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

[IFS]

"Are you okay!?"

Nicole nodded and stood up "Yeah, just had to catch my breath," she said, when a pair of heavy thuds resounded off the side of the van. She swiveled and looked outside, she couldn't see Remus and Able, and a god of some sort stood triumphantly holding a mace and lightning. She couldn't be sure what had happened to the two of them but it couldn't be good.

She drew on her reserves of strength, and focused, if the gods lightning was anything like what she had taken from the storm then she could not allow it to hit the others. Steven and Aria charged recklessly at the god and even Andrew forced himself to act. Nicole concentrated on the god, focusing her new power on his attacks, willing them to become ineffective.

 

[hiei82]

And she was free! Aria had pulled her from the pile of smoke monsters. A second later they were away; Aria's doing no doubt. "You ok?" she asked. Vera put on a brave face and replied "yes"; trying to ignore the burns.

A moment later, they were surrounded. Aria retreated further - Vera in tow - then started blasting with a fury Vera'd not seen before.

Knowing her blade was next to useless against the monsters, Vera took wind form; surrounding Aria and all the others to try and deflect the many incoming blows. The others would need to strike the monsters down.

 

[Green Shoes]

Prometheus looked at Andrew, standing in the doorway of the Van. He was scared, shaking, though with great strength of mind held his ground in the doorway. Prometheus couldn't see Vera or Aria; and just caught a glimpse of Steven running, firing wildly.

"Out in the mist is a God! Come with me, I'll keep them off you. You need to come out here."

Hoisting the shield up, he spotted a charging Djinn, alone and weakened from Aria's bolts. Drawing it near, the Titan wildly smashed the shield into it's side as it lunged, breaking away bits of stone, watching it return to the mist. Near unkillable, they could at least be somewhat disarmed. He stood there, breathing heavily, waiting for Andrew.

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Steven ran towards the God, the pelted rock falling short. The Djinn were wary to face him; having witnessed his dismemberment of the other; those that did charge were buffeted by Vera; blown back away, lacking enough physical matter to push past the wind.

Steven arrived as soon as Aria warped. She poured the last of her strength into the shot, the energy from which parted the mist around them. A powerful blast, though the God simply raised his lightning.

Nicole sensed a slight pull; the weight of the lightning was heavy, heavier still with so many distractions; Steven's gun, Aria's bolt, keeping the mist, the rain...

She pulled down on the lightning, the Gods hand trembling, only half-blocking the energy. It burnt through his robes and into his chest, sizzling and scorching, causing the skin to peel and flake away.

Clutching his chest, the God staggered, the rain easing, the fog becoming thinner. Aria was spent, and her breath was ragged; she tasted blood and bile. Seeing Steven approach and Aria falter, he flung his mace at the girl, no energy left to warp, catching her under the chin and knocking her out.

The God, wheezing, clutching his chest, attempted to straighten up, leering menacingly at Steven.

"Do you want to know...what happened to the last men who fought me?"

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Vera felt a change in the weather; the wind and fog was less strong, the rain less heavy, and her whirling began to push both the fog and the rain away. The Djinn felt her and began pushing back, unable to break past her but still pushing, drawing out her strength as they tried to close the whirling circle.

 

[Terratina.]

What was that noise?

Admist the lightning, the chaos, and the shouts of Prometheus, there was a sudden *thud*. But what was it? Judging by Prometheus' rallying cry, Etna assumed that the noise wasn't particular a good thing. Maybe she had been a bit too hasty in her approach to the problem of Dionysus? Sure, one sure hit and the god would be died. However, was that really possible? Gaia, Loki, Hades, Mr. Persian Devil... It had taken the teamwork of several demigods to take down their adversities. Dionysus, empowered by that strange suicide cult, would surely be a different story.

The chaos had just shown them how unprepared they actually were.

It was ironic, inside she called for action - to go directly after Dionysus - while outside she just stood there passively. The reason wasn't fear. But how long would Etna keep to her pacifist ways? The dagger glinted as another lightning bolted cracked across the sky. Should she run outside and stab whatever is rocking the RV? Should she take the initiative? Or should she hide under a blanket like a certain doctor-in-training? Well, she didn't take any of those options. Magical or divine or whatever, a dagger was still a dagger. Etna doubted that little thing would do much good.

Still, she helped in what way she could, for the umpteenth time.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Aria was out before she hit the ground, which really just meant she couldn't feel her now broken jaw as she lay on the ground and got rained on.

 

[DarkRawen]

"Out in the mist is a God! Come with me, I'll keep them off you. You need to come out here."

So if I get rid of him, does the weather get better?

Andrew nodded, though somewhat hesitantly, before forcing himself to walk out. He wanted to go back in, he wanted nothing less than to be safe and sound inside the van. As safe as he could be. He looked towards the mist, but he avoided looking far up, just standing under the open sky made him feel dread.

That doesn't matter. It doesn't--

More lightning. He froze for a very short while, before he collected himself again. Andrew was very well aware of that Prometheus had spotted that he was afraid. He didn't like showing weakness like this. As he started walking towards the god hidden in the mist, he spoke.

"I've got astraphobia," Andrew said, trying to hold onto a little of his dignity. Phobias were different from just being a coward. Probably. Hopefully. "An abnormal fear of lightning and thunder."

He didn't speak more than that, not wanting to distract Prometheus when the creatures the others had been fighting attacked, and instead kept heading towards that one place. The fog had started to become thinner, and he could now spot the guy, who seemed to be fairly hurt from before.

Without hesitation, Andrew lifted his bow again, aiming at the god's chest area. He fired two arrows in swift succession, one hitting the lower part of the abdomen, the other, which he taken an extra few seconds to change his aim, hit the god's neck. Was that enough? Andrew put his bow down, perhaps foolishly, to survey the results.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Steven barely kept his footing with the strong winds. The blast made his ears ring.

"Do you want to know...what happened to the last men who fought me?"

Steven looked at the God. Whatever just happened, it was a lot weaker. Steven felt there was one bullet left in the chamber. While the bullets had not effected the god before (Steven didn't consider he might of just missed in his fury), there was now a wound to exploit.

Steven breathed in, and out, took the gun in both hands, aimed, and fired at the burnt skin in the God's chest.

 

[Green Shoes]

Steven fired into the Gods chest, punching hole after hole into the God. Spitting ichor, the God cried out in pain, though still standing. His hands wrenched at his chest, pulling the bullets out one by one. The glowing beam of energy was lying on the ground; hot, so hot that Steven could feel it radiating electric heat.

He would have spoken, but Andrew's arrows sunk into him, stomach and neck. No cry of pain, just a deliberate motion; his hands pulling them out and dropping them; arrows blackened from his insides. He was crippled; barely able to move, in increasing amounts of pain; yet still alive.

Raising his head, he called out.

"Is this it, Zeus?! This is who you send to stop me? Your throne is mine!"

Etna tapped into his anger; it was wild and pent-up. Festering for a very, long time. Tapping into it, she enraged him; focusing his attention on his anger rather than present matters. However, this also drew his attention away from his pain, his body completely straightening out as he cried out into the sky. The thunder and lightning flared again, fueled by rage; striking erratically.

"Zeus! Face me yourself coward! No more games!"

Ichor poured out of his wounds; sizzling as drops fell onto his forgotten staff.

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Prometheus watched as Andrew fired, though keeping a keen eye out for Djinn. When the god pulled them out, he cursed.

"Fuck."

Looking around furtively, he wasn't sure what to do. The Djinn were kept at bay by Vera, though edging ever closer. If they got to the van, they would all be killed. But Aria was out, Steven alone amidst the lightning. Grabbing Andrew by the wrist, he started running.

"Time to face your fear, Andrew."

Lightning struck nearby, flashing, thunder roaring. Prometheus tightened his grip.

"You need to get Aria back in the van. I'll help Steven."

The God was busy challenging Zeus, though still aware of the pair approaching. Releasing Andrew to deal with Aria, the Titan sized up the God, and the wicked looking mace. Standing next to Steven, he spied the lightning staff.

"Think you can hold that without frying?"

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

A Djinn broke through Vera's barrier, slinking low to the ground, and crept into the van through the open door, left open from Andrew's exit.

 

[DarkRawen]

"Fuck."

That was very much the word for the situation. The god was bleeding a lot, or perhaps leaking fit better, considering the odd color. He was obviously very hurt, yet he seemed to ignore that pain, and get more agitated. He had pulled the arrows out, they seemed unusable now as they had turned black. And then... the lightning and thunder started again, the bolts struck at unpredictable times and locations, swiftly.

Andrew froze, his arrows hadn't helped much, and now he was outside the van. Prometheus grabbed his wrist, and before he could react, the Titan started running towards the god, dragging him along. As Prometheus was far stronger, Andrew had no choice but to follow at the same pace, his attempts to resist seemingly futile. Well, either that, or have his arm ripped off, although that kind of seemed more preferable at the moment.

"Time to face your fear, Andrew."

No, not there---

He had started shaking again, and was clutching the bow in his other hand. Why were they headed towards the god? Because there was other people there? But this wasn't--- he didn't--- Lighting struck close this time, and he instinctively tried to get out of Prometheus' hand, and run towards the van. That was safer, he didn't care about anyone else anyways, what use was it that they all died? Prometheus responded by gripping his wrist tighter. Was he planning on having Andrew get killed?

Let go you bastard!

"You need to get Aria back in the van. I'll help Steven."

The van. He was going to go back to the van. That was good. A relief. However, he had to get Aria first. Part of him really intended to go back the very moment Prometheus would let go of him. Even if he was a doctor, this wasn't a doctor's job, and he was too scared for his pride and memories to calm him down this quickly. After all, he was selfish and antisocial at core, why would he save someone else at the cost of his own life?

However, then he saw Aria, lying passed out, lightning flashing around her. If he didn't pick her up, she would probably get hit, and killed. Andrew stopped thinking. The moment Prometheus let go of him, he ran over to her, and picked her up quickly, supporting her head in case of head injuries, but not taking the time to examine her. There was lightning all around them, after all, and he wasn't going to stay longer than he had to, not at all. Andrew then sprinted towards the van, wanting nothing more than to find shelter within it.

 

[IFS]

Nicole steadied herself from the exertion, she could collapse when the battle was over, not before. Hopefully such an end would come soon, the god looked badly wounded and his minions were mostly scattered, but they were not in good shape either. Aria was unconscious, Remus and Able hadn't appeared again, Andrew was terrified, and she felt like she was running on fumes.

A burning light entered the van as one of the monsters crept through the door, behind her Etna seemed focused on the fight outside, I can't let it hurt her. Nicole grabbed the sword and held it outstretched towards the monster. Her wings shimmered into vision behind her, looking somewhat tattered from the strain she was under.

"Your god is nearly beaten, and I have already turned his power against your kind once," she said, trying to hide her exhaustion and appear menacing "If you are wise you will run before we can give you our full attention."

 

[Terratina.]

There was just so... much anger.

It was a vortex, a black hole, hot and chaotic, like the insides of a volcano, like the core of the Earth, like the centre of the Sun and every other star in the galaxy. Wild like a storm, the fury of nature itself. Etna had tapped into the anger of a god, but as she tugged at anger, part of it seeped into Etna's mind, which only cause her to tug harder. In short, it was a vicious cycle of pulling the god's anger up and in return, receiving some of that anger, and using that rage to pull even harder. She was pulling and pulling, tugging and tugging, as if it was the only thing that could be done to sort out the situation. Then... Then something just crashed. She turned around and saw one of those creatures.

She needed to break free from the rage.

The only way was to let it out all. Her frustration, her anger, her rage. The all-consuming rage of that enemy god had become hers. It was mixed in with her own. Andrew, her own imposed need for haste, this situation... All only served to fuel the fire. She grasped the dagger with a surer grip and ignored Nicole's words to the Djinn. Like it would listen anyway. Besides, she was tired of always being the one who always stood back from the combat. Etna couldn't ignore it now. This was a war against gods, a war that Dionysus had started as soon as the ritual-suicides had began. And here she was, thinking it was alright - no - that it was better to take the pacifist route, even they were the ones being attacked, they were the ones in danger... 'Well screw that.'

Etna leapt at the Djinn, past Nicole, and slashed with the dagger.

 

[Green Shoes]

"If you are wise you will run before we can give you our full attention."

The Djinn crackled audibly, drawing itself up from the floor, flooding a section of the van with smoke and heat. The fire in it's eyes narrowed, looking over Nicole; it's gaping mouth twisting into a malevolent grin. The flames cast her wings shadows onto the dashboard.

Though it's face exhumed confidence, the creature was hesitant to move, fearing the wicked blade the girl handled. Trying to draw her near, it taunted.

"Careful now little girl; that swords awfully sharp. Don't want to end up like your friends -"

Etna leapt past Nicole, seething with rage, and slashed the dagger across the creatures chest. The stone covering it's core began flaking and crumbling away; veins of green fire splitting and shredding it, radiating from the cut.

Squealing and backing itself into the van, it poured itself onto the wound, trying to smother the wound. Tendrils of flame and smoke reached out to Etna and Nicole, whipping and scorching, keeping them at bay as it tried to repair itself.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

"Is this it, Zeus?! This is who you send to stop me? Your throne is mine!"

The God obviously was boasting, he must of been in some serious pain...

"Think you can hold that without frying?"

Steven thought train was broken by Prometheus. He turned towards the staff, thought about it, and shook his head. While he expected he would avoid the burn, static shocks still effected him, and bet it would still do massive nerve damage or muscle twitching. However...

Steven remembered the shotgun he had given Remus, and didn't remember it being fired during this fight. He quickly ran back to the body, and found it still there.

It was still loaded with buckshot. Steven turned around, raised the weapon, and fired both rounds into the God's chest.

 

[Green Shoes]

The force of the shots struck the God down, now pinned flat on his back, wheezing, bleeding. The storm began to fade; the fog and clouds dissipating. It was late afternoon; the sun setting, the moon just rising; the pink-tinged sky was beginning to reveal only the brightest stars.

Prometheus walked over to the God and placed the rim of his shield on his neck. Ichor was pouring out of the gods chest and mouth; he spluttered and coughed, speaking low.

"You can't kill me, you know. Not with those weapons. Not for now..."

The Titan stared the God in the eyes, before speaking to Steven.

"Good shot. What do you want to do with him? Teshub, if I'm not mistaken..."

The God squirmed, both his mace and staff out of reach. What energy he had left was keeping him alive; the storm above vanishing completely.

 

[hiei82]

Vera was exhausted. The smoke monsters were beyond her ability to stop and now she couldn't even hold them at bay. It's be nearly an hour before she could transform again and by then they'd all be either dead or victorious. Vera could scream at her stupidity; why had she allowed the monsters to get the better of her early on. All she could do was hope the others would be able to hold their own.

That was when she saw them. Able and Remus. At first, she thought they'd been knocked unconscious, but when she noted they weren't breathing she became more worried. It wasn't long before she understood. Why Aria had gone crazy, why the entire fight was going against them... everything. They'd already lost two of their number.

Now she was pissed. Able had been kind. He was interesting. And Remus... hell, he'd been on her side when her father showed up. They were just getting to know each other! It wasn't fair. It was cruel and horrible. Worst of all, if she hadn't let herself get blind-sided by those smoke monsters... she didn't finish the thought. She couldn't.

Finding strength in her rage, she did the only thing she could. She reached down with her wind to Able's body, grabbing hold of the rune stones he'd been given. She didn't know what they did - no one did - but they were divinely empowered. All she could do was hope they were explosive. Gathering all the power she had left, she spin them around in a miniature Tornado and launched them - one at the god and the rest at the nearest of the smoke-monsters with all the force of a hurricane. As they hit, her mind let go of the real and she slipped into unconsciousness.

Spoiler: OOC

I don't know what those Rune Stones do, but I hope that rune stones of a god of vengeance appreciate being launched in a righteous fury at enemies and I pray they explode like bombs.

 

[Green Shoes]

The rune stones burnt through the Djinn and landed in a perfect circle. Though the sky was now clear, a perfect fork of lightning struck dead center, leaving in it's wake the silhouette of a man. As his features came into detail, the Djinn that were struck with the runes began to burn horrifically, screaming as they crumbled into ash.

The man wore a plain, cream tunic and high, Nordic boots. At his side was a short sword, and in his hand a long spear. His hair was long, matted brown and red, and his beard tied in a knot. The bravest of the remaining Djinn charged him, yet with unbelievable ease and ability, he side-stepped and smote them with his spear, one by one returning them to dust.

The others creatures fled, yet the man seemed somewhat uninterested. He began walking to the corpses of Remus and Able, the runes behind him disintegrating. Kneeling down at Able's side, he placed his hand upon his head and bowed his head. Then, without moving, released a wild and primal howl, louder than any thunder, and more terrifying than any other sound; pure anguish.

Prometheus looked over at the van, the figures on the other side obscured. Keeping the pressure on Teshub's neck, he frowned deeply. The Djinn were scattered and defeated, and he prayed whatever made that sound was a friend.

 

[IFS]

Nicole battered the flames away with her wings and charged at the monster, swinging the sword with every bit of strength she could muster. She didn't know if she would truly be able to kill it given that the lightning had only driven some away, but she had to try. She aimed for what looked to be the center of the thing, a burning core of green flame.

Outside she could hear a ferocious roar, though she could only hope that whatever it came from was on their side. Knowing our luck though that's not very likely.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

"Good shot. What do you want to do with him? Teshub, if I'm not mistaken..."

Steven thought for a second, and reached down and picked up the god's own mace...

The sudden yell distracted Steven from smashing the god's face in.

 

[Green Shoes]

Nicole's sword cut straight through the Djinn; the rocky fragments already shredded from the inside. The flames began to turn green as it writhed in death throes upon the floor; squealing and hissing like a boiling kettle. Andrew arrived at the van as it crumbled to ash, carrying Aria, whose eyes fluttered open. Dazed and confused, her jaw was broken; though more of a dull ache than shooting pains.

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

Prometheus and Steven both looked over at the van. Slinging the powerless God over his shoulder, he motioned for Steven to follow.

"Come on. Bring the mace; if he tries anything, kill him."

Rounding the van, he saw the strange figure lying the bodies of Able and Remus out in the open, building a small pyre from the low-lying scrub. The two deceased were blackened and burnt; their skin peeling and bloody, though their eyes shut and at peace; courtesy of Vidarr.

Prometheus shrugged the God to the ground and placed the rim of the shield onto his neck. Their deaths were surprising to the Titan, but perhaps less traumatic than for the others; he had seen many deaths, both friends and strangers. Still, it hurt. He had failed them.

Turning to Steven, he spoke low.

"I need you to get the others; whoever this man is, he poses no threat for now. He's going to burn them here; give them a funeral. We should all be present. Also, grab a sheet."

His voice was stern and somewhat removed; Prometheus needed Steven to keep strong and anchor the group, lest they all fall into grief.

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

Laying out Able and Remus' body, Vidarr silently collected small branches, twigs and brush to build a pyre. His face was stained with tears, and his knuckles bare white. He had planted Able's spear and Remus' sword on either end of the growing pyre.

Turning around, he saw Prometheus and the back of Steven. He mad no indication of acknowledgement, and returned to the growing pyre, still unlit.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Aria awoke, dazed, not sure where she was, or what happened. She went to speak but her broken jaw made it self more know, and weakly grabbed it, while still getting her barings. After a few moments she recognized the RV, Andrew, then she saw the unlit Pyre out side, with Remus and Able laying there, then every thing flooded back, her seeing them die, and her failed attempt to kill the god that slain them. She got Andrew to put her down, and tried to make her way to it but fell almost instantly due to just being to tired, instead, she pound on the RVs flooring and just cried.