Chapter 28: Frenemies

At first, Synto and Mykos gave chase, following after their pet monster. The problem was, so did Apollo and his men. Each of them were likely to be at Hero level, and Apollo himself was a powerful Demigod, even if he didn’t focus on fighting like most. Before they got to the dock, Synto trailed to a stop and turned around.

Apollo did as well, ten feet away. Far enough that he could threaten Synto without fear of counterattack. “You’re making quite the mess of my city, Synto. And you’ve possibly let my quarry get away. Give me one good reason not to kill you. And this time, I promise to make it stick.”

He didn’t raise his scepter at Synto, but he didn’t have to. Half a dozen of his men fanned out and head swords, axes, and one even had a Builder weapon of his own, a wrist-mounted disc-launcher. They were outnumbered, outarmed, outpowered, but not outsmarted. Apollo was a sensible man, and more than that, he didn’t want to fight.

Synto knew that for a fact, just as he knew that Apollo didn’t want the fight unless necessary. It wasn’t out of sentimentality or anything as laughable as that. They were both pragmatic men, and they were both greedy for everything they could get.

“Because you kind of had all of this coming,” said Synto, spreading his arms. He kept a tight grip on his club, but made it clear he wasn’t attacking. Not yet. “After what you’ve done to me and others. I don’t feel particularly inclined to apologize.”

“I get it,” said Apollo. He raised his scepter. “Any last words?”

Mykos looked at his father in alarm, but Synto laughed. “Sure. Plenty of time has passed from the moment we unleashed the monster until now. I just saw someone flying in to help. We both want Adriana’s Divinity, but she’s about to be out of our range for now. Let’s go get a drink and discuss how we’re going to get it, and let’s do so before the Children of Stephanos come for us.”

Apollo cocked his head to the side, expression inscrutable. “You’re a bold son of a whore, you know that? At ease, men. I suggest we make a hasty exit before they find out your boy has Maw Divinity and attacked their town.”

“Right. Mykos, have the monster rampage around and attack whatever’s closest. We want a distraction and to kill time, understand?”

Mykos nodded, and his eyes blanked out as he silently gave orders to their pet behemoth. A few seconds later, he was back. “What now?”

“Now,” said Apollo, “you follow me back in search of an undamaged place to get a drink and some privacy, and we talk about how we’re going to help each other. And how you intend on paying me back. Come on.”

Now that the Behemoth had passed, the streets teemed with onlookers and those who lost part or all of their homes, grieving over the damages. One woman threw herself on the ground and howled in pain. Synto stepped over her and continued on his way.

They passed the wreckage of Apollo’s place. Already his people were sifting through the debris for Divinity and Bestia that had escaped the destruction. The power broker made a point of stopping to look over the results for a minute before they went into a nearby tavern and forced everyone else out.

In a dim, cramped, smelly tavern, they grabbed a couple of meads and toasted to old friends.

“Old friends?” Synto chuckled. “You caught me in a vulnerable moment and took everything from me.”

Mykos looked up from his drink with interest.

“Well, yes,” said Apollo, “that’s what I do. No one ever accused me of being a charitable man. It’s part and parcel of being a disciple of greed. You can’t blame a scorpion for stinging.”

“So you don’t fault me for destroying your business after all?” Synto grinned.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The power broker burst out laughing. “You cheeky bastard. You know what, fine. I’ll accept that I may have had that coming, considering I managed to drop you down from a Demigod to a mere mortal, but you simply must consider how great a deal it was for me. If you were in my situation, you would’ve done the same.”

It was true, of course. Now that he’d gotten it out of his system, it was good to have a friend again. Someone he could trust and rely on, if only because he knew exactly when it would be wise to betray him and run.

“Father, what’s he talking about?” asked Mykos, desperate to get any information he could.

“Ancient history,” said Synto. “Isn’t that right, Apollo?”

“Water under the proverbial bridge.” They clinked mugs and drained their mead. Apollo leaned back in his seat and considered his old friend. “So, I assume you’re going to go after her, and you have a way.”

“I do.” He jerked a thumb at Mykos. “Aside from being brave enough to take on the Maw’s power, he also has the Mystery of Seeking from the Huntsman. He, or any monster he makes, will be able to track down their prey without error, and pursue them to the ends of the earth.”

“Is that so?” Apollo stroked his chin. “That’s quite the pairing. But it’s not without cost, is it boy?”

Mykos bared his teeth in a silent snarl. “I’m fine. It hurts, but who cares about pain in the face of glory?”

“That’s my boy,” said Synto, inwardly rolling his eyes. His son radiated pride. Maybe he went too far. “He’s fine, you see?”

“Mmm. I don’t think he is.” Apollo’s eyes flashed orange. “He’s consumed how much Bestia by now? That changes a person, even if they don’t keep all the power for themselves. And if I were a betting man, I’d say that you probably just slapped together necessary parts into something new and let it loose. No synergy, no cohesion, just a moment’s need, taking its toll on your body. Tsk.”

“Sh-shut up,” Mykos said, face turning red. His green veins stand out, all but glowing. “I’m strong enough to handle it.”

Apollo clicked his tongue sympathetically. “I know for a fact that others have said the same thing, before they burned themselves out.”

“So what do you propose?” Synto asked. “Since you seem to be leading up to something.”

“Well, before I begin, are we all in agreement that taking Maw Divinity was a stupid choice?” He smiled at Mykos, who got angry all over again.

“Yes,” said Synto. “Obviously. Settle down, boy. It’s been helpful but it was ill advised. Get on with it.”

Apollo motioned for a refill for everyone. Once he had a fresh mug, he said, “Let’s give him more,” before taking a drink.

Synto took a deep breath. His Mystery of Yearning couldn’t tell him whether or not the bastard was lying or trying to trap him, but it did tell him that Apollo wanted to be taken seriously. Which begged the question of why.

“Let’s say we agree to this,” he scoffed, “what will more Maw Divinity do?”

“Stabilize him. The more abilities one gets, the more acclimated to it he’ll become. There are other forms of Divinity I could pass on to help heal him as well, and make him a force to be reckoned with. If we’re going to gnab that True Divinity, we’ll need muscle.”

Synto nodded. So far, everything seemed safe enough. “What about me?” he asked. “You’ve got something for him, but if it’s going to be like old times and I lead a team to take the prize, you’re going to need to sweeten the deal for me. Adriana is tougher than she looks, and if she’s got the Children of Stephanos around, it will be very difficult indeed to get at her. More so when they get to Hessiopolis.”

While Synto spoke, Apollo sighed and motioned with his hand for him to get on with it. “Yes, of course. You’ll have a piece of prime Divinity to give you a boost back up closer to your previous levels, and you’ll have my men, intelligence, and a Builder weapon or two on your side. But if we do this, you sign a contract with me.”

There was the rub. A broker like Apollo was capable of magical contracts, with terms that could be steep indeed. If he signed one and broke it, chances are he would die in agony. He also didn’t blame the man for requiring it. “That could be agreeable, if we work together to write the terms and make sure there’s no traps or setups,” said Synto.

Apollo chuckled. “Of course, of course. But one thing is clear. You will bring the True Divinity back to me, and we will ransom it to the Sun Temple for as much as we can get. We do that, and we can consider ourselves even.”

Synto looked at Mykos. He dreaded giving more power to the boy, but if it would keep him alive, it would grant more time to shape the little shit into something he could better use. Hopefully without having to act like a proud father all the time. Not to mention how likely it was that Apollo betrayed him at the first opportunity.

Chances are it would be after he got more power and a chance to get away. The terms were acceptable.

“I think we have ourselves a deal, my old friend.”