The world around the explodes in light as they exit the portal the three of them taking slow steps forward, the sand crunching beneath their sandals.
"Where do you think he sent us?" Kilian asks looking around at the surrounding area. They were sat atop a small hill giving them the ability to see quite far away. In most directions there was nothing but desert and the occasional tree but little else. However, in the distance was a small city one not seen in Greece.
Right now, although Greece was more advanced than the cavemen they were 100 years ago, most people still live in large tribes or towns at most with not enough infrastructure and technology to support the hundreds of thousands that a city would support.
"Hades, its even bigger than Sparta." Of course there were exceptions, such as the city of Sparta. Xenia says with awe in her voice, she grew up in Sparta and knew its berth well, yet the sprawling city before her dwarfed her home completely.
A large wall surrounded the city with guard towers reaching high in equal segments, a large gate on one of the sections with a line flowing smoothly into the city. From the hill they were standing on they could see far into the city and a large, tall building gathered their eyes. It was a church, but one with symbols they had never seen and built in a way they could not fathom.
"What do you suppose we are to do? Obviously we are meant to go to this city but to do what?" Killian asks confused as to what to do next. The sun was still high in the sky so they still had plenty of time.
"Lord Hades had said that there was another pantheon gaining influence, possibly suggesting that we find this false god and subdue them and their followers. And in order to secure the supply lines we would need to ensure that in the future they would not be able to launch any attack." Mirin said with a ponderous tone thinking of how to complete Hades task.
"If that is the case then what we need to do would definitely be in this city perhaps that large building. So lets get a move on." Xenia says with a slightly hurried tone as she tightens her belt, her new weapon securely holstered to it. The sun was getting low, and they were still tired from fighting in Hades tournament.
They began their walk through the mild desert looking with amazement at the surprising number of animals they spotted running around the dirt. Their approach on the gate was seamless as they simply joined the short flowing line of a myriad of people coming from nearly every direction with half paved roads stretching like a web from the city. It was bustling in short.
"Name and business?" The guard asks once they try to enter. Catching them off guard as he had not asked this of anyone else before them, Mirin in quick to react.
"Mirin, me and my companions are simple mercenaries, and have been wandering the deserts for quite some time, pray tell where we are?" He says with a convincing voice not wavering as he lied straight to the mans face.
"Oh well then, this is the holy city Jerusalem, It's quite the recent development so its not surprising you haven't heard, but this city is blessed by God, his son even resides here." The soldier says most likely speaking a little too much on a topic he is very interested in. Realizing this he quickly shuts his mouth. Switching topics he continues, "Though judging from your appearance you're from across the Mediterranean, we don't get many Greeks here. Especially as of late." he says, mumbling the last part with a small frown on his face.
The three of them were still dressed in their Greek battle attire, nothing heavy but with enough Greek flair that anyone who has ever seen it would know where it was made. It was a slight mistake letting the guard get such a good read on them and hopefully wouldn't have overarching consequences.
"Would you happen to know where we might find some lodgings, and perhaps a good meal, it has been a few moons since we've slept on good beds." Mirin wasn't lying this time, him and all of his compatriots that fought in Hade's war games had been subject to as close to torture as it could get, the only difference being that it wasn't malicious.
Killian and Xenia looked at him with appreciative eyes, just because they came here to halt enemy aggression doesn't mean they can't get a good night's rest.
The guard makes a decision after a moment of thought and speaks, "Of course, there's The Halo just down the street, one of the nicest inns in the city. However, I do recommend that any trouble that should occur, would not lead back to you. Have a great visit." He says and motions for them to pass, the trader behind them getting impatient at the slowness of a usually smooth line. Killian gives him an appreciative nod and all three of them move into the city, the scent of candles and food assaulting their noses as they venture inward.
They continue to walk straight down the main street, as it moves from the inside of the wall and onto what looks like a market, on both sides of the street were stalls selling items they've never seen before.
"This herbal tea will make you look 12 again reducing wrinkles and blemishes. If you're over the age of 16 you look like you're 25, my tea will reverse it."
"1 pound fish, great price, 1 pound fish, great fish, 1 pound fish..." a man singing drew a few eyes, but most seemed accustomed to it. What they didn't seem used to was seeing Greeks in their city.
Their appearance drew stares, most of which were unsavory with none being nice. The three grouped closer and walked in tandem not wanting to cause any problems before they can gather the needed information. With Mirin just a step ahead, Killian and Xenia walk behind him like goons.
They arrive at the end of the street where it separates into a T junction, one leading to the magnificent church, and the other to what looks like a port of some kind though is quite far away; however none of them had any inclination of going in either direction right now, the sun was setting and just in front of them was their destination for tonight, The Halo.
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Hades sits on his throne his hands resting calmly on its armrests, the room was a glow with the light from the bright braziers along with the glowing golden veins running along his floor. He sat there with his eyes closed as he worked, and his throne itself quietly hummed as he exercised his power. In front of him kneeled Arges, his subordinate silent and unmoving as he awaits orders from Hades.
His power, his throne, his floor, his Cyclops...his assistant, everything was his wasn't it, Cara thought?
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Herrow. I am not back however I've had free time and a better mindset so my imagination has been coming up with some truly diabolical ideas, one of them is Jesus throwing hands. Anyways hope u enjoyed it who knows when i'll post the next one.