Scene 1
Ali POV
"Remember, you are the Sword of Heaven." Remembering Lord Apollo's words he spoke before I revisited the Sea as something he called a Primal Human touched by pure astral energy.
After falling through the routes I've mapped out in the Sea into this bastardized Greek Mythos, I've gained more here than hunting for the missing Sophie and Thris. Two of our leading figures in finding a way home back to Earth.
Our American faction falling prey to Enlightened Ones who found us on a newly promoted C-Rank World we had turned into a main base. While my maps built stable paths to other worlds claimed by different factions. Ours being led by Tris and Rick during these Astral Wars of humans taking names we shouldn't have.
Even I had to restart after realizing our taking the divine name of someone else led many of us, and currently is trapping a lot of us, in madness. If it wasn't for my first teacher when I arrived.
Woden, an odd fellow even when taking into consideration my generation of madness-loving junkies. Who'll dive into a fresh E-Rank World to experience a new life or find half-closed cycles like these to learn from the Gods directly. Yet even this man was supreme in his knowledge of combating madness, as he forcefully reset my Demi-God rank to the 1st Order to restart fresh.
While Apollo found me during my days of wandering the battlefields and charting maps of different domains and the routes between them. Using the Light of Fate from Lord Apollo to journey even into the shadows of the Underworld as long as I stayed hidden from any Gods.
Now my target is the very teacher he may know more about my path home to Earth than I ever thought. As Volk's name became a topic of conversation between Apollo and his brothers. Whether it's the clue I think it is, a telltale sign of my ex's fingerprints, or just a reunion I'll be happy to make as I journeyed through this dark passage into the Northern Domain. Using the pathway left behind by Volk and his brothers for the survivors of the Divine Massacre of Hebe.
Scene 2
"Lord Dio—no, you're Loki." Pausing my meditation, these peaks overlooking these seven mountain peaks that threatened to pierce the Heavens. As the floating mountains felt like their own universes inside them.
Only opening my eyes when I felt the Laws of Chaos converging into a projection. Only to reveal the muscle warrior I've grown to miss. Troy, who's already been devoured by Chaos of his Order Key, has been hunting down lone Explorers and even attacking in the open using the Enlightened Ones who stuck chasing purity of a law and demonstrating it as their foundation to a pantheon centered on the sole Enlightened One and them alone.
While many Astral Gods and Enlightened Ones will join forces to hunt Chaos beings, this one has appeared in front of Primal Humans in many different skins and lately using Troy, who has arguably a better reputation than our entire faction combined among our fellow Explorers and Travelers.
"Hel, why do you have to be hostile to me? I could be your only way back to your group in the Sea. After all, these Gods are only a loop of memories that never figure out the key to their essences. If you'd like, I can even take you to the appropriate cycle for your title and name to fully assimilate."
Pulling my sword out as I coated it in the white flames I received from Woden. Earning a surprised look of disgust at my blade and flame.
"I'll sooner work with Crystal than take your hand. Besides the Alogthrim who wants me to become their champion, you're the only other suspect when it comes to tampering with my maps.
"Neither am I stupid enough like those idiots from the tribes who were willing to give up Earth. I don't know why you use these methods to target my home, but it says enough that you aren't my concern.
"In fact, once I find this thing you're afraid of here, then I'll come and hunt you myself so we can end this foolishness. And I won't be merciful like my dumb ex, to think he can get you to spit his brother back out."
Swinging my sword as I watched the wave of white flames tear apart the connection he was trying to establish if I didn't catch him in time.
Trying to anchor to my soul as a parasite. No doubt focusing his attention here as my divine artifact, The Map of the Sea, failed to locate me properly within the Sea of Cycles in the Astral Sea.
"YOU THOUGHT MY WORDS WERE A JOKE, LOKI!!"
Booming across the sky as the sky darkened into a royal purple, overshadowing the sky. As I felt several eyes being directed here. Even the two leading figures in the city at the center of the North.
A woman's voice broke through as her figure materialized like a Titan from Zeus's court.
Encased in the furriest shadows that threatened to eat the world as her hand grasped the Void. As I watched a leg get caught by her hand as she pulled it back into reality. As her eyes looked down at me in pride. Like I was the bait for a job I never knew.
As a second hand erupted from the Earth. Bearing no skin or muscles as I felt the Divinity reach Lord Zeus's level as it dragged the being the woman pulled down into the Earth before sealing itself while yanking the souls that attempted to escape back into its domain.
Feeling my mind racing as I tried to piece everything together, only for a hand to rest on my shoulder. As a three-piece suit that's better suited for my homeworld came into view alongside his top hat.
"My father, Lord Hades, would like to meet you. Primal Human who Dances between Self Ruin and The End of her Kind."
Standing in front of me is arguably one of the scariest figures who shouldn't be here. Especially in a Greek World. CuelJuris, the Recording of Endings. The patron of Lovel, the co-creator of my map before he was lost to the Sea after Odin.
Nodding my head in silence as I understood he was most likely the only thing standing between me and Outer Gods like Loki, who's devoured Troy. Watching as an ebony-black chariot appeared with demonic beasts as the horses. While the sight of the driver caused my skin to crawl at the sight of a Satan.
Scene 3
"You can relax. We aren't known for eating mortal souls in this cycle. Unless you're a demon deeper in sin. Then you're free game for all of us to wage war over. Hahahah."
Understanding this Satan, who's matching CuelJuris's clothing style, is trying to be hospitable.
As I forced myself to visibly calm down. With this being a golden chance to ask questions I'll never get in the Sea or arguably another cycle again if I never find one of CuelJuris's vessels or true forms.
"That's a hard task if any could ever master it. After all, I'm seated with Mephistopheles, a Demon who can pioneer his own myths, and CuelJuris, a Hidden Entity none of us mortals could identify as an Astral God, Enlightened One, or a Hidden Figure like the rumored Ending that walks to beginnings."
Watching CuelJuris focus on me as his eyes held a clear interest in my words.
"A pointless question when you already know the methods I use. Whether this is my younger true form or a vessel. None of it matters because you'll never see me again after today.
"Yet I can't ignore your importance is on the level as the 'Little Gem' or 'Flower of Life' for Odin. But only you and the Gem spend days risking madness for a war none of you two women understand."
Speaking in circles as I felt seen through by knowing who exactly he's talking about with those nicknames.
Both my rivals and yet each the greatest ally to the next. As I took it personally upon myself when Odin vanished again to figure out what happened to Sophie.
"Then I have a reason to prolong this meeting and trip. If it's truly the only time I'll meet One of the Five. Although I've met the Sun in his own descent as the Mad Sun. He refused to tell me more about the Five or the one who taught him and included him into the Five. Although he was falling apart. The Black Flames didn't have to claim him before he said goodbye."
Remembering the man I met inside a Tower they called Babel as he aided the destined hero of that world. Only to be removed before his goal was accomplished.
"Yes, my brother is very tight-lipped even among his students. Instead of prolonging a meeting for a pointless reason, you get three requests while you're here in the same cycle with me. After that, you must first find my brother's vessel or true form in the True Cycle of the Astral Earth.
"If you can do that, then I'll offer you the commander-in-chief among my demons. An asset that was always destined for you Primals. And a gift to the results of my hard work. Be happy, Sword of the Heavens and Mapper of the Astral. Your fate doesn't end here, and neither will I allow Primals to fall in this land."
Watching him summon a pocket watch that mirrored the one on his neck that radiated Time Laws.
Before his index finger was covered in a grey flame as his finger carved a CJ radiating Laws of Recording, as I felt it establish a direct link to him.
"When you've done that, infuse your astral energy into this. It'll also survive as your starting Divine Artifact when you're ready to push beyond the Explorer rank. You'll understand everything once you've seen it."
Watching clocks rotate inside both of his eyes as he handed me the pocket watch. As his driver only nodded in approval, as if it's only natural for me to receive that rank.
Scene 4
"I see my uncle intervened in your trip. Then don't worry about the details. You've aided me more than anyone in this cycle."
Lord Apollo holding a list of different theories for him to research into for future Gods to use.
Bringing a close to our thousand-year relationship since I first entered this cycle. Yet I can't remain long enough for me to be classified as one of the Greeks without losing more access than I've already lost.
"But did you complete your own goal? This trip was more for you than me. Volk may be worth the effort with you moving in the area. Not enough to start a war with Tenebris now that I'm aware of the implications."
Wearing a weary smile after hearing my own story and Lord Hades's reason for removing me personally outside the cycle.
"Yes, he'll be more temperamental than I expected. But that's why Astral Gods labeled his fury as a Blazing Sun after he devoured that Dragon of the Sun. So it's best to leave him to his plans if they will guarantee the rest of us a way out. Even if he'll be labeled a demon by our elders.
"Hebe was a nice Goddess, and I see why you picked her, Lord Apollo."
Grinning as I saw his face flash red in a rare show of his youthful heart with love. As he entertained my goal, completely giving birth to the naturally forming God Cupid. His youngest brother who aided me over this 1,000 years of searching.
"Excuse me, moving on. I can't accept being outdone by Juris for my own follower. So I've taken what would've been my Sun Bow and repurposed this coreless artifact.
"Now it'll serve as the Bow of Heavenly Sight. Connected to my domain and the last weapon for my Sword of Heaven. Never forget that you can use my Divine Titles however you see fit with my Divine Symbol. A brother artifact to the Bow of Heavens I received from Ceous."
Watching a Minor God present the Bow as Apollo grasped his staff and transformed it into its true form.
His golden bow contrasted by the dark blue bow he's gifting me. As I felt more than his Heaven Laws inside this bow. A clear effort to show who's follower I am. Bringing a soft smile to my lips at the rare kindness I've experienced from these Gods.
"Thank you, and please take my advice concerning accepting the role Lord Hades offered seriously. Although I can't say much. Your eyes have seen where Fate comes from, so rely on that fact. Also, don't give out such lavish gifts to women, Apollo. They'll swarm you for the wrong reasons."
Watching his face turn as red as an apple as me and the Minor Goddess laughed at his lack of experience. Keeping the second part about my ex hunting him if he found out an inner secret.
Before drinks were passed out for my goodbye ceremony.
Scene 5
Volk POV
"Sister Hebe! I'm sorry! I'll learn more about my domain before running around!"
Screaming from his position of hanging from a tree. The childlike Cupid pleaded for mercy from the Head of the Northern Goddesses.
Commissioning me and Alexisos to hunt down her brother who came to cause issues. Unlike Lord Hermes, who normally does harmless pranks. This younger brother could be called a demon compared to Hermes.
Considered a newborn God due to not hitting ten thousand years of age. A Low Minor God of the domain of Love. Something that sounded surreal to my ears. Yet the warnings of the damage he can cause gave even the brainless Alexisos a renewed outlook on choosing his God carefully.
"You might as well stop whining, Cupid. Once you've served your sentence at the Tree, you still have to train under me and Alexisos before Lady Hebe will release you. I don't know what it means to strip someone of their domain, but it can't be any worse than losing your jewels as a man. So quiet down before you truly anger her."
Remembering the damage she said he could cause to Lord Tenebris if this devil was set loose brought even the reclusive Lord Juris into action.
Taking a seat under the tree as I'm stuck being this child's warden until he grows up and most likely long after that as well. Feeling like Woden set me up for a lifelong torment.
Before focusing on the Laws that have gathered in the newly established City of Hebe as I tuned out the brat's crying.