"So are you feeling confident?" Chie asked of me suddenly. I was walking the path with my fellow soldiers and the question struck down my defenses. I couldn't afford to show weakness again.
"Yes. We will win and celebrate with a big feast when this is all over." I told her with what i thought was a relaxed smile. I could really go for something to eat right about now. My parents would always scold me for sneaking in food or eating more than i should. "Do you expect a man to love a pig?" My mother would say as she look at the generous heaping on my plate. I would often just opt out of eating entirely just so i wouldn't have to deal with their comments.
"Oooh and what would be at this big feast?" Chie inquired with a big smile. My mouth begin to water as i began to lay out my dreams bare.
"Cooked pig feet soaked in vinegar, bacon, Chitlins, Collar greens, mashed potatoes with butter, fried chicken-"
"Be quiet!!! You making me hungry!!" A warrior said far in the front of the group while a mage chuckles.
"Chitlins?" Chie asked, curiously.
"Oh! cooked pig intestines, they can be fried, stuffed with mincemeat, or boiled." I shared enthusiastically , remembering when my grandfather would bring me a big batch coming from one of his adventures.
Chie had a dreamy look on her face.
"I really want some now!" She told me as she drooled a little and who can blame her. My mouth is watering at the thought right now.
"Maybe when this is over with! You have to try it once! I guarantee you would fall in love!" I told her with excitement.
-------In the skies above their moving army-----
"That all sounds really good right about now." Erosa said to herself as she wiped drool from her mouth as she listened to that boring piece of cardboard named...
"What was it? It will come to me later i guess." Erosa thought as Narvath went to command their troops. Erosa look at the drool on her hand and winced, thankful that Narvath didn't see such a unbecoming sight. She look back over to Narvath who was scratching his beard.
"Maybe i being too hard on myself." Erosa thought with a amused grin.
"How are we feeling soldiers?!" Narvath asked, his voice reaching all the way to the golden steps of the kingdom in Nevaris.
The decent sized army gave a few half-hearted cheers and whoops.
"Alright...let try that again. HOW ARE WE FEELING MY FELLOW SOLDIERS?!" He yelled, the trees shook from his voice.
The army screamed and cheered.
"MUCH BETTER!" He yelled again as Erosa chuckled at the sight of Narvath's proud smile. Her stomach growled. She suppose she could teleport to IllCrest real quick but she would then have to wait for the cooks to make everything.
"I should probably send a message and go there later on just so they can have the food done by the time we're done. Or maybe i just send a dove and have that deliver a message." Erosa thought as she sent out a dove to find nearby fruit.
Narvath landed on the ground so he didn't have to yell as loud.
"We will be taking a detour through the Wakaynae forests!" He said with a big grin, as this was a genius idea. It made perfect sense to the God of War. Andros wouldn't expect him to make a logical choice and take a detour through a forest.
"She would probably think i would just lead my soldiers in a straight line, blinded by rage. She will learn not to underestimate others." Narvath thought, his anger bubbling.
There was dissent among the soldiers.
----In the back of the army---
I was confused when the God of War told all of us we would be taking a detour into the forests. Now admittedly my knowledge of forests and their wildlife are a little weak. However i do know from the stories that my fifth cousin Lapo who works in Nevaris told me that there are a lot of mosquitoes there. That combined with the current heat would make for a horrible experience.
I hate how i sounded. I'm supposed to be a fierce warrior and yet i'm getting cold feet over mosquitoes?
"I heard from some of the other soldiers that there are mosquitoes? What are those?" Chie asked of me, she was visibly confused.
"They blood-sucking insects, You don't get mosquitoes in Temporal?" I asked, surprised considering she was from a area that rained a lot.
"Oh no that sounds awful. No we don't really have too many insects besides the useful ones like spiders. We take insect control very seriously due to our past experiences. Plenty of our precious and very few crops were damaged by insects in the past before Kai graced us with his rain and provided the lands with a bountiful harvest. He ended our years long drought and made it so we didn't have travel far away to another country or dangerous forests just to secure water." Chie recounted with a smile.
"Wow, Kai seems amazing." I said with a smile. I had plenty of information about our pantheon thanks to my parents quizzing me constantly on them. I know Amalech who was the Sun Goddess was far more popular but i wasn't going to bring that up to her. If there was one useful lesson my parents taught me, it was never to discuss religion with someone who have a weapon on them.
I know i have a weapon too but the others seeing us fight probably wouldn't boost their morale.
"He is. He a shining example to us mortals, don't let his dour mood fool you. He cares deeply for us all." She said to me, her eyes glistening.
"Trust me, this plan is fool proof." Narvath told us all. His voice carrying all the way to the back where three soldiers was discussing the ethics of abandoning a doomed war.
--------
The Wakaynae forest that laid between Nevaris and Bahabor was rich with tall sturdy trees, colorful flowers, and ripe fruits that you can eat right off the trees. Except you shouldn't do that because as many of the soldiers and Erosa herself found out, The Strawi fruit in particular that is native to this forest can cause massive diarrhea, but it's rich in vitamin C. But nobody knew what the hell that was at the time or how it would benefit them. Also while trekking through this admittedly beautiful forest, one should watch out for Mosquitoes. While a annoyance anywhere else, these local mosquitoes tend to travel in man-eating hordes.
Narvath sighed and looked upon his soldiers trekking through the lush greenery, the multi colored flowers was nice to look at. He wasn't knowledgeable about this type of stuff but it interested him immensely. He saw some of the soldiers walked from behind trees, visibly shaken and emotionally destroyed by ingesting the Strawi fruit. Now he wondered if this detour through the Wakaynae forest was a mistake. Hell Andros could've set a trap for him and his army in this very area.
"Shit, maybe she created that Strawi fruit to catch us off guard?" Narvath thought paranoid as he heard the groans of many unfortunate soldiers. He decides to not think about that anymore before he goes into a downward spiral of conspiracy and paranoia.
"Stupid bitch, we wouldn't be doing this and sacrificing thousands to a bloodshed if you could just admit you're wrong." Narvath thought angrily.
"So many good men and women, their lives wasted due to...." He stopped his train of thinking, lest he loses steam entirely. He was human long ago, Even though he was a God now, he still feel some sort of empathy for the clearly mortal soldiers as they walked bravely through the hordes of mosquitos, the few mages among them casting Incinrawave, a powerful fire spell that can cover up to three people in a aura of flames or their weapons if they so choose.
"Great job soldiers! Improvise! Destroy anything in your path!" Narvath yelled to the army, boosting their spirits slightly.
An hand eclipse Narvath's vision, he tensed up. The smell of sweet melons and cinnamon invaded his senses as he got goosebumps.
"Guess who?" Erosa said sensually in his ear, making him shiver, but he was not going to be played so easily. He knows a trap when he walks into one.
"Andros, so help me if that you disguised as my Erosa i will-" Narvath was cut off from his threat with a kiss to the lips, his vision returned to him as he stared into Erosa's eyes. She broke the kiss.
"My Erosa? Narvath, my sweet if ever so slightly paranoid and well-hung God of war, why not just skip the courting and jump straight to the marriage proposal?" She teased, she really enjoyed it when Narvath or any of her lovers stake a claim to her heart. Of course, she can never truly be committed to anybody, but it made her feel amazing nonetheless.
"Are you alright? That frui-" Narvath was interrupted by Erosa shooting him a glare, physically she couldn't do anything to him. It what she can do mentally that Narvath was cautious of. He has heard legends about her mother Aphros, how she once ordered a blasphemer to make love to a diseased horse. He shuddered.
"Never.Speak.Of.This.Ever.Again." She warned with a deathly look on her face before instantly returning to a sweet smile. Her seemingly calm eyes glaring a hole into him.
"So apparently that virgin Andros think she can trick our soldiers by creating a giant sinkhole that cleverly disguised as regular ground ." Erosa said, changing the subject. As a mosquito flown past her and try to feed on the God of War.
"How did you find that out?" Narvath asked, trying to kill a mosquito and failing miserably.
Her eyes hardened.
"Thanks to my doves i was able to get this information, it a general from IllCrest! IllCrest! You know who their king and queen worship?!" Erosa asked of Narvath.
He honestly had no idea, He has been to IllCrest before but he wasn't really...Well let say he wasn't in the right state of mind back then. But he decided to use context clues in order to not make a complete ass of himself.
"You?" Narvath answered hesitantly.
She nodded, He quietly sighed in relief.
"Not just me, my mother too! This is a betrayal of the highest caliber! We see what my mother had to say about this when i get back." She said to herself, a sadistic smile made it way on her face.
Erosa waved her hand, a pink fog erupted from her finger tips showing the image of a woman. She had long black hair and wore a blue and gold uniform from Illcrest as their kingdom colors are Blue and Gold.
The view itself took place from a window. Even though the windows was closed, the sound came through perfectly.
She was informing her soldiers about the plan.
"And while they're stuck, strike them down fast. Leave no room for survival, use anything that you have in your arsenal." She said to the group.
"What if they already know about the plan?" A paranoid knight asked of her.
"Well in that case...wait you not Narvath in disguise are you?" She asked of the knight. She wasn't scared or wary at all, that made the God of War a little annoyed.
"Even if i was, what was you going to do?" He asked curiously.
"Narvath a incompetent fighter, you should've seen the things that Androcien show me in her vision. I'm not too worried about somebody that was so useless that Krania herself took pity on him after he tried to honorably kill himself by taking a blow for her. I mean seriously-"
Erosa quickly made the smoke disappear as Narvath punched a large tree next to him, causing it to fall over and kill one of his soldiers.
"Wha-" The soldier's last word before being sent to a bored Thermes, the Goddess of Death and ruler of the underworld.
"I-FUCK!" Narvath yelled angrily, everybody jumping at the sound of his voice sans Erosa who was amused.
"Yes you do fuck, now how we going to thwart her plans?" Erosa asked of Narvath who moved the tree out of the way and took a look at the solider he killed through his anger.
"Not like he be the last." Narvath thought somberly.
Erosa wanted to soothe his troubled mind but knows he was right.
He lowered himself to the ground and Erosa reluctantly did the same even though she hated getting dirty.
His once semi-decent face was smashed to a pulp, his left eye bulged out and his jaw was destroyed. He was wearing silver armor that covered his chest and knees. His bones was smashed, his chest caved in completely.
"What was his name?" Narvath asked of Erosa, his anger fading.
"I honestly don't know" Erosa shrugged. Feeling only a little sympathy for the unknown soldier.
Narvath sighed and punched a large hole in the ground, big enough for a body to fit in.
"You're so considerate and sweet." Erosa complimented him, her voice losing some of the vibrancy it once carried.
"It what he deserves, at the very least." Narvath said sadly as the Goddess of Love put a comforting hand on his shoulder. She understood loss and regret, as much as she prefer to not deal with those concepts at times, for humans it was unavoidable. That was one thing Erosa was interested by in Narvath, his humanity despite his Godhood.
Within five minutes the body was buried. Narvath got down on his knee and prayed to Thermes to watch over this poor soul.
Erosa found the situation surreal, a God praying to another God? But didn't say anything out of respect for what Narvath was doing.
After awhile, Narvath arose and somberly lifted into the air, Erosa following him. She let the silence pass for about three minutes before speaking up.
"I have a plan."
Narvath look at her, curious.
"What did you have in mind?" He asked slowly.
She grins at him. And with a snap of her manicured fingers set a bubble that hide their voices from the outside world.
-Meanwhile on ground-
I was trekking along the path with my fellow brothers and sisters in arms. I was worried when i heard what sounded like a tree toppling over but chalked it up to nerves getting the better of me. I do my best to swat at the few mosquitoes that made it past that inciner-something spell while making general conversation with Chie, The Temporal warrior was a lively conversationalist.
"So, This Raidala is like a figurehead to the people of Temporal?" I asked curiosly. The story of Raidala was quite inspiring. She was an orphan on the run from slavers when she was captured by them, She prayed and Kai listened. He came down in a lightning bolt of fury and justice and killed the slavers. He ended up taking her to her cousin, But not before imbuing her with the power to harness and shoot bolts of lighting.
And there i was not too long ago crying about how my life was hard to her. What a joke i am.
"Yup, she gives us advice and wisdom. She fun as hell too, she even got Kai, the God Of Lighting himself to join in on a festival dance we was having." Now that was an image i had to see to believe. A God taking part in mortal celebrations wasn't unheard of, but it was indeed rare unless of course you're Winfrey, Goddess of Wine and Patron Saint of Partying. She was active in the affairs of mortals like us. It was one of the reasons she was a more well-liked God in general.
"Sounds like Temporal is a pretty lively country with her around." I told Chie.
"Yes, it definitely more lively compared to how it was during the quindecennial period." Chie mentioned, her eyes having a far-away look to them.
I'm starting to realize how privileged my childhood was compared to others and i'm starting to feel a little sick.
"You and the people of Temporal are so strong." I said with respect and a way to ease the guilt and self-loathing that i felt creeping up in my soul.
"So are you." Chie said with a thoughtful look, surprising me.
"What?" I found myself asking.
"I don't know your whole story yet. But i can sense it like the air before it rains. What you told me wasn't the full story." Chie said calmly as she looks at me.
I was now very confused, flattered, but confused.
"But you heard my whole story. My very sad and pathetic story that nothing compared-" I was cut off by Chie raising her hand to signal me to stop talking. I winced, it brought me right back to my many arguments with my father.
Chie didn't seem to notice. Good.
"You shouldn't be comparing yourselves to others. Just because your story for being here is different doesn't make it any less a reason for being here. Everyone here have gone through their own trials, just because some trials seemed greater than others doesn't make you any less deserving of being called a soldier. You're my comrade, and that all that matters." Chie told me seriously, looking me directly in the eyes.
Oh Gods, i was about to start crying again. She reminds me of that Knight. The one who sent me on this path to forge my own destiny.
"Chie...thank you for your understanding." I said, i hated the wavering sound in my voice right now but that was to be expected.
"Like Lightning bloom across the skies, so will my understanding for my fellow comrades. Words of Kai, 17:52." She quoted with me with a big smile.
We continue our march with our fellow comrades. Swatting mosquitoes, discussing plans of attack, what we're going to do when it all over. Conversations washed over me like a river and i kept quiet for awhile, listening to them. The words of Chie still fresh on my mind.
"So beating Androcien army would be a delight, finally putting that stuck up Goddess in her place, seriously how could you be less likeable than-"
"SHUSH! Less you bring whoever you were about to say wrath upon us all!" Another soldier interrupted fearfully.
"It seems you forget, we got two Gods watching out for us, i'm done cowering and pretending that everything is alright. When the God of Thunder and Fire fucked my wife, it was like my world shattered. She would have never done that to me ever and then when...Miriam killed.....her....i loved her still despite her cheating on me and yet....." The Soldier didn't have the steam to continue on and nobody blamed him. I shared a look with Chie and she had a hard expression.
"We are nothing against the Gods." I said without even meaning to. Maybe i was using a saving throw to the Gods as my mind thought of injustices that they have wrought. Aside from....what like three Gods? Four if you want to count Winfrey and that really could be pushing it what with the Cult of Winfrey running around.
"Maybe so. But there Gods who think of us as everything. It funny in a sense. How they defeated the Primal Lords to free the lands to save us as they so put it." Chie mentioned, a tone of disgust in her voice that made me tense up.
"Kai and Amalech cares for the people below. Myraniss and Thermes are the beings of Time and Death itself, both working in tandem and staying neutral. Then you have Winfrey and Shangor who do whatever. Serbronco trying to steer everyone into pure strength not realizing that strength alone is not going to be enough to get through life. Satrina, who may be the Patron Saint of Women but she could afford at least a little care to the male victims, less they turn into the monsters she so eagerly claim them as. Then Miriam whose utter and baffling decision to stay married to Shangor despite his promiscuity lead to her taking her rage out on the poor woman instead of the cheating husband she doesn't even sleep with. It all make me sick to think about. How easy it to stumble and find yourself in the direct path of a God who seem all too willing to destroy your life and not think twice." Chie delivered her disquisition and the other nearby soldiers stopped talking. Some scared shitless at the carnage she may have unleashed while others nodded their heads, emboldened by her passion.
I broke out in a cold sweat, i noticed that she left out Erosa, Narvath, And Aphros. That was probably intentional and very smart on her part. I look around for any sign of thunder, fire, flying wine bottle with a burning rag attached in the lid, a fist the size of a boulder, or a enchanted arrow and hummingbirds.
Chie then smiles. "See? I just did what you did not too long ago. Now we're true comrades!" Chie said as she happily clapped me on the shoulder.
I wanted to fall unconscious but something felt off.
It felt like i was being watched, i placed my hand on sword just in case i had to pull it out. I look all around as Chie asked me what wrong. It wasn't just one, it felt like multiple people was watching us. But who? I look up to see Narvath in the skies watching over us. my face ended up colliding with something very soft. I was wrapped up in a hug. My heart instantly jumped. I think this might have been the first time i been hugged since...i don't even know anymore.
"Hmmm....Pretty boring and doesn't stand out too much." I heard the Goddess of the Love said as she ran her hand through my hair. A shiver went down my spine as she squeeze my waist.
WHY IS EROSA HUGGING ME. DID I SOMETHING WRONG!? DID I IMPRESS HER SOMEHOW?!
I heard her giggle and hugged me tighter.
"Already so nervous but that is to be expected for a virgin." Erosa said in full earshot to the rest of the surrounding soldiers who was stunned at this new development. I felt the heat rush to my face and i want to melt away into nothing.
I could've done without that comment but i wasn't going to complain. Really didn't want her to break my spine or more realistically make me fall in love with a diseased horse.
Chie looked on in amazement. The rest looked on in envy.
"Some girls get all the luck." One of the male soldiers said, smiling.
"Well you still have me!" The male mage said in response as he placed a hand on his shoulder.
"And i'm damn lucky too!" The male solider said to his husband.
"Nice derrière , considerable jiggle, not much going on in the breastplate region, but that alright. You're just what i'm looking for." She said close to my ear, flicking my earlobe with her tongue.
Heat rose to my face and chest, i have never been touched like this before, i know it kinda pathetic but it true. My parents was very selective in who i dated. And most men was just after my family wealth and wasn't interested in me physically, at all. It kinda hurt.
"Um...W-what do you want me to do?" I stuttered out, much to Erosa's amusement. I felt like a completely inexperienced joke. Her pink eyes bore into my virgin soul, like a tiger eyeing a deer.
Erosa smiled at me. Suddenly i was in the air, next to Narvath, The God of War. I yelped. He was...surprisingly approachable when you up close with him. His beard was still awesome, no denying that. But without the armor he look like one of the fellow soldiers down there than he does a God. He eyed me curiously. I was trembling at this point, It was a combination of being so high up in the air and being so close to these Gods that the i felt like i was bout to pass out for the second time.
I heard of Narvath's temper so i should tread carefully here.
"Uh hello?" I greeted lamely.
"Hello to you too." Narvath said, sounding just as surprised as i was.
"So, how the weather?" I for some stupid reason asked, here i was, trying to have a casual conversation with a God. And that was the first thing i asked?
"Not too bad, not too bad." Narvath said awkwardly as he rubbed his neck.
"So...did Erosa sent you up here?" Narvath asked, very curious on why this woman is here in the skies with him.
"As matter of fact, i did. You see this boring piece of parcel paper that blends in with the background will be perfect for my quest!" Erosa said sweetly as she pinched my cheek. How can one sound so nice while being so cruel? Oh wait i live with my parents for most of my life. How can i forget so easily?
"So this woman is the key you were talking about?" Narvath asked, confused.
Erosa nodded with a smile that made my heart melt. There was no wonder why Narvath fell in love with her.
"Yes! You see how she regular she is? How if i didn't have her up here right now, you wouldn't even be looking at her? Does anything about her strike you as interesting?" Erosa asked of Narvath as she hold my face, mushing it with her forefinger and thumb.
Narvath looked at me while i struggled to keep my face straight and my eyes dry.
He seems confused but than a look of realization came across his face. He muttered something under his breath that i couldn't quite catch.
"So what you're suggesting, is that she be the one to deal a blow in Androcien's plans?" Narvath asked. Seemingly confused like i was.
I didn't notice until know that all outside noise has ceased, there was no buzzing from the mosquitoes or even distant chatter of my comrades down there.
"Precisely my well-hung muscular behemoth!" Erosa said, flipping her hair, a trail of sparkles followed afterward.
I didn't think i would heard about the measurements of a God's…private areas in my lifetime but i did. Hooray? That got to be some sort of accomplishment somewhere.
Erosa turn to me with a knowing look in her eye. Her hand gently caressed my face, the scent of lavender invaded my nostrils. It felt extremely nice, i look into her eyes.
"Kali, will you take on a mission of great importance so we can claim victory over that virgin Andros?" She asked sweetly as she drew closer to me, her hand around my waist. Her pink lips mere inches for mine.
"Y-yes my Goddess, i will." I said without thinking, not that thinking would do me much good in this situation. What the hell else was i supposed to say? No? I get dropped on the ground, head first but not before Erosa mock me for being a coward.
She smashed her lips into mine for a quick second and hugged me tightly, my mind was turned into clay afterwards.
"If you succeed in this mission, you will join me and my Narvath in bed later on!" Erosa said close to my ear. I shared a look with Narvath who just shrugs. Now losing my virginity was...something i didn't really considered but i would like to do it one day. But to two Gods?! if i survive the mission, there no way in hell that i survive that!
Wait a minute.
"What is the mission you request of me again? OH EROSA MY SEXY AND BEAUTIFUL GODDESS OF LOVE!!!" I Said the last part really quickly as a show of respect to the Goddess of Love who can quite easily-
"Oh dear, you mortals seem to have such fascinating fears about me and my mother. Can't say we blame you, it good to be a little fearful after all. It may not seem like it but fear is one of the core components of Love." Erosa said to me, seemingly answering my mind?
...
"Oh now you're scared? Ok that is completely precious. Your mission will be to act as a deserter of me and Narvath army." She told me like she was telling me to go get something from the market.
"You think she'll survive?" Narvath asked of Erosa who simply pouts. Seemingly he was thinking the same thing as me.
"Of course, humans aren't as fragile as you think! You should know firsthand." Erosa said with a grin.
"THE MISSION! EROSA! NOT THE FUCKING!" Narvath yelled making me jolt back in fear, Erosa ponder this for a moment. I guess not. Some of the soldiers look up at us in the skies, probably wondering what was going on?
I would like to know that myself!
"She may be bland and uninteresting but i can tell she a survivor! If not, oh well. Can't cry over spilled guts." Erosa stated as she pinches my cheek which cause me to yelp. It wasn't the cheek you expected to get pinched either unless you was in a bar or a loving relationship.
"Simply put, you will be our little spy. You will go off as a deserter with secret knowledge that could change the tide of the coming battle, You will join Androcien's army and work your way into her trust and be our eyes and ears on the inside." She told me simply. I nodded, it seemed simple enough. I had some doubt about my acting skills but i have faked enough smiles and pleasantries with family's friends and potential suitors to at least get my foot through the door.
Erosa stared at me with a pitying expression. And my face heat up because i'm sure she could read my mind.
"Kali, was it?" Narvath inquired of me.
I jumped at Narvath's question. I wasn't expecting him to know my name.
"It will be a great service to us if you can accept this mission and if you can't succeed, there will be no hard feelings. Because i know we're asking a lot of you." Narvath told me calmly. I was very scared now because i wasn't expecting him to be so...understanding.
Erosa just look at him intrigued before turning back to me.
"Androcien has sent some of her army ahead, they're not too far from where we actually are, i believe they're scouts, You will find them north of here. You have your task and go off and complete it my cute but very visually boring soldier!" Erosa said triumphantly to me as i got sent back to the ground in the instant, making me sick.
"Do you want me to find someone to accompany her? In fact maybe a section of warriors each with their own unique skills. She could use the extra backup. Someone to help her keep up the story. Maybe have them" Narvath muses to himself, he was no tactical genius but he knows that sending Kali alone against that agent of the all knowing Goddess would be straight suicide.
"Then it would be suspicious! Yeah All ten of us would like to join Androcien's army, nothing suspicious there! What? no?! We're not trying to sabotage that stupid virgin's plans, how dare you!" Erosa argued, She may be a Goddess of Love so strategy and war tactics is not something she familiar with. But at the very least she knows something of not drawing attention to yourself. As ironic as that statement is coming from her.
"Ok ok, six people, that it! That all! I'm saying that Kali needs some back-up if she going to be doing this. And Androcien wouldn't know who these soldiers are so i was thinking-" Narvath stopped himself as something caught his eye.
I agree with Narvath, having some company that can watch my back at least put me at ease. I caught a glimpse of a owl flying across the lush green trees. Chie run up to me and ask me if i was ok. The silent complaints of the large gathering of soldiers turn into a panicked shout in my ears as some was pointing to the skies. I look up and saw that Androicen, The Goddess of Knowledge was there, floating in front of Narvath and Erosa.
Oh Gods this not going to end well.