I opened my eyes with a start to find Asterion and Theseus standing before me glancing to and from each other and myself, their expressions reeked of concern. Lilith stood behind them appearing merely curious at best.
"Are you alright, Desmond?" Asterion was the first to speak, his brow furrowed with concern as he leaned over the kitchen table. Theseus offered a hand to help me up, and I took it. It was then that I noticed the wetness, I was covered in sweat. Not altogether unsurprising given the last several hours…
"You've been writhing about the floor for some time. We tried to wake you, but with no success." I looked to Asterion with newly kindled respect. He had known me for a single day, and yet already he worried for me as if I was a lifelong friend.
"I'm sorry. Lucifer and I were… training… It's not really important, what time is it?" I asked as I stood, doing my best to shake the near crippling fatigue from my muscles.
"You've been over here for the better part of four hours! We are almost ready to go, night has already set." Theseus advised as he eyed me up and down. "Are you sure you are okay?"
"Yes… Well… I think so. I'd like to shower and get some clean clothes on if I could." I answered as peeled my sweat drenched shirt from my stomach. My pants were still ruined from the night before, torn from jumping through shrubbery and rolling on pavement.
"I suppose we could allow you that one last virtue." Asterion chuckled as he led me through the kitchen and back into the living room. on the opposite side was a single door with peeling white paint on either side. "The water should still be hot, but do not forget, we are in a hurry."
"Thanks, Ace." I made my way into the bathroom, which was much smaller than I expected. The sink on my right barely gave enough room for the door to close behind me, scraping the ledge of the faux tiles that covered it. behind me was a small above grown bathtub with long copper piping that lead upwards to the spout for the shower. rings circled the area above the tub that allowed the curtain to be drawn closed all the way around it. pulling the lever marked "H" I let the shower run as I peeled my still damp clothes from my body.
Looking into the mirror I could already see some of the effects of Lucifer's training with me. My once pouchy stomach was just a little less so. I recalled his words from after I had accepted him fully. "We need to train your body to merge this power of yours, and mine." Clenching my fist I considered what my mother and father would say... Working with the devil? They would faint on the spot.
"You're not losing your nerve now are you Desmond?" Lucifer chimed in, proof that my thoughts were still not my own.
I let out a chuckle. "No, not yet. I just worry about my mother. She has no one now. I can't even tell her where I am, what is happening, or that I am okay." I cringed at the thought of her discovering my absence in a few days. How was she going to find out? What would she do? How long would she look for me?
"Look on the bright side young Desmond. Not only are you sparing her from the agony that would be knowing the danger you find yourself in, but you are also sparing her the fate of being used against you." Lucifer's attempt to console me was appreciated, but the words and phrasing were obviously all wrong. Were there even any right ones? I thought..
"Thanks for trying" I said aloud so Lucifer would focus on that, rather than my pessimism. "Once this is all over, I'll go back to her, to my old life. I just need more time, that's all." Confidence rang out from my words and I knew I believed them this time.
The shower was cheap, its settings were either scalding hot or ice cold, no middle ground to be had. Deciding to speed through a scalding shower rather than be tortured by the alternative, I exited and dried myself off.
When I had finished I found clothes waiting for me on the countertop. I had not noticed when they were brought in, but I appreciated the gesture none the less. A worn long sleeved grey shirt that was slightly too small, and denim jeans that fit me fairly well considering that Theseus was shorter and slimmer than I was.
Tousling my hair in the towel one last time before pulling the door open, I entered the living room to find everyone standing and waiting for me. Asterion wore his glamour once more, his horns gone and legs appearing human. His thick green shirt was only just visible beneath his olive colored winter coat, its fur lined hood peaking out from behind his shoulders.
Theseus wore similar clothes to myself. A grey long sleeve shirt with studded leather gauntlets strapped over them and a leather cuirass laying over it, he was pulling an olive sweater over the ensemble as I emerged from the bathroom.
Lilith was still adorned in her leather jacket, jeans and high top converse. "Thanks for waiting everyone." I said as everyone picked up a backpack and slung it over their shoulders.
Theseus walked over and handed me one as well. "Here, there's a blanket, spare clothes, bandages and some rations inside. We do not know how long we will be away from civilization for, so its best to be prepared."
"Thank you, Theseus" I answered.
"Also, Ace and I want you to have these." Once I'd finished with the bag, he handed me a folded bright red canvas with something inside. "We agreed that you need to be able to defend yourself."
Unfolding the fabric I found a short sword and a golden pin. Confused I looked to Theseus for explanation.
"That is an old sword of mine. She is called 'Argo' and should care for you even when I am not there to do so. I examined the sheath which was wrapped in the leather belt that would holster it to my waist. I pulled the blade to inspect it. I had never held a weapon in my life and found it to be more beautiful than I had ever expected to find a weapon to be, It was a deep golden hue with a leather wrapped hilt. There were no engravings anywhere on the weapon, nor where there any carvings.
Unlike video games or movies, this was a weapon meant for death. There would be no overly stylized carvings to make the blade distinct.
"It is the quality of the weapon that makes it distinct." Lucifer added, finishing my thought.
"You don't think its a bad idea that I have a sword?" I thought back to him.
"I think it is an exceptional idea. You will need it. If guns were enchanted like this weapon, I would like you to have those as well. But without an enchantment on a weapon, it will do little to no damage against even the weakest of mythos, let alone Yarhibol. I think this should more than suffice." Lucifer's praise of the weapon immediately fostered my further attachment to the blade.
"I don't know how I could ever thank you for this Theseus..." I muttered awkwardly.
With a loud chuckle Theseus clapped my shoulder, nearly knocking me off my feet.
"Do not think of thanks, and only live. That will be thanks enough. and this" Theseus picked up the pin and twisted it in his fingers so I could see. "Is what we call a fibula, or pin. I hope you forgive my selfishness in giving you a fibula of Thanatos, but knowing that he will watch over you with this, will help keep me at ease while we travel." His kind words sank into my bones as I fought the urge to hug him.
Theseus then took the red fabric from my hands and unfurled it. folding it and wrapping the cloth around my left shoulder and using the fibula to pin the to ends together over my right shoulder.
"There! Just like the hoplites of old. Desmond the dangerous! Desmond the ferocious!" He cheered.
"More like Desmond the ridiculous." Lilith mocked, as Asterion stifled a laugh.
"Hey, don't be jealous!" Theseus bellowed back at her.
"Or what? I'll kick yer ass again?" Theseus's face contorted with indignation. Asterion and I echoed laughter aloud into the room.
"Enjoy this Desmond. It may be the last freedom to laugh you feel in quite some time..." Lucifer added as Theseus and Lilith continued their banter.
"Its going to get pretty dangerous out there, isn't it?" I accidentally asked aloud. Bringing the raucous banter to a swift end.
"Well yeah, you think dear old Theseus gives his precious sword out to people when strolling through the park?" Lilith barked with annoyance. "We fully expect to be attacked at any point once we leave here. Hell, they might even attack us before we leave."
"I will not lie Desmond. This Journey will test you, test all of us. Test you for not only the physical strength to survive, but also the mental fortitude to endure what comes after." Asterion's deep voice, devoid of any emotion rolled through the room like an oppressive fog. Everyone pondered his wisdom before finally Lucifer broke the silence.
"What are you all waiting for, a prayer? get going!" I relayed his message and Lilith straightened, turning down the steps to the bar as everyone followed.