Topaz

005

The pool of elixir was glowing bright still, even in the darkness the reigned outside. Most slept near it so they could get the warmth they hadn't had since the last time they went to the surface. Though it was off-limits at this time of year, that didn't stop some of them from sneaking passed the guards.

Eligo was banking on the fact right about now.

"Ale!" He shouted, slipping through the entrance and catching himself on the wall so he didn't fall into the pool again. "Oh thank fuck- Wake up!"

Ale jerked awake, their hair even more frizzy from the humidity the elixir provided "What duh feck-" They slurred, looking up to Eligo "Eli? What're you doin' here?"

"Bad news, wake the twins." Eligo replied before going to where Izan lay with his back propped against the wall. "IZAN!"

The male jolted up just as the gang of Semidioses stumbled through the entrance. "The fuck's happenin?! What the fuckin ow-"

Ale was gentler with the twins, and within moments they all awake.

"Boss, why're you wakin' us up so early?" Omar yawned "We're not built like ya."

"Obsidians." That got them sobered up quickly "They're back."

"Obsidian- that makes sense." Yunen frowned "Why else would the snake be after those guys?'

"It gets worse."

"Of course it does!" Izan groaned "Eli-"

"We'll talk about it later. Omar, Yunen, evacuate everyone here. Izan, get the guard up. Ale, watch the Semidioses."

Ale huffed "Of course I get babysitting." But they still watched as Eligo rushed to the pool's edge and scooped up elixir into a bottle "It's a bad idea to fight them, y'know!" they called "If they get the totems we're fucked!"

"Bold of you to assume I'm gonna listen to you." And with that, Eligo was gone.

"Where's he going?" The buzz cut Semidiose asked, crossing their arms.

"To fight if needed." Ale sighed, before getting a bright idea "Say, you're all kids of Dioses. Wanna go watch and help?"

Meanwhile, Eligo had made it to the entrance right as something slammed into his border.

"Caos, what is this... shield the totem holder has used to protect herself?" The voice brought slimy chills through Eligo, but he couldn't just run from his problems.

"It looks like we're about to find out~" There was another slam before Eligo emerged from the cave mouth. "Lookie here, a little boy."

"Get away from my lands." Eligo replied rigidly, jaw set as he looked up at three eldritch horrors.

"We just want what's ours." One of them had a chupacabra head, leaning forward to try and intimidate the nineteen yea old. "Wont you give it to us, the young boy's treasure?"

"You're aware of what I am, so there is no need for flattery." Eligo's hands started to glow "I'll tell you again, get away from this place."

"He's smarter than he looks." Murmured another, a hiss in their voice. "Maybe if you bow, we'll spare your people."

"Now why would I bow to you?" Eligo raised his chin, jaw clenching.

"We are the Dioses who will be you undoing, totem holder." Hissed the chupacabra.

"What's a Dios to a non-believer?" Eligo chuckled, leaning forward. His purpose wasn't to fight, but if it happened then so be it.

"A dead man." The Obsidian Dios surged forward, shattering the border shield. Their nostrils flared as a smaller wall formed at the mouth of the cave, blocking off the entrance. "Whatever, you are the true prize here."

Eligo ducked out of the way, opening the glass bottle he'd kept out of sight until now. Quickly bringing it to his lips, he tipped his head back and swallowed the golden elixir.

"FOOL!" Caos yelled, swiping at the young male. "YOU CANNOT ESCAPE US!"

Eligo rolled, eyes starting to glow. "I wouldn't be so sure about that, now." He smirked, his skin starting to emit a molten light.

The Obsidian Dios' eyes widened, all turning to try and escape.

They were too slow, a shocking burst thrusting itself from Eligo. the blinding light sizzled on his skin, a loud sound reaching his ears. He heard the Dios' screams as they were burned, but he knew it would take much more than that to kill them.

After a moment, his vision cleared. Eligo was on his knees, clutching his chest. The Obsidians were nowhere to be seen, but ichor blood was splattered across the browned mulch on the forest's floor. He'd done some damage, and that's all he'd need.

"Eli- holy shit man!" And Ale was suddenly there, sliding on their knees and stopping in front of him. "Eligo, can ya hear me?!"

"I feel like shit." Eligo coughed, feeling his chest constrict. "Tell Izan to drown me if I get out of this, please."

Ale winced, feeling only a fraction of Eligo's pain through their fingers when they touched his shoulder. "Eli, we gotta get ya down the the ward-"

"Weren't you watching the Semidioses?" Eligo hissed, feeling his arms burn.

"Yeah- I told them to stay inside though." Ale grabbed the taller, hauling him up "But if I can get ya to 'em it'll be smooth sailing." They grunted under Eligo's weight, feeling the older start to slip away "Oi Eli! Don't go fallin' asleep on me now, will you?!"

"Sorry Ale..." Eligo breathed heavily, pain consuming his body "I dunno if I got it in me."

"You do, now walk with me." Ale dragged Eligo, who tried his best to help in taking steps for his friend. "C'mon, we need to get you down so you can get in the elixir."

The thought of the warm liquid made Eligo gag and want to throw up. Ale must have noticed, because they wasted no time saying something about it.

"You drank it, didn't you?" Ale pulled them through the border, noticing that the shield was much more bright this time around "The elixir, I mean."

"What the hell did'ya think it was for..?" Eligo stumbled over his feet, groaning in pain.

"The last guy waited ten years before he took a drink." Ale mumbled, eyes snapping up when the came around a corner. "Hey, a little help here!"

Xochi, daughter of Primavera was the first to rush over, grabbing Eligo gently. "What happened?" She asked softly, though on edge.

"Obsidian Dioses came lookin for ya's probably." Ale replied, watching as Eligo pitched forward and finally lost consciousness "Shit- !"

Xochi grunted, also falling over. Eligo was heavy, but Ale didn't know what made him weigh more in this moment.

It was when the totems started to glow through his clothing that Ale understood.