[...]
I drum my fingers on the table as I'm waiting for someone in a near-empty café.
It's been some time since I've started looking into the spell. It's already been months since I've heard about it that night at the bar.
So far, it's been dead end after dead end. Admittedly, the whole thing feels like it's been nothing but a wild goose chase.
I've already expected this, though, so I'm not giving up.
Me, Khirelle, the war goddess that's known, to not only get the job done but also strike fear in everyone's hearts is going to give up this easily? No way.
The iffy thing is that I've practically already exhausted whatever reading materials I could get my hands on about the Adelchi.
There was barely any info about it even then.
I sigh, rest my elbows on top of the table and end up burying my face inside my hands out of frustration.
"Haaaaaa... This is proving to be much more of a pain in the bumhole than I've ever anticipated, though..."
The door swings open, and I look up to see a male demi-god strolling in.
Athena told me that my informant has long fire engine red hair that's tied into a side ponytail. He'll have a small crossbody bag with a large enamel pin that has a skull with mint leaves and cherries around it.
His walking stride will also make him very hard to miss.
Okay, here we go. It's him.
This meeting is going to be the last thing on my checklist. I don't have very high hopes though judging by my streak of luck so far.
If this somehow still doesn't pan out, I've no idea what to do next. I'll need to brainstorm again for more ideas.
As the demi-god got closer, he stiffens and suddenly stops on his tracks.
He reluctantly asks, "W-War Goddess... Kh-Khirelle?! One of the scarie- I mean, YOU'RE the one who wanted to know about the spell?!"
I lean back on my chair, put up one leg over the other, and stare at him with great suspicion. "... Why? Is there a problem here?"
In a panic, his laugh, or maybe it might even be considered as some kind of screech, comes out extremely odd and high-pitched. As if he wasn't sure if he's going to hyperventilate or nervously giggle out of extreme distress.
He tries to snap out of it by shaking his head, immediately spitting out an excuse, "NO! NO! No problem at all...! I just didn't expect it, that's all."
"Uh-huh," is all I manage to say in reply. I'm already very unimpressed with how this conversation has been going.
I have a bad feeling about this. I close my eyes and rub my temples for a little bit.
Since he's here, I might as well listen to what he has to say anyway.
"Alright, take a seat... uh, what was your name again?"
He trepidly pulls out a chair and sits across me. He contemplates for a second before answering, "... My name's Yuras."
"Okay, Yuras. What have you got for me?"
Yuras looks around nervously and is having a bit of a hard time meeting my gaze.
He timidly questions, "Before we start... have you been looking for information about the elusive 'Adelchi' [1] Ritual for yourself or someone else...?"
My eyes narrow and I start to wonder if I should even bother asking him at all, "Yes, it's for me. Why? Is there a problem...?"
"Oh, my goddess..." Yuras slips his hand into a side pocket and takes a handkerchief out as he wipes the sweat off his brow. "I'll just be honest with you."
He pauses and peers at me with an expression full of fear. "I do have some information, but it's highly unreliable. I didn't know it was going to be you, or I would've come clean in the first place. I'd most likely have turned down this meeting unless you insisted that you still wanted to know, though!"
THIS PRICK!
"You... WHAT?!?!", I slam my fist on the table; the glasses shake, and some silverware falls off and clatters to the floor. My eyes are as wide as saucer plates as I give him the most terrifying death stare. "You're just SO lucky I'm running out of options or...!"
Yuras lets out a small squeal and looks absolutely horrified. He automatically turns his body away from me and instinctively protects his head with both arms.
I'm seriously running out of patience with this poor excuse of a guy.
"Stop this nonsense and tell me whatever you know already. I'd like to leave this place if you're just going to waste my time!", I bark.
He manages to say something while stuttering helplessly, "O-Okayyy...! I understand. P-Pl-Please! You've no idea how scary you are. I need to take a time-out! I beg you!"
"Fine. Do whatever you need to. Just don't take too long or who knows what I'll do", I snarl and bare a few teeth.
Yuras is one of those types that'd naturally stir some rage within me because of their dishonesty and incompetence.
Unfortunately, he has something I need so I just need to push him hard enough and make him know that if he fucks with me, he'll seriously get what is coming to him.
He's one of those sorts that in NO way are they ever allowed to feel like they've got the upper hand or they WILL take advantage of you and strip you for all you're worth.
I almost feel bad being so harsh with him, but he won't learn his lesson if he'll continue to con people like this.
He calms himself down by inhaling deeply and then he closes his eyes.
...
After a few minutes of meditating or whatever he's doing, Yuras is awake again.
This time, the fear-stricken demi-god is nowhere to be seen.
"War Goddess Khirelle, I know this may be obvious, but I'd like to say it anyway if you'll allow me."
"You have my permission."
Yuras looks at me warily and starts to speak again, "Thank you. Have you... thought about asking for some advice from the Almighty Zeus?"
I couldn't help but scoff at his ridiculous question.
He did ask me for permission, so I'll just answer him back seriously. "Are you kidding me? There is no way I'll ever go to Zeus and ask for advice about such matters. The family tree is effed up because of them, remember?"
"They either give birth asexually, mess around with each other, cheat and who knows what else. Everyone knows about the atrocities they've committed when it comes to bringing new life into this world."
Yuras looks tongue-tied and is speechless with how blunt I'm being. "Uhh... I suppose you may have a point. Anyway, I tried, so I'll just tell you what I know about Adelchi."
"Yes, go ahead Yuras. Please tell me everything you know. I won't hold it against you, as you did mention this was mostly hearsay." I assure him.
He timidly begins to tell me, "From what I know, it has been rumored that from the beginning, that Chaos, did not birth her 'children'... but rather, she had created them with a spell that is quite similar to what we now know as the 'Adelchi'."
Haaah?! What is Yuras saying?!
My jaw drops open upon hearing this information.
I'm a bit confused, so I end up questioning him about it further. "Isn't Chaos a place and not a goddess? There were six gods and goddesses who were born from the void. You're being ridiculous. No one has ever seen her."
Yuras clears his throat. "There're rumors about Chaos being male and even being female. As for the female version, she copulated with Eros which led to the creation of birds."
He pauses a little before going forward with his story to give me some time to think, "In any case, I don't know if they're just being metaphorical. It could be possible that a copy of that spell might still be somewhere inside that chasm of chaos if you were to interpret it literally instead. If not, then perhaps asking the Titans may give you better information."
"THE TITANS?! I know Zeus has freed them eventually but I wouldn't say they're a friendly bunch." I exclaim.
"Mm, well..." Yuras' voice starts to trail off. He looks a tiny bit hesitant about what he's going to say next. In a very soft voice he suggests, "Well, it's either them or Kronos..."
"That's wonderful. So, that means I may need to talk to the guy who ate his children... That's perfect." After bemoaning my predicament, my thoughts take a slightly darker turn.
I'm not afraid of Kronos, but that guy is seriously off his rockers.
Though the prediction of him being overthrown by one of his children came true, if he didn't eat them in the first place... eh, I'm sure he would've done something else and make a mess of everything.
Prophecies made by certain individuals will always be true.
Huh... prophecies, eh? That gives me an idea.
I suddenly get up and perhaps from how intimidating my presence is as I tower over Yuras, he accidentally lets out another shriek and sinks further into his seat.
Hmph. So much for collecting himself together earlier, this guy's a thieving coward through and through.
I can't deny that this has been very helpful though. None of this was in the Annals of Old or any of the records nor thousands of scrolls that I've spent months on. Either recordkeeping may not have beared much importance back then... or they had something to hide.
The latter is usually being the case.
"Thank you, Yuras. Here's your payment." I set it down on the table and leave the establishment behind.
While time isn't exactly of the essence here, I still can't wait to make progress on my search for the elusive Adelchi.
Will this be one step closer or one step backward?
I suppose only time can tell now.
-
[Notes: ]
[1] Adelchi - I shortened the word 'Adelfi Psychi,' which is Greek for the word 'soulmate'.