MORDRED

Loyalty is a gift for a priest. That is what Mordred first learned at the temple. That did not mean that they liked the idea of looking after someone. Especially if they were annoying like the young gunsmith.

However, the oath they took was stronger than their opinions and emotions.

Being loyal to the light.

That did not mean what he did was the right thing. Or that it would not have consequences. Feeling the stares of the traumatized warlocks, he could heal instantly. As their companions faded into the background, Mordred looked out at those whose gazes were still intact in his mind. Another pack of souls he could help out. A pack that he failed to help.

It was whispered and discussed how many crystals they would need to succeed. And how many they lost. Soldiers were now digging to the ground earth, far from Babel to find more of them and use them.

A pair of sharp heels echoed from behind the healer. His eyebrows twitched just imagining who was standing right behind him.

‘’It seems you have quite a bit of fame’’ Leviathan announced with an entertaining sigh.

Council member, master of finance, and the person whom Mordred wished he would not see today or any day ever.

Mordred turned back to face their annoying smile. Their green braids were tied up high in a bun, exposing a few of the scars around their dark cheeks.

Everyone remained silent and looked far away as now both the healer and one of the members of the council were standing in front of each other.

He could have made a list of people he hates seeing or having a conversation with. Well, Leviathan was one of the people who were at the top of the list. Even if they were a council member, they could always find the right point to annoy him and push every button for him to snap.

So yes, Mordred could not even be formal with them.

‘’It’s just words, nothing harmful’’He finally spoke.

Leviathan curled a grin. ‘’Don’t priests like you believe in …’’ They made a long pause and played with one of their golden earrings and fixed their light blue dress. ‘’Just words?’’

Mordred narrowed behind his mask and tried to walk away. But the poisonous snake did not give up.

‘’And the just words told me’’They leaned closer to him with their brown eyes looking deep inside his soul. ‘’This whole loyalty, the words that you have sworn to Hermes, might… break’’

‘’You mean…’’Mordred gathered every strength to not snap at them.

‘’Again, it’s just words’’He forced himself to answer. He was done with the long conversations with annoyance for today.

‘’Oh’’Leviathan rested their hand on his shoulder and moved even closer to him, feeling the pressure of their energy attacking him. Again, Leviathan was more than talk. If they wanted, they could just cut his head off and offer it to Hermes. After all, they had done it before when someone double-crossed them.

‘’Well if the words are true,’’ Their fingers touched down to the mask. ‘’I would love to see you around often without the mask. Or maybe…’’They curved one more smile. ‘’I can make certain to work for me after your failure. Without the ugly mask, of course.’’

Mordred’s hands drew fast at the grip of his weapons and moved them slightly up to Leviathan’s side.

But he didn’t realize that they had already drawn their own weapons at his throat. There it was a cold whip of water, being released from the ask around their waist.

He was grateful that Leviathan could not see his worried face. Because if they wanted to, they could have taken his throat from his own body with a single move of their fingers. None would dare to stop them. And probably none would want to.

Can you heal your head? Command it to grow or come back? That was probably what they were thinking. And the answer was no. If anyone wanted to kill them they had to rip out their head from their body.

There was a twitch around their grin.

‘’I am kidding dear’’ They laughed, raising their hands, making the water move back to the ask. ‘’You really need to lose up.’’

‘’I am fine’’He said roughly and turned his back to them.

‘’May I know who did you save back then?’’ Leviathan asked, yelling curiously.

‘’I do not think that this is your business’’ He replied roughly.

‘’Oh, so they must be important.’’

And at last, there was their light, the one who took half the blame.

Mordred could hear him arguing with someone again. And it was about them. Again.

''Do you have any idea how many lives this one made us lose ?'' A raging voice asked. The shout was clear even outside the room so Mordred could hear.

‘’Where were they? Hiding?’’

''Nephthys, you have to understand,'' Hermes pointed out.

The lowest of the council members. She was mostly important in making an argument about everything and telling the leader. But she was also the one who was running most of the time at the medical center. So the healer was forced to be close to her too. Mordred did not like her either, only because of the way she was talking to Hermes.

''We need Mordred as a healer’’ Her voice was prideful, dry as she spoke about what needed to be done.

’’Not as a soldier,'’ she explained with a snarl. None talked for a few minutes after that.

Mordred’s heart let out a small sting, listening to her sharp words. The echo of her shout even escaped the rest of the warlocks’ ears, making them glare at the young healer, disappointed by his actions and how one of the council members was taking the blame for him.

''Mordred is my apprentice'' Hermes announced calmly, only for Nephthys and the young healer to listen to. ''If I say they will go to fight. ‘’One more long, devastating pause. ‘’They will fight.''

He was completely right. Mordred had been taught to obey any orders from their superiors since they were a priest once. They were taught to obey the ones who saved them. The Spirits were once he had sworn to. And now it was Hermes. So, no matter what the order, Mordred had to stay loyal to the light.

They knocked on the door and waited for Hermes to speak again.

''You may enter'' He replied. Mordred opened the door and tried to smell slowly as the hideous scent of alcohol hit their nostrils. Mordred kneeled, eyes on the floor and face covered with their white mask.

''You asked for me'' They muttered. There was a slight smile of relief coming out of Herme’s lips, making the healer feel safe inside the room.

''You can relax,'' Nephthys told him softly. They did not move at all.

''You are free to rise'' Hermes muttered softly and Mordred stood up at ease. Their gaze fell on Nephthys. She was around the same age as Hermes, even if she had a few gray stripes around her raven-black curly hair. Her gown, shades of blue ended up green. Her lake blue eyes were staring directly at them. Mordred just kept looking at her scar, which was close to her lips, right on her bronze face.

''How's the gunsmith?'' Hermes inquired curiously, his gaze shining with pride at Nephtys as he showed her how wrong she was.

Annoying. They will give me an endless headache.

''They are in the library'' Mordred informed. They could now see that Hermes was sitting on his desk with a glass filled with strong alcohol that Mordred could not recognize and paperwork all around him.

''What gunsmith?'' Nephthys asked, confused.

Mordred waited for Hermes to speak. He just shook his head, letting them explain. They told her everything as she was one of the council members, just like Hermes.

But Mordred has seen both of them arguing every time they meet. They tried to ask Hermes once the reason but he did not answer the question.

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''So'' Nephthys let out a long sigh and her thick eyebrows frowned. ''You risked the mission for them?'' A devious grin curved upon her face, plotting. Plotting something unpleasant.

‘’I thought that I had to help warlocks in need’’ Mordred replied harshly to her.

Nephtys caressed her throat and tried to speak again. ‘’You risked, hundreds for one.’’

‘’I don’t understand how my presence would have helped a hundred more.’’He was determined to speak against every sharp word of hers. ‘’After all, you want me to stay here instead of fighting outside’’

They talked too much. Even Hermes was surprised by their sudden outburst.

The gunsmith had drawn them out from both his incantation and his mind.

‘’I made a mistake,’’ Mordred moved their hands behind his back and fixed his posture.

‘’But they know how to invent. Their machines were interesting.’’

‘’Kid’’Nephthys pressed her lips and moved closer to him. ‘’Are you trying to make me think of more reasons for you to not fight ?’’

‘’I am saying that…they might help us.’’ They repeated what Hermes and Janus were probably thinking. On his own behalf, he would have suggested letting them leave or stay as far away as they could from him.

‘’Where is this one life?’’ She asked now, curious, fingers pressing to her lips. ‘’I would love to meet them,’’

‘’They are resting’’Hermes informed her, moving his hand close to her gown.

The door opened wide with Hephaestus fell to their knees. Mordred clenched his jaw as he saw them laying on the floor. Their eyes widened, staring at Mordred's face.

''I can explain'' They chuckled and turned back, hoping to see someone.

''I swear'' They stood up on their own and looked around. ''Janus was right behind me''

Mordred emerged to their side.

''What are you doing here?'' He hissed with a whisper, walking closer to them.

''I could ask the same question'' They grinned and leaned their head closer to him and moved their leg up to be the same height as him.

''I thought that you had to take care of me'' They said with a sarcastic tone, making Mordred burst into rage. He could now regret that he saved them.

''I told you to stay with Gaia''

''And unlike you, I am not very good at following orders''

They tilted their head to the left and looked at Hermes. ''Thank you for the care doctor, but'' Their eyes noticed Nephthys and waved her hello.

She flinched and moved her shoulders back. She then replied by flexing her fingers.

''I need to go back to Aztlan. Your cause sounds interesting but I have other plans for myself''

Mordred groaned and pushed them away. ''Are you mental?''He asked them. They shrugged.

''If you go back there they will arrest you’' He tried to bring sense to them. But they did not react to any of the possible threats.

''Actually'' Nephthys stopped them by just speaking a few words. She looked back at Hermes who was now drinking half of his glass with his jaw clenched.

She turned back to Hermes and said, "You wish to prove to me that your... apprentice is worthy." She made a long pause, turning to the gunsmith.

''Why do you want back exactly?'' She asked.

''I have...''Their eyes wandered around. ''A job?''Another shrug.

''So you won't say anything to anyone about this place?'' Nepthys asked and the mechanic nodded.

''And how will we know that you didn't?''

Their eyes darkened and it seemed that Hermes had the same look too. There was trouble when Nephthys was scheming.

''Maybe Mordred over here will help you get back. It is far away after all.''She suggested and turned back on Hermes. ''Is this alright correct? He can also keep an eye on them.''

Hephaestus tried to speak, but they stretched their hands.

''Diyu is close to Aztlan correct?''

''Wait'' Hermes stood up and moved his body away from his chair.

As she pointed out and walked towards him, Nephthys kept her proud, arrogant smile on as she remarked, "You said you did not know who to send on that mission." Her eyes opened wide by the seconds she was speaking.

''Well I found two''

''What?'' Both Mordred and Hephaestus spoke together in sync. For more than a second, they stared at each other in shock.

''I am not sending Mordred there'' Hermes got out from his desk and was now really close to Nephthys.

Hephaestus took a step to the left, close to Mordred, and looked at him confused.

Mordred was certain that Nephthys was doing all of these to make his superior upset. But in that way, it could make Mordred's mission miserable.

''You will send Mordred with..'' Nephthys made a small pause and turned back at Hephaestus with a sweet smile.

''What is your name again?''

''Hephaestus'' They said loudly with a small pout.

Nephthys eyelashes opened wide with her eyes lighting up. An amused grin was pictured on her face.

''Hephaestus''She let out a sigh. ''And after they both take what we need, Mordred will send them back to Aztlan with safety''

Despite the reason she suggested it, getting rid of Hephaestus sounds pleasing to Mordred's ears. But he still had to work with them. For now, he waited only for Hermes's order...

''If you don't'' Nephthys continued talking and pushed Hermes back slightly. ''Then we can have a better conversation later in the council room'' She smiled. ''How does it sound?''

Hermes shrugged and tilted his head to the right, showing the door.

Mordred and Hephaestus were now outside with both of their back leaning against the cold door. There was a mutter coming from their swollen lips, making the words. 'Two years. Six months.'

''So what is he to you?'' Hephaestus stretched their wrists, with their gaze away from his.

''He is my superior'' Mordred replied. ''He saved me'' He moved his hand close to his nape and stretched it, letting out a groan.

''He saved my life'' He replied and shook his head. Hephaestus rolled their eyes. Mordred noticed it and took a deep breath.

''To be honest, I hate the idea of us, being partners'' Hephaestus shrugged.

They are loud and arrogant, and I can feel that they want to punch me.

But Mordred knew that if the order was coming from Hermes he could not deny him.

''It doesn’t matter'' Mordred muttered with a skeptical tone. ‘’It won’t last’’

''Why do you want to go back?''His heart raced with admiration over Babel. And about Hermes. He has been fighting for the freedom of warlocks for almost a decade. Getting trained, and learning the history of Babel, the cause, and everything from Hermes's and Janus's orders gave him hope that he could help people once again.

''You might be able to save people,'' he encouraged them only because that was what Hermes would have done too.

'’Janus said the same.’’The gunsmith replied.

‘’Of course, he did, ‘’Mordred rolled his eyes with a grunt.’’He is always interested to…’’ People that seem lost.

He caught his words and looked at them once more. Copper red hair, messy like a wildfire. A pair of crystal skies for eyes. Face wild, and fierce, and expressions always curious about everything.

In conclusion, Trouble.

Before Mordred even tried to reply, the door opened and Nephthys stepped out with a deeply satisfied smile. Her eyes turned to Hephaestus.

''So, do you think you can repay us?'' The woman whispered softly.

''I just want to go home''They said. ''I have my own plans and even once more your goal sounds interesting'' There was a laugh escaping their mouth.

Nephtys hushed them. ''I understand. We all do. It will be just a small stop on Diyu.'' Her eyes pierced on Mordred and he looked away from her fast.

Hephaestus shook their head nervously, grin intact. Nepthys took a deep breath and offered her hand to them. For a slight second, they hesitated but then they shook their hand with her.

‘’I am glad’’She sighed.

Of course, she was glad. She was destined to find any way to cause trouble to Hermes.

Mordred sighed and got inside to speak with Him.

"Why did you agree with her?" Mordred begged him. Hermes kept drinking his liquor. After he placed it on his desk, he stood up, holding a letter in his right hand.

‘’They seem to be useful’’He grinned.

That was a lie. He knew Hermes better than that.

When Hermes said, "Hestia is dead," he almost sounded like he was ready to cry.

Mordred kept silent as they were repeating those words back inside their head. A council member died. Someone died. An important person died.

‘’Suicide’’ He explained. ‘’Thank Sedna that it was just that.’’

''How is Janus?'' Mordred asked concerned. They were used to seeing him getting along with her. She rarely spoke with Mordred though as they were spending almost every hour of the day with Hermes. But when she did, she was teasing him about how he did not let his mask out, or making jokes about her missions.

Her previous…her last one was spying on Elysium by disguised as a maid. She always talked about the girl she was ‘working ‘ for. That she was a spoiled Royal just like all the others. Hestia said nothing more and Mordred did not want to know anything else.

''He will move on just the rest of us.'' Hermes rasped and sat on the velvet green couch. Mordred shook their head and took a look at the letter.

Their eyes flinched as they realized that Hestia had written it.

If you are reading this, I assume that I am dead. The artifact is finished. However, I have someone in mind who will do everything to send it to you. Her name is Lucifer, a royal, she has lilac eyes and she is also a warlock.

She will be on Diyu sooner or later.

If I am dead please fulfill my wish

Keep her and those with her alive

Hestia

Mordred couldn't believe what he was reading. Their hands started shaking, making the paper wobble. Their upset gaze was drawn to Hermes' red eyes, which had been smeared with tears. earlier. ''Sir... I am..'' He tried to pay his respects but Hermes stopped him. ''She did not have enough crystals to send the artifact or to save herself''He made a long pause.

Mordred hummed and looked back at the words of the letter.

Hermes cleared his throat before he spoke again''Hephaestus will come with you''

Mordred remained calm as he disagreed with him instantly with a single gaze.

''You don't want them to come. Do you?''

Mordred did not speak on that matter.

‘’Nephthys will speak to the leader if you don’t agree’’His voice broke. ‘’She might even take …’’Mordred noticed his twitched expressions. His green eyes looked at Mordred’s marked wrist. Opening the drawer of his desk, a pair of leather gloves slipped into his hands.

‘’Cover it’’He ordered, offering the gloves. ‘’From now on, cover it’’

Mordred did not ask the reason or they were bothered. Covering the mark did not mean his beliefs vanished. As the cold fabric became attached to the skin, Mordred found a rare smile on Hermes' face, vanishing his cold.

After that, Hermes sighed and started writing again in the book, as he was now back at the desk. Mordred just waited for him to speak again. '' There may be a way to keep them,'' he told them with a smile. ''See what they can do''

Mordred stared at the door, hoping that they wouldn't come inside again. How did they find out where to find the room?

''They want to go back. What if they ..''

''Then'' Hermes stopped writing and looked at their silver eyes. ''If something…’’He made a long pause, fingers caressing the desk with the air dancing among the gap of his fingers. ‘’happens, maybe more...accidents can appear.'' Mordred didn't speak, knowing what he meant by that. But they still didn't know why they had to team up with them. They knew Nephthys. She just loved bringing chaos around Hermes' life.

''I promise, I swear that I will bring the royal and the artifact..''

''Forget the girl'' Hermes pointed out. ''Abandon her, kill her do not bring her.''

Words sharp and painful like iron. ''But Hestia... ''

''We risked enough equipment for Aztlan. Taking the girl now will bring us nothing more than death'' In each word, his finger pressed the top of the desk and then lifted it up. And then back to the desk.

Mordred regretted speaking as he did not know how things worked. He shook his head and headed towards the door.

Before he grabbed the doorknob and pushed the latch, the young doctor asked another question. He wanted to be sure of his mission. ''What the artifact is exactly?''

''Does it matter?'' Hermes asked, but he did not want Mordred's opinion. Mordred knew. They lowered their head and covered their face with the mask again.

Take the artifact. Mordred started thinking about his plan. Keep most of the mission secret from the gunsmith. Kill the girl. And then the gunsmith too.