- Ash and Sophia -
(Future)
Ash stood over the charred remains of Tonatiuh's body, her body smoldering as the wind hit her. Smoke and scorched ground stretched out as far as the eye could see.
"I wonder if Lucifer could have handled you," Ash said quietly.
"That was incredible!" Sophia yelled as she came running up to Ash.
Sophia stopped before getting within arms reach of Ash. Ash was standing still, quietly reciting something under her breath.
Ash recited, "Be freed from the suffering of existence. Return to the beginning, the end, and the absolute truth."
"I'm surprised," Sophia said. "I didn't know you were the sympathetic-to-her-enemies type."
"I'm not," Ash sighed. "Come on, let's go."
Ash turned around and walked past Sophia. Her eyes seemed clouded in thought. Her lips mouthed words she didn't speak. Even Sophia's presence seemed outside of her register.
"You okay?" Sophia asked.
"Fine," Ash responded. "I'm going to need some clothes though."
Sophia didn't understand what was going through Ash's mind but was grateful enough for the killing of Tonatiuh that she didn't question things further.
'Lucifer...' Ash was contemplating. 'Are you ready for what's going to happen next? What about you, En? Tera? Arryx?'
Sophia had learned to read lips during her time in captivity. She was able to tell that Ash was listing off names.
'Enemies or allies?' Sophia thought to herself.
Sophia looked around at the burning remains of the battlefield.
'Definitely enemies.'
- Zeus, Sabu, Death, Lao -
Zeus had asked to personally speak with Sabu and Lao. Lucifer was more than adamant about that not happening and said he would only allow it if Death joined in. Zeus hesitantly accepted the agreement. What he needed to say was important but he couldn't stand the idea of having to compromise.
The four were on the rooftop of the palace. Death was leaning next to the door keeping his eyes on Zeus, who was looking out across the city. Lao and Sabu were standing with their arms to their side. Sabu had been ordered by Lucifer not to clutch any blades during the conversation.
"You two have accomplished quite a lot..." Zeus spoke without turning around.
"Demon contracts aside, you're powerful for-" He stopped. "You're powerful humans. What I wanted to talk about with you two is your discretion in regard to killing Apollo and Artemis."
Lao and Sabu gave each other a knowing glance. Sabu spoke first.
"We never had any intentions of spreading the news of our kills. We prefer to avoid the attention that higher ranks bring."
"What?" Zeus turned around. "Why would you ever do that?"
Lao spoke, "Lucifer believes the ranks are meaningless."
"Of course he does," Zeus grumbled. "The one part about angel culture I actually agree with and he-"
"Careful," Death warned.
Zeus sighed. "Well, as long as we're all in agreement with keeping this situation secret, then I suppose there's nothing more to say."
As Zeus made his way to the door he stopped next to Lao and put his hand on Lao's shoulder.
Sabu immediately reacted but stopped when he noticed Death signaling him with a head shake.
"You did well against my father," Zeus complimented. "If not for the secrecy, I would have your legend passed around every meal."
Lao stared at Zeus's back. "You should really be thanking Peter. He actually managed to kill Chronos."
Zeus took his hand off Lao's shoulder. "Don't say his name..."
Zeus left through the door Death was leaning next to.
"Do you think he meant Peter or Chronos?" Sabu asked.
- Kahvis and Yamato -
Yamato and Kahvis were observing the other resistance members training while discussing what comes next based on Ash's success.
"Han'ei most likely," Kahvis said.
"IF she succeeds," Yamato said. "Otherwise the next move has to be the Volcanic lands."
Kahvis's eyes tracked magic being shot as they spoke. "Are you sure you're okay with going? I know how you wanted to fight on the frontline."
Yamato sighed, "I think the others are warier of my contract than they let on. We have enough strength now that we can afford to split up."
Yamato watched a fireball fly past. A soldier yelled sorry before continuing their training.
"Why are you so confident in her abilities?" Yamato asked.
"Bias," Kahvis admitted. "Unknowns have a history of making great change. Her abilities, combined with her connection to Lucifer have made me more trusting than I probably should be."
Yamato shook his head. "I don't fully agree with trusting Lucifer either."
Kahvis tilted his head. "I know he doesn't want to join us, yet there is a part of me that still holds out hope. Conviction of his intensity, if properly aimed, can change the world."
Yamato huffed, "Conviction without purpose is a blade with no edge. You shouldn't waste your time on Lucifer."
"Agree to disagree," Kahvis glanced at Yamato.
- Poseidon and Death -
Poseidon had asked Death if he could see the uništi. Death wasn't sure as to why but did allow it since Poseidon protected Cerberus. Poseidon also requested for one of his arms to be restored so he could feed the unisti. Death eventually agreed but had his scythe out and ready should Poseidon try anything.
Death patted Hrom with one hand while keeping his scythe blade pointed at Poseidon, "Here he is."
"'He?'" Poseidon leaned his head down and looked underneath Hrom.
Death rolled his eyes. "I try not to refer to Hrom as "it" out of respect for his services."
"Of course..." Poseidon agreed. "These creatures are fascinating. At one point I thought they might hold the key to killing my father."
Death's head snapped from Hrom to Poseidon. "You didn't go to fàsachadh did you?"
"Of course not," Poseidon inched closer to Hrom. "That place is so horrible it gets renamed every time a god returns from it. I'm surprised you didn't change its name."
"I named the denizens, apparently," Death groaned.
Poseidon moved closer to touch Hrom. "May I?"
"Go ahead," Death tightened his grip on his scythe.
Poseidon slowly put his hand on Hrom and began feeding his mana. Hrom's eye sockets filled with a deep blue color, making them resemble little pools of water.
"Fascinating," Poseidon said. "Do the other Riders still have theirs'?
"No idea," Death said. "Done?"
"Yes," Poseidon stared at Hrom's glowing blue eyes. "Thank you."
Death felt his echo thrum with a call.
- Xiao -
A man in a dark purple cloak stood over the corpse of a snow-covered oni. He pulled out an echo and made a call while brushing the snow off the corpse. He looked up at the falling snow as he sat down.
"Sir, it seems to be getting worse," The man said.
"Of course it does," Death said. "If it's not immediately urgent Xiao, then I'll have to call you back in a few minutes."
Xiao looked around at the piles of oni corpses. "It can wait for now."
Xiao waited for Death to end the call before putting his echo away. He pulled out a tiny white stick and held it up. Another being in a purple cloak came over and lit the end.
"Thanks, Lina," Xiao took a puff from the stick. "Fucking hate these days more than any other. These things taste like shit."
"Quit the bitching," A woman said while examining the corpses. "You could help us get the numbers you know."
"Thirty purebloods, Twenty-five mixed," Xiao said after releasing a big puff of smoke. "At least on my end. Count your own, assuming you haven't forgotten basic math again."
"Fuck off," The woman chuckled. "I drank my weight and yours that day."
Xiao chuckled. He looked around at the corpses, noting the slender bodies next to the large ones. Every inhale of his smoke made him scowl. It was difficult to tell whether he was disgusted by what he was smoking or the corpses that were littered around him.