middleofsomewhere | The Will to Fight: Conclusion

The battles rage loud and ferocious at the gates of the city and off in the ruined wastelands of Erda, and on the walls a struggle of a different kind occurs. The team who stayed behind at the towers are small but determined as they move stoically across the walls to right the stones that have become misaligned, even as their friends battle not too far away.

The city begins to hum. It's a quiet hum, not loud enough to be heard out where the others are fighting but it vibrates even through stone. The recovering monks assure them that it is done, the wards are back up and no demon will be able to enter the city.

Eventually the battle is won, all three battles. The demons fought back and killed, a major blow to their gate system that will keep them back for hopefully a long time. Those waiting in the caverns return to the city and by the time they get there the illusions are gone. Everyone can see the world for what it really is.

But despite the ruins of their world the people are relieved, the adrenaline of the fight coursing through their veins and the mood is one of hope. They will build again, their people will survive.

All Voidtreckers please return to the Voidtrecker Express. Departure will be in a few hours

It has landed not too far from the city, cloaked to make it unnoticeable to the citizens, for all the good that does. No one has been particularly subtle this last week. People can begin regrouping, packing up the camp and getting any wounded not already healed to the train.

However roughly half an hour later another message appears on their SCA.

Passenger Persephone has requested we remain on system System #86525656412355 for an additional day to further assist the people of Erda. The Voidtrecker Express will depart on the morning of Day Fifteen of the month of Kazoo.

The train remains where it is, so the voidtreckers can use its facilities. There is definitely a lot that can be done to assist those of this world and the citizens will welcome any helping hands.

After an extra day they finally depart, returning to the void once more.

(OOC Note: Once the wards are up any characters who are demonic in nature will not be able to enter the city either!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's easy to start a fire when your best friend has feet that are literally always on fire.

Zagreus refuses to speak during the whole ceremony, knowing just how important this is to Thanatos' job, even if it's just a simple matter of bureaucracy. He wouldn't be able to help, either, since his blood is the red of mortals - and his healing battle wounds remind him of that, crusted with blood that has turned a dark maroon.

He waits until Thanatos douses the fire before approaching, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Good work, Than. I'll be heading back to look for him on the Train, if that's all right. You want to come with, or... would you rather be alone?"

"... I didn't feel anything. Don't know if it worked," Thanatos admits, and his shoulders sag. He loses he godly air he had put on trying to contact anyone who might hear. He's back to the exhausted passenger. "I'm not experienced with offerings." They were something other gods got. Not Death. Not when he can't give them anything. It's similar to how for two missions now, his powers relating to being Death Incarnate have been useless. If the Fates have him here for a reason, it's becoming increasingly clear that it's not because he's Death. But... then what?

"I..." Thanatos pauses, unsure what he really wants. He shakes his head. "I don't want to be alone right now." Even though he knows that he'll eventually hide off in some corner by himself.

"But we don't know the rules here, right? So... maybe the Deity of Death in this world felt it instead?" It's probably not as helpful as Than would like, but at least Zagreus is trying. "I mean, neither am I, nobody except the other gods know I exist, and that was only recently. But if I got a cookie as an offering, I think I'd like it."

When Thanatos answers, Zagreus steps in close, nodding as he accepts the response. He takes Than's hand in his. "I'm not about to let you teleport us anywhere, not after what you pulled out there." He's not about to admit anything out loud, but it scared him when Thanatos passed out at the last battle. He'd never seen Thanatos so defenseless, so helpless, and it had really shaken him. What could he have changed, to ease Than's burden? What could he have done to save his friend from running himself ragged? Why did he feel like such a screw up?

The prince soon realizes that he really doesn't want to be alone either. "We should start walking, I suppose. Or I guess, I should, since you can do that whole ethereal floating thing. Come with me?"

A long sigh follows, but it contains no frustration or annoyance. "Maybe you're right..." Thanatos grips Zagreus's hand back and lets him help him up. He rises to the air, bobbing unsteadily. Thanatos adopts a hunched posture better fitting of Hypnos than him, normally standing straight and tall.

"I don't think I could shift us even if I tried," he admits. The thought should scare him. Not being able to shift means being trapped. But... he's with Zagreus. The danger's past. It not an issue, and he's so tired. "I can still manage this though. I doubt you'd want to carry me back to the train even if I offered you a cookie."

It's a joke, Zagreus.

The Will to Fight: Conclusion

Bargaining with Death

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