Infinite Gravity (Zero Rises)

SBW (6)

Pacifica's pride almost stopped her from going to the Northwest Temple, but this was important, so she forced herself to go. She forgot, however, about the fact that her Wheel Projection would not form on the Demigod's territory, which was a huge inconvenience for her when she wanted to get there fast and did not want to give any explanations to anyone. How would he even react to her suddenly going to his home just to ask for his help? Scoff. She was sure he would pull his egocentric smirk.

The Temple looked almost the same as the last time she saw it, before her travel to Portland. It was funny how a city in Oregon had their own Roman temple, but dedicated to not only Gideon Northwest, despite the name: dedicated to the Pines too, the four of them, as well as McGucket; the marble statue outside was of Gideon in his wolf form, being as tall as the temple's columns. She walked through the halls, seeing the vases and tapestries of Gideon in all of his forms (wolf and human), as well as many of either the Balance twins or the Time and Space Trinity. The vases were her favourite ones to see, because they held drawings of many events that they've heroically fought, the memories of history beyond human ears could ever hear, and much more.

Focus, Pacifica. You're not here for tapestries and stories.

Pacifica continued walking, waving politely the citizens that saw her come by and greeted her — she was a celebrity too, after all. A future Guardian! Pacifica couldn't wait to get her own statue in the Temple too. She activated her amulet as the world around her turned to shades of grey. A purple glow was formed before her, turning into the head of a wolf. It flew towards the statue and then disappeared. She closed her eyes and the world around her went back to its colours. Now, she could only wait.

A growl echoed through the temple. Pacifica followed the sound with her head with hope in her eyes. Disappointment became visible in her face when she noticed that it was a reddish wolf of normal size and not the wolf she expected. Regardless, she intertwined her fingers together with a gentle smile. "Hello, Marius— Or is it Vincent?"

"Vincent," the wolf said. "Gideon sent me. What do you want?"

Pacifica frowned. "Not even bothering to come see me himself? Even after all these years?" Typical of Northwest.

"He's busy," Vincent explained. "I was pulled out of hunting to see you, so be quick."

"It's about Cipher."

Vincent seemed surprised. He closed his eyes for a moment. After opening them, he looked at Pacifica. "Hop in."

Pacifica blinked. "On your back—?"

"Yes, on my back. Hurry up."

She wasn't sure she was ready for such adventure. Not even Robbie carried her in his back before, even if he offered - she's always used the Wheel Projection. This would be. . . Quite the experience. "Can't you just tell me where he—"

"Hop on or I'm leaving you here."

Now she understood how this was Gideon's minion. She hopped on his back and held tightly onto part of his fur, gulping as he initially went out of the temple slowly. But as soon as he got out, his speed changed to wolf speed. Her grip got tighter onto him, with her closing her eyes and lowering herself, almost touching her whole body on his back. She really hoped she wouldn't fall on the way there.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She didn't fall on the way there.

But something worse happened: she fell when she arrived there, thanks to the force that Vincent had stopped his tracks. The snow was fluffy, at least, but it didn't prevent the pain from following the impact. She sat down, wincing, now seeing that Vincent changed to his human form. Stupid lycanthropes.