(Before I start, I just want to say this is during the time the Argo II is being built, and romance isn't a big factor for this fanfic going forward outside of a sense of protection and humor. You'll see what this means soon. Just don't judge this chapter too harshly for not keeping up as much with the relationship I was building last chapter. After all, Lucius is based on myself. A tsundere natured guy who spent most of his life as a loner.)
It's been 7 months since Omoro's return, and we've all gotten used to our daily lives on Mt Korab. It felt almost normal. Though I'll never get used to Omoro actually dating me. She was teasing before, but she went overboard a lot after we started dating. Valentine's Day was definitely too much. I wasn't used to it after being a loner for so long.
In the middle of April, she decided to take a three person team to go get some supplies from the nearest town. She said it would take at least 17 hours. So, I decided to go with them knowing backup might be necessary.
We arrived at the spot where Loretta had trapped the monsters on our first day. Yet, something felt off. I started looking at the roots tying the monsters to the ground below them just out of curiosity. Nearly all of them had a crack. I screamed for Omoro and Loretta to hide. Yet, it was too late. We were in an ambush. Surrounded on all sides by the monsters that were previously trapped within the roots. Omoro quickly hid Loretta, knowing she would be a target. I summoned Interitus, and was swiftly knocked unconscious by a monster from behind.
When I woke up, I was looking the leader of these monsters dead in the eye. A cyclops, and one who wore wooden armor from the looks of it. "I see you eyeing my armor. Do you know why we stayed here? Why we decided to attack all half bloods who came nearby? This very forest is enchanted, and me and my kind craft our armor and weapons from it. Sadly, the little one trapped us within it. But thanks to the Earth Mother, we are free to wreak vengeance on all of you!" With that, the entire forest was filled with a roar.
"Bring me the little one!" the cyclops roared. "Thanks to her, we have a new trap. Let her be the first test!" Another cyclops brought out an iron maiden torture device made from the same wood as his armor.
Omoro was nowhere to be found, which might give us an chance if we weren't in close quarters to the bulk of the monsters.
Just as Loretta was placed in front of the lead cyclops, three arrows sprouted from his forehead. I waited for the dust to come, but nothing happened. "Hmph, that won't work this time," the monster grunted as he removed the arrows. "Nice try, but you half bloods don't know the rules have changed. Thanks to our patron, we aren't so easily killed," the cyclops said softly. I heard a yell and loud bang, Loretta was shut in the enchanted box. I saw red trickle out of the bottom and everyone stopped in place. I ripped through my bindings and landed in front of the cyclops with Interitus in my hands. "Time trumps even your feeble wood. I am the Son of Saturn, Lord of Time itself. And for your act against my friend, your place in time is no more. Erase!" Everything became black, then returned to normal to show all that was left behind was the torture device, myself, and the forest. I heard screaming coming from inside the device. "Thank Othrys!" I screamed in delight. Knowing the rest of the group was nearby, I called out for help. Within a few minutes and several broken tools we had released Loretta from her prison. Immediately after exiting, she started attacking anything she could reach. Sadly, it was my stomach and face that were closest. "Cucurbita! Pessime et nequissime! Luteus tramas putidas! Ruining my Kool Aid? Luppiter te perdat!" Them she looks up, and sees me with a face not even a mother would love. "Ew, I got off easy compared to you." Once again kneeling down, I hug Loretta. After all this time, the Regiment had become my family. And I was ready to announce a change. "Everyone, meeting in the great hall once we return, we'll get the supplies another day." With that, I lift Loretta onto my shoulders and begin the trek back to our base.
Once we return, I give the rundown on my part of the events. Once I reach the part where we ran into the cyclops, Omoro and Loretta don't seem to agree. Since they were there, it doesn't feel right. "You guys don't remember what happened? How Loretta got into the trap?"
Omoro started telling how Loretta ran off from us and ended up getting stuck. "Oh no, my powers," I started. "What do you mean?" Omoro asked.
"I think I have one more, but it's tied to pure emotional anguish. I remember everything going still like I paused the entire group. Then, everything went black after I said "erase". I think I can remove someone from time. Just to be sure, though. Bill, when you were here centuries ago, were there cyclops using the wood in the forest for armor and weapons?" Everyone turned to Bill. If he confirmed it, we we're safe. If not, then I might just be a lot more dangerous.
"Never, and the wood is a secret kept by myself and the goddess of this mountain. If you know, then your story is true," Bill looked like he wanted to be far away from me. Now was the time for my announcement.
"It doesn't matter, everyone there's one more thing I want to say. The Regiment is no more. After the last eight months of normal Roman procedure, I think we need our own way to act. We're not just part of a team focused on combat like at Mt Othrys. We're a family that has grieved, loved, and lived together. Whatever happens, we're no longer the Regiment, we're now something more. We are the Familias Sanguinis Immortalis. The Immortal Blood Family. And Loretta, you might want to watch your language after your rant in the forest."
Loretta smiles shyly, and the rest of the group laughs. "To La Familia! And our patron, Lucius Filius Saeculi!"
That's when it hit me. I started thinking to myself, "Oh, no. The cyclops said he had a patron. The Earth Mother! We need a new home, but that's not important right now." For now I let the family celebrate. Soon, we'll need to find somewhere safe from the new threat.