Chapter 29: Outpost

It didn’t take long for Adriana to appreciate having the Children of Stephanos escort her through the city. After being chased by a rampaging monster who destroyed a good section of the district, she wouldn’t be surprised if people blamed her for the damage. And like usual, Synto would get away without facing any consequences for his bastardry.

Davos was distracted by Cora, who didn’t seem to mind his arm around her shoulder while they headed to the outpost on the east end of the island, built into the mountain and with access to a plateau where the Children of Stephanos and other affiliated bands could practice, rest, and have access to their own food and support staff.

Adrana found out all of this via Iris, who turned out to be talkative when Lucas didn’t have the floor.

“And over there is a place to get the best ice cream,” Iris gushed, pointing at a stone door set in the mountain as they wound their way up to the top. “And the woman who makes it likes to give us a discount. Part of keeping the island safe and all that.”

“Give it a rest already,” said Eva with an exaggerated groan. “You’ve been talking for the last fifteen minutes. I’m sure our new guests are getting tired of it.” The petite woman had a chip on her shoulder nearly as big as she was.

“Eva…” Tobias sighed.

Since Davos was clearly too busy to pay attention, Adriana answered for the two of them. “At least she doesn’t have a stick up her ass. You can talk as much as you want, Iris.”

Iris looked pleased, but Eva looked over her shoulder and glared. Adriana kissed the air. With one last huff, Eva turned back around and took off into the air, a low orange glow emanating from her skin.

“She always that much of a bitch?” Adriana asked.

She was met with silence. Davos sighed and broke away from Cora to whisper something in Lucas’ ear. She recognized the word ‘sorry’ and bristled. “Don’t you dare apologize for me, Davos! I meant what I said. She’s been giving me dirty looks this entire time. If she’s gonna bare her teeth at me, I’ll snarl and bark twice as loud.”

Lucas stopped. He turned, features twisted into an unimpressed scowl. “Eva has her temperament. Same as you, from the looks of it. While you’re here, I’ll do what I can to keep her away from you. All I ask is that you do not escalate anything. If she acts up, tell me and I’ll deal with her.” He continued walking, and everyone followed the path up.

“Tell on her? What are we, children? I can fight my own battles, thank you.” Her irritation bothered her. Things were going so well up until then. She forced a smile and said to Iris, “What other places do you like around here? C’mon, sell me on your group.”

Tobias spoke up instead. “You want to be sold on coming back with us to Hessiopolis? Other than getting Divinity once we get inside, you’ll have access to good food, good drink, and good company. You like fighting monsters? We do good work, taking on any challenge that doesn’t require a full God. And when we’re not working, we’re enjoying our lives.

“You’d have a full belly, early chances to get more Divinity, a comfy bed, and friends you can trust. You’ve heard our reputation, haven’t you?”

“I have,” Adriana said. “You make it sound like I’m joining with you guys, and not going to Hessiopolis for long.”

“Well,” said Iris, “we could always use more help, and if they let you keep your Divinity -- “

“If they what?” Adriana’s hackles raised immediately.

“Iris,” warned Lucas with another soft sigh. “Look, the True Divinity inside you could mean the difference between survival and extinction. The Hierophant will judge your heart, your demeanor, and your willingness to work with others and serve the people. If you don’t pass, they may do what they can to…encourage a trade.”

“Right, thanks for nothing, I’m out of here.”

Tobias grabbed her by the arm. Adriana punched him so fast she didn’t have time to register lashing out. He reeled but stayed on his feet. Rather than be angry, he held his hands up. “Hey, hey. At least take the Divinity before you leave. I won’t stop you. And neither will Lucas, right?”

Their leader grimaced. He had such a dour expression most of the time, so serious and concerned. He would’ve been a lot more handsome if he didn’t look like he was forced to eat shit, she thought to herself.

“I will not stop you. We…If you were to join us, it would look good for you. There would be little to no pushback in letting you keep your True Divinity, if you could be trained in its use and our ways. We want to help you, Adriana, if you’re willing to work with us.”

Davos looked at her, but said nothing. This was her battle to fight, and it had to be with words instead of something reasonable like fists or fire. She took a long, deep breath and let it out, trying to keep a lid on her anger.

“You’re telling me I’m not a prisoner, but that some high and mighty bastard can decide to strip my power from me if he judges me not good enough? Fuck that, your own God judged me good enough. If I’m not a prisoner, and I leave now, what happens?”

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The Children of Stephanos shared an uncomfortable look. Tobias cleared his throat, and Lucas nodded. “Honestly? You’ll get a head start and a chance to get away from us. And then, when the Hierophant finds out that you refused to come, he’ll send us and others after you. You’ll either be subdued and brought in person, or more likely…” he trailed off.

Adriana smiled. “So I am a prisoner, you’re just too cowardly to admit it.”

“It’s not like that,” said Iris. She clutched at the hem of her tunic fretfully and wet her lips. “We want to give you the chance to see what we’re about, and then you’ll want to be part of it. I’m sure of it.”

Silence. Naturally, Adriana thought about bolting. If she did, Davos could easily catch up, if not beat her to the boat by jumping off the mountain and drifting along with the breeze. They said they wouldn’t chase, but they were liars. They’d already proven that much.

“Look,” said Cora. She pointed to the blues and greens of her dress and the silk wraps around her hair, partially veiling her round, good natured face. “I’m very clearly not a Child of Stephanos. I have zero Sun Divinity. I’m a disciple of Deliana, our lady of healing and matron of civilization. I’ve been working with this group for the last four years, and you know what I’ve found? They’re all a bunch of idiots.”

Adriana blinked, then laughed, caught off guard. Cora continued, “Seriously! Iris is a chatty little flibbertygibbet and has a lot to learn. Tobias is in love with how great he thinks he is and swears he’s the Gods’ gift to women. Our dear, sweet Evangaline looks down on everyone who isn’t Lucas. And Lucas takes himself entirely too seriously, despite being only just barely a grown man. They’re all a bunch of idiots.

“But when they come together? They become something greater. Together, we’ve taken on lesser Gods and won. We’ve fought against monsters that made the creature from earlier look cute. And we’ve stayed together, this very specific team, for years. That’s what we’re offering you. A chance to be better, to be stronger, and to not have to be alone and scared anymore.”

All eyes were on her. She had a million sharp retorts, barks, and threats she could throw out, but that would only prove the woman right. Adriana hated being cornered, and they did not deserve her trust. They would come after her if they were told to. Then she realized that aside from her Flashfire, none of them had seen what she could do. She could always make a break for it later, in the dead of night if she had to.

“How about we get to that Huntsman Divinity, then?” Adriana said. She exhaled, the choice made.

Tobias beamed at her. “Most people would feel bad about handing over such a prime piece of power, but honestly? I’m interested to see what you get. And also, you have a hell of a punch.”

Adriana laughed again, and the tension broke. She let herself relax and accepted her decision. She made eye contact with Lucas and gave him a serious nod. A silent agreement that she would behave, she would give it a try, but that if they tested her, she’d break her way out and through anybody. He nodded back in acceptance.

Halfway up, a rift in the rock opened up into a mesa splitting the mountain in half at the center of the island. A solid mile across had been cleared out, leveled, and made into the center of their community. As they arrived, dozens of people looked their way and cheered. Tobias bowed, while Iris waved. Lucas did nothing, but when Adriana realized they were looking at her and still cheered, she smiled and lifted a hand.

She longed to wander around without an escort. No doubt they would stick someone with her at all times, but to just disappear into the plateau and go up and down the mountain, trying that ice cream shop Iris had mentioned, or just enjoying a day without fighting or worrying about anything. Adriana didn’t long for rest often, but the fight and argument had taken more out of her than she cared to admit.

At the center, they split apart. Lucas went his own way, while Davos said, “I’m going with Cora. You behave while I’m gone, you hear?”

“Eat shit, Davos,” Adriana said with a grin. “Even I’ve got a limit for trouble. I’m going to take these bastards up on everything they’ve offered me, starting with that Divinity and a good meal. Lead on, bastards!”

Iris pouted, but Tobias chuckled and pulled her along. They didn’t have to go far, as the Children of Stephanos had special apartments in the center of the plateau. Tobias led her up some stairs of a stone building as big as the temple in the village she grew up in. He had the entire second story to himself, a fact that boggled Adriana and filled her with envy.

Tobias wasted no time in grabbing the green orb from a chest under his bed in a large and luxurious room filled with statues, paintings, and a lyre on a stand. Great pillows littered the tile floor, begging to be napped on. She hated how much she loved it.

“This is it,” he said, tossing the Divinity to her. “Seven percent, give or take. Take it and use it to defend humanity.”

“You take that seriously, don’t you?” Adriana asked. She rolled her new prize in her palm.

Iris nodded enthusiastically. “We do! What in the world could be more noble than serving others and protecting the weak?”

Adriana looked around. “And you live pretty plush lives while doing it, I see. Sure, I’ll use this to defend humanity. But mostly, to defend myself when you guys have to hunt me down.”

Iris gasped, but Tobias laughed and motioned for her to do it.

Adriana put the Huntsman Divinity in her mouth, and swallowed. It happened so much faster this time, with maybe half the pain. It was a strange thrill, to feel locked in place and burn from the inside out, but a part of her appreciated it. It was the humanity leaving her body, bringing her one step closer to Godhood. Her second ever piece of Divinity.

When the green flash ended, she exhaled and felt the words enter her mind. “The Mystery of Precision,” she said.

Tobias gasped. “Shit. I officially regret giving it to you. I wanted that one!”

Like the last time, Adriana felt physically more powerful, though not nearly as much as that first infusion of power. Sixteen percent now. This had raised her up to the third level of ascension, and she could feel how much sturdier her body became. Not only that, but her eyesight had once more changed. Lines and angles were clearer.

She looked at Tobias and cocked her head, focusing. He did as well, and she saw the trajectory it would follow. Not only could she perceive everything, she knew exactly how far away it was, and what it would take and how long to get there as she moved. Her heart raced with excitement. “This is incredible…” she whispered.

“Yeah?” Tobias grinned.

“You want to test it out?” Iris asked.

Adriana turned to them. “What did you have in mind?”