MORDRED
Mordred could see Hephaestus taking out each dark and red stone and handing it to Orion and Talus with ease. ‘’Break them to dust’’They demanded with all their arrogance.
‘’Hold on’’Mordred stormed to Hephaestus’ side. ‘’They are sacred and powerful. You cannot’’
‘’We need to make sure that we can get there without a train or a car’’ Hephaestus explained. ‘’And if anything happens…’’ Hephaestus’ brow twitched while Mara passed to their side and snatched one white stone.
‘’What are you doing?’’ Mordred complained again.
‘’We need disguises,'' she announced. ‘’You will need makeup too,’’
‘’I am fine’’Mordred crossed their arms around their chest.
Two sunsets. Only two sunsets more. Mordred thought.
‘’Also look at me,’’ Mara showed herself with a wave of her hand. ‘’People would realize I am dangerous. And not just from my charms.’’
‘’Just the eyes,’’ Lucifer drew to Mara’s side gently as she carried with all of her strength a box filled with expensive clothing from the carriage. Mara grinned and shook her head.
‘’But I like your eyes’’ Talus tried to join the conversation but Lucifer rolled her eyes, ignoring him. Harsh.
‘’It will be better for you to do it tomorrow,’’ Mordred suggested and then turned to Hephaestus who was looking at the map Mara drew with Ukko’s and Lucifer's instructions. It only took half a day but it was perfect.
There was a wall around Elysium. Inside there was the palace as the main event. Behind it, there was a garden which Lucifer started complaining about every event she attended there. But this matter was about the guards who would be around the road which would let the inventor cars drive to the warehouse which was half an hour away by foot.
‘’There will be the last cars entering there by the eighth bell,'' Orion announced. ‘’Unfortunately’’His eyes fell down, upset. ‘’We can’t go there. They will search for us twice.''
‘’That is why you will make the crystals to dust and put them into glass’’Hephaestus jumped from the seat excitedly. ‘’Like jewels, one for each.’’
‘’I want a necklace’’ Mara lifted her arm.
‘’But we can’t do it,’’ Orion moved his fingers, mimicking incantation movements.
‘’That is why you will be on my side’’ Ukko wrapped his arm around Orion’s shoulder and looked at him with a flirtatious grin. ‘’Don’t worry I am fun to be around.’’
Orion’s face turned red all of a sudden and he looked away.
Leviathan let out a deep sigh. Hephaestus faced them with a nasty grin. ‘’Don’t worry, you will be a nice hostage.’’
Hostage? ME?
Hephaestus nodded.
The hybrid added. ‘’If your boss cares about you and we end up in the worst case scenario’’
YOU LITTLE-
Next, there was the clock tower which would also be guarded harshly.
‘’The last time a drunk one walked to the top and..’’Lucifer pouted.’’It will be guarded this year.’’
And then inside the palace. Filled with quarters, dressing rooms, a dining hall, the staff kitchen room, and lastly the catacombs.
All the sewers and every dirt go there and end in a small river out of Olympus.
‘’I was there for a swim the last time I was there.'' Talus started realizing it slowly. Was not the smartest one of all. No wonder he got fired.
‘’I was swimming into the shi-''
‘’That explains a lot’’ Mordred rolled his eyes. A sort of laugh gasped out of Orion as he pouted his lips to hide it.
‘’No wonder the girls laughed.'' Talus frowned disappointedly.
‘’The main event starts at the ninth bell’’ Hephaestus explained. ‘’So we will have one hour to search all these three places.’’
‘’Excuse me,’’ Ukko raised his palm. ‘’We’’His finger searched for Talus, Orion, and Mara. ‘’We are committed to doing it. You will go chat around, have all the fun.''
‘’No’’ Lucifer disagreed with the monologue and pointed at the map. ‘’The plan was for me to go down. I will go down.’’
‘’But.’’ Ukko tried to stop her from her determination.
‘’I will be fine’’She said, showing her blade. ‘’Do not worry’’She sounded more stable than before. Whatever thing the hybrid said to her evolved her.
‘’And we will have to make sure nothing shows up in the ballroom,’’ Hephaestus explained with their eyes falling to Mordred.
He shook his head fast but there was a feeling that everyone around him knew something that he did not.
‘’Anything else?’’ Hephaestus asked.
Mara raised her hand again, ‘’What about weapons?’’ She asked. ‘’We will need them if something is about to happen. Mordred agreed and looked at one of the bags filled with explosives that Hephaestus and the other two gunsmiths made the same day without any break to relax. Spirits were still filthy from the oil and scourge.
‘’We must not have a lot’’ Hephaestus explained and showed four military pistols as their gaze moved to Mordred, waiting for something.
He shrugged and showed his pistols. ‘’I don’t need any more.’’
‘’I prefer a rapier’’Lucifer added too, showing her weapon as she held the grip tight.
‘’I want a dagger.’’Mara answered her own question.
‘’Just a dagger?’’ Lucifer raised her brow to her.
Mara agreed. ‘’Easy to hide and not look like a criminal.’’She lowered her eyes to Lucifer’s blade.
She rolled her eyes and did not speak after that.
Orion was the last one to speak.‘’Well, this might work but first’’
That night Hephaestus, Orion, and Talus placed the containers in the center of the neighborhood and the rest of them started serving the citizens food, medicine, and clothing. When the citizens were getting out of their hiding spots like mice, the others had fabrics covering their mouths.
Travelers, free servers of spirits, came to help the citizens of Aztlan as best they could. That was the story that made everyone believe in them. They were wearing heavy baggy clothes with fake symbols of the spirits around their necks.
A few of them tried to steal the supplies but Ukko stopped them.
Another one clenched Mara’s hand as she was covering her eyes with the fabric.
‘’Thank you so much, may the spirits bless you’’ They said before they gave her an Eke’el.
She moved it to her mouth and bit it. ‘’Ha’’She laughed amused.
‘’First time they gave you a real coin?’’ Mordred asked her as they gave two loaves of bread to an old woman with blue lake eyes. She let out a kind smile as her gaze fell on Mara before she walked away.
‘’First time someone gave me one,'' Mara replied.
Mordred shook his head and placed an apple in the pocket of her gray heavy coat.
She shook her head and kept giving the medicine to the others.
After that, everyone returned to the shop and instead of getting ready he noticed almost every one of them drinking and eating at the table with recorded music loud enough for everyone outside to hear. Seemed that the alcohol was under their boss’s room.
Ukko and Talus were powering Nektar to their cups nonstop as Lucifer was drinking her glass slowly, unlike Mara who was drinking nonstop but it seemed someone who could handle it.
Hephaestus’s and Orion’s faces were bright red, laughing with each other, hands around their cups.
He watched everyone from the entrance as they crossed their arms around their torso.
‘’This is an awful idea’’ They admitted with the scent starting to become thicker than before, making their stomach sick and tight. Ukko’s gaze found theirs and he laughed as he moved to their side with a grin. Mordred tried to close their nose but it was pointless.
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‘’It is not the time’’ They said, looking at them and back at him. His eyes were steady as he curved his lips to a straight thin line till he popped them.
‘’I know’’
Mordred could imagine a thousand ways that he could spend the night. Drinking and singing were not one of them.
‘’We do not have time for this,'' they said again. We are going to our deaths. They tried to read the journal over and over again. Just like the rest of the books. There was nothing more than a dark end with the dying from something that could not die.
‘’I know that too but’’ Ukko jerked his head to show the others. ‘’They also know it’’
Mordred turned to him again confused.
‘’We might die tomorrow’’ He implied something that Mordred was aware of. ‘’We all know it’’There was no light inside his shaking leaf tone.
‘’But’’ His mouth made another bright grin, hitting Mordred’s back before he let out a laugh.
‘’Let’s enjoy our probably last night as free humans’’ He said loudly, returning to the others.
Humans. Mordred tried to take a step front, to join them, pretend like them but there it was. A beautiful monster with an intoxicating smell, making his head dizzy and his heart race as cold sweat was dripping from his brow.
He tried to ignore it as he sat down to a chair next to Orion who poured him Nectar on a free cup.
''Do priests drink?'' Orion's tipsy voice echoed.
Mordred shook a quick no and looked above to see everyone shortly laughing with a deck of cards appearing from the Hybrid's hand and lying on the ground.
The game of cards started again until the Hybrid seemed winning while Mordred stayed still with their arms crossed, trying to avoid the smell. How did everyone was attracted to alcohol? How was Hermes?
''How do you always win?''Lucifer slammed her hand to the table, glaring at the Hybrid.
''A performer never reveals her secret''She shrugged.
Talus laughed loudly like the bark of a rusty dog.''You marked the cards, I saw you.''
The girl replied with a grumpy pout and her hand slipped her cup making the dark red liquid to the floor. And then Mordred felt the echoes becoming louder.
He could not even move his feet or his fingers.
He just stood frozen as the others kept drinking and laughing and darkness appeared around his sight.
‘’Smile pretty boy’’
‘’Come with me’’ A bright as the sun voice spoke to him as he was now following their sight, hands, and wrists wrapped around each other.
There was a soft sound of ticking cogs and gears close to him like peaceful music. There was still dark fog around his sight but it was fading the longer he was running with them.
There was the sound of a ticking clock near his ears. His legs were climbing in long-distance steps. His free hand clenched the metal box he was clutching at. And his other hand slipped from the ones they followed and started climbing with ease, following their heavy breathing.
‘’Where are we?’’ Mordred asked heavily.
He finally stopped walking. The vision was clear as crystal and eyes glared at the night sky. Stars shone like the most beautiful gems he had ever seen as the lights of Olympus were softly bright, covering from the cold winter fog. He turned back and realized that they were up to the clock tower, standing on a tall giant pillar as the ones before them were simple stairs.
And the person who was holding his hand was handsome like bright stars. A candle's light shone among the darkness. Copper crimson playful hair, winds around their now free locks. Eyes like the sky, look close enough and you could even see the white clouds.
A smile big like the whole world on the painted maps. Few of their teeth seemed cracked and yet Mordred did not seem to care about it. He had never met someone this imperfect and yet so beautiful.
‘’So?’’ Hephaestus asked with a grin.
He snapped out of his wandering gaze and cleared his throat.''Why did you bring me here?’’ Mordred asked, confused and lowered his head to see that they were far from the ground.
‘’You look sick,'' they replied. ‘’Sicker than usual’’They implied and moved with their cane one step to his side.
They were smelling like wine but the wind blew the scent away.
‘’I thought it would help you'’ They looked back at the view. ‘’I was coming often here’’
Mordred was amused that even if they were drunk they saw him sitting silent. Hephaestus stretched their wrists and took a deep breath.''It helps my mind be clear too. Far from fear.''
‘’Fear from what?’’ Mordred asked.
‘’Memories come and pass, '' they replied. ‘’Mostly when I am close to fire’’ They admitted and their left hand created a small fire out of nothing and showed it to him, smiling softly.
‘’I was always coming with Orion and Talus or...'' They let out a heavy breath. ‘’Sometimes Venus’’
‘’Venus?’’ Mordred asked, remembering how they shouted his name in their sleep.
‘’You think that you are the only one who I tormented with my charms?’’ They grinned flirtatiously.
‘’I guess not’’ He replied. ‘’How was he?'' Mordred asked curiously. Was, he thought. No, he is. But he was. He hoped.
Hephaestus’ laugh stopped.
‘’Kind. Handsome. Liked chestnuts’’ Their voice was trembling with joy and amusement when they were talking about him. There was a pinch around Mordred’s heart. It was the curse. He thought
‘’You have to raise your standards’’ Mordred raised his brow at them.
‘’Brave enough to rescue a poor cripple from a burning building’’ They said in a dramatic tone.
‘’Foolish enough to be with a lunatic like you’’
That made Hephaestus gasp dramatically, almost looking hurt.
‘’I was an excellent lover’’They pouted.
‘’Where is he now then?’’Mordred chuckled and tried to play with them and looked around, moving his hand to his forehead.‘’I haven’t seen anyone around, kissing your lips or hugging you’’
The smile faded instantly. So did the fire. Their hands caressed their stomach as they were clenching the fabric.
‘’He liked fame as much as I did,'' they kept saying. ‘’But’’ They took a heavy breath.
‘’A soldier hunting warlocks could achieve more by sending their gunsmith partner to the pits of Naraka’’ Words rough like ashes getting out of their lips. Almost lifeless.
Mordred had no words to say, other than sorry. Hephaestus licked their lips and smiled. He thought about the soldier on Diyu that was with them. Thinking if it was him, the one whom Hephaestus was looking for, pleading for his help.
Hephaestus stretched their wrists and tapped their fingertips to the top of the cane, counting from one to three.
‘’Anyway ‘’Hephaestus laughed. ‘’You never told me how you felt about my plan’’
‘’It will kill us all,'' he admitted. ‘’You will die first’’
''Because I will see you dancing?’’They asked with a girn.
‘’I will not dance’’ He replied with his arms crossed.
They shook their head and kept looking away from him, without even staring back.
‘’What about the rest?’’
‘’Your friends are barbarians.’’
‘’So you like them.’’Hephaestus smug.
‘’I never…’’ Mordred’s face flushed and took a deep breath.
‘’Ukko is a good fighter, good muscle but only that. And the Royal…’’One more long pause, feeling his mind heavy. He wanted to tell them that her incantation was strong and useful. But the way her mind, her ambition was working she was weak. Spirits he was still impressed that she was alive after the iron inside her body.
Hephaestus talked again‘’Are you sick?'' They asked dizzily.
‘’Of alcohol’’ he replied calmly. ‘’Makes me sick to my stomach''
Hephaestus’ eyes opened wide and they took a few messy steps back, laughing nonstop as the wine hit their head.
‘’Fine then’’ They lifted both of their arms and took one close step to the edge. Mordred followed them.
‘’Then I will burn every cellar for you’’ They said with a drunk smile.
Mordred’ slips curved a grin, listening to their flying promises. ‘’Why should you.’’
‘’Because ‘’There was a hic and they leaned back. ‘’You're my friend.’’
His eyes opened wide. Friend?
And just like that they lost their balance and were ready to fall from the pillar.
‘’Wait’’ Mordred’s hand held their arm, forcing himself to pull them back to the pillar. The pain inside his body was strong. Every part of it felt like he was burning in Naraka for thousands of years. His back was in heavy pain as there was liquid moving around it, pressuring each vein to the fullest. If he threw them off, making their head break into tiny pieces…would it help the pain go for a while? His fingers were slipping inch by inch as Hephaestus’s skin was sweaty, letting them almost slip from his grasp.
He took one deep breath and pulled them close to his body, succeeding in both of them falling to the cold iron pillar. His back kept burning. His breath was heavy and the weight of Hephaestus was not light.
They lifted their head and looked at him as their now terrified, sweet breath reached to his lips.
He felt their fast heartbeat as their eyes were darting quickly. The blue sky opened with a soft rain on Mordred’s cheek.
‘’If you kiss me I will burn your face'' they threatened him shakily.
‘’If you burn my face ‘’He let out a heavy breath.’’ I will have to heal your hand again’’ He replied.
They were foolish and drunk and yet they were letting out a beautiful melody of a laugh.
He thought of Hermes drinking the golden brown alcohol most of his days. Of how much he loved it and ye everyone told him that it was somthing sick. Mordred felt that it was a sickness to Spirts, and even Hermes agreed from time to time. And he never did stop. Mordred did not undersand that.
And now, he was facing someone so reckless, someone who was making him stay away from what he stood loyal to. He should get away from them, he should have killed them when they had the chance and he still didn't. He couldn't. He could just stare at their firepit hair and sky blue eyes that were holding their mind and so called morality.
Mordred tried to move as the pain in their heart became rougher. And yet he could imagine how they would feel closer to them, how the heat, their burned wild smell would be around his skin, how their lips would taste, how their eyes would look when he was going to take their life.
Take their life? No, I don’t, I should not. I… Mordred’s mind rushed to thoughts as he was gathering every strength in his eyes so he could keep looking at them.
The curse. It’s the curse.
‘’Hephaestus I’’ Mordred managed to let out a breath.
‘’Shit’’ They cursed and moved far from him, pulling their hair back.
‘’Oh, fuck, shit uhm,’’
Mordred could not see them cry, could not let them do it anymore. His hand found their wrists and pulled them closer now as his free one cupped their cheek.
His lips were one more breath from theirs with their eyes meeting. Their blue eyes await something. For some miracle. For anything.
But the pain did not move apart. He knew how it would end. He knew what he would do.
He was never adept at talking to people. So he had to do it. For them.
Everything is a beautiful lie.
‘’When all this is over, it is better for you to leave.'' Mordred held his breath. ‘’With the others, far.’’
‘’What?’’ Hephaestus was startled.
‘’I will travel back to Babel with the dagger and you will have to leave with the rest.'' He did not even try to look at them.
‘’But you can.'' They tried to speak but Mordred caught them off guard.
‘’I am here for only one thing. ‘’He reminded them. ‘’There is no need for anything more.’’
‘’But you could.’’ Hephaestus’ fingers found his knuckles. ‘’I thought that you were my…’’
‘’The Nektar is speaking’’ Mordred forced a grin and moved his hand far from their fingers.
‘’I thought that we were friends, I thought.’’Spirits, he couldn’t listen to their voice breaking so softly.
Friends? Mordred laughed between his breaths.
‘’We both were a convenience to one another,'' He reminded them. ‘’You will seek justice, I will seek my purpose again.'' He was calm, stoic, and cruel as he let these words that even he was forced to believe.
Hephaestus stretched their wrists and lowered their eyes, shocked.
‘’Conv…’’ Hephaestus stuttered and cut their words with a dagger.
‘’Right. You have to go back to Hermes'' They did not startle. They did not break, they did not shout, they were just staring at him like wildfire ready to eat him alive from just the answer he was about to give.
‘’Is there any other choice?’’ Mordred lied with a chuckle. It is the best solution for all of us.
Hephaestus’ eyes softened with the darkest clouds conquering their two skies of theirs. There was no smile, no joke, nothing as they moved the ribbon out of their pocket and tried to tie their hair with it.
They kept their silence till they stood up with the help of their cane.
‘’We should get going’’They said as they were walking down the pillars.
You did the right thing. Mordred told himself as he was now alone, in the darkness once more.
He looked underneath his tunic, showing how the mark looked once more. White like snow, conquering each part of his torso with the mere center of his heart.
You did the right thing. He said again, taking out the azure crystal with a letter he had written while everyone was preparing for tonight. A letter that summed everything up. A letter for help. A letter that said he could not do this alone.
He aimed at the sky, looking at the stars, and reminded him how, unlike them, he was alone. He was alone but he chose right.
You did the right thing, he said and let the crystal with the letter fly as a wave of energy gets drained far from him.
The letter looked like a star retiring to every one of them from above with Mordred now down on his knees, gasping for air that he once lost. Mordred had done something unthinkable, yet it was the only thing that could be done. At that moment, he realized he had done the right thing, and as the crystal flew off, a wave of relief engulfed him.
I did the right thing. The priest lied.