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

[DarkRawen]

"-Keshi. You're straining yourself; you should drop out of this form before you push yourself too far. If once this conversation is over, you still wish to kill Mixcoatl; you may use my father's sword to deliver the blow. It should prove powerful enough."

Well, thanks for nothing.

Andrew thought to himself. He wasn't sure what he had expected, but if Keshi tried to claim the right of vengeance, he would contest whatever right she thought she had. Did not his right as a surgeon having saved the life of someone begging for his help count? Did he not have a right to tell someone off for wasting his time and efforts by killing the person he had spent such an effort on.

I do, and I will see to it that this god is not killed for a reason like revenge.

Nicole and Rias offered their thoughts on the matter as well. He was surprised that Rias was trying to talk Keshi down -she seemed like she was very keen on taking those who had done her wrong, after all- but it wasn't something he would argue on. Not when she was supporting his side.

Finally, Keshi gave up and changed back into her human form. She had definitely gone too far in terms of using her power, and spoke.

"My everything hurts...anyone know how long that was?"

Andrew didn't reply, he was unconcerned with Keshi's physical shape, for she wasn't injured. Besides, while he had nothing against her human form, he was certainly not fond of the way she acted when she changed.

She can't be trusted, that much is for sure.

Not that Andrew trusted Rias or Hymir to the same degree he trusted the rest either. However, there was a difference between not knowing completely where someone stood, and risking getting his head chopped off for saying the wrong thing. Looking at Prometheus, he tried to meet the Titan's eyes. When he managed, he glanced over at Keshi for the briefest of moment, before he looked back at Prometheus, hoping the other understood his worries. With that, he looked back to Mixcoatl, waiting for the god to reply to what Hymir had asked.

And then, we'll leave, because it's becoming increasingly dangerous for us to stay still.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Rias sheathed her claws and picked Keshi up so at the very least she didn't have to chew on the grass when she spoke. "Sorry, wasn't keeping an eye on the clock." Rias replied in answer to Keshi question. Keshi's 'goddess' form or personality rather was concerning though, as it seemed to over ride 'normal' Keshi to the point of exhaustion when aggravated. That would need to change, less for the sake of the others, she wasn't terribly concerned about them, but she didn't want to watch the Keshi she knew be swallowed by some raving monster that lives in her head.

 

[Athol]

? Sorry, wasn't keeping an eye on the clock."

?Fat lota good you are.? Keshi muttered, with a weak chuckle, as she hung onto Rias. ?We?ve never pushed it to the point where she?s tired before.? After a few moments she trusted her legs enough to let them take her weight, though she still kept herself braced against her ex-girlfriend. ?Hey,? She said quietly, pitching her voice so only Rias could hear her. ?Thanks for this?again?and remind be to apologize to the others for her.? Hey! Oh stuff it.

 

[Green Shoes]

Mixcoatl rubbed his neck slowly, eyes darting between Hymir, Keshi, and Andrew. Fearful for his life, he now looked to Hymir, considering him the leader of the group. Shaking his head slowly, he tried to offer what help he could.

"His demeanor? I don't know...his form is short and ugly - a grotesque old man. He carried something under his arm, though I didn't see what. But he's strong - stronger than you. Loki's tried to mark him for days, but he needs help. The mark - Loki knows where I am, always. He would give orders, before I tried to run. It's not two way though. If I die..."

He cut his sentence short, only for Prometheus to finish it for him, his voice piercing the rain.

"If you die the mark goes. And we are, again, invisible."

A look of fear came upon Mixcoatl. Maintaining eye contact with Hymir, he stood slowly, hands where all could see them. His eyes betrayed his options - looking for some possible exit, though his body as still as stone.

"Please - just let me go. Let me go as far from here as I can."

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

Prometheus saw Andrew glance at him, and then to Keshi. The Titan just offered a shrug - she was with them for now anyway; there would be no point in dwelling on anything until they left the jungle. Rolling his shoulders, he listened to Nicole's report. Thinning his lips, he looked in the direction of the mist.

"Something is there, Loki or not. But it's our only lead for now. We'll have to stay together, and move quiet."

As Mixcoatl made his plea, Prometheus turned around. It seemed to him that Hymir had taken charge of the situation; not surprising, as the closer they crawled to Loki, the more determined Hymir seemed to be. Prometheus perceived a deep fear in the god; a fear not unlike his own. If either of them fell, there would be nobody to follow them. All their long memories, all their work -

Prometheus circled around Mixcoatl, thus enclosing him amongst his saviors.

"If you betray us, we all die. And countless more. Even if you don't return, if you're captured before you make it out, he will force it from you. Please, you have to understand. This is more important than either of us."

With that, Prometheus quickly lunged forward, binding Mixcoatl's arms behind his back with tremendous force. The god let out a yelp, and began struggling and weeping, begging to be spared. Looking down and away to the ground, eyes screwed shut, he projected his thought out, to anyone who was able.

"Just make it painless."

 

[DarkRawen]

Andrew rolled his eyes when Prometheus apparently decided that Keshi was fine, he very obviously did not agree.

"If you betray us, we all die. And countless more. Even if you don't return, if you're captured before you make it out, he will force it from you. Please, you have to understand. This is more important than either of us."

What? No!

So it was fine to keep someone who could murder all of them in a fit around, but not let someone who had aided them go? Andrew's eyes narrowed, though the feeling he felt was disbelief, why on earth would Prometheus do that? Did the Titan not have any kind of values?

"Just make it painless."

"If you kill him, I'm out of here," Andrew said, unable to keep his voice from ending in a hiss. "I'm leaving, and I'm taking Nicole with me, if I so have to drag her out of this damned jungle. Good luck defeating Loki without your healer or demigoddess of victory," he continued, and looked briefly at Nicole. He was serious, he had not healed someone, assured them of that everything would be fine, just to have that person get killed.

"Just try it, Prometheus, just try to make someone kill him. You've dragged me to hell, and you've dragged me to this place, but I am not going to take you killing my patient. And you---" He looked to Mixcoatl, still aggravated.

"If they let you go, you leave for civilization. I don't care if you think your chances are better if you go back to Loki, because if you do, I will make sure your death is far more painful than the one Prometheus is offering you. Your best bet is leaving, be very very aware of that."

Then he looked back at Prometheus, defiance in his eyes. Andrew awaited a reaction, though his eyes did not leave Prometheus', nor did they stop trying to figure out what the hell the Titan was thinking.

 

[Athol]

?You can?t be serious!? Why not? Umm?how ?bout that bit where he tried to KILL US! I?m not saying I don?t want to kick his balls into his sinuses, but killing him won?t accomplish anything. Yes it will. The fucker?ll be dead, and I?ll be in a MUCH better mood. And for that we lose out healer?somebody we might just need if we?re going to try and kill a legitimate fucking GOD! Who cares if he wants to ***** out. Goddamn it, I KNOW your smarter than that. Sure the guy is a prick but like I said we?ll probably need him. Fine?you?ve made your point. I still not happy with this but I?ll go with it?that said, if Sir whatshisnuts tries anything, I?m collecting his fucking head. Deal.

Giving Rias a squeeze on the shoulder, Keshi let go and with some effort stood up straight. ?His life isn?t yours to claim Fire Stealer.? She said, looking at the Titan, her face a blank mask. ?By all rights, his life is mine.? Without warning, she hauled off and slapped Mixcoatl with surprising force. Crouching down before the wounded god, she braced a hand on the pommel of Hymir?s sword; looking straight into Mixcoatl?s eyes she grabbed an arm by the wrist and pulled it towards her. ?You attacked me without provocation, with the intention of killing me, and blood was spilled?there must be penance for what you did.? With a jerk, she pulled Mixcoatl?s arm across the edge of Hymir?s blade causing the South American god?s arm to start bleeding. ?Blood for blood.? She said, letting go of his arm and pushing herself up.

Staggering back from the group a bit, she flopped onto the ground. ?Well we?re satisfied. I say we let him leg it; who knows? Maybe he?ll make the town before Loki?s hunters work up the nerve to come back.?

 

[Lunar Templar]

As Keshi 'settled' things with the South American god Rias crossed her arms in disapproval and watched. "Keshi is right, his life is hers and no one elses. If she see fit to let him live, he lives." She said, her tone carrying her disapproval of what the Titan was doing. The son of Apollo was also dead set against it, so much so he was threatening to leave and take Nicole with him. Losing him would be harsh, but Loki still needed to die if he's killing 'traitors' to Dio. "Besides, this serves no higher cause, it is cold blooded murder, nothing more. To suggest other wise is an insult to those that have died for a higher cause, be they god or human."

 

[hiei82]

At Keshi's words and actions, Hymir understood her decision. Before getting up, Hymir needed to keep his word to the god. Quickly turning to the bound god he spoke up, "To remove the rune Loki has placed on you, seek out Freya. Her's is the only magic I know to rival Loki's."

From there, Hymir stood and took back his sword. "Keshi is the only one of us with fair right to his life. Seeing as she's made her decision to spare it, I see no reason to keep him further. Nicole, Shiro. You've remained quiet on this; do you have anything to add? Prometheus, do you wish to make a case why we should not free this Oss? If no one else has anything to add..." Hymir said, letting the point trail off as he placed his sword on the binds to cut them once all discussion was complete.

Despite all this, his mind was rather elsewhere. He was trying to compile a list of the gods that met Mixcoatl's description but it was still too vague. He didn't like the idea of having less information than he could, but he saw no remedy for it.

 

[IFS]

Prometheus stated the necessity of killing the god they had captured, a necessity Nicole objected to. Fortunately she wasn't alone in this, Andrew and even Keshi rejected the notion, though Keshi did so by still giving the god a nasty cut. Rias backed up Keshi, and Hymir followed suit.

"Andrew you don't control me," she said, chiding him "I'm not going to leave, but neither are we going to kill him."

She looked down at the god, not sure what to say to him for a few moments. He seems desperate, and we need allies badly. We'll stand a better chance against Zeus with more people on our side after all. That said I can't see how he could help us.

"We need more friends," she said finally, then turned to the god "I don't know if you'll be able to help us, but if you ever get the chance I hope you take it, you owe us for this."

 

[Green Shoes]

Prometheus stood frozen as the group defied him, setting Mixcoatl free. The God looked quickly at his saviours, eyes flicking between each of them. Swallowing hard, he spoke briefly.

"Thank you. I'll seek Freya, or her daughters. Thank you." Looking back at Prometheus, he seized his oppurtunity,dashing into the jungle, and the final sounds of him crashing through the forest were muted by the rain. Silence fell on the group, and the Titan narrowed his eyes. Cracking his knuckles, he began freeing another branch from a nearby tree, speaking low as he did so.

"I have been around for many, many years. And it is decisions like that cost more lives than they save. I hope for your sake that you made the right choice. Nicole saw something uphill, so that's where we're headed I guess."

With a sharp snap, he twisted free a long staff. Picking the green shoots off, he stared at Andrew, and then at the group at large. His tone was short and sharp.

"One day, you may have to make a far harder choice. They may lay hands on your loved ones. Always remember that there are many, many lives at stake. It's best to accept that now."

Without further word, he started up the hill, trying to keep his mind clear and closed. He was angry; both that they had defied him and that they were unable to think about the greater good. He had expected so from Andrew and perhaps Rias; but surely Hymir knew the necessities of war? And to think that Nicole was willing to gamble so much?

He shook his head and pressed forward, hoping the others would follow.

 

[DarkRawen]

Andrew was rather pleased to hear that the others were agreeing with him, although, they seemed to be more agreeing with Keshi. He took note of that, clearly the aspect of revenge was more important to them than anything the healer could say.

I suppose it's because of their parentage.

He looked apologetically at Nicole when she spoke, he would have to explain why he said it as he did later. The only one who did not agree with Mixcoatl leaving was Prometheus, who was clearly angry.

"One day, you may have to make a far harder choice. They may lay hands on your loved ones. Always remember that there are many, many lives at stake. It's best to accept that now."

Andrew sighed, following. If Prometheus was trying to hide that he was singling out Andrew in particular, he'd have to do way better.

"You know, I could go on a tirade about how I've been the one forced to make decisions this entire time," he started. Rather than angry or annoyed, he felt tired by this, tired by Prometheus' insistence of putting him down and criticizing him for every single thing he did. However, that was always what he did, and no matter how much Prometheus told him he was wrong, or that he was selfish, Andrew always had a reply for him. Not this time, however, this time he would only address the issue at hand.

"I really could. But it doesn't matter. It's not going to matter now, and it won't matter later. You are, however, mistaken in that this is a hard choice. Nothing of this mattered, Loki already knows we're here, he's got to. Do you really think Mixcoatl's death would have changed that? Unlikely, Loki's disgusting, growling friends likely already let him know."

And, with the extra time you spent trying to make everyone change their mind, he's probably had the time to prepare individual gift-baskets for each one of us.

Andrew was happy he had managed to keep the last bit in his mind, though he felt like saying more. Of course he did. He wanted to argue the fact that the only reason Prometheus had taken part in the discussion was that he didn't like the way it was going, like he always did. If he wanted people to do as he thought was best, the titan would have to make his point far earlier than that. He always disagreed with the decisions that were obviously Andrew's, like contacting Apollo and trying to fool Loki, but what about in Hades? What about the decision to go to Russia, which had allowed them to save Venus and her daughter, and, hopefully, a number of monks? Hadn't Andrew been the driving force behind that, forced to make the decision all on his own in Hades, no help from Prometheus, and hadn't he been the one to argue for Russia when others argued for Europe?

Well, at least I tried not to lash out on him this time. He doesn't deserve it, though, he deserves to hear what I think.

Andrew bit his tongue.

But I'm right. It won't matter. Ever.

 

[Athol]

Keshi shook her head at the Titan?s outburst. ?So you?d rather we?d slit that fuckers throat and lost the one guy who can put us back together, then?? She said as Prometheus moved off. Following after at a slower pace, she tapped her temple. ?Sure she wanted him dead,? Still do! ?But if we?d done that, I?m pretty sure we?d have royally screwed ourselves by driving Andrew off.? She added waving an arm in his general direction. ?Unless you somehow think this fight with Loki will be easy??

Her knowledge of the Norse pantheon was pretty limited, but what she did know led her to believe that any fight was likely to be tough; and asshat or not they?d need Andrew?s skills. Slowing a bit more to let Rias catch up with her, she spoke softly. ?So Riri tell me, just how in the hell did you get caught up in this shit show??

 

[Lunar Templar]

Rias's tail bristled as the Titan spoke of 'the greater good', and she wanted to lay into him and ask where all this foresight was a year ago. Instead she just crossed her arms "The son of Apollo is right, there was and is no befit to slaying that scared and broken god. Marked or not, whether we'd see him or not, our prey likely already knew we where here, if not before then, he likely by now thanks the beasts the fled from us." Rias said, basically parroting what Andrew had said. "Besides, what makes you think they don't know where our family's and aren't planning to use them against us in the future are already." Rias added "It's safer to assume the enemy both has and will act on intel like that then assume they don't have it or won't act on it."

Rias left it at that and caught up to Keshi. "They basically pulled me off a train. " Rias started "The night before I met up with them." Motioning to the group "One of Zeus's hunters made a poor life choice and tried killing me using a man made of Bronze. I won, and from said Bronze Man I got a lead on where that little coward had buggered off to. The son of Apollo and Nicole are the ones who actually came and talked to me on the train." Rias shrugged "Short of it after that is they provided a decent enough reason to follow them down here to kill Loki. So here I am."

 

[hiei82]

"I have been around for many, many years. And it is decisions like that cost more lives than they save. I hope for your sake that you made the right choice. Nicole saw something uphill, so that's where we're headed I guess. One day, you may have to make a far harder choice. They may lay hands on your loved ones. Always remember that there are many, many lives at stake. It's best to accept that now." Prometheus said.

Hymir could only shake his head. This was getting out of hand. Now, even the nominal leader was getting in on the action. Furthermore, Keshi and Rias were clearly upset with the Titan. This needed to stop. "Alright; enough. At this point, he's gone so there's no sense arguing over it. Perhaps it would have been wiser to kill him, perhaps by letting him go we've gained allies. None of us are Volsung so none of us can see into the future. If he comes back to attack us, he'll be spared no mercy. Right now, we need to focus on remaining a cohesive, functioning group." Hymir said, taking time to look at each of them during the speech.

"Perhaps we should air our concerns and feuds that none can use them against us? I shall go first of you like?" Hymir finally said, trying to reach a resolution to the group's many difficulties.

 

[Lunar Templar]

"We don't have time for that now." Rias said she kept walking "We have a target to find, and thanks to that little delay, the very real threat of a larger second wave of beastys to possibly deal with. If we must share anything it should be plans or back up plans for in case things start going bad, getting in to some adolescent 'I don't like you and here's what wrong with you' circle jerk should be saved for times like last night, or this morning, not when we're in the field." Rias didn't bother stopping as she spoke, and was going to leave it at that. "Besides, we don't need to like or under stand each other to kill a god, we just need to play our parts in the plan and not let personal feelings get in the way." With that, Rias was done with the topic 'airing grievances'.

 

[IFS]

Prometheus was not happy about the group consensus to let the god go, she understood the titan's concerns about them being discovered, but she stood by her decision. Let's just hope it doesn't come back to bite us in the end.

"One day, you may have to make a far harder choice. They may lay hands on your loved ones. Always remember that there are many, many lives at stake. It's best to accept that now."

She felt her gut tighten at the thought of her parents being hunted down, no I won't let that happen. But then it wasn't a matter of her letting anything happen, it was a possibility and she should prepare herself for it. How though? How does anyone prepare for something like that.

"If that day comes then we will face it," she muttered "but until then I'm not going to compromise my beliefs out of fear."

She felt less confident about that than she sounded, but what was done was done. Though the others were still arguing about it, Hymir even suggesting that they all air their grievances, though Rias shot that down.

"Besides, we don't need to like or under stand each other to kill a god, we just need to play our parts in the plan and not let personal feelings get in the way."

"We do need to get moving," she said "but if we're a team we need to trust each other, so Hymir does have a point we should get any concerns out of the way before they become a problem. But if no one feels like saying anything then we should just get moving."

 

[DarkRawen]

"Perhaps we should air our concerns and feuds that none can use them against us? I shall go first of you like?"

"No," Andrew replied. "Let's not." It was a horrible idea. He had enough complains to make the situation even more sour, and, by the end of it, no one would feel better, nothing would be done, and it would just be even more frustrating. He hated having to repeat himself, and by now the issues he had with Prometheus made him sound like a broken record.

Why even care?

He wouldn't care. He was content with letting it go, and Rias seemed to be of a similar opinion.

"Besides, we don't need to like or under stand each other to kill a god, we just need to play our parts in the plan and not let personal feelings get in the way."

It seemed like the topic would be dropped, but then Nicole spoke.

"We do need to get moving. But if we're a team we need to trust each other, so Hymir does have a point we should get any concerns out of the way before they become a problem. But if no one feels like saying anything then we should just get moving."


Rias is right. I'm perfectly capable of not letting my personal feelings get in the way during combat, and so should everyone else be. they're adults, working together for something like this should go perfectly well without the heart to heart talk. Besides, I have a feeling it'd only make things worse.

Andrew looked towards Prometheus, for a short moment, but his eyes didn't linger.

I was mistaken to think of him as my friend. Friends try to understand each other, while he won't even look past my parentage. If I were to have an okay chance at Prometheus actually respecting me, I'd have to go to a plastic surgeon. Besides, can I even trust someone who clearly dislikes me? I think not.

He shut it out, everything. Smiling, but clearly not pleased, keeping himself from speak out loud.

I am done airing my thoughts and opinions. If they want to know what I'm thinking or feeling, they can try guessing, but there's no reason nor benefit for me to share personal information. This was all a mistake.

Being here was a mistake, he hadn't thought for a moment that this would help get Zeus off their backs. He had just followed Prometheus blindly, wanting to trust. Instead, he felt the cold return, freezing over any emotional turmoil. Calmness and cool filled him, like when he was about to operate, or like back then, but not that poisonous.

 

[Green Shoes]

As the group trudged higher, the rain thinned out to a damp mist; obscuring the thick jungle both in front and behind them. The slow rumbling of thunder above could still faintly be heard, but now the Titan slowed, moving warily. Coming to a complete stop, he focused his thoughts, glancing back behind him. Any negative emotion he carried before was replaced with his regular neutral demeanour.

"I don't think now is the time to voice our concerns. I doubt this mist occurs naturally, and I wonder if those creatures have reported back yet. I feel like we're charging in blind."

Pausing, he took a moment to match eyes with everyone, hoping to convey some sense of cohesiveness. Any arguments that were to happen would have to be delayed.

Low voices flitted to the ears of Rias, and soon after fell upon the rest of the group. The language was incomprehensible, but there seemed to be several of them, somewhere ahead through the mist. Small partings in the haze showed several figures, human and clothed, hands resting on long-handled axes. A small light amongst them indicated a fire, or perhaps a torch; it was impossible to tell.

Backing away from the mist back to the group, he knelt down, leaning his staff against his shoulder.

"Could be a patrol? Or loggers. We could try move around them, but I don't know what's further on."

Prometheus' thoughts were accompanied by his silent gaze, straight ahead, watching for movement.

 

[Lunar Templar]

"I'd wager we don't have time to go around anyway." Rias replied as she readied her self for a potential battle. "But we don't really have time to waste on this lot ether, so I vote sneak around, and use the mist to our advantage." she said as she kept an ear on the possible hostiles, though it was likely they where also just a diversion.

 

[DarkRawen]

"I don't think now is the time to voice our concerns. I doubt this mist occurs naturally, and I wonder if those creatures have reported back yet. I feel like we're charging in blind."

You figured that out right now? How did you ever fool anyone?

More biting his tongue, though Andrew was rather content staying quiet, just following. For as long as he would follow, at least.

Perhaps that's my mistake. Perhaps I shouldn't have followed at all.

It seemed like a truth he would have benefited from realizing long ago. Had it crossed the point where he could just leave?

"Could be a patrol? Or loggers. We could try move around them, but I don't know what's further on."

Of course you don't. You know nothing, Prometheus. Not a single thing, ever.

Andrew rolled his eyes, it wasn't worth paying attention to. Either they would go around, or they go through, it didn't matter to him. They should just press ahead, Prometheus should be making these kinds of decisions on his own, as quickly as possible, time asking was time wasted.