MORDRED

The council room was on the twentieth floor. The healer visited there only once. He only met the leader once. Well, if announcing his name and his presence was a meeting then it was. But Mordred couldn’t even manage to look him in the eyes. Mordred felt intimidated by the leader, as he was in a powerful position and Mordred was scared to make a mistake. He was also overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment, being on the twentieth floor, as he was not accustomed to such high levels of authority.

The rest of the members he knew by their faces and a few of their characteristics he managed to catch.

In front of the table was a hard rock table polished perfectly, and ten chairs were arranged around it. Four chairs were empty. Three when Hermes sat down, between Nephtys and Horus, the youngest among the members. The empty chairs were for the leader as he was on his own mission. Hestia who had just passed. Janus was sitting on his side and he didn’t even let his eyes go from the dark empty seat where Hestia used to sit.

The last empty seat belonged to Feronia. Mordred had never met her but he could listen to rumors that she had lost her mind in one of the battles she fought against mortals. Her seat was between Nephthys other side and Leviathan’s sweet honey and yet dangerous presence. Next to them, there was Rudra whose harsh eyes were looking directly at Mordred and the rest as her hands were fixing her prosthetic jaw. Hermes had told Mordred that Enki, the one next to her, had caused this. In return for her mistake, she fixed Rudra’s jaw with a fake golden one with silver for teeth.

Enki’s body was almost half made with engines, every breath made a synced sound of cogs and energy. Mordred could see the Mechanic’s reaction to her presence from afar. Their face were flustered and their eyes were filled with curiosity. But then, their eyes shifted with a slight dart when they found Leviathan’s green braided hair in their sight. Their brown hazel eyes moved to them too and smiled gently.

The walls were light purple crystal which was becoming darker as Mordred would look higher to the ceiling with the light orb staying at the top of it. The room was clean, and paintings were hung on each of the four walls. From the creation of Babel where Sedna was exposing her hands, creating light from behind her, to the current leader of Babel. That drew the Hybrid’s attention fast. Mordred noticed and he was ready to face the painting but Hermes cleared his throat loud enough to make an echo.

Behind the healer, the others were guarded by white masks as they panted, to catch a breath from the stairs they had just climbed. The Royal and the Guard stayed close to each other, holding out their amusement for the place they had just entered. The hybrid was looking the sickest of all with her eyes and head moving left and right, panicking.

Mordred could not say that he was not panicking. Everyone's eyes attacked them, ready to cut either the rope of hope who was holding Lord Death's sword.

Hephaestus noticed it too and they rested their free hand on the top of her shoulder. Her eyes snapped and her panic faded slowly.

‘’This place is...'' The Hybrid tried to speak.

‘’Quiet’’ Hermes ordered.

But the door snapped with Lancelot storming shocked.

‘’I hate those stairs’’ He said, lowering his body and touching the knees tight. His eyes moved up, looking at Mordred with a smile and his gills opened surprisingly wide.

‘’Welcome back’’ He gasped and fixed his posture slowly and faced the Hybrid with a wide smile. But she did not have the same reaction as she replied with a loud grunt.

‘’You are a Hecca’’He sounded almost amused with his brows rising. ‘’But I heard that your incantations belong to..’’

She did not reply and took a step back cowardly. The Royal arched her right eyebrow and moved closer to the Hybrid. ‘’Hecca?’’ She asked, rather confused.

‘’None of your business’’She replied with her hands now inside the pockets of Mordred’s cloak.

‘’Why is he here?’’ Leviathan asked with an upset frown.

‘’I called him’’ Nepthys implied and lifted her chin up and turned to the rest.

‘’We are sorry for the sudden call’’ A soft smile curled on her face, making her scar wrinkle, and crossed her fingers with one another, pressuring her elbows to the table.

‘’But, your first impression was not..’’She moved her fingers, trying to explain what she meant to say.

‘’You are a mortal’’The Hybrid’s voice echoed from behind.

Mordred expected Nephtys to ignore the comment, rolling her eyes or clearing her throat to spit an insult. Instead, her blue eyes softened with a smile, gentle as a song shifted to her face once more.

‘’Yes’’She shook her head and agreed with her statement. The Hybrid took one more step back. So Did the Royal while she clenched fingers to the Guard’s coat.

Nephtys noticed it and rested her back against her purple dark chair and looked at Hermes, over her left shoulder.

‘’Fine, you can take the lead’’She grunted and Hermes stood up, fixing up his white coat with a prideful grin. This was as if he had won a game of cards while he usually was losing at these games.

‘’You know why you are here, yes?’’

All of them shook a no, except for Mordred who stood there, silently, looking directly at Hermes’s skeptic brow. He licked his lips and sighed heavily.

‘’There was an artifact that had to be sent here’’ He explained. ‘’So, where is it?’’He asked politely.

‘’Funny story’’ Hephaestus answered from behind with a grin. Mordred turned back and cleared his throat.

‘’Where is it?’’ Hermes asked again, this time, and was still there, looking at Mordred.

When he finally told them everything that happened, about the Hybrid, the army, and Naraka, and what happened to the bottle, Mordred kept silent about Hermes’s orders. And not about the voices or dreams they had seen.

Everyone's eyes shifted to Lancelot, waiting for them to speak on this.

He shrugged and frowned his mouth casually.

‘’He is not lying’’ He said formally.

A loud laugh burst from Rudra’s mouth filled with anger as it was almost a growl.

‘’I can’t believe it’’ She gasped. ‘’This is a bad joke’’

‘’The only bad joke is your face’’ Nephthys muttered with her hand covering her mouth.

‘’I heard that’’ She growled and showed the rest with her hand. She then looked around the room with a stern gaze, her point made as clear as day.

‘’There are people down, panicking because of them’’ Her yellow eyes moved once more back at them and narrowed to the Hybrid’s side.

‘’What are you supposed to be?’’ She asked.

‘’Charming?’’ The hybrid asked with a grin. ‘’I am a Performer.’’

Hermes rolled his eyes and sighed once more. ‘’She is a thief’’

The Hybrid gasped dramatically acting as if she got hurt by his words. ‘’Acting as you know me.’’She arched her brow with a grin’’ how cute.’’

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Hermes frowned shocked ‘’How should I know you, Hy…’’

‘’This is wrong’’ Rudra interrupted. Her eyes moved to Janus. ‘’This is dangerous for all of us’’

‘’It is dangerous to not have the upper hand ‘’ Janus explained, gaze moving everywhere and then to the Royal. Mordred had the time before to tell her about Janus. He was the closest one to Hestia, that they came to Babel together and they were both annoying each other. But it was a different annoyance than the one Nephthys and Hermes had.

That made the Royal’s chick turn dark pink from a sort of familiarity she could take from him. A friend of her friend. Someone that they could understand.

‘’Again’’Janus finally spoke breathlessly, tired.''And I believe that Hestia would want that too,''

‘’So you would rather have the ones who supposed to no more, in fear?’’ Rudra asked. ‘’There are demons, warlocks,’’ She turned to Lancelot and shook her head. ‘’That they have seen enough to know just by their presence that they are dangerous then…’’

‘’What are you suggesting then?’’ Janus asked concernedly.

‘’I don’t know but we cannot just let them stay here and be free’’

‘’We cannot kill them either’’ He explained while all five of them were in the present worried in this conversation, deciding their fates. The Royal and the Guard did not move in still in front of their worried positions. The Hybrid just looked at her feet, waiting for all of this to be over. Hephaestus did not speak as their eyes were looking at the horizon.

Mordred wanted to speak on that matter but all the active council members were having a loud conversation that could slowly turn into an argument.

After three seconds, the argument had started, and lifted his head, shifting to Lancelot, concerned. They shut their eyes and replied with a smile.

They were not always the talkative type. No, they were never the talkative type. Or the ones that were expressing their emotions easily. ordered was jealous of how calmly they were reacting to any of the events, rather than hiding behind the white mask, made of clay.

A voice broke out from behind, loud enough for everyone to pay attention to it. For everyone to stop arguing about something that they could not be fixed.

‘’What are you doing?’’ Mordred hissed mechanically to Hephaestus.

‘’We have been hunted’’ Hephaestus ignored his comment and started counting the events with their fingers. ‘’Nearly killed and walked for days for you to let us watch you planning if you will let us live or die’’

None spoke. Rudra lifted her head and her eyes moved lower, looking at them, impressed. But she did not show it quite yet.

‘’What do you want then? Brat?’’

‘’Hephaestus’’ They said and took a step front with their prosthetic making two false sounds, out of sync they had heard before.

‘’Why does it sound like that?’’ Enki’s mechanic's voice shouted upset, almost sad. ‘’You broke it?’’

‘’Sorry’’Hephaestus said, turning red and trying to remember fast what they wanted to say to the rest.

‘’We gave you our story’’Hephaestus ignored. ‘’Now give us answers of exactly what you wanted’’ They jerked their head to Mordred, confident and arrogant. ‘’Him to take back’’

Complete silence before Horus let out a laugh. Mordred could see the scars underneath his light eyes enough, even if his thick hair was covering half of his bronze face.

‘’I am sorry’’ He grinned and faced Hephaestus amused. Hephaestus sighed with relief and forced a smile.

‘’But you are right’’ He turned to Hermes who was still standing up, facing Nephthys furious.

As he also turned to the cocky man, Hermes frowned, confused.

Mordred moved his eyes over his shoulder and faced Hephaestus’s nervous trapping on their cane. Their eyes still were far from his side. But he was glad that the argument had stopped. Even if they had to scream like the idiot they were.

A few seconds passed before everyone returned to their seats.

This time, Janus was the one to talk to. Elbows to the table, fingers stippled and green eyes facing them all. He tilted his head to the soldiers, making them get out. Rudra was ready to stand up and disagree with his actions. Janus’s eyes shifted for a second to her, threatening her with just a look. A calm look. Rudra shook her head and sighed.

‘’Feels awful, I know’’ Nephthys muffled again behind her hand.

When the soldiers were out, Janus finally informed them.

‘’Hestia’s mission’’His voice broke and took one more deep breath and continued. ‘’Was gathering information’’His eyes moved back to where Lucifer was.

‘’Your aunt had this scientist make an artifact that could change everything’’His gaze softened. ‘’When it was back to us, Enki was supposed to make experiments with it’’

‘’I still can if you want to volunteer’’ She lifted her mechanic arm, exposing her sharp fingers with her fleshed smile attacking them.

Both the Guard and the Hybrid shook a chorus of no while Hephaestus shook a slight yes.

‘’I figured’’She groaned disappointedly

‘’That is all we know so far’’

‘’So, nothing?’’ The Royal asked, disappointed.

‘’It is difficult to find information’’ Leviathan spoke out, informing them with a smile. ‘’Especially forwardly your family’s home, isn’t it?’’

.

Lucifer lowered her flustered face and took a cowardly step away from the rest. Mordred was half glad that he was not the only one annoyed by Leviathan’s presence.

‘’We...do not know a lot about the scientist either’’ Enki said

‘’It does not matter’’ Rudra slammed her hands to the table. Nephthys hand moved slowly to her stiff arm, comforting her.

‘’We are all in danger’’

‘’Sedna’s curse still keeps us safe’’ Leviathan reminded her.

‘’For now’’ Horus rose from his seat. ‘’What if we let them join?’’ He suggested with a smile, bright like a sun as he was facing Hephaestus once more

‘’What do you mean boy?’’ Rudra asked.

‘’Well,’’ Horus stretched his neck and turned his body towards them. ‘’We have what we want, right? And we are in peace and they can stay till we find a proper plan or training.''

‘’You are not’’ Hephaestus interrupted again, their eyes still looking at the horizon. Mordred’s eyes darted at what he had just heard. ''You have no time’’

‘’Hephaestus what…’’ Mordred tried to speak but it was far too la

‘’You don’t know what he is capable of’’ They emerged right in front of the table with their cane, moving their head around so they could see each one of the members.

‘’And you do?’’ Leviathan arched their brow.

‘’I know that you are stupid enough to think you are safe because mortals cannot pass’’ Hephaestus judged, lifting their shoulders.

‘’But if he knows what this place is, then he is just toying with you’’

‘’What do you mean?’’ Nephthys asked even more curiously than before, her fingers close to her chin. She was probably the only one who was invested in their panic.

Hephaestus stopped so suddenly to talk that Mordred could listen to their shaking breath.

‘’You are new on this’’ Leviathan laughed softly, playing with their golden earrings and bracelets. ‘’But you must know this place is…’’

‘’Is just like all the rest'' Hephaestus’ volume had risen up, broken. ''You all know nothing and follow the world blindly when the truth is right in front of you/''

Mordred turned the other way, noticing how confused everyone was. Even Lancelot was now not hiding his surprise.

‘’And how do you know so much?’’ Leviathan smiled once again. ‘’You are just a ki-’’

''Shut.'' Hephaestus was ready to storm their side. Mordred’s hand found their shoulder, squeezing it tight.

He had listened enough, he had seen enough gazes. He had seen how it would end. With them being humiliated. And at that moment, that was the last thing he wanted. He wanted to scream, yell at them, and shout to stop. His eyes found Hermes upset, no. Furious gaze.

The bright light found his face, finally exposing his deep dark circles and unhinged expression. Did he even sleep? Did he even blink?

But looking back at Hephaestus, they could see how terrified they were. How angry they were about something that Mordred could not find an answer to. But they were ready to shed tears, something that shouting would only make far worse.

Leviathan hummed satisfied and flipped their green long braids behind.

Nephtys let out a long sigh, a tired one specifically and lifted her head, facing this time, Lancelot.

‘’What are you suggesting?’’ She asked him.

‘’Why are you asking him?’’ Hermes used confusion ring-dressed on.

Nepthys ignored him completely.

Lancelot moved in front of them, turning his eyes to Hephaestus and the rest looking at them with comfort.

‘’A night of rest’’He said after that.

‘’Rest?’’ Leviathan asked, almost shocked, and showed Hephaestus with their ring dressed on hand.

‘’They insulted the cause’’ Their tone turned louder, almost offended. ‘’And who are you to take charge? Nymph?’’ A slight grin curled on their lips.

‘’People always talk'' Lancelot’s ears moved. And it seemed that that made Lucifer’s body shiver. ‘’That they are not welcome here or not’’ They slowly turned back to them and took a deep breath. ‘’But it is their choice to stay. You need them more than they need you,'' he implied.

‘’You are talking like you know something about war’’ Rudra complained with a mechanical pout.

‘’I have lived long enough’’ He made a long pause. ‘’To see more council members die than you could have ever seen’’ His lips almost drew a smile. ‘’They were almost as arrogant as all of you.’’He made a mockery of all of them.

Mordred had heard that Lancelot was there when Babel was created. But this was a story that Hestia had told him and she had the excuse that his hair was pale like an old demon’s. Age for Demons was something that he could never understand. But he knew one thing for certain Lancelot was a nymph. And someone who knew more than he was showing.

‘’So, yes. They need rest to think and relax…’’He played with his horns and faced them once more, this time more intimidating. ''All of you’’

‘’You dare’’ Rudra growled.

‘’Case, my point’’ Lancelot said with pride.

A few seconds passed and Horus lifted his hands, giving up.

‘’A day it is’’

‘’Why are you agreeing kid?’’ Hermes complained.

‘’I am bored’’He replied, moving his head back. ‘’Besides if they wanted to do something to hurt us’’He moved back, looking with a smile at Hephaestus. Almost a flirtatious smile that made Mordred’s eyes burn for a peculiar reason.

‘’They would have done it’’ He sighed and rested his shoulders

‘’I agree too’’ Both Janus and Nepthys lifted their hands. The rest followed. Janus forced a smile to his face, turning to Lucifer and Ukko, trying to get along, even with a distance. Everyone now was looking at Hermes, the light was now far from his, hiding most of his expression. But it did not matter. Mordred could see just how tired he was.

‘’Fine’’ Hermes grunted, tired with his fingers pushing his eyebrows together.

‘’For the best of Babel’’He muttered.

Mordred’s eyes froze as they heard something echoing behind him. It was a laugh. A mocking one. He thought that he had imagined it as if none else tried to speak about it. But he knew it was coming from the Hybrid. Mordred quickly turned around to see the Hybrid smiling and chuckling to herself.

"What's so funny?" Mordred asked, with a hint of annoyance in his voice. The Hybrid simply replied, "Oh, nothing. I just find it amusing''

Lancelot shifted back toward the others with a gentle smile.

‘’What do you say?’’ He asked.