“It glints with arcane truths to those who know how to glimpse them.”

- The Journey to the Afterlife

***Kingdom Newerth, Capital City***

***Seria***

They think that I am weak. Just because of a little puking and a few mood swings they go all protective on me. Marcus especially. I'll show them that they are all wrong. I am the goddess of life and death. I am Seria. Not some weak little maiden who is in need of protection.

My parents are Order and Chaos. Can anyone even imagine what it means to be forever a child of such dysfunctional parents? Finding a way through their laboratories is akin to defeating a high level dungeon. And their workplaces aren't even under any form of security. I've had the honour to be caught up in their security installations one time too often. One doesn't become good at sneaking around overnight. I learned the hard way and that means pain.

I take the binoculars away from Marcus and glance through them, observing the lonely house which is situated on a small hill amidst a seemingly endless cornfield. It took us a while to find this place, which is literally somewhere between nowhere and no man's land. If I wasn't seeing it for myself, I wouldn't believe that such a rural area exists in this realm. The next town is over two hundred kilometres away. This house is the perfect place for a secluded hermit, or someone who doesn't want to be found.

We would've never located this place without Don's help, a hefty dose of luck, and the stupidity of our foes. Ok, I admit, they weren't stupid. Just a little lazy when it came to their credit transactions. One of our friends had a personal account on the federal bank. Of course, it wasn't under his real name. He wouldn’t have deserved his job if he had made it that easy for us. But Don's nice, little document mentioned that it is one of the team’s fake accounts which is often used to move money around.

Having a helping hand in the underworld pays off.

Using our influence to access the bank account was a piece of cake. And who would have thought that the most recent transaction to purchase this house wasn't connected to their newest mission? So far we've identified all five members of the team which is supposed to assist Perseus. We managed to take a good peek at each of them while they were moving around the house, or left it to run an errand.

But no Perseus so far.

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“Are you sure that we aren't mistaken? We've watched them for half a day and Perseus hasn't shown himself. I suspected that he would rather hide himself in a whorehouse, sandwitching himself between the two bustiest women he could find.” Marcus grumbles from my side.

He uses my silence to continue. “I mean... what does he hope to accomplish out here? Is he gunning for something big? Or does he simply intend to hide until we forget about him? He doesn't strike me as the type.”

I bite my lower lip and use the binoculars to check on the positions of our teammates. Everyone who was able to, decided to help us in this mission. It's serious overkill to bring that many divines just to apprehend a single man. Our parents, my grandparents and my oldest brother decided to join the fray, making it eleven people. We didn't dare to bring anyone who couldn't hold his own in a fight against Perseus. If Marcus is right, then his brother is seriously unhinged. In case that Perseus goes all out, we might have to kill him anyway.

Apprehending a higher immortal is always a matter of how far the person in question is willing to take it. There is no question that we brought enough fighting power to subdue Perseus. Though if he channels enough power, he may burn himself out like a light bulb. In fact, battles between divinities often end in one side or the other overusing their powers. We might have almost limitless access to mana, but that doesn't mean that our minds can channel so much power without making a grave mistake sooner or later.

Either that, or one side manages to cheat, finding a way past the enemy's defences.

“He has to be in the house, hiding. The fact that his minions are doing their best to shield the house from all forms of scrying magic is enough to justify a raid,” I mumble.

Marcus and I are holed up on the road which is leading to the house. It may look like we are standing in the open for everyone to see, but Marcus did a fine job in blocking our mana emissions with his wards. Not that we create that much energy noise to begin with. Additionally, I put up a little spell which bends the light around us. Our relatives are hiding through similar means. The fact that I know where they are, just means that they intentionally gave their position to us. After I've checked on all the positions of our teammates, I lower the binoculars.

“I still think that your grandfather was a little too innovative about his concealment. We've to do something soon, or our prey will become suspicious. And have I mentioned that this whole scenery looks a lot like a trap? I haven’t seen a single lookout. They are acting as if there isn’t a single chance in hell that they get found.” Marcus squints his eyes at the dark cloud which is hovering above the house like an omen of doom.

I purse my lips and inspect Ishaan's cloud. The ice giant used his frost magic to force the water in the air to condense, concealing himself and his wife inside a thick cloud. I suppose that Tisha took the job of hiding their presence.

Clenching my teeth, I return my attention to the house. Whatever Perseus is up to, I have to face him. I would never admit it openly, but when he managed to twist my mind to his will, he created a chink in my armour. An armour I always thought impenetrable. I have to face him and withstand whatever sick power he is using. Otherwise I’ll always doubt my own abilities.

I shiver and draw in a deep breath. Then I turn to face Marcus, looking deep into his grey eyes. “I don’t think there is a point in waiting any longer. Either it’s a trap, or it’s not. We’ll not get any results if we don’t walk in there and get some answers.”