Scene 1
Demigod Silv POV
"General Silv, we've finished surrounding the region. The only city left to check is the City of Hebe." Receiving the report of the Head of the Scouts, who's been sending warriors into cities questioning the mortals.
Everyone searching for this supposed mortal who's been teaching several mortals how to reach divinity without Lord Zeus's blessing. Never staying in the same place for more than a decade as children who've become accomplished by disgraced warriors of the Empire. Each received teaching from this Woden, who's appeared in places Lord Zeus wants destroyed for Blasphemy.
With my newest lead being delivered right into my hands in the form of a 2nd Order Warrior. An ant in our eyes, as a mortal who hasn't touched divinity yet. But his methods, although brutal, are still more advanced than even average 1st Order Warriors.
"And has anyone located this Volk yet? It's been over two years, and mortals don't just vanish from our Empire." Glancing around the room as my anger was threatening to break out. The amount of effort it's taken over these last thousand years has driven me insane.
"No, sir. The last report of him was being sighted trading for a horse using a Bacchus-issued sword. We've already reclaimed the Blessed weapon and taken care of any kin linked to the owner of the sword."
Nodding my head as I tapped the visual map of divinity showing the City of Hebe. Bordering on the Northern Mountains that can be used to bypass Gaia Domain in the center of the world to reach Poseidon's sea in the West.
"Anyone know anything about the Goddess Hebe?" Looking around for anyone to speak up, as my only focus is leading mortal armies and not being concerned with the affairs of Olympus.
"Not much besides what mortals know. This city wasn't originally built here. It was closer to Apollo's Kingdom until 3000 years ago." Glancing to the General from Apollo's Kingdom, a Low-rank Demi-God. Waving his hand for someone to step forward as the snake tattoos along the man's arms and chains spoke of his origin and status.
"My lord, we only know our Goddess and her sisters abandoned us. That was when I originally stepped into the 1st Order. By the time I realized what was going on, the city was burning, and those who spoke of moving to a new place are clearly these groups and their descendants." Seeing the visible anger on his face before he's yanked back by his chain as some of the men beat him for displaying his bloodlust in our presence.
"Then it's a city we can pillage. Select the most hardened men for this assault. We'll question everyone once we capture the city. Only the elite should go so they can release the stress of being here for two years." Waving to the men in the tent as I dismissed everyone, along with assigning someone to clean up the mess they left.
Scene 2
Volk POV
"Come on, we need to restock, and I'll see if we can find you a sword to use." Redirecting Rilk to pack up as I've already secured our pelts to sell to farmers for the horse.
"Let's get some fruits as well this time. Vegetables are disgusting." Following behind me as we traveled a day's walk from our overlook of the army to the nearest farm.
A farmer who used to be a warrior who's been living a life of peace near the wilderness. Now cutting off his trade to the nearest city like everyone in this mountain.
Afraid of being dragged back into the armies. Even giving me knowledge of all the locals once he heard Zeus sent a decree. As every local took the same message and stopped traveling to the city over a year ago when the army started staying in the area.
"Volk, how do you think Alexisos is doing?" Asking the same question I've been asking myself as the idea of him losing to a mortal like himself sounded rare to my mind. Yet with Zeus making a decree for the first time in our lives.
I knew he would try everything possible to get back into fighting. Alexisos only seeing war as his path to Divinity. While I'm not sure of the path myself. Woden always said I was destined to be heard throughout the Stars. Even reading the notebook only confused me. Yet this brat could grasp it as if it was made for him.
"I don't know. But in the worst case, me and you will continue North to leave Zeus's Empire. Woden once spoke of a city named after Zeus's brother in the north. If Alexisos makes his decision, then that'll be the end of our path as partners." Glancing back as I saw his head dip slightly. Yet not upset as he's understood we've already wasted two years just trying to get a chance to see him.
"What if he doesn't want to leave? Would you join him?" Stopping as I heard Rilk's question.
"I would like to say yes, but Rilk. Alexisos is a man just like me. Some decisions can't be taken back.
Woden once said, Save your mother but not the man who'll accept defeat. Defend your sister but not the woman who'll lead you to war. From the stories I've heard from Woden. Every other Emperor doesn't demand wars to be constantly going.
Even Gods walk among their followers more often. While Poseidon's Gods are usually the Tribe leaders and Kings. We're the only mortal race who can't stand with pride under Zeus.
The giants are granted freedom as long as they partake in wars Zeus orders. The fairies are all Divine Aids and messengers. The Wolfkin are allowed land as long as they go to war with the Dark Races like Vampires. Then there's the BirdFolk. Zeus's direct mortal lineage who live on a floating mountain chain as they are ignored for fear of the Gods' demands.
If Alexisos decided he wants to go to war every day and commit the acts that befell our home, then we will continue North if we don't find him on our way to Hebe for the last stop. The army is looking for a man, and I think we possess the book they would want more than anything." Watching him clutch the hide bag carrying the book he's absorbed reading in his free time.
"Then let's just go. If Alexisos made his choice, then, brother, there's no point in asking him. I don't want you to get dragged back into wars if you don't want it." Patting his head before we continued on. Only coming to a stop once we decided to rest at a stream and continue in the morning.
Scene 3
Volk POV
"Alexisos?" Grabbing Rilk as I slide to the side of a house before carrying on. Not bothering to stop once I felt the strength of every warrior here outranking Alexisos and matching me.
"Stay quiet. We need to get out now." Understanding something is seriously wrong before grabbing a couple of large belts from an empty shop.
"What's wrong?" Catching him glancing back, I forced him to look forward.
"Zeus's direct warriors. The Lightning Guard. They'll kill us if they spot that sword on your waist. It's still one of his son's blessed weapons for war. Having one means a contract for life to the God. Zeus's warriors hunt those who run from their duty." Watching him focus more as we twisted and turned through the city. Using the night cover as our blessing.
"Once we make it to the wall, I'll toss you over. I need you to run as far as possible. Find the Northern Star Neres in the Night Sky and head that way." Understanding I need to shed weight if escaping is to be done. With no way to verify if Alexisos, who's standing with Zeus's guard, hasn't already told on me.
I can only protect Rilk and pray to Hades that fate doesn't end here. Grabbing a wooden spear that every warrior trains with as we close in on the wooden wall. As I scooped him up and threw him as softly as possible. Ignoring the sound of screaming starting as the night sky began to brighten.
A sight I never wanted to see or witness again. When Zeus's warriors ruin a city under his Empire. Something I suspected our city suffered after hearing rumors of red-masked and black-skinned men destroying entire armies, resulting in Zeus's warriors getting sent.
Now I'm living inside the rumor yet again as my only hope for Rilk making it out of this mess is my former teacher, if he's here like I suspect. Even if he's a demon, I'll take the deal to leave this corrupted Empire.
"Hey, you!" Not bothering to stop as I knew one second of hesitation would lead to death.