Kapitel 79: Chapter Seventy-Nine: Shine A Little Light
As Siran gets back to HQ, the usual Pilloa castle, Zia was already walking out of the front gates to go find Siran. Zia was worried and feeling impatient but slowed down as she saw Siran approaching alone. "What happened?" Zia asks, worried.
"Athena and Thor returned to Valhalla." Siran replies. "Odin died, and Ares and Loki got away."
Zia sighs, then says "I'm less concerned about them, as mean as it seems. I appreciate that they've helped, but they did force themselves in-between these conflicts. For lack of a better term, they did ask for this. Though, I would be lying if I didn't say hearing about their loss didn't make me a little sad. I'm just glad you're back safely. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No, nothing at all." Siran says as he wipes blood from his nose. "Nothing that can't be washed up and healed naturally. I'm worried about how far out of control this situation is getting though. Before they got away, I was able to remove one of Loki's arms in an attempt to slow him down in some way, but..."
"He's still a drone..." Zia adds. "We'll have it taken care of. Don't worry. Time is on our side finally, and we can afford to take time to heal up. If they take too long, we will have more strength. If they attack too quickly, they may be done in by their overconfidence. Take some time to relax and get checked up by Demetri. You earned it."
"Yeah..." Siran says. "I think I will."
After a while of sitting in a medical room together with Siran, Zia says to Siran as Demetri runs a few checkups "You know, usually it's rare to see you show emotion for a God."
Siran smiles, then replies "You're the one who spent forever trying to convince me I'm no monster."
"Could've fooled me..." Demetri says as he continues his work.
Zia looks at Demetri in annoyance, then back at Siran. "I guess they grew on you a little?"
"No, I definitely prefer them to stay far away from me." Siran argues. "But that doesn't mean I don't understand pain. Besides, I wonder how much Loki has been through, how hard it was for him to ignore his anger after living this long... if they were able to use that mind control technique on him. He's not too different than the me I am today. So, I guess in some way, there is a sort of... empathy I can feel for his situation."
"I guess you've got a point there." Zia says. "I wouldn't see him as a friend, per se, but that seems like a terrible way to end up. Even for the likes of Thomas Holland. Nobody should be forced to become a monster."
"Ironic, coming from the two of you." Demetri scoffs.
"Doc, can you not?" Zia asks, sternly.
"Of course I can." Demetri replies. "But I find it fun to poke fun at you, especially after all of the work you and your crew has put me through these past two years."
"Demetri, I'm sorry." Siran says. "But shouldn't you... consider the situation first?"
"No." Demetri replies. "It is not my job to consider feelings. That is your wife's job. As for me, it is my job to save lives and knock you down a peg, so you remember you are still in the real world." Demetri sits back up and walks towards his table as he says "Try not to ask for consideration before first showing the same respect. I do not care for feelings, but I am man of integrity."
Siran sighs, then asks "Are we done here?"
"Da, you are fine." Demetri replies. "No breaks, no serious injuries. Just torn skin and bruises all over. Seriously, I get there's job to do, but maybe holding back is not such bad idea?"
"Thanks, Doc." Siran replies as he stands to leave.
"What's the sit-rep, Holly?" Siran asks as he and Zia show up in the command room.
"No matter how many times I'm able to scan their endo..." Holly says as she stares at the large computer in the room with her laptop to the side, "there's no way to track them down. Sometimes I may get a spike of energy in a precise location, but it's only a matter of time before that same spike shows up on the other side of the world. Likely that portal they keep using. I wonder how these gods are able to do this?"
"They may have developed something in Valhalla that can act as a portal." Siran suggests. "I definitely don't know of any kind of magic that can create portals. They certainly didn't have such things in the ancient times either. They walked everywhere."
"A device..." Holly says as she thinks.
"If they have someone like Nyx overwatching Valhalla..." Zia adds, "plus some of the other primeval gods hiding away in there, it may be possible someone there is handing out that power. Which should be stopped, considering they made that realm to leave Earth and mortals alone. So why create a way to come back?"
"I don't get them." Siran adds. "I knew their Valhalla idea was never going to be a lasting solution. Like I said long ago, not only was Ragnarök a lie, but so was Valhalla. It seems, lately, that all the Norse gods ever do is lie. So, this comes as no surprise."
"I hadn't thought of the idea that they'd have the means nor need to develop technology beyond their own magic abilities." Holly says as she thinks. "But that means we have to wait for whenever they're ready to show themselves to fight. So, whatever we can do to finally end this, make sure you come prepared. The only thing I know for sure is that if they show themselves, they'll be ready."
"The longer they take, the more ready we will also be." Zia says, raising her hand that's still wrapped up and healing. "The stitches were recently removed but the injury is still tender. I'm almost at full health, seeing as how my fatigue has been fading out and the headaches stopped. Doc said the injury on my head looks safe by now too, so long as I don't take any direct damage to the wounded area."
"Then there's those kids." Holly says as she finally turns around to face Siran and Zia. "I already know what you're going to say, and I understand those kids don't have faith in their abilities... but those kids are gifted. Sure, we were all stronger by their age, but that's because each and every single one of us had been fighting since our early childhoods. They only just started fighting. The fact they can use combative magic in any way at all is nothing short of an impressive feat. Look at me and listen well when I say this. Those three kids are more capable than any soldier I've seen to this date. More gifted than any Hunter. Those three are strong and need guidance. Proper guidance. Not whatever those gods were offering."
"What are you saying?" Zia asks, confused and worried.
"Those three are going to ask you, any day now, if they can join you for that final battle." Holly predicts. "I think they don't have the faith in their abilities but want the chance to prove to themselves what they can do, as well as worried for you and the other parents. Let me teach them. I plan on keeping them from that final battle, and I plan to teach them well. If nothing else, it would be best if they knew how to defend themselves."
"You'd do that for us?" Zia asks.
"Well, I don't see why not..." Holly says.
"Then it's settled." Siran replies. "Thanks a ton, Holly."
"I do need to say though," Holly says as she points at Siran, "you look almost just like your son. Age and everything. It bothers me."
"... Uh?" Siran asks in surprise.
"I know, I get it." Holly says. "You don't age. Sometimes I forget you're older than the Naris Catastrophe. But dammit, your son looks almost as old as you now."
"Okay?..." Siran say, confused.
"Just needed to let you know that." Holly says as she turns back to the computer. "It was bothering me. You may leave now."
Meanwhile, hidden in a forest outside of Omnia, Ares sits alone with his emotionless and voiceless Foxhound. After thinking for a while, a sudden deep voice interrupts his thoughts. "I'd say well done..." the voice says, "but I suppose that I should really rather say an apology."
"Chronos, or should I say, Lucifer..." Ares scoffs. "What's the next mission already? Can I get off of this rock?"
"Well, that's just the thing." Chronos says. "There is no next mission. I think I've gotten what I need out of you."
"I'm sorry?" Ares asks in shock.
"You and Loki possess most of my shards." Chronos says. "You take power from them, but have you never considered they also take power from you?" Ares froze in response to this. "After so much of you willingly assimilate with my body, I've already gained your unique magic. Mind control was definitely not something I was able to gain on my own, as well as shapeshifting from Loki. As an added bonus to removing the images of heroes, we removed Odin. There will be animosity amongst the gods, the humans who worked with them, the world... I'm afraid there's nothing left for you to do."
"I don't suppose this is going to turn into a 'welcome back home to Valhalla' party?" Ares asks in anger.
"Nothing of the sort." Chronos replies. "I'm yet another step closer to my end goal, and I'm afraid there's nothing left for you to do except perish."
"Perish!?" Ares asks.
"That was the deal, remember?" Chronos asks. "You live as I tell you to live and die when I say so. Unless?"
"Unless?" Ares asks.
"You can prove yourself useful one more time." Chronos says. "Show me that tenacity once more. Kill Ishmael, Inari and all of their friends. Give me some form of entertainment. Do that, I may spare you."
"Tch" Ares scoffs. "You really don't leave me any choice here. I'll handle that shitty wolf and their annoying friends. Happy now?"
"My dear Ares, never think of me as an angry man!" Chronos says, feigning an offended tone. "I of course want to see my... subjects happy. As for my own personal happiness, had I ever been in a sour mood, you'd have never lived this long to begin with. Do make me proud and show me something good, won't you? No pressure. Only that you may face oblivion, shall you fail in any way. Good luck~." Suddenly, Chronos laughs as his voice rapidly fades out and vanishes.
Ares sighs to himself, then says "I guess there's only one thing left to do. Foxhound, let's get you something for that missing arm of yours. We're going to go fox hunting soon. I'll need you in peak shape for this. I won't underestimate Ishmael. I know they took down Naris, but I should have thought they'd still yet have more tricks up their sleeve. Let's go."
Several months passed as the crew worked in anxiety. After a while of no more attacks and the world split between blaming Siran and sympathizing with The Six Guns crew, America came to a clear decision as President Denzel Freeman officially pulled out of Omnia. The civil war in Omnia had finally ended, and the team wanted to celebrate, but they couldn't yet. They knew there was still more to handle, and they still anticipated the day Ares would finally show himself. What they never expected was a formal letter sent to HQ, which was now announced as the new capital building of Omnia as the city of Pilloa was officially made the new capital of Omnia. The letter told the crew to come and had coordinates. Signed by none other than Ares. Ares was calling them out and wanted to fight in the ruined city of Omnium Guild. "I don't want to put the rest of you in danger." Siran argues. "I think it would be best if you all stayed behind."
"I don't think there's any reason to stay behind." Tanya argues.
"If we can't handle Ares and Loki, then us being there would only add to the weight of the fight." Haru replies.
"Well- uh." Tanya argues.
"I, for one, am not going." Haru says. "There's a fine line between confidence and foolishness. The rest of you should do well to remember that."
"We fought Naris together though..." Rose says as she thinks. "How much worse can it get?"
"Much worse." Siran replies. "Much, much worse."
"I'm staying behind." Holly says.
"Whuh, Holly!?" Rose asks.
"What? Someone needs to keep the kids here." Holly replies.
"Wait, no!" Silas argues. "I'm going!"
"You're not!" Siran says. "Silas, you, Dana and Carl need some time to prepare and train yourselves. This is not something you can be involved in. I understand you may have some advantage against Ares, but we aren't handling only Ares here."
"But!" Silas argues.
"Silas, listen to your father!" Zia argues. "This was already decided beforehand."
Silas looks at Holly and Holly nods her head at Silas. "That's not fair!"
"Silas, we already talked about if it's too dangerous that you will be pulling out." Zia says.
"Not without you!" Silas demands.
"Then if we get taken down, we'll need you to come rescue us later." Zia argues. "But you can't do that if you're in danger yourself."
"Your mother is right." Holly says. "We'll also be monitoring the fight via satellite and audio from Siran and Zia. If something happens, we'll know."
"Silas, relax." Dana says as she pats Silas on the back. "I know we wanted to join, but I don't think there's any way we can convince them this time."
"Well, Holly may be staying behind, but I'm going!" Rose argues.
"If Rose goes, I'm protecting her." Finn says.
"Do what you want." Ying says. "I'm staying behind."
"Yeah, I'm honestly exhausted." Blake says.
"I'm not going to get caught in that crossfire." Robin argues. "Well, we can't have everyone being s sniveling pussy." Vivi says as she steps forward. "I'm going."
"Then of course I'm coming along too." Alex adds.
"Anybody else?" Siran asks.
"I- I think I should come." Benjie says as he steps forward.
"Benjie?" Siran asks.
"I may not have much magic, but I have gadgets." Benjie says. "Plus, I've been apprenticing with Demetri. I am no surgeon for sure, but at the very least, we'll need first aid."
"Then Benjie will need someone to protect him too." Mikoto says as she steps forward.
"It's not fair if all the other girls get their own escort, after all." Satomi says as she steps forwards too.
"Hey!" Benjie protests.
Satomi lightly punches Benjie on the shoulder, then says "I'm proud of you, kid."
"Then this is our team." Siran says. "We'll head out in the morning."
The next morning comes, and our team consisting of Siran, Zia, Rose, Finn, Alex, Vivi, Satomi, Mikoto and Benjie ride in a cargo truck across the nation to Omnium Guild once more. It was 4am when they first left and took many hours to reach Omnium Guild. The chilly air and crisp breeze left a lasting sense of liveliness amongst the crew. However, a big surprise struck the crew as they ride the truck towards Omnium Guild. In the Horizon, they could see a feint and growing light. "Is that...?" Mikoto asks.
"Everyone, look!" Satomi says as she points hurriedly to the horizon.
"No way..." Finn says.
"It's felt like forever!" Rose says with excitement.
"It's sunlight..." Vivi says in awe. "It's really sunlight... the Black Skies Incident is finally over. We did it!"
"Silas did great." Siran says with a proud smile.
"Our son saved the world..." Zia says in awe.
"All that's left now is take down Ares and come back to celebrate." Benjie says with a smile.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein