- Lucifer's side -
The group traveled through the severe heat of Heliopolis, with Peter and Yvere on the uništi's reins while Lucifer flew above.
Yvere commented, "I miss Shiri."
Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu were both in wolf form using their rings to carry tarps above the group for shade. Fensyr hadn't transformed, instead opting to remove his shirt. Elijah noticed how muscular Fensyr's body was.
"All lycans like that?" Elijah whispered to Peter.
Peter responded half laughing, "No."
Fensyr grumbled to Lucifer, "Ya could flap your wings harder to create a breeze!"
Lucifer scoffed, "You mean these wings that emanate heat?"
The grumbling from the group was interrupted by Lucifer receiving an echo call. Lucifer landed and signaled for the group to slow down. He asked who was calling and got a response that piqued Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Fensyr's interest.
"How's the whore treatin' ya?"
"It's Loki," Lucifer informed Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Fensyr. "What's going on? I specifically required Satan to have you contact me ONLY if you had valuable information."
"Right right," Loki said. "I guess Quetzal being in the N-H isn't valuable info. Sorry, here I thought I knew how to do my job."
"Petulant little shit ain't ya?" Fensyr said to the echo.
"Watch it, wolfie," Loki responded. "If I didn't take Fenrir's backtalk, I'm not taking yours."
"Loki," Lucifer said. "Why, how, when, the usuals, please."
Fensyr whispered concern, "How'd he know I'm a lycan?"
"How polite," Loki complimented Lucifer, "The lockdown on Llamear, Odin accepted a challenge from Quetzal, and ever since Tonatiuh died. Sources say that Quetzal left Llamear expecting the lockdown to happen. Something to do with challenging Odin at least once before the war between Llamear and the Resistance properly starts."
Amaterasu was surprised, "Odin keeps tight control of the information that leaves his territory."
"Former member," Loki sighed. "Besides, any good informant worth their price keeps tabs on Quetzal."
"Why?" Tsukuyomi asked.
"'cause he's fucking insane," Loki said. "He was kept on a tight leash after that Grim incident, but even with that, he's managed to leave a few more dozen bodies in his wake," He yawned. "Any whatevers, I doubt Quetzal being in the N-H isn't a coincidence," He chuckled. "Funny, it's usually the opposite with that saying."
Fensyr doubted, "What makes ya think that?"
"'Cause," Loki repeated himself, "the guy's fucking insane. Subterfuge, sabotage, and generally planning things out are not his forte. Make no mistake though, Quetzal is a threat to your group, but not because of who Lucifer is. Any more questions, or has this been sufficient, Dark Prince?"
Lucifer groaned, "If I think of any, I'll call." he ended the call.
Lucifer signaled to Yvere and Peter to continue moving. Lucifer called Death and shared the information. Tsukuyomi raised a question to Lucifer.
"Quetzal effectively worships angels, so by that logic, he should despise fallen, correct?"
"In theory," Lucifer agreed. "There's no precedent of Quetzal interacting with fallen. Most of the fallen that weren't hunted down," he paused for a moment and took a breath, "killed themselves. The remaining ones moved to Hell and never left for fear of the former. Still, what Loki said is accurate; Quetzal is always a threat, no matter what our respective affiliations."
Fensyr was blunt, "Do we attack him on sight if we see him?"
"No," Lucifer answered quickly. "In general, but especially while he's in the N-H. Odin accepting Quetzal into the territory makes Quetzal a guest, and as such, protected by guest law in Odin's eyes. This protection applies to our group as well."
"Don't think you can beat him?" Amaterasu jabbed.
"I don't," Lucifer admitted. "But that's not the problem, and you know it," he glared.
Lucifer and Amaterasu had a back-and-forth on how Quetzal compares with other gods. Lucifer's serious tone almost sounded respectful of Quetzal. Lucifer made sure Amaterasu and Fensyr understood the noncombat order. Fensyr and Amaterasu agreed, leading to an awkward silence.
Peter tried easing the tension in the air, "Are yer wolf forms really more comfortable in this heat?"
"The fur insulates," Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu said simultaneously.
"What about yers?" Peter looked at Fensyr.
"Probably," Fensyr shrugged. "But I'm not goin' into that form unless there's a battle."
"We'll stop off in the main town until sunset," Lucifer told the group. "It'll be easier keeping us warm during the night than cooling off during the day."
No one argued. Once the group arrived at Heliopolis' main town they were greeted by a man with dark tan skin that towered over Lucifer. The man's muscular body had dark lines traced around the skin that matched the color of his long hair. Amaterasu and Yvere were both staring until Lucifer spoke.
"Man form for once, Anubis? What's the occasion?"
Anubis clicked his tongue, "Lost a bet with Nephthys," He pointed at Amaterasu and Yvere. "What's wrong with them?"
Amaterasu transformed back into a woman and held out her hand for a shake. "Good to finally make your proper acquaintance, Lord Anubis."
"We've met," Anubis spoke coldly. "The last world council meeting. You are Izanami's child, correct?"
"Aheh," Amaterasu chuckled nervously. "That meeting was so long ago...I guess I must have forgotten."
Peter elbowed Yvere while whispering. "Yvere!"
"Huh," Yvere shook her head. "Oh, right," she turned to Anubis. "Lord Anubis, may I sample some of your blood? I'm collecting information on what the different gods' blood tastes like."
"Not what I meant," Peter mumbled.
"Why should I?" Anubis rejected and turned to Lucifer, grumbling after seeing Lucifer's stare. "Fine, I suppose."
Fensyr was lying down on top of one of the uništi during all of this. "Terrifyin' fuckin' things, but at least they're cool."
Yvere released her fangs from Anubis' arm. "Cold, dry, light, hint of bitterness," she healed the bite.
Anubis rubbed his arm and spoke to Lucifer. "Not staying long I presume?"
"We'll be gone at sunset," Lucifer said.
Anubis smiled, "I'll owe you a small favor if you tell Odin I said hi when you arrive in the N-H."
"No thanks," Lucifer responded. "It's not worth the trouble."
Anubis just chuckled and walked away. Peter was poking Fensyr.
"Ya know that thing will eat ya if it gets hungry, right?"
"Worth the risk," Fensyr waved for Peter to leave him be. "How is it so cool in this heat?"
Peter rested against the uništi while standing. "It consumes heat. If ya start to feel numb, get off immediately."
Fensyr spoke sleepily, "Howsh it not killed one of yas?"
Peter poked Fensyr's arm. "We normally wear clothes when ridin'."
Fensyr shooed Peter's hand away. "Thought they ate mana?"
Peter looked over at Elijah, who was now mimicking Fensyr. Peter yelled the same warning to Elijah he had just given to Fensyr. Peter shook his head.
"That's what we thought until we noticed the "coolin'" effect. The goin' theory is that the creatures eat energy but have a preference for mana."
"Intrishting," Fensyr sighed with relief.
Peter went into one of the carts and grabbed two blankets. He threw one over Elijah and Fensyr. Fensyr complained.
"What are ya-"
Peter interrupted, "Sunburnt skin hurts somethin' fierce when it's healed."
The sun set, and Lucifer's group was off.
- Death's side -
A heavily injured Izanami was having her eye healed by Izanagi. Death was speaking with Xiao while having some minor injuries healed. Xiao swore in several different languages. Izanami was whispering to Izanagi.
"No technique to speak of, just raw reflexes and brute strength. Haven't felt this way since Wukong."
Death sighed as he overheard Izanagi and Izanami.
- Death side (past) -
Death was walking through a crowd of humans. Every person made way for him as he moved. A male voice called for him, but he didn't stop. Eventually, the calling voice caught up to him. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed man put his hand on Death's shoulder.
"We need to t-"
Death grabbed the man's hand and pulled them to the ground. Most of the nearby humans ran away. Death let go of the man.
"What do you want?"
The man stood up and dusted himself off. "We need to discuss what you did to that human."
Death turned away. "You mean that monster. Just because he was named after you doesn't make him an angel."
Raphael went to grab Death again but stopped. "You chose a side in this! You chose Saliel's words over Uriel's and my own! You-"
Death sighed and started walking away while Raphael complained. Raphael's face scrunched with anger. Raphael started following Death.
Death spoke over Raphael, "Are you here to threaten me?"
Raphael conjured his wings and hovered in front of Death. "It's a warning-"
Death blinked so that he was eye-to-eye with Raphael. Raphael backed up in fear. Death landed and spoke coldly.
"Don't think that the sky protects you from me."
Death continued walking. Raphael did not follow.