pole itself was made of a light-coloured wood, and had a red ribbon tied about a third of the way down. On the ribbon was a Latin inscription.

Wrapping his hands around the spear, Able pulled it out with an almighty struggle. It was far lighter than he had anticipated, and the spear head began to cool quickly, free of it's confinement.

Leaning over into the small hole, Prometheus called out.

"What is it? What have you found?"

-----------------------------------------------------

The stranger looked at Aria as she spoke, struggling to process the words. These strangers were the first ones to speak to him since his demise, and they felt somehow off, somehow inhuman. He answered slowly, requiring a great deal of concentration.

"Dionysus? He said that...he needs followers. Power. He said he'd claim us from here when the time is right. Victory in death, victory in death..."

His words turned into a shallow mumble as his mind trailed off, yet the stranger perked up as he remembered the second question.

"He said he was off to make final preparations. A binding; binding for someone. Needs...chains? Aha!"

He quickly stood tall as a memory, clearer than any other, burst into his mind.

"Binding of the wolf!"

With his energy again exerted, he collapsed to the ground, breathing, but spent. Dis watched on in distinct curiosity, his brow deeply furrowed, clearly trying to make sense of the strangers words.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Aria pondered the words of the man for a moment "The bindings of a wolf? Only bound wolf that I know of is ..." Aria paused, though, trying to remember the name, and failing. "Well, I forget the name, but he's one of Loki's sons, the one that is destined to slay Odin in Ragnarok, where ever that mut is, is where we should be going." she said "Unless some one else has a bound wolf in their 'family tree' some where."

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

"Unless some one else has a bound wolf in their 'family tree' some where."

Steven thought about it, trying to think all the mythology he vaguely remembers.

"Well, thee are many other wolf gods or gods related to wolves, like the Japanese Sun Goddess," Steven scratched his head, trying to remember, "Assumi... akami... something starting with an A. Or what about Artemis, although I think she is closer related with deer come to think of it..."

"Still, Loki's son sounds like the most likely culprit, since we did run into Loki and he seems to be working for the Wine God..."

Steven turned to Dis, since he was the only source of information they had at the moment.

"You have any idea where we can find this son of Loki or the home to the Norse Gods?"

 

[Deu Sex]

Remus didn't react to the kind words of those trying to comfort him. He seemed to have drifted off, ignorant of what was going on around him. Everything else was a haze compared to the thought that was burning away inside his head. The more he lingered on his realization the more intense the feeling of shock was becoming. Remus began to breathe heavily, though he put his hand over his mouth to futilely try and hide it.

"My mother's dead." The realization stung worse than any pain he had ever felt. The woman who had birthed him, raised him through almost his entire life was dead. He felt like crying. He felt like letting his legs give in, fall to the ground and scream. But he couldn't do that. Not in front of everyone else. "Calm down...just calm down. Don't make a scene." he told himself. It was difficult to reign his hurt back though. He continued to take heaving breathes as his eyes swelled red.

 

[Dogmatic99]

It took all he had as Able gritted his teeth in frustration, the damn thing didn't want to budge until he wore it down and out of nowere it gave up the ghost. The spear, as he could clearly see it was now, was almost feather light and he stumbled as it gave up its grip on the ground like some jerky kid playing tug of war that just wanted to make you fall in the mud. Abe regained his footing, hoping he hadn't looked like a complete burk and held the thing out flat in his hands.

It was a beautiful thing. Able wasn't what you'd call a weapon nut but even he could see the love and care that had gone into it. It was a pity Dan wasn't here, what with him being the proper spear connoisseur. It even had a ribbon around it like a present. How nice! It was kind of funny though, Ribbons and spears, which mythology do I know that has famous people with those?... No. It couldn't be... then again.

"What is it? What have you found?"

Able remembered Prometheus was there and shook himself out of his own world, showing the titan the spear. After looking at it closer the two of them could see the writing on the ribbon. Being and englishman Able has seen enough unnecessary latin in his young life to recognise it when he saw it, he had idea what any of it meant though. Maybe once they were back in the world of the living. He doubted his phone could get any wifi here but once it could he could always google it.

Able did his best to nod in the direction the others had gone in and set off to follow them, the spear resting on his shoulder. If it is the spear I'm thinking of... then... well damn! If nothing else then pulling it from the rocks migh have at least made him the future king of England.

 

[Green Shoes]

Able drew free the spear, and brought it forth for inspection. Prometheus smiled, and laughed heartily; perhaps from exhaustion, or just the peculiarity of the event.

"Looks like a present for us. I hope. Let's go find the others before Dis feeds them to his pup."

Prometheus motioned for Able to carry the spear, finding it fitting, seeing that it was him that had pulled it from the wreck. The occurence tugged at the strings in the Titans mind; what was it? Who sent it? Was it for them?

Questions without answers, he thought, running his hand through his hair as he walked.

----------------------------------------------------------

Steven's question brought Dis out of deep thought. He looked at him with curiousity; sensing a powerful mark somewhere about his person. He eased it into his answer.

"I don't know where you'd find Loki, whatever wolf you talk of, but I believe the Northern ones live in the...North, if I'm not mistaken."

He spoke sarcastically; was this truly the best that Zeus could find?

"Though, they'll feel you in particular from a mile away. What mark do you bear, and how did you come upon it?"

---------------------------------------------------------------

Prometheus and Able rounded the corner to find the rest of the group, in conversation with both the stranger and Dis. Remus seemed shell-shocked. Worried, Prometheus looked at Aria, and then back at Remus. Assuming his most neutral tone, he asked him.

"You alright? Have you got any information from the stranger?"

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

"I don't know where you'd find Loki, whatever wolf you talk of, but I believe the Northern ones live in the...North, if I'm not mistaken."

Steven gripped his eyebrows at that statement. The sarcasm didn't escape him.

"Though, they'll feel you in particular from a mile away. What mark do you bear, and how did you come upon it?"

Steven froze for a bit.

"One of us had to make a... certain deal... to get that tongue," Steven said, "I was not aware of the signal it was broadcasting."

 

[Lunar Templar]

"You alright? Have you got any information from the stranger?" Aria heard Promethus say as he and Able walked up to them, spear in hand "Nice poker, and yes, Dio is after 'the binding of a wolf', so our best guess is Loki's mut of a son, so North we go." Aria said, cutting in and effectively answering for Remus, save what was bothering him "Though as to how we getta hold of some one who'd know where we'd need to go is lost on me, Freya didn't leave me any contact info" she added with a shrug.

 

[Dogmatic99]

I thought so. Able grinned smuggly at Aria's comment on his fancy new spear - yes he saw it as his now - as he rejoined the group. Everyone was seeming kind of dower and grim, which wasn't suprising considering where they were or what was going on, but it seemed closer to the surface that it had been earlier. What had they missed?

Remus wasn't looking so great either, though he was doing a good job of keeping a stiff upper lip whatever was bothering him. It was probably something Dis had said or done. The god was currently standing off to the side and the expression on his face was looking very punchable right now.

"...Dio is after 'the binding of a wolf', so our best guess is Loki's mut of a son, so North we go."

Wait, what? It did make some sense, there was only one kind of famous myth wolf that Able knew of. One that had been bound anyway. His free hand reached for the ribbon tied across the spear shaft and the wheels in his brain began turning. Things seemed to be fitting together and so far they were proving his first theory right. Abe wondered if he should tell the others about it.

No. He still didn't have enough evidence and this wasn't the place to start waving his arms around like an idiot. Besides Dis would probably try and make Abe sell his soul id he asked for a pen and paper. It would have to wait for now. As things went on Able took up his usual position by Nicole's side, it now slowly turning into a habit.

 

[Green Shoes]

Dis laughed as Steven froze. Smirking, he walked over and turned his hand upwards, revealing the mark of Badb. His laugh faltered, and his face took on a far more concerned expression.

"Well. I was not expecting that. Ah well; at least you won't be seeing me again when you fall."

Dropping Steven's hand, he made as if he was to greet Able and Prometheus, before seeing the Spear, held loosely in Able's hands. Gripping his staff, he spoke directly to Able, though his words were for the group.

"This has been lovely, really, and I'm happy I could be of help to your merry band. But the hour grows late, and I fear Dionysus grows ever more powerful. You should really be going."

Prometheus spoke up.

"What's the hurry? Not that I'd be happy to leave."

The air grew heavy and muffling, and Dis took on a far more menacing air.

"Now."

Tapping his staff into the ground, the group felt the air grip them, and their vision fading. It grew heavier, heavier, until finally it was no longer air, but water. Confused, Prometheus tried to breathe, only sucking in water. Following the dappled sunlight above him, his head broke the water, coughing and spluttering. Without thinking, he took a deep breath and went back under, dragging Nicole and Andrew to the surface, reaching sunlight at the same time as the others.

They were back at the lake, where the Morrigan had seen them of. Around the banks, where they once stood, was ichor-stained feathers, and strips of purple cloth.

Hauling himself to the bank, his clothes soaked, Prometheus cursed, realizing his passport and credentials were soaked. Sitting with arms around his knees, he waited for the others to emerge.

 

[Terratina.]

Etna's fingers had been tracing the inscription on the token, it was slightly irritating not being able to look at it again, but Prometheus had basically ordered her to hide it from Hades. Still, the image of it had been burned into her mind. She had figured out the first part, now it was just a matter of moving on to the middle part, and then figuring out whether the symbols were phonetic or syllabic. That meant going through different combinations until she hit one that made sense. Ugh. 'Oath by word' - What did it mean anyway?

Well, there was time for that later. Any more fussing and Dis Pater would grow suspicious. From the outside, it would appear that she was feeling around in her bag for something, at least. She faked a smile and pulled out her mobile - it was dead. Etna quickly put it back inside and gave a slight nod to Able as he rejoined the group with a new fancy spear. Even so, the smile quickly dead and she sighed. Etna - to put it bluntly - wanted to leave Hades and its ruler soon. At least now they had a reason to: to start the trek north.

But things quickly changed once Dis Pater tapped his staff and sent them back in quite a rough manner. Etna immediately began swimming upwards, following the Titan's example apart from the fact that she probably wasn't strong enough to take two people with her. Etna rushed to the surface, and as soon as her head was above water she spat out a feather that had been sucked into Etna's mouth as she had taken a deep breath in, recovering lost air. It still beat travelling by storm though.

 

[Deu Sex]

Still trying to cope with his shock, Remus hardly noticed when he was being teleported away. It was only after he realized he was suddenly breathing water instead of air that he was snapped out of his numb state. Remus immediately closed his mouth to stop any more water from flooding in, then swung his gaze around looking for the surface. After seeing it he began swimming upwards. Normally it would have been little trouble for the demigod, but his mind was still in a haze so his movements were slower and clumsier.

After finally surfacing, Remus coughed up a mouthful of water and took great heaving breathes. Once done with that he looked around to make sure everyone else was fine. Prometheus had thankfully dragged Nicole and Andrew up, and Etna had resurfaced as well. Remus's back fell flat against the bank as he continued to breath out and rubbed his forehead.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

"Well. I was not expecting that. Ah well; at least you won't be seeing me again when you fall."

"Well, that is one good thing this brand has brought me..." Steven pushed his sleeve over the "tattoo."

Steven saw Dis look behind him to Prometheus and Able. Dis' whole demeanor change abruptly. Steven turned, and saw the spear. He had no idea what it was, but guessed Dis knew and didn't like it.

"This has been lovely, really, and I'm happy I could be of help to your merry band. But the hour grows late, and I fear Dionysus grows ever more powerful. You should really be going."

Steven felt himself being teleported away, again. His body didn't notice it was suddenly underwater several breaths too late. If it wasn't Steven's fit body of a child of a god, he would have drowned. Still, when Steven managed to crawl on to the shore,he coughed up both water and vomit.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Aria coughed a bit after she made land, having breathed in a bit of water due to just being dumped in a lake. After she caught her breath she to look for wood for a fire, or a shelter they could use to dry off. She, naturally didn't say what she was doing, but she figured they where smart enough to figure it out on they're own

 

[hiei82]

Vera burst through the lake's surface gasping for air and coughing up some water. She'd been in the middle of a deep breath when the portal opened beneath them. Worst of all, Vera could only really blame herself. She'd been thinking about "the wolf" and the Norse gods and all that and not paying anywhere near enough attention.

Upon expelling the water from her lungs, she looked around to the others to see if any needed help. She might have been back in mortal form for another half-hour or so but she was still a trained athlete and more than capable of dragging a water logged demi-god in need to shore.

 

[DarkRawen]

Andrew was done. Through. He had been dragged to Australia to help save the world with a group of morons. Then, his ribs had been broken for a couple of days, him being too tired from saving everyone else to fix it. After that, he had been dragged to hell by the idiots, risked the wrath of an evil god, and now he was wet. All this time, he hadn't gotten a moment's rest from the eyes of the other demigods, even when going to sleep he couldn't really relax. And now?  

"Screw them. I'm done with these imbeciles and our retard guide. I'm done acting like the nice guy just because of these people," he groaned when he got to the shore. It was meant as a thought, but he said it aloud, not realizing himself. His voice was cold and lacked the friendliness that he had faked before. Andrew didn't release his mask just yet, he wasn't aware of what he had said. However, with as loud as he had said it, everyone else probably was.