You may be thinking, Ikarus, why are you in father's dingy cave down in Tartarus all of a sudden? I'll get to that shortly…
"Relax dinosaur, the attacker is still alive and I'm fine… Ariza's magic can cure even the deepest of stabbings. The thing is, we can't get anything out of him just yet"
After the attempt that was made yesterday, the islands have gone into high alert and the streets are filled with guards and cultists alike, sniffing out any who dare try to harm us. We have plans and protocols for all things like that, even to the point where we have to walk around with guards now. Charlotte as well has been informed someone may be gunning for her head, I'm doubtful the aim was at her though. I was stabbed after I changed back to Ikarus.
I may seem carefree on this and to an extent, I am. Brooks's safety is something else entirely so he's currently being guarded by dragons, mages, guards and cultists while we're visiting down here. Once a week, I still want to see father so regardless of what's going on up there, it's not changing my routine.
The thing is, I really don't care about being stabbed in the slightest. I'm honestly just a little disappointed by how weak the assassin was. Besides, with how much peace we've had… it makes a change from our regular slice of life living.
I tried getting into the whole torture thing, but after punching the guy a few times, I just found it a little boring. I'd rather just kill the person and be done with it. That's not to say he's currently getting 'special treatment' from Penelope. The problem is, the guy is as stubborn as a mule.
"Heh, we can bring him down here if you want to put the fear of death in him"
Seeing father actually want to do something other than just laze around here is definitely a nice surprise. Would wish it came about for a reason other than me getting stabbed!
"Oh, the attacker did say something about a highlander. No clue what that means."
This is the main reason I suggested we continue to visit, being referred to as highlander makes no sense to me. Even as Penelope continues to shock the ever-loving fuck out of that guy, we still couldn't find out what it means. Father's knowledge and history with pretty much everything made me think he might know.
And it appears he might. For some reason, father seems to pondering heavily on this, the spectral beast almost putting his paw to his jaw.
A sinister smile grows on the dinosaur's face, so much so I'm not happy with him reliving this. You just know it's something unforgivable so I'd rather not know.
"Focus father, what does it mean?"
"You mean, we've got a demon after us?"
Now, think heavily on this, Ikarus, why would a demon want us dead?
…
I mean, alongside Asmodeus, we kinda destroyed their entire world and most of the demon lords ended up in chains or dead, apart from me and that greedy one. I'm surprised this didn't come sooner.
"Heh, well this really isn't great. Any suggestions where to go next, old timer?"
"You have any idea how little that narrows it down, father?"
Crazy Gods or Goddesses, it's like that meme where the villain faces the man bat. I'm trying to think of a God we know who isn't crazy!
__________
"The two queens of Lesbos? Welcome to Casa Loki-Doki! I'm selling all the best shit so if you're looking for a fix… or for a prank or two, I've got you sorted!"
----------
https://i.ibb.co/dcNmNCc/Loki-Store.jpg
----------
Right in the centre of the heavy shopping district close by to that hot springs we occasionally visit, Loki has set up shop and now runs a thriving apothecary. Business must be booming if he's set up in such an expensive part of town, obviously the appeal isn't just potions if you catch my meaning. I'm sure he's increased his breast size again.
"We're out of honey suckle again, Loki. You wasted the last batch experimenting on those twins"
----------
https://i.ibb.co/4mnkzVF/Freyja-Store.jpg
----------
The brown-haired Goddess Freyja briefly appears from around the corner, going to pick up a box filled with potions I presume she's still working and living here for the time being?
Ah, these two from Ragnarök obviously wanted to stay here for differing reasons. Freyja, for reasons related to Artemis. Loki, because beards and dwarves are his worst nightmare.
The rest Ragnarök are now apparently generals in Jarl Denver's, or Hephaestus's army. I am told it's more of an honorary role because all they do is spend the days drinking, parting and humping. Peak dwarven culture right there!
"Damn it, Freyja! Your manliness always scares people away so go hide in the back! What did I tell you about wearing the correct uniform!?"
"No self-respecting woman would wear what you work in, Loki, and my manliness? Your entire personality is based around scaring off men! We'd get more costumers if you just gave up on that fetish"
"Says the one who spends all day pining over a crush that will never be persuaded!"
"Someday, I will hold my beloved Artemis within my arms. Your crusade on male genitalia has always been a dead end!"
"Bite me, bitch!"
"Back at you, demonic whore!"
Seeing these two already grinding teeth and locking horns, or Loki's horns at least, I think I can see why this shop keeps getting destroyed. It's a good thing their insurance company covers acts of God… get it? I'm a freaking parent so I get to make dad jokes now!
"We're looking for information, Loki, and you might have it?"
"Heh, the word highlander ring any bells?"
Ignoring Freyja who goes back into the storage room, Loki now has a face full of grievance and frowns like his life depends on it.
"Highlanders!? Those ugly brutish demons use that word! Apart from the horns, they are just as despicable as that grumpy bitch and bastard you two killed! The females are okay… I don't get why some societies rate muscles so highly! It's totally unfair to the eye!"
Already trying my best not to facepalm, this is why we rarely visit Loki the past few years. His entire character is only happy when men suffer, completely one-dimensional, he's like the king of all feminists! Albeit, the feminist who don't strive for equality and the ones who just simply hate men. Loki is their role model!
(Petra) "Loki… please just focus"
"Well… I do remember something about them if it helps. Back when Ragnarök kicked me out and Hekate cursed me, although cursed is such a harsh word for this gift, I needed a place to sleep so I spent some time in that hellish world. They hated me afterwards, totally worth it…"
'Oh great… this is going to be another one of his fabled pranks, isn't it?'
"You'd think they'd test to see if their water was safe to drink, but no! Spiked it with more juice than you can imagine. Not a single male for an entire three months in that town! Would've been tortured if I hadn't fled, was the best prank ever."
Hearing Loki so confidently talking about this prank like this… we may need more spies watching him day and night now. You understand how much that would screw up the birthrates if he decided to try that here!?
(Freyja) "Focus, joke of Ragnarök. They asked you a question"
Hearing Freyja's voice bellowing from behind the wall, Loki ones again starts to strop and whine.
"Hmph, I hate you so much at times, Freyja! The point is… or was… I think I remember one demon calling me highlander once. He started the phrase and it kicked on form there… think he went by Lucifer? Didn't you two kill him though?"
…
Oh shit, this is not good at all! Both of us know this especially considering he was the most problematic demon lord. Guy had a second chance ability that even ended up in my own death. He's gone and bloody revived himself, hasn't he!?
"Petra… this is really bad, isn't it?"
"Might be, Ikarus. You know of some way we can find him again, Loki?"
(Loki) "I'm not sure how you'd fin-"
(Freyja) "You two can borrow this, Valhalla knows we don't need it right now"
Coming back into the shop after we hear a clash and a bang, Freyja holds a small box and gives it to us.
"It's funny that Freyja remembers that, nearly forgot I had this! Here, this should definitely guide the way!"
Opening this box by basically snatching it off Freyja, Loki presents us what appears to be a metallic compass.
This… looks awfully familiar to the thing Hephaestus used to track down Apollo. Most of his creations end up being revealed to the public so it makes sense why we'd know of it.
"Erm… Loki? Didn't Hephaestus have something similar?"
"Now now, who once owned this is meaningless! You want to find your culprit, right?
"In simpler words, he means he stole it"
"Hey, Freyja! Is it really stealing if the person never uses, or even needs it anymore?"
'I guess Loki and Plutus would be the best of friends'
"Yes. It's still stealing, moron"
"Bite me, you old hag! It's not stealing!"
Trying my best not to facepalm, it's probably for the best if we leave before these two quickly start to fight again. Someday, I'm betting they will end up in a romantic relationship of some kind, but could've already happened for all I know. They do say there's a thin line between love and hate after all, lord knows Artemis will never be convinced. She's pretty damn close to how mythology portrays her, wild and will always remain a virgin.
"Just ignore her and use this! I did some tweaking of my own so it works based on intent. Like for example, who deserves to lose their manhood the most! It should change once you inject some magic into it"
"Heh, I bet this kept pointing to Zeki, didn't it?
"You have no idea, Petra! It still points to him even when that dryad keeps him punished… when was the last time he even saw his wang anyways? Even I'm feeling a little sorry for him!"
(Ikarus) "Well don't, Loki. Everyone knows Zeki deserves everything he gets…"
__________
Upon exciting the alchemist's, the compass springs to life and starts to spin in all directions. A moment later, it finds a place to settle and seems to want point south.
The wife leads us on but I have another thought in mind. This really could be like a goose chase.
"Petra… this could lead us across the entire world, right?"
"Heh, thought of that, Ikarus, so I made sure my intent is only for culprits nearby. If none are close, it should start spinning wildly"
'Eh, she really thinks of everything. She did inherit the Goddess of wisdom after all… even if I'm not sure this makes sense'
Alongside the wife, hand to hand, the compass takes us across the entire world and seven seas, forcing us to battle against monsters of legend and making us commit sacrifices that would make most minds insane. I exaggerate because I'm already getting bored, right now we're just strolling across the main road without a foe in sight. Out islands really are a little ominous when under martial law, no one is out except for guards and us.
That's until something jumps out at the both of us, making my heart beat out of its chest!
Staring deep into my eyes and piercing the innermost portion of my soul… something tells me this bird has seen some shit.
"Heh, don't do it, Ikarus. I see the connection you two have"
"For fuck's sake, I'm not going to! Shoo! Stupid bird…"
Just one look at the crazed ostrich ahead of us and the fact it keeps nudging its head toward me, it's clearly trying to get me to ride it again! No more alcohol for a long time, Ikarus. I still can't remember even riding these damned beast…
---
https://i.ibb.co/G7XbKZJ/Ostrich2.jpg
---
And then the daft thing crazily runs off into the distance, almost seeming to make the compass shake until it finally settles to a nearby house. I think we're here.
It's just an unassuming family style home in a relatively nice district, nothing stands out except the curtains are closed. It's just the same as every other house, all have running water and are getting closer to modernity every year. I'm not sure why but the compass is definitely pointing here, was expecting some creepy abandoned factory or something,
Both of us get ready to attack though. Petra unsheathes her samurai sword while I switch into phoenix, as well as making a short run up. If Lucifer is inside, we're taking no chances.
'You ready, Aesa?'
[
The door smashes into a thousand pieces as I crash into it, splinters flying everywhere and we charge in like we're the freaking FBI.
----------
https://i.ibb.co/F4znytx/Lucifer-Unsure.jpg
----------
'Huh? There's no one else here… no freaking way! He's been genderbent as well!?'
A lonesome woman sits shocked on the sofa, Petra aims her sword towards her neck while I quickly check the rest of this house. Tis not a thorough search but I'm pretty sure there's no one else here. I'm not freaking searching though wardrobes especially when the compass is directly pointing to this woman.
"So… this is the body you revived in, Lucifer?"
I'm not the only one to think this as even Petra has activated her dark eye mode, the aura this woman lets off reeks of demon blood. He's revived into this body, hasn't he?
If you're unsure on why I'm not questioning him on the horns, they really aren't that uncommon especially when you let any person or any race live on our islands. Beastkin for example, you do get some goat species and most of them have horns. I'm finding it odd that Lucifer hasn't got red skin again like last time around…
"How dare you speak ill of my father's name like that! He would never take over a body like that!"
'Father? Damn it! Sins of the father and all that…'
(Ikarus) "Wait. Wasn't Lucifer's entire thing vengeance for losing a child?"
Lucifer was the demon lord we encountered way up in the Northern Icefields, using that strange facility to house the undead and potentially bring an army down here someday. We even met Mute up there if you remember.
It never was explicitly said, but his reasoning seemed to be related to getting revenge on my mother, an eye for an eye or daughter for daughter. My mother's 'history' destroying the northern continent would've affected a lot of people.
"He had more than just one child, moron! You two are the epitome of evil, even going out your way to harm and torture brother Daedalian! This is just vengeance!"
'Daedalian? That sounds Greek, no? Is that the name of the guy who stabbed me?'
Well… isn't this a confusing situation? Lucifer somehow had two living kids, one of which is currently being tortured for information so it's obvious why we'd be hated by these. Sometimes I wish we could just be in a carefree world where consequences don't matter, but nooo. Life has never been that fair.
…
Unfortunately for the both of us, even Petra doesn't seem all that sure how we should approach this situation. The weepy woman in question looks ever closer to letting the river flow, this won't affect our decision making but I would prefer if this would just end. We've finally achieved peace and I want us both to try and keep it for as long as possible.
"You've got two-, no, three choices. We can end this right now with both you and your brother's head on a pike, you can spend a lifetime in the mines or… just give up. He was creating an undead army for damn sake!"
I've got a bad feeling I know exactly where this is leading and it's going to involve drawing blood. Of course, Petra may see things in a different way. I think she just wants them dead regardless because of what happened to me. It wasn't even a bad stabbing really…
"You sure this is the play, Ikarus? I'd rather they suffer"
"Yeah, but you're blinded by your Ikarus addiction, Petra. If we can end the bloodshed a cycle here, then let's do it"
Now returning to face the confused woman who hasn't a clue what to say, it's time for an answer. It's time for an old ability I don't use all that much anymore.
"Now, stare deeply into my eyes and say you'll let this go. If you can't do this or I don't believe it, I'll know. You lie, and that'll seal your fate as well"
This is exactly the reason my ability eye of wisdom was made for. Something like this, your soul cannot hide that emotion. If she lies, she dies…
"I-I'll… stop. N-Nothing will bring h-him back now…"
This… completely shocks me as the woman breaks into tears. I had expected to sense a slight amount of ill-intent, but she actually sounds genuine, like she can let things go. Now I freaking don't know what to do! She was supposed to lie!
"But, D-Daedalian won't! He won't stop u-until father has been avenged! I-I don't want any more family to die"
Ah, it would be simple enough to just kill the guy we have prisoner, could also ask Ariza to break his mind. I feel like this has a simpler resolution though.
"Petra, you think the angels down in the mines will be happy with a guest?"
Oh right, remember the survivors of the whole good vs evil pointless battle we had? The pre-invasion thing before all the Olympians took over? It turns out, the angels still hate my freaking guts! They get treated like actual miners with all the added health benefits and perks that come with the job, was planning on merging them into society at one point but they're still adamant that they want to see my guts spill! Freaking stupid angels, they can stay down there forever at this point!
On the bright side, they work like their lives depend on it and I guess technically it does. We are trying to avoid that whole slavery thing. We could just build a prison and waste gold that way… or make the prisoners make the gold for us. You see why it's a troublesome line?
Distractions aside, if this woman is truly honest about letting things go, maybe we can use her brother as leverage?
"Don't see why not, the angels won't care. We can let him live; even let you visit him once a month if you'd like"
The crying woman manages to regain a slight amount of her composure when Petra suggests this, then immediately the wife changes her aura and tone. Talk about hitting someone when they're down!
"Just one last warning before we leave… have you ever heard stories of The Crimson Princess?"
'Damn bish, don't be bringing that up!'
Slowly nodding her weeping face in response, I know exactly where Petra is leading with this. The Crimson Princess is an old horror story that is considered sacred by the cultists now, based on what happened in the empire when Petra made her into a bloody art piece. It's meant as a lesson to show that even the kind and caring queen will show no compassion to those who piss her off.
Me, most of the stories I get are either my anger, wraith or madness. I'd like the cultists more if the ones about me becoming flustered and smitten weren't the most popular. I'm literally used as an example on first dates to show if it's gone well or not! If your date is a red as Queen Ikarus, then you've got a keeper! I hate those cultists so freaking much…
"If I ever hear of you being involved in trying to hurt Ikarus again, even if she just stubs her toe around your presence, I'll consider you personally responsible. They had to change the story because the real version was too much"
'Yeah, she's not lying. That women really did look inside out after what was done'
"O-O-Okay"
And just like that, we leave the house to the crying woman who falls to her knees just as we leave. Was that the perfect way to handle thing? No really. Are we both imperfect though? Hell yes…
"Did you really need to put the fear of God in her, Petra? She's pretty weak as it is"
"I'll turn a blind eye for anyone, Ikarus, not when it involves you or Brooks's safety. She and her brother deserve to die"
Still feeling her intense aura, it's not like I disagree, I'm just trying not be rash for a change. If that woman or the brother have more family, then we'll have more problems down the line. Still though, the fact Petra cares about this much about me isn't surprising.
"We can always turn around and go give her what she deserves, if you want. Don't think I've gone soft over these last few years!"
"Heh, you were always soft, Ikarus. Slightly chubby as well, but I like that about you"
…
And of course, the crossing of arms and pouting returns. She's serious for but a moment, then throws that moment in the bin!
"So… you don't want to go back and kill her?"
"Heh, do want her dead, Ikarus, this was your choice to make. Just know that if she ever follows this up… she will suffer. I say no more"
'Damn bish, you scary! That fact this is slightly a turn on says it all really…'