Hades // Brain // Outfit // Hex #262f26
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Apollo // Special // Outfit
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Ares // Brawn // Outfit// Hex #FF0000[/left]
Wes listened to Luxâs complaints patiently, they were valid after all, and he couldnât exactly blame her for reacting that way after how Seb treated her. How he always treated her. Wes loved Seb, but there was a snobbishness to his best friend that often frustrated Wes. In some ways, it wasnât his fault, Seb had grown up most of his life in a very tight Manhattan bubble, unaware of his own heritage and the implications of that on the wider world. Every demigod was already inherently superior, they were the legacy of celestial beings after all. Regional elitism held little merit where they were concerned. In some regards, Wes suspected Seb still viewed the world through that narrow perspective, and time and exposure was the only thing that could change that. That didnât make Seb useless, but Wes highly doubted Lux would be receptive of any defense on his friendâs behalf at the moment. Her admission to holding back on his behalf twisted something in his gut. Guilt, admiration, warmth, it all mixed into a confusing cocktail that tried to turn his stomach. When she tried to use Sebâs own logic to pull away from him however, Wes was through with listening.
âThatâs bullshit and you know it.â Wes practically growled, stalking forward. His hand paused briefly, but extended out to brush a stray lock from her face as gently as he could muster. âIf you donât want to be with me, thatâs your choice, but donât let it be because some asshole tried to steal you confidence.â Wes wanted to grab hold of Lux, shield her, cage her, keep her close, whatever it took to stop Lux from pulling away from him like this. Wes did none of those things.
âIf you walk away now, itâs because youâre afraid, not because of Seb. Youâre a lot of things Lux, but youâve never been a coward. Itâs part of what makes you so damn special.â
***
Maya wasnât sure what to do with Joaquinâs advice. In some ways, it made sense, but ultimately she feared it might do more harm than good. Maya still had no idea what this vision meant, other than an obvious warning of danger. Her fatherâs presence could mean a hundred different things, and it was hard to think of an immortal god as the subject in danger. More likely it was someone connected to Apollo, but there was no way to know. Lux had a strong connection with their father, and telling her about a threatening vision that vaguely involved their father would undoubtedly distress her. What if the vision was about Lux being hurt tomorrow, and the cause was from being distracted by Mayaâs warning? It certainly wouldnât be the first time a misinterpreted prophecy spelled doom for the ones who tried to act upon it. As Joaquin walked away, Maya resolved to keep the vision to herself, at least until she could puzzle it out more.
Soon, the party was slated to come to an end, the fight between Cal and Abby punctuating an end to the evening. Maya didnât really feel in the partying mood anyway, and smiled gratefully as Ace asked her to walk him back to the dorms. Ace had never gotten enough credit for being as thoughtful as he was, and Maya was glad to be one of the few people who really got to see that side of him.
âSure.â Maya smiled, gripping his hand as he helped her up, and they made their way back to the dorms.
***
The granite pillars practically sparkled in the morning sun, the weather absolutely perfect for the opening ceremonies taking place. Weather that weather was natural, or produced specifically by the gods to enhance their own lighting was irrelevant. The spectacle of the Agon had a standard to live up to, and this year did not disappoint. Each team had been ushered through the amphitheater to a hail of applause and white petals, their names announced and saluted by last yearâs victors as they stood proudly amongst the gods. A torch was magically lit for each student as they were transported to their drop points, armed with their carryon packs, a single weapon each, and a bewitched hand glass from which they would receive their instructions. A surprisingly few number looked queasy as they were bustled off, but two did manage to puke as the magic that transported them took hold.
Lee felt rather green himself just watching them, remembering the unpleasant sensation from his own time in their shoes. Or it could just be the hangover. Distinct possibility. âWhy does this thing always have to be so damn sunny. Whatâs wrong with a somber ambiance? Itâs more appropriate anyway.â Lee grumbled as he massaged his temples. Juneâs hangover cure had taken the edge off the worst of the effects, but the splitting headache had yet to pass completely. His friend merely rolled her eyes as they stood in the stands with the academy students not competing this year. Most were scattered throughout the stands in some semblance of chaperoning duty, but the festival atmosphere was palpable, and most teachers didnât even try to keep order in their sections. The mere presence of their godly parents was enough to keep most students in some semblance of their best behavior regardless, and the studentsâ antics were pretty mild compared to the crap they pulled in class on a daily basis.
âOnly you could be grouchy after waking up with a literal god between the sheets.â June mumbled affectionately between cheering along with the students. Heat rose up Leeâs neck to the tips of his ears, as he shot his friend a dirty look. His relationship with Apollo was complicated to say the least, but the fact that it was becoming some sort of public knowledge was incessantly irritating. âWhy arenât you the one up there with them?â June asked with a sidelong look, her tone as close to casual as she could muster.
âDo I look like the event coordinator?â Lee bit back defensively. The honor of standing with the gods during opening ceremonies was usually reserved for senior staff and those who help coordinate the logistics for that yearâs challenge, but the gods were known to personally invite other teachers to share in that supposed recognition as well. While it was true that Lee was the teacher who had logged the most off hour training sessions with competing students, he didnât exactly advertise that fact. Being a good screw (if Lee could say so himself), wasnât a prerequisite for being fawned over, which is the only other reason one particular god might have had for requested his presence. The hell he was was going to stand there and be gawked at like some kind of glorified sidepiece. June held his eye a moment, brow furrowed in some kind of obvious disapproval, but she didnât comment immediately.
âI think the weather is nice, it really highlights the vomit.â June changed the subject, and just like that Lee was reminded why he loved her so damn much. June could be a pitbull when she needed to be, but sheâd always been able to read Lee. She knew when to push, and when to give him space, a skill few other people in his life possessed. Lee managed a weak smile to show his appreciation, but neither spoke the sentiment aload.
âBlood of my blood, this day marks the passing of a great trial, a test to showcase the most worthy among you.â Zeus boomed from the elevated stage above in the opening toast that Lee had heard a dozen times. Very little of the pageantry ever changed, which meant soon the challenge would be revealed on the monitor below them, and instructions given to the teams. Leeâs hands gripped the railing like a vice, knuckles whitening, as June laid a gentle hand over his own. Sacrifice and courage, the qualities all great heroes must display on their proving ground. Today we drink to their honor, prepared to bring more into this hallowed fold. May the worthy prevail!â Zeus lifted his goblet in the air, the other gods following suit before they brought the edge of the cup to their lips, and drank in unison. What happened next was utter fucking chaos.
Which god began convulsing first was anyoneâs guess, but Lee couldnât rip his eyes away from Apollo...Andy. Seeing a god in pain was as shocking as it was terrifying. These were celestial beings, their faces werenât supposed to contort like that. Lee watched, practically paralysed as slowly they began changing, a gray crusty layer creeping across their skin. Andyâs green eyes were the last to go, their warm depths morphed into a stony mask of confusion that twisted Leeâs gut. He wanted to run toward that stage, but June gripped his arm, holding him back among the screaming students. Soon he realized why.
âLee!â June warned, conjuring fire in her hand as she hollered orders for students to get down. They had come out of nowhere, an entire flock of dragons descending up the amphitheatre of the gods. Students shrieked as they dove for cover, others reaching for weapons to defend themselves as the beasts dove closer. The dragons were relatively small, the one consolation in the raging chaos that ensued. Several teachers tried to herd the younger students to safety, doing their best to ward off attacks from above. Thatâs when the doors flew open, armed men dressed in the armor of Achillon mercenaries flooding through.
This had to be coordinated⊠Leeâs mind screamed as he grabbed for his sword. He didnât want to believe what he was seeing, but to deny the truth would be fatal. Too many lives hung in the balance for Lee to fall to pieces, so instead he ordered the seventh grade students into the pavilion, and stood guard with June at the entrance, back to back as they prepared to face their foes.
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The tremor was almost inperceivable, but Wesleyâs hand shook as he held the glass, watching the bloodshed that was unfolding within the amphitheater theyâd been standing in not ten minutes prior. Students younger than they were lay bloodied in the grass, while warriors charged through the stadium, and dragons rained death down from above. It was the scene from a nightmare, and if Wesley hadnât seen the rising flames on the mountain in the distance, he would have thought it was a trick.
âH-how is that even possible?â Lottieâs voice trembled, on the verge of tears.
âI donât know.â Wes admitted quietly, as painful as it was. His mind was spinning itself in circles trying to explain what had happened, but no logical conclusion presented itself. Something terrible had just happened to the gods, and the timing of that enemy assault had been too perfect. Someone on the inside had to have helped them, but he had no idea who would have the motive to do such a thing, much less the power.
âWhat are we doing just standing here?! Letâs GO!â Abby practically shook with rage as she paced about, the screams of their classmates threatening to work her into a frenzy, she felt so helpless.
âAnd do what?â Wes challenged in his best impression of calm, silencing the glass before tucking it away.
âFight, kill those bastards, do something!â Abby shot back incredulously. [color=#FF0000]âTheyâre getting slaughtered in there!â
âWere at least half a day away, probably more on foot.Weâd never get there in time to make a difference, and even if we did, thereâs a small army overrunning them. We donât have the numbers to stop that kind of assault.â Wes fidgeted his hands, a nervous habit heâd picked up when he tried to cobble plans together on the fly.
âWe need to move.â Wes decided. âWeâre too close. An army like that has to have supply lines, possibly reinforcements, and probably scouts in the area. We need to get our bearings, and figure out what the fuck just happened. If we get caught up out here, we wonât stand a chance.â