Morning came, and with it a new anxious and nervous energy. Packing up the campsite felt like leaving home again, and a cloud of irritation and depression hung over the group. No one spoke to each other, least of all Asterion. Since waking up, his normally stoic demeanor had slipped, frustration and anxiety coloring his every motion as he packed up his things.
Unfortunately Lilith was not much better, when I directed my senses toward her I found a suppressed aura of rage emanating like a thick poisonous cloud. I made certain to steer well clear of her as we finished packing, not needing another broken nose for my trouble.
"Let us be on our way. We have wasted much time already." Asterion's deep voice bellowed with bitterness as he turned and left the camp without another word. His hooves stomped into the ground heavily leaving marks in the dirt wherever he went. Lilith motioned me to go ahead of her as we left the camp single file.
*****
The quite and consistent pace of our hike was surprisingly pleasant. I had plenty of time to think about the Moirai's message and consult with Lucifer on the meaning of the portions I had shared with him.
"Their words appear to have been clear, young Desmond." Lucifer stated once again. "You are not strong enough as you are. How are you going to ensure that you will not overly endanger yourself, or hinder your allies?"
It had been the main topic of our discussion for the last thirty minutes. Neither of us backing down.
"I'm not sitting this out, Lucifer. No matter how much you ask me to. Besides, we've trained a lot. I'm getting much better at fighting, not to mention using your divinity. I won't be useless this time." My confidence was undercut only by image of Lachesis and her cracked smile and void black eyes. She was certain of my inability.
With the barrier lowered in my mind, Lucifer easily read the memory and probed me further.
"Perhaps... Desmond... If you would elaborate on the rest of your encounter with the sisters, I could extrapolate their message and assist you in determining a more beneficial course of action." His overly complex choice of words were quickly irritating me and so I responded by raising that barrier once more, a muffled sigh echoing through it.
Lucifer clearly had two objectives currently. First was to keep me out of this upcoming battle, especially since the Moirai had said in no uncertain terms that I was not powerful enough. Second was the Moirai themselves. He knew I was hiding the full extent of their prophecy, but I could not afford to go over it with him, not yet.
I needed to be secure in exactly what I would recall and recite to him. In the time since our hike had begun, a few pieces of their prediction had become clearer to me. The snake whispering in my ear was obviously lucifer, of that there was no question. His divinity was overshadowing my natural abilities, and for some reason that was not a beneficial thing.
Luckily, they had given me some amount of instruction. 'look to the tower within' they had said. I knew for certain that was within Arce Elymas Magus, and the Wizard tower. Lucifer and I had attempted early in our training to enter it. However, it was shut tight. No amount of effort, no amount of chanting and no amount of meditating had budged the door. We had put off worrying about that for another day, when I had my brand from the warlock, and more time to devote to my training in safety.
Regrettably I needed to access that tower now. If I wanted to help save Theseus, I could not afford to wait, but there was no time. I had to make do with what I had now. I truly did mean what I had said to Lucifer. I had to believe that the training we had already done was sufficient enough to rescue him. I was already almost at a level where I could spar with Lilith on an even playing ground. Almost...
I was still lost in thought when Asterion slowed his pace walk with me.
"I am sorry for being so.... Difficult." He uttered awkwardly.
"Its okay, Ace. You're just worried about Theseus. I am too..." I assured him.
"Thank you, Desmond, and know that I will make sure you are kept safe during this coming encounter. It is what Theseus would want more than anything, I am sure." His deep voice rumbled on until I abruptly stopped in my tracks.
"I am going to save him too, you know. I refuse to be treated like some fragile object. I have been training for what feels like weeks, enduring hell just to get stronger. I am going to fight, and I will not be made into a maiden that needs protecting!" My anger rose as I found myself more shouting at Lucifer than at Asterion.
"Maiden?" Lilith inquired from behind, her brow raised questioningly. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Oh. uh- its not-... Umm." I scrambled for the correct words as she just stared at me with contempt, until finally a smirk spread across her face.
"I'm just messing with you, Dez." she said, letting me off the hook with a chuckle. "I like your determination though. Keep that, especially when someone is trying to kill you for real."
"Dez?" I cringed at the sound. "Let's not start using nicknames. I haven't been called that since I was just a kid."
"Since you were just a kid? That's perfect then, because you basically still are, Dez" Lilith practically purred as she said it a second time.
"I hate to be the one to bring us back to task. But we are almost to Veria. We still need a plan" Asterion cut in between us. I was happy for the reminder, and the distraction. I knew that if I protested more, it would only encourage her... And they thought I was immature?
"I agree with Asterion. You all three need to focus. Woefully, we have no intelligence as to the state of Veria, where Theseus is being held nor what kind of condition he is in." Lucifer commanded from my thoughts.
"What do we need a plan for? It's simple. Walk into town, demand from everyone we see where Theseus is. Track him down. Kill anyone who gets in our way, make our rescue and leave. Easy." Lilith clapped dust off her hand to emphasize her point. Asterion and I rolled our eyes to each other, and I could feel Lucifer do the same.
"Lucifer says we need intelligence, we need to know what we are getting into down there." Paraphrasing Lucifer's words I continued, adding my own. "I think it would probably be best if I go."
"Absolutely not!" All three echoed in unison.
"Why? Asterion is far to big and probably famous to be rolling into town without being noticed by whoever has Theseus. Lilith is too hot headed and lots of the mythos down there probably would recognize her, no offense by the way.... Me, though? I can throw on a hat, dirty up my face and probably slip in and out without being noticed too easily. Besides, I have Lucifer in my head to keep an eye out for me, and help talk me through any tough situations." I spoke confidently and directly, looking back and forth to each of my companions so as to drive the point home. "Its just reconnaissance..." I added meekly as their stares bore into me.
"I suppose it is not the worst idea you've had." Lucifer muttered, and I practically leapt off the ground in excitement. Asterion and Lilith drew back in surprise at my behavior before they quickly put together that Lucifer must have agreed.
"I resent being called a hot head. But whatever, if Lord Lucifer is on board, then I am too." Lilith huffed as she crossed her arms.
"It was an astute observation, Lilly. Correct on all parts if I am to say so." Asterion mused with a light chuckle. Lilith jabbed an elbow in his thick side, but he seemed not to even notice.
"Sounds like we agree then. I'll sneak into town. Find what information I can, then zip back out and let you guys know" I grinned excitedly, but everyone else frowned back at me. My smile quickly fading.
"This is not a time to be happy Desmond. You are going out into real danger." Asterion chided me with his stern fatherly voice.
"The big guy is right. We won't be there to help you if something goes wrong. Get in, see whatever we need to see, then get out." Lilith instructed, then turned and found a nice sized tree to lounge on, setting her pack down at her feet.
"Veria is roughly twenty minutes in that direction." Asterion lifted a massive index finger to point my way there. "Once you arrive, head to the Taverna Komos. That is where Theseus would have started his search. The keeper of that Taverna is an elderly man we know named Gregorios. He should still be trustworthy. Tell him what has happened, and hopefully, he can help you." Asterion instructed, staring me in the eyes until I nodded my understanding back to him.
"Well then, Desmond. I believe you have finally gotten your way. It is time to prove your worth, let us be on our way and hope we do not disappoint." Lucifer added, and I took some loose fabric from my bag and tied it around my head as a makeshift hat. Removing my red cloak that Theseus had gifted me, I handed it to Asterion, who nodded in approval. I kept the Fibula and pinned it to my right pocket. Even if Thanatos was not actually watching over me as Theseus had hoped, it felt nice having something with me that meant something to him. Smearing the dirt across my face, I waved my companions farewell, and made my way to Veria.
It was time to find Theseus.