Aurora was transported to the hospital after some emergency care, just as the Lord has promised.
Lord Xuth: “Bag the decomposed body, tell Phrosyne to take good care of it.”
‘Warrior’ Unit Chief: “And what of the other, sir?”
Lord Xuth: “Leave it, evidence for the police. Leave the boy’s limbs too, for that matter.”
“The story will work out quite well, hero attempts to save hostage only to perish in the flames, taking his foe down with him.”
“Quite fine material for a legend, wouldn’t you say?”
The Lord let out a small giggle. The soldier nodded before relaying his orders to the squad.
Lord Xuth: “It all begins now.”
THE NEXT DAY
(Hmm- mmm-…)
(!!!)
He opened his eyes. For the first time in so long, he was conscious again.
∫∫∫: “Now, now, don’t panic, but you have no limbs.”
???: “…Who-? What am I?”
The Lord smiled softly at him as if a father glancing at his newborn for the first time.
Lord Xuth: “You are called Alcaeus, humanity’s champion. Our true God.”
???: “…God-?”
Lord Xuth: “Exactly my child, now rest for a while longer. You have earned it.”
The chamber in which Tifon, now Alcaeus, was rejuvenating froze up once more.
Commandant Calli: “And what will you tell our ‘Alcaeus’ when you order him to slay his fellow Gods?”
Lord Xuth: “I’ll tell him what I did just now. I’ll ask him to be our hero.”
“He is a living miracle, commandant. The very first X-K0 grade.”
Commandant Calli: “I hope it’ll be worth it. This time, you haven’t just sacrificed your own humanity, but his as well.”
Lord Xuth: “In the coming times we’ll all need to make sacrifices.”
“A war is brewing. We will need an army, and a legend to rally them under.”
Commandant Calli: “You say he’s a God, but after all you’ve put him through, don’t you think he’s more of a monster?”
The Lord laughed briefly, then turning away from the commandant, answered her with a question of his own.
Lord Xuth: “Aren’t all Gods?”
(…What?) Mr. Clive: “Students, please calm down! We need to evacuate, there’s been a murder, and two students are already presumed dead!” (Who…?) All were panic-stricken, the sudden emergence of ambulances and overhead flying helicopters was an initial warning. Now the news had finally broken out. Arian only stood in thought, as the entire crowd kept erupting with screams. Everyone was pushing through, trying to get away, but he couldn’t help but wonder. Eion: “Who… Mr. Clive, who are the dead students?!” Mr. Clive seemed to catch Eion’s question, ceasing his speech on mannerly evacuation, he turned to him. Mr. Clive: “I’m told we don’t know for sure, but from what we can tell… One of them was Eion.” The crowd gathered near the teacher suddenly froze in their track. All knew his name. Crowd Member: “He was favored by Apollo, and he died?!” (No it… it can’t be…!!) Mr. Clive: “We will have more information on the circumstances of his death later! For now, please, evacuate in a
The day had finally come, preparations for the speech required some beforehand maintenance, therefore school was canceled for that day as well. It would be an understatement to say Aurora and Arian were not the only ones looking forward to the Lord’s declamation. In fact, entire crowds had formed well before the oration was to take place. No one knew what to anticipate from the Lord. Some fancied he’d make a heartwrenching speech dedicated to his fallen son, and others still, thought he’d twist the tragedy into some business proposal. Only one thing could be said for certain of the public's initial thoughts: none were expecting the speech that would follow. (It's almost time now.) Arian couldn’t wait for a second longer. He needed answers, or rather, needed his assumptions to be validated. He got ready to set off so he’d just make the event, knowing that if he went any sooner the media would jump at the opportunity to interview him. Hopefully, they’d be too engrossed in the Lord’s sp
ΔΔΔ: “Hey! Hold up for a sec Arian!”Arian had just left the campus when he heard a voice calling out to him from behind.Arian: “Palae? What… Why have you come here?”Palae: “Isn’t it obvious, come on I came after you!”Arian: “What they said is probably right, you know… Eion had hate in his soul, maybe he did-”Sensing his growing doubt Palae immediately interposed: Palae: “Maybe so, but what the Lord did after wasn’t right. He shouldn’t have come after you just because you were an X grade, he just used you as a way of pushing his agenda.”Arian: “What is he doing all of this for?”Palae: “I’m not entirely sure, but one thing’s for certain. He really wants them all angry.”“Come on, let's get out of here.”Arian: “?! And where are we going exact-”Arian didn’t even get a chance to question her as Palae grabbed onto his arm and took (read: dragged) him away.(They’re all… They’re practically worshipping him already.)Aurora looked on from a distance at the sight.(They keep cheering
(What does the old man have planned I wonder.)After having stood in the same spot for over 5 minutes I finally saw the Lord coming back.Lord Xuth: “My boy, sorry for the inconvenience, but we’re all ready for you now.”Alcaeus: “What do you mean?”Lord Xuth: “Well, I know we’ve kept you on ice for some time already, therefore I’ve seen to the arrangements. We’ll be conducting your very first fitness survey, so to speak.”I had no idea my capabilities were in question, moreover by someone in such a state as this geezer before me.Alcaeus: “Is my fitness in question?”Lord Xuth: “Oh, Heavens no. This is simply so we can measure them more effectively.”I hadn’t the energy to waste on mistrusting the old man, he’d given me no reason to doubt him before so I decided to play along with his little game.He led me to the experiment chambers, afterward, we came upon an underground entrance. It seemed to lead to an arena.Lord Xuth: “Here we are then, we’ll be watching you from above. Oh, and
Aurora: “You must be crazy.”Everyone, except a single brave soul, slumped over instantly at Palae’s proposal.Arian: “I understand regular training with each other, but sparring? I’m not one to boast but the difference in capabilities is…”Aurora: “… I’m going to have to agree with Arian, I mean what’s even the point if we just keep losing against him for our entire training session.”Mitsuno: “Awe… I was looking forward to it Palae…”Mitsuno abruptly embraced her, although she was attempting to comfort her, she was obviously more upset than anyone.Palae: “Okay, hold up then. What if it were all of us against Arian.”Aurora: “I’ll just speak for myself in this matter, I’m definitely more of a hindrance in a fight than an advantage.”Arian: “I’m afraid even that wouldn’t change much…”Palae: “Hey! What’re you two on about, if we can’t even hold Arian off how are we supposed to beat Tifon?!”“And besides Aurora do you intend to sit out the actual fight too?”Mitsuno: “Exactly!”(She d
Arian: “Ahhh…Haah…”Palae: “I’m… Gonna need a minute here-”The words hadn’t even escaped her mouth before Palae suddenly dropped down to the floor, completely exhausted.Aurora: “Come on, people! We have to keep at it or else we won’t get anywhere.”Arian: “That… Seems easier… For you to say, but…”Arian couldn’t even finish his sentence, he was too preoccupied with just catching his breath.It was already getting pretty late. The school was supposed to be locked down for the day after the rally ended, but Aurora managed to convince the guard to leave locking up to them after they had finished training. ‘Getting ready to fight against those devil X grades’ and all.Mitsuno: “Aurora’s right, you guys! How many times do you think this excuse is going to work?! We have to make the most of it!”Aurora: “I appreciate it, Mitsu, but I don’t really think the hate for an entire group of people dissipates so quickly.”“Speaking of which, Arian… How are you going to make it through school afte
I had been dragged here by the commandant, someone I thought I’d killed all but an hour ago. The old man ended up agreeing with her initiative, apparently, it’ll bring up my reputation. I don’t see why that matters though, I’m still their God, and they’re still mortals, why should I have to earn their admiration?I made my way to my opponent, the commandant had just called him an X grade. That means he has a powerful active Boon, I wonder whose favor he’s got tucked in there.As I got into the arena I sensed his malice, he was bloodthirsty. I’d gotten well acquainted with that energy after dueling the commandant.Alcaeus: “It would be wise of you not to go into this blind with wrath, it dulls the senses.”Arian: “I did not expect you to understand emotions, what with you being a glorified toaster.”Arian was boiling over, he could barely hold on to his senses every time that murderer opened his mouth.They readied themselves, but all Alcaeus did was slightly raise his hands and arch f
(Who… Am I?) His view was darkened, almost as if purposefully concealed. But though he saw nothing, felt nothing, and thought of nothing, he still dreamt. He dreamt of nonexistent memories, life-changing events, and impossible friends. There could be no truth to what he saw, he trusted none of it. But the feeling, it felt real. Every so often his dream would end, and the nightmare would begin. All those he loved, his friends, his family, they’d all suddenly vanish. He would be left with nothing, nothing but those flames. The fires would consume him, the blaze would dissolve everything he had but a moment ago in an instant, gnawing away even at him. The pain was maddening, but after a time those flames would fade away too, nothing would remain in their wake, just darkness. All the memories that he had treasured before became foreign to him then, the emptiness erased everything he knew. And then it would start again. All the memories would flood in, then be ravaged by fire, and then