-Alkaios POV-
The swirling vortex of Nosoi around Athens was a spectacle that defied belief. I found myself captivated, unable to tear my gaze from the chaotic storm. Beside me, Chiron shared my stunned silence. His eyes, alight with a knowing glint, were now wide with an astonishment that spoke volumes. His visible shock at this phenomenon proved its unprecedented nature.
A quick survey of the others revealed a shared tableau of awe and trepidation. Jason, his frame taut with an almost unbearable tension, trembled. It was a reaction I understood; the sheer incomprehensibility of what unfolded before us was enough to unnerve anyone. In stark contrast, Heracles stood with a rigid posture, his jaw set in a grim line, his broad eyes burning with a palpable fury. Though our acquaintance was brief, the intensity of his rage was unmistakable, a potent force radiating from him.
Castor and Pollux shared a similar expression. It was in those moments, when their faces froze in identical masks of disbelief, that the profound truth of their twinship became apparent. However, it was Asclepius's countenance that sent a shiver down my spine. His features twisted, a raw, animalistic snarl contorting his face into a mask of pure hatred. The surrounding air seemed to thicken, crackling with an unseen energy, as if the underworld's brimstone had stirred. His eyes blazed with a terrifying, inhuman light, reflecting a primal rage that radiated outward like a physical blow. The grimace pulled his lips back from his teeth, revealing a savage intensity that promised utter destruction. Every harsh line on his face seemed carved by an inferno, a terrifying testament to a malice without limit.
"Teacher, shall we head into the city?" Asclepius asked, his voice blank but filled with rage. We all flinched when we heard Asclepius's voice. It differed from what we all heard from him. I shifted, not knowing what to say before Heracles's voice grabbed all our attention.
"Teacher, look down there," Heracles said, his voice cutting through the relative quiet of our training grounds. He gestured towards the distant city gates. My curiosity, piqued by the unusual intensity in his tone, drew my gaze in the direction he indicated. I followed his pointing finger, my brow furrowing as I tried to decipher what had captured his attention. The city gates, a bustling hub of activity, appeared unremarkable at first glance.
However, as I focused my vision, straining to understand the object of Heracles' fascination, a wave of confusion washed over me. If not for my Divine Protection of Far-sight, I would never have been able to discern what Heracles was observing.
Down at the gates, merchants were entering the city, but it was their expressions that caught my attention. Not a single merchant showed any sign of fear. How was it possible that the sight of the city being overrun by thousands of spirits did not elicit any fear? Such a spectacle would freak any normal person out, but no one displayed any apprehension. Even the guards at the gate didn't appear tense whatsoever. It was clear, just from the sight, that they could not perceive what we could.
My gaze shifted to Chiron, and I could see he had registered the same anomaly. I then surveyed the other trainees, but besides Heracles, none of them perceived what Chiron, Heracles, and I did. This didn't surprise me; after all, Heracles and Chiron were renowned archers, and a keen, far-reaching vision was a prerequisite for their craft.
The chilling wind, a harbinger of the unease that permeated the desolate landscape, whipped around us as Chiron's grave voice cut through the silence. "Children," he began, his tone resonating with a gravity that settled in the pit of my stomach, "it seems the situation has changed again." He gestured towards the imposing city gates that loomed before us, a silent testament to the city's new spectral inhabitants. "We shall enter the city, but I caution you all not to make eye contact with any of the spirits. We do not know how they would react to being stared at."
Chiron's stern gaze swept over us as he spoke, fixing on Alkaios, Castor, and Pollux. "Alkaios, Castor, and Pollux," he commanded, his voice firm, "you three must keep your hoods up." A collective rustle of cloaks followed as we complied. Chiron explained, his brow furrowed with concern, "Asclepius has arranged it so that you cannot be seen with your hoods up. Castor and Pollux, while the average Athenian might not recognize you, the nobles will, and attracting their notice could be disastrous. And Alkaios," he added, his eyes flickering toward my red hair, "your hair is far too noticeable. It would be a beacon for any unwanted attention." With that, the three of us, Alkaios, Castor, and Pollux, drew our hoods lower, concealing our faces and our most striking features as we prepared to venture into the unknown depths of the spirit-haunted city.
"Heracles, Jason, and Asclepius, you three will meet the city nobles with me. With the new knowledge we possess," Chiron's eyes flickered to the Nosoi circling Athens, "there must be someone within the city who can provide us with more insight." Chiron stated, as Asclepius and Heracles nodded with determination, while Jason gave a hesitant one.
The air hung heavy with an unspoken tension as Chiron, his gaze sweeping over us with an intensity that seemed to pierce through our very souls, turned and guided us towards the city gates. With each step, a strange disquiet grew within me. The ethereal forms of the Nosoi, circling the city in a silent, mesmerizing ballet, almost drew my eyes against my will. It was odd, this absence of sound. One would assume that such a multitude of beings, gathered in one place, would generate an audible presence–a rustling of unseen wings, a low hum, perhaps even a collective whisper. Yet, there was nothing. The absolute silence emanating from the Nosoi was not a comfort, but amplified the unsettling nature of the spectacle, making the sight even more foreboding, a silent harbinger of something we could not yet comprehend.
As we neared the imposing city gates, a palpable tension spread among the guards. Their hands went to their weapons, their eyes fixed on the cloaked figures of Castor, Pollux, and me. The air crackled with anticipation, the silent question of our intentions hanging between us.
But before anyone could speak or fight, the crowd gasped. The guards' suspicious eyes widened in disbelief, amazed. Chiron, standing beside us, had captured their attention. The soldiers straightened, their stances shifting from defensive readiness to one of profound respect, as if expecting royalty. I was convinced they'd offer a full salute for a fleeting moment, mirroring a monarch's deference. The change in their demeanor was so pronounced, so immediate, it was as if the very air had shifted, signaling a dramatic turn in our arrival.
"Lord Chiron, may I inquire the reason for your visit?" The lead guard asked, his voice a low rumble that carried an undercurrent of genuine curiosity. The guard's response threw me off and, despite not being able to see Castor's face, he must have felt the same. I watched as Chiron displayed a subtle, almost imperceptible shift in his countenance. It would have escaped the notice of anyone unfamiliar with his nuanced expressions.
"The Gods have sent my students and myself," Chiron replied, his voice carrying a measured gravity while he gestured to our group. He paused, his gaze sweeping over the lead guard. "Soldier, have you noticed anything off in the city?"
The guard's response was immediate, perhaps a little too confident. "Nothing, Lord Chiron. Everything in Athens has been wonderful…" He hesitated for a fraction of a second. Then, he continued, his tone shifting as he delivered a piece of news that had been weighing on the city's spirit. "The morale of the city was down because of a failed campaign. Lord Spyridon fell to a monster."
The guard's words made me freeze. Pollux must have noticed my reaction, turning to me in confusion. I couldn't see her face, but I felt the question. Suddenly, Castor and Pollux realized. Out of the guards' view, Pollux bumped my shoulder affectionately, and Castor copied Pollux clapping my opposite shoulder in praise. I couldn't help but grimace, 'Really now, you two?'
I could feel the stares of Heracles, Jason, and Asclepius. 'Can all of you not be so obvious?' I thought in exasperation, as their stares were drawing the attention of the guards. Before anyone could ask a question, Chiron spoke, drawing attention away from me.
"The Gods, including Lady Athena, have summoned us to Athens. Will you permit us passage?" Chiron inquired of the head guard. At the mention of Athena's name, all the guards stiffened, a mix of respect and apprehension clear. They quickly hurried to grant us entry, the clanging of their armor echoing their haste.
In a matter of seconds, the way was clear as we entered Athens. Despite the horror that was taking place above us, the city of Athens was beautiful and lively. Parents and children were walking together, merchants trying to barter goods. You would think there was nothing wrong with the city, if not for one thing.
It was striking how many people had a Nosoi hovering over their shoulder. My eyes widened in horror, as for everyone person without a Nosoi, there were two with one. I exchanged worried glances with Chiron and my fellow peers; we were all disturbed by the scene. The sheer pervasiveness of these ethereal creatures was overwhelming. They were like dark omens, their shadowy forms casting an unnerving pall over the populace. Some people seemed oblivious, going about their daily routines, while others kept looking over their shoulders, trying to find something they couldn't quite grasp. The air itself felt heavy, thick with an unspoken dread that seemed to emanate from the Nosoi themselves.
It was as if Apollo just decided that everyone in the city should be sick. What was especially horrifying was when a Nosoi would bend its head down to a man coughing in their face. As soon as the spirit did, the man would cough in sync.
I had to hold Asclepius back from attacking the spirit. As much as I wanted to do the same, we did not know what would happen. For all we know, attacking the spirit would call them all to action. That couldn't happen with all the innocent people in harm's way. Chiron himself had his hand on Heracles's shoulder to stop him from trying to attack the spirits.
"Come, children," Chiron said, leading us away. "We don't know what will happen if we attack. We must first meet with the nobles of Athens. It's crucial we learn how long this has been going on. There must be someone in the city who can see these spirits." As we walked, I couldn't help but stare at the young girl with a Nosoi over her shoulder. My heart broke as the girl let out a cough; I stared transfixed at the sight. I suddenly felt a hand grab mine, pulling me away.
Pollux guided me away from the crowd. "I know Alkaios, but we can do nothing. I may feel no love for the Athenians, but no one deserves this. Still, we must do what we can, and that is to help Chiron learn more about what's been happening in the city," Pollux said, forcing me to move forward.
The air crackled with unspoken tension as Pollux, with an urgency that defied any protest I might have voiced, pulled me away from the milling crowd. Her grip was firm, and I found myself swept along in her wake, leaving behind us confused Athenians. Pollux dragged me back to Chiron, who was waiting for the two of us.
When I rejoined Chiron and the group, I steeled myself for Castor's angry gaze, but it shifted. Instead of directing his fury at me, his eyes fixed on Pollux. For a tense moment, the twins stood locked in a silent, intense exchange, their stares conveying a language I couldn't understand but felt the weight of. It was a stare-down that seemed to last eons.
Then, a gesture that caught me utterly by surprise. Instead of accusing me, Castor's hand settled gently on my shoulder. The grip, far from being threatening, felt strangely like support, a silent acknowledgment. He met Pollux's gaze once more, a subtle nod passing between them. With that, Castor turned and continued to follow Chiron, leaving me in the quiet aftermath of a confrontation that had, for a fleeting moment, threatened to consume us all.
"What was that about?" I asked Pollux, for the entire time I knew the twins I had never seen Castor like that. Pollux looked strangely nostalgic as we followed Chiron.
"If anyone knows how Alkaios feels, it's Castor. He's a kind brother, though he hides it beneath a rough exterior," Pollux explains to me. I felt as though I was privy to a secret I shouldn't know. Reflecting on what I knew about Castor, Pollux was right. Castor is indeed kind, contrary to what one might assume. Come to think of it, I'd only ever witnessed this softer side of him when Pollux wasn't present. This was the first time I saw Castor let his guard down with Pollux around.
I nodded in agreement to Pollux's words as the two of us followed Chiron hand in hand. Our company soon found itself before a grand palace. I sighed sadly. It wasn't for the drastic situation we were in, I would have loved to explore the architecture of the palace.
The guards in front of the palace made themselves known as they gathered before us. "Lord Chiron, King Pandion received notification of your arrival." The Guard said as he directed us to the palace. As we traveled through the palace, I tried to think where I had heard the name Pandion from.
I heard a small thud as a child appeared to bump into Heracles. "Be careful, child," Heracles said to the boy. The child smiled innocently as he looked at us. The child looked about seven as he looked upon our group in awe.
"Master Chiron!" The child's joyous cry cut through the air as he dashed towards Chiron, completely forgetting about us. I watched the scene unfold, a wave of confusion washing over me. There was something undeniably familiar about the child, a nagging sense of recognition that I couldn't quite place. As my gaze swept over him, I noticed the distinct absence of a Nosoi hovering above his head, a stark contrast to the citizens outside. The realization dawned on me then: in all our time within these grand halls, not a single guard had possessed the spectral presence of a Nosoi.
Chiron let out a chuckle as he patted the child's head. But Chiron's next words made my eyes widen. "Theseus, it is good to see you. I can see that you have kept up your training," Chiron said, and I stared, wide-eyed, at Theseus. Now that I had a better look at him, I couldn't believe I hadn't recognized him at all.
But then I had a thought: if Theseus was seven, why wasn't he training with us? Considering how he referred to Chiron as "master," Chiron must have trained Theseus a bit. I tried to recall what I knew about Theseus, but the only thing that came to mind was that Theseus met Heracles when he was a child. However, that encounter would have only happened after Heracles completed his labors.
This only added to my confusion about the timeline. But I shook my head, dismissing the thought. I could worry about the timeline discrepancy later, when Athens wasn't being plagued by Nosoi. Chiron's expression shifted, turning serious. Theseus, sensing Chiron's change in attitude, also grew serious.
"Theseus can see the spirits that are surrounding the city?" Chiron asked, and Theseus grimaced at his question. Theseus, like us, could see the Nosoi outside judging from his expression.
"Yes master, I awaken one morning and these spirits surrounded the city. Father has ordered me to stay inside. He fears I will fall ill like some citizens have," Theseus said with sadness. Chiron patted Theseus's head to comfort him.
"Theseus, I understand your distress, but we are here now. My students and I have arrived to aid Athens," Chiron stated, gesturing towards Asclepius. "Asclepius has already begun developing a cure for the plague. With him here, he will work on it with me, while the rest of my students will investigate the cause of Nosoi's unusual reactions," he added as he gestured to the rest of us.
Theseus looked at us, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He quickly wiped them away, offering a smile that, though tinged with sadness, radiated a profound gratitude. "Allow me to guide you to Father Chiron," he offered, his voice steady despite the emotion that had just passed. He then turned and led the way through the grand halls of the palace.
As we followed Theseus, a sense of unease crept in. Something felt amiss — a discordant note. This feeling intensified as we passed the opulent throne room, its usual air of regal authority now strangely subdued. Pollux and I exchanged a significant glance. Theseus continued his path, his steps purposeful, until we arrived at a chamber a phalanx of stern-faced sentinels whose entrance. The presence of the guards, standing at rigid attention before a closed door, only amplified the growing suspicion that our journey was taking an unexpected and potentially perilous turn.
Chiron sighed and gestured for us to halt. He, Asclepius, and Theseus entered the room, leaving the rest of us outside. You didn't need to be a genius to figure out why we weren't in the throne room. The king must be sick too.
The guards and I stood awkwardly outside the bedroom. Chiron soon emerged with Theseus trailing behind him. "Asclepius will remain with King Pandion, while we search Athens for the source of the plague," Chiron announced, ushering us out of the palace. I couldn't help but wonder what was causing the plague here.
"Teacher, did Lord Pandion tell you anything of value?" Heracles asked Chiron as we stood outside the palace. Chiron looked solemn at Heracles's question. Chiron brought out from his bag a piece of obsidian. I studied the piece of obsidian in Chiron's hand. The obsidian seemed to radiate an aura that caught all of our attention.
"That's not obsidian," Jason said in surprise, studying the rock. He gestured for Chiron to hand it over, and as the man did, Jason continued, "How odd. It looks like obsidian, but it clearly isn't. The shine is wrong, and it weighs far too much," he muttered, inspecting the rock. All of us looked at Jason in surprise at his words. Jason, seeing our look, snorts.
"Any noble should be able to recognize jewels," Jason said, inspecting the rock. I walked over to him, my gaze fixed on it. Before reaching for my connection to Od Lagna, I requested Divine Protection, specifically to discern the energy emanating from the rock. Od Lagna responded quickly, and I felt my soul infused with a new Divine Protection.
Divine Protection of Discernment
As I studied the piece of rock in Jason's hand, my eyes turned gold, and I focused on the energy it emitted. The longer I examined it, the grimmer my expression became. My new Divine Protection allowed me to sense and judge the nature of energy from beings or objects, but it compared this energy to my own experiences. What I could discern was that the rock radiated Divine energy, and my encounters with Ares, Zeus, Chiron, and my peers had given me a solid understanding of what that felt like.
As far as I could tell, this rock was radiating a divine energy unlike anything I'd sensed before. This ruled out Ares, Zeus, Cronos, Apollo, and Hermes. However, the type of divine energy it emitted was close to what I'd describe as Olympian. It shared similarities with the energy signatures of the demigods I trained with and had a hint of what Ares and Zeus emitted. But the problem was there was no Greek God of Rocks besides Athos, and he was no Olympian.
As I was about to examine the rock further, a scream ripped through the air. A single glance from Chiron and my fellow campers was all it took; we immediately raced towards the market, the source of the scream. Upon arrival, my eyes widened in shock as I witnessed the Nosoi actually attacking people, their victims being both citizens and visiting shopkeepers. I saw the same child I'd noticed earlier, now screaming in terror with a Nosoi looming over them. Without a second thought, I activated the Divine Protection of swift running, outrunning everyone else.
My blade slid from its sheath and sliced through the Nosoi effortlessly. I grabbed the girl, pulling her into my chest. A cold grip seized my arm as a Nosoi exhaled toxic gas into my face. I felt the spirit's smug aura before I ran Reid through it with a blank expression.
The brief contact with the Nosoi's breath revealed they shared the same energy as the black mud. I heard Chiron arrive beside me as an arrow flew, piercing most of the Nosoi and eradicating more than half instantly. In that same moment, I watched Castor's weapon arc through the air, ping-ponging off the remaining Nosoi and taking them all out.
The battle wasn't long, but the effects were devastating, as countless citizens and guards sustained injuries. But the real problem was how everyone that was attacked was turning pale and sick. Before I could think of anything, the ground rumbled as the earth parted and a massive slab of rock that was the same rock Jason and I inspected erupted from the earth as it pierced the heavens.
The Nosoi surrounding Athens converged on the rock, sending a tremor through the city. I narrowed my eyes at the sight, finding it suspicious that the Nosoi began acting up only after our arrival. It was like someone was waiting for us.
"Teacher, what now?" I asked Chiron, wondering what to do now that the situation had changed again.
"Alright," Chiron announced, examining a discarded spear, "we'll take everyone who's sick to Asclepius first. Then, we'll head for that enormous stone and go underneath. Whatever is afflicting Athens, we won't find it on the surface." He then turned to Heracles and asked, "Heracles, would you throw this spear at one of the Nosoi near that stone?"
Without a second's hesitation, Heracles snatched the spear from Chiron. In what I can only describe as a flawless javelin stance, he threw it. We watched, mesmerized, as the spear arced through the air, passing clean through one of the Nosoi as if it were nothing. Chiron let out a quiet hum of approval as he followed the spear's trajectory.
"It seems only weapons with divine properties can affect the Nosoi," Chiron stated, handing Jason his bow. "Jason, since you're the only one here without a divine weapon, take mine." He added, and with a disgruntled grunt, Jason accepted the bow, casting a slightly envious glance at the weapons of Heracles, Castor, and Pollux.
The child's faint whimpers against my chest were audible, and my gaze softened as I held her. "It's okay, little one. There's no need to be afraid. We're right here with you," I said, offering the widest smile I could muster, channeling All Might.
I saw the girl's eyes widen as I smiled at her, and she shyly returned my smile. I glanced at my peers and saw Chiron nod in approval, but my heart skipped a beat when my eyes met Pollux's. She was looking at me with a soft gaze and a blush on her cheeks, her eyes shining. Despite the recent battle, her beauty was undeniable.
Castor let out a cough, interrupting the moment. "Alkaios, if you're done, help Heracles and me carry the citizens. Jason, mark down the names of those we aid; We need to create a census of all the injured," Castor said before looking at Chiron. "Is that fine, teacher?" Castor asked Chiron for confirmation.
Chiron gave Castor an approving nod and gestured for us to follow his lead. I gently set the girl down, reminding myself to ask her name later. As I went to help Castor and Heracles, the girl held onto my hand. Glancing at her, I committed her appearance to memory. She had long blonde hair in twin tails and blue eyes. She looked familiar, but I couldn't recall where I'd seen her before.
Helping Castor and Heracles, I had a strong feeling that things would get much worse before they got better.
Chapter 18: Athens in Peril End
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Thank you for your patience and continued support! I wanted to express my gratitude and share a few important details.
The child featured in this chapter is a significant and canonical character from the Fate series. Their inclusion is deliberate, and I hope their presence added to your enjoyment of the story.
I truly appreciate all the encouragement you've shown. Your feedback and enthusiasm mean a great deal, and I hope you thoroughly enjoyed this latest chapter.
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