Of Blood and Loss

V: The White Wolf

The morning mist haunted the grass. A layer of frost found itself a home across the several mile-long bed of green. Every blade of grass was enchanted by a cool coat that crunched satisfyingly after every step. Morgan took a deep breath of the cool air and hissed out a soft cloud of vapour. Morgan found some fun in breathing out, pretending he had flames for breath. Achilles was packing up the tent, Morgan offered but Achilles insisted. He had been practising all night, and Achilles had failed to mention how Magic draws on his fatigue; although anyone would be tired after how long the boy stayed up. Morgan heard a pair of footsteps to see Hercules and some woman.

"Don't. Fucking ask." Hercules growled. Morgan backed down before he could even stand up. "Uhh hey I'm Venus." Her voice was polite and gentle, especially so after Hercules' grate of a voice barked out just before. They all got acquainted, Morgan said he was some Gladiator. She was interested until he mentioned that he was Mars' son. Her smiled changed ever so slightly. Morgan mentioned Akrasia; and how he lost his family. Achilles too told the truth, he was some Samurai Spellsword from Betula, Hunting Ancients. Morgan seemed to be very interested in Hercules' new weapon, and the Old man let the boy examine and feel it. "Betula, with all the Birches right? Your entire country is an Everautumn." Achilles smiled "Our birches live and die this nice yellow to brown, they're still brighter in summer and fall out in winter though." Achilles gleefully explored his tangent, talking about how beautiful his trees are. "Yeah yeah ok." Hercules groaned "She's helping us get to Jupiter." Morgan appeared puzzled at the word choice.

"Recently Jupiter passed through, there's an ancient nearby so I'd imagine he's heading off to there. Jupiter had that weird look, you know the face Herc. His ugly smile, where his eyes go wide and his pupils get huge. I don't know what he was planning but he came into my store." Hercules suddenly turned very attentively. "I told him our store was closed, but he just wanted a chat. His voice was icy, it's gentle but there's some quality to it that makes you never want to trust the words he says. He had small talk, wanting to know how I was doing. Those eyes, I can't get them out of my head." She sighed. Hercules grunted "What did he want from you?" and Venus appeared to fidget a little. "He was looking for some old friends, seems like everyone's left him. That and a respirator; my guess is he's heading up to Haitochi." Hercules growled, "Its gonna be really annoying to get through there ourselves." Everyone nodded and Morgan pretended to understand.

Everyone seemed a little bit lost, no one really knew what they were doing. But sitting around wasn't gonna do anything. Hercules got up and that prompted the others to hop up too "My guess is that forest there, ahead. It's the fastest way to reach Haitochi from here." Started Achilles. "Only one issue."

"Niruith."

The name haunted Morgan's ears.

"Near the centre there is a forever old ancient, I've heard about it but haven't seen it myself. I'd say we're ready to take an ancient down, it won't be easy, but on the other side there's a place we can heal up anyway"

Achilles pointed toward the nearby forest as he packed up his bag. Hercules grunted as he got up, beginning to leave only to be pulled back by Morgan; still holding onto Elisa. "What is it, boy?" The gang turned in confusion. Morgan examined and played around with the weapon, clearly confused.

"Where's the blade?"

The forest was a lot denser than the one Hercules and Morgan fought the Minotaur in. The canopy was a lot higher, the trees were skinny and crooked, there was no path. Just ferns, flowers and nettles that graced the gang's shins. Despite it almost being midday, a fog danced lightly just on the horizon, and any clearing or dip in the earth had that same misty cloak concealing the untouched ground. Morgan and Achilles took their time, looking at the flowers. Achilles was oddly knowledgable about them, despite Betula's flowers being a lot more different. Hercules simply stomped around, slashing at the ferns with his axe, and unloading and reloading Eliza when he felt like it but Venus just followed, stretching. "You on edge girl?" Hercules grunted, but she just laughed "I've been itchin' for a fight." She let out a big dumb grin "Although I was hoping for something smaller than a fucking ancient it'll do." "Careful what you wish for." Hercules suddenly interrupted, after having stopped a few seconds before and taking Aim to the gang's side. "Shut up boys." Herc called to the two, and sure enough there was some odd, slow, rhythmic sound. Achilles flipped his mask down. Twigs snapping, leaves moving wouldn't be too odd, but there was literally no breeze that part of the Forest. The twig snapping noise stopped for a second and Hercules was alerted to something else.