[sub][@Queentze] [@Korkoa][/sub] [hr] [b]March 8th, 2020 5:42 PM, PT DEO Lab, Coast City[/b] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/sXgyM8e.png[/img] -_-_-_-[/center] “Fine.” Echo agreed, wary but unwilling to push the point just yet. They could do this together, for now. His own ability to become invisible and walk through walls would keep him concealed if things got dicey, but having a telepath on hand? Useful. He couldn’t remember anything about Martians, maybe they had a different name where he came from- then again, he’d taken Homeworld History, studying the likes of Krypton, Daxam, and Giron, and those were all in a whole other galaxy, so maybe he just hadn’t come across them before. He retrieved his phone from his pocket, keeping an eye out for any sudden moves from the other two as he quickly scanned Lightning Bug’s messages. Better to refer to her as that now, telepaths were tricky, but there were ways to keep their surface scans from picking up anything dangerous. He smirked; plans to the building, and something about rescuing an AI? He sighed, but still had an upwards tilt to his lips as he messaged her back; [i]”Change of plans, I’ve met someone who wants to help, best to not blow your cover. I’ll go in with our new Martian friend, hook you into their systems, and rescue this AI. Stay put for now, and when you’re connected get all their intel and get out, we can comb through it all later.”[/i] He paused before hitting send, casting another worried tilted glance to the new duo. [i]”Keep your hoverboard close.”[/i] He quickly scanned the map she’d provided, choosing to narrate his plan aloud to the others as he did so. “I need access to the central computer system. I know this is only a regional headquarters, but it’ll have the information I need. Once I’ve got it we need to inspect one of the containment units, there’s an Arcon in need of rescuing.” He glanced up, what do you need from them? We can take two copies of the information, but I’d like to avoid a confrontation, so whatever you do, be quiet.” It wasn’t a big ask, this was a telepath after all, one who was intent on infiltrating a secret government agency’s base, if anything asking for stealth was more of a formality. [hr] [b]XXXX Xth, XXXX ??:?? XM, XT Khrysopsis, Arkos[/b] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/xwNFtcI.png[/img] -_-_-_-[/center] [Translations at the bottom for your convenience.] The plate armor of the Makhai, what little of it there was, was strapped tightly around him, and his new cape was now fastened and hung from his shoulders. Nemesis had been called to his side once again, and now was sheathed at his ship as a gleaming silver sword. Skyshield too was on his person, a thick strap gripping it to his wrist. He washed regularly, but he still took a bit of time to wash his face and hands; who knew when he’d next be able to wash once on the other side? The other side. Earth. It was an intimidating thought. After all this time he didn’t know whether to be giddy with anticipation or floundering with regret. He was prepared, had been prepared for a long time, but ready? He thought of his father, and his brother, of Archemagos Cepheus and Hiereus Pythysios, who had been mentors to him, and of the soldiers he’d sparred with, fought beside. He sighed, those same soldiers, comrades and friends, were dying in this place. It was not their fate to remain caged on this island, fighting for their lives until the magic eventually gave out and the sky came crashing down upon them. They were meant for better things, greater things: they would be leaders of an entire world, all they had to do was take it… but they couldn’t do that without him. He straightened his back, gave himself one last once over in the crystalline mirror, and then strode purposefully out of his room. The palace was somehow both busier, and emptier; those few who remained scurried down the halls with unusual haste, but the usual throng of people were absent. It became apparent why when he hit the stairs leading down from the palace into the rest of the city; they had visitors. In the main plaza a cheerfully grinning young man with pale white skin and light, curly bronze hair was leaning back in his seat atop the king’s table, wearing a loose purple toga and a crown of fluorescent green laurels. The young man- the old god - was holding a huge barrel he shouldn’t have been able to lift with those scrawny arms of his, but he was happily tipping the barrel left and right as he filled massive bowls with wine and spilt the substance everywhere. This was Dionysius. Across from him was a rare but familiar sight; a woman, but not just any woman, her short dark hair and brown skin were complimented by steel colored eyes and a golden set of armor, and her presence projected a tense, powerful aura onto all those who looked at her. She was grinning with a malevolent sort of joy as she tipped up her golden goblet of wine and chugged the whole thing in one go. Several men nearby cheered for when she effortlessly crushed the goblet with her fist, carelessly tossing it over her shoulder as she did. This was Eris. Soon a mini feast was being set up, food seeming to appear from nowhere, the rare choice of meat sending new and tantalizing smells into the air. He almost considered joining them, giving his regards to the gods he hadn’t seen in such a long time, curious to see if others were about elsewhere in the city, but he had been summoned for a reason. He turned towards the Temple once again. [center]-_-_-_-[/center] It was a large circular room with a huge domed roof, gaping windows letting in the sparse light from the wall-mounted braziers outside. There were twelve others within the room; two guards at the door, a ring of seven of the Magos, including Archemagos Cepheus at the circle’s head, he spied his brother as well, and his father, and to their side was Lord Ares; well built, sun-kissed, short dark hair, a stance somehow both firm and open. His lord was happy today, pride and anticipation was readily visible in the man’s eyes. As soon as he stepped into the room all eyes were on him, even Lord Ares looked up and smirked. He hesitated at the abrupt weight of attention on him, but his lord was already speaking; “Kassander, step forth.” He didn’t hesitate this time, much as he rather wished he had a bit more time to consider the rapidly climaxing situation. Once he stood before his god he had to resist the urge to look at his brother, he hadn’t yet had a chance to speak to him since hearing the news. “This has been a long time coming, my son.” There was an odd flutter in the room at the words; technically everyone knew Kassan was the son of Ares and Aphrodite, shaped by their breath and touch if not their seed and womb, but King Chrysetos had always been regarded as his father, even the other gods had never addressed him as a son of Ares. It was… a testament to the monumentous occasion, this was what his people had been waiting for since their creation, this was his entire reason for existing, to finally be on the path of fulfilling it… was this what it felt like to make a god proud? It was different to making a father proud, throughout his training Kassan had excelled again and again, but his father’s proud smile had never filled him such fire as the simple, innocuous term Lord Ares had called him. “Today you are unleashed upon the flesh of Gaia, a world mutilated by the corrupt peoples who call her home. You take the steps to create a better future for your people, and for your god. You will be Proteus, the first of the many. There will be blood my son, the crimes of humanity, of my father, of all that have betrayed us… There will be blood.” “And I will spill it gladly, in your name.” Kassan muttered, trying to hide the overwhelming trepidation he felt. Lord Ares nodded, smiling with deep genuine emotion for once, and then did the most unexpected thing; he hugged him. It lasted only a few seconds, but it was tight and it filled him with even more overwhelming emotions. He gaped as Lord Ares, his father, left his side with a firm pat to the shoulder, calling out some order to the Archemagos that Kassan was too stunned to catch. After a moment, he turned to look at his father and brother, expression still a little slack from shock. His father gave him a measured look, seemingly… conflicted? He left briskly, going to speak with the guards at the door, and Kassan watched him go in silence, a flash of hurt shooting through him. He was running out of time, he still hadn’t had a chance to say goodbye yet, and the window to do so was rapidly closing. He put it from his mind, for the moment, and turned to his brother. “Zali,” he greeted, voice strained, and quickly pulled the younger redhead into a tight embrace. “I’ll be as quick as I can,” he promised, “then you, and all of Arkos, will come to Earth with me.” He swore, worried at the thought of leaving his only brother alone in the city. If he’d known today would be his last day, he’d have spent more time with him, he definitely wouldn’t have skipped his brother’s session in the east arena to make bread of all things; of all the foolish times to try something new… He hugged Zalim tighter, and his eyes definitely did not water. They didn’t. [center]-_-_-_-[/center] [hider=Arkosian Translations] [list][*]Archemagos: Arch-Mage, Head Mage [*]Hiereus: Priest[/list][/hider] [hr]